But now is not the time to delve into the opponent’s abilities, because this "Jian Zhuihong" of the three-headed clan cultivator looks as if he’s on his last legs, barely hanging by a thread, all his strength swallowed up by the black trees.
Xiang Beifei did not disturb this cultivator, but continued to search for other tall black trees nearby. These hundred-meter-tall black trees were scattered, one here, one there. Under the visible roots of each tree, almost every one was confining a Heavenly Connection realm cultivator!
Looking around, there were no fewer than two hundred trees.
Which means that more than two hundred Heavenly Connection realm cultivators have been captured here as feed for the black trees!
This number truly shocked Xiang Beifei!
Two hundred Heavenly Connection realm cultivators, all from different races. Even the last time at the Land of Inheritance, Xiang Beifei hadn’t seen so many. This Meat-Winged Monster was really ruthless, capturing so many Heavenly Connection realm cultivators.
With Zhi Shiyi and Zuo Shiyi and Duo Shi Yi, these three Immortal Realm experts, it’s indeed quite easy for the Meat-Winged Monster to capture these Heavenly Connection realm cultivators.
Xiang Beifei quickly realized that these captured Yi Tribe cultivators and the powerful desolate beasts must have specific requirements; not all desolate beasts or cultivators meet the criteria to serve as the black trees’ feed. Otherwise, with the Meat-Winged Monster’s power, it would have brought plenty more.
But what exactly are those requirements?
To date, those being used as nourishment for the black trees include desolate beasts and Yi tribesmen in the God Refining and orifice transforming periods, as well as Heavenly Connection realm cultivators. Every single one, hanging by a breath, not immediately dead.
Just as Xiang Beifei was searching around, his spirit suddenly sharpened!
Because he saw a system interface!
[SSR: Pursuit of Origins System]
[Realm: Late Heavenly Connection]
Unlike the other Yi Tribe cultivators in the black forest, this system interface was too familiar. It was an actual system interface, a real Jiuzhou person!
Xiang Beifei rounded a row of black trees and immediately ran in the direction of the system interface, soon seeing the man lying on the ground.
Upon seeing this person, he was also stunned!
This was an old man with disheveled hair and beard, looking about seventy or eighty years old, covered in blood, arms wounded all over, the dense roots growing from his wounds, connecting to the towering black tree standing over him.
His hands and legs were severed, his eyes gouged out, even his tongue gone, and his throat bone seemed to have been shattered, as if not allowing him to speak.
Some areas of his body had even begun to rot, with black worms wriggling, devouring him, clearly tortured beyond recognition.
As Xiang Beifei approached, Helian Zheng could still breathe, but only inhaled, his exhalations so weak, practically on the verge of death.
"Damned Meat-Winged Monster, truly malicious!"
Xiang Beifei’s heart weighed down slightly.
Helian Zheng could still survive mainly because of his powerful strength, with a Late Heavenly Connection cultivation, but it was evident the Eternal Night Demon King subjected him to more brutal torture than other Yi Tribe cultivators.
Because Helian Kong’s soul injuries were identical to his physical injuries!
Physical injuries were manageable, allowing for recovery using special methods, but soul injuries impacted the essence!
And just at that moment, a powerful force suddenly descended. This force was terrifying, like towering waves, condensing into a figure in the black forest!
This was an exquisite person, draped in white gauze, flowing black hair, clear and bright eyes resembling a pool of pure water, unstained by any impurities, seeming like the purest thing in the world.
A high, straight nose, lips slightly red, noble and elegant, facial features perfectly proportioned, flawless from any angle.
Like the most noble and perfect deity, with innate refined looks, attracting any race or creature with the perfect aura emanating from this being.
Perfect to the extent that Xiang Beifei couldn’t distinguish whether this person in white before him was male or female.
But he could at least confirm one thing.
This being is the Eternal Night Demon King!
Because the holy halo behind this head was too noticeable, combined with the twelve pure white and gentle wings softly fanning, none other than the Eternal Night Demon King had this appearance.
Xiang Beifei was seeing the face of the Eternal Night Demon King for the first time.
Back in Hanxia Floating Immortal Isles, the Eternal Night Demon King had revealed its true form while battling Daoist Qingyang, and Xiang Beifei only saw the ugly side of the Eternal Night Demon King then.
Though Changpan Valley had statues, they didn’t compare to the actual stunning presence. No wonder the people of Changpan Valley so devoutly worship the Moon God, the Meat-Winged Monster’s disguise is indeed captivating.
The Eternal Night Demon King strolled through the black forest, stepping over the bodies of the cultivators on the ground, as if admiring his spoils.
He walked, paused occasionally, reaching out a slender hand to caress the black trees, seemingly checking the growth status of the trees.
"Still not mature enough! With so much essence providing for you, is it still not enough?"
The Eternal Night Demon King murmured to himself, lightly tracing his fingers over the black tree, leaving a faint red glow in the wake of his touch!
"How in the world can it grow into a Jianmu?"
He knocked on the tree trunk, the black tree emitted a dull thumping sound, going quiet unexpectedly.
Xiang Beifei was taken aback hearing this!
He turned to look at Erha.
Erha blinked, holding its chin with its tail, asking: "Awoo?"
To Xiang Beifei, the term "Jianmu" was all too familiar.
Because the Dou Constellation ability in the Spirit Gathering Book was Jianmu!
And emerging from the Dou Constellation was Erha, the Wooden Kirin!
"The Meat-Winged Monster intends to nurture you? But why?"
Xiang Beifei turned to scrutinize Erha suspiciously.
Since emerging, this creature had been acting foolish, constantly howling like a fool, its usual power revolving around controlling trees.
Erha solemnly suggested it might be due to its handsome appearance?
Xiang Beifei’s eye twitched.
That being said, Xiang Beifei truly still hadn’t understood Erha’s identity. The Spirit Gathering Book had sealed Erha, and the introduction to Erha was simply this:
[Jianmu, Origin of Thousands of Woods]
Origin of Thousands of Woods, which can control trees, Xiang Beifei understood this part, but why did the Meat-Winged Monster’s race use such a cruel means to nurture Jianmu?
What does Erha mean to the Meat-Winged Monster?
Youmeng quietly tugged on Erha, saying: "Youyou?"
It was asking, whether the Meat-Winged Monster nurtures Jianmu to sacrifice it?
Erha widened its eyes, immediately awping, asking Xiang Beifei to quickly take it away from this troubled place, it couldn’t fight the Eternal Night Demon King, it didn’t want to be sacrificed!
"What are you afraid of! We still haven’t figured out the Meat-Winged Monster’s goal."
Xiang Beifei gestured for it to stay calm.
But he was also greatly curious.
The Meat-Winged Monster’s power all came from the Underworld River, logically they should be seeking offerings, why cultivate such black trees?
This tree and the Underworld River seemed unrelated, yet the Eternal Night Demon King wanted to establish such an Underworld River Hell Island to cultivate, it was truly bizarre.
Could it be that Erha still has some unexplored abilities?
At this time, the Eternal Night Demon King sensed something, turned and gently traced forward, drawing a white ring of light, gradually expanding like a mirror, soon appearing with a familiar silhouette inside.
"Divine Lord, things have gone awry! Something indeed happened at Changpan Valley."
Zhi Shiyi floated above Changpan Valley, gloomily gazing at the scene below of peace and prosperity, his expression severe as if it could be wrung out.
The Eternal Night Demon King slightly frowned.
Zhi Shiyi’s expression kept changing as he said: "The humans of Changpan Valley... Those humans have mysteriously vanished!"