On the jade-green pool's stone platform, a bone fragment lay quietly. It was only palm-sized, ordinary and plain, with a grayish-white color devoid of luster, like a useless bone piece discarded for many years.
Yet, it was precisely this bone fragment that, under the moonlight, shimmered with faint, flowing radiance. Patterns flickered upon it, interweaving to form a map.
Though only a corner was visible, the terrain lines could be clearly seen.
Old Yan said, "Little Chen, this might be a treasure map, guiding the way to a divine treasure."
Ye Chen nodded in agreement. "Indeed, I think that's likely the case."
A map appearing—what else could it be but a treasure map pointing to riches?
Moreover, this bone fragment was so extraordinary that it caused two Martial God experts to fight over it, and its patterns and phenomena only revealed themselves under moonlight. It was undoubtedly an exceptional object.
Ordinary treasure maps wouldn't be made so complex. Only a map to a true divine treasure would be like this, which was why even Martial God realm experts would come to blows over it.
Such a divine treasure would likely tempt even Heavenly God realm experts.
Ye Chen leaped, crossing a hundred feet through the air to land before the jade-green pool. He did not advance further, because within the three-zhang-wide pool, faint radiance was flowing, forming a circle of light membrane that protected the bone fragment from being snatched.
He threw a punch. With a loud bang, the air exploded, and the earth shook. The blow landed on the light membrane with at least ten thousand jin of force, comparable to a true Xiantian expert's strike.
Yet, such a terrifying punch, almost capable of shaking a small hill, only caused the light membrane to tremble slightly upon impact. The membrane's brightness didn't diminish in the slightest.
No wonder that Octagonal Azure Bull had left so confidently; there was this layer of protection.
Moreover, Ye Chen's vision was exceptionally sharp. With one glance, he saw through the membrane's strength—even a Martial God realm expert would find it difficult to break through in a short time. Otherwise, the Octagonal Azure Bull wouldn't have been so assured.
Fortunately, Ye Chen had the mysterious Old Yan by his side.
"Old Yan, please make a move."
Old Yan nodded without hesitation or unnecessary words, his expression calm and composed. In his ethereal palm, a strange purple flame suddenly appeared, flowing like violet gold, the flame peculiar.
The moment this purple flame appeared, Ye Chen's gaze sharpened slightly. He took a deep look but said nothing.
A speck of violet-gold divine flame lightly touched the light membrane. The membrane, capable of resisting attacks from Martial God realm existences, was instantly burned through as easily as breaking rotten wood, creating a hole large enough to easily slip a hand through. Old Yan swiftly retrieved the bone fragment and tossed it to Ye Chen.
Ye Chen casually caught it. The bone fragment felt warm and smooth like jade in his hand. Its surface seemed rough but was actually incredibly smooth—truly extraordinary.
He tried applying force but found that although the bone fragment appeared ordinary, its material was incredibly hard. With his terrifying strength from having achieved the minor success of the Human Yuan Body, capable of exerting ten thousand jin of force, he couldn't damage the fragment in the slightest.
This was undoubtedly a very mysterious bone fragment.
After taking the bone fragment, Ye Chen didn't study it immediately. He turned and left directly, worried that the Octagonal Azure Bull might suddenly return.
Only after putting dozens, even hundreds of li between himself and that place, reaching a sufficiently safe distance, did Ye Chen stop. He found a relatively safe cave, scattered some hairs from a Xiantian-level demonic beast to deter other beasts, and only then took out the bone fragment, placing it in his palm to begin a careful study.
Under the moonlight, patterns that were originally invisible on the bone fragment began to appear one after another, constantly interweaving until they finally formed a pattern that projected outward.
On the map, there were mountains, rivers, and even cities—various shapes appeared, converging into a corner of terrain.
Both Ye Chen and Old Yan studied this map carefully, wanting to know exactly which place it depicted. Unfortunately, the map was incomplete, showing only a corner, making it impossible to determine the location.
Clearly, this bone fragment was also just one piece of the divine treasure map. The complete map was likely once a large bone body, but for unknown reasons, it shattered into many fragments. The bone fragment before them was one such corner piece.
Old Yan held the bone fragment, examining it for a moment before suddenly frowning slightly. "Setting aside the secret treasure map recorded within, this bone fragment alone is quite extraordinary. The material is incredibly hard—not just you, even Martial God realm strength would find it difficult to damage. But why does it give me a sense of déjà vu?"
"Could it be that Old Yan has seen such a bone fragment before?" Ye Chen's heart stirred, and he immediately asked.
Even with Ye Chen's extensive knowledge, he didn't know what kind of creature's bone this was, only that it was extraordinary.
But Old Yan shook his head. "It's possible. It does seem like I've seen it before, but I just can't remember where. That in itself is strange."
Ye Chen grew solemn. This bone fragment might even be closely related to Old Yan's origins. He said, "Can't Old Yan recall even the slightest bit?"
"I truly can't remember. I'm not deceiving you; it's really like that." After a moment, Old Yan still shook his head, having to admit this.
Seeing this, Ye Chen didn't press further. He carefully stored the bone fragment. Only in that instant as he turned, at an angle where they couldn't see each other, did both their expressions change subtly...
"ROAR—"
Two hours later, a terrifying roar suddenly shook the surrounding hundreds of li, filled with fury.
It was the roar of the Octagonal Azure Bull. It had returned, only to discover that the bone fragment had been stolen during its absence. Shocked and enraged, it couldn't help but roar in fury.
The most terrifying fluctuations erupted from hundreds of li away, shaking the ten directions of mountains. Terrifying azure light and fiery radiance shot into the sky, illuminating a vast area spanning hundreds of li.
Rumbling booms echoed incessantly. Ye Chen understood that the Octagonal Azure Bull was venting its anger and searching for the thief who stole the bone fragment.
Unfortunately, the Octagonal Azure Bull would probably never guess that the bone fragment had been taken by Ye Chen. And the culprit, Ye Chen, was already hundreds of li away from that area.
That night, for the entire night, the Octagonal Azure Bull raged madly.
The entire Demonic Beast Mountain Range could hear its furious roars all night long. Streaks of terrifying azure lightning shot upward, disturbing all directions. Countless miles of mountain forests suffered its destructive power—rocks pierced the sky, chaos reigned everywhere.
Countless demonic beasts trembled in fear, sensing the super demonic beast's terrifying pressure, not daring to resist in the slightest.
Finally, at dawn's first light, a low beastly roar came from the deepest part of the mountain range. The enraged Octagonal Azure Bull ceased its destruction and quieted down.
But at that moment, an extremely terrifying, invisible wave erupted, covering almost the entire vast Demonic Beast Mountain Range like lightning. It contained immense pressure, causing countless demonic beasts in the mountains and valleys to tremble and submit completely, not daring to move recklessly.
Feeling this unprecedented, vast fluctuation, Ye Chen's expression changed immediately. Old Yan floated out, spreading a faint light membrane to protect Ye Chen. Gazing toward the deepest part of the Demonic Beast Mountain Range, he said, "Such powerful divine sense power. I'm afraid there truly is a Heavenly God realm demonic beast overlord residing in the deepest part of this Demonic Beast Mountain Range."
Ye Chen nodded, his expression grave. "I never expected that even a small Demonic Beast Mountain Range would harbor such a Heavenly God realm demonic beast overlord. If not for Old Yan's intervention, I might have been exposed, and the bone fragment in our possession might have been discovered."
It could be inferred that this bone fragment had provoked the overlord of the Demonic Beast Mountain Range, causing it to unleash its supreme divine sense power.
For a suspected Heavenly God realm demonic beast overlord to make such a big move, the origin of this bone fragment was even more extraordinary.
Old Yan said, "No matter. Although this demonic beast overlord is powerful, it's difficult for it to detect us. It's not enough to locate you and me under my protection, but this does highlight the importance of this bone fragment."
That night, outside the Demonic Beast Mountain Range, a dark, dense mass of countless troops suddenly appeared, fully armed and in strict formation, pointing toward the Demonic Beast Mountain Range!