No one could escape; anyone intending to enter that Vortex of Life would be swept up in this battle and endure a baptism of existence.

Ji Changkong observed that under the Vortex of Life’s peculiar magnetic field, quite a few individuals had lost control of their minds. Most were cultivators at the Subtle Entry realm, along with those at the Nirvana Pyre realm like Zou Tao. Only one Ice Clan member, whose cultivation seemed quite profound, had inexplicably lost his composure and begun attacking those around him with a completely changed temperament.

Because this Ice Clan member did not cultivate the power of the Celestial Master, his true strength was difficult to gauge. However, his soul was immensely powerful; by Ji Changkong’s estimation, he possessed strength comparable to a Celestial Master at the As-You-Will realm.

With a mere raise of his hand, this Ice Clan master unleashed razor-sharp blades of pure frost. Crystalline icicles shot out from him in all directions, impacting many nearby experts, evading which was difficult even for the Blood Clan and the Flame Demon race.

As ice shards scattered, the wretched Blood Clan member responded awkwardly, while the three great elders of Weikejin looked grave, continually shouting orders for the Ice Clan members to quickly deal with the situation.

Yet, for some unknown reason, that contingent of Ice Clan members seemed unable to strike decisively. The female leader of the Ice Clan kept shouting instructions, attempting to command the nearby Ice Clan masters to kill the afflicted man, but they hesitated, delaying the execution of the order.

This indecision granted the severely deranged Ice Clan master ample time to bombard others. The crystalline ice essence within his body flowed, seemingly unaffected by the surroundings. Ice spikes constantly flew from him, and in the biting cold wind, a chilling, spectral aura permeated the air, seeming to devour life itself.

The experts from the nearby Blood Clan and Flame Demon race cursed under their breaths, forced to exert their full might to counter the mind-lost Ice Clan master.

From the thickets, stone forests, and auspicious clumps of vegetation near the lake, continuous sounds of combat echoed, occasionally punctuated by a piercing shriek. Glazed, ashen wisps of spirit souls flew out from every corner, drawn by the Vortex of Life until they ultimately transformed into a wisp of power within it.

As wisp after wisp of soul energy fed the Vortex of Life, the magnetic force emanating from it grew increasingly astonishing. This influence seemed far from over; amidst the fighting, those previously unaffected began experiencing dramatic shifts in mood. Under the intensifying magnetic pull, more individuals succumbed to madness.

Even among the Blood Clan and Flame Demon contingent, several lost control in the span of this short time, becoming bloodthirsty and savage.

The experts of the Blood Clan and Flame Demon race, however, remained cold and ruthless. The moment they detected someone nearby failing the trial of the mind, or even just glimpsing the slightest indication, they would strike without hesitation to kill them off.

The iron-blooded discipline of these two races meant that crises near them were doused with cold water before they could ignite into full conflagration, leaving those two areas surprisingly the calmest. Ji Changkong stood amidst the undergrowth, observing the unfolding events with cool detachment, paying little attention to the situation immediately beside him.

In his estimation, handling Zou Tao was an effortless task for Xiao Han, Huofeng, Qiuyun, and Tianyue; it required none of his concern.

However, after cataloging the situation ahead and then turning his attention to his immediate vicinity, his opinion shifted. Because Xiao Han’s group had not yet finished off Zou Tao!

Holding his breath and focusing his spirit, he was astonished to discover that Zou Tao seemed to have gained an increase in power after his temperament changed. The life potential within his physical body seemed to have been forcefully unleashed. With everyone unable to utilize their primal force or soul energy, the suddenly enhanced physical strength of Zou Tao clearly made him a formidable opponent.

Even when Xiao Han’s ice-edged sword struck fiercely into Zou Tao’s body, the wound rapidly healed under the swirling, crystalline ice energy. This was something Zou Tao could not achieve before.

“Everyone, hold nothing back! You must kill him with all your strength!” Xiao Han said with a grave expression. “All those driven mad gain some degree of strength enhancement; some become significantly more powerful. If we cannot eliminate this hidden danger quickly, we will be the ones who suffer!”

Xiao Han’s reminder took effect. Under her sharp command, Huofeng, Qiuyun, and Tianyue stopped holding back. The four women encircled Zou Tao in the center, bombarding him relentlessly.

Tianyue, in particular, struck with vicious intent against the frenzied Zou Tao, perhaps resentful that he hadn't rescued her earlier.

When these four exerted their full strength, they were truly formidable. After a barrage of relentless attacks, Zou Tao’s body was riddled with holes. Finally, his soul departed, transforming into a wisp of pure energy within the Vortex of Life.

“Let’s go. We must slowly approach the Vortex of Life. I expect it will change again,” Xiao Han said, taking a relieved breath, having implicitly taken the lead among them after dealing with Zou Tao.

“Be cautious. There are many madmen near us!” Ji Changkong reminded her.

“Yes, everyone be careful. Do not get entangled with those berserkers,” Xiao Han cautioned the group about potential hazards before proactively stepping out from the undergrowth. By this time, the magnetic field within the Vortex of Life grew increasingly intense, casting out a hazy, blue radiance. From afar, the Vortex of Life appeared ethereal and dreamlike, possessing a certain mesmerizing, exquisite grandeur.

As the magnetic field inside the vortex strengthened, the Vortex of Life began to gradually thin out, resembling an air mass almost invisible to the eye, as if it were about to vanish from the surface of the lake into thin air.

Experts from the Three-Eyed Clan, the Wood Clan, the Feather Clan, and other races also seemed to sense the change beginning. They emerged from their nearby hiding places, simultaneously fighting the madmen beside them while rapidly heading toward the Vortex of Life, their pace steadily increasing.

The Ice Clan master with As-You-Will realm strength was finally eliminated by the Ice Clan’s female leader herself. The woman encased the frenzied man in a shroud of cold light, freezing him solid. She then drew a long sword and hacked fiercely, shattering the crazed master into dozens of pieces.

After eliminating this berserker, the Ice Clan showed no regard for those nearby. One by one, they leaped into the Vortex of Life.

The action of the Ice Clan seemed to signal that the Vortex of Life was opening. The distant Blood Clan and Flame Demon race, following the Ice Clan, also rushed toward it urgently, swiftly vanishing without a trace within the vortex.

“Quick!” Xiao Han urged.

A berserk Three-Eyed Clan member suddenly lunged out ahead, covered in blood, his third eye transformed into a blood-red orb. As he appeared, a power of insidious temptation shot out from that eye. Qiuyun met his gaze directly and instantly her expression went blank, her body freezing abruptly.

At the Nirvana Churn realm, his innate divine abilities remained, and his physical strength had significantly increased due to his madness. After immobilizing Qiuyun with his third eye, he was beside her in almost an instant.

Before Xiao Han and Huofeng beside her could react, Qiuyun was struck by the blade light emanating from the Three-Eyed Clan member’s palm, a bloody hole blooming on her chest like a flower.

Struck so violently, Qiuyun finally snapped out of her stupor and screamed desperately, “Save me!”

Xiao Han and Huofeng glanced at her, then looked back at the two other crazed Three-Eyed Clan members emerging behind her. Without hesitation, they bolted toward the Vortex of Life ahead.

“Look out for yourself,” Tianyue said coldly, a hint of wicked satisfaction flashing across her lips before she urged Ji Changkong beside her, “Hurry up, if we delay further, we will lose our chance!”

Ji Changkong nodded indifferently, sparing a distant glance for Qiuyun, sighing internally with resignation, then followed Tianyue away.

Qiuyun was immediately surrounded by the other two madmen. Under the assault of three masters with shattered temperaments, Qiuyun let out a final, piercing scream that abruptly cut off—she had clearly been destroyed.

Beside them, bloodthirsty lunatics, their eyes either vacant or savagely cruel, surged forth continuously, attacking anyone in their path without regard for their own lives.

Xiao Han and Huofeng were quite lucky; those blocking their path were only madmen at the Subtle Entry realm. Under the full force of their attacks, those brutal, bloodthirsty creatures of the Subtle Entry realm were jointly eliminated by the two women. Tianyue, next to Ji Changkong, kindly assisted him in clearing away some minor troubles.

Ji Changkong, having not needed to exert himself and thus remaining quite relaxed, followed closely behind Huofeng and Xiao Han, smoothly arriving before the Vortex of Life. He plunged into the vortex right after the three women.

A moment of dizziness followed, as if trapped in a deep watery whirlpool. He couldn't find his direction and saw nothing. He tumbled aimlessly within the vortex. The space inside the Vortex of Life was pitch black; he could see nothing, and Xiao Han and Huofeng seemed to have vanished from his side again.

Firmly holding onto a thread of lucidity in his mind, he followed the methods of the Tai Xu Secret Record to calm his soul, making it ripple-less like water in an ancient well. He waited silently, sensing the changes around him.

As the Vortex of Life pulled him downward, seemingly sinking toward the depths of the lake, the rate of descent accelerated. Even his physical body seemed unable to withstand the water pressure, his entire frame growing sore.

Under such conditions, unsure of what the aftermath would bring, he finally yielded, partially transforming his body to reveal some of his scales and spikes. The moment his body changed, the discomfort instantly vanished. Under that immense pressure, he was now perfectly safe, free from any dizziness.

However, he still could not see what was happening beside him; he could only feel himself gradually sinking, descending into the lake's depths, into an unknown, mysterious region.

After an indeterminate amount of time, his feet finally touched solid ground. Light instantly shimmered, and as his eyes adjusted, he gradually made out the scene before him, then was immediately stunned by what he saw.

A: There is another chapter below. F