"This is all destiny!"
A hoary voice echoed.
Gu Jian, the former leader, ignited the divine fire.
His eyes were calm.
As if this situation was within his expectations.
Of course.
He did not feel any regret because of this.
Even though the tribesmen he protected were being devoured by the异魔 one after another.
But this was their fate.
It was their own doing.
If they hadn't been ungrateful and insisted on driving Chen Nan out of the tribe.
How could things have turned out this way?
Even if they regretted it now.
Even if they screamed and wailed.
They were merely bearing the consequences of their past transgressions!
However.
As a human.
His duty was to slay the 异魔.
Nothing more.
After igniting the divine fire, Gu Jian's strength reached the realm of a Lower Divine King.
His figure was like the wind, his long sword sharp and dazzling.
Wherever he passed, clouds of blood mist would erupt.
In an instant, he had slain dozens of 异魔.
But the divine fire on his body was gradually weakening.
His appearance rapidly aged.
His aura also continuously diminished.
Giving the impression of being at the end of one's rope.
Seeing Gu Jian's aura begin to wane, a group of 异魔 bared their fangs and charged at him from all directions, intending to tear him apart.
But Gu Jian let out a sinister smile.
He discarded his long sword, formed seals with his hands, and using the divine power and soul force within him as a guide, he drew an ancient mystic seal on his chest.
"Die!"
"All of you, die!"
Gu Jian let out a mad laugh.
Then, a dazzling golden light erupted from within him.
Boom!
Accompanied by a deafening explosion.
A colossal mushroom cloud soared into the sky.
Hundreds of 异魔 and Gu Jian turned to ashes simultaneously.
However.
Even though Gu Jian sacrificed himself and killed hundreds of 异魔,
It had no substantial impact on the demon horde.
Let alone changing the ultimate outcome!
Those 异魔 were like famished humans with stars in their eyes rushing into a high-end buffet, scrambling and fighting over the human corpses.
Some 异魔 even tore at each other over a severed human limb.
Five minutes later.
The screams and wails in the sky and on the earth gradually disappeared.
Only the sounds of gnawing remained.
However.
The stench of blood wafting through the air, and the rivers of blood gathered on the ground, testified to what had just transpired.
"Sacrifice!"
The humanoid creature's gaze was indifferent as it looked down at the tribesmen below.
Countless 异魔 converged, their eyes vacant, a wisp of white divine power flying out from within them.
Though seemingly small,
When gathered together, they shone as brightly as the sun.
After all, this divine power came from over thirty thousand humans of Wushuang City.
This divine power was a great tonic for the humanoid creature, capable of healing his injuries.
------
"What is happening?"
"What is that sun rising in the north?"
A hundred miles away.
Zhou Li exclaimed in surprise.
They were on their way to Nanyuan Tribe and were unaware of what had transpired in the tribe.
Nong Nian looked back, watching the newly risen sun disappear, and the world returning to darkness, he couldn't help but sigh, "The 'Heavenly Calamity·Alien Turmoil' recorded that 异魔 devour human flesh and can extract divine power from within humans to offer as sacrifice to more powerful 异魔."
"If I'm not mistaken, the sun we just saw was the divine power extracted by the 异魔 after our tribesmen were devoured."
Upon hearing this.
Everyone's expression changed.
Deep shock appeared in their eyes.
No one doubted Nong Nian.
For he was well-versed in history.
His words would not be false.
Xia Yuan sighed, "This outcome is not unexpected."
"It is precisely for this reason that we previously championed young friend Chen Nan."
Quinn's face turned sallow, a trace of pain flickering in his pupils, "Yes! We all tried our best, but those people were obstinate."
"Now that this has happened, it can only be said that they brought it upon themselves!"
"Alright, let's not dwell on this, let's hurry on our way!"
Chen Nan said with a hint of fatigue, "Have you all considered why the humanoid creature, despite being heavily injured, still managed to return?"
Xia Yuan's face was solemn, "You mean the 异魔 have been monitoring us all along?"
Chen Nan nodded affirmatively, "Other than this guess, I can't think of any other possibility."
"If we are truly being monitored by the 异魔."
"Then our journey to Nanyuan Tribe was not a wise decision."
"This could very well bring utter destruction to Nanyuan Tribe."
Xia Lan asked nervously, "Then where should we go now?"
Everyone else also looked uneasy.
Their situation was dire.
They knew the location of Nanyuan Tribe.
Yet they could not go.
Furthermore, in this freezing snow, there was nowhere for them to shelter.
"Perhaps, we can try our luck at the Death Swamp!" Quinn proposed a daring idea.
The Death Swamp, Misty Valley, and Blackwater Lake were collectively known as the three forbidden zones of Erzhongtian.
All were places of certain death, evoking terror.
Of course.
That was before.
Because after leaving Misty Valley.
Quinn had begun to feel that.
The other two forbidden zones might not be as terrifying as they had previously imagined.
There might be some fortunate encounters within them.
Of course.
At that time, he had only thought about it.
He dared not risk his life.
Because before entering the other two forbidden zones.
No one knew if unknown dangers lay hidden within.
But things were different now.
They had been pushed to a desperate situation.
They needed to find a place to hide.
Only then could Chen Nan calm his mind and cultivate.
If the demon army caught up.
Even if Chen Nan had repelled the humanoid creature, he might not be able to defeat him now.
Chen Nan also offered his opinion, "I think Brother Quinn's suggestion is good."
The others remained silent.
For the moment they left with Chen Nan, they had prepared themselves to wander.
Even if the Death Swamp held great danger,
It was still better than staying in the tribe...
After all.
Those who remained in the tribe were already dead.
"Then let's head to the Death Swamp!" Xia Yuan's eyes were filled with anticipation, eager to see if there were any great opportunities within.
"Come onto me!"
Chen Nan employed the Eight-Nine Arcane Art, transforming directly into a colossal Roc with golden wings.
After everyone landed on him, he soared into the sky, leaving behind a golden afterimage, and quickly flew towards the Death Swamp in the southwest.
His speed was astonishing, crossing over three hundred li in just a few minutes.
What greeted his eyes was a dark swamp.
A foul odor permeated the air above the swamp.
Even though they were flying in the sky.
The scent made their heads spin.
Whoosh!
Chen Nan retracted his wings and, from high in the sky, plunged towards a small island in the center of the Death Swamp.
As he broke through the thick mist.
An island in full bloom with lush green trees came into view.
And just as Chen Nan landed, swarms of monkeys surrounded them from all directions, bared their fangs, their eyes filled with ferocity.
"This is my territory, humans should not trespass!" A somewhat stiff voice was heard.
A monkey, two meters tall, covered in golden fur, with a sharp mouth, simian cheeks, and angry eyes, walked out, carrying an iron rod.