In Kongqiang Ridge, led by Yu Qing, Su Yuan and his party hurried forward.
The terrain here was rugged, with jagged rocks and dense vegetation. Various colors of miasma and all kinds of poisonous insects filled the surroundings.
The group arrived at a valley. While leading the way, Yu Qing pointed to a drifting patch of light green miasma and reminded them in a serious tone.
"Everyone, be cautious. This light green miasma is corrosive poison miasma, especially harmful to the flesh. We must avoid it and use Star Power to shield ourselves. If it touches your body, it can corrode a fist-sized piece of flesh within five seconds, leaving nothing but bones!"
Yang Song and Tian Bulue frowned deeply, their eyes reflecting a grave concern.
"Is this thin layer of miasma really that dangerous?" Wang Xudong raised an eyebrow skeptically, gathering Star Power to his fingertip.
Yang Song quickly warned, "Xudong, don't..."
Wang Xudong struck out with his Star Power, easily dispersing the miasma.
"It's not that impressive, is it?" Wang Xudong dismissed the Star Power from his fingertip with a sneer. "Is it just that the City Guard's Star Power is too weak, making you so cautious?"
Yang Song and Tian Bulue, seeing the light green miasma dispersed easily, turned to Yu Qing.
Yu Qing explained, "This miasma is effective against the body but can be dispersed with Star Power. The miasma here originates from underground, decomposed bodies of poisonous insects and beasts over thousands of years. These miasmas are not easily eradicated. Why don't you take another look?"
They turned to see the light green miasma, which Wang Xudong had just dispersed, quietly reforming within moments, unchanged from before.
Wang Xudong's face showed slight embarrassment, and he snorted coldly, "Even if it's hard to disperse, its power is still questionable."
Yu Qing sighed softly and was about to explain further when they suddenly felt a faint Star Power emanating from behind.
They turned to see Su Yuan forming seals with his hands. Moments later, he opened a gate of Hell's Grace, summoning two Shining Star-level Netherfire Steel Bone Wolves.
"Summoning Technique?"
Not only Yu Qing, but even Wang Xudong and the others were surprised.
"Go ahead and scout the way," Su Yuan commanded the two Netherfire Steel Bone Wolves.
The two Bone Wolves had just entered the corrosive poison miasma when they were rapidly corroded.
The black Netherfire on their bodies crackled and sputtered, almost extinguished. Their steel-like skeletal bodies were rapidly dissolving.
"Howl! Howl! Howl!!..."
Su Yuan waved his hand again, causing Holy Light to descend on the two Bone Wolves, dissipating the surrounding miasma and slightly healing their injuries.
The two Bone Wolves retreated hastily, already severely injured.
"This miasma is indeed formidable!" Yang Song and the others took on a solemn expression.
Even though the elite-grade Netherfire Steel Bone Wolves were no match for the group and could be easily killed, they were still genuine Shining Star-level beings with decent steel bone defense. The demonstration vividly showed the miasma's danger!
Wang Xudong's expression became slightly awkward.
Yu Qing, feeling grateful, cupped his hands towards Su Yuan.
Su Yuan sent the two Bone Wolves back and shook his head secretly.
With his All-Knowing Vision, Su Yuan could naturally see the intense strength of the corrosive poison miasma. To prevent his teammates from making mistakes that could hinder their mission, he summoned the Netherfire Steel Bone Wolves as a warning.
As for Wang Xudong's slight disdain for Yu Qing...
The Sky Patrol Department had easy-going individuals and others who were tough to deal with.
Strength was paramount among Star Card Masters. It was too common for Sky Patrol Special Envoys to look down on local City Guards.
With Su Yuan's demonstration, Yu Qing continued to warn, "Ahead, there are more types of miasma and some highly poisonous insects and beasts. Everyone, please stay alert and follow closely."
Yang Song cupped his hands and saluted, "No problem. Thank you, Captain Yu!"
Wang Xudong and Tian Bulue also nodded.
In no time, the three Special Envoys became noticeably more amiable. Yu Qing sighed with relief, feeling even more grateful to Su Yuan...
In the depths of Kongqiang Ridge, in Poison Mist Valley.
Five casually dressed individuals waited awkwardly at the valley entrance's barrier.
Beyond the five people, a green-eyed young man around thirty was setting up a barrier.
Guided by this barrier, the miasma in the valley showed signs of dispersing to the sides.
A young man with a gloomy face walked over and asked, "Yu Runde, how's the barrier coming? How long until you can completely disperse the miasma inside?"
The green-eyed youth, Yu Runde, pondered slightly and replied, "Another two or three days, I estimate."
"Two or three days?" The gloomy young man showed irritation, "Didn't you say two or three days the day before yesterday? And now it's still two or three days?"
Yu Runde remained unperturbed, "As we proceed, the difficulty is higher than I initially thought."
The gloomy young man said darkly, "Fine! You better hurry. Every extra day we spend here increases the risk."
"Don't worry. With my Ghostly Yin Filth Array blocking the front, no miasma or poisonous insects will trouble us. Even if the Great Flame sends people after us, they won't breach this easily."
"Those people are secondary. If the Great Flame sends experts from the Sky Patrol Department, or even a Radiant Moon-level expert, we might not be able to hold them off!"
Yu Runde said expressionlessly, "I know that. But the speed can't be increased. How about you figure out a solution if you have the skills?"
Being stuck in Kongqiang Ridge for so long had already made the gloomy young man and his companions extremely anxious. Now, anger flushed his eyes, and he seemed ready to strike.
A loud voice interrupted the gloomy young man as a burly man with a buzz cut walked over.
"If you dare lay a hand on him, I'll crush you first!"
This burly man was the strongest among them, Pei Yuanming.
Pei Yuanming said calmly to Yao Bing, "Without Yu Runde, none of us can leave. Stay put."
Yao Bing looked at Pei Yuanming, then Yu Runde, his face shifting. He spat on the ground but said nothing, walking away.
It wasn't that Yao Bing was scared of Pei Yuanming, but he knew Pei Yuanming spoke the truth.
Without Yu Runde, they couldn't escape the miasma's encirclement in Kongqiang Ridge, struggling even to last a few more days!
Seeing Yao Bing step away, Pei Yuanming pondered briefly before approaching Yu Runde, "Runde, Yao Bing isn't entirely wrong. If other experts come, it will be trouble. Please hurry!"
Yu Runde responded, "Don't worry, Brother Pei. I understand."
"Good, I entrust it to you!" Pei Yuanming patted Yu Runde's shoulder heavily before walking away.
Yu Runde, watching Pei Yuanming leave, stared at the barrier below, his eyes flashing subtly.
At that moment, Yu Runde seemed to sense something, his eyes sharpened, and he turned to look outside the valley.
A few kilometers away from Poison Mist Valley, several figures moved rapidly, stopping nearby.
Yu Qing pointed to the large barrier filled with black and green gases ahead.
"The Evil Card Masters used this barrier to seal the area in front of Poison Mist Valley. The filth from the barrier combines with the miasma inside, making it exceedingly powerful. We simply couldn't get through.
Our only option now is to use the Investigation Technique to understand the situation behind the barrier."
Yang Song and the others examined the barrier, feeling its daunting presence.
"Devious tricks! Let me try!" Wang Xudong snorted, spreading his hands. Fire elements rapidly gathered, forming a massive fireball above his head, meters in diameter.
The fire elements vibrated intensely, releasing an intense, scorching heat!
"Go, Blast Fireball!"
Wang Xudong hurled the fireball at the barrier.
The expected explosion didn't happen.
As the fireball touched the barrier, filth gas surged to meet it.
The filth gas infiltrated the fireball, diminishing its power before it could unleash its full potential.
Then, the miasma from the valley combined with the filth, further neutralizing the fireball.
The fireball, instead of exploding, fizzled out completely after flying a few dozen meters...
Wang Xudong's eyes widened slightly.
Yang Song and Tian Bulue's expressions were serious.
Yu Qing seemed unsurprised, as if he expected this.
"This barrier is extremely powerful!" Yang Song observed the two intertwining energies, "It doesn't just conflict with the miasma; it can slightly guide the miasma to defend itself."
Tian Bulue remarked, "Forcing our way through will be tough."
Yang Song and the others scrutinized the barrier before turning to Su Yuan simultaneously.
"Special Envoy Su, can you break this barrier?" Yang Song asked.
Yu Qing was surprised, realizing this youngest envoy was a Barrier Master.
Su Yuan approached the barrier, his eyes shining like World Tree Leaves, examining the barrier closely.
When power exceeds a barrier's limit significantly, most arrays and barriers can be shattered by brute force.
For instance, with Burning Sun's strength, the barrier before them could be crushed with a single move.
Thus, breaking a barrier doesn't usually involve overwhelming force but finding weaknesses and using specific techniques and limited power.
For knowledgeable Barrier Masters, locating the key points is more straightforward.
At this moment, Su Yuan's eyes glowed with silver, akin to World Tree Leaves, probing the barrier.
With All-Knowing Vision at full power, the energy shifts, physical structure of the Filth Barrier, and every detail lay apparent in his gleaming eyes.
How to break it was clear at a glance!