The small pit had a tiny opening on its surface.
Divine sense couldn't get through, which made it look incredibly suspicious.
"This should be it."
Baili Shang carefully pushed aside the grass around it, his gaze fixed on the tiny hole.
Normally, who'd even notice such a minuscule gap hidden in the grass?
Song Wanníng nodded when she heard him. "Set up the formation first. We'll make it a trap they can't escape."
"Got it!"
Baili Shang pulled out several formation disks and quickly sealed off the entire herb field. Once they were ready, they exchanged a glance, deciding to start with this hole. She stood ready at the side, gripping her sword tightly, prepared to strike at any moment.
Baili Shang took the initiative, launching his attack toward the small opening. He tossed out a fireball, sending it blasting inside. The tiny gap instantly blew wide open from the impact, the flames rushing down into the depths of the ground.
Song Wanníng and Baili Shang's eyes sharpened as they stared at the hole.
Finally, when the fireball reached the bottom, a pitch-black figure suddenly shot up from underground. It was so fast that even though they reacted instantly, neither of them managed to touch the Monster. By the time their strikes dissipated, the Monster was already hammering against the formation. When it realized it couldn't break out, it let out a series of sharp, frantic screeches.
"So it really was here!" Baili Shang's heart leapt with excitement. If this was the nest, then things were about to get a lot easier.
"Leave it to me!"
With a low shout, he charged straight at the Monster. For the creature, no matter how fast it was, its opponent was a Unity stage cultivator. With the formation cutting off all escape routes, it had nowhere to run, trapped like a turtle in a jar. After only a few exchanges, the Monster was already half-dead. Yet its blood-red eyes only grew brighter, glowing with an eerie, violent light. It had no pupils, but those eyes locked onto them as if it wanted nothing more than to tear them apart and devour them alive.
Baili Shang caught its weak spot and hauled it over beside Song Wanníng.
"Chiii! Chiii!"
The Monster shrieked in defiance, its sharp claws still stained with fresh blood.
Song Wanníng stared at it, unease growing in her heart. It was exactly the same as the Monsters from the lower realm. She could only pray there wouldn't be a full outbreak, and that the Song family could remain safe.
"What do you want to do with it?" she asked him.
This was demon territory, so naturally the Demon Palace had the final say.
"Kill it!"
Baili Shang didn't hesitate. Keeping such a thing alive was too dangerous, especially when they knew so little about it. Killing it now would give them peace of mind.
Song Wanníng said nothing, watching as he finished the Monster off. But her face showed no relief. The creature wasn't particularly strong, but its speed was terrifying, and if they really faced countless numbers of them, it'd be nothing short of despair. And worst of all, a sneak attack could mean having your heart ripped out in an instant.
She sighed, her thoughts sinking. This problem felt even more troublesome than the invaders.
Baili Shang noticed her mood and couldn't help but feel worried as well.
"Let's see if there are more hiding around."
He frowned and began checking other pits.
This time, he and Song Wanníng split up, quickly flushing out one Monster after another.
Kill one, another appeared.
Like bamboo shoots after rain, they just kept coming.
Their expressions darkened as they struck harder and harder, each Monster dying miserably, their bodies obliterated until nothing was left. By now, people from the Demon Palace had arrived. They froze at the sight of so many Monsters, unable to enter the formation and only able to watch helplessly.
"There's this many? I thought there'd only be one!"
"Yeah, but looking at it, their strength isn't that great. The young master and Lady Song can handle them."
"At least this avenges our fallen brothers."
The disciples whispered among themselves, not realizing the true severity of the situation. But the Demon King's face was grim, a strong sense of unease gnawing at him. Those close to ascending often had a faint connection with the Heavenly Dao, and right now, that intuition screamed danger, suffocatingly so. An hour later, the last of the Monsters were slaughtered. The ground was stained red, littered with twisted remains.
Baili Shang stopped his assault, his expression heavy as he gathered the formation disks.
Song Wanníng sheathed her sword, her gaze sweeping across the bloody earth. For a moment, it was as if she'd been dragged back into the nightmare of the Golden Dragon clan's annihilation.
That shadow still clung to her, making her worry deeply for her family back in the lower realm.
Now she finally understood why so many immortals desperately wanted to reach the lower realm.
"Father, you're here!"
Baili Shang walked up to the Demon King and shot him a meaningful look.
The two moved aside, and Baili Shang quietly explained the danger of the Monsters.
When the Demon King learned that even the Golden Dragon clan had perished in their attempt to wipe them out, his face went pale for an instant. So that was the source of his dread.
These creatures were far too terrifying.
This wasn't just a problem for the demons anymore.
"I understand. I'll spread word right away and make sure the other factions take this seriously."
He glanced at Song Wanníng, who still stood among the blood, and a complicated look flickered in his eyes before he turned to leave with his men.
Things were dire, and he had to act fast.
When everyone else left, Song Wanníng remained for a while, then decided to go as well. Her heart ached for the Song family. She had to push forward with merging the two realms as soon as possible, to prevent them from being caught in such danger.
As for Gong Ye, he'd already been pushed to the back of her mind.
Once the realms merged, killing him would be only a matter of time.
With that thought, she couldn't stay still any longer. "I've got things to handle, so I'll go ahead. This matter will need your demon clan's full attention. If anything happens, contact me right away!"
Without giving Baili Shang a chance to stop her, she rose on her sword and flew off without looking back.
"Wan…"
Baili Shang froze, his mouth half-open, but in the end, he didn't call out. From her look, she had urgent matters waiting. He shouldn't hold her back. He stood there for a long while, then shook his head with a helpless smile.
Who would've thought, proud as he was, he'd end up so torn and hesitant?
But he didn't sink into frustration. Since Song Wanníng was worried about the Monsters, he'd do whatever it took to wipe them out completely and ease her burden.
===
Can you believe it? We've officially hit Chapter 600! (≧▽≦)
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