The wind blowing through Jingzhou City has brought a bit of coolness, but standing on Dengji Mountain, you still can't feel the change of seasons.
The magma brewing in the heart of the mountain is like an eternal flame, baking the jade platform made of more than a hundred iron chains.
Today, there are many people standing on the largest Zhongtian Jade Platform in the middle, echoing the people on the surrounding cliffs and cave rocks, bringing some popularity to the Dengji Mountain that has not been "inhabited" for a long time.
There are not many of them, there are about two to three hundred people on the cliff, and there are about two to three hundred people on the jade platform. After all, the journey to the pole is only held once every ten years, and the number of disciples that Tianyi Academy can retain in three years is really too many.
not enough.
Dengji Mountain has become more "popular", but the sound is as silent as usual.
Eighteen flying dragon envoys stood on the eighteen positions of the jade platform, "surrounding" more than sixty teams participating in the journey to the pole, and hunted majesticly in eighteen black gold python robes.
Bai Yunsheng and the other five stood at the end of the disciples, lining up with the new disciples this year. Following the gazes of the six rows of disciples in front, they looked up at the magnificent Luantai floating under the Jiuzhu Peak in the East.
At this time, seven figures were sitting on the platform.
Bai Yunsheng has looked at these seven people from south to north and from north to south no less than ten times. Except for the "four elders" with combed green beards, he has not seen any of the other six people since he was admitted to the hospital.
However, Bai Yunsheng has already remembered their names and appearances in his heart. The old man with red eyebrows like fire and a fierce face was the elder of Tianyi College at that time, Wen Qudao, who was known as the "Fire God" in the world.
Sitting on his left and right sides were the other elders of Zhulu Palace, three of them and three demons, all with majestic faces and immortal demeanor.
Especially the one on the left hand side of Wen Qudao, a fairy-like Taoist with a bit of profound wisdom and mystery, which made Bai Yunsheng pay attention seven or eight times.
This person is a legend in the world, and his name is Old Man Tianji.
Unless there are special circumstances, the seven elders of Tianyi Academy will only appear in front of the disciples when the road to the summit begins.
This is not a common thing for the disciples in the inner courtyard, so most of the disciples came to Dengji Mountain today. In addition to watching the exciting competition of the young disciples, they also wanted to see the dignity of the elders.
This year's road to the summit is hosted by the third elder Ye Changqing.
He stood up and walked to the edge of the Yutai. The three flying dragon envoys Chi Bao, Bi Hu, and Yu Lu standing in the northwest of the Yutai immediately flew into the air and said in unison: "Master Changqing, all the disciples have been assembled.
Wait for instructions."
This Ye Changqing is a thousand-year-old jade bamboo demon from the Western Wilderness Mountains. He has a stern look and a lean face without any trace of fat, just like there is no ambiguity in his bright and clear voice:
"It's time to start."
The three flying dragon envoys took the order and turned around. Chi Bao's eyes flashed sharply and he shouted to the disciples on the jade platform: "Hand over your Zhongshu Ling."
Bai Yunsheng glanced at the people around him with his peripheral vision, and saw that the senior brothers and sisters in front had already raised the Zhongshu Ling and threw it into the air. He and Xiang Wujian also threw it out.
In an instant, hundreds of green lights flew into the hands of the three flying dragon envoys. Then the three waved their hands, and more than sixty colorful rays of light fell towards the jade platform and fell into the hands of one person from each team.
Bai Yunsheng's side fell into Xiang Wujian's hands.
In mid-air, the flying dragon envoy Chi Bao shouted again: "This is the Five Elements Order, and now it is the key for you to enter Xiao Mi Tian. At the first level of the road to the top, you will be randomly sent to a place in Xiao Mi Tian, and you will be given a stick of incense.
Time to find their respective Zhongshu Ling. The first thirty-two teams within one stick of incense will enter the second level, and the rest will be eliminated."
This flying dragon envoy is not only majestic in stature, but also has a loud and ear-splitting voice for delivering karma.
Word by word was clearly transmitted to the ears of every disciple, marking the beginning of this year's journey to the highest level.
…
dusk.
The brilliant sunset passes through the mountains and shines on a wide lake. The water is rippled, reflecting sparkling waves in the wind.
A big tree fell on the lake, and under the setting sun, the lush branches and leaves shone with colorful lights.
Only by standing under the tree and looking closely can you see clearly that they are just pieces of colorful leaves.
Bai Yunsheng and the other five were standing under the tree at this time, looking up at the big tree that looked like a hill.
"What is this place?"
Murong Chen's heroic eyes shone with excitement. For a girl who lives in the desert all year round, water is extremely beautiful.
Xiang Wujian's eyebrows furrowed slightly, while looking around, he said: "It's like the Skeleton Swamp in Zhenfengbuzhou."
"Skeletons? Where did the skeletons come from in this green water and green mountains?"
Murong Chen took a deep breath of the fresh and moist air. If she hadn't forgotten the purpose of coming here, she would have gone swimming near the water.
Yi Fengxiao remained silent, staring at the big tree in front of him motionless with a pair of indifferent eyes.
After a while, the eyes of the other four young people followed him and fell on the colorful trees.
"You know a lot about vegetation, can you recognize this tree?"
Xiang Wujian did not look at Bai Yunsheng, but everyone knew that he was asking about Bai Yunsheng.
"It's like a lark tree, but it usually doesn't grow that big."
Bai Yunsheng carefully searched some memories in his consciousness for a while, but did not find the answer.
Mu Chengxue came back to her senses with one word: "It's better to find Zhongshu Ling first."
The other four people also came to their senses. In this unpredictable little world, the time of a stick of incense will pass quickly.
Xiang Wujian nodded and took out the Five Elements Token from his arms to see if there were any changes. But what surprised the five people was that the Five Elements Token had just started to rotate as soon as it "appeared".
This shows that their Zhongshu Ling is nearby. But now, there is only this big tree like a hill near them.
Xiang Wujian and Yi Fengxiao moved forward, followed by Murong Chen and Mu Chengxue. The four of them stroked the cool tree trunk, but did not feel the Zhongshu Ling belonging to them.
At this moment, bang! There was a sudden sound in the ears of the four people, and then there was a shaking in the palms of their hands.
Four eyes suddenly looked at Bai Yunsheng, and the boy actually kicked the tree hard.
This kick brought some karma to Baiyun's life, and it was quite powerful, but it didn't even knock off a leaf.
Just when Murong Chen was about to open his mouth to "swear", whoosh! A sudden strong wind blew above the heads of the five people.
Immediately afterwards, the huge tree trunk trembled suddenly, a thick black shadow rose in the sky, and countless colorful leaves began to fly in the air.
"No! Leave quickly!"
Xiang Wujian was the first to react, and while he was frightened, he immediately issued an escape order to his companions.
Yi Fengxiao, Murong Chen, and Mu Chengxue reacted quickly, and immediately the energy surged into their legs and they fled out of the lake as if they were flying.
Bai Yunsheng slowed down for a moment, and the foot he kicked out was still in the air. His right hand suddenly fell into Mu Chengxue's hand, and he was pulled up and ran forward.
But in just a few moments, his keen eyes suddenly discovered something.
After a while, the five people were three miles away from the big tree, but the trembling in their hearts did not weaken at all.
Looking from a distance, there is a big dry tree standing on the vast misty lake. At this moment, countless colorful black shadows are hovering on the bare tree crown, and a soul-stirring cry can be heard.
"This is……"
Murong Chen often lives in the Central Plains and doesn't know much about monsters. But for the other people who have been living in the monster world, those colorful figures already have the answer.
"It's the Skeleton Owl. It only lives on the border between the northern part of Zhenfeng Continent and the Eastern Wasteland Monster Realm. It's cruel in nature and only eats carrion. It seems like this is really a Skeleton Swamp."
Xiang Wujian comforted the remaining fears of those around him.
Bai Yunsheng was the first to "wake up", but he did not continue to speak. Instead, he said calmly: "Brother, you left in a hurry just now, what did you find on that tree?"
"Um?"
Not only Xiang Wujian, but the other three people also cast doubtful glances at Bai Yunsheng.
"Just now under the tree, the Five Elements Order has reacted. When I was running away, I saw a skeleton owl holding a Zhongshu Order in its claws."
"What?"
Although a few people didn't see it and didn't really believe it, the reaction of the Five Elements Order made them believe it.
"You mean, the Five Elements Order is in the Skeleton Owl's lair?"
Murong Chen gave the final answer. But this was also a problem, a problem that they would not be able to solve for a while.
Because the skeleton owl can fly, but these five people can't fly yet.
In the whole world, no beast on the ground can catch up with the birds in the sky. And looking at it this time, there are not ten thousand but eight thousand skeleton owls on the tree. Even if they are all squatting on the ground motionless, they will not be able to catch up with them for a while.
It's impossible to kill them all.
As the sun set, several people calculated in their minds that half of the stick of incense had been burned.
Three miles away, the Skeleton Owl, which had driven them away, returned to the lark tree, and the sunset was filled with colorful lights again.
Just when several people were at a loss what to do, Bai Yunsheng suddenly asked Murong Chen:
"Sister Sassy, why do you think they came back?"
"I didn't know, I just love home."
"There must be something on the tree that they can't let go of, so they stay there in groups."
"So what? We can't deal with so many skeleton owls."
"It's impossible to deal with them, but there is still a chance to lure them away."
Bai Yunsheng said and smiled at Yi Fengxiao.
Xiang Wuzhi immediately understood what he meant, but he was still worried:
"You and Feng Xiao are not slow, but the speed of this skeleton owl is also famous in the demon world. I'm afraid..."
Bai Yunsheng immediately shook his head and said, "Brother, we just need to find Zhongshu Ling. Besides, we don't have time now."
If five young men were given a few hours, they could kill even a tree of skeleton owls.
But now they only have half a stick of incense.
Whoosh!
Two gusts of wind swept past the setting sun.
Bai Yunsheng and Yi Fengxiao rushed to the Bailing Tree from left to right. Like two wild wolves rushing into a herd of sheep, they instantly cut off dozens of branches and chopped up the corpses of dozens of skeleton owls with one sword after another.
Wow!
One stone stirs up thousands of waves.
The colorful lights flashing on the Bailing tree were like a flame ignited by the setting sun. Countless skeleton owls took advantage of the wind and turned into two flying sharp arrows, attacking Bai and Yi who had already fled towards the lake.
"superior!"
Xiang Wujian led the two girls in front, Murong Chen was in charge of defense, and Mu Chengxue was in charge. The three of them flew up to the Bailing Tree silently, and before they fell down from the branches, Xiang Wujian was already in the largest bird's nest deep in the canopy.
When I found Zhong Shuling lying in three bird eggs, I couldn't help but feel happy.
When the three of them landed on the branches, Xiang Wujian was about to step forward to take orders.
"careful!"
Mu Chengxue shouted loudly.
Hoo ho ho!
In an instant, a strong, smelly wind suddenly blew from the crown of the tree with its twisted branches.
It's the Skeleton Owls who are back!
Xiang Wujian and the other two looked back, and without any hesitation, they immediately abandoned the tree and fled. Before the indestructible beaks of the skeleton owls arrived, they ran out for another two miles.
Seeing that the enemy was gone again, the skeleton owls returned to the tree crown. Only this time, there were hundreds more skeleton owls hovering and patrolling the tree crown.
Whoosh!
Bai Yunsheng and Yi Fengxiao fell next to the three of them.
"How about it?"
Bai Yunsheng asked eagerly.
"Yes, Zhongshu Ling is indeed on the tree, in the lair of the Skeleton King."
Xiang Wujian gave the result but not the solution.
Because he has no choice.
Several people looked at each other, and now there may be only one last option left: to grab it hard.
Just when Murong Chen revealed his Great Xuanwu Kill and was about to take action, Bai Yunsheng suddenly said: "Brother, these skeleton owls are huge in number, and we can't lure them away without a small number of people."
Xiang Wujian's eyebrows were dyed with snow, and he said slowly: "Yes, they are very vigilant. If there is any slight movement in the nest, they will go back."
"Then let them not be able to go back for a while."
"you mean……"
Bai Yunsheng's lips curved coldly, and he said softly: "Brother, the four of you lure away the owl group at the same time, and I'll go get the order!"
...
Dusk is getting darker.
As four strong winds passed by between heaven and earth, Xiang Wujian and the other two led four colorful "sharp arrows" across the lake and flew in all directions.
call!
A figure landed on the crown of the lark tree quickly and lightly.
Bai Yunsheng cleanly tore into pieces the twenty skeleton owls that were left behind. He landed in the bird's nest, endured the unbearable stench in his nose, and reached out to put Zhongshu Ling into his arms.
There was no time to wipe, no time to sigh. Bai Yunsheng held back a breath, turned around and left.
But even if he activated the Seven Killing Steps, it was still too late.
Ten feet away above the tree crown, a skeleton owl that was obviously several times larger in size was staring at him with two black demon eyes.
Bai Yunsheng knew that this beast had not yet reached the Red Soul Realm and was not a threat, but being stared at by such a pair of eyes still made him feel frightened. What was even more unbearable was that behind this skeleton owl king, there was
Thousands of skeleton owls were staring at him.
Bai Yunsheng felt an inexplicable chill coming from the soles of his feet and used his hands. He subconsciously touched Zhongshu Ling in his arms, clenched the Cangming in his hands, and prepared to break out from behind.
However, as soon as he had this idea, there was no way out behind him.
Hundreds more skeleton owls surrounded him from the west, and now he was completely trapped.
Bai Yunsheng was certainly not a fool. He made a prompt decision and returned to the Skeleton King's lair. He took out two eggs, one on each side.
Seeing that his treasure was in the enemy's hands, the Skeleton Owl King suddenly let out a scream, causing more than a thousand Skeleton Owls in the surrounding area to scream in agreement.
This was the horn of war between monsters, but Bai Yunsheng did not lose his calmness in his eyes. He threw it hard, and the bird egg in his right hand quickly fell to the west, attracting the skeleton owl behind.
Then he pulled out Cangming and pointed it at the bird egg in his left hand.
This not only stopped the Skeleton King's screams, but also silenced the shaking tree crowns.
After a while, none of the four Xiang Wujian who were responsible for diverting the group of skeleton owls came back, but the skeleton owl who had just chased the eggs came back and once again surrounded the young man on the tree crown.
Seeing the return of the owl group, the Skeleton Owl King's eyes showed murderous intent again.
But at this moment, Bai Yunsheng smiled coldly, gently tossed the egg in his hand, and suddenly chopped the egg into fine pieces with a knife.
Seeing the death of his unborn child, the Skeleton Owl King completely lost his composure and fluttered his wings and swooped down, like a sharp arrow from a fully drawn bowstring, and fiercely rushed towards Bai Yunsheng.
call!
A flash of knife light flashed in the sky.
Countless colorful feathers fell from the dry canopy, like rainbow rain falling from the sky, falling on the nest with one egg left.
The group of skeleton owls hovering on the top of the tree crown suddenly became restless.
Without their owl king, they began to chirp uneasily and began to fly. However, Bai Yunsheng had long since disappeared from the canopy of trees covered with colorful feathers.