The entire meadow erupted into a killing field in an instant. Almost all the fierce beasts and monsters were shredded into pieces within the green grass. Some beast cultivators attempted to use their divine powers, casting flaming fireballs that ignited the grass, but the flames were immediately extinguished. Though the grass feared fire, it could not be stopped. The wildfire, in the face of this madly growing grass, was like a mere spark—snuffed out as soon as it appeared.
Those few bits of flame, those divine abilities, had no effect whatsoever on the vast sea of grass. Blades of grass severed by wind blades grew back in an instant; those burned would regenerate just as fast. The green grass grew rampantly, with enormous leaves stretching like tentacles toward the sky, trying to drag those standing in the air down by force.
These strange grasses could move like spiritual snakes, bursting with terrifying speed and tearing through space. A few airborne monsters were forcibly entangled and pulled into the prairie below, screaming as they fell—dead on the spot.
Even cultivators capable of sky-walking, typically those in the Life Aperture (Mingqiao) Realm, became prey to these weeds. The sensation was nothing short of horrifying.
Danger pervaded every corner of this oasis—there was no such thing as a safe zone.
Only after wreaking havoc for a short time did the prairie finally settle down. The overgrown grass returned to its original appearance. But this eruption had already wiped out the vast majority of fierce beasts, monsters, foreign races, and even human cultivators who had entered the oasis.
Of all those who had entered, fewer than ten survived.
"What a strange oasis. Any part of it could hold deadly threats—the forest, the lake, even the meadow itself. How are we supposed to move an inch in this place?"
The expression on Wushuang Ghost's face was grim, his heart filled with unease.
If this place was truly so dangerous, then those who had entered earlier likely had little chance of survival. Otherwise, the oasis would not be this quiet. No traces left behind meant death was nearly certain.
"Don't worry. As the saying goes: 'Fortune favors the blessed.' Worrying won't change anything. Now that we're already inside Devil's Isle, the only option is to search with all our strength. We may yet uncover something."
Yi Tianxing replied calmly.
What mattered now was how to explore this oasis safely. Even floating in the air wasn't necessarily secure.
"Fellow cultivators, although many of us may not know one another, we're all trapped here in Devil's Isle. We share the same fate—grasshoppers tied to the same rope. If we cooperate, there's a chance we'll make it out alive. If we split up, no one can guarantee survival. I propose we unite our strength and explore Devil's Isle together. That's our only hope."
At that moment, a figure in a black cloak and hood spoke with a rasping voice that carried an unusual charm. His words stirred a sense of trust and familiarity in those who heard him.
The survivors were visibly moved. In such a mysterious and deadly forbidden zone, unity offered hope—like huddling together in darkness to stave off fear. This was the power of human instinct.
"That's right. As humans, we should band together. Those who survived are all Life Aperture Realm experts. Together, we stand a better chance."
"Agreed. There's strength in numbers. Alone, we'll be hard-pressed to survive. But united, we can share strategies and power."
"There are only seven of us left. If we split up, we'll be even weaker. The forest is deadly, the lake's a trap, and the grassland's a slaughterhouse. We need to discuss our next move together. Maybe we can find a way out."
Currently, only eight human cultivators were still alive in midair—Yi Tianxing, Wushuang Ghost, and six others. That meant almost everyone else who entered had been wiped out in an instant. Only the strongest survived, even among cultivators. Yi Tianxing silently noted that all the survivors had solid foundations—their Dao Bases were exceptional, some even formidable among peers.
"Since we're here, let's introduce ourselves. I am Yi Tianxing, and this is Wushuang Ghost."
Yi Tianxing nodded calmly, giving only names, nothing more.
"I'm Li Tianming, Life Aperture Realm cultivator," said a middle-aged man.
"Zhou Qian!" replied a young man."Song Yuting!" introduced a young female cultivator.
"I'm Qin Tian!" declared an old man.
"Ye Qing!" said another young man.
"Jiang Ni!" came the familiar rasp from the black-cloaked figure.
"Does anyone have suggestions on what we do next?" Song Yuting asked. Her voice still trembled slightly—clearly shaken by what she had just witnessed.
The terror of this place was overwhelming.
"This is a life-forbidden zone, no doubt. That part of the rumors in the Golden Sand Desert was true. The strange song, the killer forest, meadow, and lake—all reveal the danger here. But where there's danger, there's hope. Heaven creates fifty paths; one is always hidden. No place is a true deathtrap. We just need to find that one hidden path to survive."
Jiang Ni spoke with a quiet confidence, his voice hoarse but firm.
Yi Tianxing nodded slightly. This man was no ordinary cultivator—his speech was calm, and his willpower rock solid. Everything about him, from the way he was cloaked to the self-assurance in his words, gave off an air of mystery.
"Jiang Daoist, what's your idea?"
Yi Tianxing asked.
"The oasis consists of only a few areas: the meadow, the forest, and the lake. And we still don't know where that eerie song came from. If we want answers, we must enter these dangerous zones—step into death to seek rebirth."
Jiang Ni's voice was calm and resolute.
His logic was sound—standing outside these regions would get them nowhere. They had to take risks to uncover the truth.
The others, however, turned pale at his words. The horrors they had seen still haunted them. To go back in? Every instinct told them to resist.
"If we're to take that risk, Jiang Daoist, is there a way to reduce the danger?"
Yi Tianxing remained composed.
"There is a way. The simplest and most direct," Jiang Ni rasped.
"What way?" asked Song Yuting, intrigued.
"Undermining the pot to destroy the fire. (釜底抽薪 — Fǔ dǐ chōu xīn)" Jiang Ni replied coolly.
Yi Tianxing's eyes lit up. He understood immediately.
"You mean to destroy the sources of danger—to raze the forest, obliterate the grassland, dry up the lake. Eliminate everything dangerous. If danger lies in the land itself, then destroy the land."
He spoke with gravity. It was a bold plan—to push through with overwhelming force.
But whether it was possible remained an open question.
"Exactly. If the grassland kills, burn the grass down. If the forest attacks, chop the trees. If the lake is deadly, drain it dry."
Jiang Ni's voice carried steel-like certainty.
"It makes sense. Remove the threat at the root, and it disappears. But the oasis is vast. With just us, it may not be feasible."
Someone spoke the concern on everyone's mind.
The idea was solid, but execution was another matter. The forest was deadly—its leaves like flying swords, its roots like dragons. Even getting close was difficult, let alone destroying it. The risks were enormous, and success uncertain.
This stark reality left everyone with a sense of deep unease.