Ji Mo was about to step into the Black Forest when a sound came from behind him.
"Hey, young fellow ahead, stop! Don't go any further, it's dangerous!"
Someone called out, warning Ji Mo to halt his advance. The speaker was a burly middle-aged man with thick eyebrows and large eyes. He stopped Ji Mo and explained, "That's the Black Forest ahead. The air inside is filled with a special toxin that can be fatal."
"Thank you for the reminder, elder brother," Ji Mo said gratefully. He was fortunate to have met this kind person who warned him. Otherwise, if he had rushed in recklessly, he might have met with disaster. He chided himself for being too rash, charging forward without first investigating the danger. Now that he looked closely, a strange gray mist indeed enveloped the Black Forest ahead, clearly the fatal toxin the middle-aged man had spoken of.
"A mortal?" the middle-aged man asked, sizing up Ji Mo with some surprise. It was incredible that an ordinary person could be alive here. Then, he thought about it and felt relieved. It must have been a powerful expert who had cleared all the dangers, allowing this person to arrive here unharmed.
The middle-aged man's name was Zhang Zheng. He was a rogue cultivator, one whose heart was still warm and spirit still high. Upon hearing the news of a Ghost Emperor's emergence, he had rushed over immediately, intending to vanquish the ghost and uphold righteousness. Even though he knew the mission was fraught with peril, he came without hesitation. For the peace of humanity, someone had to make a sacrifice, hadn't they?
The Ghost Emperor was hidden within the Black Forest, surrounded by countless Han Ba (drought demons). Zhang Zheng was only at the Spirit Emperor realm, and he couldn't even deal with a single Han Ba. Therefore, despite his desire to slay the villain, he couldn't even breach the Black Forest.
Today, Zhang Zheng suddenly noticed that a certain direction had become safe! A mysterious expert had taken action, clearing out all the wandering Han Ba as if slicing through vegetables. Moreover, judging by the scene and the corpses, the expert's methods were extraordinary, effortlessly cleaving the terrifying Han Ba in two. Their strength was unimaginable. These Han Ba possessed astonishing defense, with bodies as tough as bronze and iron, impervious to ordinary weapons. He had tried; his full-strength blow had only managed to leave a white mark on their surface.
Zhang Zheng immediately concluded that a supreme expert from the human race had appeared to suppress the Ghost Emperor. "Young fellow, have you by any chance seen a remarkably powerful senior expert?" Zhang Zheng inquired, hoping to glean information about the mysterious expert from Ji Mo. Currently, the major powers of the Southern Domain were all holding back, and many powerful figures were choosing to observe, unwilling to get involved in the messy affair. The mysterious expert who dared to face the Nine Nether Ancestor alone at this time was a true hero with the world in his heart! Zhang Zheng was filled with immense admiration, wanting to witness the senior's demeanor and express his highest respect in person.
Ji Mo shook his head. He hadn't seen anyone else along the way, only dried corpses. However, hearing Zhang Zheng's words, Ji Mo's heart also stirred with excitement. He too wanted to witness such a supremely powerful expert.
"It doesn't make sense. The senior was killing Han Ba all along this direction, so why can't I see them?" Zhang Zheng was somewhat bewildered. Based on the traces left behind, the expert should have left not long ago. However, the person before him was merely a mortal, so it was normal for him not to perceive the expert's movements.
"Young fellow, there are Han Ba rampant here. You should leave quickly, or your life will be in danger," Zhang Zheng kindly reminded him. Fortunately, the senior expert had cleared all the dangers along the way; otherwise, an ordinary person would have likely died countless times already. Returning the way he came offered a glimmer of hope; staying any longer meant certain death.
"There are Han Ba?" Ji Mo's eyebrows twitched. He felt he had some confidence in dealing with those harmless little dried corpses, but creatures as terrifying as Han Ba, capable of flying and burrowing, were something he dared not provoke. Moreover, he had heard that Han Ba enjoyed feeding on human blood. If he encountered one, wouldn't he be sucked dry? The thought sent a chill down his spine.
"Hurry and return the way you came. You might still be able to escape. Here, take this." Zhang Zheng took out an item and handed it to Ji Mo, a look of pain on his face. With this treasure by his side, the young fellow's chances of escaping alive would be even greater. It was a legacy-grade jade pendant, capable of withstanding three attacks of Spirit Venerable strength, his most precious life-saving item. Yet, he was giving it away so readily. He was giving it to a young man he had only just met. Firstly, he had resigned himself to death and had no intention of escaping alive. Secondly, he also admired Ji Mo; it was truly commendable that a mortal had the courage to come here. This made Zhang Zheng feel gratified, realizing that not all humans were cowards; there were still brave warriors.
"This is too precious. I can't possibly accept this," Ji Mo said. At a glance, he could tell that the jade pendant was warm and smooth, flawless and pure white, made of superior white jade. It was likely worth several hundred taels of silver. Meeting by chance, and receiving such a valuable item, made him feel very favorably towards Zhang Zheng.
"Hurry and go. It's estimated that it won't be long before the senior expert engages in a world-shattering battle with the Ghost Emperor. You might get caught in the crossfire if you stay here," Zhang Zheng said, pressing the jade pendant into Ji Mo's hand and urging him to leave quickly. He believed that the mysterious expert had definitely entered the Black Forest, searching for the Ghost Emperor's hiding place. Once they met, a life-and-death battle was inevitable.
"Thank you! This is a little trinket I made myself. It can ward off evil. I hope you don't mind," Ji Mo said sheepishly, taking out a bottle of medicinal powder and a few yellow talismans. He had specially made these items for this trip. Although they were worthless, they represented his sincere intentions. Zhang Zheng did not disdain them. He took them with both hands, put them in hisζ without looking closely, and then waved goodbye to Ji Mo, rushing into the Black Forest. He was eager to find the mysterious expert and serve as a vanguard, contributing his strength.
"This elder brother is kind-hearted and generous. Truly wonderful," Ji Mo exclaimed, intending to follow the man's advice and leave. However, he couldn't suppress the stirring in his heart, wanting to stay and witness the earth-shattering battle. Mysterious expert versus Ghost Emperor β the thought alone made his blood boil. Such a confrontation was likely a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, a chance that wouldn't come again. After much deliberation, Ji Mo decided to risk staying.
Zhang Zheng didn't know where to search for the expert's traces. After entering the Black Forest, he wandered around like a headless fly. Before long, he encountered the same black-haired dried corpses that Ji Mo had encountered earlier, which he referred to as Han Ba. He quickly fled, but Han Ba were everywhere in the Black Forest, and they seemed to be attracting more and more. As a result, he was surrounded by over twenty Han Ba, with no way out.
"My ambition unfulfilled, I die first. A pity I won't get to witness the battle between the senior expert and the Ghost Emperor," Zhang Zheng said, his face filled with despair. He slowly closed his eyes, giving up resistance. Dozens of Han Ba swarmed towards him, engulfing him in an instant.