Liu Xi instantly understood — Wan Jie was trying to recruit him.
In the Wasteland Region, treasure hunting wasn't the only business; mercenaries often took side jobs escorting or assisting explorers. If someone hired them, they could make a fortune.
After chatting for a while, Liu Xi couldn't help but laugh softly. He had initially thought this Wan Jie was quite the figure, but it turned out he was merely someone who lingered around the outskirts of the region.
When Liu Xi mentioned his intention to venture deep into the Wasteland Region, Wan Jie's face changed dramatically. He immediately tried to dissuade him, urging again and again not to enter the depths.
The deeper areas were a forbidden zone for all living beings — countless people entered each year, but almost none returned. Even Dou Zun experts were no exception. Many had charged in with unstoppable momentum, only to vanish forever within the mists.
Seeing this, Liu Xi gave up on collecting further information in the Wasteland Town. Were it not for the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree, he might have let it go. But now? Giving up was impossible.
Ignoring every warning, Liu Xi pressed on. Under Wan Jie's bewildered and regretful gaze, he left the town without looking back.
Wan Jie sighed helplessly. He had assumed Liu Xi was just a rich young master — someone he could easily persuade into a shallow expedition around the edges and make easy money off of. Who would've thought he was a madman heading straight for the most dangerous depths?
Northern edge of the Wasteland Town.
The scenery changed drastically. The barren desert gave way to endless greenery, dividing the world into two halves — one of golden sand, the other of lush ancient forest.
"Qing Lin, will you walk this path with me? Do you dare?"
Liu Xi stood suspended in the air, hands clasped behind his back, his gaze fixed upon the depths of the Ancient Wasteland Region. A faint smile curved his lips.
"Of course," Qing Lin answered softly, her tone gentle yet firm beyond question.
Liu Xi's expression warmed. He hadn't told her that his true goal was the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree — a treasure of heaven and earth — but she agreed to follow him without hesitation. That alone made his heart stir.
"Let's go."
With a flicker, Liu Xi's body shot forward like a streak of light. His form tore through space itself as he plunged into the ancient region.
Qing Lin moved the instant he spoke, her slender waist twisting gracefully like a spirit serpent, keeping pace just behind him.
The further they flew, the more they felt the vastness of the region. Towering ancient trees, each more than a hundred meters tall, were everywhere. The ambient energy in the air was rich — far denser than that of the outside world. As expected of a land left behind since ancient times.
As they moved deeper, Liu Xi's Spiritual Perception remained fully extended, scanning everything within reach. He would allow no surprises in a place like this.
Even the outer areas were teeming with Magical Beasts and wild herbs — though none were truly rare. For ordinary people, slaying these beasts would yield incredible gains, but to Liu Xi, such things were hardly worth noticing.
After half a day, all signs of human presence vanished. His senses warned that the area ahead was a true death zone. No trace of life — only a rolling expanse of pitch-black fog that devoured all vitality.
"Qing Lin, hold up."
Liu Xi halted before the mist, calling softly for Qing Lin to stop as well.
The dense forest above blocked the sun, leaving the air damp and dim. The black fog ahead was almost invisible to the eye. One careless step would mean certain death.
Reaching out, Liu Xi drew in a wisp of the dark mist with his Dou Qi. The fog twisted and writhed faintly in his palm, almost as if it were alive.
A soft hissss filled the air as a cyan flame — the Green Lotus Core Flame — flared to life in his hand, wrapping around the black mist.
Chi-chi-chi!
A horrifying chorus of insect cries erupted from within.
Qing Lin's face paled slightly as she looked ahead into the endless fog, her beautiful eyes tightening with caution.
"Young Master, what is that?" she asked softly.
With a casual flick, Liu Xi dispersed the ashes left from the flame's purification.
"This isn't poisonous mist — it's made of venomous insects so small they're invisible. Even a Dou Zun would die in agony if they inhaled them. Now you understand why this place is called the forbidden zone for all life. Just this swarm alone could stop most intruders."
Qing Lin's eyes softened. She knew that as long as Liu Xi spoke so calmly, he already had a way forward.
"Then, Young Master," she asked with a hint of amusement, "how are we going to cross?"
A confident smile spread across Liu Xi's face. "Simple. Come here." He opened his arms. "We're flying straight through."
"Yes, Young Master."
Blushing slightly, Qing Lin smiled sweetly and leapt into his embrace.
Holding her slender waist, Liu Xi let cyan flames surge around him, forming a blazing armor of fire.
With a burst of Dou Qi, he shot forward like a meteor. A harsh, piercing hiss filled the air as the flames scorched a burning path through the black mist.
The hidden swarm screamed in agony. But soon, the insects learned — as Liu Xi charged through like an unstoppable storm, they scattered to either side, opening a clear path for him.
Snuggling closer in his arms, Qing Lin giggled softly. "Even the bugs know how mighty my Young Master is. They don't dare defy you."
Warmth spread through Liu Xi's chest. Tightening his hold around her waist, he chuckled, "This is nothing. Someday, I'll show you what true power looks like — not just enough to frighten bugs."
"Then Qing Lin will wait to see," she whispered with a grin.
Two hours later, the endless darkness finally began to thin. Liu Xi quickened his pace and broke free of the poisonous haze.
He landed atop a massive boulder, setting Qing Lin gently down beside him.
Before them yawned an enormous chasm, several hundred meters wide and so deep it vanished into swirling clouds of toxic gas. Beyond that, towering mountains stretched endlessly into the horizon.
Those mountains, coiling like slumbering dragons, radiated an ancient, boundless aura that filled the heavens and the earth.
There — that was the true Ancient Wasteland Region.
Liu Xi exhaled softly, awe flickering in his eyes. Even from here, he could sense how vast and endless those mountains were.
This land was filled with beasts descended from the ancient era — savage and terrifying. But no matter how powerful they were, could any of them compare to a Half Saint?
The true challenge was locating the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree. He remembered it was said to grow within a land where countless beasts gathered, on an ancient stone platform that radiated tranquility.
But where was that platform? Without anyone to scout ahead, he'd have to find it himself.
Liu Xi raised his hand, and a faintly green bead appeared in his palm — the Bodhisattva Seed, formed from the condensed essence of the Bodhisattva Body Transformation Saliva.
Closing his eyes, he quietly attuned his Spiritual Perception to it. After a long while, his eyes slowly opened, a gleam of delight flashing within.
"At last," he murmured, smiling faintly. "A bit of good news — I can't sense the exact spot, but at least I know the direction."
(End of Chapter)
---
A Huge Shoutout and Welcome to ANNOOR WAHID for Joining us on Patreon and Becoming a Member of Silver.
---
This Fanfiction Has Been Completed on Patreon, There is 2 Chapters Ahead of Release for Free Members on my Patreon.
Support me if you like this Fanfiction.
Patreon,com/Fallen_Archangel_
(Remove comma for dot.)
Leave a 5 star Review and a Power Stone.