Once the level of the cannibals far surpassed that of humans, humanity would completely lose the courage to resist.
Unless, their strength was far superior to the cannibals, and they possessed absolute overwhelming power against them.
Otherwise, if ambushed by the cannibals, there would be a danger of falling!
However, Zhou Yan did not fear them!
Zhou Yan had hunted countless trolls and slain an unknown number of formidable enemies!
Now, these cannibals were no different from grasshoppers; they couldn't harm Zhou Yan in the slightest.
"Roar!"
A cannibal lunged forward, raising its sharp claws to tear at Zhou Yan.
"Hmph!"
Zhou Yan let out a cold snort, raising his right foot and heavily kicking the cannibal's neck.
*Crack!*
The cannibal's neck bones shattered instantly, its head lolling limply.
Zhou Yan casually picked up a scale, placed it into his storage ring, and continued onward.
Soon, Zhou Yan passed through the forest and entered another secret chamber.
"This place..."
Upon entering the chamber, Zhou Yan was slightly taken aback.
The secret chamber was constructed with wooden structures.
Furthermore, there was a wide passageway.
Zhou Yan followed the passageway deeper, and soon, a stone door appeared in his line of sight.
This stone door was incredibly thick, its surface carved with mysterious runes.
"Buzz!"
The next moment, the stone door slowly opened.
Instantly, a desolate and ancient aroma washed over him, causing Zhou Yan to instinctively narrow his eyes slightly.
"This is..."
Zhou Yan was slightly stunned. Before him, a peculiar scene unfolded.
At the end of this secret chamber lay a massive bronze coffin.
And at this very moment, beside the bronze coffin, an old man was kneeling.
His hair was white, his expression despondent, as if he had long since passed away here.
"Huh?"
Zhou Yan exclaimed softly and walked over, "Is this... a Sword Saint?"
Beside the bronze coffin, a rust-speckled ancient sword was stuck in the ground, its sharp edge glinting, like an unparalleled overlord surveying the world.
This sword alone was enough to make all iron weapons submit.
Moreover, faint lightning crackled around the blade.
Although Zhou Yan was not an expert in weaponry, he could still feel the extraordinary nature of this sword.
However, the sword looked worn and tattered, clearly having endured the ravages of time.
Yet, it was not stained by any dirt. Instead, under the sunlight, it reflected points of chilling light that sent shivers down one's spine.
"I wonder, what is the origin of this long sword?"
Zhou Yan murmured to himself.
"Whoosh!"
Suddenly, he felt a fierce wind rushing from behind him and abruptly turned his head.
He saw a beast, entirely black, with bluish skin, and long, ape-like arms, its scarlet eyes wide open, lunging at him with its sharp claws.
Zhou Yan let out a cold laugh, grabbed the beast's wrist, and with a casual toss, flung it to the ground.
*Bang!*
The ground trembled.
"Awoo—"
The beast howled and rolled several times before managing to stand up.
"Huh? It's not dead?"
Zhou Yan narrowed his eyes. This beast's strength should be equivalent to around the seventh level of Body Tempering.
By all rights, being slammed to the ground so hard by Zhou Yan should have killed it instantly.
How could it still struggle to its feet?
"Roar!"
The beast roared, its eyes filled with ferocity and madness, as if seeking revenge.
However, Zhou Yan paid it no mind and simply stepped over it.
"Roar!"
The beast roared in anger, but it was utterly helpless against Zhou Yan.
Because its strength, compared to Zhou Yan's, was like a firefly against the bright moon; it couldn't budge Zhou Yan in the slightest.
Zhou Yan continued forward, encountering cannibals along the way.
These cannibals, fearless of death, relentlessly attacked Zhou Yan.
Whether it was ferocious wild bulls, immensely strong giant bears, or bizarre cannibals...
All were easily slain by Zhou Yan.
One head after another flew off, spilling blood onto the ground.
In the blink of an eye, all the cannibals in this area were cleared out.
"Huh? What is this..."
Suddenly, Zhou Yan's eyes brightened.
Before him appeared a plant.
The plant stood five meters tall, crystal clear throughout, as if carved from jade.
Its branches and leaves were lush, and within the leaves, faint golden light flowed.
And at the top of this plant, a fruit had indeed grown.
The fruit was spherical, translucent like amber, as if containing some ineffable wonderful sensation within.
"Could this be the legendary 'Ten Thousand Year Jade Fruit'?"
Zhou Yan's eyes widened, and a look of extreme surprise spread across his face.
"This fruit seems to contain potent medicinal properties!"
"If I were to swallow this fruit, I'm sure I could advance immediately!"
Zhou Yan's heart was filled with excitement.
However, he maintained his composure.
Although this jade fruit was a treasure for ordinary martial artists.
Zhou Yan had not forgotten the true purpose of his visit.
This time, he had come to find the Dragon Vein.
"Roar!"
Just then, a terrifying roar suddenly came from the secret chamber ahead.
Immediately, a massive shadow appeared at the chamber's exit.
This shadow was over ten feet tall, radiating a faint blue glow, and possessed a majestic, powerful build.
As it appeared, it fixed its icy gaze on Zhou Yan.
"Is this... the Cannibal Chieftain?"
Zhou Yan raised an eyebrow.
The Cannibal Chieftain before him was over ten feet tall, completely black, clad in armor.
Especially its chest, which was covered by a thick layer of scales, offering astonishing defense.
At this moment, as it appeared, it stared intently at Zhou Yan.
"The strength of this Cannibal Chieftain is likely at the peak of the ninth level of Body Tempering."
Zhou Yan mused to himself.
"Rumble..."
At this moment, the entire tomb began to shake violently, as if an earthquake had struck.
"Crackle..."
Stone slabs cracked and broke apart, and soil rained down.
Simultaneously, a pungent, foul odor rose from beneath the ground.
"Roar!"
With a deafening roar.
From within the collapsing stone slabs, a colossal beast slowly emerged, its head rising from the earth.
"Roar!"
This beast was covered in black scales, its body incredibly robust, as thick as pillars, its eyes crimson, flashing with a bloodthirsty gleam.
This was clearly a giant lizard, and moreover, a super-tier demonic beast with strength comparable to a second-level Divine Marquis Grandmaster.
"This giant lizard is far, far more powerful than that group of cannibals from before."
Zhou Yan's expression turned solemn.
"Roar!"
The giant lizard let out a roar, stirring up a cloud of dust, then leaped forward, swinging its steel-hard tail to sweep towards Zhou Yan.
Zhou Yan's gaze was sharp; he clenched his fist and threw a punch, immediately blocking the tail.
With a thunderous bang.