"Never mind, let's find the Soul Lotus first."
After some thought, Ye Yunfei spoke.
Fighting with the Corpse World at this time would only attract more of their experts. Being chased all the way would hinder the search for the Soul Lotus.
Then, Ye Yunfei's figure flickered as he entered the Phantom Tower.
Situ Kong'er, carrying the Phantom Tower, took a step forward and directly vanished from sight.
Swoosh! Swoosh!
Six black-clad figures crossed through the air, landing at the spot where Ye Yunfei had just been standing. They released formidable Soul Power, probing the area.
"Strangers were clearly here just now. Why have they suddenly disappeared?"
One of the black-clad men wore a puzzled expression as he spoke in a deep voice.
"Up ahead is the core region of the Land of Life and Death. Could someone have broken in? Could it be those five under Commander Wu?"
Another black-clad man looked towards the core region of the Land of Life and Death, speculating.
"Impossible! Those five under Commander Wu are only at the Dao Origin level. They wouldn't dare barge into the core region of the Land of Life and Death."
Yet another black-clad man spoke.
Boom!
At that moment, another black-clad figure arrived, landing in front of the six. It was a gaunt, sharp-eyed old man.
"Elder Qiu!"
The six black-clad men saw this elder and hurriedly bowed respectfully.
"Any findings?" Elder Qiu asked.
"We didn't find those five under Commander Wu, but it seems someone broke into the core region of the Land of Life and Death," one of the black-clad men replied.
"No. It should be those five. There have been no strangers entering the Land of Life and Death these past two days. The only possibility is those five," Elder Qiu stated firmly.
"Elder Qiu, I suspect someone stands behind those five. Otherwise, how would they dare betray our Corpse World and even have the audacity to barge into the Land of Life and Death's core region?"
One of the black-clad men ventured a guess.
"That is possible!"
Elder Qiu's expression shifted, and he nodded.
"From now on, post people to keep strict watch here. Report immediately upon any discovery. The six of you will stand guard here as well," Elder Qiu said after some thought.
"Yes!"
The six black-clad men answered in unison.
At this time, Ye Yunfei and Situ Kong'er were already walking side by side, deep within the core region of the Land of Life and Death.
As far as the eye could see, peak after peak of bald black mountains, as dark as black ink, exuded an aura of ill omen. Some mountain surfaces even oozed fresh scarlet blood, gurgling as if possessing life force.
From certain valleys blew terrifying whirlwinds, roaring and shrieking, mingled with countless pitch-black hairs — an extremely eerie sight.
Caw... Caw...
Suddenly, spine-chilling cries rang out. Six or seven old ravens flew out from a valley, their bodies wreathed in black smoke, their cawing filled with a tragic air.
A weasel burst out from a dense forest, appearing very aged, its fur almost completely shed.
Boom... Boom...
Suddenly, rumbles echoed from the mountain ranges in the distance. Ye Yunfei and Situ Kong'er looked over and saw, amid the distant mountains, a giant serpent, thick as a ridge, winding its way into the distance, disappearing into the endless peaks after a moment.
"Brother Su, I can feel this place is filled with ill omens..."
Situ Kong'er could only feel a chill on the back of his neck, a sense of creeping dread rising within him.
"Don't be afraid. Much of what you see are abnormal phenomena created by various dangerous grounds and death traps. As long as we are careful, avoid them ahead of time, and don't barge into those areas, we'll be fine."
Ye Yunfei said to Situ Kong'er.
As an Earth Master, Ye Yunfei wasn't much affected by the various bizarre sights before him. Because Ye Yunfei himself could set up all sorts of dangerous grounds and death traps, he understood their principles and methods of dismantlement.
"Young Master Su, let me come out to lead the way. After all, I once barged in here in the past,"
At this moment, the azure-robed elder sent a voice transmission to Ye Yunfei.
"Alright."
With a thought, Ye Yunfei teleported the azure-robed elder out.
"Senior, the corpse qi and rot qi on your flesh body have indeed been mostly eliminated," Ye Yunfei said, assessing the azure-robed elder.
"Indeed. Young Master Su, I must thank you for that," the azure-robed elder said with a smile.
Rumble...
While they were talking, a crimson river suddenly appeared ahead, its waters surging and rolling onward.
"The Blood River!"
Seeing the river, the azure-robed elder's expression changed slightly.
Gurgle...
At that moment, Ye Yunfei, Situ Kong'er, and the azure-robed elder all felt the blood within their bodies seem summoned by a strange force, boiling vigorously as if about to burst from their bodies and surge towards the Blood River ahead.
"Young Master Su, the water in this Blood River seems to be an amalgamation of the blood of various living beings. Any living creature nearing it will feel their blood summoned and drawn towards this river," the azure-robed elder said.
"This seems like a secret art of the Blood Clan for summoning blood clan members!"
Ye Yunfei looked at the rolling Blood River ahead, sensing the churning blood within him. His heart stirred at the thought.
In the next moment, Ye Yunfei's Blood Clan Clone appeared beside him.
As soon as the Blood Clan Clone appeared, the Blood River burst forth with powerful attractive force, gripping the Clone and pulling it forward.
Ye Yunfei was shocked.
This Blood Clan Clone was one of his trump cards, capable of constantly growing stronger by absorbing blood essence. If something happened to it, the loss would be significant.
Ye Yunfei willed the Clone to resist.
Roar...
A low growl came from the throat of the Blood Clan Clone. Blood vessels all over its body swelled, making it resemble a blood-colored humanoid balloon.
However, it seemed futile. The pulling force from the Blood River ahead was too powerful, dragging the Clone relentlessly forward.
Rumble...
With a wave of his hand, Ye Yunfei unleashed Artifact Control Technique. Over a thousand magical treasures shot out, activated simultaneously, then densely assailed the crimson river ahead.
Following that, Ye Yunfei launched various attacks against the river.
But he soon discovered all attacks were useless. Striking the river was like mud sinking into the sea, provoking no reaction.
A moment later.
Plop!
The Blood Clan Clone was forcibly dragged into the river.
"A pity."
Ye Yunfei shook his head, feeling a twinge of regret. This Blood Clan Clone had been with him for so long, yet it was lost just like that.
But the next instant.
"Huh?"
A sudden thought struck Ye Yunfei, and his face brightened. He realized his connection with the Blood Clan Clone wasn't severed.
At this moment, the Blood Clan Clone, deep beneath the riverbed, had assumed a cross-legged sitting posture. From the surging river currents, streams of crimson sigils were pouring into the Clone's body, fusing with its flesh, blood, and bones.
"What's going on? Could it be that the Blood Clan Clone is receiving some kind of inheritance? And one related to the Blood Clan?"
Ye Yunfei thought to himself, growing somewhat excited.
Ye Yunfei waited by the river for half a day. The Blood Clan Clone remained seated at the bottom of the Blood River, showing no sign of movement.
"I won't wait anymore. Let me search for the Soul Lotus first."
After some consideration, Ye Yunfei led Situ Kong'er and the azure-robed elder to take a detour, seeking another route forward.
It took the three of them a full day to detour around the Blood River before they could continue deeper into the Land of Life and Death.