As time passed, Li Xuan and his party of over ten people ventured deeper.
The visibility around them had become extremely low. Visually, they could only see within a radius of a hundred meters. Furthermore, Li Xuan discovered that his divine sense was severely restricted. At this moment, the range of his divine sense was less than five hundred meters.
Fortunately, with An Batian leading the way, they encountered no immediate danger. However, within this Guixu Land, although the miasma formed by malevolent energy had dissipated,
the chilling aura that remained made Li Xuan and the others feel extremely uncomfortable. This place had not seen daylight for thousands of years, and the corrosion it suffered was naturally severe.
"It seems that few existences can survive in this Guixu Land. The Teng Snake we encountered earlier was likely the only living creature here," Luo Chengqiu said slowly as An Batian stopped.
An Batian nodded slightly, then gestured for everyone to rest for a moment.
Seeing this, Li Xuan and the others immediately sat down cross-legged and began to recuperate. Although they had not encountered any other dangers along the way, everyone's nerves were taut, leading to immense mental fatigue.
After a moment, Li Xuan slowly opened his eyes. Noticing that most people were still meditating, Li Xuan idly looked around.
As he gazed at a huge chasm not far away, Li Xuan couldn't help but think that if the Teng Snake, upon its death on the ancient battlefield, could be occupied by an evil spirit formed from malevolent energy, then the corpses of ancient powerhouses who perished here, if occupied by evil spirits, would pose a far greater threat to them.
The thought sent a shiver down Li Xuan's spine.
After all, the beings of the ancient era were comparable to heavenly transcending figures. If such beings truly existed, the danger factor of this trip to Guixu Land would increase significantly.
Moreover, Li Xuan found that not a single ancient powerhouse's skeleton had been encountered from the edge of Guixu Land.
The more Li Xuan pondered, the more his heart grew heavy. Then, seeing An Batian stand up, Li Xuan also rose and quickly walked to An Batian, saying, "Sect Master, why was the body of the Teng Snake we encountered earlier preserved so intact?"
"In the ancient era, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth was extremely abundant. Even when cultivators who reached the Huawu realm perished, their bodies could remain incorporeal for a hundred years. You have witnessed the malevolent energy here; it can be said that this malevolent energy has completely isolated this region.
"Everything within it, from the grass to the trees, retains its original form. And since the Teng Snake was occupied by an evil spirit formed from malevolent energy, its body was naturally preserved intact."
Seeing Li Xuan's question, An Batian explained with a smile.
Upon hearing this, Li Xuan's expression grew even more grim, and his earlier hypothesis became increasingly certain.
"Li Xuan, what's wrong? Your complexion is so pale?" An Batian asked, noticing Li Xuan's state.
Li Xuan's performance had been outstanding within the Azure Hall. With proper nurturing, he would undoubtedly become a pillar of the Azure Hall in the future. Seeing that Li Xuan looked unwell, An Batian naturally felt a bit anxious.
"Sect Master, your disciple has thought of a possibility. If this situation truly arises, the danger level of our expedition will likely increase considerably," Li Xuan said, taking a deep breath and looking at An Batian.
"Saint Son Li Xuan, what are you thinking of?" At this moment, Baili Sheng and the others also stood up and looked at Li Xuan upon hearing his words.
"Since that Teng Snake could have its flesh occupied by an evil spirit formed from malevolent energy, then the flesh of the ancient powerhouses who perished here must be stronger than the Teng Snake's. Yet, along the way, we haven't found a single fallen skeleton.
"Also, if malevolent energy can evolve into evil spirits occupying flesh over endless years, then after so many years, it's unlikely that only one evil spirit would have been born."
Li Xuan's expression was serious. As soon as Baili Sheng finished speaking, Li Xuan immediately voiced his thoughts.
After all, Li Xuan felt immense pressure in this place.
Moreover, even the strongest, An Batian, together with Luo Kang and another person, using a peerless spiritual treasure, could not kill the Teng Snake in one blow. If they encountered even stronger beings, it would be too late.
"Saint Son Li Xuan, do you have any other discoveries?" After listening to Li Xuan, the expressions of everyone present changed. An Batian's face was grave, and he looked at Li Xuan again, asking.
"This is all my disciple has discovered. Additionally, my divine sense cannot even see clearly within five hundred meters. If I had to say, these are all the discoveries I've made," Li Xuan said with a wry smile, shaking his head.
An Batian sighed and then looked at everyone, saying, "This expedition, I fear, has been simpler than we initially thought. What Saint Son Li Xuan has said is also what this seat has been contemplating since the Teng Snake appeared.
"The beings of the ancient era were undoubtedly beyond our imagination in terms of strength. Furthermore, what Saint Son Li Xuan said is not without reason; over so many years, malevolent energy forming spirits could not have resulted in only one. If those venerable seniors' bodies were truly occupied by evil spirits, the danger coefficient would indeed increase considerably."
As An Batian finished speaking, he looked at Li Xuan, a trace of surprise evident in his eyes.
"Perhaps Li Xuan has some other fortuitous encounter," An Batian thought to himself.
Even he, within this area, could only see less than two thousand meters with his divine sense. The fact that Li Xuan could see five hundred meters indicated that Li Xuan's divine sense surpassed that of ordinary cultivators of the same level.
"Sect Master, if that is the case, should we continue or turn back?" Liu Wen pondered for a moment, then asked An Batian.
At this point, they had not yet reached the central region, and there was still room for choice. After all, given the status of everyone present, their departure could shake the Azure Sky Continent. If any misfortune occurred, it would be a great loss to the Azure Hall.
"The top combat strength of our Azure Hall is all here. If we do not investigate this place thoroughly, over time, it will pose a disaster for our Azure Sky Continent. Therefore, this seat's intention is to continue," An Batian said slowly after some thought.
Everyone fell silent upon hearing this. An Batian's words were not without reason. With the people present, they represented the most elite existences on the Azure Sky Continent.
If even they could not ascertain the situation in Guixu Land, it was unlikely anyone else could. Furthermore, with the miasma here dissipating, it was difficult to say what greater troubles might arise.
"I agree with the Sect Master. If we old bones cannot resolve this place, then it's unlikely other factions will be able to handle it," Zuo Changfeng nodded and said with a somewhat relieved smile.
"If so, what are we waiting for?" Liu Wen also laughed.
Seeing the fighting spirit suddenly ignite in everyone, An Batian smiled slightly and said, "In that case, let us proceed."