From Five Animal Exercises to being hailed as a saint and ancestor

Within the Abyss of Silent Souls, time seemed to lose its meaning, with only the gray mist and deathly silence remaining eternal.

Each team is working hard in preparation for the assessment and for the strange "opportunity" brought by the soul beast.

The area where the top ten disciples of the outer academy reside.

After another careful search and cooperation, they successfully lured out a lone, moderately powerful soul beast.

This time, after discussion, everyone decided to leave the final blow to Zhou Tiancan.

The battle was still not easy, as the strange attack methods of the soul beasts were difficult to defend against.

But with Mu Qingqing's precise assistance and Li Han's harassment like a venomous stinger in the shadows at crucial moments, they finally created an opportunity.

"The savage elephant has destroyed the heavens!"

Zhou Tiancan roared, condensing his blood and qi and his unparalleled will to the extreme. His fists, like two meteors, slammed into the dim light cluster at the core of the soul beast!

"boom!"

The soul beast let out a piercing, soul-piercing scream before exploding with a deafening roar!

The pure soul essence mixed with the breath of the silent soul surged into Zhou Tiancan's body.

His massive body shuddered violently, and a look of pleasure first appeared on his face—the joy of his soul being nourished.

But then he frowned, clearly resisting the ensuing erosion.

However, a moment later, Zhou Tiancan suddenly opened his eyes, his large, bell-like eyes bursting with unbelievable ecstasy, his voice trembling with excitement:

"I...I feel it! The ancestral meridian! I think I can 'see' it clearly!"

"What?! Heavenly Ginseng, you've sensed the Ancestral Meridian?!"

"Really? So fast?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Le, Xu Zijian, Shi Hao, and the others were all taken aback and quickly gathered around, their faces filled with shock and... a complex emotion that was hard to describe.

Normally, they would be genuinely happy for their teammate's breakthrough.

But at this moment, under the subtle influence of the eerie aura of the Silent Soul Abyss.

A negative emotion called "jealousy" quietly grows and amplifies in their hearts like a poisonous weed.

Why him? This big, simple-minded brute who only knows how to use brute force?

"I worked harder than him, so why wasn't I the first to feel it?"

"Damn it, if only I had landed that final blow..."

Such thoughts flashed uncontrollably through their minds.

Although it was only for a moment, they clearly perceived it themselves, which immediately brought a wave of shame and unease.

But that feeling of jealousy clung to me like a maggot, impossible to dispel.

Even Li Han, hidden in the shadows, had slightly reddened eyes and his clenched knuckles turned white.

His desire for power was the most urgent, and he saw that Zhou Tiancan, this "simple and honest" fellow, had already reached the threshold first.

The resentment and jealousy in my heart were almost overflowing.

Of all the people present, only Mu Qingqing was genuinely happy. She quickly walked to Zhou Tiancan's side, took his hand, and said softly:

"Excellent, Tian Shen! This is a good start! Calm your mind and don't let distractions affect you!"

Zhou Tiancan smiled憨厚ly and nodded emphatically.

But he could also vaguely sense the unnatural tone of his congratulations and the fleeting strange looks from his companions, which made him feel confused and disappointed.

Meanwhile, in deeper areas.

Xuanyuan Po cleanly and swiftly killed another soul beast with his Ice Heart Sword Intent.

With the infusion of pure soul power, the sword intent seemed to have become even more refined, but before he could fully comprehend it, Yao Mengkang, who was standing beside him, keenly sensed that something was amiss.

The instant Xuanyuan Po sheathed his sword, Yao Mengkang seemed to see a faint red light flash across his usually aloof eyes!

Moreover, Xuan Yuanpo's aura seemed to have become even sharper, and even... carried a hint of barely perceptible restlessness.

"Junior Brother Xuanyuan, how are you feeling?"

Yao Mengkang spoke up tentatively.

Xuanyuan Po suddenly turned his head, his eyes showing a sharpness and impatience that he would never normally display, and his tone was somewhat aggressive:

"Excellent! Never been better! My sword intent has improved, and my spirit has been strengthened!"

"Senior Brother Yao, I think we can go deeper and find stronger soul beasts! These small fry are no longer enough to satisfy me!"

This is completely unlike the calm and composed Xuan Yuanpo of usual!

Yao Mengkang's heart sank. Just as he was about to speak again, a clear fluctuation emanated from the Chaos Stone Bead within his body:

[Xuanyuan Po: Slightly eroded by the intent of the Soul-Suppressing Realm. Negative emotions amplified. Reason remains, but is continuously affected.]

Solution 1: Leave the Abyss of Silent Souls immediately; the erosion will slowly recede over time.

[Solution Two: Take "Soul Cleansing Powder" (three parts Soul-Soul Flower, one part Soul-Giving Grass, one part Soul-Soul Calamus, mixed with spiritual energy for catalysis, orally). This can effectively suppress the erosion and maintain consciousness. It cannot completely eradicate the problem; further purification is needed after leaving.]

[Solution 3: If one comprehends more than 80% of a fundamental rule of heaven and earth, this energy can be eradicated or transformed by the power of that rule.]

Yao Mengkang suddenly realized:

"What appears to be a harmless opportunity with a soul beast has actually been tainted by a higher level of power. Forbidden areas are indeed impossible to guard against."

Yao Mengkang dared not delay and immediately addressed Xuan Yuanpodao.

"Junior brother, you have been corrupted by the strange aura of this place, which has affected your mind."

"I have a remedy here, which requires the medicinal herbs we have gathered. Please take it first."

However, Xuan Yuanpo, whose paranoia had been amplified, heard this...

Instead of obeying, his eyes sharpened, and a chilling sword intent emanated from his body. His tone was filled with agitation and resistance:

"Erosion? Affecting the mind? Senior Brother Yao, I think you're the one trying to hinder my path!"

"I feel better than ever before! My sword is becoming stronger!"

"I don't need any antidote! Get out of my way, I'm going to hunt even stronger soul beasts!"

As he spoke, he seemed to be about to attack Yao Mengkang!

Yao Mengkang frowned, knowing that words were useless at this moment.

Without further hesitation, his gaze sharpened, and his aura suddenly became as deep and profound as an abyss!

"Excuse me, junior brother!"

Before he finished speaking, Yao Mengkang moved with the speed of a ghost, directly closing in on Xuan Yuanpo!

Although Xuanyuan Po was affected, his fighting instincts remained. He instantly drew his Frostmark Sword, unleashing a torrent of icy sword intent!

But Yao Mengkang is faster and more powerful!

He pointed his fingers like a sword, the tips of his fingers flashing with starlight, and struck the Frostmark Sword with perfect precision, even though he was behind!

"clang!"

A tremendous force surged forth, and Xuan Yuanpo felt a numbness in his arm as his sword momentum was instantly shattered!

He was shocked; Yao Mengkang's strength was even greater than he had imagined!

Before he could change his move, Yao Mengkang's second move arrived. He lightly struck out with his palm, but it seemed to contain the weight of the entire sky, directly imprinting itself on Xuan Yuanpo's protective spiritual power!

"Bang!"

Xuan Yuanpo let out a muffled groan, his body flying backward uncontrollably, his spiritual energy becoming chaotic.

Yao Mengkang followed closely, and with his third move, he used his fingers to strike repeatedly, instantly sealing several major acupoints on Xuan Yuanpo's body with condensed spiritual energy, temporarily rendering him unable to resist.

The whole process happened in the blink of an eye, with three moves resulting in a powerful suppression!

Yao Mengkang looked at Xuan Yuanpo lying on the ground, his face filled with resentment and his eyes filled with struggle, and sighed.

He quickly took out three portions of Soul-Soul Flower, one portion of Soul-Giving Grass, and one portion of Soul-Soul Calamus, and used his own spiritual power to catalyze and fuse them, turning them into a small ball of emerald green liquid that emitted a cool and bitter aroma.

Ignoring Xuan Yuanpo's resistant gaze, Yao Mengkang forcibly fed him the medicine.

As the medicine entered his stomach, a cool sensation instantly spread and rushed into his consciousness.

Xuan Yuanpo's body trembled violently, the restless red light in his eyes faded at a visible speed, and his struggling expression gradually calmed down, replaced by a blank look, followed by deep exhaustion and lingering fear.

He slowly closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep, clearly having exhausted too much of his energy resisting the erosion.

Looking at the unconscious Xuan Yuanpo, Yao Mengkang's expression was solemn.

He finally understood why the Abyss of Silent Souls was listed as a forbidden area, and why its infamous reputation was so great! The allure of becoming stronger quietly drags people into the abyss of madness!

He thought of Su Xiaoman, he thought of Shi Potian, and he thought of the ten outer disciples who had acted separately!

They must have all been killing soul beasts, and they must have all been affected by the corruption to varying degrees!

"We must find them as soon as possible!"

Yao Mengkang made up his mind.

"This soul beast cannot be killed so easily!"

He stayed by Xuanyuan Po's side, waiting for him to wake up, having already made up his mind.

The truth about this place and the solutions must be revealed to everyone.

Otherwise, the consequences would be unimaginable!