Xiang Mantang could not control his own body as he stiffly walked deeper into the dense forest.
The two Fallen Angels that had been chasing him no longer pursued him.
"Indeed, their intention from the start was to force me to go deeper, but what exactly is there inside?"
Although Xiang Mantang felt desperate and unwilling, he was no ordinary person and did not lose his sanity in this situation.
He was still trying to find a way to regain control of his body and to escape from this place. Even if he couldn't get away, he definitely wouldn't fall into the hands of the entity deep within the forest.
"Hmm? The ceramic mask is getting hotter, as if it's about to fuse completely with my face?"
Xiang Mantang felt the changes on his face and thought unwillingly.
But he couldn't stop this change, and since he couldn't see his reflection in a mirror, he also couldn't see how the change on his face differed from what he imagined.
If someone else were present at this time, they would definitely be able to see that the ceramic mask that originally covered Xiang Mantang's face had already shattered, revealing a Human Skin Mask twisting and covering his face...
By looking at the changes in Xiang Mantang's facial features, one could guess that this Human Skin Mask intended to erase Xiang Mantang's features like an eraser, replacing them with its own.
If it actually succeeded, one could hardly imagine what kind of change would occur.
However, just as Xiang Mantang's facial features were distorting, about to align with the features of the Human Skin Mask, suddenly...
Rows of intricate, flame-like crimson patterns suddenly appeared on Xiang Mantang's face.
Instantly, a hissing sound arose, and the Human Skin Mask on Xiang Mantang's face let out a silent shriek as it desperately tried to pull away from his face, but it was too late.
Just like dry grass falling into fierce fire, the bizarre Human Skin Mask was completely incinerated, leaving only the intricate patterns on it to be devoured by the crimson runes.
Upon closer examination, the fiery crimson Curse Marks that burst forth on Xiang Mantang's face resembled a Fire Phoenix spreading its wings in flight.
This was the strange Curse Mark that had appeared when Xiang Mantang previously used the Blood Phoenix Slaughter Art, working together with Mu Jinyu to ambush the Lord of the Killing Realm...
And after these phoenix-like Curse Marks devoured the runes on the Human Skin Mask, they emitted a faint crimson glow before gradually receding and completely disappearing from Xiang Mantang's face.
"Hmm?!" Xiang Mantang noticed the change on his face right away, realizing it no longer felt hot.
"What happened?"
After reflexively walking a few more steps forward, Xiang Mantang realized he was able to move freely again.
He quickly stopped walking and reached up to touch his face.
"The mask is gone; when did it disappear?"
Xiang Mantang couldn't feel the mask and knew that it was because the mask was gone that he could move again, but when exactly had it disappeared?
He saw no trace of the ceramic mask left behind nearby.
"Did it disappear earlier, or has it already fused with my face?"
Xiang Mantang's expression fluctuated uncertainly, not daring to determine where the mask had gone.
"Forget it, I need to get out of here quickly! This place is definitely not the Garden of Eden!"
After his expression changed a few more times, Xiang Mantang decided not to waste more time thinking about it and prepared to leave quickly.
However, just as he was on guard against the two Fallen Angels and ready to turn back, he suddenly discovered that the surrounding environment had undergone tremendous changes.
At first, it was just wisps of black mist emanating from the surrounding forest, but then the mist grew denser and turned into a thick dark fog that enveloped the entire forest.
Immediately, Xiang Mantang's vision grew blurry, creating the sensation that he couldn't see his own hand in front of his face.
This was still the vision of a Divine Realm Warrior of Xiang Mantang, and it was so obstructed. If Barlow and Leon were still alive and standing here now, they probably wouldn't be any different from blind men.
"Damn, what kind of ghost place is this?"
Xiang Mantang couldn't see his own expression, but he knew his face must be terribly dark right now.
Cursing under his breath, Xiang Mantang dared not waste more time here. He followed the path he had just seen and groped his way forward.
As he walked, the surrounding dark green fog became thicker and thicker. Xiang Mantang didn't know if the fog was poisonous and kept holding his breath, not inhaling these gases.
He felt somewhat relieved at this moment, thankful that he had stepped into the Divine Realm and was no longer a normal person. He could live without breathing for half a day; otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to last long here.
At that time, Xiang Mantang's vision was hindered, but he could vaguely see glimmering lights flickering ahead and heard several sounds like wood crackling from a campfire.
"This..."
A sudden bad feeling surged in Xiang Mantang's heart.
Although he hadn't approached yet, such sounds couldn't possibly be from the route he had taken; they were more like the sound of the tide.
Then, Xiang Mantang recalled another description from ancient texts.
Around the Tree of Life, swords were placed, capable of rotating in all directions and igniting flames.
Could it be...
He had taken the wrong path earlier and was not heading back but had mistakenly walked forward and was now close to the Tree of Life?!
"Impossible! This isn't the Garden of Eden, and that can't possibly be the Tree of Life, turn back!"
Without any hesitation, Xiang Mantang didn't want to explore what that firelight ahead actually was.
He immediately turned around and walked back the way he had come.
A few minutes later.
Xiang Mantang stopped in his tracks, his face growing so grim it almost dripped with gloom.
Because ahead of him, he saw the firelight becoming clearer.
That meant he hadn't taken the wrong path earlier, but no matter which direction he walked—forward, backward, left, or right—the end destination would always be that firelight.
"Is it because of this dark green fog?"
Xiang Mantang looked at the fog, unable to decide.
After a few changes in his expression, he simply stopped walking.
Damn it, no matter how he walked, he would always end up heading toward that firelight. If he didn't move, could it be that he would still be shifted there?
As it turned out, he really would be.
Xiang Mantang stood still, thinking about how to leave this place.
Then, he noticed the firelight in front of him becoming clearer and brighter.
Realizing this, his face suddenly changed, looking terribly ugly!
Damn it, the ground beneath his feet was like an elevator, subtly shifting him forward!
"Damn it, since I can't escape it anyway, let me see what kind of ghost you really are!"
Xiang Mantang's breathing became rapid, both nervous and angry!