Marvel: The other side of the double-passing door is Devouring the Stars

Chapter 507 Leaving the Valley of the Underworld!
"To become Blood King's student, you must have extraordinary abilities," Lin Yifeng said. "No wonder you've reached the seventh level of the Stellar Realm at such a young age."

"It's mainly because my master taught me well," Luo Wen said modestly. "My talent is only average, far inferior to those top geniuses."

"Don't be modest," Shi Lei laughed heartily, "Anyone who can withstand a Domain Lord's attacks for so long must have exceptional talent."

Only Leng Feng remained silent, keeping his distance throughout.

Rowan noticed his attitude but said nothing. Everyone has their own personality, and he wouldn't force others to be friendly to him.

Two hours later, the group arrived at the edge of the Shadow Wasteland.

This was Rowan's second time here. This dark land had left a deep impression on him. Last time, he had nearly died at the hands of Balkan. This time, he hoped for better luck.

“From here on, we need to proceed with caution,” Lin Yifeng said. “The Shadow Wasteland is teeming with monsters; we must try our best to avoid revealing our whereabouts.”

Everyone nodded, lowered their flight altitude, and moved along the ground.

Su Yao activated her spiritual eye ability. Her eyes turned pale gold, as if they could see through everything.

“There are two stellar-level fourth-tier Shadow Wolves three hundred meters ahead,” she said. “Go around them.”

Following her instructions, the group took a detour to avoid the two shadow wolves.

For the rest of the journey, Su Yao's spiritual eyes proved invaluable. Time and again, she spotted lurking monsters and guided the group to safety. What would normally take four or five hours, they completed in just three.

"Su Yao, your spiritual eyes are truly amazing," Shi Lei praised sincerely. "With you here, we've saved ourselves a lot of trouble."

“It’s my duty,” Su Yao smiled slightly. “I’m happy to be able to help everyone.”

Finally, the Valley of the Netherworld appeared before everyone.

This is a massive canyon, with steep cliffs on both sides and a winding passage in the middle. Black mist permeates the canyon, its end almost invisible. A dense, dark energy surges from the canyon, creating a sense of oppression and unease.

"This is the Netherworld Valley," Lin Yifeng said. "The Mysterious Netherworld Flower is located at the deepest part of the valley. Let's go in."

The group cautiously entered the canyon.

The environment inside the canyon was even harsher than outside. The black fog was so dense that it even affected the night vision system of the armor. The group could only rely on Su Yao's spiritual eyes to determine their direction.

"The dark energy here is too strong," Leng Feng frowned, "It suppresses my dark-elemental techniques."

“It affects me too,” Lin Yifeng said. “Everyone be careful, don’t get scattered.”

The five people huddled together and moved forward slowly.

After walking for about half an hour, they came to a fork in the road. Just as Lin Yifeng had said, the canyon split into three branch valleys here, extending in three directions in a Y shape.

“Our target is the middle tributary,” Lin Yifeng said, “but…”

Before he could finish speaking, a powerful aura emanated from the middle spur.

"Something's coming!" Su Yao exclaimed.

Everyone immediately went on alert and drew their weapons.

From within the black mist, a gigantic figure slowly emerged.

It was a huge black lizard, over twenty meters long, its body covered in hard scales. Its eyes were blood red, gleaming with a ferocious light. Its mouth was open, revealing two rows of sharp teeth, with traces of blood still clinging to them, clearly indicating it had just eaten.

"The Netherworld Lizard!" Lin Yifeng's expression changed. "A ninth-tier stellar-level monster!"

"It's guarding the entrance to the tributary," Shi Lei gripped his warhammer tightly. "What do we do?"

"Can we go around it?" Luo Wen asked Su Yao.

Su Yao scanned her surroundings with her spiritual eyes, then shook her head: "There's no other way. The side valleys on both sides are guarded by ninth-tier stellar-level monsters; we can't cross them."

“Then we’ll have no choice but to fight it out,” Leng Feng said coldly.

“Wait,” Rowan interrupted, “A ninth-tier stellar-level monster isn’t so easy to deal with. Even if the five of us team up, we might have a chance, but we’ll definitely pay a price. Is there any other way?”

Lin Yifeng thought for a moment: "Perhaps we can lure it away. The Netherworld Lizard is a monster with a strong sense of territory; if anyone ventures to the edge of its territory, it will chase after them. We can send one person to distract it, while the others take the opportunity to enter the side valley."

"Who will distract it?" Shi Lei asked.

Everyone was silent.

Lure away a ninth-tier stellar-level monster—this is an extremely dangerous mission. A single misstep could result in being caught and killed.

“I’ll go,” Leng Feng suddenly said.

Everyone looked at him, somewhat surprised.

“I specialize in the laws of darkness, and my stealth abilities are strongest in this kind of dark environment,” Leng Feng said. “Having me lure it away gives us the highest success rate.”

"Brother Leng Feng, are you sure?" Lin Yifeng asked.

“OK,” Leng Feng nodded. “After you enter the side valley, wait for me at the entrance. I’ll distract the Nether Lizard, then find a way to shake it off and catch up with you.”

"Then I'll leave it to you," Lin Yifeng said. "Be careful."

Leng Feng didn't say anything more, and with a flash, he disappeared into the black mist.

A moment later, a commotion arose from afar. The Nether Lizard let out an angry roar, then turned and chased after the commotion.

"Hurry up!" Lin Yifeng shouted.

Taking advantage of the moment when the Netherworld Lizard left, the four quickly entered the central side valley.

The environment in the tributary valley was even harsher, with the black fog so thick it was almost tangible. The ground was covered with strangely shaped rocks and withered plants, creating a sinister and terrifying scene.

“Keep going,” Lin Yifeng said. “The Xuanming Flower is just ahead.”

The four moved forward quickly, keeping a watchful eye on their surroundings.

After walking for about ten minutes, they arrived at the end of the valley.

Before them lay a vast open space, in the center of which lay a naturally formed energy pool. Black liquid, concentrated dark energy, surged within the pool. Around the energy pool grew a ring of strange flowers.

These flowers were entirely black, their petals like black crystals, emitting a faint glow. Each flower was as large as a bowl, and its center contained a dense energy fluctuation.

"Mysterious Nether Flowers!" Su Yao exclaimed in surprise, "So many Mysterious Nether Flowers!"

Lin Yifeng counted them: "There are at least thirty! That's more than I expected!"

"Hurry up and pick them!" Shi Lei said impatiently.

"Wait," Rowan interrupted, "Let's check the surroundings for any danger."

Su Yao scanned her surroundings with her spiritual eyes and then said, "No monsters were found, but..."

"but what?"

“There are some strange array patterns around the energy pool,” Su Yao frowned. “I’m not sure what they are, but they look like some kind of protective mechanism.”

Lin Yifeng approached the energy pool and carefully observed the patterns.

“This is a naturally formed formation,” he said, “formed by the condensation of dark energy over many years. If we forcibly pick the Xuanming Flower, we might trigger this formation.”

"What will happen if it's triggered?" Shi Lei asked.

"I don't know," Lin Yifeng shook his head, "but it's definitely not a good thing."

"Then what should we do?" Su Yao asked.

Luo Wen stepped forward and carefully examined the array patterns. Although he was not an expert in arrays, he had followed the Blood King Luo for many years and had some understanding of them.

“The core of this formation is in the center of the energy pool,” Rowan said. “If the core can be destroyed, the formation will become ineffective.”

"How do you want to sabotage it?" Lin Yifeng asked.

“Bombard the center of the energy pool with a powerful enough attack,” Rowan said, “but doing so might alert the monsters nearby.”

Everyone looked at each other.

“Time is running out,” Lin Yifeng said. “We don’t know how long Leng Feng can hold off the Netherworld Lizard. We must make a decision quickly.” “I’ll handle this,” Luo Wen said. “You all get ready. Once the formation fails, immediately harvest the Xuanming Flowers.”

"good!"

Luo Wen took a deep breath and drew the Centipede Shadow Blade.

He infused the blade with genetic energy, and the crimson patterns on its surface instantly lit up. Lightning crackled and danced across the blade.

"Blood Luo Eight Forms, Fifth Form: Blood Thorn!"

Rowan poured all his power into the tip of his blade and thrust it into the center of the energy pool.

The crimson blade, crackling with lightning, pierced through the black mist and plunged straight into the energy pool.

"boom!"

A tremendous explosion rang out. The energy pool churned violently, and black liquid splashed everywhere. The array patterns began to flicker, then went out one by one.

"The formation is broken! Quick, pick them!" Lin Yifeng shouted.

The four of them worked simultaneously, swiftly plucking the Xuanming Flowers surrounding the energy pool. Each person took out a special container and carefully placed the Xuanming Flowers inside.

"One, two, three..."

They worked quickly, and in less than a minute, all thirty-odd Xuanming flowers were picked.

"Enough, retreat!" Rowan shouted.

Just then, a violent tremor came from underground.

"Oh no!" Su Yao's expression changed drastically. "Something's about to emerge from underground!"

The ground cracked open, and a huge figure rose from underground.

It was a gigantic python, entirely black, and over fifty meters long. Its eyes were golden, radiating both intelligence and ferocity. It exuded a terrifying aura, far more powerful than the Netherworld Lizard.

"Peak of the ninth tier of the Stellar level!" Lin Yifeng's face paled. "It's the Netherworld Python! The true guardian of this place!"

"Damn it," Shi Lei gritted his teeth, "it's been hiding underground all along!"

The Nether Python stared at the four of them, emitting a chilling hiss.

"Humans... how dare you steal my Xuanming Flower... all of you die!"

It opened its gaping maw, and a black beam of energy shot towards the four of them.

"Scatter!" Rowan shouted.

The four of them dodged in different directions at the same time. A black beam of energy slammed into the ground, blasting a huge crater.

"Run!" Lin Yifeng shouted, "We can't beat it!"

The four turned and ran, sprinting towards the entrance of the valley.

But the Nether Serpent was faster than they had imagined. Its massive body snaked its way through the canyon and caught up in the blink of an eye.

"You can't escape!" The Nether Python let out a ferocious laugh.

It opened its mouth again, and another beam of black energy shot out.

This time, the target is Su Yao, who is running at the very back.

"Su Yao! Watch out!" Luo Wen shouted.

Su Yao turned around and her face turned deathly pale. Her cultivation level was only at the fifth level of the Stellar Realm, and she couldn't withstand this attack at all.

In the critical moment, Luo Wen flashed and appeared in front of Su Yao.

"Blood Luo Eight Forms, Fourth Form: Blood Shield!"

A blood-red shield of light materialized before him.

"boom!"

The black energy beam struck the blood shield, creating a deafening explosion. Rowan felt a tremendous force strike him, his body involuntarily flying backward, crashing heavily into Su Yao, and the two tumbled a long distance together.

"Luo Wen! Su Yao!" Shi Lei and Lin Yifeng exclaimed.

"I'm fine, run!" Luo Wen struggled to his feet and pulled Su Yao up.

The four continued running.

But the Nether Serpent relentlessly pursued, launching attack after attack. Rowan constantly stood behind, using his blood shield to block the deadly attacks. Each block increased his energy expenditure and worsened his injuries.

"This can't go on," Rowan thought to himself, "I have to find a way to get rid of it!"

Just then, a figure rushed out from the side and blocked the Netherworld Python's path.

It's a cold front!
"You guys go first! I'll hold it off!" Leng Feng shouted.

"Leng Feng!" Lin Yifeng exclaimed.

Leng Feng did not answer. A dense surge of dark energy erupted from his body, and two black short swords materialized in his hands as he charged towards the Netherworld Python.

"You're courting death!" the Nether Python roared, turning its attention to Leng Feng.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Rowan and the other three sped away.

They rushed out of the valley and came to the fork in the road. The ghostly lizard was nowhere to be seen; it had clearly been successfully lured away by Leng Feng.

"What should we do about Leng Feng?" Su Yao asked anxiously.

“Let’s go back and save him!” Shi Lei said.

“No,” Lin Yifeng shook his head, “That’s a peak ninth-tier stellar-level monster. Going back would just be suicide. Leng Feng… he should have a way to escape.”

"But……"

“Trust him,” Rowan said. “Leng Feng specializes in dark magic, and in this environment, his stealth abilities are at their peak. If he wants to run, that Nether Python might not be able to catch him.”

Everyone was silent.

They knew Rowan was right. But leaving their companions behind to face a powerful enemy alone was still a difficult feeling.

"Let's get out of the Netherworld Valley first," Lin Yifeng said through gritted teeth. "Once we're out, we'll figure out what to do next."

The four sped forward and soon burst out of the Netherworld Valley.

Upon reaching the outside of the canyon, the group stopped and looked back.

The faint sounds of battle echoed from the canyon, followed by a piercing scream, and then...

Everything falls silent.

“Leng Feng…” Su Yao’s eyes reddened.

Everyone's heart sank.

That scream was a human voice.

Could it be Leng Feng...?

Just when everyone thought Leng Feng had perished, a figure flew out of the canyon.

It's a cold front!
He was covered in blood, his left arm hanging limply at his sides, clearly broken. But he was still alive!

"Leng Feng!" Everyone rushed forward in surprise.

"Stop...stop talking nonsense...run..." Leng Feng said weakly, "That thing...isn't dead...I just managed to shake it off temporarily..."

(End of this chapter)