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For the members of Shrek Academy, the Demon Plane was an entirely new world.
All exploration began from scratch.
The inner court disciples had no experience exploring new worlds. Even the four pavilion elders had only encountered the Abyss and hadn't delved deeply into it or experienced the era when the Abyss first invaded and intelligence was gradually gathered.
However, everything proceeded methodically thanks to their earlier preparations.
"The ambient energy of the Demon Plane is far too chaotic. Even Lan Muzi and Tang Yinmeng, our strongest two students, would suffer damage to their meridians if they absorbed the external ambient energy."
Lan Muzi and Tang Yinmeng, the eldest brother and sister of the inner court, were the most accomplished in terms of cultivation.
Ya Li explained calmly.
"In fact, based on our preliminary research, within a ten-kilometer radius, the ambient energy filtered by the golden ancient tree is gradually altering their bodies. After cultivating for some time, they should develop a basic resistance to this plane's energy."
"By then, as long as they're at the Soul Sage level or above, going out to explore shouldn't be constrained by the ambient energy. But this will take time."
It wasn't necessary to absorb ambient energy while venturing out.
If one didn't integrate it into their body, didn't aim to refine it, and didn't expose their most vulnerable meridians to the energy, they wouldn't be affected.
However, in reality, this approach simply wasn't feasible.
Because it couldn't be sustained for long.
In an unfamiliar environment, maintaining peak condition at all times was instinctive.
Moreover, the Demon Plane didn't belong to the soul masters of Douluo Planet.
Even near the channel, the soul masters' soul power was constantly draining, let alone in more distant areas.
Absorbing ambient energy to replenish their soul power was a basic survival need. Therefore, safely absorbing the Demon Plane's ambient energy became a standard—a criterion for venturing out to explore.
"Actually, Lizhi's meat buns are quite useful, and so are the martial souls of the other three food-based students. Their abilities can restore the energy of those exploring outside, but they definitely can't venture too far."
Ya Li listed these points and noticed that Xu Yuan showed no surprise, realizing he had likely anticipated this and mentally prepared himself.
"Sister Ya Li, don't worry. It was my suggestion to expand into the Demon Plane, so I naturally won't shy away from external exploration."
"What about Wulin?" Ya Li hesitated.
"I'll talk to him."
Ya Li nodded, reminded Xu Yuan of some precautions, then returned to the channel to continue discussing environmental modifications and further plans for expanding into the Demon Plane with the other three pavilion elders.
"Wulin."
Meanwhile, Xu Yuan sought out Tang Wulin.
At this moment, Tang Wulin was cultivating by absorbing the ambient energy of this plane.
Different planes had different energies due to the unique rules governing each plane. However, most planes' energies were compatible.
For instance, the natural energy of the Douluo Continent was relatively mild and widely applicable. The ambient energy of the Demon Plane, though turbulent, was also highly versatile. As long as one's physique was strong enough to resist its erosion, it could be absorbed and utilized.
Moreover, the stimulation from different planes' energies offered an unconventional opportunity.
At this moment, many of the inner court students were attempting to cultivate. On one hand, they were recovering from the previous battle, and on the other, they were acclimating to this plane's energy.
Awakened by Xu Yuan, Tang Wulin wasn't annoyed but rather excited.
He had already suspected something.
"Wulin, here's the situation."
Xu Yuan briefly explained and then asked for Tang Wulin's opinion.
"Brother Xu, don't worry. I'm also eager to explore outside." Tang Wulin grinned and readily agreed.
The filtered ambient energy here was certainly more effective for tempering the body, but Tang Wulin felt it wasn't enough. He believed the more chaotic energy outside would suit him better.
Moreover, the battle on Sea God Island had left him with significant gains. At this moment, Tang Wulin was very interested in hunting demonic creatures and devouring their life energy.
The Golden Dragon Spear could devour life energy, but in the Douluo Plane, he couldn't fully utilize it. During the large-scale slaughter of demonic creatures, it was the most satisfying use of the spear since he obtained it.
"Brother Xu, let's act separately."
Xu Yuan had no objections.
The two divided directions, reported to Ya Li and the others, and then set out.
Other students also began to move.
Xu Lizhi and the other three food-based soul masters were mobilized to continuously prepare food. First, they provided sufficient portions for Lan Muzi and Tang Yinmeng, then distributed food according to the students' soul power levels.
With the food prepared by the food-based soul masters, Lan Muzi and Tang Yinmeng ventured beyond the area influenced by the golden ancient tree.
Xu Yuan and Tang Wulin delved directly into the Demon Plane.
After just two and a half hours, Xu Yuan was already over a hundred kilometers away from the channel.
During this time, whenever he encountered demonic creatures, he decisively attacked, attempting to devour their energy with his own abilities.
Without the golden ancient tree's support, the devouring ability of his Heavenly Origin Five Elements Spear was significantly weaker, but it was now entirely his own ability.
As he devoured more frequently, his technique grew increasingly proficient, and his devouring ability gradually approached the level achieved under the golden ancient tree's enhancement.
"Hmm?"
Xu Yuan sensed a powerful energy fluctuation and immediately suppressed his soul power fluctuations, becoming cautious.
He extended his spiritual power forward.
After two and a half hours of killing, he had developed a rough classification of the strengths of the creatures in the Demon Plane.
In fact, the demonic legion that entered Sea God Island had a very clear hierarchy of strengths.
Organized armies typically had distinct tiers.
Using this as a reference, Xu Yuan categorized the demons into five levels.
The weakest were below the Soul King level, followed by those comparable to Soul Kings and Soul Emperors.
Above them were beings equivalent to Soul Sages and Soul Douluos. Xu Yuan referred to this level as "Demon Lords."
Above the Demon Lords were demonic creatures comparable to Titled Douluos among soul masters. Since they were clearly distinct from Great Demons yet fell between the two categories, Xu Yuan temporarily classified them as a transitional level and casually named them "Great Lords."
Above the Great Lords were the Great Demons—creatures like the nine Great Demons who stabilized the spatial channel on Sea God Island.
This classification was crude but sufficient for now.
Extending his spiritual power forward, Xu Yuan analyzed the energy fluctuations and felt a chill.
"A Great Lord!"
Xu Yuan didn't retreat.
He swiftly wielded the Heavenly Origin Brush, sketching the form of a demon in mere moments.
This demon resembled the nine Great Demons but lacked purple-golden demonic patterns, instead bearing purple ones.
After materialization, its energy fluctuations were only at the Soul King level.
Upon closer inspection, its appearance closely resembled Yuan'en Yehui's Fallen Angel martial soul in its normal combat state.
The difference was that this demon lacked female characteristics.
"Huan Xing, it's up to you."
Xu Yuan instructed Huan Xing to control this demon's body and scout the Great Lord's territory ahead.
Reluctantly, Huan Xing merged into the demon's body and moved forward.
Xu Yuan found a nearby cave, sat cross-legged, focused on the mental link with Huan Xing, and remotely observed Huan Xing's status.
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