Instantly, they changed direction and pursued Zhou Yan.
"Damn, I've been exposed!" Zhou Yan's expression changed.
These soldiers were clearly hunting for a fugitive.
"It seems I can't linger. I must escape immediately, or it'll be troublesome if I'm caught," Zhou Yan gritted his teeth.
He was severely injured and had lost his storage ring, unable to hold out for long.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh~
Zhou Yan then turned into a phantom and fled wildly into the jungle.
"Hurry up and catch him! He's the criminal who stole the Dragon Saliva Liquid. If we let him escape, we're all doomed!" several soldiers roared.
Although they were soldiers, they were merely ordinary ones and couldn't keep up with Zhou Yan.
This area was vast, with high terrain and dense forests that obscured vision, like a maze.
Once lost within, it was easy to lose sight of the target.
"There's a path here!" After rounding several corners, Zhou Yan discovered a small trail.
Along the way, he saw many dead leaves and branches, indicating that someone had passed through before.
"It seems that person was also after the Dragon Saliva Liquid. But if they've already left, why leave traces?" Zhou Yan felt things were becoming increasingly strange.
Soon, Zhou Yan emerged from the trail.
Ahead, the landscape opened up to a vast canyon, surrounded by towering ancient trees, lush and vibrant.
"There's an ancient formation here, seemingly set up by someone. Could this be a ruin?" A flicker of doubt crossed Zhou Yan's eyes.
He vaguely recalled having been here before and obtaining many treasures.
However, he clearly remembered only staying for five minutes before a strong sense of crisis enveloped him, forcing him to retreat hastily.
Now, returning to this place, he found a hidden ancient formation in the canyon, preventing his divine sense from penetrating.
"This ancient formation is no simple matter," Zhou Yan's gaze flickered with solemnity.
Having cultivated the "Nine Nether Underworld King Technique," he was quite proficient in formations and could tell that this ancient formation was extremely powerful, likely ranking among the top Xuan-tier formations.
"Buzz, buzz, buzz~"
Suddenly, piercing hums echoed through the sky.
Then, above the canyon, crimson lotuses appeared, carrying intense heat, pressing down from all sides.
"Not good!" Zhou Yan's face changed drastically.
The crimson lotuses flew with tremendous speed, leaving him no time to dodge.
"Hiss, hiss, hiss~" In an instant, flames erupted, engulfing Zhou Yan and searing his skin.
"Ah~"
"This is excruciating." Zhou Yan wailed and struggled desperately.
However, these flames contained terrifying power, leaving him no resistance. His flesh was scorched, causing intense pain.
Zhou Yan gritted his teeth, doing his best to resist the flames' erosion.
"Pfft~"
A moment later, his clothes turned to ash, his skin began to smoke, and he looked like a piece of charcoal.
"So painful, I don't want to live."
"At this rate, I'll die sooner or later."
Zhou Yan's face contorted, veins bulging on his forehead, suffering unbearable pain.
"I'm not willing! I don't want to die..."
"I, Zhou Yan, am still young, with a bright future ahead."
"I'm not reconciled, I don't want to die."
"Wuwu, Mom, I want to go home..."
Zhou Yan's will was strong, yet he couldn't withstand the agony of being burned by the flames. His eyes welled up, tears streaming down.
His soul was undergoing immense torment.
His willpower was on the verge of collapse.
"What is happening? Could this be a test deliberately left by that ancient expert? To temper me?" Zhou Yan's eyes were bewildered, and various strange thoughts flashed through his mind.
"Hmm?" Abruptly, Zhou Yan's eyes trembled slightly.
He discovered that the attack method of these flames was identical to the techniques described in the martial arts secret manual "Nine Nether Underworld King Technique."
"The 'Nine Nether Underworld King Technique' is an extremely evil cultivation method. It is said that practitioners must constantly absorb Yin-Fiend Qi."
"These flames should be formed from that Yin-Fiend Qi."
Zhou Yan speculated but soon shook his head, "In my current state, I can't cultivate it at all."
Zhou Yan knew clearly that if he continued to cultivate, he would surely explode and die.
"Forget it, I'll heal first. I'll make plans after I recover."
Zhou Yan sighed, sat down on the spot, circulated the "Nine Nether Underworld King Technique," and madly absorbed the surrounding elemental energy.
"Buzz, buzz, buzz!"
Instantly, the scattered elemental energy surged into Zhou Yan's body like rivers returning to the sea.
This elemental energy was imbued with rich spiritual essence, seeping into Zhou Yan's body and nourishing his physique.
Under the nourishment of this elemental energy, Zhou Yan's injuries healed at an accelerated rate and gradually recovered.
A night passed in the blink of an eye. As the first rays of dawn broke, Zhou Yan slowly opened his eyes. His skin was crystal clear, emitting a faint glow.
"So refreshing!"
Zhou Yan exhaled, his spirit full and his demeanor energetic, feeling his body brimming with power.
"The 'Nine Nether Underworld King Technique' is indeed a heaven-defying cultivation method!"
"In just one night, my cultivation has deepened by another level, and my combat power has at least doubled!" Zhou Yan was overjoyed.
"Huh? What is this?" Suddenly, Zhou Yan noticed a blood-red plant growing by the cliff face. Its branches were semi-transparent, as if constructed from rock, and crimson sap flowed throughout.
The plant exuded a strong medicinal fragrance that was mouth-watering.
"Is this a spirit herb?" Zhou Yan extended his right hand and plucked a crimson fruit.
As soon as he ate it, Zhou Yan felt a warm current surge through his body, restoring and enhancing his fatigued physique.
"What marvelous medicinal power!" Zhou Yan was deeply shocked.
This plant could actually cure illnesses and save lives?
"Hiss~" At this moment, Zhou Yan gasped, seeing a blood-red palm print appear on his chest.
This palm print was incredibly ferocious, covering his entire chest and even extending to his abdomen.
"What is this?" Zhou Yan was astonished, feeling as if needles were pricking his chest, causing extreme pain.
He endured the pain, raised his fist, and smashed it fiercely onto the palm print.
Boom.
Zhou Yan felt a vast force sweep towards him, almost throwing him off balance.
Fortunately, his strength was formidable, allowing him to barely stabilize himself.
"Hiss, what the hell is this?" Zhou Yan furrowed his brow.
This time, he didn't choose to confront it directly. Instead, he summoned the black cauldron and tossed it into the air.