The depths of the Dark Forest was towered by with ancient trees of great heights, complementary to the fragrances of flowers and plants, streams, and hills. It was a beautiful scene overflowing with vitality.
Rare, unusual plants sprouted everywhere as far as the eye could see. Any one of them could demand a high price in town. A sound of explosions thundered through from the depths of the forest. It was as though the sky had fallen.
As Han Shuo ventured deeper, he discovered that countless complex and mysterious boundaries had been deployed. These magical boundaries were not lethal. They were purely meant to prevent outsiders from entering.
Spider web-like magical threads were arranged to form an enormous magical formation. This magical formation covered a large portion of the sky, producing waves of energy throughout the area, pushing any trespasser out.
Needless to say, this enormous magical formation was man-made. Whoever deployed this magical formation of tremendous coverage area likely did not do so with intentions of malice. The waves weren’t particularly fierce or turbulent, but fairly mild and slow.
Han Shuo, standing within the formation himself, only felt waves of great force surging against him. It was as though he was being pushed by a few hundred orcs all at once. The magnitude of the force was beyond Han Shuo’s imagination. Fortunately, Han Shuo was the strongest of the strong. His physical body constantly reforged by demonic arts throughout the years had fully proven itself to be valiant in this situation. Despite having tremendous forces pushing against his body, Han Shuo nonetheless pushed forward, inch by inch.
Surprisingly, in such a place, the range which Han Shuo’s consciousness could envelope was not as extensive as it could elsewhere. He could only faintly sense that there were movements around a few miles from him. All these only made Han Shuo more curious about what was in the depths of the Dark Forest. He was determined to find out about the situation there.
The force generated by the enormous spider web-shaped magical formation couldn’t intercept Han Shuo. By means of his sturdy and strong body and the wonderful abilities of demonic arts, Han Shuo advanced step by step towards the deepest point.
Suddenly, those powerful forces pushing against him just dissolved. It became clear to him that he had passed through the formation. He gazed into the distance as he marched onwards.
A greenish lake then entered Han Shuo’s sight. The lake resembled a huge piece of fine jade that had been cut perfectly levelled. It was clear, pure, and beautiful.
Han Shuo was awestruck. He did not expect to see such a vast lake in the depths of the Dark Forest. However, what baffled Han Shuo even more was that there were no fish or shrimp in the lake, not even seaweed. Very strange indeed.
When Han Shuo stepped forward, he found himself yet again astounded. Having just walked out from the puzzling magical formation, when he took another step, the gravity around him felt at least a tenfold heavier. Even regular walking required all the energy in him.
In such places of increased gravitational pull, duels are tipped in the favor of the person with the stronger physique. If a magus wanted to fly using a levitation spell, their mental strength would be consumed at a rate more than ten times greater than they ordinarily would. With these conditions in place even a sacred magus wouldn’t be able to hold his levitation for an extended periods.
The tenfold gravitational pull hadn’t, however, had much of a effect on Han Shuo. All he had to do was utilize the Art of Demonic Ninth Heavens and fly through, albeit at a slower speed than usual. He made his way bit by bit towards the emerald green lake.
Han Shuo still pushed through with ease. The increased gravity was more a nuisance than anything; Han Shuo merely had to exert more strength than usual.
A gale of wind gushed from afar as Han Shuo arrived at green lake. Before Han Shuo could react, a silvery greater dragon appeared from the top of the green lake. It seemed unaffected by the increased gravitational pull, maybe a sign that it was the one that had established the circumstances of the environment. It stood effortlessly with cold arrogance before Han Shuo.
Return! You have no business in this realm,
demanded the silvery dragon.
It had a certain look in its eyes, full of this unswerving determination like nothing could deter it from what it had to do. He seemed very formidable and powerful.
What might be in there? Pardon me, just a little curiosity,
Han Shuo inquired.
It is of none of your concern human, now leave at once! I will not ask again,
he threatened, as his body hovered, twisting and turning above the green lake with pristine elegance. His words were filled with arrogance, like those of a noblemen’s.
Dragons had always been excessively haughty beings. They considered their own race to be supreme, the most noble and grandiose of all. Be it humans, elves, orcs, or any other race, all besides themselves would be treated as inferior. This behavior had existed since ancient times. Similar to how forest trolls were greedy beings and dark elves acted with a lewd behavior, these attributes were deeply-rooted in their subconsciousness.
Han Shuo, of course, did not shudder. Being in this realm, Han Shuo’s strength greatly surpassed the majority of greater dragons. He cracked a smirk and squinted at the silvery greater dragon until the black of his eyes were barely visible. In a somewhat unyielding tone, he said,
What if I insist on entering?
Just know that I can have you out by force if I so choose to,
the dragon snarled as his fist sized nostrils expanded and contracted.
He slithered his enormous body and summoned a hurricane. The hurricane swept Han Shuo off the ground and flung him away instantly.
The added burden from the increased gravitational pull was simply too much for a regular being to walk. The silvery greater dragon had concluded that Han Shuo was a magus using a levitation spell after seeing him hover above the green lake. From his many years of experience of guarding this place, no magus could ever resist the suction of his hurricane.
The silvery greater dragon closely inspected Han Shuo. In his eyes, Han Shuo was nothing more than a puppet waiting to be manipulated by the hurricane’s power. As the hurricane took shape, the silvery greater dragon could almost see Han Shuo helplessly fly out from the green lake and back to the spider web shaped magical formation.
Han Shuo snickered,
You really think that just because you’ve laid out this gravitational boundary, you have the right to do whatever you please?!
Han Shuo fumed. When the hurricane struck, black rays radiated from all around him as though his body had formed a thick, hefty cocoon.
Han Shuo was swallowed whole by the hurricane. Enormous pulling forces tugged on his body. Han Shuo, however, was unperturbed by this, still standing tall. The silvery dragon was not expecting such strength.
Impressive. An unusual human indeed!
the dragon praised. It then made a twist and a sway and its tremendous tail suddenly swept over. Seeing his hurricane have no effect on Han Shuo showed that this was indeed a worthy foe and he began to utilize his full strength to stop Han Shuo.
Right about time!
Han Shuo laughed. He stood his ground, preparing himself, then extended his two hands to make a peculiar hand seal.
A vicious energy that could topple the mountains and overturn the seas suddenly erupted from between Han Shuo’s two hands. Taking the form of a cylinder, it bombarded towards the tail of the greater dragon that was swooping over.
The dragons were known for their sturdy, toughened physical bodies. Even a thousand year old tree would snap like a twig upon impact from a dragon tail strike. But before the dragon tail could get anywhere near Han Shuo, the enormous force that came from Han Shuo’s hand seal landed on the dragon tail. Not only could the dragon not resist the immense weight on his tail, he was also aching as though his tail had been set on fire.
Whenever Han Shuo fired an attack, he made sure to be unrelenting, leaving no window or a counterattack from his opponent, as well as to seize every opportunity he was presented with. As demonic yuan spread through his body, he felt a jolt in his flying speed. Before the silvery dragon could react from the ache coming from his tail, he felt Han Shuo mount on his back, tiny in comparison to himself.
Dong!
A punch was thrown and landed on the dragon’s body. That frightening energy gushed forth yet again, and the dragon could hardly bear it.
Such power! Is he really human?
The silvery dragon was greatly shocked. He dared not to stay any longer. He fled the scene before Han Shuo could throw a second blow.
Han Shuo didn’t obstruct him but followed behind unruffled, heading deeper into the forest.
Once they were out of the green lake, the increased gravitational pull dissolved and everything returned to normal. Han Shuo spread his consciousness and was immediately overwhelmed. He looked out at the scene with a solemn gaze.
Right ahead was a spectacle on display. Bolts of lightning remained static in the sky, ripping it apart. Sparks flew as clouds of smoke emerged.
The blue sky seemed to have truly been torn apart. As faint smoke rolled in with the lightning, remaining still and bizarre as it was, several mysterious doors formed in the sky.
Many brightly colored lights illuminated the doors, which totalled to seven. Each was assigned to a demigod being, save for the doorway closest to the edge.
There were two greater dragons of forty or fifty meters, one silver and one golden, and both rank five beings. Next on the list were two thirty meter tall titans, colossal to say the least, and possessing demigod strength as well. The remaining two were green skinned orcs clad in some unusual clothing. They appeared to be an orc warrior and an orc shaman.
Each of these six creatures of varying races guarded a separate doorway. They had this intent as though they were resisting some sort of unknown enemy. Han Shuo could clearly sense the incredible strengths they possessed because they all seemed to have unleashed their maximum power.
Six demigods of different races. A truly formidable force!
Below the sky was a vast canyon. A dozen or more titans appeared, as tall as the mountains, accompanied by some twenty dragons. Each one wore grave, strained expressions as they observed the changes in the sky with their heads raised.
According to legends, the titans possessed the strength to match deities. These tales had been circulated since antiquity, yet, ordinary humans had never even seen this race. Such beings like the mountain ridge giant and the cyclops pales in comparison to a titan.
The titans were said to be the favoured children of the earth and the most powerful creatures in the world. They possessed strength so tremendous that they could single-handedly confront the gods…
All the legends pertaining to the titans flashed through Han Shuo’s mind. Back then, Han Shuo wasn’t convinced that the legends about the titans were true. But now that he could see their enormous figures with his own two eyes, there was no sense in doubting their glory. He reckoned that just one of those titans alone could lay waste to an entire city.
Roar!
A bellow echoed from inside the canyon.
The dazed Han Shuo hastily turned his gaze towards the canyon. He caught sight of a hundred meter long Primordius Dragon wound around the summit of a mountain. Han Shuo had never before seen a greater dragon of such enormity. His body radiated such energy which made even Han Shuo’s heart race.
Folklore about the Primordius Dragon was some of the most widespread on Profound Continent. Legend had it that the Primordius Dragon had been guarding Profound Continent since ancient times. He would maintain the order of the Continent in silence. Whenever events took place that threatened the lives of all races, the Primordius Dragon would emerge to maintain the order and stability of the Profound Continent.
With just one look, Han Shuo could be certain that this greater dragon, a hundred meters in length, was precisely the Primordius Dragon of legends. This greater dragon exuded a mighty presence, more overwhelming than that of the Saintess Han Shuo met on the sacred mountain of the Church of Light. Han Shuo believed that even the six-horned tribal king of the Soul Race would be no match against the Primordius Dragon.
Without a doubt, this Primordius Dragon possessed the terrifying strength of a true god!
