Deep within the earth, a thousand meters down, Li Xiaotian retraced his steps along the path he had fled, moving with utmost caution to avoid making any sound.
After all, this time he was hunting two mid-tier powerhouses, one of whom was a violet-robed demon with formidable strength. Any slight disturbance would undoubtedly alert their divine senses.
Fortunately, Li Xiaotian's Great Dao of Devour was rather extraordinary, capable of concealing his aura entirely. As long as he remained careful and did not actively reveal himself, he could avoid detection.
"Here we are!" Li Xiaotian whispered inwardly. The ground above was the very spot where he had slain the three demons earlier. He sensed carefully, but detected no movement from the surface.
Yet, he did not rush, remaining calm, for he had not encountered the other two demons on his way here.
Of course, he did not believe the two demons had simply left. Provoked by a human, beings of their stature would certainly not let such an insult slide.
"Separated?"
Li Xiaotian murmured to himself, sensing two powerful auras departing from the surface.
But he soon frowned, for the auras felt wrong. Both were incredibly strong, and one of them even carried a hint of familiarity.
"Hmm?"
Just as Li Xiaotian was pondering the source of this familiarity, his heart stirred as a faint, sweet fragrance wafted into his nostrils.
Instantly, his blood surged, like a desert encountering rain, filling him with excitement and longing.
"What is this? The attraction of the Ancient God Body!" Li Xiaotian's mind grew still. He realized that this scent exerted a special pull on his Ancient God Body.
Moreover, the fragrance was very subtle, seemingly only detectable by the Ancient God Body.
Li Xiaotian inwardly knitted his brows. Was this a fortuitous encounter, or a trap?
His Ancient God Body had been exposed, making it highly probable that the two demons had set a trap for him.
He would go and see first, Li Xiaotian thought, following the trail of the scent.
He could feel the immense attraction the fragrant substance held for his Ancient God Body, capable of purifying its bloodline.
Soon, Li Xiaotian arrived at the source of the fragrance. Above him lay a valley, and within it stood an ancient tree bearing a single red fruit.
The aroma emanated from this red fruit.
Li Xiaotian frowned. What kind of extraordinary fruit was this? His mind contained no information about it.
He did not ascend to pluck it immediately but carefully surveyed his surroundings. After all, this place was not far from where the battle had erupted, and he suspected a trap laid by the two demon powerhouses.
Furthermore, the red fruit was so peculiar, yet no monstrous beasts were present nearby, which was clearly abnormal.
"Heh heh, the sacred fruit of my clan, capable of purifying bloodlines. As long as that mixed-blood smells its aura, he will be unable to suppress his inner craving and come rushing," a faint whisper arose, so soft that Li Xiaotian almost missed it.
He instantly became alert. Indeed, someone was setting a trap for him.
Simultaneously, he was astonished, for he could not detect the source of the voice.
"That fool Tuoba Tao still intends to use me to hunt down that mixed-blood. He probably never imagined I possessed a sacred fruit of my clan, did he? Heh heh, that mixed-blood will surely be a stepping stone on my path to power!"
The voice spoke again. At this moment, Li Xiaotian finally located the owner of the voice, and his heart filled with shock, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.
The valley above was not a valley at all, but a coiled Ancient God Clan powerhouse. The being lay on its side, concealed, blending seamlessly with the surrounding scenery. Thus, Li Xiaotian had initially mistaken it for a valley.
After all, who would expect an Ancient God Clan powerhouse to disguise themselves in such a manner?
Li Xiaotian observed closely, a cold smile gracing his lips. He noticed that the small tree bearing the red fruit in the valley was actually in the hands of that Ancient God Clan powerhouse.
Quite insidious, Li Xiaotian sneered.
Had he rushed to seize the red fruit upon discovering it, he would have likely been caught instantly by the opponent's massive hand.
Fortunately, the Ancient God Clan powerhouse above was somewhat arrogant, and he had overheard the commotion.
Li Xiaotian once again suppressed his aura and carefully examined the red fruit. The sacred fruit of the Ancient God Clan, capable of enhancing bloodlines. Although he had never seen this fruit before, from the words of this Ancient God Clan powerhouse, he knew it was undoubtedly valuable.
"I must obtain it!" Li Xiaotian decided. This red fruit would be of great benefit to his Ancient God Body. If he weren't suppressing his Ancient God Body now, his blood would likely be boiling like thunder.
It was an intense craving.
Li Xiaotian covertly observed the Ancient God Clan powerhouse, knowing that the latter had learned of his presence from Tuoba Tao.
However, this one was quite cunning, refusing Tuoba Tao and instead using the sacred fruit to lure him here.
"Invincible fifth tier, not weak in strength. This is a bit troublesome," Li Xiaotian mused, sensing the Ancient God Clan powerhouse's might. This meant he could not simply snatch it by force.
Once he was entangled, escape would be difficult.
Furthermore, that Tuoba Tao might also be lurking nearby, playing the role of the final sparrow.
"Hmph! It only takes a moment to snatch the Ancient God Clan's sacred fruit," Li Xiaotian thought with a cold snort. He had a clone, after all!
With a thought, his Blood Sea Clone detached from his body and began to stealthily advance into the distance.
Ten miles away from Li Xiaotian's current location, the Blood Sea Clone gradually emerged from the ground. It looked towards the distant valley, its mind alert.
The Ancient God Clan powerhouse's disguise was seamless. Had the former not spoken out, he might never have discovered him.
"Hope you're not too clever," the Blood Sea Clone muttered. It then crept along the ground towards the Ancient God Clan powerhouse, altering its aura to that of a human, with a faint trace of Ancient God Clan bloodline mixed in.
"Hmm?"
In the distance, the Ancient God Clan powerhouse, Gu Kun, felt a stirring in his heart, his eyes flashing with excitement. He sensed an aura of his own kin, though somewhat muddled. Clearly, this was the big fish he was waiting for!