Immortals Step into Heaven

Those guys are not easy to deal with, they are powerful and ruthless. If we accidentally reveal our whereabouts there and get targeted by them, we will be in trouble if we run into them.

They won't show mercy just because we're from the Fire Demon Sect. They might even kill us all to steal the treasure, leaving no remains behind. As he spoke, he looked around uneasily, as if those Foundation Establishment cultivators were already watching them from the shadows.

Senior Brother Li frowned slightly, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes. "Hmph, so what if they're Foundation Establishment cultivators? Are we, the Fire Demon Sect, afraid of them? As long as we act carefully and don't let them discover our whereabouts, we'll evacuate immediately once we find the treasure."

Junior Brother Sun was still a little hesitant. Senior Brother Li, it is said that there are many naturally formed restrictions in the central area of ​​the island. Some of the restrictions are extremely powerful. If they are triggered, we will be in trouble.

"Junior Brother Sun, you're such a coward," Senior Brother Li scolded. "Those restrictions are just bluffs. With so many of us, we just need to prepare more magical tools to break them. Besides, wealth and honor are sought in danger. If we can obtain one or two valuable treasures in the central area, our cultivation will surely reach a new level, and our status within the sect will also rise."

The other demon cultivators nodded in agreement, their eyes gleaming with greed. Seeing this, Junior Brother Sun couldn't argue and could only nod silently, though his worry remained undimmed.

The demon cultivator surnamed Li smiled and said, "Okay! Since all the junior brothers have agreed, let's set off early." The group headed towards the central area.

Zheng Yuan listened to their conversation from a distance, secretly thinking to himself that the central area of ​​the island seemed to hold many opportunities, but also great dangers. He wondered if he should risk exploring it. He looked at the spirit-seeking rat, whose small eyes darted around, as if it too was pondering something.

Zheng Yuan gently stroked the Soul-Seeking Rat's back and whispered, "Little one, what do you think? There might be treasures we desperately need in the center of this island, but those demonic cultivators and unknown dangers are also difficult to deal with." The Soul-Seeking Rat squeaked twice and scratched Zheng Yuan's hand with its little paw, as if in response.

Zheng Yuan frowned, knowing full well that if he were to enter the central area, he would have to be thoroughly prepared. He looked down at the magical instruments and elixirs in his storage bag, silently calculating how much of a crisis these items could handle. While those demonic cultivators were detestable, their presence could serve as a form of cover. As long as he remained undetected, perhaps he could use them to explore the path.

After a long moment of deliberation, Zheng Yuan's gaze grew resolute. He decided to quietly follow these demon cultivators, maintaining a safe distance. If there was an opportunity to gain intelligence or benefit along the way, he would not miss it.

If the situation is too dangerous, we can make other plans. The Soul-Seeking Rat seemed to understand Zheng Yuan's decision. It climbed up Zheng Yuan's arm and onto his shoulder, its small eyes warily staring in the direction the demon cultivator left.

Zheng Yuan cast a concealing spell, blending in with his surroundings as best he could. His footsteps were as light as a ghost's as he cautiously followed the group of demon cultivators. He took every step with extreme caution, fearing he'd step on a dead branch or make even the slightest sound that would reveal him.

The demon cultivators continued on their way, unaware of being followed. Their laughter and chatter echoed through the silent jungle, occasionally interrupted by arguments over the distribution of treasures. Zheng Yuan followed, keeping an eye on the surrounding environment, memorizing any unusual terrain and potentially dangerous locations.

As they walked, the demon cultivators reached the edge of a swamp. A strange mist filled the swamp, faintly revealing bones, and occasionally heard eerie grunting sounds. The demon cultivators stopped and gazed at the swamp with a troubled look on their faces.

Zheng Yuan also stopped nearby, knowing this swamp must be unusual, perhaps harboring traps or powerful monsters. Meanwhile, Senior Brother Li produced a compass-like instrument and, muttering something, the compass needle began to spin, seemingly searching for a safe route through the swamp.

Zheng Yuan took this opportunity to survey his surroundings. He spotted some strange footprints near the swamp, likely left by some giant bird. His vigilance grew even stronger, fearing a threat from the air. The spirit-seeking rat shifted uneasily, and Zheng Yuan gently soothed it.

After a while, the demon cultivators seemed to have found their way and began to cautiously move towards the interior of the swamp. Zheng Yuan waited until they had walked some distance before following their path. He kept a constant eye on the swamp, ready to respond to any emergencies.

Zheng Yuan took each step with extreme caution. The mud beneath his feet seemed to possess a powerful suction, attempting to drag him deeper into the swamp. Suddenly, several massive bubbles bubbled up from the swamp, followed by a crash. A massive, slimy python burst forth from the water, its maw wide open, and bit down upon the demon cultivators. The cultivators, horrified, launched counterattacks, and for a moment, a cascade of magical lights mingled above the swamp.

Seeing this, Zheng Yuan hurriedly stopped and hid behind a large rock. He knew that if he continued forward at this moment, he would likely be dragged into the battle and become a target of public criticism. The Soul-Seeking Rat clung tightly to Zheng Yuan's clothes, its small eyes fixed on the battlefield nervously.

The battle between the demon cultivators and the giant python became increasingly fierce. Although the giant python was enormous, the demon cultivators cooperated well, and various attacks continued to fall on the giant python. However, the giant python's defense was extremely strong. Under the frequent attacks of the demon cultivators, its scales were constantly shot off, shattered, and it was beaten to a bloody mess and sent flying to the ground.

As the giant python was killed, the demon cultivators had no time to breathe a sigh of relief when a black wind hawk roared and whistled down. Its claws like iron hooks grabbed the demon cultivators fiercely.

The demon cultivators also heard the sharp cry, their faces turning pale. Senior Brother Li shouted, "Oh no! It's the Black Wind Hawk! Everyone, be careful!" Before he could finish his words, the Black Wind Hawk swooped down like black lightning, its massive claws clawing at the demon cultivators. The demon cultivators scrambled to respond, and one was unable to dodge, and a claw pierced his shoulder, sending blood splattering.

Seeing this, everyone's expressions of fear intensified. The demon cultivator whose shoulder was pierced screamed in agony, but his companions had no time to pay attention, each casting spells to counterattack.

Rays of light shot towards the Black Wind Hawk, including flames, icy spikes, and flying swords. The Black Wind Hawk showed no fear. With a flap of its wings, it stirred up a gust of wind, sweeping away the magical attacks and deflecting most of them.

The Black Wind Hawk chirped again, as if mocking the cultivators' presumption. Its cold eyes fixed downwards as it attacked again. This time, its target was Senior Brother Li, its massive form charging towards him like a ghost. Senior Brother Li formed hand seals, muttering something, and a golden shield appeared before him. The Black Wind Hawk's claws clenched the shield, causing tiny cracks to form. Senior Brother Li's face paled, and a trace of blood oozed from the corner of his mouth, but he gritted his teeth and persevered, struggling to resist the Black Wind Hawk's overwhelming force.

At this moment, a demon cultivator who was good at hiding quietly circled behind the Black Wind Hawk. The dagger in his hand glowed dimly and stabbed towards the back of the Black Wind Hawk, trying to give it a fatal blow.