Zhou Yan observed carefully and discovered that the interior of this sand cliff was hollow. The space within was vast, at least more than double its external appearance.
"My luck is truly good. I've stumbled upon a spatial void. This space should be several kilometers in size, and it's bound to contain many treasures. Perhaps even things I haven't encountered before."
Thinking this, Zhou Yan became extremely excited.
"I must enter this space and search for any gains I can find."
With that, Zhou Yan charged towards the interior of the sand cliff. He intended to completely break through the sand cliff and see what good things lay within.
Zhou Yan leaped up, reaching the very top of the sand cliff, and peered inside. It was a massive, circular cavern.
The cavern was a hundred meters high and oval-shaped, resembling a spherical celestial body. On its circular surface were strange, intersecting patterns, like a giant ring that emanated golden light. Growing on this ring were peculiar trees, their twisted forms like grotesque faces, covered in sharp thorns resembling swords.
"Could this be the legendary Divine Tree?"
Zhou Yan exclaimed involuntarily.
The Divine Tree was a mythical spiritual treasure of heaven and earth, an exceedingly rare species found only in heavenly palaces. However, Divine Trees were incredibly precious, growing between heaven and earth with fearsome power that ordinary cultivators could not subdue.
Yet, Zhou Yan was unconcerned. His cultivation had transcended all limitations, and these Divine Trees posed no threat to him. Once he subdued a Divine Tree, he could harness its power, making his own strength even greater.
With this thought, Zhou Yan walked directly towards the circular area.
Upon entering the circle, Zhou Yan felt a wave of heat wash over him. The temperature here seemed several degrees higher than outside.
At this moment, his eyes suddenly lit up. He finally spotted a raised rock within the circle. Beneath the rock was a pitch-black, hellish scene.
This rock was about several zhang square, covered in red orbs that resembled fresh blood.
"This… is a giant lava lake?"
Zhou Yan's eyes widened. He realized that the lake was filled with flowing, scorching lava, more than a foot deep.
"It truly is a lava lake!"
Zhou Yan couldn't help but become excited. He had never seen such a beautiful lava lake. This magnificent lava lake was breathtaking, and he felt his heart pounding in his chest.
"If only I could absorb such a beautiful lava lake, my cultivation would surely advance again."
Zhou Yan thought excitedly.
Without further thought, he leaped towards the lava lake.
His speed was incredible. In the blink of an eye, he reached the edge of the lava lake.
Just as Zhou Yan was about to leap into the lava lake, a scream rang out. Immediately after, Zhou Yan saw a figure suddenly appear out of thin air before him.
These were the sand dust beasts he had seen in the sand cliff. They were incredibly ugly, resembling rats with eyes like lanterns, giving them a particularly sinister appearance.
"Hiss~ hiss~ hiss~"
Upon seeing Zhou Yan, the sand dust beasts roared furiously. They bared their fangs and brandished their claws, like a pack of demons.
Zhou Yan's expression changed slightly. He quickly retreated to the edge of the sand cliff, emitting a white, sacred light from his body.
"Divine light, this is holy light. These sand dust beasts in the sand cliff are actually cultivators at the Saint Domain realm. They must have cultivated their primordial spirits beneath the sand cliff."
Zhou Yan surmised.
Although the sand dust beasts were formidable, Zhou Yan was confident he could handle them and felt no fear.
"You court death!"
The sand dust beasts roared upon seeing Zhou Yan. Then, they opened their mouths and spewed out clumps of yellow sand. This sand, spinning in the air, resembled razor-sharp blades, tearing through the air and rushing towards Zhou Yan.
"Hmph! A mere trifle!"
Zhou Yan sneered and waved his sleeve. Instantly, a light blue barrier appeared, enveloping him.
The yellow sand struck the light blue barrier and was immediately repelled.
"Bang bang bang!"
A series of dull thuds echoed as the sand dust beasts were seriously injured and fell to the ground, groaning.
"Such an excellent opportunity, how could I miss it!"
A trace of greed flashed in Zhou Yan's eyes as he stared intently at the heads of the sand dust beasts.
"Break!"
Zhou Yan roared. He extended his palm, and the sand dust beasts were instantly absorbed into his hand. Then, Zhou Yan waved his sleeve, and the beasts were tossed into the nearby lava lake.
The lava lake was a terrifying entity, as lava could melt anything, even burn down a small city. Anything scorched by lava would turn to ash.
This place was like an ordinary small city.
Zhou Yan looked at the lava lake with greedy eyes, but he did not rashly jump in. He knew how perilous the lava was. Once it touched him, even his protective aura might not withstand it, and he would be melted directly, eventually consumed by the molten liquid.
"Since I've come here, I'll test my cultivation first."
With that thought, Zhou Yan no longer hesitated. He leaped directly into the lava lake. His body immediately sank into the magma.
White smoke began to rise from his body, slowly evaporating his physical form.
His body was continuously dissolving, turning into ashes.
Not only Zhou Yan's body but also his soul rapidly melted in the lava lake, leaving only a wisp of remnant soul that managed to escape.
As soon as his soul escaped, it encountered a black light. This black light enveloped Zhou Yan's soul and began to devour it.