Zhou Yan glanced at him and said in a deep voice, "You wait here. If anyone visits, remember not to let them in."
"Yes!"
The burly man cupped his fists in response and respectfully withdrew.
A moment later, Zhou Yan slipped out the back door and arrived deep within a mountain range north of the city.
This mountain range was home to many strange creatures, all of them extremely rare exotic beasts, including some incredibly ferocious ones.
While this mountain range possessed abundant spiritual herbs and mineral resources, not many dared to approach it because it was inhabited by an anomaly known as the Blood Demon!
The Blood Demon race lived in extremely yin locations, were bloodthirsty by nature, acted erratically, and were exceedingly difficult to deal with.
They craved human flesh and blood, and their cultivation methods were bizarre. They had lived in dark places for years, feeding on humans, and were extremely brutal.
Upon arriving deep in the mountain range, Zhou Yan headed straight for a cave in the center of a valley.
A humming sound suddenly echoed from within the cave.
A powerful surge of energy erupted, causing the entire peak to shake violently as if something was trying to break through a seal and escape.
Zhou Yan's expression sharpened. With a flash, he darted into the cave and struck the mountain wall with his palm, opening it to reveal a dark passage.
He stepped into the passage, and his figure vanished.
"Whoosh~"
Inside the cave at the end of the passage, space distorted and then slowly returned to tranquility.
At this moment, outside the cave, waves of energy fluctuations appeared. It was clear that someone had discovered the commotion and was heading there.
A group of figures appeared at the entrance of the passage, their heads poking out as they searched the surroundings.
"What was that just now?"
"That's..."
Some of them looked at the dark passage, their expressions growing grave. They said in a low voice, "Could it be... the Blood Demon clan's lair?"
"No way, the Blood Demon clan has been well hidden for so long. Unless they want to die..."
As the group debated, they eventually dispersed.
...
Meanwhile, within the passage, a hint of surprise appeared on Zhou Yan's face.
His gaze fell upon his own feet, and his expression was filled with shock.
"Where am I?"
"How... do I feel like my strength has increased significantly?"
Zhou Yan was utterly astonished.
"What's going on?"
"Could it be that I absorbed the essence of that Purple Gold Fruit, leading to an increase in my strength?"
He mused inwardly.
"Whatever the case, I'll try it first."
Zhou Yan gritted his teeth and moved forward.
Soon, an incredibly dense spiritual energy filled the passage. The surrounding air seemed to be dyed green, brimming with vitality.
Astonishment flashed across Zhou Yan's face.
"It really has improved!"
"This is simply terrifying!"
He felt the dense spiritual energy and was filled with emotion.
"What on earth is going on?"
"Could it be that the Purple Gold Fruit truly has such a potent effect, capable of increasing a cultivator's strength?"
Zhou Yan was somewhat horrified, and an intense sense of excitement surged within him.
If this were true, wouldn't he be able to sweep across the entire Cloud Sea Continent and dominate the Nine Provinces in the future?
"This world is truly becoming more and more mysterious."
A curve formed on his lips, and a surge of ambition filled his heart.
Unknowingly, he reached the end of the cave, where a colossal stone gate stood before him.
"Huh?"
Zhou Yan blinked at the massive stone gate, his expression momentarily stunned.
The giant gate was adorned with many peculiar patterns, resembling fierce and ferocious blood-red demon snakes entwined upon it.
The pupils of his eyes constricted slightly. Feeling the oppressive aura emanating from the stone gate, he couldn't help but exclaim, "Such terrifying pressure! This stone gate is definitely extraordinary!"
"What lies behind this gate?"
Zhou Yan took a deep breath, his expression becoming incredibly excited. He extended his right hand and gently pushed against the giant gate.
A soft tremor echoed from the stone gate, as if a ferocious beast within was struggling against its confinement, trying to break free!
The stone gate moved slowly, gradually opening to reveal a deep stone staircase.
"This is... the Blood Demon's lair?"
Zhou Yan gazed at the deep stone staircase before him, a fervent glint in his eyes.
With a flash, he stepped onto the stone stairs.
...
At the same time, in a black stone house.
A black plaque hung from the roof of the stone house, inscribed with three large characters – Blood Demon Hall!
This Blood Demon Hall was the core of the entire Blood Demon Sect, the sect's sacred sanctuary.
"Roar!"
A deafening roar emanated from the black stone house.
A monstrous aura of malevolence spread from the stone house, engulfing the entire Blood Demon Hall!
The temperature of the Blood Demon Hall instantly surged by several hundred degrees.
Countless spiderweb-like cracks appeared on the roof of the Blood Demon Hall, and a mass of blood mist billowed out, obscuring the entire chamber, making it feel bloody and terrifying.
"Roar!"
Another furious roar sounded. The blood mist rapidly dissipated, transforming into a figure completely enveloped in a black robe.
His eyes were blood-red, and his black robe was covered with dense blood-red runes, exuding a bone-chilling, sinister, and evil aura.
Before him stood a man covered in blood.
Numerous wounds covered the man's body, and blood dripped from the wounds onto the ground, emitting a pungent, bloody odor.
The man's hair was disheveled and hung loosely. His eyes were blood-red, like two blood-colored lanterns, filled with a bloody aura.
This man was incredibly powerful, reaching the peak of the sixth level of the Virtual God Realm, just a step away from the Demigod Realm.
Alas, he had encountered someone even more terrifying.
"Blood Demon, you will die today!"
The youth in blood-colored robes stared at the man before him, his voice ice-cold.
He was the Blood Demon, the most terrifying monstrous being of the entire Blood Demon Sect.
This fellow had once slaughtered a small force, annihilating thousands of cultivators.
At that time, his identity was being pursued by the upper echelons of the Blood Demon Sect, and he eventually fled from the sect, disappearing into numerous star domains.
However, his strength had not diminished in the slightest; instead, it had continued to grow!
"Heh, who are you? Dare to be so arrogant in front of this seat? Are you seeking death?"
The Blood Demon narrowed his eyes, a cold murderous intent surging within them.
"This seat is a disciple of the Blood Sword Hall of the Blood Demon Sect. How dare you be disrespectful to this seat?"
The youth in blood-colored robes’ expression was icy, his voice filled with chilling killing intent.
"Heh heh... you, a disciple of the Blood Sword Hall? I've heard that only core members within the sect can become disciples of the Blood Sword Hall."
A faint, indifferent smile played on the Blood Demon's lips.
"That's right, the Blood Sword Hall is indeed not comparable to ordinary forces. I don't wish to provoke a major sect like yours."
A cold killing intent flickered in the eyes of the youth in blood-colored robes.
"Since that's the case, then scram. Don't let this seat see you again."
Contempt flashed in the Blood Demon's eyes as he looked at the youth in blood-colored robes with a mocking expression.