Petrochemical Soul

A towering ancient tree appeared in Luo Hao's sight. It would take ten people to encircle its trunk, and it soared dozens of meters high, its branches and leaves spreading out to cover the sky.

Luo Hao suddenly halted, releasing Mu Yudie as he gazed at the ancient tree with a grave expression. His face darkened as if he were about to make a significant decision.

Zhao Xin, Di Yalan, and Hu Long also arrived before the ancient tree, their faces subtly changing, as if they were aware of the unusual significance of this place.

Shi Yan furrowed his brows, staring silently at the immense Skyward Tree.

Taking a deep breath, Luo Hao turned to the group and said solemnly, "The path to the right of the Skyward Tree is rarely frequented by beasts. Most caravans and martial artists passing through the Dark Forest choose this route because it's relatively safe. Even if you encounter a beast, it's usually just a first or second-level creature. Moreover, this path is closer to the Merchant Alliance, only about ten days away."

Zhao Xin and the others nodded slightly, clearly familiar with the situation.

After a pause, Luo Hao's expression grew stern as he continued, "But the path to the left is entirely different! It's not only much longer, but also teeming with beasts and reckless martial artists and mercenaries. Those who dare to take this route are never to be underestimated. In the constant crisis of that path, they act without any restraint. If we choose this path, not only must we be wary of the beasts, but we must also be on guard against those crazed martial artists and mercenaries, especially since we have two beautiful women in our group..."

"Hmph! Anyone who dares to make a move on me will have their hopes cut to pieces!" Di Yalan made a slashing gesture in the air, her eyes flashing with a cold light.

"Uncle Luo, what do you suggest?" Zhao Xin asked cautiously.

"If we take the safer route to the right, the people from 'Dark Underworld' will catch up within a day, and we'll be in for another tough battle." Luo Hao said with a gloomy expression, "Who knows if we'll be as lucky the next time? Moreover, their reinforcements might have arrived by then, and if we meet them again, it could be disastrous for us..."

"What about the left path?" Hu Long interjected.

"The left path is overrun with beasts, and ruthless martial artists and mercenaries frequently appear. If we take the left path, we'll face the beasts and possibly those desperate martial artists. However, the dangers we face are the same that the 'Dark Underworld' will also encounter. The 'Dark Underworld' has a notorious reputation, and while few would dare oppose them in the Blazing Fire Empire, they might not find it so easy on that path. If they run into high-level beasts, they could very well be wiped out..."

Luo Hao slowly explained, laying out the situation before giving his opinion, "If we take the right path, we'll avoid the beasts and other martial artists but face the grave threat of the 'Dark Underworld'. If we choose the left path, we'll have to deal with both beasts and martial artists, but the 'Dark Underworld' might suffer even more than we do. For us, the left path might offer a better chance of survival."

"Let's take the left path!" Mu Yudie decisively made the call.

"Alright." Luo Hao nodded immediately, casting one last glance at Shi Yan. "Young brother, you can still leave now. If you don't go now... it might be too late later."

"I'm going with you." Shi Yan had already made up his mind. There was a wild side to his personality; otherwise, he wouldn't have spent ten years indulging in the deadly games of extreme sports.

When Luo Hao mentioned the dangers on the left path, Shi Yan could barely contain his excitement.

Nodding, Luo Hao waved his hand and said, "Alright then, let's move out. From now on, everyone needs to be doubly cautious!"

...

An hour later.

Mo Chaoge and the Mo family martial artists also stopped before the Skyward Tree.

"Second Uncle, which path do you think they'll choose?" Mo Yanyu asked.

"I'll chase them on the right. If I'm not back in two hours, follow me. If I haven't caught up with them by then, they've likely taken the left path." Mo Chaoge thought for a moment, instructing the others to wait here while he darted off alone towards the left path.

An hour and a half later, Mo Chaoge returned with a grim expression. "Not a trace of them. They actually dared to take the left path. Be careful! The left path is rife with beasts and madmen. Don't let your guard down. Remember, don't easily make enemies with those martial artists and mercenaries. Anyone daring to make money off beasts is a lunatic who fears nothing. Don't provoke them."

"Understood!"

"Let's go!"

...

Three Saber-Toothed Rhinoceros lumbered slowly along the creek. These were third-level beasts, their backs gleaming with silver light, tusks sharp as swords, and their large brown eyes filled with a fierce glint. The rhinoceros' hides were covered with thick layers of dried mud, forming a natural armor so tough that ordinary weapons couldn't cut through it.

The three Saber-Toothed Rhinoceros occasionally drank from the stream, their fierce eyes scanning the surroundings as if searching for prey.

Not far from the rhinoceros, hidden among the trees, Luo Hao signaled for silence.

Only when the rhinoceros slowly moved away did Luo Hao breathe a sigh of relief and say, "The Saber-Toothed Rhinoceros is a third-level beast, equivalent to a Human Realm martial artist. These beasts are swift, with extremely sharp tusks. Any lower-level martial artist caught by one would be either dead or severely wounded!"

Shi Yan's cold eyes lingered on the retreating rhinoceros, showing an eager desire for a challenge.

"Our mission this time is to protect Xiao Die, not to hunt beasts here. I hope everyone remembers this and doesn't create unnecessary complications." Luo Hao, sensing Shi Yan's thoughts, casually reminded him.

Shi Yan grinned and nodded in acknowledgment.

"Let's go. We need to be more cautious here, avoid rushing, and stay alert to our surroundings. The goal is to minimize unnecessary confrontations with beasts and martial artists." Luo Hao reminded once more before leading the way forward.

...

Nightfall quietly descended.

By a large, leafy tree beside the stream, Zhao Xin and the others spread out, vigilantly scanning the area to ensure no beasts would suddenly appear.

Shi Yan sat cross-legged on the damp ground, his expression solemn.

A murderous urge coiled within him, like smoke winding through his heart, stirring a desire to unleash it. The energy he had absorbed from the two Abyss Star Envoys was now at a critical point of purification, leaving him feeling restless and impatient.

Luo Hao remained close to Mu Yudie, constantly watching Shi Yan, worried that he might act unpredictably.

Mu Yudie, her expression indifferent, observed Shi Yan for a moment. Seeing his face grow increasingly grim, she finally sat down, placing the ancient zither on her graceful knees, and began to play.

As the music started, the agitation in Shi Yan's heart seemed to be soothed by a cool, mystical force, slowly dissipating from within.

Taking a deep breath, Shi Yan quietly guided his energy, focusing on his internal cultivation.

An hour later, a warm current surged through his meridians.

Shi Yan shuddered violently.

He suddenly felt an intense hunger within his body. The strange energy flowing from his meridians hadn't yet merged into his core essence; instead, it was being absorbed by his muscles and bones. The warm current spread into his flesh and bones, taking root within them.

In just a few breaths, the strange warm energy from his meridians had dispersed into his flesh and bones, leaving him astounded.

Curious, Shi Yan tried to sense the warm energy in his flesh and bones.

"Boom!"

A thunderous roar echoed in his mind, and the next moment, Shi Yan noticed a bizarre change in his body.

In shock, he opened his eyes wide, only to find that his exposed arm was gradually turning a stone-gray color.

Stone Transformation!

Shi Yan was stunned, hurriedly diverting his thoughts from his body, withdrawing his mind from within.

As his focus shifted, the "stone transformation" rapidly receded, and his skin returned to its normal color.

Glancing around cautiously, Shi Yan noticed that Luo Hao and Mu Yudie were quietly conversing behind a tree some distance away, oblivious to his situation.

Breathing a sigh of relief, Shi Yan's eyes gleamed with joy, and he chuckled inwardly.

The sign of "Stone Transformation" clearly indicated that the Shi family's "Stone Transformation Martial Spirit" had awakened!

This martial spirit was unique to the Shi family. As one's cultivation level increased, the "Stone Transformation Martial Spirit" would become more formidable, eventually rendering the body impervious to weapons and invulnerable to energy assaults.

Shi Yan had thought he was born without this martial spirit, but to his astonishment, it had awakened suddenly after breaking through to the innate realm, filling him with elation.

The "Stone Transformation" Martial Spirit was immensely valuable in battle. Once transformed, the body would harden like stone without sacrificing agility, significantly enhancing his combat abilities.

Apart from the "Stone Transformation," he had already confirmed that his body possessed another "Immortal Martial Spirit" that allowed self-recovery. With these two martial spirits complementing each other, Shi Yan wondered

 if he might truly become an unrivaled demon.

But he quickly dismissed the thought, suppressing the pride in his heart.

Shi Yan knew all too well that countless martial artists with extraordinary martial spirits had fallen to ordinary weapons or stronger opponents, never truly achieving greatness.

Complacency could lead to ruin.

This was the truth Shi Yan had come to understand in this new world.