The Seven-Colored Heaven-Swallowing Python was terrifying. A single roar could frighten so many creatures. Creatures Lin Yun had never even seen before began to surge away in a massive tide, fleeing for their lives. The python was the tyrant of the Whispering Forest. Now that it had awakened, these other creatures naturally didn't dare to remain, lest they become its next target.
On their way out of the Whispering Forest, Zhou Damao suddenly spoke. "Based on my understanding from before, that fellow was very likely a member of the Ancient Surviving Clans."
Many people believed that the races existing in the ancient era had long since vanished from this world, or had been driven into other dimensions. But as they came to understand more through these close encounters, they were slowly discovering that the situation was not as they had imagined. These creatures, which should have been permanently banished, had not completely disappeared. On the contrary, they had integrated themselves quite well into the human world, always abiding by human rules. And under the constraints of these rules, they kept themselves within a safe range, allowing them to survive.
Of course, if the two sides could live without interfering with each other, such a way of life might not be a bad thing. But the conflict between them was immense, and these surviving ancient clans would never forget what they had suffered in the past. This led to the series of events that followed. They would use such methods to defeat all of their enemies.
Hearing this, Lin Yun nodded in agreement. "I've had this suspicion for a long time. Not all of the ancient clans left this world back then. The part that remains here now seems to be brewing a massive conspiracy. And it is highly likely that all of this is related to the Crimson Ghost Sect."
As events unfolded, it seemed all roads were now leading back to the Crimson Ghost Sect. This couldn't help but make Lin Yun curious: what exactly did the Sect Master of the Crimson Ghost Sect want to do? Each event seemed simple on the surface, but in reality, all of them concealed enormous trouble.
"This Sect Master of the Crimson Ghost Sect… we truly are finding him more and more inscrutable."
An unknown amount of time passed before the three of them finally made it out of the Whispering Forest. Behind them, terrifying energy continued to radiate outwards. It seemed the battle between the Seven-Colored Heaven-Swallowing Python and Qi Hengtian had escalated. Qi Hengtian wanted to escape, but how could the awakened python possibly let him leave?
Lin Yun's group, however, had gotten away easily.
"Where do we go next to find those guys from the Crimson Ghost Sect?" Zhou Damao asked, looking around. The Crimson Ghost Sect acted in a bizarre and unpredictable manner, and this time they were being extremely cautious. He feared it would be very difficult to find any clues.
Lin Yun, however, was relatively optimistic. "Let's not be in a hurry to find them. We'll just wait here for a while."
He had gained so much in the Whispering Forest but had not yet had time to digest it all. The most pressing task was to increase his own strength once again. No matter what the Crimson Ghost Sect was here for, they would surely cause a stir that would resonate throughout the world. When that happened, all Lin Yun needed to do was follow the source.
Zhou Damao had to admit that while Lin Yun's method was simple, it was the most effective one they had at the moment. And so, the three of them found a relatively safe cave, sealed the entrance, and began to cultivate.
The battle between the Seven-Colored Heaven-Swallowing Python and Qi Hengtian had alarmed the entire Ancient Forbidden Land.
At this moment, at the northern end of the forbidden land, in a grand, sprawling encampment, a man in a black robe was staring coldly at a map.
"Venerable Elders," he said, his icy gaze sweeping over everyone present. "Are you certain this map is correct?"
Everyone he looked at lowered their heads in fear. The man before them was one of the Crimson Ghost Sect's Four Great Ghost Kings: the Transformation Ghost, Mao Ye.
Mao Ye's strength was not to be underestimated, and this time, he was the chief commander of the entire operation. He had originally thought that this operation would be foolproof and that they would quickly find what they were looking for. But the end result had given him something of a headache. They had wasted so many days here yet had found no clues. If this continued, he would have no way to answer to the Sect Master.
"We have already expended a great deal of manpower and resources here. So many have died just to secure this location. I advise you all, venerable elders, to think of a solution."
Just then, a terrifying fluctuation of energy spread through the air.
Mao Ye's expression changed. He had clearly sensed the disturbance from the Whispering Forest.
"It seems we are not the only experts in that Whispering Forest," he sneered. "That boy from the Beast Taming Sect must have arrived with his reinforcements."
He had a decent amount of information on Lin Yun, so he wasn't particularly surprised. The moment Lin Yun appeared here, Mao Ye knew it was time to have a good fight with this kid.
The others beside him stood to the side, not daring to speak. Only the old man at the very front asked, "Why would the Beast Taming Sect get involved in this matter? Lin Yun was summoned by His Majesty the Emperor. Shouldn't his mission be to deal with Prince Zuo Cheng?"
Hearing this, Mao Ye threw his head back and laughed. "Indeed, his mission is Prince Zuo Cheng. But given the current state of the Daye Dynasty, who do you think is a match for the Prince?"
For so many years, Prince Zuo Cheng had been secretly colluding with various powers; he had long since become an unstoppable force. So, if Her Majesty the Empress wanted to deal with him, she could only rely on external power.
Others might not know, but Mao Ye did. The current Empress could not move that other power. This was one of the reasons she had sent Lin Yun after their Crimson Ghost Sect. It was just an excuse to seize the opportunity to obtain the item from the tomb.
"Hmph. It seems the intelligence I gathered before was correct. The current dog emperor is not of the orthodox imperial lineage. Otherwise, she wouldn't be unable to handle even a small trial." Mao Ye's smile was sinister. "However, we cannot relax our guard. Send your men over there to see what is going on. Remember, the opponent is very likely a Yin-Yang Realm master. Try not to cause any trouble."
Although the Crimson Ghost Sect had its own experts stationed here, they had no intention of making a move yet. Mao Ye didn't dare to be too careless.
The elders beside him all nodded in agreement, not daring to object.
Seeing this, Mao Ye finally smiled with satisfaction.
Next, it was time to see what other tricks Lin Yun had up his sleeve.