Like a wave of rotten fish odor, it assaulted his nostrils. The stench was so foul it defied imagination! Although a dense layer of Essence Energy formed an impenetrable barrier around him, Wang Zhan still found himself somewhat believing the big rat's words. Given that even his Essence Energy couldn't block this pervasive odor, Wang Zhan knew this situation was extraordinary. This was his first such encounter on the Star War Battlefield, and occurring as it did during a time when strange objects were emerging, it lent the rat's claims high credibility.

Therefore, Wang Zhan hesitated no longer. He held his breath and plunged headfirst into the swamp, roaring inwardly, HEH HEH HEH, bring on the worst!

He wasn't afraid of the stench, only that it wasn't foul enough. He wasn't afraid of hardship, only that it wasn't challenging enough. This was his current mindset.

And so, with the big rat on his head watching, Wang Zhan disappeared completely beneath the surface of the swamp land. The rat immediately dived in after him, as comfortable as if it were returning home.

Then, a massive white wolf, as large as a Water Buffalo, slowly materialized by the edge of the swamp. Its eyes held a faint red glimmer.

"Chief, he went in!" an underling asked, his eyes obediently lowered.

Yu Huan nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping the Surroundings with a hint of melancholy. "I didn't expect it to end up being in our ancestral land. I'm afraid that from today onwards, we will truly become orphans without a home!"

Yu Huan had long known that the Blood Wolf Clan's ancestral land held many mysteries, including their ancestor's heritage. However, ever since the Blood Sea Flower began to bloom in the ancestral land three years ago, he knew he would have to give it up. This was not something the Blood Wolf Clan could possess. It was destined to fall into the hands of those with nobler bloodlines, serving as an aid for them to reach a higher realm.

Thus, Yu Huan had begun laying his plans three years prior. On one hand, he continuously sent the true bloodline descendants of the Blood Wolf Clan away. On the other hand, he also sought an opportunity to break through to the Martial King realm. If he succeeded, perhaps he could consume the Blood Sea Flower, then live incognito and bide his time.

But the long wait brought him no hope, only despair and the deathly grip of shackles imposed by a king more powerful than any in the Blood Wolf Clan.

Although his subordinate, a leader-level giant wolf, was also deeply grieved, he still spoke in a solemn voice, "Chief, this is our clan's destiny. You've already done so much; no one will blame you!"

Yu Huan chuckled lightly. "Alright, I have no regrets. Prepare yourselves. Let Ta Qing take the fall. Remember, after Wang Zhan leaves, I need you to ensure that Ta Qing is the first beast to set foot in our ancestral land."

At this, Yu Huan's eyes turned icy, a cold light flickering within them. "Consider it his atonement for the fate of our Blood Wolf Clan becoming homeless!"

"Yes! I will carry out your orders. Even if I die at Ta Qing's hands, I will absolutely not let anyone interfere with your plans, Chief!"

And so, unnoticed by anyone, the two giant wolves parted ways. One would serve as bait to lure Ta Qing, thereby meeting its fate; the other would take responsibility for their clan, ensuring its survival Between Heaven and Earth even after losing ownership of their ancestral land.

The Human Race, the Beast Clan—at this very moment, their destinies were strikingly similar.

「…」

Beneath the swamp land.

After Wang Zhan plunged in, he descended for only a short while, perhaps ten to several tens of meters. Upon passing through a boundary that felt like a layer of bubbles, the foul smell around Wang Zhan suddenly vanished, replaced by a rare and intoxicating fragrance.

What is this?

The instant he caught the scent, Wang Zhan was startled. He felt a fluctuation in his realm—an involuntary one, as if an invisible hand from the Surroundings was pushing him forward. A second later, he clearly saw the scene before him, but his attention was immediately drawn to the surging Essence Energy roiling within his body.

I'm going to advance again!

At this critical moment, Wang Zhan dared not allow any distractions. All his focus converged inward, so naturally, he didn't notice the big rat's gaze from behind him. A murderous glint flashed in the big rat's eyes, as if it intended to launch a surprise attack while Wang Zhan was preoccupied. However, after a brief moment, it completely dismissed the idea and instead began to stand guard for Wang Zhan.

Meanwhile, it surveyed their surroundings: a small, circular space, seemingly located beneath the swamp land, with rock walls enclosing them. On one side of the rock wall was a wide cave entrance. It was eerily silent and the environment serene, yet it felt as if demons might be lurking within. But the most eye-catching feature wasn't the cave; it was a peculiar, small, crimson tree growing right at the cave's entrance, crowned with a single yellow fruit. It looked like neither a flower nor a typical tree. Its only distinct quality was a faint, intoxicating fragrance, confined to this small platform, an area less than a few dozen square meters.

"The Blood Sea... Flower..." the big rat murmured, its eyes reflecting an evident desire, yet filled with a fear so profound it dared not reach out. This was the strange object that had drawn the gazes of numerous Martial Emperors, a truly precious treasure of this land. After all, not all flowers are called the Blood Sea Flower, nor do all treasures possess the ability to provide the foundation needed to break through to the Martial Emperor Realm. Calling it a Divine Object would not be an exaggeration in some respects.

Regrettably, though Wang Zhan glanced at the sight before him, he simply could not pay attention to it at this moment. Instead, he was relentlessly focusing his mind, trying to restrain the rioting Essence Energy within him.

But... RUMBLE... RUMBLE...

Like a great river, all the Essence Energy in his body seethed like an untamed stallion. After trying for nearly a quarter of an hour with little success in quelling the tumult, Wang Zhan finally decided to let nature take its course.

If a breakthrough is to occur, let it be. I am indeed too weak. To reject a gift from the heavens is to invite disaster! Come on!

Like thunder, like a torrential downpour, once Wang Zhan released his mental constraints, a sensation akin to the universe being forged anew within him brought an overwhelming joy that flooded his consciousness. Immediately, with a POP! sound, his Domain, an attribute beyond his already near-peak base stats, directly activated from zero to one.

Looking at the attributes on the panel, Wang Zhan knew he had succeeded!

Host: Wang Zhan

Domain: 1

Limit: 320

Strength: 9,001

Agility: 9,001

Physique: 9,001

Charm: 240

Wisdom: 300

Mental Power: 104,976+

As a Martial Master with base attributes exceeding 9,000 and mental energy surpassing 100,000, Wang Zhan had clearly taken another huge step forward, further widening the gap between himself and his peers.

「…」

「Remaining in place,」

Suddenly, Wang Zhan opened his eyes. The immense pressure from his mental energy, now well over one hundred thousand, sent a jolt through the big rat.

How is this possible? He merely advanced a minor realm, yet the pressure he exerts is identical to that of a Martial King!

This was the formidable pressure Wang Zhan now radiated when not making any effort to restrain it. Wang Zhan, however, paid this no mind and simply smiled. "Thank you. Is this the strange object? How is it used?"

A gleam flashed in the big rat's eyes as it responded respectfully, according to its pre-arranged plan, "Sir, this strange object is called the Blood Sea Flower. Have you perhaps heard of it?"

If Wang Zhan, a country bumpkin from the Earth Federation, knew of it, that would be truly strange. He shook his head slightly.

The big rat began to explain, "Actually, this Blood Sea Flower, to be more precise, is a gift left to us by the ancestors of the Beast Clan who died in battle. It can accelerate our advancement and enhance our absorption of Spiritual Energy…"

Wang Zhan listened expressionlessly, all the while examining the bizarre flower before him. Strangely, aside from that initial burst of intoxicating fragrance, Wang Zhan felt no further reaction from it, as if it were no different from any ordinary bizarre flower.

He pondered slightly. If it only has these minor uses the rat mentioned, how could it attract the attention of a Martial Emperor? Of course, perhaps my expectations are a bit high. After all, a permanent enhancement would also be terrifying.

He immediately asked, "Does this Blood Sea Flower have no drawbacks at all?"

Every medicine has its side effects, Wang Zhan was a bit skeptical.

The big rat shook its head. "I haven't consumed it, so I don't know if there are any adverse effects…"

Wang Zhan interrupted it. "You are a beast. You should be able to consume it, right?"

The big rat's heart tightened. It didn't know why Wang Zhan was asking this, but it feigned composure and said, "Even strange objects have specific compatibilities and constitutional requirements. I am a rat; I can clearly sense that the strange object before us is not something I need."

Wang Zhan chuckled, waving his hand dismissively. "Alright then. You can leave now. I'd like to be alone here for a while."

The big rat was about to respond when it seemed to remember something. It quickly reminded him, "Oh, by the way, I almost forgot to remind you, Sir! Please have a look at this..."

Following the big rat's line of sight, Wang Zhan immediately spotted several leaves unfurled around the yellow fruit.

It continued, "Although I have never consumed it, there are rumors that the degree to which these leaves have unfurled indicates the fruit's maturity. This is merely for your consideration, Sir. I will take my leave now!"

Only when Wang Zhan sensed he was no longer being watched did he allow a smug grin to spread across his face.

HEH HEH, still playing little tricks with me?

Wang Zhan didn't believe the rat's fabrications for a second. It might be true that the rat had never consumed it, but whether it was uninterested or whether the flower had issues were entirely different matters.

Tsk tsk tsk, this is getting more and more interesting. It clearly wants it but dares not make a move. What is it afraid of?

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