How could this be possible?

Even demonic beast cores could only improve certain aspects of the body.

But this kind of complete evolution, where even cultivation level increased alongside it, was something that only occurred during major realm breakthroughs in the cultivation world.

At other times, it was simply impossible.

What exactly was this red mist?

What kind of heavenly material or earthly treasure was it?

Filled with questions, Xiao Shou endured the heavy, sticky resistance against his divine sense and extended it beyond the sword net, carefully probing the true nature of the mist.

This observation revealed something he had not noticed before.

The facial features of these red mist figures all closely resembled Young’er.

No, not just similar.

They were exactly identical.

Was this due to the influence of his own subconscious thoughts and emotions or was it somehow connected to Young’er?

He recalled that he had seemed to hear Young’er’s voice earlier.

The thought flickered through his mind.

Watching these figures bearing his disciple’s face fall one after another, he felt uneasy.

His expression immediately darkened and a cold light flashed in his eyes as he carefully observed the transformation process of the red mist.

At that moment, the five others, each using various defensive methods and surrounded by different spiritual glows rushed in from behind.

As soon as they entered, they saw Xiao Shou locked in fierce combat with the red mist figures under the oppressive blood colored sky.

They immediately summoned their magical artifacts, preparing to defend and attack.

However, not a single one of the red mist figures turned to attack them.

Seeing this, Yu Lin raised an eyebrow and said, "Brother Xiao, what is going on? Why are these things only attacking you?"

"Want to know?" Xiao Shou replied casually, his attention split between analyzing the mist and maintaining his sword net. "See for yourselves. I don’t know the reason either."

"Before that, let us help you deal with them," Chi Jia said.

He flicked his natal sword and casually launched a probing attack, not caring about the result.

Instead, he focused on observing Xiao Shou’s reaction.

Seeing this, Xiao Shou frowned immediately.

He halted the sword net and unleashed a massive wave of sword energy, blocking Chi Jia’s attack.

A sharp, unprecedented coldness flashed in his eyes as he said, "Fellow Daoist Zhao, thank you for your kindness. However, anything with that face will be dealt with by me alone. I hope you will not interfere."

Only then did the five of them notice that all of the red mist figures shared the same face.

It was a youthful, handsome face full of spirit and vitality.

While their attention shifted, they did not notice that the scattered remnants of Chi Jia’s sword energy had landed on the surrounding blood colored ground and pillars.

In an instant, the red mist seemed to gain something from it.

It condensed into countless red sword shadows and launched an attack toward Chi Jia.

As a sword cultivator of his level, Chi Jia was highly experienced in battle.

He reacted immediately, releasing a wave of sword energy that shattered many of the red sword shadows.

After being struck, the red sword shadows dispersed back into mist, which then subtly drifted toward Chi Jia.

This entire process was clearly observed by Xiao Shou through his divine sense.

Even without fully understanding the nature of the red mist, he finally grasped the principle behind its transformations.

It seemed that this red mist permeated the entire strange blood colored space and had some mysterious connection with the physical elements of this realm, such as the ground and the stone pillars.

When the solid matter in this space absorbs the power of an outsider, such as his evil breaking arrow or Chi Jia’s sword energy, the black particles hidden within the blood red mist that was invisible to the naked eye begin to gather.

The form they take seems to be influenced by the attacker’s thoughts.

When Xiao Shou entered, most of what he had been thinking about was his disciple, so the mist took on that face.

As for Chi Jia, being a sword cultivator, his mind was naturally filled with thoughts of swords, so the mist condensed into countless sword shadows.

After being struck by their attacks, the tiny black particles within the blood mist would vanish.

The purified mist that was now free of those particles would then be drawn toward the one who had eliminated them, entering their body and being absorbed to fuel evolution.

Xiao Shou roughly understood the principles of this space.

If that was truly the case, then this place was practically designed to help people level up and evolve.

The Gou brothers had also mentioned that a great treasure would appear.

There must be an even greater opportunity deeper within.

But was it really that simple?

Then he thought of Xiao Ran beside him.

It seemed very possible that this was yet another opportunity arranged by the Heavenly Dao for the protagonist.

He and the others had likely just benefited from it by chance.

The true treasure would ultimately fall into Xiao Ran’s hands.

The moment he realized this, a strong sense of unwillingness rose within Xiao Shou.

Why? 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

Why was it that after everyone worked together to reach this place, the most valuable treasure was destined to belong to the protagonist?

He took a deep breath and forcibly suppressed these thoughts.

After all, Xiao Ran was the protagonist.

That single reasoning was enough to suppress his dissatisfaction.

Just as Xiao Shou’s thoughts were in turmoil, Chi Jia who had grown impatient from the constant attacks called out, "Fellow Daoist Xiao, what exactly are these blood red sword shadows? Do you understand what’s going on?"

"I don’t know much," Xiao Shou replied calmly while continuing to fight.

"There are only three points. First, once you attack the physical matter here, the blood mist will condense into forms strongly connected to your thoughts or emotions. Second, when the mist is dispersed, it gets absorbed by the attacker and transforms into energy that enhances them entirely, improving both body and cultivation. Third, this mist does not enhance the soul or divine sense. That’s all I know."

Xiao Shou understood that even if he did not explain, the others were not fools.

Especially Xiao Ran and Yu Lin who were exceptionally perceptive.