"The Desolate Divine Fruit is truly extraordinary. These poisons can't invade my body at allâit's as if time itself has stopped for it. There is one drawback, however. With my body's time frozen, it means my physical form cannot improve in the slightest for the next thousand years!"
The Golden-winged Roc marveled at the miraculous effects of the Desolate Divine Fruit.
Although it was a descendant of the Golden Roc God King, the Desolate Divine Fruit was the Northern Wilderness Sword Mansion's most unique and exclusive Divine Fruit. Even the roc itself had never consumed one before.
As for the drawback of its physical body being unable to improve, it was of no consequence.
In the third level of the Northern Wilderness Sword Mansion, the flow of time was one thousand times faster than the outside world. One year outside was one thousand years inside.
Since its birth, it had already lived for countless millennia.
'Once I kill this brat, not only will I have avenged my brother, but I'll also be free. I won't have to waste away for countless ages in this godforsaken place.'
As it dwelt on this, the Golden-winged Roc grew excited.
Protected by the effects of the Desolate Divine Fruit, it arrived before the mist.
A flash of golden light flared in its eyes, and its sharp Golden Pupil of Truth quickly spotted Yang Xiao within the mist.
'Hmph? He actually dares to linger? Truly courting death.'
With a cold snort, the Golden-winged Roc stepped inside without a moment's hesitation.
The moment it did, its expression changed.
This was because the mist was completely different from the poisons outside; it didn't attack the physical body but instead assaulted the Golden-winged Roc's Divine Soul.
In just a moment, the Golden-winged Roc felt itself fall into a trance, transported back to the time of its birth. Back then, it was very weak. Beside it, its brotherâwho didn't look much like it, save for their identical Golden Wingsâwas fighting with all his might against a Tier Four Barbaric Beast.
After killing the Barbaric Beast, he dragged it over.
"Little bro, let's eat."
That was the first time the Golden-winged Roc had ever tasted food.
After that, its memories began to play back one after another, like scenes from a movie.
Yet the Golden-winged Roc itself seemed completely unaware.
Its entire consciousness returned to its childhood.
Devoid of its world-shaking power, it could only move forward with clumsy steps.
And the one accompanying it was none other than the Golden-winged Hairy Roc, born about three years before it...
Compared to the Golden-winged Roc, Yang Xiao was far more clear-headed.
Upon entering the Mist of Bewitching Spirit, he immediately focused his mind. Although some memories were dredged up, he quickly began using the mist to stimulate his own Divine Soul and enhance his Spiritual Power.
At the same time, he mobilized the Essence Qi of the Origin Flame sealed within his Sea of Consciousness. Even the Divine Communication Grass, which had always been absorbed at an incredibly slow pace, now became active.
Yang Xiao's Spiritual Power and the form of his Divine Soul were continuously strengthening and transforming at an unimaginable speed.
'Huh? This Mist of Bewitching Spirit isn't just a simple stimulant. It's actually combined with the principles of Celestial Medicine, allowing it to be directly converted into Spirit Medicine that benefits the Divine Soul. It seems Celestial Poison has surpassed my own level from back then on this path.'
Suddenly, Yang Xiao noticed his Spiritual Power was growing at an abnormal rate.
It was then he realized with a start that this Mist of Bewitching Spirit was no longer just the simple version he had conceived of back in the day; it had been fused with the principles of Celestial Medicine.
This left Yang Xiao quite pleased.
At the same time, his Spiritual Power began to increase even more rapidly.
Yang Xiao, who had originally estimated he could at most reach the middle to late phase of the Initial Stage Void Observation Realm, now began to wonder if he could break through to the Peak of the Initial Stage, or perhaps even the next tier.
'If I can really reach the Middle Tier of the Void Observation Realm, my Divine Soul Power would be considered Demon Level among my peers. Even in my first life, when I was born with the power of a True God, it still took me a full hundred years to cultivate my Spiritual Power to the Middle Tier of the Void Observation Realm.'
A gleam flashed in Yang Xiao's eyes.
He grew increasingly excited.
As he continuously absorbed the surrounding Mist of Bewitching Spirit, the Golden-winged Rocâhopelessly lost in its memoriesâbegan to show faint signs of regaining consciousness.
But as it absorbed more and more of the Mist of Bewitching Spirit, its resistance grew weaker and weaker.
It wavered constantly between lucidity and delusion.
No one knew when it would wake up.
Likewise, no one knew how much longer it would remain lost.
This situation made Xuan Tianzhan, who was waiting outside the valley, extremely anxious.
He was far too desperate to kill Yang Xiao.
But after paying such a heavy priceâsacrificing Xue Yi and using up his precious few Desolate Divine Fruitsâthere was still no sign of Yang Xiao's death.
Xuan Tianzhan was growing impatient.
If not for his own pitiful lack of strength, he would have gone to hunt down Yang Xiao himself.
He couldn't wait another moment.
Just then, the White Pig King who had been fawning over the Golden-winged Roc earlier spoke up.
"It looks like there's something wrong with that mist. Even the Peng King seems to be affected."
The White Pig King's great maw opened and closed, its two outward-curving tusks looking ferocious and terrifying.
However, hearing this, Xuan Tianzhan's eyes lit up and he looked over. "And how should I address you, Pig King?"
'Pig King?'
A trace of disdain flashed in the White Pig King's eyes, but then it remembered the Desolate Divine Fruit and couldn't help but gulp. Even the Peng King had never eaten one of those, to say nothing of itself.
An idea immediately sparked in its mind.
It said with a chuckle, "Heh heh, my surname is Bai. Since you're a friend of the Peng King, you can just call me Old Bai. By the way, I heard you're the current Inheritor, is that right?"
"That's right. I am this generation's Inheritor. I have already comprehended five stances of the Celestial Desolation Swordsmanship. It won't be long before I become the master of the Northern Wilderness Sword Mansion."
Xuan Tianzhan failed to notice the Pig King's true thoughts; instead, he puffed up with pride at the mention of his status as the Inheritor.
"Well, congratulations then. Who knows, maybe before long, we Barbarian Kings will have to call you 'Master.'"
The contempt in the White Pig King's eyes deepened, but its face was wreathed in smiles.
The words were exactly what Xuan Tianzhan wanted to hear. Any apprehension about the idea forming in his mind vanished completely.
He said nonchalantly, "Old Bai, I have a small favor to ask of you. I wonder if you'd be willing?"
'Old Bai?'
The White Pig King sneered inwardly. 'He actually took my polite suggestion seriously? The nerve of this kid.'
However, it had its own agenda, and Xuan Tianzhan was walking right into its trap.
It wasn't about to let the opportunity slip by over a mere form of address.
"I wonder what Your Excellency the Inheritor needs my help with? Given your status, as long as it isn't too difficult, I will certainly do as you ask."
"Excellent! When I become the master of the Northern Wilderness Sword Mansion, I will be sure to reward you handsomely."
Xuan Tianzhan laughed heartily, then said, "I want you to go in there, check on the situation, and help the Peng King while you're at it."
"This..."
The White Pig King put on a troubled expression.
Xuan Tianzhan, looking pained, reluctantly took out another Desolate Divine Fruit. "Don't worry," he said. "With a Desolate Divine Fruit, you'll be fine."
"Alright."
Though it appeared hesitant and deeply troubled, it was inwardly blooming with joy.
The White Pig King accepted the Desolate Divine Fruit.
The other Barbarian Beast Kings looked on with envy.
However, it didn't move. It remained standing outside the valley, showing no intention of going inside.
Xuan Tianzhan's expression changed instantly.
"Old Bai, why aren't you going in yet?"
His tone had turned sour.
But the White Pig King just sneered. "And why should I go in?"
"You... You just promised me..."
"So what? You think you can beat me? Why don't we have a little contest and find out?"
The White Pig King's expression was purely threatening.
Xuan Tianzhan, however, was dumbfounded.
He never imagined the creature would turn on him so quickly.
'My Desolate Divine Fruit!'
'Damned Pig Demon!'
But just as Xuan Tianzhan was seething with hatred and about to erupt in fury, the mist in the valley began to change.
All the Barbarian Beast Kings looked over.