At this moment, Yun Fan arrived within the Black Water Forest.
A pervasive black mist seeped from within, and as Yun Fan stepped inside, he felt a distinct discomfort.
This forest was ancient and primordial, stretching boundlessly. If placed within the cosmos, its expanse would rival a galaxy cluster, at least seven or eight times the size of the Milky Way.
However, for a Saint King of his caliber, traversing the entire forest would take at most a single day.
Yet, from time immemorial, few powerhouses dared to cross it. Once, a Saint Emperor, disbelieving the legends, attempted to traverse the Black Water Forest.
To showcase his might, but he soon plummeted into the depths of the Black Water Forest, never to emerge again.
Thus, it became a forbidden land. Generally, those strong enough would choose to detour when encountering this Black Water Forest.
Yun Fan's entry was not an act of desperation but a calculated move. He had long planned for this.
For on the other side of the Black Water Forest lay the territory of the Elves. Given his current circumstances, this was the best route to the Elves.
Only by reaching their lands would he have a chance to survive.
Though he had caused trouble for the two pearls of the Elven race, they did not seem to harbor as much animosity towards him.
He couldn't help but lament internally how, upon just arriving in the Great Thousand World, he was already being relentlessly pursued.
At this moment, the other envoys had arrived.
"He went into the Black Water Forest!"
The envoy who had been chasing Yun Fan said with embarrassment, as he himself dared not enter.
The other envoys could only give up upon hearing this. After all, they knew the peril within.
"Very well, report to the Ziwei clan. Say he ran into the Black Water Forest himself, and he will absolutely not survive!"
"Agreed!"
...
A month later, due to the slow pace of travel, Yun Fan had only just managed to enter the heart of the Black Water Forest.
In the outer regions, he had seen no danger, nor any other living beings. However, for him, this itself was a sign of unease.
He constantly felt something watching him from the shadows, yet he could find no trace of it.
Just then, the forest began to tremble.
Yun Fan's expression changed. Was danger imminent? Even with his Saint King second-stage strength, he dared not let his guard down.
As expected, at that very moment, a black shadow suddenly appeared. It was a colossal black python, lunging towards him to devour him.
Seeing this, Yun Fan did not hesitate. A surge of power struck the giant python.
However, the python seemed unfazed. This was his full-force attack! In the universe, it would be enough to destroy a galaxy cluster.
To think that here, it couldn't even penetrate the defense of a mere giant python.
With no other recourse, Yun Fan could only evade and fight. But this giant python was truly ferocious.
Yun Fan found himself utterly unable to withstand it, only able to dodge and flee.
This was an ancient giant python, its strength unfathomable. It had been born in the ancient era, and coupled with the baptism of the Black Water Forest,
Unless Yun Fan was a Celestial Emperor, he would be unable to breach its defenses.
At this point, the python spewed out a black mist, capable of covering millions of miles.
One could imagine how colossal this giant python was.
Yun Fan was less than an ant before it. Yet, the python compressed its massive body, concentrating its power.
Thus, the python, spanning tens of thousands of miles, was now only a hundred zhang long. Although its body had shrunk,
It became incredibly powerful, especially under the black mist that left Yun Fan feeling dizzy and disoriented.
Seeing himself about to be swallowed by this black python, Yun Fan knew he was done for.
At this critical juncture, a beam of light descended from the void, piercing directly through the python's head.
The python, which even Yun Fan was helpless against, was instantly shattered.
Yun Fan breathed a sigh of relief. The preceding moments had been terrifyingly close. However, he himself then fainted.
He did not know how long passed before he awoke.
He then saw his savior: a middle-aged man, whose appearance had been altered by the pervasive black mist.
"Young man, this is not a place you should be!"
He could tell at a glance that Yun Fan was an outsider. He was surprised that an outsider could venture so deep into this place.
Yun Fan then explained, "I was pursued by enemies, and out of desperation, I had to come to this place!"
"So that's how it is!"
He said to Yun Fan, "This is not a place you should be. Now that you have entered the Black Water Forest, you likely cannot leave!"
"What do you mean?"
Yun Fan was greatly alarmed.
He could tell that the other party's strength was formidable, at least a Saint King third-stage expert. Especially his weapon, which appeared to be a black sword, was undoubtedly a supreme treasure.
Otherwise, it could not have pierced the python's head.
He then explained to Yun Fan, "Because you have come here, the Four Great Lords of the Black Water Forest will absolutely not let you go!"
"Are the Four Great Lords very strong?"
Yun Fan asked, puzzled.
He replied, "Very strong. Even stronger is the Forest Master, who is above the Four Great Lords, possessing Saint Emperor level strength!"
"What?"
Yun Fan gasped, sucking in a breath of cold air. Such power, besides the Four Great Races, was unlikely to be matched by any other faction.
He never expected that this seemingly insignificant Black Water Forest harbored so many powerful beings.
"Of course, just because you cannot leave does not mean you cannot survive!"
He said to Yun Fan, "As long as you can become a member of the Black Water Forest, transforming into this quasi-human, quasi-ghost existence, you can survive. But if you refuse to become like me, you must die!"
Looking at the man emanating black mist, with some areas already decaying, Yun Fan truly did not wish to become such a person.
At this moment, he felt immense gratitude. If he had not been saved, he would undoubtedly be dead by now.
"Senior, since you know I am an outsider, why did you save me?"
Yun Fan asked him.
Logically, the people of the Black Water Forest should ostracize outsiders, even kill them.
Yet, this person had not killed him but saved him, which exceeded his expectations.
He replied to Yun Fan, "Because I still have a sliver of conscience. Furthermore, you and I are in the same predicament, forced to come here. Thus, I see myself in you from years ago!"
"What did you experience back then, Senior?"
Yun Fan asked, confused.
He explained, "My name is Ouyang Mingyue. I was a disciple of the Ancient Heaven Sect. I fell in love with the Saintess. However, my talent was mediocre, and the Sect Master would never marry the Saintess to me. So, the Saintess and I eloped, intending to live a blissful life in a place where no one knew us! We never expected our plan to be discovered by the Sect Master. Before the Saintess could escape, she was controlled, while I was chased into the Black Water Forest. Out of desperation, I also entered the Black Water Forest. Now, fifty thousand years have passed! Everything has changed like the tides of the sea!"
Ouyang Mingyue sighed.
Yun Fan was surprised that he had such an untold story. It was a pity that after fifty thousand years, everything was no longer the same.
"Senior, have you never considered leaving to find her?"
Ouyang Mingyue shook his head. "To survive, I became a member of the Black Water Forest. If I leave, without the reinforcement of the black mist, I will surely die. Therefore, I cannot leave!"
Hearing this, Yun Fan's breath hitched. If that were the case, he too would not want to become like this.
He did not want to be confined to such a ghastly place for his entire life.
At this, Ouyang Mingyue said to Yun Fan, "I am very curious about you. Why are you not affected by the black mist?"
After all, this was the central region of the Black Water Forest, yet it was evident to him that Yun Fan was not tainted by the black mist.
The black mist couldn't even approach Yun Fan.
At his words, Yun Fan was also bewildered. "I only felt very uncomfortable with this black mist, but I never expected the black mist to be infectious!"
"Therefore, this is your most special trait!"
He told Yun Fan, "In the fifty thousand years I have been here, you are the only truly unique person I have ever seen. Perhaps you still have a chance to leave!"
"Really?"
Yun Fan's eyes lit up. Indeed, he desperately wanted a chance to leave, but relying solely on himself would be extremely perilous.
If Ouyang Mingyue could help him, he would have a chance to escape.
Ouyang Mingyue said, "As long as you are not infected by the black mist, you can leave. I can help you, but I have one condition!"
"What condition?"
Yun Fan asked, confused.
At this, he produced half a jade pendant and handed it to Yun Fan. "If you ever encounter the Saintess, please give her this jade pendant and tell her not to wait for me anymore. I have failed her in this life! I cannot repay her!"
Hearing this, Yun Fan's damned sense of sympathy filled him with sadness. Thus, he immediately accepted the jade pendant.
"Senior, as long as I can leave alive, let alone if I encounter her. I will personally go to the Ancient Heaven Sect and deliver the item to her!"
"Thank you!"
Ouyang Mingyue said gratefully to Yun Fan.
He could see that Yun Fan was a man of his word, so he had no need to worry.
His only regret now was this matter. Once this regret was resolved, he would have nothing else to hold him back.
Fifty thousand years of time had passed, and the past attachments were severed.
At this, he said to Yun Fan, "Originally, your chances of leaving were slim. But you are quite lucky. The Four Great Lords are about to commence their once-in-ten-thousand-year competition. Whoever wins will become the First Lord and gain more resources from the Black Water Forest, while the other lords will fall behind! Therefore, this is the only opportune moment for escape!"
"Understood!"
Yun Fan nodded.
Then, Ouyang Mingyue said, "I will escort you to the outskirts of the Black Water Forest. After that, everything will be up to you!"
"Senior, rest assured!"
Yun Fan promised, "I am a person who keeps his word! Let's depart!"
"Hmm!"
Following this, the two set off. However, Yun Fan's current appearance was too conspicuous. Thus, he found a black robe infused with black mist to escort Yun Fan away.
He said to Yun Fan, "We will have to pass through their duel site shortly. It's an ancient battlefield, and we will encounter many patrols. You don't need to say anything; just follow me!"
"Understood!"
Yun Fan nodded.
Indeed, before long, they arrived at a battlefield. The ground was barren, and the battlefield stretched endlessly.
The competition of the Four Great Lords had not yet begun, but many people were already present. All of them were individuals shrouded in black mist.
If it were any other day, the two of them crossing this boundless battlefield would truly be too conspicuous.
But now, with so many people on this battlefield, Ouyang Mingyue felt the problem should not be too significant.
As expected, the first day went smoothly, and Yun Fan did not reveal any flaws.
On the second day, midway through their journey, they encountered patrols. Although their strength was not high, they were subordinates of the Four Great Lords, so Ouyang Mingyue had to offer some appeasement.
After the dealings were concluded, the two continued their journey.
For several days, they traversed this open space. Seeing the forest hundreds of miles ahead, the two had narrowly escaped danger.
Finally, they breathed a sigh of relief. In their view, the greatest threat was the Four Great Lords. Once they passed this hurdle, they would have nothing to worry about.
Although the Black Water Forest was home to countless fierce beasts, Ouyang Mingyue was confident in his ability to handle them.
However, just as the two were about to step into the forest, a group of people blocked their path.
The two sensed danger. At this, Ouyang Mingyue stepped forward immediately, "Esteemed sirs, please be merciful. We are going into the forest ahead to hunt. We will give you half of the spoils!"
The benefits of slaying a fierce beast were immense, and for the warriors of the Black Water Forest, it was a significant reward.
However, the risk factor was also extremely high. The giant python that had ambushed Yun Fan was an example. If not for Ouyang Mingyue, he alone could not have dealt with it.
Yet, the leader of the group said, "Go back! Lord Jiehuang has decreed that during the competition period, no one is allowed to enter the forest ahead!"
Hearing this, Ouyang Mingyue asked, "Why?"
"Why so many questions? You are not allowed to go, so go back!"
These people said arrogantly.
At this, Yun Fan and Ouyang Mingyue exchanged glances.
"Young friend, the path ahead is yours to walk. I will hold them off and cover your escape!"
Hearing this, Yun Fan asked, "Senior, can you handle them?"
"No problem!"
The next moment, Ouyang Mingyue directly attacked the group.
These people were enraged. How dare they attack them? They must be tired of living.
Therefore, at that instant, they swarmed forward, attacking the two.
"Now!"
Under Ouyang Mingyue's cover, Yun Fan leaped forward, entering the forest ahead.
"Kill them!"
...
Upon entering the forest, Yun Fan did not stop and continued to move forward. He was nearing the outer regions, and if all went well, he would leave the Black Water Forest within a few months.
Unexpectedly, at this moment, a black ferocious tiger lunged at him.
Yun Fan kicked the tiger away with a single punch.
He did not kill the tiger, as escaping this accursed place was his priority. Unexpectedly, at this very moment, a figure suddenly appeared.
Before Yun Fan could react, he was struck down by a palm.
"Damn it!"
When Yun Fan awoke, he found himself in a mysterious room.
At this, a man in black clothing walked in from outside the room. Even Yun Fan could not discern the man's strength.
He was exceptionally powerful.
Yun Fan himself was bound.
"Kid, you didn't take my words to heart, did you?"
He said to Yun Fan in a cold tone.
"You are..."
As Yun Fan was confused, the man scoffed, "You don't even know who I am? It seems you're quite the problem!"
"It is Jiehuang!"
"Holy crap!"
Yun Fan was greatly startled. He had not expected this person to be Jiehuang, one of the Four Great Lords.
According to Ouyang Mingyue's account, Jiehuang was the strongest among the Four Great Lords and most likely to become the First Lord this time.
To think that he had fallen into this person's hands now.
He did not know why Jiehuang, who was considered insignificant in his eyes, did not kill him but merely restrained him.
This was contrary to Jiehuang's cruel and ruthless nature.
Yun Fan quickly explained, "Lord Jiehuang, please forgive me. I was completely unaware of the situation. I beg you, in consideration of this being my first offense, to spare my life!"
Hearing this, Jiehuang sneered, "Kid, do you think that's possible? Do you think I don't know that you have no black mist on you? You are not from the Black Water Forest, and your black mist is merely a disguise!"
At these words, Yun Fan's jaw dropped. Indeed, he was worthy of being called Jiehuang. He never expected to have no privacy whatsoever before him.
Undoubtedly, at this moment, Yun Fan knew he was doomed, and he had no chance to change his fate.
Everything about him was in Jiehuang's hands. If Jiehuang wished him dead, he would have no chance of survival.
At this, Yun Fan asked him, "Then how do you intend to deal with me? Kill me or assimilate me into a member of the Black Water Forest?"
"Neither!"
Jiehuang sneered, "Outsiders trespassing in the Black Water Forest is a capital offense. However, I can give you a chance to atone for your crime."