For the past year, the Never-Ending Forest had undergone earth-shaking changes.
What was once a small frontier town had transford into a bustling city filled with constant movent and life.
Stone roads replaced muddy paths, towering structures rose where wooden huts once stood, and cultivators and rchants alike crowded the streets from dawn until nightfall.
With the advent of the Serpent Track Carriage, massive distances that once required days of travel could now be covered in re hours.
The Serpent Track Carriage could transport hundreds of people at once, moving at a speed far faster than any common beast.
More importantly, it never tired, never bled, and never faltered.
Now, every city, town, and even so villages were connected through the Serpent Track system.
Transportation had never been easier.
With this newfound convenience, exploration of the Never-Ending Forest increased dramatically.
What was once considered a death zone for ordinary cultivators beca a land of opportunity for those willing to take calculated risks.
More importantly, rare resources harvested from the depths of the forest could now be transported efficiently and safely back to civilization.
For rchants, the Never-Ending City had beco a golden goose, one that could not be ignored, no matter the cost.
However, beneath the prosperity of the Never-Ending City lay a secret few knew of.
Deep beneath the bustling streets ran a massive tunnel that snaked far into the heart of the Never-Ending Forest.
Although the city flourished and business bood with each passing day, the beasts of the Never-Ending Forest remained a deadly threat.
Exploration could not be halted, yet sending large numbers of humans directly into the forest was too dangerous.
Thus, the tunnel was born.
To construct it, Mo Jian had created specialized tunnel-digging puppets.
These puppets worked tirelessly, unaffected by fear, pain, or exhaustion.
What would have been impossible or at the very least catastrophic was completed with ruthless efficiency.
Beasts could sense human presence and launch ferocious attacks, but puppets were different.
They carried no bloodline, no life force, no scent of prey.
To the forest beasts, they were nothing more than moving stone and tal.
This made the excavation of such a dangerous tunnel beneath the Never-Ending Forest possible.
Inside the tunnel, a Sky Track Runner shot forward at a blinding speed.
Compared to it, the Serpent Track Carriage was no more than a crawling snail.
Seated inside the VIP compartnt, Mo Jian stared calmly at the dark tunnel flashing past the reinforced window.
His expression remained composed, betraying none of the thoughts swirling within his mind.
Suddenly, the Sky Track Runner began to slow.
Mo Jian rose from his seat and walked toward the exit.
Waiting there were the Old Withered Man and Lonely Spear.
As the hatch opened, Mo Jian stepped out. His boots t solid, compacted earth.
Moon Orbs were mounted along the tunnel walls, illuminating the passage in a steady, soft glow.
"Young Master, this way," the Old Withered Man said, gesturing ahead.
Mo Jian followed him up several short steps. When they erged onto the surface, hundreds of Peak Core Refining warriors were already waiting in formation.
The mont they saw him, the warriors knelt and paid their respects, their faces filled with reverence and awe.
Mo Jian nodded lightly, but his attention was not on them.
His gaze locked onto the dense forest surrounding them.
Ancient trees towered overhead, their trunks thicker than fortress walls.
Twisted roots clawed at the ground, while thick shrubs and creeping vines filled every available space.
"Have you located the Serpent Queen’s lair?" Mo Jian asked calmly.
"Yes, Young Master," Lonely Spear replied without hesitation.
"Lead the way."
At once, the atmosphere shifted.
Solemn.
Grave.
Weapons were unsheathed in unison.
It felt less like an expedition and more like the prelude to war.
Mo Jian stood at the center of the formation, surrounded by the warriors.
Though he was far stronger than any of them, he did not stop their actions.
They were rely doing their duty.
As they advanced through the forest, the sounds of birdsong and insect chirping filled the air.
But the deeper they ventured, the quieter it beca.
The sounds faded. Beast howls grew distant, then vanished altogether.
Hiss... hissss...
A chilling serpentine hiss echoed from afar.
"Senior, we co in peace," Lonely Spear called out, his voice resounding through the forest.
"My young master wishes only to have a peaceful conversation."
Despite his words, their pace never slowed.
They erged from the cover of ancient trees and arrived at the entrance of a wide valley.
The first thing everyone noticed was the density of spiritual energy in the air.
It was far purer than anywhere outside.
Rare herbs grew freely along the valley’s edge, their fragrance filling the air.
Yet no one dared to step forward.
Just a few steps away, hundreds of serpents lay coiled and ready to strike.
So were as thick as ancient tree trunks.
Others were wreathed in poisonous mist that distorted the air around them.
Several massive serpents were coiled atop one another, forming what looked like a living hill.
Cold, vertical pupils locked onto the humans.
Silence.
Suffocating tension pressed down on everyone present.
Hands tightened around weapon hilts. Breaths grew shallow.
No one dared speak too loudly.
Mo Jian looked upon the terrifying serpents without any visible change in expression.
Yet beneath his robes, his back was soaked in cold sweat.
’I’m really brave,’ he thought with a dry chuckle.
But to achieve his goal, risk was unavoidable.
After several minutes passed without a response, the Old Withered Man and Lonely Spear frowned.
Just as Lonely Spear was about to speak again, Mo Jian stepped forward.
"I am Mo Jian, Young Master of the Dust Valley Sect," he announced, his voice amplified with spiritual energy.
"Senior, I apologize for disturbing your cultivation. Please accept this Seven Blood Essence Pill."
"The Seven Blood Essence Pill can purify bloodlines. I hope it will be of use to you."
He retrieved a jade bottle from his storage pouch and tossed it forward.
The bottle flew through the air.
For a mont, no one moved.
Then the largest serpent extended its fangs and swallowed the bottle whole.
Mo Jian inclined his head slightly. "Thank you, Senior, for accepting my gift."
He watched the massive python carefully.
Goodwill had been offered.
If it was rejected, then there was nothing he could do.
Except war.
Suddenly, the python’s pupils flickered.
It slowly uncoiled and slithered deeper into the valley.
Mo Jian released a quiet breath he had not realized he was holding.
He had gambled...and won.
No beast could ignore the temptation of purifying its bloodline.
To beasts, bloodlines were everything.
After nearly half an hour, a mature feminine voice echoed directly into Mo Jian’s mind.
"Human... you are bold."
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