The Berserk Stone King

Bai Lan continued to ponder the identity of the hidden individual.

She attempted to sense her surroundings but, unfortunately, detected no other trial-takers beyond their group of six.

However, if Long Lingyu claimed someone was hidden, then it must be true.

‘Unable to sense them, a power to merge with darkness… could it be the Soul Clan?’

‘Ah, it must be Hunmei.’ Bai Lan quickly pinpointed Hunmei as the likely culprit.

Though Hunmei had sworn not to trouble Bai Lan directly, that didn’t prevent her from seeking assistance from other members of the Soul Clan.

A single deity possessed three tokens for entering the Void Heaven Realm.

An ancient clan like the Soul Clan surely had more than one ascendant, and their kin within the Void Heaven Realm undoubtedly outnumbered the Snow Clan, making it simple to find a helper.

“Alright, be careful then.”

“I’m going in first,” Bai Lan declared.

After a moment of hesitation, she resolved to enter the Stone Demon King’s body.

With a graceful flash, Bai Lan utilized a shimmering effect, vanishing into the cavernous opening on the Stone Demon King’s form.

Yet, in that very instant, Long Lingyu’s eyes caught sight of a dark silhouette, trailing Bai Lan’s retreating figure and likewise disappearing into the gargantuan creature.

The moment they entered the Stone Demon King’s body, the dormant creature immediately stirred.

A pair of golden eyes suddenly blazed in the darkness, and the colossal boulders that formed its body began to tremble.

Seeing this, Kong Xiu and the others knew the Stone Demon King had awakened, a development they had fully anticipated.

Slowly, the Stone Demon King’s body began to rise, shifting into a massive humanoid stone demon.

Upon awakening, it immediately detected intruders within its inner space.

Its body concealed a vast treasure cave, and it was the guardian of this treasure.

It had never expected anyone to infiltrate while it slumbered.

The Stone Demon King seethed with rage.

While it couldn’t directly expel the humans who had burrowed into its interior, it detected other humans still lurking within its lair.

Despite their invisibility, it had sensed them.

The Demon King fixed its gaze upon them, its expression confirming its awareness.

They knew then that their invisibility spell had been seen through.

“Everyone, be cautious,” Kong Xiu stated with a sigh.

“It seems our invisibility has been pierced by the Stone Demon King.”

“We’re likely in for a fierce battle.”

The next moment, the Stone Demon King roared at Kong Xiu and the others, shattering their invisibility spell.

More than that, a golden light emanated from the Stone Demon King’s head, piercing through its lair and shooting directly into the sky.

This spectacle served as an undeniable signal to nearby trial-takers: a treasure realm had appeared.

The first trial-takers to react were naturally those already within the Stone Demon Forest.

The sudden surge of treasure light momentarily stunned them before they rushed toward its source.

Whether it was a treasure unleashed by others or a random secret realm, they couldn’t afford to miss it.

Furthermore, with the first layer currently in the Twilight Trial phase, even if they couldn’t claim the treasure, they could still capitalize on the chaos to eliminate a few other trial-takers.

Before long, the Stone Demon King’s lair erupted, and Kong Xiu and his companions swiftly retreated.

The Stone Demon King had gone berserk, now launching indiscriminate attacks at any human trial-taker it perceived.

The entrance Bai Lan had used was not its mouth, but a cavernous opening in its chest.

The Stone Demon King was colossal, standing fifty to sixty meters tall.

It roared skyward from amidst the collapsed mountain, and beneath its furious cries, all the stone demons in the Stone Demon Forest awakened, converging on their king’s position.

As the Stone Demon King roared, the golden gem on its brow flared, unleashing a terrifying beam of destructive light at Kong Xiu and the others.

They scattered, dodging frantically, as everything in the light’s path was reduced to dust.

“It’s incredibly powerful!”

“Everyone, don’t hold back!”

“Even if we can’t defeat the Stone Demon King, we must buy time for Bai Lan.”

“Once she retrieves the treasure from inside, we’ll immediately retreat!” Kong Xiu shouted as he dodged.

Long Lingyu and the others nodded, immediately unleashing their abilities and techniques to assail the Stone Demon King.

Meanwhile, within the Stone Demon King’s body, Bai Lan found herself in a strange, labyrinthine passage.

It resembled an ordinary mountain tunnel, branching in all directions, making the treasure’s exact location a mystery.

‘How troublesome.’

‘It seems even entering the Stone Demon King’s body won’t guarantee easy access to the treasure.’

‘And with the Stone Demon King awake, it will surely attract nearby trial-takers.’

‘Even if I manage to escape with the treasure, I’ll likely have to contend with other trial-takers.’ Bai Lan pondered how to make her escape after securing the treasure.

After a short journey, trouble inevitably arrived.

Stone demons began to emerge from the surrounding walls, all at the Qi Refining realm.

While individually weak, their sheer numbers posed a challenge for Bai Lan.

These stone demons, miniature versions of the Stone Demon King, were clearly sent to impede Bai Lan’s progress.

“Hmph!”

“You think these little things can stop me?”

“Not a chance!” Bai Lan scoffed, drawing her Hanpo Sword and attacking the obstructing stone demons.

Her speed was astonishing.

Any stone demon below the seventh level of Qi Refining was instantly shattered in her wake, while even the stronger ones could only withstand a few strikes.

However, the further she advanced, the more stone demons appeared, almost completely blocking the passage.

Outside, the Stone Demon King had completely lost control, furiously attacking Kong Xiu and the others.

Facing such a formidable opponent, Kong Xiu and his companions had to unleash their magic artifacts, using their power for both defense and resistance.

Long Lingyu stood on a vantage point nearby, playing a melody that seemed to agitate the Stone Demon King, causing it to fall into a frenzied state.

Consequently, the Stone Demon King’s attacks became chaotic and directionless.

Kong Xiu had already unleashed his Kong family’s ultimate technique: vibrant, multicolored rays of light shot from the peacock phantom behind him, landing on the Stone Demon King.

This five-colored divine light possessed the effect of weakening defenses.

“Everyone, attack the spots illuminated by my divine light!” Kong Xiu yelled.

At this point, they no longer cared about attracting others; the Stone Demon Forest was in an uproar.

Many ordinary stone demons had already gathered, but they dared not approach the Stone Demon King’s immediate vicinity.

Any who ventured too close were crushed by the enraged king, which now attacked indiscriminately, a result of Long Lingyu’s unsettling music.

Ye Chong and the others also revealed some of their true capabilities.

A peculiar pattern emerged on Ye Chong’s body, instantly multiplying his speed several times over.

Wielding a long spear, he thrust it into a spot illuminated by the five-colored divine light.

The strike pierced a portion of the Stone Demon King’s body, but against such a colossal creature, it inflicted no significant damage.

Yet, it caused the Stone Demon King a jolt of pain, prompting it to instinctively fling Ye Chong away with a swipe of its hand.

Xia Mi, standing at a distance, formed hand seals.

A formation materialized in the area surrounding the Stone Demon King, from which chains extended, wrapping around the Stone Demon King’s legs and restricting its movements.

It was clear that Xia Mi was a battle mage skilled in array deployment.

Seeing the Stone Demon King restrained, Zhang Zhi immediately executed an explosive step, launching herself into the air.

She channeled her inner strength, her fists glowing golden, and then unleashed a barrage of furious attacks upon the Stone Demon King’s body.

This was clearly power beyond the Qi Refining realm.