CHAPTER 68: CHAPTER 68: PERILOUS JOURNEY

In a dense forest.

Xu Ping sat under a big tree, resting, as his gaze swept over various strange plants entangled and intertwined.

Huge trees that would take several people to encircle were everywhere here, with thick layers of leaves piled up, blackened from time due to erosion, and the rotting scent permeated the air, suffocating.

Above the canopy, the broad crowns of the forest spread out in all directions, adding a boundless cover to the entire forest.

Although it was already noon and the sun was high, little light could be felt here, as the layers of branches stubbornly rejected the intrusion of sunlight, making the whole forest appear darker and more eerie...

"No wonder the Qi Refining Realm is so dangerous when crossing this area near the wilds; the Demon Beasts alone are enough to claim the lives of many in the mid-stage or even late-stage Qi Cultivation." Xu Ping sighed helplessly.

In the past few days, he had already encountered three to four groups of Demon Beasts.

There was even a First Rank Upper Grade Demon Beast he wasn’t sure he could take down even in late-stage Qi Cultivation.

He had thought about using Wind Manipulation Skill to fly, but not only couldn’t he fly far, but it also consumed a lot of mana.

Moreover, the sky might be even more dangerous than the ground.

"It’s a pity that Dongwu Market doesn’t have self-flying Magical Artifacts; otherwise, it would make traveling easier." Xu Ping sighed slightly.

Self-flying Magical Artifacts are easy to operate, and only require Spirit Stones to fly.

However, crafting such artifacts is more difficult than ordinary ones, and the price is better.

Xu Ping summoned a fireball, lit a pile of wood, and began to roast meat.

After eating and drinking his fill, he resumed his journey.

Until night fell, he found a place to rest.

Traveling deep into the night was still too dangerous.

...

The night gradually deepened.

Crack.

A flash of lightning ripped across the night sky.

Raindrops showered down, splattering on the leaves and grass, making a rustling sound.

Inside a cave in the mountains.

Xu Ping carefully roasted the newly-skinned Demon Beast bear hide over the fire.

Two Demon Beast cubs huddled together in fear, shrinking into the deepest corner of the cave.

In their pitiful state, they and their father were staying well in the cave, only to be suddenly attacked by this man who barged in and subdued their father.

After the fight, he even skinned their father and put his hide on the fire to roast.

This is what kind of devil!

After eating his fill, Xu Ping began practicing Palm Thunder.

Even though he was traveling, daily skill practice was still essential.

But before that, he first stuck several Silence Talismans at the cave entrance.

This way, no matter how loud the noise is, it wouldn’t be transmitted outside.

After making preparations, Xu Ping officially began his practice, setting up the Magic Technique, mana flowing through the meridians into his palm.

"Shh!"

Accompanied by a soft shout, a thunderbolt shot out from his palm, smashing into the cave wall.

"Boom!"

With an explosion, rubble splattered, and a scorched black area appeared on the cave wall.

The two Demon Beast cubs were even more terrified, hugging each other and trembling.

Xu Ping, however, didn’t pay them any attention, continuing his focused practice.

Until late at night, he finally fell asleep, tired.

Although he was very fatigued, he slept lightly, able to awaken immediately at the slightest noise.

...

...

The next day, Xu Ping got up early, had a simple breakfast, and resumed his journey.

Walking all the way.

The ground was filled with various bizarre plants, and huge branches crisscrossed.

Being inside felt like being amidst skyscrapers.

Like in a giant world.

Xu Ping trod on soft fallen leaves, moving quickly through the dense forest.

Given his current physique and speed, he could cover nearly a hundred or two hundred miles in a day.

At this moment.

Buzz buzz buzz...

A swarm of wing-beating sounds suddenly rose from the forest.

"What’s going on?"

Xu Ping frowned, raising his head to see countless fist-sized venomous bees rapidly flying towards him from deep within the woods.

"Venomous bees?"

Xu Ping’s brow furrowed, his hand flashing with light, and the Blood-Drinking Sword appeared in his hand.

With several bursts of Sword Qi, a large number of venomous bees were killed.

The remaining bees buzzed and fled.

Xu Ping didn’t pursue them further, sheathing the Blood-Drinking Sword and continuing his journey.

The following path seemed like stumbling into a nest of vipers.

Venomous snakes coiled on branches ready to strike at any moment; swarming venomous mosquitoes; countless venomous scorpions...

Threats deadly to others were nothing to Xu Ping, but they did delay his progress.

Luckily, he continued walking slowly, as he wasn’t in much of a hurry.

He also took the opportunity to practice Magic Techniques.

After all, live targets are rare.

...

Boom!!

A thunderbolt as thick as an arm shot out from Xu Ping’s palm, directly blasting a swarm of venomous mosquitoes ahead into ashes.

"Did the power break through?" Xu Ping’s eyes lit up, hastily checking the proficiency panel.

[Palm Thunder Minor Achievement: 1/800]

"Sure enough, it broke through!"

Xu Ping’s face showed delight; he estimated the power surpassed the Five-Thunder Talisman.

"Not bad, not bad!"

"Continue, continue!"

Walking and killing along the way.

Until nightfall, Xu Ping stopped to find a place to rest.

This time he didn’t find a cave, but a huge tree hollow.

The tree hollow was spacious, about twenty square meters.

After a careful search, Xu Ping found nothing.

Only a skeleton.

If he had just crossed over, he certainly wouldn’t dare sleep here, but now he had no burden.

He planned to thoroughly rest after a whole day of killing.

Soon, Xu Ping’s breathing gradually became steady.

He hadn’t dreamt in a long time, yet today he unexpectedly had a dream.

In the dream, the skeleton in the tree hollow transformed into a naked woman, her alabaster body faintly visible in the dark.

The woman walked step by step towards him, softly nibbling his ear: "Master, alone and afraid here, could you hold me!"

The woman’s voice was melodious, flowing like water, seemingly penetrating Xu Ping’s heart.

His gaze became hazy, subconsciously wanting to agree.

But just then, the Taihang Nourishing God Skill automatically circulated, a cool sensation instantly permeated his Sea of Consciousness, jolting him awake.

"Just now... something wasn’t right!"

Xu Ping sensed danger, his face grim, staring darkly at the skeleton.

He hadn’t felt anything unusual before, but now it looked enchantingly beautiful.

"A skeleton giving rise to enchanting, beautiful feelings; I must have been influenced by something!" Xu Ping became alert, his expression growing darker.

"Evil spirit!?"

So eerie, this skeleton must be some evil spirit!

"Shh!"

With a soft shout, a thunderbolt as thick as an arm shot out from Xu Ping’s palm, blasting towards the skeleton!

Boom!

With a loud crash, the skeleton was easily shattered into powder, scattering in the air.

Witnessing this, Xu Ping showed no joy; his expression remained grim.

He felt something ominous, as if the evil spirit hadn’t been vanquished.