Just as they saw.

A shadow suddenly darted out from the Withered Forest. The aura of powerful True Qi surged as the figure flew, akin to a red lightning bolt streaking across the sky, instantly shooting out from the forest, soaring thousands of zhang into the void!

"A Human Immortal Third Layer cultivator!"

"What happened to him?"

Everyone’s eyes widened.

Even from a distance, all present could sense the intense panic of this Human Immortal Third Layer cultivator. It seemed as if something terrifying was pursuing him from behind.

As puzzled thoughts flooded everyone’s minds one after another.

The next moment, everyone present witnessed an incredible scene!

Suddenly, from the seemingly calm Withered Forest, a figure resembling both a flood dragon and dragon leaped out, crossing thousands of zhang of space in an instant, confronting the fleeing aura almost without a pause.

It was a Bone Flood Dragon, a hundred zhang in length!

Its presence was as if it had emerged from the Nine Netherworld, a terrifying existence before which even a Human Immortal Third Layer was as insignificant as an ant.

"Ah!"

With a shrill cry, the cultivator was directly swallowed whole by the Bone Flood Dragon. The dragon then spun in mid-air and, like a diver, plunged back into the Withered Forest.

Silently, the Forest of White Bones returned to its eerie calm.

"Did I just see that? The Bone Flood Dragon... it swallowed a Human Immortal Third Layer cultivator whole?"

Li Chu’s eyes were nearly bulging out.

"Is this real?"

The woman in pink named Shen Yue also swallowed hard.

Not only them, but even Xu Hao, Ning Hill, and Wang Luocheng showed faces of horror. The sudden scene was undeniably a massive shock to all present.

Even Ye Qingchen’s face darkened.

Seeing everyone’s low spirits, Wang Luocheng quickly gathered himself and said, "According to the information, this Bone Flood Dragon is the pet of Venerable Yin Mountain, and it’s the only one! Although it possesses the cultivation of a Human Immortal Fifth Layer, it mostly stays within the Broken Secret Realm, so we should be safe as long as we steer clear of those secret realms!"

Upon hearing the explanation, everyone quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

Had the Withered Forest been filled with such Yin Spirits and ghostly entities, they would barely make a morsel for such beings. Yet, despite the minor setback, their previous unstoppable momentum was inevitably halted.

Wang Luocheng had no choice but to let the team rest for the night, planning to set out again the next day. However, even so, everyone looked at the Withered Forest with inevitable anxiety.

Ye Qingchen, however, remained indifferent, continuing to sit cross-legged, meditating and cultivating.

The next day, everyone set out once more, continuing their journey.

As the Withered Forest drew nearer, Wang Luocheng spoke again:

"Now, let me reiterate the mission content once more!"

"Half a month ago, a disciple from Cold Star Peak was sent to investigate the abnormal Yin Evil Qi in the Withered Forest but suddenly disappeared. Our mission is to find his whereabouts! Alive, we must see the person; dead, we must see the corpse!"

"In addition, we must also investigate the cause of the abnormal Yin Evil Qi!"

Upon hearing this, everyone couldn’t help but relax a little. As long as they didn’t have to contend with the Bone Flood Dragon, merely investigating shouldn’t be beyond them. Only Ye Qingchen narrowed his eyes thoughtfully.

Soon after, they arrived at the edge of the Withered Forest.

They saw that before them, this vast forest had already been corroded by the Yin Evil Qi, resembling a dead land. The withered branches clawed the air, like ghastly demons with sinister faces.

The forest was shrouded in a pervasive black fog, adding layers of eeriness and deathly silence.

"Next, choose your groups, use the letter as the signal, and set off!" 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Wang Luocheng waved his hand.

Instantly.

Everyone present arranged themselves into groups of three to five according to the previously devised plan. Out of fear of Ye Qingchen, no one dared to team up with him, so shortly after, Ye Qingchen was the only one left standing alone.

Shen Yu, witnessing this scene, was about to invite Ye Qingchen to team up, but before she could speak, Shen Yue pulled her away, transforming into a streak of light darting into the forest.

Seeing this, the others also quickly rushed into the forest, leaving Ye Qingchen as the only one outside the Withered Forest.

Just as Ye Qingchen was about to step into the Withered Forest, a distant voice full of surprise called out:

"Mr. Ye, what are you doing here?"

Turning his head, he saw Kong Jing looking at him with gleeful surprise.

"It’s you? I didn’t expect you’d already reached the Human Immortal realm!" Ye Qingchen smiled, "I received a mission from the sect to investigate the Yin Evil Qi!"

Kong Jing, of the Daluo Sect, had crossed paths with him at Xuanhu Mountain. They had cooperated in completing the Heaven-Repairing Fragment, and in countering Lin Tonghai; naturally, she had played a part too.

But he hadn’t anticipated encountering Kong Jing here.

"What a coincidence! Why are you alone?" Kong Jing asked excitedly, and upon hearing Ye Qingchen’s explanation, she added eagerly, "In that case, why not join us? It’d be great to have company along the way!"

"I haven’t had the chance to thank you. It’s thanks to you that I successfully reached the Human Immortal Realm!"

Kong Jing pleaded, her heart a mix of resentment and joy as she looked at the young man she hadn’t seen for three months.

Resentful because after the Earth Spirit Mountain encounter, Ye Qingchen hadn’t contacted her at all. Joyful because she hadn’t expected to meet Ye Qingchen here.

Ye Qingchen thought for a moment, then nodded, "Alright!"

"That’s wonderful. Our group has four people; let me introduce you to them!"

Kong Jing, overjoyed, led the way, and Ye Qingchen followed.

Not far away, by a large stone, three men and a woman were talking.

"Senior Sister Qiuyuan, I’m back!"

Kong Jing hastily approached and said.

"Ridiculous, I’ve told you many times that the Withered Forest is exceptionally dangerous. You’ve just reached the Human Immortal level, encountering that Bone Flood Dragon offers no chance of escape!" The slightly older woman admonished.

Kong Jing chuckled, "But I ran into an acquaintance. He’s here on a mission too, so I’ve asked him to join us!"

"Ye Qingchen?" Qiuyuan squinted, testingly.

Seeing Kong Jing nod, her face grew more displeased.

Ye Qingchen’s aptitude test issue would have seen him nearly expelled from the Taotian Palace if not for Su Moran vouching for him; the matter had reached the Daluo Sect and was known by all!

So when her junior sister left and came back claiming Ye Qingchen could slay Human Immortals and kill Half-Step Human Immortals like chickens.

Come on, how is that possible?

When Ye Qingchen stood before her, Qiuyuan frowned tightly, shaking her head silently. With her cultivation, she could see he was only at the Celestial Venerable Ninth Layer; how could he have such feats to his name?

But suddenly, something seemed to cross her mind, and her frown relaxed. She said, "Since you’ve asked, let him join us then!"

With that, the group made minor preparations and ventured into the Withered Forest.

"Senior Sister Qiuyuan, why bring that guy along!"

At the front of the group, a handsome man approached Qiuyuan, questioning her while casting a jealous gaze backward. Behind them, Kong Jing and Ye Qingchen were conversing and laughing, a smile the man had never seen from Kong Jing.

His name was Yuan Chong, a faithful suitor of Kong Jing, yet Kong Jing always treated him with indifference. Now she was happily chatting with another man, how could he not be burning with jealousy?

"Indeed, bringing him along will only hold us back! What if we encounter danger?" Another Daluo Sect disciple chimed in.

Qiuyuan glanced back, narrowing her eyes, and said sternly:

"In my view, that young man must have used flowery words to deceive Kong Jing. This mission will take some time; there will be plenty of opportunities to test him. When he eventually reveals his true colors, we’ll let Kong Jing see him for who he really is!"