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Chapter 458: The Ferocious Beasts of the Forbidden Land
Chapter 458: The Ferocious Beasts of the Forbidden Land
"Old Turtle, could you tell me more about the forbidden land?" Lu Chen asked curiously after enticing the ancient dragon turtle with a tempting offer.
"Are you planning to go in for a look?" The ancient dragon turtle, with a hide as thick as a fortress wall, paid no heed to Lu Chen's presence and continued to peruse the Joyful Heart Sutra with great interest.
"Yes, I am curious about the ferocious beasts and demonic creatures within," Lu Chen admitted, intrigued by the potential of obtaining high-grade demonic beast flesh and blood. With the increasing number and grade of his peculiar spirit herbs, the Underworld Courtyard demanded better quality and quantity, and ordinary beasts were no longer sufficient.
Reluctantly, the ancient dragon turtle tore its gaze away from the pale yellow jade scroll and glanced at Lu Chen. "That place is not normal. Spending too much time there will affect your heart and mind."
"However, an occasional visit won't hurt."
"As it happens, I have the authority to enter the forbidden land. If you wish, I can take you there."
"Then I would be grateful for your guidance," Lu Chen said with a smile. He wouldn't dare explore such a place alone, but with the company of a sixth-grade dragon turtle, he felt much more confident.
"Actually, with the Demon-Controlling Order in your hands, you can enter the forbidden land freely," the ancient dragon turtle continued. "Including me, several fifth and sixth-grade spirit beasts in the blessed land have the qualifications to enter. In a sense, we remain in the blessed land to keep watch over that forbidden area."
"Only that old ape and the phoenix couple dislike the environment there. As for that old fox, he spends most of his time in the forbidden land, who knows what he's up to." The ancient dragon turtle spoke slowly as the divination turtle shell that had been sunbathing beside him returned to his back, fitting perfectly into place. The spirit patterns on the shell came to life, displaying various divination symbols.
"Let's go, then." As soon as the ancient dragon turtle finished speaking, a water-attributed spiritual power enveloped Lu Chen, forming a giant water bubble that instantly transported them to the edge of a dark pit.
"This is the entrance to the forbidden land, the Myriad Demon Cave," the ancient dragon turtle introduced, poking his head out and looking down into the bottomless pit.
Sensing the intrusion, the restrictions covering the forbidden land activated, and surging spiritual power rushed toward Lu Chen and his companion.
Unfazed, the ancient dragon turtle spat out a demon pill filled with icy energy. The demon pill created a hazy spiritual energy shield that enclosed them just in time.
As the spiritual power assault struck, it sensed the aura of the demon core and parted, allowing them to descend slowly into the pit.
After passing through layer upon layer of restrictions, Lu Chen finally saw the bottom of the pit.
The center of the pit was hollow, with several layers visible, each containing countless caves.
From within the caves came the roars of beasts—some ferocious, some filled with pain.
The entire pit was permeated with a strong bloody aura, intermixed with dense evil spirits, causing Lu Chen, who was entering the forbidden land for the first time, to feel slightly uncomfortable.
"You don't seem to have much experience with bloodshed, do you, kid? You're already reacting to this little bit of evil spirit," the ancient dragon turtle teased.
"What can I say? I'm a spirit herbologist, chosen by Master Cangwu to oversee the blessed land. Unlike my fellow disciples, I don't have to travel far and wide, engaging in life-and-death battles with demonic beasts and evil cultivators," Lu Chen replied.
"The topmost layer of stone caves houses mostly ordinary beasts. There are countless numbers of them, captured by sect disciples from far and wide. They are used to feed some of the spiritual beasts in the blessed land, and even the ferocious beasts and demonic creatures within the forbidden land," the turtle explained.
"They are also used for cross-breeding to select superior bloodlines and create new beast varieties," it added.
Lu Chen nodded, recalling the lion-bird beast he had tamed before.
He scanned the surrounding caves and faintly made out the silhouettes of various beasts—mostly first and second-grade, with a significant number of third and fourth-grade beasts as well.
"With so many beasts, they're practically being used as resources. I wonder if I can get some of their useless parts. The spiritual herbs in my small courtyard aren't picky eaters," he mused to himself.
"The middle region houses fierce beasts that have attacked our sect disciples or violated sect rules," the ancient dragon turtle continued. "These beasts are powerful and easily consumed by their beastly nature. They are aggressive and battle-hungry."
"Additional artifacts are needed to contain them and prevent them from breaking free and causing havoc. Keeping them here is also a way to reform them. If they show signs of reduced beastliness and potential for improvement, we gradually release them back into the blessed land," it said.
"But if they refuse to change their ways, they are subjected to sinister experiments, such as attempting to induce mutations using various yin and demonic energies. These experiments have a high mortality rate and are difficult to control," the turtle concluded.
Lu Chen noticed that the middle region's caves were far more heavily guarded than the upper ones. The caves were inscribed with intricate arrays of symbols, suppressing the beasts within. Some beasts were even restrained by artifacts, limiting their movement.
Fierce gazes shot out from the dim caves, locking onto Lu Chen as if he were their prey.
But with the sixth-grade dragon turtle by his side, Lu Chen remained unfazed. He even boldly stepped closer to observe the beasts, unintimidated by their stares.
"The bottom layer houses demonic beasts," the ancient dragon turtle said. "These beasts have been invaded, occupied, or parasitized by demonic influences, clouding their consciousness and granting them bizarre abilities. They are excellent research subjects."
"These demonic beasts are even more dangerous than fierce beasts. Each one is sealed with a formation to prevent them from escaping the forbidden land. That old fox usually lingers in this lower region," it warned.
Lu Chen looked down, unable to see the details of the lowest layer, but his sharp spiritual sense detected the subtle, sinister gazes emanating from below.
As the gazes converged on him, a chill ran up his spine, penetrating deep into his bones.
"Old Turtle, why did you bring a Foundation Establishment cultivator into the forbidden land?" a frail, elderly voice asked beside Lu Chen's ear.
The voice carried a strong sense of decay.
"This is a close friend of mine. I brought him here to broaden his horizons," the ancient dragon turtle replied.
"Are you implying that you can bring anyone here just because you're close? If your friend does something that violates the rules of the forbidden land, can you, an old turtle, take responsibility for that?" The elderly voice drew closer.
"Old Fox, have you deteriorated to the point of being blind? Can't you see the Demon-Controlling Order on my friend?" the ancient dragon turtle scoffed.
(End of Chapter)
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