At this moment, Yan Xiaohu, who was walking in front, suddenly made a halt gesture.
Everyone immediately became alert.
At this moment, not only Zhou Qing but everyone else smelled a nauseating stench of decay.
"Ahead!" Zhou Qing suddenly spoke.
As the group cautiously advanced, a huge pit appeared.
When everyone saw what was inside, their brows furrowed deeply.
Lu Yaoyao turned and vomited beside the wall.
In the pit lay a mass of broken corpses, their limbs twisted in varied positions, but it was clear from their faces that they died in agonizing fear.
The blood had long dried into a dark brown, blending with the soil.
The stench of rot continuously emanated from the pit, making people nauseous, while crawling white maggots infested the pit walls.
From the level of decay, these ordinary people’s bodies likely hadn’t been dead for more than two months.
"It’s the work of these malevolent spirits nearby!"
Just like a sacrificial offering thrown here, combined with what Li Shitao said, the group understood that these corpses were used by an awakened Yin Spirit to restore its power.
Instantly, the group burned with fury, killing intent filling their eyes.
"Be careful everyone!"
Suddenly, the group noticed an abrupt increase in the number of malevolent spirits around them, they surged from all directions, encircling the group.
These spirits took various forms, but mainly existed as black mist, exuding a sickening smell.
Yan Xiaohu and his team tensed up and immediately stood back to back, vigilantly watching the surrounding spirits.
But in the next moment, the malevolent spirits in front suddenly parted to make a path.
Then, a more powerful malevolent spirit appeared.
It was large, radiating a dense bloody smell, with a pair of eerie red eyes shining wickedly.
"Nascent Soul Realm!"
Seeing the Nascent Fire burning on the head of this spirit, the group shivered inwardly.
No one expected that this Yin Spirit had already evolved into the Nascent Soul Realm, making things much more difficult.
Golden Core and Nascent Soul are fundamentally different; even if they combined their power, they’d be evenly matched, but don’t forget, they were surrounded by countless malevolent spirits.
"Careless!" Yan Xiaohu cursed inwardly. From the clues they had, this Yin Spirit should only be at the Pseudo-Nascent Soul Realm, similar to his cultivation.
Even if it has intelligence, it couldn’t compare to humans.
If it had any sense, it wouldn’t dare to attack their group.
Zhou Qing secretly glanced at his master, feeling a sense of reassurance.
The alert sounds kept ringing, Zhou Qing’s Spiritual Power rapidly circulated within him, ready to strike at any moment.
Yan Xiaohu also quickly scanned for the most advantageous combat terrain.
"Humans, I know your purpose here. We can actually cooperate. Afterward, we’ll split the Blood Tai Sui fifty-fifty, how about it?"
The next moment, the Yin Spirit spoke in human tongue, its voice deep and sinister.
Zhou Qing and the others were shocked; they didn’t expect the Yin Spirit to offer cooperation instead of attacking.
But, can they really cooperate?
Ignoring the credibility of its offer, the pit before them was filled with thousands of bodies, all under the protection of the Taiqing Sect.
They were all watching them now.
Zhou Qing drew his Broken Sword, arcs of Thunder rolling on its surface.
He stepped forward firmly, "Third Senior Brother, I’ll assist you. We can definitely fight our way out."
With their master there, he feared nothing.
What he feared was Yan pretending to agree, thus being looked down upon by their master.
After all, their master had been wanting to beat Yan for quite some time.
This journey was both a protection for them and a test.
Yan Xiaohu looked at the corpses in the pit before him, his fists clenched tightly.
A broad blade slowly appeared.
Seeing this, Zhou Qing sighed in relief.
Mo Xingjian behind them also showed a hint of admiration in his eyes.
Some things cannot be retreated from; doing so violates one’s principles.
The others quickly took their respective positions, a product of many years of cooperation and mutual understanding.
"What are you staring at? Swollen eyes can’t even see the situation clearly?" A True Disciple kicked Mo Xingjian’s butt fiercely.
Mo Xingjian instinctively tightened his grip but quickly relaxed, unsure where he should stand.
At this moment, Yan Xiaohu transmitted to the group, "Everyone, get ready for a tough battle ahead. Remember, do not indulge in prolonged combat; it’s not that we can’t win, but this thing has another important use."
Everyone nodded understandingly.
"Dreaming if you think we’ll cooperate with scum like you!"
Yan Xiaohu stepped forward, ready to speak, when a sudden shout came from behind.
Suddenly, a man in a black robe appeared, floating in the air.
A scorching flame surged in his palm, no ordinary fire, but an eerie blue flame, with countless mysterious glyphs flickering within as it danced.
The man in the black robe glanced mockingly at Zhou Qing and the others, then with a sudden flick of his arm, the eerie blue flame roared like a dragon, charging straight at the Yin Spirit.
Seeing this, the Yin Spirit retreated furiously.