Chapter 1884: Chapter 1888: Heavenly Punishment Forest (Third Update)

"Boss, what should we do? I feel this white-clad lady is somewhat formidable."

Seeing the white-clad woman and Xiaoqing leaving straightaway, Duan Xiaodao hesitated, "Should we go back or keep moving forward?"

Without a doubt, the words of the white-clad woman earlier made Duan Xiaodao somewhat apprehensive.

After all, the Myriad Demon Mountain Range is full of powerful figures from the Demon Clan. For outsiders like us to enter could truly be perilous.

"Haha, we’ve come all this way, how could we turn back now? Searching for the Immortal Divine Beast as I mentioned earlier is one of our goals this time. Therefore, we absolutely cannot retreat easily."

Qin Tian watched as the white-clad woman and Xiaoqing disappeared into the distance, continuing, "I don’t think all the Demon Clan members are hostile to outsiders. Look at this white-clad beauty, she seems quite kind. If it weren’t for her driving away the Beast Tide, we’d likely be trapped here today."

After saying this, Qin Tian thought carefully for a few seconds, then crouched down to speak to A’tai: "A’tai, follow them and see where they go. We’ll wait for you to return here."

A’tai nodded, immediately leapt in the direction where the white-clad woman had vanished. Qin Tian reminded him not to be detected.

Murong Fei said, "Qin Tian, are you planning to go directly to where the white-clad woman is?"

Qin Tian nodded, "Since entering the Myriad Demon Mountain Range, we’re like headless flies, unable to find anyone, let alone Yin Yue Demon Venerate and the Immortal Divine Beast. These Demon Clan people must have lived here for decades, if not hundreds or thousands of years, so they’re surely more familiar with the area than us."

"Right now, to minimize danger, our best bet is to find their dwelling and then gauge the situation."

Du Qiuniang said, "Young Master, being together with the Demon Clan, if they discover we’re outsiders, it might be even more dangerous, right?"

"We have no grievances or enmity. I believe the Demon Clan is reasonable. Let’s do this: each of us will disguise ourselves simply, and come up with an identity. Remember, make the story believable so they won’t see through it. I suggest everyone claim to be Immortality Cultivators from West State."

Seeing Qin Tian insist on venturing into the Demon Clan’s gathering place, Murong Fei and the others said no more. Each came up with an identity, got acquainted with one another, then rested on the spot.

In less than an hour, A’tai returned swiftly from afar, guiding Qin Tian and nine others directly to the second peak ahead in the Myriad Demon Mountain Range.

On the way, everyone kept a low profile and stayed cautious. Apart from encountering a few Demon Beasts with almost no combat power, they didn’t face any other dangers. Forty minutes later, they saw from afar that halfway up the second peak were some pavilion-like buildings.

"Boss, it seems that white-clad woman and Xiaoqing might live here. We should be more careful now."

Seeing A’tai’s expression, Duan Xiaodao cautiously advised the Qin Family troops behind.

At this point, they hadn’t ascended yet, roughly 60 to 70 kilometers away, with an expanse of lofty woods in between. Each tree stood at least ten meters tall, typical of an ancient forest!

"Everyone be alert, I feel there’s something strange about this forest, but I can’t pinpoint what exactly."

Qin Tian whispered a reminder.

They had already entered the forest, moving closer towards the direction of the previously seen buildings.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

Suddenly, white smoke wafted through the forest.

Duan Xiaodao cautiously sent someone to test it, and the smoke was found not to be poisonous.

The group continued forward, the deeper they went, the more Qin Tian felt his head buzzing, as if some force was subtly interfering with his thoughts.

"Do you guys feel something eerie here?"

Qin Tian asked the others.

"I feel it too, my head feels a bit swollen, but I haven’t sensed any external interference."

"I’ve felt it as well, seems like there’s a sound in my head."

"Overall, this forest gives me a very oppressive feeling, like walking into a trap."

Not only Murong Fei and Du Qiuniang, even the soldiers of the Qin Family army sensed the unusual anomaly.

"Everyone stay more vigilant and close, the white mist is getting thicker, make sure nobody strays."

Qin Tian extended his Divine Sense but found its detectable range in this forest reduced by nine-tenths, perceiving only within ten meters, and even that wasn’t clear!

"Boss, are you sure we should proceed? I keep feeling something’s off, like a bad omen."

Duan Xiaodao began to worry.

"Since we’re here, we might as well remain. We have no retreat now. Fourth Brother, remember, if any danger arises later, don’t mind me. You and the Qin Family army must ensure Murong and Qiuniang’s safety, that’s most important."

Qin Tian said, patting A’tai’s head, "You too, understand?"

A’tai gave a low-hum, while Duan Xiaodao also responded, "Rest assured Boss, nothing will happen to the two ladies."

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

The wind in the forest intensified, the white mist growing denser until Qin Tian and the others couldn’t see the sky above!

"This place definitely has issues!"

The increasingly eerie atmosphere led Qin Tian to heighten his alertness to the fullest, "Everyone get into battle mode, be ready to fight anytime!" 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

The group formed a circle, cautiously moving forward.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

Suddenly, a gust blew by and ahead, the white mist dispersed to reveal a stone tablet almost five meters tall abruptly standing before them!

"Heavenly Punishment Forest!"

Duan Xiaodao read the most prominent four characters on the stone tablet, his tone somewhat faltering, "Heavenly Punishment Forest, outsiders are forbidden. Those trespassing, die!"

As Duan Xiaodao read, he looked at Qin Tian, reciting the final words: "Intruding Demon Clan territory, die without a burial place!"

Qin Tian stared at the stone tablet, expression grave.

Murong Fei and Du Qiuniang exchanged glances, the solemnity of their expressions palpable.

"The Heavenly Punishment Forest, I saw it mentioned in the ancient books of the Demon Clan. It’s said to be a restriction set by ancient Demon Clan masters whose cultivation surpasses the Great Immortal Realm. Rumor has it, back then, the main force of Long Jun’s personal guards was completely lost in the Heavenly Punishment Forest—ten thousand men, vanished instantly! Boss..."

Qin Tian interrupted Duan Xiaodao before he could continue, raising his hand, "I know what you want to say."

"You all head back, wait for me outside the Heavenly Punishment Forest. I want to give it a try; if it doesn’t work, I’ll retreat."

Qin Tian’s determination was firm.

His father’s Long Jun couldn’t cross this place back then!

Now, he wants to give it a try!