The tree trunk was covered in scales.
"Snakevine?"
Zhou Yan's pupils contracted.
"Indeed."
A figure slowly emerged, revealing itself to be a black flood dragon.
"Human, you are quite skilled."
The flood dragon exhaled, its scarlet eyes glinting with greed. "You are the first human to discover this mine. Since you've come to my doorstep, don't even think about leaving. Stay here and keep me company."
"Keep you company? You are not worthy."
Zhou Yan shook his head and said lightly, "If you are wise, scram quickly. Otherwise, you will perish here today!"
"Arrogant!"
The flood dragon stared coldly at Zhou Yan.
"You humans always like to put on a show and refuse to admit your cowardice."
"However, since you are obstinate, I shall devour you and turn you into my nourishment."
The flood dragon sneered.
In an instant, the entire space began to distort.
Zhou Yan's eyes showed a solemn expression.
He found that the strength of this demonic beast was far greater than he had anticipated.
Although it was only at the fifth level of the Divine Human realm, it possessed the combat power of a Divine General.
"Slay it!"
Zhou Yan said in a deep voice.
"Yes!"
Gao Shun and the other soldiers saluted in unison and charged towards the flood dragon.
"Kill!"
Everyone roared in unison, unleashing their full strength and attacking the flood dragon.
Rumble!
Fierce roars exploded.
This demonic beast, which was at the Divine Human level, was instantly knocked to the ground by their combined efforts.
"Human, you have angered me. Die!"
The flood dragon scrambled up, torrents of malevolent energy surging from its body. It opened its mouth and spewed out dense venom.
Zhou Yan was prepared. With a flick of his arm, a sharp blade shot out and blocked in front of him.
Clang—
The blade clashed with the venom, producing a clear, resonant ringing sound.
Zhou Yan's arm was corroded by this bizarre poison, instantly becoming numb and losing all sensation.
"Damn it."
Zhou Yan cursed inwardly and quickly circulated his cultivation technique to expel the strange poison.
Hiss!
At this moment, the flood dragon charged again.
"Kill!"
Everyone attacked in unison, encircling the flood dragon.
"Kill!"
Gao Shun's long sword erupted with a sharp sword energy, firmly protecting Zhou Yan.
Boom!
The flood dragon's claw struck Gao Shun, sending him flying several feet. A ferocious bloody gash appeared on his chest, dripping blood and staining his armor.
"Gao Shun, are you alright?"
Zhou Yan asked with a frown.
"This subordinate is unharmed."
Gao Shun wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and said solemnly, "This beast's strength has likely reached the sixth level of the Divine Human realm. Even with our combined efforts, we can only barely hold it back. Killing it will be difficult."
"Then unleash the energy cannon!"
Zhou Yan's thoughts moved.
"Alright!"
Gao Shun nodded.
Then, he formed a hand seal.
Immediately, rumbling sounds echoed from underground, and a massive energy cannon platform emerged. Runes engraved on the barrel emitted a brilliant radiance.
Boom!
The energy cannon fired, and crystal-clear energy light spheres bombarded the flood dragon.
Instantly, the flood dragon was blasted with gaping wounds, screaming miserably and in a sorry state.
Roar!
"Human, I'll fight you to the death!"
The flood dragon roared in anger and charged at Zhou Yan.
The wounds on its body healed rapidly.
However, Zhou Yan and the others were unfazed, continuing their frenzied assault.
Boom boom boom!
Fierce energy fluctuations reverberated, deafening to the ears.
"The flood dragon's defense is extremely strong, and its recovery is astonishing. If we continue to drag this out, we will eventually wear it down."
Zhou Yan sneered.
Dark clouds were rapidly gathering in the sky.
A thick layer of gloom seemed to hang over this land.
Zhou Yan's gaze flickered, and he had a vague premonition.
"As expected..."
"This should be a forbidden zone!"
"Only here can such celestial phenomena form and invite heavenly tribulations!"
Zhou Yan murmured to himself.
Heavenly tribulations were the mightiest force of heaven and earth, containing world-destroying power.
Even ordinary gods and demons would absolutely not dare to provoke a heavenly tribulation.
Once one underwent tribulation, there was a nine-death chance, and it was even possible to perish amidst the lightning.
However, the stronger the heavenly tribulation, the greater the value of the treasure!
Roar!
In the distance, the flood dragon roared repeatedly.
It sensed danger.
"Escape!"
It was horrified and wanted to leave this place.
However, at this moment, a thick bolt of lightning suddenly streaked across the sky and struck towards the flood dragon.
The flood dragon's expression changed wildly, and it couldn't bother with anything else, immediately dodging.
"Hmph! You can't escape!"
Zhou Yan sneered, took a step forward, and charged at the flood dragon with his halberd.
Bang!
Zhou Yan thrust his halberd out, its sharpness unparalleled, as if it could pierce through the void, and firmly embedded it into the flood dragon's tail.
The flood dragon's tail ached intensely, almost half-crippled.
Roar!
The flood dragon was thoroughly enraged and lunged forward, attempting to bite Zhou Yan.
However, Zhou Yan's figure flashed, evading the flood dragon's attack. He swept his spear horizontally, forcing the flood dragon back.
Following that, Zhou Yan, wielding his halberd, engaged in a constant cat-and-mouse game.
Although the flood dragon possessed immense strength, its movements were sluggish and cumbersome.
Zhou Yan, relying on his agile footwork, continuously toyed with the flood dragon.
The flood dragon roared in fury, constantly chasing Zhou Yan.
Boom!
Puff!
Zhou Yan was carelessly grazed by a snake's bite, nearly being bitten to death. Fortunately, his footwork was exquisite, and he narrowly avoided it. At the same time, he brandished his halberd, striking the flood dragon's body, causing a spray of sparks.
Roar!
The flood dragon was in immense pain, roaring incessantly.
Zhou Yan, however, pursued his advantage.
Not long after, the flood dragon was drenched in blood, its body covered in wounds.
Despair flickered in its eyes. It dared not continue fighting and turned to flee.
"Trying to escape? Too late."
Zhou Yan shouted coldly, leaped up, and placed his feet on the flood dragon's head.
Boom!
The next moment, Zhou Yan's halberd trembled, unleashing terrifying power.
Puff!
The flood dragon's head was directly severed.
"Not bad, are you the human who came to attack my mine?"
Just as Zhou Yan slew the flood dragon, a large number of demonic beasts and異魔 (Yi Mo - foreign demons) approached from afar. Leading them was a Nether Hound.
The Mo Ao, already possessing a cultivation of the fourth level of the Divine General realm, stared coldly at the humans who had surrounded them and let out a sneer.
Zhou Yan had already learned from the vanguard that this Mo Ao was the leader of the mine.
"Kill him!"
Zhou Yan said in a deep voice.
Roar!
As soon as Zhou Yan finished speaking, Gao Shun and the others immediately sprang forward, charging towards the Mo Ao.
"Ants!"
The Mo Ao was full of mockery, completely ignoring them and heading straight for Zhou Yan, clearly regarding Zhou Yan as the primary target.
Swish!
Zhou Yan's expression was indifferent. With a wave of his halberd, a cold light erupted, carrying an extremely dense icy aura. It coiled towards the Mo Ao like a venomous snake.
"You court death!"
A ferocious glint flashed in the Mo Ao's eyes. It opened its mouth and spat out a mass of black mist.
The black mist transformed into a jet-black chain, which whistled and instantly shattered the void, lashing fiercely at Zhou Yan.
Clang!