Anyone with that name is never simple.

Its very existence means that you can enter, but you can't leave.

Mingxi was seeing such a bizarre sight for the first time.

The mushrooms in this forest varied in size; some were too small to be seen with the naked eye.

Others were unimaginably huge, and their forms were incredibly diverse.

Some resembled giant open umbrellas, with caps flowing with soft blue, green, or pinkish-purple halos, light interweaving and transforming upon them, beautiful beyond anything earthly;

Others looked like layers of morning glories, their edges shimmering with a pearly luster;

And some fungi resembled twisted lighthouses, with slender stalks but enormous caps at the top, continuously scattering glowing spores like stardust all around.

At night, the entire forest seemed illuminated by these self-luminous mushrooms, with no shadows, only a dreamy, hazy ocean of light.

Walking through it would be like stepping into a magnificent and tranquil dream.

However, this beauty, in the eyes of those who knew, exuded a bone-chilling coldness.

There's a saying: the more beautiful something is, the more dangerous it is.

Lan Qin shivered, then pushed up her glasses, saying with a grave tone, "Ming sister, this is Fate's End.

I didn't expect the Heavenly Guild to arrange the second venue here; he clearly wants to take the lives of us contestants, doesn't he?"

Mingxi had some understanding of Fate's End.

The mushrooms here were not actually plants; legend had it they were special creations formed by the accidental mixture of spores released by a god-level Transcendent creature called the Helian Fungus and the local cogwheel stones.

They were neither energy existences nor intelligent life.

They were products of serendipitous circumstances.

Shi Lei clenched his fist, his Tarenta vigilantly scanning its surroundings, its metallic body reflecting a cold, hard gleam under the fluorescent light.

He couldn't help but mumble, "Damn it, it looks pretty good, but every time I get close to this place... I feel all wrong."

Yao Xuan also raised his head with interest, his serpent eyes sweeping over the bizarre forest, a hint of scrutiny in his gaze, as if analyzing the abnormal rules operating behind this domain.

The name "Fate's End" was by no means undeserved.

There were many terrifying aspects to this mushroom forest.

For example, the beautiful glowing spores filling the air; they carried a faint corrosiveness that could slowly erode the energy protection and physical vitality of living beings, like boiling a frog in warm water, by the time one noticed, they were often deeply fatigued.

For example, the mushroom caps; the edges of those seemingly soft, giant caps were actually as sharp as blades, and once they sensed energy fluctuations, they would rotate and move extremely slowly and silently with the flow of energy in the environment, like invisible cutting traps.

And for example, the mycelia; the thick, seemingly soft fungal carpet covering the ground, once it sensed the energy fluctuations of a living being, would instantly spray out viscous biological mucus with a strong nerve-paralyzing effect, greatly restricting movement.

But the most terrifying thing was not even these; the most terrifying thing was that the entire mushroom forest formed a huge energy field that would continuously drain the physical and mental strength of any living being that entered it, like an invisible blood-sucking domain.

In other words, this mushroom forest was extremely unfriendly to all living beings.

But conversely, it had no effect on non-living entities.

As a qualification screening for the challenge, it was quite a thoughtful idea.

"Look, there are a few mechanical beasts over there."

Lan Qin pointed to a large blue-purple mushroom, where several mechanical beasts were indeed hiding, mechanical mantises shaped like praying mantises, their arm blades actually formed by rotating mushroom caps.

And the Light-Eating Mechanical Beasts, shaped like jellyfish.

They were all non-living entities, so all the negative effects of the mushroom forest had no effect on them; they could even use the mycelial network for energy replenishment and communication.

If this mushroom forest hadn't existed since ancient times, someone would surely think this death trap was specially created for mechanical beasts.

"There are two mechanical beasts carrying flags!"

Shi Lei was sharp-eyed, accurately spotting the mechanical beasts carrying black-striped flags among a group of mechanical beasts.

However, on the way to the flags, at least five Light-Eating Jellyfish and three mechanical mantises were lurking, their cold compound eyes scanning the surroundings, their arm blades rotating with a low hum.

"Charging in might not work."

Lan Qin quickly analyzed, "In Fate's End, our stamina and energy will be continuously depleted, while theirs can be replenished."

"Let me and Tata try first!" Shi Lei said in a deep voice, "Tata, clear the way with a cannon beam, and attract the mechanical beasts' attention!"

Tarenta nodded, a blazing white orb of light condensing in its chest, which it then fiercely shot towards the nearest Light-Eating Jellyfish.

The light cannon accurately hit the target, making it stumble.

However, this attack was like poking a hornet's nest.

All the mechanical beasts were instantly 'enraged'!

The mechanical mantises brandished their rotating arm blades, bouncing between the mushroom caps like ghosts, moving at an astonishing speed.

The Light-Eating Jellyfish rose into the air, scattering denser, more corrosive «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» clouds of Light-Eating spores!

"Watch out for the mushroom caps."

Mingxi warned.

Tarenta, which had already entered the mushroom forest, tried to dodge, but the mycelia underfoot immediately sprayed paralyzing mucus; although it reacted quickly and wasn't completely stuck, its movements were noticeably delayed for a moment.

In that instant, a mechanical mantis's arm blade, with a piercing whir, slashed towards Tarenta!

"Metal Monster, psychic interference!"

Lan Qin couldn't help but act.

Besides being Steel-type, Metal Monster was also Demon-type, exceptionally strong in mental power, which could be further enhanced through various metal materials.

Metal Monster's psychic power barely deflected the arm blade's trajectory, causing it to graze Tarenta's shoulder, leaving a clear scorch mark on its metallic body.

More mechanical beasts surrounded them, and the spore cloud enveloped them.

Tarenta's skin began to prickle, and breathing became somewhat difficult.

The surrounding giant mushroom caps also started to move and rotate erratically, further compressing its dodging space.

"No! This cursed place is helping them!"

Shi Lei gritted his teeth; his Tarenta's offensive was hampered under the environmental suppression.

"Should we just give up? The Heavenly Guild's purpose for this challenge might really be to kill people." Lan Qin was a bit scared.

Although they had been near Fate's End before, they had never entered it, and this was their first time experiencing its terror.

Just then, Mingxi, who had been quietly observing, gently patted Yao Xuan's head.

"Yao Xuan, why don't you get some exercise? This forest is indeed a bit dangerous for Brother Shi and Sister Lan."

She didn't like this mushroom forest and didn't want to waste too much time here.

The scent of blood in this mushroom forest was very strong.

You wouldn't get such a strong blood scent without tens of thousands of deaths!

"Alright, but we'll have to go in."

"Then let's go in."

"Brother Shi, Sister Lan, please wait here for a moment. When I call you, then you can come in."

Mingxi instructed, then unhesitatingly stepped into the mushroom forest.

"Let's begin."

In Yao Xuan's serpent eyes, the previously slow-moving intricate patterns suddenly accelerated!

It didn't display a combat form but subtly raised its head, releasing the threads of fate that enveloped itself towards the beautiful yet deadly mushroom forest before them.

The next moment, a shocking scene unfolded.

Centered on Yao Xuan, the threads of fate unfurled.

The falling fluorescent spores, upon approaching within ten meters of Mingxi and them, seemed to encounter an invisible Wall, veering away and dissipating, unable to intrude in the slightest.

The mycelia underfoot, attempting to spray paralyzing mucus, instantly recoiled as if burned the moment they touched the edge of these threads of fate, daring not to make any further moves.

The surrounding giant mushroom caps, slowly moving and attempting to cut, had their movement trajectories seemingly fixed by an invisible hand, becoming stiff and sluggish, no longer posing a threat.

Even the pervasive energy siphon instantly vanished, as if forcibly cut off by a more powerful force!

This area, enveloped by Yao Xuan's power, seemed to become the only safe zone in the mushroom forest, an absolute domain unaffected by the anomalies of this place.

"This... this is..."

Shi Lei watched the miraculous scene, dumbfounded.

Lan Qin's eyes burst with unprecedented brilliance: "This is definitely a rule-based ability, even approaching the level of a law; it's forcibly altering the rule system of this mushroom forest."

Not only that, the charging mechanical beasts clearly paused.

Their movement patterns, which relied on the environmental buffs of the mushroom forest, were disrupted; they lost their geographical advantage, and their movements became momentarily stagnant and chaotic.

"Brother Shi, Sister Lan."

Without Mingxi needing to say anything more, Shi Lei and Lan Qin immediately seized the opportunity.

"Tata, Iron Head Impact!"

"Old Jin, Psychic!"

Tarenta, like a cannonball, took advantage of the mechanical beasts' momentary stiffness and fiercely slammed into a mechanical mantis, sending it flying.

Metal Monster's mental power transformed into a tangible Impact wave, dragging two Light-Eating Jellyfish from the air, smashing them onto a mushroom cap, where they burst into a shower of electrical sparks.

However, the mechanical beasts still held a numerical advantage, and they seemed to have received some command, beginning to concentrate their firepower regardless of losses, attempting to forcibly break through the domain maintained by Yao Xuan's threads of fate, their target directly Mingxi and Yao Xuan!

The arm blades of several mechanical mantises simultaneously glowed with dazzling light, clearly preparing to launch a powerful combined attack.

In Yao Xuan's serpent eyes, a flicker of impatience passed.

It found these mechanical beasts far less pleasing to the eye than the intelligent housekeeper at home; they all looked strange and ugly!

Wasting its time.

Thus, it was no longer content with merely maintaining the domain.

Its not-so-large body began to emit a pale green-white radiance as if it were solid.

An aura a thousand times more terrifying than before, like a dormant volcano suddenly awakening, erupted with a roar!

Within the radiance, Yao Xuan's form expanded and transformed at a visible speed!

In an instant, the originally delicate and slender body disappeared, replaced by a colossal creature, coiling behind Mingxi, almost rivaling the tallest fluorescent giant mushroom!

Nine heads held high, python might shaking the forest!

Yao Xuan displayed its combat form for the first time in front of others.

Nine pairs of eyes, eighteen gazes, simultaneously locked onto the restless mechanical beasts.

Without command, one of the python heads lowered slightly, opening its mouth and exhaling.

There was no sound, no light or shadow effects, but the core energy of the mechanical mantis charging at the very front seemed to be instantly extinguished by an invisible hand; all its lights dimmed, and it became a pile of stiff scrap metal, clattering to the ground.

Another python head gently blew towards the Light-Eating Jellyfish scattering spores in the air; the air around those jellyfish mechanical beasts seemed to be instantly sucked out, then compressed and twisted in an incomprehensible way, along with themselves.

They were likewise crumpled into several metal balls, sparking with electricity, and fell down.

The third python head's gaze swept towards the other mechanical beasts attempting to flank them; their movements instantly solidified, then their mechanical joints emitted an unbearable "creaking" sound, as if forcibly twisted and disassembled by an invisible force, their parts scattering messily across the ground.

This was not combat at all, but judgment.

It was a higher-level existence's unilateral, ruthless "formatting" of lower-dimensional creations.

The remaining mechanical beasts, their core energy seemingly unable to comprehend the utterly abnormal scene before them, emitted sharp, almost fearful alarm sounds, then... turned and fled, disappearing into the depths of the mushroom forest without hesitation, never daring to look back.

Yao Xuan did not pursue.

It wasn't important.

The entire battlefield fell completely silent within seconds of Yao Xuan revealing its full form.

Only the fluorescent mushrooms, still flickering but seemingly imbued with a hint of awe, and the scattered mechanical wreckage remained.

Shi Lei and Lan Qin were utterly speechless, only looking up at the Venerable-level giant python, as if from a myth, their souls trembling.

Tarenta and Metal Monster instinctively lowered their bodies, expressing their reverence for absolute power.

Mingxi stood before Yao Xuan's enormous body, her figure appearing small but exceptionally steady.

She gently raised her hand, pointing to the black-striped flags that had fallen onto the top of a blue crystal giant mushroom.

One of Yao Xuan's python heads elegantly extended, like a deity plucking a flower from the mortal world, precisely and gently retrieving those flags and placing them in Mingxi's hand.

The entire process was as effortless as picking a fruit in one's own backyard.

After completing all this, Yao Xuan's nine heads simultaneously retracted, its massive body shrinking again, returning to its original inconspicuous noble serpent appearance, lazily leaning against Mingxi's shoulder, even letting out a small yawn, as if the forest-shaking might from moments ago had nothing to do with it.

Mingxi weighed the black-striped flags in her hand, then turned to look at Shi Lei and Lan Qin, who were still petrified, smiled, and handed two of the flags to Lan Qin.

"Sister Lan, we've got our second flag; we can go to Heaven's Crown Mountain now."

Lan Qin and Shi Lei snapped back to reality, their hands trembling as they took the flags; they looked at the harmless-looking Yao Xuan on Mingxi's shoulder, finding it hard to imagine that it was the terrifyingly powerful Transcendent creature from just now.

Shi Lei and Lan Qin exchanged glances, the couple swallowed, and a thousand words finally coalesced into Shi Lei's trembling question:

"Sis... sister... what kind of Transcendent creature is this... this Pet Beast of yours? And what level is it? It's not Venerable-level, is it?"