"Before setting out, I carefully studied the records concerning the Ink King. It's true that the Ink King once possessed a black heart!" Zhu Zhi said.
"Possessed? What does that mean?" Zhang Yang was a bit confused.
Zhu Zhi responded carefully, recounting the story of the Ink King.
"The Ink King was a legend in his time. Born into a poor farmer's family, he was different from ordinary people from birth – he had no heart!"
"However, the Ink King lived well despite lacking a heart, though he was just an ordinary person. The event that truly cemented his place in history occurred on the day he came of age."
"On that day, the Ink King accompanied some village hunters to the mountains. Suddenly, they encountered a fierce black tiger!"
"Upon seeing the black tiger, the Ink King became extremely excited, shouting that his heart was on this tiger. The hunters were suspicious. However, they shot and killed the tiger, then extracted its heart and handed it to the Ink King."
"The most miraculous part began then. The moment the Ink King's hand touched the heart, it instantly transformed into a black light and entered the Ink King's chest."
"From then on, the Ink King's life became extraordinary, and he eventually became the ruler of a kingdom!"
"..."
After Zhu Zhi finished recounting the Ink King's deeds, Zhang Yang was greatly shocked.
Such a strange thing had actually happened!
Although historical records passed down through the ages were often embellished,
it was certain that the Ink King had once possessed a black heart.
And since the far west was the territory of the Ink King's successor, this heart likely belonged to the Ink King!
Zhang Yang cast his gaze upon the black heart and voiced his speculation.
"Great Elder, beneath our feet lies a rare black dragon vein. The wriggling lines connecting to this heart within the cave are likely drawing power from the dragon vein to sustain the heart!"
"The Ink King's successor might be planning to use this to revive the Ink King!" Zhang Yang said gravely.
"That doesn't seem right."
Suddenly, the giant python interjected, "If this black heart is the Ink King, wouldn't the Ink King be larger than me? That's clearly illogical!"
After the giant python spoke, Zhang Yang and Zhu Zhi fell into thought.
Indeed.
The heart was too large; it was impossible for an ordinary person to possess it.
"This theory doesn't hold water. Moreover, if that were the case, the Ink King's successor wouldn't need to go to such lengths to collect the Azure King Wood!" Zhu Zhi remarked.
Zhang Yang also fell into contemplation.
If it wasn't this, then what was it?
Who did this heart belong to?
"Master, why overthink? The heart is just sitting here, why don't you let me eat it?" the giant python suddenly flicked its tongue.
"No! This place is too strange! Stop thinking about eating!" Zhang Yang glared.
"Oh~"
The giant python shook its head aggrievedly.
It had been so long since it had eaten meat. Seeing a heart, and not being allowed to touch it, made it very uncomfortable.
"Let's go. Since there's no exit here, let's leave first. We shouldn't linger," Zhang Yang said.
Following that.
The two and the beast headed towards the cave exit.
But!
As they neared the cave exit, they stopped.
They saw one of the heads of the three-headed bird glaring at them furiously at the cave entrance!
"This!"
Zhang Yang's heart leaped. How was the three-headed bird here?
What about Zhang Yingxiong and the others!
Instantly, Zhang Yang quickened his pace.
Fortunately, through the gap at the cave exit, he spotted Zhang Yingxiong and the other four.
At that moment.
They were continuously attacking the three-headed bird, but the bird remained unmoved, its attention entirely focused on the cave entrance!
"Good, they're all alright." Zhang Yang breathed a sigh of relief.
"The body of this three-headed bird is incredibly tough! The attacks of five Yuan Fu realm experts couldn't even scratch it!" Zhu Zhi was also shocked.
"Master, what do we do now? It seems we can't get out," the giant python cried.
Zhang Yang and Zhu Zhi frowned, their expressions grave.
It was clear.
The black heart within the cave was extremely important to the three-headed bird.
Otherwise, it wouldn't have captured Zhu Zhi and brought him to the cave entrance, nor would it ignore Zhang Yingxiong's attacks to stare intently at Zhang Yang and the others!
"This seems troublesome," Zhang Yang said solemnly.
"We absolutely cannot rush out blindly, or we might be killed directly by the three-headed bird," Zhu Zhi also stated.
The giant python didn't know what to do and paced anxiously.
At this time.
Zhang Yang and the others inside the cave were at a loss.
Zhang Yingxiong and the others outside the cave were even more distressed.
No matter how they attacked, the three-headed bird remained unyielding.
Moreover, they discovered something more terrifying!
That on this mountain peak, all their attacks on the three-headed bird were ineffective!
It was as if!
Within this mountain peak, the three-headed bird had become invincible!
All attacks were nullified.
What was going on!
Suddenly.
Zhang Yingxiong saw a white light flashing from within the cave entrance. He immediately recalled the crystal coffin in Zhang Yang's hand and shouted.
"Zhang Yang, can you hear me?"
"Yes! Are you all alright?" Zhang Yang shouted back.
"We're fine, but we can't lure this darn bird away. On this mountain peak, this darn bird is invincible; no attack can harm it!" Zhang Yingxiong said anxiously, informing Zhang Yang of the situation outside.
"Zhang Yang, don't act rashly. We'll think of a way! Don't try to run out, it's too dangerous!"
"Okay, we'll think of a way too," Zhang Yang replied.
The conversation between the two groups, one inside and one outside the cave, only angered the three-headed bird further.
It let out a sharp cry and flapped its wings rapidly!
Hiss!
Instantly.
A gust of wind power surged into the cave, catching Zhang Yang's group off guard and forcing them to retreat repeatedly.
"This darn bird seems angry!" Zhang Yang's expression hardened, and he quickly activated his True Dragon Qi to resist.
Zhu Zhi also channeled his vital energy to block the oncoming wind.
The giant python also enlarged its body, completely blocking the cave entrance.
The expressions of the two and the beast were grim.
They had to find a way, or they would be trapped and die here!
Zhang Yang narrowed his eyes slightly.
Looking at the numerous lines on the cave walls, he decided to take a gamble!
Since the three-headed bird valued this cave so much, he would simply destroy it!
With that thought.
Zhang Yang summoned True Dragon Qi to his fingertips and pointed it at the black lines on the cave wall.
Chirp!
Instantly.
The constantly wriggling lines were severed.
A large amount of black gas spewed out from within, and the cave itself trembled slightly!
Hiss!
Upon seeing this, the three-headed bird shrieked in terror!
Witnessing this.
Zhang Yang immediately understood!
He had found a way out!