Don’t ask how vast the Upper Realm is—the answer is unknown.
However, like the Star Meteorite Continent, there were many forbidden zones here filled with extreme danger while concealing tremendous opportunities.
According to relevant department statistics, at regular intervals people obtained precious heavenly treasures or profound martial techniques left by ancient powerful experts within forbidden zones.
Opportunities were like blazing flames, constantly attracting swarms of moths rushing forward one after another. Though some received fortune’s favor and gained opportunities, far more ended up dead.
Case in point: several thousand li east of the Eternal Sect, outside a mountain forest shrouded in dense fog, as dawn barely broke, several thousand martial artists had already gathered.
Demon Mist Forest.
One of the Upper Realm’s forbidden zones.
Perpetual mist existed within, with the effect of restricting spiritual sense expansion.
The Upper Realm had danger level classifications for forbidden zones: first, second, and third grade. Third grade was lowest, first grade highest. This Demon Mist Forest was classified as third grade.
Being the lowest level, martial artists gathered at the perimeter were mostly Breaking Sky Realm or newly entered Core Rotation Realm cultivators.
The Upper Realm classified forbidden zone levels precisely so people would understand whether they had the strength to enter based on their cultivation.
If Demon Mist Forest were second grade, martial artists gathering here would definitely all be Core Rotation Realm, and probably needed to reach five or six rotations minimum.
Oh, right.
Though Demon King Cave wasn’t classified as a forbidden zone, the danger level of its deepest regions was at least second grade.
After learning about the level classifications, Xiao Zuiji, Ye Xingchen and others almost couldn’t resist going to Spirit Peak Mountain to give Hall Master Zi a thorough scolding.
“Boss.”
A young martial artist waiting at the perimeter couldn’t help asking, “When do we go in?”
“When the mist thins.”
The middle-aged man beside him, whose face was written with stories, replied.
The dense fog shrouding Demon Mist Forest weakened at a fixed time each day, so martial artists who frequently came here to train would enter at that moment.
“Remember!”
The middle-aged man reminded, “We can only search inside for two hours. When time’s up, regardless of what happens, we must immediately retreat along our original path.”
“Understood!”
The young martial artist and companions responded.
They knew the mist thinning period lasted only two hours. Once past that, it would become dense again. If they didn’t decisively retreat, the demonic energy within would invade their minds, causing them to lose rationality and become walking corpses.
This was precisely why Demon Mist Forest was classified as a forbidden zone.
If one didn’t actively enter the deepest parts of Demon King Cave, it was a relatively safe low-level training area, so it wasn’t included in classifications.
Time slowly passed. After about half an hour, the dense fog covering the sky like a thick quilt began thinning, eventually becoming like a thin veil.
At this time point, the fog was not only thin, but its effect of blocking spiritual sense expansion was weakest—truly the best moment to enter.
“Move!”
“Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!”
Instantly, everyone sprang into action.
After they all entered, the Eternal Sect’s core disciples led by Lu Qianqian arrived at this location.
Li Qingyang pulled out a map. After comparing the environment, he confirmed, “This is the mission location—Demon Mist Forest.”
“Crack crack!”
Xiao Zuiji rolled his head and arms.
Ye Xingchen said flatly, “It’s just a third-grade forbidden zone. Do you need to warm up?”
“Junior Brother Ye.”
Li Qingyang said, “The demon mist here erodes the mind, causing people to lose rationality. After we enter, we still need to be very careful.”
“Correct.”
He Wudi said gravely, “Since it’s classified as a forbidden zone, great danger exists. We can’t be careless.”
“Let’s go.”
Lu Qianqian said, “Enter.”
Previously when Li Qingyang and others did missions, they’d chat and laugh, quite relaxed. Now with Senior Sister participating, constantly radiating coldness, the atmosphere was truly awkward.
“Swoosh!”
“Swoosh!”
The five successively entered Demon Mist Forest. But as soon as they set foot on ground covered with decayed leaves, they immediately sensed that the thin mist contained some sinister property attempting to seep into their bodies through their skin.
“Circulate true energy to dissolve the demonic energy.”
As Lu Qianqian spoke, she immediately mobilized the icy cold power within her body. One could clearly see approaching mist instantly transform into ice particles.
Mist was formed from water, making it very difficult to approach ice-attribute martial artists.
Li Qingyang, Ye Xingchen and others all circulated true energy, blocking harmful properties from outside.
Most impressive was still Xiao Zuiji. He didn’t release true energy but relied on his most solid physical body to resist demonic energy penetration.
“Move.”
The five stepped forward.
Along the way, though they maintained absolute vigilance, they appeared quite calm—forming a sharp contrast with those thousand martial artists ahead who stopped every step, remaining in a state of high alert.
…
Demon Mist Forest was vast, so after entering for a quarter hour, people gradually dispersed. Each team began carefully exploring.
Exploring for what?
Heavenly treasures or rare ores.
The more harsh and extreme the environment, the more likely it could nurture good things.
“Boss!”
The young martial artist who’d spoken earlier at the perimeter pointed toward black mushrooms growing beneath a distant boulder, exclaiming excitedly, “Black Jade Mushrooms…”
Someone beside him quickly covered his mouth, whispering, “Shouting so loud—afraid others won’t hear?”
The most dangerous things in forbidden zones weren’t just harsh environments and powerful demonic beasts that could appear anytime, but also fellow martial artists who came exploring together—because murder and robbery were commonplace.
The one called Boss walked over. Taking out specialized gloves, he dug out the fist-sized Black Jade Mushroom and smiled. “Not bad luck—we found something right after entering.”
“Boss, I discovered it first. When we sell it, give me a bigger share!” the young man said.
“Don’t worry.”
Boss said, “Follow me and you’ll eat well.”
“Search carefully around here—see if there are more!”
“Yes!”
Everyone quickly spread out, earnestly searching along trees and stones.
“Hmm?”
The young martial artist noticed a black shadow beneath a distant boulder and ran over happily. But just as he approached, the shadow suddenly lunged at him, opening its mouth to viciously bite his right arm.
“Ahhh!”
Screams rang out, echoing throughout the mountain forest.
“Not good!”
“It’s a Poison Scale Black Marten!”
“Swoosh!”
Boss rushed over in a flash. The sword at his waist flew out, directly piercing the black creature through.
“Ahhh!”
Though the poisonous creature was killed, the piercing pain still tormented his mind, causing the young martial artist’s face to gradually contort.
Companions all stepped back, eyes flashing with wariness.
Poison Scale Black Martens weren’t particularly strong, but from living year-round in Demon Mist Forest, their saliva contained lethal poison. Once they bit through skin and the poison entered the bloodstream, it would cause loss of rationality.
“B-Boss… save me…” the young martial artist cried out in pain. The bitten wrist rapidly blackened, with toxins already spreading throughout his body.
“Done for!”
Someone collapsed. “No saving him!”
Boss had been to Demon Mist Forest many times and was especially familiar with the poisonous creatures here. After brief consideration, determination flashed in his eyes. “Brother, I’m sorry!”
“Whoosh!”
Sword light flashed, brilliantly radiant.
Those infected with Black Marten poison would completely lose rationality, then engage in frenzied killing. Killing them before the toxins fully erupted was the best method.
“No…”
The young martial artist cried out in despair.
“Clang!”
Just then, a large hand suddenly reached out, directly catching the sharp sword.
Boss’s expression changed dramatically.
Catching a blade barehanded—that was one thing!
But why, upon contact with the palm, did it make the sound of weapons clashing?
“He.”
Xiao Zuiji stood like a wall opposite him, his hand hard as iron gripping the sword, neutralizing the sword force within. He said flatly, “Can still be saved.”
Speaking thus, he turned and crouched down, one hand gripping the young martial artist’s chin, then tossed a pill into his mouth.
This action stunned Boss and his companions.
Black Marten poison was not only extremely toxic but also contagious. This guy actually dared make contact!
“Whoosh whoosh!”
Just then, billowing black energy surged from the young martial artist’s entire body. The skin around the bite wound also gradually returned from black to normal.
“Boss!”
Someone exclaimed, “The toxins are receding!”
“Incredible, incredible!” The middle-aged man’s eyes widened.
As a veteran who’d frequented various forbidden zones year-round, he definitely carried various antidote pills.
However, Black Marten poison was so strong that unless dissolved with even higher cultivation, there was absolutely no way to neutralize it. Now this guy had given his brother one pill and solved it—simply couldn’t be more miraculous!
“Wow!”
The young martial artist spat out a mass of black blood. The toxins in his body were completely purged. His youthful face gradually recovered, and finally he said with lingering fear, “I… I’m still alive… I’m still alive…”
Boss hurriedly clasped his hands. “Many thanks, young friend, for saving him.”
“Saving the dying and healing the injured is my sect’s principle.” Xiao Zuiji’s entire body immediately radiated intense holy mother light. However, the next second he said, “One pill costs 100,000 profound stones. Please pay.”
“This…”
Boss’s expression became wonderful.
“Of course.”
Xiao Zuiji said, “If you don’t pay, the consequences will be severe.”
“Step!”
“Step!”
Ye Xingchen and He Wudi walked over.
The two flanked left and right, surrounding the dozen-plus martial artists. One clenched his fists, the other shook his head and neck, his body gradually blackening, two eyes flashing crimson light!
“I’ll pay!”
“I’ll pay!”
Boss immediately cowered, hurriedly handing over 100,000 profound stones.
Though it had a bit of forced buying and selling flavor, at least the young martial artist’s life was saved, so it wasn’t a loss—even a small profit.
After Xiao Zuiji counted them, he said, “I have ten more antidote pills here that can neutralize over two thousand types of toxins. If you buy them all, I can give you a ninety-nine percent discount.”
“…”
Boss’s face collapsed.
“Of course.”
Xiao Zuiji said, “I won’t force you to buy.”
Speaking thus, he turned to leave.
“Wait!”
Boss said, “Can your pills really neutralize several thousand types of poison?”
Xiao Zuiji stopped, turned around, and took out his identity token. “Do you think I’d deceive you?”
Seeing this, Boss exclaimed in shock, “Eternal Sect disciple!”
Having frequented the outside year-round, he had many channels for obtaining information, so he’d long heard of this sect. He also knew the pill shops recently opening in various cities—the Eternal Pill Shop—was an enterprise under the Eternal Sect.
Understood!
The antidote pill just given to his brother must have been refined by the Eternal Pill Shop!
Wrong.
This type of pill that could neutralize several thousand poisons didn’t come from the pill shop but from Hall Master Miao Saifeng of the Poison Refining Hall, whom some readers constantly remembered and whose echoes must resound.
Though this woman had the least presence in the Eternal Sect, she hadn’t been idle these ten-plus years. Rather, she’d constantly researched poison arts. As the saying goes, those who play with poison understand poison best, so she created this antidote pill.
Cautious Li Qingyang, before leaving the sect, had specifically visited the Poison Refining Hall and brought quite a few antidote pills.
“Good!”
Boss said, “I’ll buy five!”
“Five pills get no discount.”
“…”
The middle-aged man took out another 500,000 profound stones and purchased five antidote pills.
He didn’t question the pills’ effectiveness. First, it had just been verified through his brother. Second, the Eternal Sect’s backer was Immortal Tonggu—they shouldn’t engage in fraud!
“Farewell!”
Xiao Zuiji turned and left.
Only then did Ye Xingchen and He Wudi recover from demonic state to human appearance.
“Senior Sister.”
On the road, Xiao Zuiji grinned. “We actually managed to sell the antidote pills!”
In situations like earlier, he originally didn’t plan to intervene. After all, entering a forbidden zone meant being prepared to die. But he still followed Lu Qianqian’s suggestion to save people, then took the opportunity to promote antidote pills.
“Sold too cheap.”
Lu Qianqian said, “Next time, 200,000.”
“…”
Li Qingyang and others’ mouths twitched, thinking internally, “That’s getting rather black!”
…
“Ahhh!”
“I was bitten by a Black Marten!”
In another area, within a certain team exploring, another martial artist was unfortunately bitten by a Poison Scale Black Marten. Toxins instantly flooded his body, immediately bringing tremendous pain.
Facing this situation, companions could only choose to mercifully kill him. But just as they were about to act, Xiao Zuiji arrived carrying holy mother light, neutralized the toxins for him, then… demanded money.
The team leader nearly cried.
One less companion meant more profit to share. But instead he got saved, and they forced him to pay—what kind of situation was this!
“Won’t pay?”
Xiao Zuiji frowned.
“Whoosh whoosh!”
Ye Xingchen and He Wudi blackened again in登场, frightening the leader into hurriedly handing over 200,000 profound stones while howling internally, “This is the first time I’ve seen anyone doing business in a forbidden zone!”
“Earned another 200,000.”
Xiao Zuiji smiled. “If the Sect Master knew, he’d definitely be very happy.”
If Jun Changxiao knew, he wouldn’t just be happy—he’d be extremely gratified, because disciples he cultivated had learned to actively make money.
“Move.”
Lu Qianqian said, “There are still many people inside waiting for us to save them.”
“…”
Li Qingyang’s mouth twitched.
He clearly remembered that when first entering the sect years ago, he’d had disagreements with Senior Sister over saving the severely injured Xiao Zuiji. Now, though the motive was making money, at least it showed great change.
…
Demon Mist Forest had many Poison Scale Black Martens. Because they were small and agile, they frequently ambushed martial artists without strong cultivation.
Got bitten?
No panic, no panic.
Xiao Zuiji would always arrive at the scene first, like a skilled emergency doctor—first performing CPR resuscitation, then administering antidote pills. After finishing, he’d brush his sleeves and depart, truly coming quietly, leaving quietly, taking only 200,000 profound stones.
If they took the antidote pills to sell at pill shops, sales definitely wouldn’t be this good. But now being in a toxin-filled forbidden zone, they absolutely didn’t lack customers. So in just half an hour, they’d obtained over three million profound stones.
If Dog Leftover knew, he’d probably order disciples to stock up on antidote pills and push carts hawking wares along various forbidden zones.
Of course.
Selling pills was just opportunistically earning pocket change. Everyone hadn’t forgotten this trip’s purpose—the mission to hunt 100 Demon Mist Demonic Beasts in Demon Mist Forest.
“Strange.”
Li Qingyang said, “We’ve walked so far—how haven’t we encountered a single one?”
“Should be in the depths.” He Wudi guessed.
“Step!”
Xiao Zuiji stopped, casually picking a watermelon-sized Black Jade Mushroom. “This thing has toxins on the surface. Hall Master Miao should like it, right?”
The System roared, “Knowing it’s poisonous, you still touch it with your hands!”
Wait!
Why am I complaining about disciples?
Xiao Zuiji stored the large Black Jade Mushroom in his spatial ring, but discovered his touching palms were covered in black properties.
“As expected!”
“This guy’s poisoned!”
“Using bare hands to dig Black Jade Mushrooms without any protective measures—of course he’d get poisoned!”
When Xiao Zuiji picked mushrooms, a team happened to pass by. Seeing him barehanded harvesting mushrooms, their eyes immediately widened.
“Junior Brother.”
Li Qingyang said, “You’re poisoned.”
“Mm.”
Xiao Zuiji responded.
“…”
The distant martial artists immediately collapsed.
Big brother, since you know you’re poisoned, can you show some expression appropriate for being poisoned? Can you give the toxins some respect?!
“Swoosh!”
Just then, Xiao Zuiji shook both hands. The black toxins stuck to his skin instantly fell off, then contacted ground leaves, immediately corroding into black smoke.
“What the hell!”
Everyone’s eyeballs nearly popped from their sockets.
Black Jade Mushroom toxins that seeped into skin were shaken off with a hand flick like washing hands—way too exaggerated!
However, they didn’t know the toxins hadn’t penetrated Xiao Zuiji’s body but merely remained on his skin surface. The reason they couldn’t penetrate? Because his muscles were too hard to drill through!
“Swoosh!”
Just then, two Poison Scale Black Martens leaped from behind—one biting toward an arm, one toward a leg.
“Crack!”
Teeth contacted skin, producing a crunchy sound, feeling like biting impossibly hard steel.
“Swoosh!”
Xiao Zuiji flung the two Poison Scale Black Martens off. Discovering his school uniform had torn holes, he immediately furiously raised his foot and frantically stomped them.
The Eternal Sect’s current culture was: people could get injured, clothes couldn’t be damaged. Because Young Master Yuan was extremely stingy—a new school uniform not only cost resources to buy but would also be recorded in a little notebook. The more you changed, the more got deducted.
“That’s about enough.” Ye Xingchen advised.
“Whoosh!”
Just then, another Poison Scale Black Marten burst from the shadows, biting toward Brother A Niu’s buttocks.
“Boom!”
Ye Xingchen turned and kicked it flying, then rushed forward in pursuit. Summoning and enlarging his exclusive divine weapon, he hugged it and violently smashed it against the ground. The entire process was exceptionally brutal and merciless!
…
Over a thousand martial artists had entered first, true. But while searching everywhere for heavenly treasures and being quite wary of the depths, their advance speed was slow. As a result, Li Qingyang’s group overtook them.
Unable to find mission targets despite bitter searching, the five could only focus energy on excavating treasures. Wherever they passed, they didn’t leave even a single hair for those behind.
“Second Senior Brother.”
Xiao Zuiji barehanded dug out another large mushroom, grinning. “There really are quite a few good things here!”
Li Qingyang frowned. “There’s only half an hour left before the dense fog rises. If we still can’t find the mission targets, we’ll have to come back tomorrow.”
“Hey.”
Ye Xingchen looked back at several martial artists following behind, saying coldly, “Do you know where the Demon Mist Demonic Beasts are?”
“Demon Mist Demonic Beasts?”
Everyone’s expressions changed dramatically.
One martial artist said, “These beasts only appear after the dense fog rises!”
“…”
Li Qingyang covered his forehead, his face collapsing. “No wonder we couldn’t find them!”
“Then wait.”
Lu Qianqian said, “Wait until the dense fog rises.”
“Senior Sister.” Li Qingyang’s expression turned grave. “After the dense fog rises, the demonic energy will only be stronger. We might…” Seeing Ye Xingchen and He Wudi sitting on boulders, he immediately stopped speaking.
Fine.
They were definitely waiting!
“Sigh.”
Li Qingyang sighed, then found a stone to sit on, calculating internally, “Though Demon Mist Forest’s dense fog is dangerous, rising takes time. After the Demon Mist Demonic Beasts appear, quickly killing one hundred should allow timely retreat.”
“Whoosh whoosh!”
Just then, cold wind blew over.
“Fog’s rising!”
“Everyone retreat quickly!”
Teams searching various areas for heavenly treasures sensed the weather change and rapidly fled toward their entry routes, moving as if rushing to reincarnate.
When the middle-aged man who’d bought five antidote pills led companions retreating, encountering Li Qingyang and others sitting steadily on stones, he hurriedly said, “You five—fog’s about to rise. Why aren’t you leaving?”
“No rush.”
Li Qingyang said, “Wait a bit longer.”
The middle-aged man said helplessly, “This place is quite far from the perimeter. If you don’t hurry back, once fog rises you won’t make it in time!”
Li Qingyang smiled politely.
“Boss, let’s go!”
Hearing companions urging in the distance, the middle-aged man clasped his hands. “You five, take care!”
Speaking thus, he quickly caught up with the team and left. On the road, companions asked puzzled, “Boss, in a quarter hour the great fog will rise. They’re still sitting there resting—are they seeking death?”
“Stop talking nonsense, move quickly!”
In a short time, various teams in Demon Mist Forest successively returned to the perimeter, leaving only Li Qingyang’s five sitting like ancient monks on boulders.
“Huh? How come those pill-sellers haven’t come out?”
“I saw them sitting on stones unmoving, seemingly with no intention to retreat!”
“What the hell—are they seeking death?”
“Maybe they think antidote pills can neutralize the toxins in dense fog?”
“Impossible. That’s a very strange evil property, not actual toxins. Antidote pills definitely won’t work!”
As everyone discussed, the mist gathering above Demon Mist Forest like gauze gradually thickened. After a quarter hour, it once again resembled the previous thick quilt feeling.
“Damn, they really didn’t come out!”
“Those five are way too bold!”
“No hope now—they’ll definitely become walking corpses.”
“Roar!”
“Roar!”
Just then, ghost-like roars came from within the mist-shrouded Demon Mist Forest.
Martial artists who’d trained here multiple times all knew that each time fog rose, large numbers of Demon Mist Demonic Beasts approaching one-rotation Core Rotation Realm would appear on schedule inside.
“Even if those five can use antidote pills to neutralize demonic energy entering their bodies, they’ll definitely have their souls obliterated by Demon Mist Demonic Beasts, becoming puppets for them to control!”
“This is seeking thrills without caring about life!”
…
Demon Mist Forest.
Now completely shrouded in dense fog, visibility didn’t exceed two or three meters.
“Roar!”
“Roar!”
Demon Mist Demonic Beast roars gradually rang out from all sides, feeling like ghosts appearing in dark night.
“Swoosh!”
“Swoosh!”
Xiao Zuiji jumped down from the stone and began warm-up exercises.
Must say, after dense fog rose, the existing demonic energy had indeed intensified—in a short time already several times stronger than before, and still continuously increasing.
“Gulp.”
Li Qingyang hurriedly swallowed an antidote pill. Discovering it had no effect, he collapsed. “Can’t neutralize demonic energy!”
Lu Qianqian said flatly, “200,000 profound stones wasted just like that.”
“…”
Li Qingyang’s mouth twitched, then he said gravely, “The demonic energy in the dense fog is getting stronger. We must quickly hunt the mission targets, then rapidly leave this place!”
“Whoosh whoosh!”
“Whoosh whoosh whoosh!”
Just then, red lights resembling eyes gradually appeared from all directions. Demon Mist Demonic Beasts seemingly floating in mid-air manifested, completely surrounding the five. From the appearing lights, their numbers were no less than one hundred!
“Snap.”
Ye Xingchen used his thumb to flick open the wine gourd stopper, raised his head to drink醉生梦死, his entire face rapidly transforming perversely. “The slaughter begins!”
“Boom!”
“Boom!”
His words barely finished when He Wudi had already charged forward, big feet kicking several Demon Mist Demonic Beasts flying. “Stop dawdling—quickly finish them off!”
“Swoosh!”
Xiao Zuiji placed his right hand on his left chest. The hidden ‘Shield’ character instantly manifested. His gaze turned grave. “Gundam, transform!”
Such embarrassingly high台词—no need to guess it was taught by Dog Leftover!
“Buzz!”
Instantly, the shield character on his hand back flashed brilliantly. Complex lines rapidly covered his entire body. Mech armor and helmet instantly enveloped Xiao Zuiji.
“Step!”
He took one step forward. Four support legs deployed from his waist position, completely fixing his entire body in place. Then single-handedly raising a super-sized Gatling gun conjured from thin air, he said, “Junior Brother Ye, move aside!”
“Rata-tat-tat!”
“Rata-tat-tat!”
Bullets trailing blue light exploded forth, shell casings clattering across the ground!
Ye Xingchen, forcibly pulled from his ultimate state and dodging aside, saw this and said surprised, “Wasn’t it a sniper rifle at first?”