The martial world is full of dangers.

Chapter 346 Yang Daomu

Liang Youpeng recoiled in terror, his eight insectoid arms flailing wildly.

Xue Shuangjiao, with a smile for every step, her grin a stark contrast to her words. "Don't worry, it won't hurt. I'll be very gentle. Soul Sear!"

"Ahhhh…."

The most agonizing screams echoed through the valley.

The screams continued for a long time before gradually subsiding, finally fading into silence.

Before Wu Tao and Xue Shuangjiao stood a towering emerald mountain.

This mountain was immense and seemed to possess a unique quality, with exceptionally tall trees.

Each giant tree towered over ten zhang, their canopies lush and dense, like colossal umbrellas that blotted out the sun, each capable of covering hundreds of meters of space.

Within their canopies, wood-attribute spiritual energy was so dense it was almost frightening, condensing into visible wisps of pale green mist that drifted in the air.

If there were only one such tree, it would be one thing, but this mountain was densely packed with countless such giants.

Furthermore, the auras of these giant trees seemed to meld together, forming what appeared to be a natural protective mountain formation in Wu Tao's eyes.

Even more terrifying was the feeling that this protective formation was incredibly strong, terrifyingly so.

The lush green leaves of the giant trees within the mountain swayed gently and rhythmically in the breeze.

Every time it took an incense stick's worth of time, the pattern would change, starting from the center of the mountain and expanding outwards, creating ripples.

Not only that, but the direction of every leaf was the same, all converging from the canopies of the countless giant trees towards the central core area like a surging tide.

With each movement, the wood-attribute spiritual energy generated by all the giant trees was drawn in, absorbed, and channeled towards the mountain's central region.

As these convergences repeated, the pale green mist grew thicker, slowly transforming from spiritual energy into pure spiritual liquid.

"Drip!" "Drip!" "Drip!"

Drop after drop of pure emerald spiritual liquid fell into a small pond at the heart of the mountain, where a spirit elder with a head full of white vines sat.

Clusters of green light flickered incessantly as countless emerald spiritual liquids silently merged into the spirit elder's body.

Above the pond, a formation disk floated in the air, surrounded by numerous formation flags.

Suddenly, the formation disk flared with light, revealing two figures. It was none other than Wu Tao and Xue Shuangjiao.

The spirit elder opened his eyes, his brow furrowing slightly. A second, green divine soul detached itself, transforming into a beam of light and vanishing.

With the spirit elder's millennia of cultivation, splitting off a second or third divine soul over such a long period was as easy as breathing.

The second divine soul arrived outside the mountain and immediately activated the formation.

The formation's core sensed its movement and abruptly shot out a green beam of light, about a zhang in length.

The activated formation gathered wood-attribute spiritual energy from all directions, beginning to rotate slowly clockwise. The spiritual energy grew more and more concentrated.

In the next second, the wood-attribute spiritual energy fused, conjuring a Qinglong (Azure Dragon) body out of thin air.

It was verdant green all over, about a zhang long and an inch thick, with a head, horns, claws, scales, and a tail fin half a meter wide.

This Qinglong body was dark green. Compared to a true Qinglong, it was only weaker and smaller, but otherwise, it bore little resemblance to a real dragon.

It had flesh and blood, as well as internal organs like blood vessels, bones, and viscera.

However, despite its imposing appearance, this Qinglong was merely an inanimate object, its dragon eyes dim and lifeless.

Yet, as this Qinglong merged with the second divine soul, its eyes suddenly lit up, and a clear dragon roar echoed towards the heavens.

This dragon roar actually carried a hint of the majesty of a true dragon, with a faint dragon's might spreading outwards.

Upon hearing this dragon roar, Wu Tao and Xue Shuangjiao outside the mountain’s complexion changed in unison.

In the next second, the Qinglong opened its massive mouth, inhaling a large amount of wood-attribute spiritual energy. Its body rapidly enlarged and thickened. Its four claws soared, and it swooped down towards Wu Tao and Xue Shuangjiao.

Gazing at the Qinglong rapidly approaching them, Wu Tao and Xue Shuangjiao’s faces turned grave.

Waving a hand to stop Wu Tao, who was preparing to attack, Xue Shuangjiao stepped forward and said, "Elder Yang, it's Xue Shuangjiao. I've come for our appointment. I know I'm a bit early, but there's no need for such a grand display, is there?"

"Little girl from the Blood Clan, of course I recognize you. But who is this person beside you? Judging by the aura, he seems like quite a troublesome fellow…"

"At this crucial time, I don't wish to provoke unnecessary trouble."

A senile male voice emanated from the Qinglong's mouth.

Immediately, a flash of spiritual light revealed a verdant green Qinglong, appearing like jade, ten zhang in size.

"Elder Yang, rest assured. This person beside me is my husband, named Liu Quan. He's one of us!"

"I just thought that with more people, we'd have more strength. If we can enter the tomb of the Supreme Blood King, won't treasures pile up like mountains? What treasures won't we be able to obtain…"

"You don't mind adding one more person to our treasure hunt, do you? After all, one person can't claim much, can they!"

Upon seeing this Qinglong, Xue Shuangjiao's face broke into a smile, and she said with utmost respect.

"Hmm, I am quite assured by your actions."

"However, this matter is of great importance. If it weren't for a shortage of manpower, I would absolutely not agree to you bringing an unfamiliar person whose background I don't know."

"I hope you don't disappoint me and have no improper thoughts. Otherwise, heh heh…"

The Qinglong nodded and said with an aged tone.

"Elder Yang, what are you saying? How could I possibly have any designs on you? That would be like an egg hitting a rock, overestimating my own strength!"

Xue Shuangjiao replied with a chuckle.

"However, is that piece of news truly accurate? What if we all make a big fuss and go, only to find nothing? That would be a huge joke."

"Hmph, I have lived for thousands of years. When your parents were not yet born, I had already arrived here."

"I have stayed in the Myriad Ore Mountain Range for thousands of years. If I can't even determine the truth of this news, then my thousands of years here would have been in vain…"

"Given the status of a Supreme Blood King, his tomb, even with the slightest possibility, is worth our risk to explore."

"As long as it's true, and we obtain the many treasures and cultivation techniques left by the Supreme Blood King…"

"Not only can I break through to the Nascent Soul stage, but your chances of breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage will also greatly increase."

"This is a matter of immense profit with little risk. Do you regret it now? Little girl from the Blood Clan, it's a bit too late to regret it now…"

The Qinglong's voice grew colder with each word it uttered.

"Elder Yang, I understand, I understand. I was just asking. I had no other intentions whatsoever. Please do not expel me from this treasure hunting expedition…"

Xue Shuangjiao's heart tightened, and she replied with a placating smile.

"It's good that you know. Follow me later. Those old fellows haven't arrived yet. You have indeed come a bit early. Wait for a while in my Cui Wei Residence!"

The Qinglong pondered for a moment and then said this.

After speaking, the Qinglong flew into the mountain. Wu Tao and Xue Shuangjiao exchanged glances and followed closely behind the Qinglong.

As soon as Wu Tao entered the mountain, he began to survey the surroundings.

However, wherever his eyes fell, there was a hazy green mist, making it impossible to discern anything.

Wu Tao's brow furrowed. The Nightmare Eye on his forehead flashed, and after a moment, his expression suddenly darkened.

"This Elder Yang is indeed worthy of living for thousands of years. He truly has some tricks up his sleeve. Even with my divine eye, I can't fully see through the depth of the surrounding restrictions."

"That is only natural. If he didn't have this ability, Yang Mudao, that old fellow, wouldn't be able to organize so many people to come treasure hunting with him."

"That old fellow's methods are far more than this. You will know how formidable they are soon enough."

"If he didn't have these powerful methods, none of us would support him as the leader of this treasure hunting expedition."

"He is from the most long-lived family among the Spirit Clan. His original form is the Ten Thousand Year Tree, which can live for at least ten thousand years, and possibly forty to fifty thousand years."

"For the sake of both of us having a chance to break through to the Nascent Soul stage, this trip is unavoidable."

"Furthermore, with our combined strength, we do not fear anyone. We can advance or retreat. If things go south, we can simply withdraw without caring about their fate."

Xue Shuangjiao transmitted her voice to Wu Tao using divine sense.

"I understand. But even so, you must be careful, as we are on his territory."

"What if he harbors some wicked intentions, we would have no way to defend against it!"

Wu Tao reminded her with some concern.

"Don't worry. I won't fish in troubled waters until I see tangible benefits, especially not to take risks for others."

Xue Shuangjiao chuckled softly.

Wu Tao nodded, gripping his Chuxi Sword tightly, and warily scanned his surroundings.

The formation automatically opened a gap, and the Qinglong flew into the center of the mountain. Wu Tao and Xue Shuangjiao followed closely, their steps perfectly synchronized.

As soon as they entered the center of the mountain, Wu Tao and Xue Shuangjiao were met with a surge of wood-attribute spiritual energy.