After tracking for half a day, Mo Han and Bai Ling arrived at a strangely shaped, low-lying canyon. The canyon wasn't large, and the warm sunlight lazily bathed every corner, starkly different from the eerie gloom of the Death Forest. The black trees of the Death Forest stopped growing near the canyon, circling around it entirely, forming a rare clearing within the woods.

Based on Bai Ling's observations, the clues left by Latin and the others vanished exactly at the canyon's entrance, clearly indicating that their disappearance was connected to this place.

What worried Mo Han and Bai Ling was the utter lack of demonic beasts since they entered the area. This situation pointed to only one possibility: they had strayed into the territory of an immensely powerful demonic beast, and their current location was within its sphere of influence, scaring off any other creatures seeking sustenance.

Moreover, Mo Han noticed that upon their arrival, the usually lively Da Hong and Xiao Hong began exhibiting signs of fear, ceasing their erratic movements and staying quietly by Mo Han's side.

At that moment.

Mo Han, always connected to Da Hong and the others via telepathy, suddenly received information. After processing what he learned, Mo Han realized this was one of the only two spots within the Death Forest where the trees refused to grow, the other being the Ancient Blue Ruins they had previously visited. These two locations were known taboos among all creatures surviving in the Death Forest.

The reason they were called forbidden grounds was the presence of a power that instilled dread in every demonic beast.

In a forest teeming with demonic beasts, if there was something that frightened them all, Mo Han didn't need Da Hong to explain; he had already guessed it: nothing short of a Divine Beast whose power bordered on the transcendent. No lesser entity could strike such fear into the Ancient Sacred Beast, Huo Lieweird.

Realizing this, Mo Han quickly relayed the information he received to Bai Ling. Under normal circumstances, Mo Han and Bai Ling would never willingly venture into the territory of a Divine Beast.

However, the lives of Latin and Jack were at stake. Therefore, even if the inhabitants of this canyon were ancient gods, Mo Han would charge in without hesitation.

Yet, Bai Ling was different from him; his bond with Jack and the others was not as deep. Faced with a situation ripe with immediate danger, Mo Han knew he had no right to make the decision for Bai Ling; Bai Ling deserved the right to choose for himself.

That was why Mo Han shared every piece of information he gathered without reservation. But Mo Han already had a strong inkling of what Bai Ling would decide.

As expected.

After hearing Mo Han’s words, Bai Ling simply offered him a smile.

Then, she stepped forward first, her actions demonstrating her decision. Seeing this, Mo Han felt a warmth spread through his heart. Fearing any mishap might befall Bai Ling, he quickly hurried to catch up, walking shoulder-to-shoulder with her. Accompanied by the two anxious Huo Lieweirds, they rapidly advanced into the canyon ahead.

Before long, a strange structure appeared before Mo Han and Bai Ling. It resembled a human dwelling, yet its sheer scale inspired immediate doubt. The structure extended impossibly from the cliff face in the center of the valley down to its base, spanning hundreds of meters vertically. Mo Han even suspected that even a dragon would find this dwelling too vast for a lair, let alone a human.

What astonished Mo Han most was that the entire structure appeared to have grown directly out of the cliff face, seamlessly integrated with the rock, showing no signs of artificial modification—as if it were entirely natural. But Mo Han knew in his heart that this was the result of external, powerful forces reshaping the environment; it could never have formed naturally.

Furthermore, constructing such a monumental edifice was clearly beyond the capabilities of ordinary beings. Even Bai Ling’s Divine Hall of Illusion was merely a modification of pre-existing ancient ruins to create her residence.

Thus, Mo Han could already make an educated guess about the true owner of this building. Besides the one Divine Beast in the Death Forest who rivaled Blaze in fame, Mo Han could think of no other demonic beast capable of such a grand undertaking.

But now there was no turning back. Since entering, Mo Han had sensed an extraordinarily peculiar energy swirling around them. It was clear that the moment he and Bai Ling entered the canyon, they had drawn the attention of this Divine Beast. Mo Han could only hope this creature was as amicable as Blaze; otherwise, he wasn't sure if they could manage to retrieve Latin and the others.

While Mo Han and Bai Ling were still marveling, they were suddenly struck by an immensely powerful force, carrying an overwhelming pressure, surging towards them. Mo Han, having already brushed the threshold of the Divine Rank, could withstand the pressure.

However, Bai Ling was only at the peak of the Saint Magus realm, still a considerable distance from the rank of Archmage. Under the intense aura, her body could not help but tremble slightly. Da Hong and Xiao Hong, sensing the pressure of this terrifying power, instinctively flew backward, fleeing the oppressive force.

Seeing this, Mo Han did not hesitate and launched his countermeasure. A faint, iridescent, seven-colored light emanated from his body—the unmistakable hallmark of one who had achieved the Archmage realm. If any mage on the Dragon Ascendant Continent witnessed this, they would undoubtedly be filled with fervent excitement. The 'Archmage' was a top-tier human profession existing only in legend, a seemingly unattainable goal, now manifesting undeniably upon Mo Han. This news would surely shock the entire continent.

But Mo Han had no time to consider such things now. As soon as the seven-colored light appeared,

it enveloped Bai Ling. The crushing pressure that had been bearing down on her instantly lifted, vanishing under the illumination of Mo Han's light. Bai Ling offered Mo Han a grateful smile.

Mo Han, however, was even more astonished. This Divine Beast, merely through its innate aura, could force Bai Ling into such a struggle that he had to deploy a magical barrier to resist. Mo Han was confident he could never emanate such overwhelming might on his own, causing him to worry further about the confrontation ahead. He feared that even combined, he and Bai Ling might not be a match for this Divine Beast.

Just then.

A surprised exclamation echoed from within the colossal structure: "Archmage! I never expected a human could cultivate to this level. In several thousand years, this is the first time I have encountered a human Archmage. You truly surprise me."

Immediately afterward, Mo Han and Bai Ling watched a dazzling crimson light shoot out from the building, instantly arriving before them. The light then dispersed, revealing a middle-aged man in human form within the glow. His eyebrows and hair were the fiery red of blood—a sight unheard of on the Dragon Ascendant Continent, instilling immediate dread. The middle-aged man wore a flame-red cloak, beneath which his upper body was bare, displaying terrifying, explosive musculature—muscles that Mo Han knew no human could possibly cultivate. He was certain that a single casual punch from this man could easily shatter anything.

The lower half of the man's body was clad in trousers the same color as his cloak. The entire figure radiated the presence of a raging inferno, brimming with overwhelming might. His pair of pressure-filled red eyes were locked onto Bai Ling and Mo Han opposite him, radiating undisguised hostility.

"Humans, you have trespassed into my forbidden ground," the middle-aged man stated in his deep voice. "Did those two Huo Lieweirds behind you fail to inform you of the Death Forest's forbidden zones? You should understand the consequences of carelessly infringing upon a Divine Beast's sanctuary."

Hearing this, Mo Han immediately executed the continent's customary formal apology towards the middle-aged man and spoke, "Please forgive me, sir. We did not intend to offend. Our friends encountered danger outside the Death Forest, and we followed the clues they left to arrive here, not intentionally trespassing upon your territory. We beg your pardon."

Seeing the formidable strength of the crimson-robed man, Mo Han mentally resolved that unless absolutely necessary, he would not resort to fighting. Both he and Bai Ling knew that if a real battle ensued, they stood little chance against a Divine Beast that had reached the Divine Rank millennia ago, compared to Mo Han, who had just stepped over the threshold.

The crimson-robed man was clearly unimpressed by Mo Han's respectful words. He snorted coldly and spoke, "That excuses you for trespassing in my domain? It seems you are allied with those few humans captured earlier." Hearing the man's response, a flicker of hope lit Mo Han's heart; Bai Ling’s guess was correct—Latin and the others were indeed in the canyon. However, the hostility in the man's tone suggested they wouldn't be easy to deal with. But since he now knew Latin’s whereabouts, Mo Han certainly wasn't going to leave empty-handed.

Mo Han patiently replied, "May I ask how my friends offended you, sir? If there was any disrespect, I offer my apologies on behalf of my friends. I only hope you can release them; I would be eternally grateful."

To his surprise, the crimson-robed man sneered even harder. "They didn't offend me; I simply took a disliking to them and captured them. Furthermore, I won't hide it from you: your friends are already dead. Considering you are also an Archmage, I shall overlook your trespassing today. You may leave, but this woman beside you must remain."

After saying this, the crimson-robed man let his gaze linger lustfully on Bai Ling, shamelessly ogling her, behaving as if he held Mo Han and the others in utter contempt.

Bai Ling bristled at his look. Even if he were an Archmage, she felt no fear. With a cold snort, she was about to move when Mo Han grasped her hands, offering a slight smile and gently shaking his head. Bai Ling managed to suppress her rage, turned her head away, and ignored the man.

Mo Han was inwardly furious at the man’s words. Damn it, how dare he try to take his woman? Even if you are a Divine Beast, I will steam you alive today! However, before that, Mo Han needed confirmation of Latin and the others' safety. Mo Han refused to believe they were actually dead. If this crimson-robed man intended to kill them, he would have done so long ago; there would have been no need to go to the trouble of capturing them first. This was why Mo Han restrained Bai Ling; even if they had to fight, they needed to ascertain Latin’s whereabouts first.

With this thought, Mo Han swallowed his anger and said coldly, "What price must be paid for the release of my friends? Even if they are dead, where are their bodies? Did you go to such great lengths to capture them from outside the Death Forest only to kill them?"

Hearing Mo Han's question, the crimson-robed man coldly laughed, "Kid, even if they aren't dead now, they're close to it. As for the reason, you don't need to know. But I can tell you clearly: those friends of yours will not be going back with you. If you know what's good for you, leave the woman and get out. Otherwise..."

"Otherwise, your mother! You perverted monster, dressed like a gender-bending freak, and you dare act all high and mighty here! You eunuch, daring to covet my woman! No matter what you are, today I’m going to steam you clean, #@..." A string of obscenities erupted from Mo Han's mouth.