The passage between the Eastern Continent and the Demon Realm had always been a significant threat to the Eastern Continent, and indeed to the entire Tianyuan Realm.
To counter this, the Tianyuan Realm had been forced to abandon a large tract of land and establish the Absolute Spirit Locking Heaven Array.
At this moment, Xiao Fei was at the entrance of a Demon Sealing Well, from which dense demonic energy was continuously emanating.
Many invisible demon seeds, along with the demonic energy, emerged from the Demon Sealing Well.
However, the grand array set up outside the well unleashed a torrent of flames, incinerating all these demon seeds into nothingness.
Xiao Fei leaped into the Demon Sealing Well. The rolling demonic energy within made him feel rather uncomfortable.
As he circulated his "Hun Yuan Gong," his body began to actively absorb the demonic energy, which was then refined into spiritual power by his cultivation technique.
This was Xiao Fei's first time entering a passage between realms.
The origin of such passages was unknown; it resembled a corridor of seven-colored light pillars, winding and extending into the distance.
Standing within the passage, Xiao Fei felt as if everything was both real and illusory.
Following this corridor, which resembled a light pillar, one could reach the Demon Realm.
In ancient times, the human ancestors had also charged into the Demon Realm through this passage, slaughtering demons in great numbers.
Xiao Fei dared not seek death in the Demon Realm at this time; he had only come down to observe and, incidentally, to poison it.
He took out a jade bottle from his embrace and removed its multiple seals. Before he even opened the cap, an alluring floral fragrance permeated the air.
Xiao Fei had previously swallowed a pill to fortify himself before daring to open the bottle and pour all the liquid into the passage.
Instantly, a sensation of exquisite comfort, from the inside out, spread through his entire body, reaching his very bones.
It made him wish he could lie there and never leave.
However, he was acutely aware of the insidious nature of "Zhu Yan Bai Gu" and dared not linger, leaving at the fastest possible speed.
As time passed, the "Zhu Yan Bai Gu" poison would spread throughout the passage, eventually saturating the entire thoroughfare.
He was eager to see how many lives the demons had to spare for such recklessness.
After rushing out of the Demon Sealing Well, Xiao Fei proceeded to set up several layers of sealing arrays at the well's mouth to prevent the poisonous gas from emanating from this side.
In the period that followed, Xiao Fei went to each Demon Sealing Well one by one to administer the poison.
There were a total of thirty-six Demon Sealing Wells across the Eastern Continent, and Xiao Fei divided the collected "Zhu Yan Bai Gu" into thirty-six portions to be deposited.
Despite this, he was not entirely satisfied, feeling that the poison was still insufficient.
He desired the "Zhu Yan Bai Gu" to produce even more potent toxins.
To generate more toxins within the same timeframe, the "Zhu Yan Bai Gu" required fertilization.
The "Zhu Yan Bai Gu" had previously been fertilized with the corpses of various creatures, so Xiao Fei did not need to hunt for fresh kills.
He had a large accumulation of demon corpses in his spatial dimension, which he had previously used for sacrifices in exchange for treasures.
Ever since the last incident, he had become somewhat apprehensive.
Therefore, he had kept these demon corpses. He was reluctant to discard them, yet hesitant to offer them as sacrifices.
Now, they were perfectly suited for use as fertilizer for the plant.
Xiao Fei possessed a considerable quantity of demon corpses and was generous in their use.
He directly spread a thick layer of demon corpses onto the red soil beneath the "Zhu Yan Bai Gu."
Under the accelerated time flow of seventy times, these corpses would quickly decompose and eventually become part of the red soil.
To avoid wasting time, Xiao Fei specifically arranged for two puppets to guard the "Zhu Yan Bai Gu," responsible for replenishing the demon corpses as needed.
With an abundance of fertilizer, the "Zhu Yan Bai Gu" thrived as if it had consumed a potent tonic, with the toxins it produced doubling daily.
Within each cycle of nine thousand years, the "Zhu Yan Bai Gu" could only bloom and produce toxins for three thousand years.
Even with the spatial dimension's seventy-fold time flow, it took over a hundred years for the "Zhu Yan Bai Gu" to complete one growth cycle.
Furthermore, the three thousand years of blooming in this cycle were likely nearing their end.
The demons could arrive at any moment, so Xiao Fei had to race against time to produce more toxins.
...
The Demon Realm.
On Dragon Demon Sacred Mountain.
Within a magnificent grand hall.
Mo Fan, the clan leader with supreme authority of the Dragon Demon clan, was seated at the head of the hall, with the various elders of the demon race below him.
"According to the news, the upper realm is currently in a hurry to investigate that treasure; it seems quite urgent."
Mo Fan, seated on a dragon throne, appeared aged yet exuded an imposing aura. His speech was somewhat slow, but everyone present listened with great patience.
"Seventh Elder, what is the progress on the task I assigned you last time?"
Everyone in the hall turned to look at the Seventh Elder. He chuckled and replied,
"I have been comprehending a divine ability recently, and I entrusted this matter to my senior disciple. I will inquire upon my return."
"Good! You must expedite this matter and not delay any further."
Mo Fan nodded noncommittally, then resumed discussing other important affairs of the demon realm with the elders.
The demon race's territory was vast, entirely controlled by the Dragon Demon clan, and the daily affairs were numerous, keeping everyone quite busy.
...
The Seventh Elder of the demon race returned to his cave dwelling and summoned his senior disciple.
"What was the outcome of your investigation into the Tianyuan Realm last time?"
"Reporting to Master, your disciple was refining a batch of pills recently and entrusted this matter to Fifth Junior Brother."
"Your disciple will go find Fifth Junior Brother now."
...
"My apologies, I entrusted this matter to a retainer. However, after so many years, no news has been received."
"I will personally go and investigate now."
"Be careful, Fifth Junior Brother. Humans are cunning; do not be tricked."
"Senior Brother, rest assured. According to the information received, the strongest cultivators in this realm are at the Nascent Soul stage.
I will certainly complete Senior Brother's request."
Fifth Junior Brother bid farewell to his fellow disciples and then proceeded alone towards the inter-realm passage, flying in the direction of the Eastern Continent.
The moment this Fifth Junior Brother entered the inter-realm passage, he was immediately greeted by a floral fragrance that greatly soothed his mind.
"Not bad, it's rare to see the passage kept so clean."
Fifth Junior Brother praised inwardly, deciding to reward the cultivators guarding the passage upon his return.
He took a deep breath, feeling the aroma invigorate him and boost his spirits.
As he moved forward, he continued to detect the faint, pleasant scent, which made him want to press on, to reach a place where the floral fragrance was even stronger.
By the time he realized something was amiss, he had already traveled a considerable distance, and now he found himself in a predicament, unable to advance or retreat.