In the blink of an eye, they had already entered the depths of the forest.

Wang Zhan squinted and looked at the people beside him. Then he waved his hand at them and said, "Everyone get ready, it seems that guy is coming out. I feel something approaching us rapidly."

Wang Zhan's face grew increasingly grim because he could sense a strong wave of intimidation hurtling towards him at extreme speed—something Wang Zhan dared not underestimate.

Upon hearing Wang Zhan's words, everyone's expression changed. After exchanging a glance, they quickly spread out in all directions, forming a defensive circle.

Han Junxiong, however, remained by Wang Zhan's side, unsheathed his longsword, and gazed into the distance.

Everyone held their breath, their gazes fixed forward.

Suddenly, a loud bang erupted. Dust billowed around them as a huge ripple of energy spread outwards.

Wang Zhan quickly waved his hand and shouted at the people around him, "Watch out! That thing has arrived. Everyone, maintain your defenses and don't let your guard down."

Before the others could respond, a gigantic figure appeared before them.

All eyes were drawn to it instantly. The figure was well over two meters tall, covered head to toe in gleaming armor, and clutched a long spear. Only its eyes were exposed.

What shocked everyone, however, were its blood-red eyes, sending a chill down their spines.

Wang Zhan approached the figure step by step. After studying it for a long moment, he frowned and asked, "Just who, or what, are you?"

If this behemoth was a demonic beast, Wang Zhan couldn't sense any intimidation from it. Yet, it didn't resemble a human either. He had never seen such a burly human, and its aura reeked of intense killing intent. Even if it is human, it's no good-natured being.

The figure before them finally spoke, its voice grating and strangely wooden, with unnatural pauses, "This King has not left this place for many years. It seems the people outside have long forgotten this King."

"What exactly are you?" Wang Zhan asked, enunciating each word clearly.

"This King is known as Xuan Lang."

Wang Zhan looked puzzled, as he was unfamiliar with this name. He turned subconsciously to Han Junxiong at his side, whispering, "Do you know his origins?"

Han Junxiong shook his head as well, clearly ignorant about Xuan Lang.

However, one of the men standing behind Wang Zhan quickly approached him, looking somewhat anxious. He trembled as he looked at Xuan Lang, then, biting his lip, he said haltingly, "Mr. Wang, I've never seen him, but I heard a legend from my great-grandfather."

"My great-grandfather was a bounty hunter back then, who had fought many battles against demonic beasts, so he knew quite a bit about them."

"I distinctly remember him mentioning Xuan Lang, because the impression Xuan Lang left on me was too profound."

As he spoke, his voice trembled, as if he were recalling something truly terrifying.

Wang Zhan quickly looked at him, urgently asking, "Tell me about Xuan Lang."

The man gritted his teeth. "What I heard is merely a legend." He unconsciously moved to stand behind Wang Zhan before continuing, "My great-grandfather once mentioned a terrifying existence in the demonic beast realm: Xuan Lang. No one had ever actually seen him, but a rumor circulated among demonic beasts that Xuan Lang had single-handedly exterminated an entire demonic beast species, absorbing all their power."

"According to my great-grandfather, the scene was incredibly bloody—bodies littered the ground, and blood flowed like rivers."

"Afterward, Xuan Lang vanished and became a common enemy of all demonic beasts. Humans didn't let him off either; for a time, humans and demonic beasts even tacitly joined forces against him."

"Although there was no formal agreement, they shared a common goal."

"It's said that many human experts and numerous powerful demonic beasts fell to Xuan Lang. Yet, he was never defeated. He simply vanished into hiding, and there's been no news of him for all these years."

Wang Zhan nodded gravely. If what the man said was true, this Xuan Lang had been a renowned figure since the man's great-grandfather's time. That meant he must have lived for at least several hundred years.

Moreover, Xuan Lang's ability to absorb the powers of demonic beasts to strengthen himself reminded Wang Zhan of someone.

"Every demonic beast belongs to a clan. You may have your own title, but I presume you belong to a particular clan as well?" Wang Zhan said, squinting at Xuan Lang, a cold smirk playing on his lips.

"If I'm not mistaken, you're a Spirit Devouring Beast, aren't you?"

Upon hearing this, Xuan Lang's expression changed. After a subconscious glance at Wang Zhan, he coldly asked, "You're so young. How could you possibly know of the Spirit Devouring Clan's existence?"

Wang Zhan replied with a smile, "Age isn't everything. You may think I'm young, but killing you wouldn't be difficult."

Wang Zhan had never expected to encounter a member of the Spirit Devouring Clan here.

Meanwhile, confusion was evident on the others' faces; clearly, none of them knew what the Spirit Devouring Clan signified.

Wang Zhan, however, knew how terrifying the Spirit Devouring Clan was. These demonic beasts could devour anything containing energy—not just the power of other demonic beasts, but humans as well. Most frighteningly, they could even consume Genius Earth Treasures and divine weapons, allowing them to rapidly advance their cultivation.

Although Spirit Devouring Beasts were technically demonic beasts, they were ostracized by their own kind. These creatures were notorious for using any means necessary to improve their cultivation. They were considered so dangerous that even other demonic beast clans sought to prevent their proliferation, which spoke volumes about how feared they were.

Xuan Lang stepped closer to Wang Zhan until they were mere inches apart, yet neither moved. After observing Wang Zhan for a moment, a slight smile touched Xuan Lang's lips. He slowly raised his long spear and asked, "I smell my own kind on you. You've encountered a Spirit Devouring Beast before, haven't you?"

Wang Zhan chuckled and nodded. "You may look a bit dim-witted, big guy, but your brain isn't entirely useless. Indeed, I have met a Spirit Devouring Beast."

Xuan Lang's eyes lit up. Spirit Devouring Beasts had become the stuff of legend centuries ago. He hadn't encountered another of his kind, nor even sensed their presence, in all these years. To think Wang Zhan had met one and was still standing here unscathed was truly unexpected.

The next instant, Xuan Lang urgently asked, "Where is my kinsman?"

Wang Zhan folded his arms, a faint smile on his face. He sighed and shook his head. "Unfortunately, I've already dealt with that one."

"But you should rejoice. You'll be reuniting with your kinsman soon enough. Then you two can have a good long chat in the underworld."

Xuan Lang's expression turned ghastly, his spear-wielding hand trembling. A sliver of hope had just appeared, only to be instantly shattered. How could he bear it?

The next second, Xuan Lang lifted his long spear and thrust it swiftly towards Wang Zhan's head.

Wang Zhan's expression changed. His Deep Fire Blade shot out, directly blocking the long spear.

With a sharp clang, Wang Zhan was forced back several steps. Instantly, a layer of flames enveloped his body.

The Fire Deity Armor then materialized, cloaking his form.

Glancing at Han Junxiong and the others with his peripheral vision, he instructed, "Everyone, adapt as the situation demands. I've fought a Spirit Devouring Beast before; their power is terrifying. If this one has truly lived for centuries, its strength is likely unfathomable. We must be cautious. If we're outmatched, retreat immediately."

Caution etched on his face, Wang Zhan stared at Xuan Lang, fully aware of how dreadful Spirit Devouring Beasts truly were.

After exchanging glances, everyone nodded in agreement.

The next second, drawing on their full strength, they all charged towards Xuan Lang.

Wang Zhan didn't hesitate. Gripping his Deep Fire Blade, he thrust his hand skyward. Instantly, multiple Fire Dragons soared into the air, coiling around Xuan Lang in a flash.

"Nine Heavens Mysterious Fire Formation!"

Wang Zhan immediately unleashed his killing move, using the formation technique to try and control Xuan Lang.

Xuan Lang glanced at the flames surrounding him, then shot Wang Zhan a disdainful look. The next second, his long spear flashed with a cold light. With a wave of his hand, a mechanical whirring sound arose, and an immense beam of white light erupted towards the encircling Fire Dragons.

As the white light met the Fire Dragons, they exploded with a deafening roar, scattering into torrents of flame that rained down upon the surrounding forest.

Wang Zhan was also surprised to discover that there were other demonic beasts lurking within the forest.