Ming Qi and his companions, who had originally planned to take advantage of the chaos, did not wait long for the situation to take a turn for the better.
Far ahead, near the Magic Forest, Ming Qi had received reliable information: someone had already launched an attack on the restrictions within.
However, Ming Qi understood that this action was merely a simple exploratory measure, purely to test the existence of restrictions within the Magic Forest and provide information for the next breakthrough.
Since Ming Qi was not within the Magic Forest, he only knew that someone had launched a exploratory attack, but he did not know which force it was. Their intentions were also obvious, so it was best not to proceed.
In the dense forest on a small hill between the Magic Forest and Ming Qi and his companions, Dabai lay quietly, constantly sensing everything around him.
The Magic Forest serves as Mount Osho's outermost barrier, a fact undeniable. To ascend Mount Osho and explore its treasures, one must traverse the Magic Forest; otherwise, nothing can be accomplished.
The afternoon sun blazed fiercely, casting a languid glare on the entire mountain range.
Outside the Magic Forest, a number of highly skilled cultivators gathered. Their attire revealed their belonging to various factions.
However, it was clear that these groups, having already appeared, were by no means the only ones seeking to claim Mount Osho's treasures.
Although most cultivators had gathered, many remained unaware of the existence of Mount Osho that had attracted so many powerful individuals.
Many were privately discussing what incredible treasure lay hidden within.
These people were some distance away from the Magic Forest, about a mile or so. Only three of them stood directly in front of it. Visible fluctuations of Yuanli could be seen from their bodies, as they were constantly unleashing their magical powers to launch probing attacks upon the forest.
The three individuals were dressed differently, clearly representing different levels of strength.
One of them, with a flowing robe and a longsword slung across his back, bore the demeanor of an immortal. He was none other than Long Zhe, a master swordsman from the Baiyun Sword Sect of Western Immortal City. Long Zhe might not be a well-known figure in Xilan Province, but in Western Immortal City, most knew the name of Frost Sword King. While his prowess hadn't yet reached the level of a Martial King, his swordsmanship was a mastery of perfection, making him considered a leading swordsman in Western Immortal City. Because his swordsmanship was primarily centered around frost sword energy, he earned the nickname Frost Sword King.
Long Zhe stood between the three, his hands methodically wielding streams of sword energy while constantly sensing the vibrations emanating from the Magic Forest.
To Long Zhe's left stood a middle-aged man who appeared to be in his forties. His hair was a touch gray, but his muscles were a distinctive coppery hue. It was obvious he had practiced a martial art similar to the Tyrant Body, forging his entire body into a form of steel and invulnerability.
This man, known to anyone who had been to Kill Star City, was Chi Hongyi, the leader of the Chimang Mercenary Group, one of Kill Star City's five major mercenary groups. He specialized in the Red Cauldron Divine Art, a technique that combined both good and evil, cultivating both inner and outer realms. Those familiar with him nicknamed him the Red Stone, meaning, as the name suggests, that Chi Hongyi was as hard and stubborn as stone.
Like Long Zhe, Chi Hongyi continuously emitted streams of red energy, shooting them into the Magic Forest to peer into its mysteries.
To Long Zhe's right stood a charming woman. This charming woman was none other than Lady Rose, the leader of the Blood Roses and the mother of the Red Demon Prince.
The three of them wore calm expressions. Even the hot-tempered Chi Hongyi managed to calm down and gradually explore the mysteries of the Magic Forest, demonstrating their fear of it.
This lasted about half an hour until the three of them simultaneously withdrew their attacks and quickly retreated.
As they retreated, a faint buzzing sound suddenly erupted from the previously tranquil Magic Forest. Suddenly, three dark creatures, resembling octopus tentacles, emerged from the depths of the forest and pursued the three men with all their might.
"Sure enough, there's a way!"
Seeing the ferocious black tentacles charging towards him, Chi Hongyi showed no fear at all. With a loud shout, he clenched his fists, leaped slightly, and a flash of red light flashed from his fists. Then, his massive fists hammered down at the black tentacle.
With a single powerful blow, Chi Hongyi's fists shattered the black tentacle, and the remaining half retreated.
Compared to Chi Hongyi's brutal and direct fighting style, Long Zhe and Madam Rose's moves were noticeably more elegant and sophisticated.
Long Zhe's body drifted backwards in a measured manner, without even moving his hands. He seemed to have only slightly opened his mouth. Suddenly, the longsword, sheathed behind him, let out a long whistle, followed by a flash of cold light. Some in the distance, still unaware of what had happened, saw the jet-black tentacle severed in half, the fracture clearly covered with a layer of frost. The sunlight was bright and the temperature was high, allowing the traces of the frost melting to be clearly seen.
As for Madam Rose, at the very moment Chi Hongyi and Long Zhe engaged in battle, she gently raised her hand and pointed at the oncoming jet-black tentacle. As if from thin air, a beautiful rose appeared, lightly and accurately landing on it.
Then everyone was astonished to discover that the once ferocious and hideous tentacle had abruptly stopped in mid-air!
Then, everyone faintly heard a series of indistinguishable sounds emanating from the jet-black tentacles. Even more astonishingly, after hearing these inexplicable sounds, Madam Rose nodded in sudden realization, as if she had understood something.
When the jet-black tentacles stopped making noises, Madam Rose flicked her finger in the air, and the jet-black tentacles instantly drooped, like a dead snake, never to move again.
Facing the same tentacles, the three powerful warriors' counterattacks were completely different. Everyone present could see that Long Zhe was undoubtedly the most skilled in terms of cultivation, while Madam Rose was undoubtedly the most cunning. Presumably, only Madam Rose understood the meaning of the seemingly incomprehensible sounds emanating from the jet-black tentacles.
Sure enough, when the three turned and appeared before the crowd, Madam Rose immediately spoke.
"There's actually nothing terrifying about this Magic Forest. The reason it condemns those trapped there to certain death is because it contains a powerful magical bloodline, capable of subconsciously transforming any living being into a demon, causing unimaginable mutations and thus gaining unimaginable power. You all saw what I just saw. With my explanation, I think you all know what it is."
Having come this far, if I still can't figure it out, I'm afraid some will say I've lived a dog's life at my age.
"If that's the case, then we just need to stick together and force our way in."
After hearing Lady Rose's explanation, someone in the crowd immediately suggested something.
This is indeed a simple, easy, and straightforward solution. Since the mountain spirits and monsters within have become powerful under the influence of the magical bloodline, wouldn't we just need to become even more powerful than them?
"I haven't finished yet."
Seeing someone immediately stirring, Madam Rose frowned and continued, "What I just described was only the situation in the Magic Forest in the past. The Magic Forest today is completely different."
"What's different?"
The man in red clothes beside her lost his patience. Knowing Madam Rose would reveal the truth next, he couldn't help but press on.
"Who has set up the Origin Formation in the Magic Forest today?"
"Origin Formation!"
...
As soon as the words 'Origin Formation' were uttered, the expressions of the seasoned masters present grew solemn. Anyone who had heard of the Origin Formation knew its terrifying power. Without a method specifically designed to counteract it, even a Martial King would be utterly destroyed if caught in it.
"Everyone should know that the terrifying nature of the Origin Formation lies in the fact that no matter how formidable your cultivation, if you haven't reached the Martial Emperor realm and mastered the power of space and time, once trapped within it, the only outcome is utter destruction and the draining of life force. It's not like what we often imagine, that simply being strong enough will allow you to break free."
Madam Rose clearly understood the Origin Formation's strengths and weaknesses, so she spoke of its terrifying power without reservation.
"So, won't we return empty-handed?"
Some were already starting to back off. If they couldn't pierce the Origin Formation, what was the point?
"That's not necessarily the case."
Just then, Chi Hongyi spoke with a smile.
"Isn't it just time and space? We just need to find someone who can control time and space, and we can easily pierce this Origin Formation."
After hearing Chi Hongyi's words, the surroundings immediately sighed again. Controlling time and space? That sounds nice, but only a Martial Emperor-level expert can achieve this. But with these people's current strength and cultivation, could they possibly even compete with a Martial Emperor? Clearly not. Even a cultivator at the tenth level of the Innate Realm would be as insignificant as an ant in the eyes of a Martial Emperor.
"Haha, now that you mention it, I really remember."
Madam Rose smiled and said, "We can invite him over. The magic weapon he possesses can control time."
"That's right, you're more familiar with him. It would be best if you handled this matter."
Chi Hongyi immediately clapped his hands and laughed.