"I didn't expect this immortal fruit to have such a miraculous effect," Lu Fan exclaimed, "It truly lives up to its reputation as an item from the Divine Desolation Mountain!"
Just then, Zhao Hanxue also awoke. Her entire aura had grown significantly stronger, and she had successfully reached the Half-Saint realm. She was filled with excitement. As the daughter of the Zhao family, she bore the responsibility of their mission. Achieving the Half-Saint realm was of immense significance to her.
"You're finally awake. Our spiritual energy is gradually recovering, which means the Divine Desolation Mountain is likely about to close," Lu Fan warned. "We need to leave this place as soon as possible, or we might be in mortal danger."
"But these immortal fruits..." Zhao Hanxue looked back at the fruit trees with reluctance. Having finally found the immortal fruit trees, she felt disappointed at the prospect of not being able to take any with her. After all, immortal fruits could help cultivate experts in the Saint realm, making them true divine treasures for their Zhao family.
"The rule of the Divine Desolation Mountain is that these things cannot be taken out," Lu Fan stated directly. "If we don't leave now, we might truly be unable to get out."
Zhao Hanxue reluctantly picked an immortal fruit, intending to take it with her. However, after a short while, it turned to ash, leaving her filled with helplessness.
At that very moment, the entire Divine Desolation Mountain began to shake. In the sky, a palanquin appeared, drawn by nine phoenixes. They were dazzling and seemed impossible to approach.
"Nine Phoenixes pulling a palanquin!" Outside the Divine Desolation Mountain, onlookers were filled with panic. They never imagined that the legends of ancient times were true.
"Nine Phoenixes pulling a palanquin, pulling a deity!" the crowd shouted, falling to their knees. They gazed at the nine phoenixes with trepidation. The sudden appearance of such a spectacle was deeply moving for those who witnessed it.
"This is bad, we need to leave quickly!" Lu Fan urged. "This is definitely not a good omen." Zhao Hanxue nodded slightly, clearly sensing a dangerous aura approaching. The appearance of the nine phoenixes did not seem like a good sign.
Rumbling sounds echoed as the nine phoenixes, pulling the palanquin, descended into the abyss, as if the abyss was their true destination. Lu Fan and Zhao Hanxue, unable to concern themselves with anything else, turned and headed towards the outside of the Divine Desolation Mountain. However, at that very instant, a surge of black energy erupted from the mountain range, engulfing the entire Divine Desolation Mountain.
On other peaks, people witnessing this scene also fled for their lives, acutely aware that the Divine Desolation Mountain was about to close and that delaying their departure would bring them unforeseen disaster. Unfortunately, they had not obtained any immortal fruits, and their trip to the Divine Desolation Mountain had been in vain.
"Fei Niao, follow me!" Tie Bao called out. "We need to leave this place quickly. This black energy is extremely malevolent. If we get contaminated by it, something bad might happen."
"But we haven't gotten any immortal fruits yet!" Fei Niao frowned. "Are we really coming here for nothing this time?"
"Being able to come to the Divine Desolation Mountain and still be able to return alive is not coming for nothing," Tie Bao smiled. "At least this is a form of tempering for us." Fei Niao nodded at his words. They searched cautiously for a long time but still couldn't find any immortal fruits, leaving them feeling helpless.
At this moment, many white-haired elders despaired. Their purpose in coming to the Divine Desolation Mountain was to find immortal fruits. Now, their hopes were dashed as the Divine Desolation Mountain was about to close, and they would lose their chance. As they hesitated, a wave of black energy surged towards them. Unable to evade it, they were instantly swallowed by the black energy and vanished into the heavens and earth, without even the strength to resist. Among them were even peerless powerhouses.
Sensing the terrifying nature of this black energy, everyone instantly panicked and fled towards the outside of the Divine Desolation Mountain. However, the black energy was incredibly fast, and they were unable to escape it. In the blink of an eye, everyone who had entered the Divine Desolation Mountain was enveloped by the black energy, and screams echoed throughout the entire mountain.
"It's over, it's completely over!" Outside the Divine Desolation Mountain, the crowd looked on with grief. They never imagined that the day the Divine Desolation Mountain opened would also be the day of their complete annihilation, with no one escaping from within. Tie Bao and Fei Niao held each other's hands tightly, but in the instant they were engulfed by the black energy, they completely turned into nothingness, leaving no trace behind. The malevolent aura of the black energy was fatally damaging to them.
"No, it can't be!" Hu Yu stood not far away, gazing at the interior of the Divine Desolation Mountain, her heart deeply moved. She had never expected things to turn out this way. If Lu Fan, still inside the Divine Desolation Mountain, were to suffer any mishap, his life would be in grave danger.
"How could this happen!" The Sect Master of the Iron Mountain Sect's face turned ashen. He didn't know what to say. He knew that Tie Bao and Fei Niao were likely doomed and would have difficulty escaping this time.
"Fortunately, not all members of the Iron Mountain Sect entered. Otherwise, our sect would be wiped out," a white-haired elder sighed. "Elder Tie Bao and Elder Fei Niao can be considered benefactors to our Iron Mountain Sect."
At the same time, the Zhao family head's face turned ashen. One of their Zhao family's ancestors was inside, and they were likely also doomed. This was a significant blow to their Zhao family, and their status in the Triangular Domain would be impacted in the future.
"Master, it seems our ancestor is likely doomed," an elder said. "We should also return. The Divine Desolation Mountain has already closed, and it's unlikely anyone will emerge alive."
"Alas," the Zhao family head sighed, feeling a sense of helplessness. He had been hoping for his ancestor's safe return, which would have made their Zhao family's position in the Triangular Domain unshakeable. But now, things had turned out contrary to his wishes.
"Family Head, the young lady has not returned to the clan!" Just then, a man rushed to report. "Could she have also entered the Divine Desolation Mountain?"
"What?" The Zhao family head trembled violently. "Xiao Xue hasn't returned home?"
"That's right, I only just received the news," the man nodded. "Given the young lady's personality, she would surely enter the Divine Desolation Mountain. Perhaps..." The Zhao family head's face turned ashen. If this were true, it would be devastating news for their Zhao family. One ancestor and one of the Zhao family's descendants, both lost within the Divine Desolation Mountain.
"Family Head, please don't overthink it. Perhaps the young lady has gone elsewhere and did not enter the Divine Desolation Mountain," an elder advised. "This may not necessarily be true."
"Let's hope so!" the Zhao family head sighed, harboring even more hatred for the Divine Desolation Mountain.