The organized demonic suppression squad did not linger at Black Stone Fortress. Tang Xiao Qi deeply understood that in war, speed was crucial. Every moment of delay, the demonic disaster might spread further, and more living beings would suffer. After briefly familiarizing with each member's characteristics and abilities and replenishing necessary pills, talismans, and other supplies, the group, under Xiao Qi's leadership, resolutely entered that northwestern wasteland shrouded by ominous dark clouds.
The moment they left Black Stone Fortress's huge city wall built relying on mountain terrain and inscribed with countless defensive talismans, the dramatic change in environment rushed toward them.
As if an invisible boundary divided vitality and death utterly. Behind them was the border stronghold built relying on spiritual veins, tense yet orderly. Before them stretched an endless, color-monotonous gray and yellow. The sky was lead-gray, as if shrouded by some invisible dust. Even sunlight seemed lifeless, unable to bring any warmth. The air carried a dry, desolate scent. Spiritual energy became extremely scarce and impure. Upon inhalation, it faintly carried an uncomfortable coldness.
The earth was cracked. Vegetation was sparse. The few drought-resistant shrubs presented an unhealthy gray color, their branches and leaves twisted, as if struggling painfully. The wind here became especially mournful, like countless wronged souls wailing, lifting ground sand that pattered against protective spiritual light like dense rustling, adding more desolation and strangeness.
"What thin spiritual energy, mixed with such nauseating scents." Ling Shuang from Xuanji Holy Land slightly frowned. A pale blue halo naturally radiated from him, isolating the approaching filthy aura. For a cultivator of such refined ice techniques, this environment was particularly uncomfortable.
"Amitabha." Northern Wastes monk Hui Ren softly recited the Buddhist greeting, his expression grave: "Death energy and grudge energy interweave here, with demonic energy lurking. This is indeed a greatly inauspicious omen. Everyone must guard their hearts, not letting external evil invade." He held a string of ebony prayer beads, faintly emanating a warm yet firm Buddhist light, dispelling approaching negative energy.
Xiao Qi's spiritual consciousness had already spread like a huge net, covering several hundred li in all directions. In his perception, this wasteland was like a huge, slowly festering wound. The spiritual veins of the earth were polluted and absorbed by some force, becoming chaotic and impoverished. And beneath this death, countless restless and full of malicious intent auras were hidden.
"Increase vigilance." Xiao Qi ordered deeply, his gaze sharp as he swept the surroundings: "According to intelligence, demonized demon beasts and eroded cultivators are the main threats here. They have lost their intelligence, fight fearlessly, and their attacks carry demonic energy erosion. If injured, the consequences are severe."
As if to confirm his words, after traveling less than a hundred li, several black figures suddenly pounced from scattered rocks ahead!
Those were several wolf-shaped demon beasts, several times larger than normal, with most of their fur fallen out, revealing black rotting flesh beneath. Their eyes were blood-red, full of madness and. Corrosive black saliva dripped from their mouths. Their claws gleamed with dark demonic light—these were "Rot Claw Demon Wolves" deeply eroded by demonic energy.
"Hmph, insignificant pests!" Ao Zhan from East Sea Dragon Palace snorted coldly. Without even using weapons, he merely stepped forward and threw a punch! Vast water-attribute spiritual energy condensed into a substantial blue fist aura, with dragon roars, fiercely colliding with the demon wolf at the front!
"Bang!" A muffled sound. The demon wolf, with strength comparable to Foundation Establishment middle-stage, was directly smashed by this punch, exploding into a mass of stinking black blood and minced flesh. However, the demonic energy contained in that exploding black blood actually acted like living things, attempting to attach to Ao Zhan's fist aura, emitting "hiss" erosion sounds.
Ao Zhan frowned. Dragon aura erupted on his fist aura before he could disperse that troublesome demonic energy.
Almost simultaneously, Ling Shuang guided with his sword finger. His back sword did not leave its sheath, yet invisible sword qi erupted, sweeping toward the other demon wolves like an ice storm. Where the sword qi passed, the demon wolves' movements instantly became sluggish, frost crystallizing on their bodies, then being cut into countless frozen fragments by subsequent sword qi.
Shadow's figure was like a ghost, flickering among the demon wolf group. Each swing of his short blade brought a spray of black demonic blood, or severed demonic tendons, or pierced their energy cores. His attacks might not be as as Ao Zhan and Ling Shuang, but efficiency was extremely high, specifically targeting demon wolves' weaknesses, like an efficient harvester.
Jing Wuxin remained at the squad's flank. Her "Breaking Illusion Spiritual Pupils" flickered with faint light, continuously sweeping the farther environment, early-warning possible ambushes or other threats. She suddenly shouted: "Right front three li, behind the stone forest, energy gathering, suspected more demonic creatures, and also. human cultivator auras, very chaotic!"
Xiao Qi's spiritual consciousness immediately focused there. Indeed, behind the stone forest, dozens of auras mixed with demonic energy and spiritual power were.
"Let's go take a look!" Xiao Qi decided without hesitation. The squad immediately changed direction, rushing toward the stone forest.
Crossing a row of jagged stone pillars, the scene before them made everyone's hearts sink.