161: Ancient Devourer!

It was clear they were in quite a sorry state from the storm.

The man was named Huo Xuan, and they had met a few times before.

So, upon seeing Xiao Ze, Huo Xuan was first stunned, then overjoyed, and quickly ran towards the two.

“Brother Xiao Ze! This is great, to actually meet you here! This storm is too dangerous, we were almost swept away just now, quickly find a place to hide…”

Before he could finish speaking, he saw the storm suddenly stop ten zhang in front of Xiao Ze, as if it had hit an invisible wall, instantly dissipating into a sky full of energy, not even stirring a corner of Xiao Ze’s clothes.

Huo Xuan’s eyes widened, and he then suddenly remembered that Xiao Ze was a Saint-Grade existence, so he quickly composed himself and said with a wry smile, “I forgot about Brother Xiao Ze’s strength; this storm, to you, probably doesn’t even count as a breeze.”

The red-clothed woman also stepped forward, nodding slightly to Xiao Ze, a hint of admiration in her eyes: “Yan Clan’s Chi Yan, thank you, Brother Xiao Ze, for helping us out.”

“We were just about to head to the entrance of the third level, but we didn’t expect the storm to come so quickly, and for some reason, the light barrier of the third level has solidified. Even with a few of us combining our strength, we couldn’t break it, so we’ll have to rely on Brother Xiao Ze to act.”

Xiao Ze nodded, not lingering on her, but instead looked towards the distant light barrier: “It just so happens that we are also going to the third level; let’s go together.”

Huo Xuan and the red-clothed woman nodded, following behind him.

The four quickened their pace and soon arrived at the entrance of the third level.

Many people were already waiting in front of the light barrier, led by a man in a green shirt, who was Gu Qing Yang of the Gu Clan. Standing beside him were Gu Zhen, Great Commander and two other Gu Clan powerhouses.

When the few saw Xiao Ze, their eyes all lit up.

Although because of Xun'er, the younger generation of their Gu Clan had quite a few complaints about Xiao Ze, the current situation was clearly not the time for complaints.

After all, they still needed his help.

Gu Qing Yang quickly stepped forward, cupping his hands and saying, “Brother Xiao Ze, you’re finally here! This light barrier has suddenly solidified for some reason. The four of us attacked it together for half an hour, and only left a shallow mark on it. If the storm catches up, I’m afraid we’ll all be in trouble.”

The others also nodded; if this light barrier couldn't be broken, their group would be finished here.

Xiao Ze nodded, slowly walked forward, and lightly touched the solidified light barrier with his fingertip.

The light barrier was several times thicker than those on the first and second levels, with a layer of pearly white light on its surface. It was cold to the touch, and the energy it contained was enough to withstand a full-force attack from a Nine-Star Dou Zun.

But for him, this small resistance was still not worth mentioning.

“Sizzle—”

After a faint sound, a clear crack instantly appeared on the light barrier. The crack spread rapidly from the point of contact of his fingertip, and in just a breath’s time, it expanded into a passage wide enough for several people to walk side by side.

The energy at the edges of the passage was suppressed by the Saint-Grade Power, making it incredibly docile, without even a ripple, as if such a path had always existed.

Gu Qing Yang and the others watched, dumbfounded. The light barrier that they couldn't budge even with all their might was easily broken by Xiao Ze with just one finger. The gap between a Dou Sheng and a Dou Zun was indeed like a chasm.

“Thank you, Brother Xiao Ze!”

Gu Qing Yang was the first to react, quickly cupping his hands in thanks, and led everyone to quickly step into the passage.

Xiao Ze, holding Xun'er’s hand, slowly followed them in.

Behind them, the energy storm still roared, but it couldn't even reach the edge of the passage, only raging fruitlessly outside the light barrier, eventually dissipating.

The inner walls of the passage were covered with a thick crystal layer, gleaming with a cold, hard luster. As soon as they stepped in, Gu Qing Yang and Gu Zhen, Great Commander were the first to act.

The two activated the Qi within their bodies, striking the crystal layer heavily with both palms. With a muffled “bang,” only two shallow white marks were left on the crystal layer, with very few crystal shards flying off, and not even a half-inch deep pit was left.

“This crystal layer is much harder than we imagined!”

Gu Qing Yang frowned, and tried to punch it a few more times, but the result was the same. The crystal layer was as hard as a Heaven Rank Dou Tool; the power of an ordinary Dou Zun simply couldn't shake it.

Seeing this, Huo Xuan and Chi Yan also immediately stepped forward to help. Chi Yan’s palm ignited with a red lotus karmic fire, and red flames wrapped around her fist as she slammed it hard against the crystal layer. Although she managed to melt a half-foot deep pit, as soon as the flames receded, the edges of the crystal layer quickly cooled, and the speed of excavation was astonishingly slow.

While everyone was anxious, Xiao Ze had already led Xun'er to the front.

He glanced over the crystal layer, and a wisp of seven-colored flame quietly swirled around his fingertip.

The flame had a gentle luster, yet subtly exuded a pressure capable of incinerating all things, even heating the surrounding air slightly.

This was formed by his Fusion of several different fires, its power comparable to the top five existences on the Alien Fire Ranking.

“Step aside, I’ll do it.”

Xiao Ze’s voice was calm. Before he finished speaking, the flame on his fingertip had already lightly touched the crystal layer.

With a soft hiss, the originally indestructible crystal layer quickly melted as if ice and snow had met the scorching sun.

Wherever the flame passed, the crystal layer automatically split open into a smooth and wide passage, its edges glowing with a faint golden halo, without even a hint of obstruction.

Gu Qing Yang, Huo Xuan, and the others watched in amazement. The crystal layer that they had struggled to move with all their might was as fragile as paper in front of Xiao Ze. Such a disparity was enough to make everyone retreat in awe.

It was laughable that that fellow Gu Yao even thought of causing him trouble; he truly didn’t know what death was.

As they proceeded, Xiao Ze’s gaze inadvertently swept over the end of the crowd.

Yao Xing Ji of the Yao Clan was walking side by side with a woman dressed in fiery attire.

A faint aura of Alien Fire lingered around Yao Xing Ji. His Seven-Star Dou Zun strength was not weak among the crowd, but his gaze towards Xiao Ze always carried a hint of subtle superiority.

Clearly, he still harbored a trace of disdain for this fallen Saint-Grade of an ancient race.

Xiao Ze couldn’t be bothered. This level of emotion didn't even qualify to make him Divided Soul.

About half an hour later, Xiao Ze’s steps suddenly paused.

His Emperor Realm Soul Power had long detected an anomaly: tiny transparent liquid was slowly seeping out from the crystal walls on both sides, flowing down the crystal walls. Wherever the liquid passed, the thickness of the crystal layer was quietly increasing, and the originally wide passage seemed to be slowly narrowing.

“Be careful, the crystal walls are closing in.”

Xiao Ze spoke calmly, his tone placid, yet it caused the advancing crowd to instantly stop, their expressions changing dramatically.

Gu Qing Yang quickly activated his Qi to probe the crystal wall. As soon as his fingertip touched the crystal layer, he felt a faint squeezing sensation, and his expression instantly became solemn.

“It’s the Ancient Devouring Worms! These insects can devour the energy of heaven and earth, then secrete substances to condense into crystal layers. Legend has it that their numbers are so vast they can form a light barrier that obscures the sky. Once we are completely surrounded by them, we…”

Before he finished speaking, everyone’s scalps tingled, and their breathing became rapid.

Outside the passage was the dissipating energy storm; there was no retreat now. If the crystal walls closed, they would only be trapped and die here.