This valley, it was clear, had been fitted with traps by human hands.
The poisonous mist that caused weakness and loss of strength was contained within the valley.
Forming a natural defensive line.
Without the reminder from the yellow weasel spirit, we would likely have fallen victim.
I glanced at the rocks on either side.
Complex runes were carved into the rock faces on both sides.
The barrier of energy we had felt earlier was likely generated by these runes.
Their purpose was to isolate this miasma of poisonous gas.
As I focused on those runes, Yunxia Gu took out a medicine bottle and placed it near the noses of the unconscious people.
What was in the bottle, I couldn't tell.
It emitted a strong, pungent odor.
The stunned members of Longhu Mountain began to wake up one after another after inhaling the scent.
"Fatty, Fatty..."
My Uncle was patting Wang Qi Shifu's face, calling out to him repeatedly.
Others were also calling out to others.
Pressing acupoints, slapping faces, shoving them.
There were five people in total, four from Longhu Mountain, and the other a lone cultivator.
After escaping the miasma, everyone gradually began to regain consciousness.
"Tang, Brother Tang!"
Wang Qi Shifu woke up and saw my Uncle, speaking first.
"Fatty, what happened to you all?"
"Senior Brother Qing Shi, is your fifth squad only these few people?"
Yunxia Gu also inquired.
Wang Qi Shifu sat up.
Looking at the other few team members who were slowly waking up, he wore a distressed expression:
"Alas! It's a long story!
We truly underestimated the Black Demon Cult this time!
Everyone else has fallen.
We were chased into this valley by three evil demons.
Only after we entered did we realize something was wrong..."
Hearing this, everyone fell silent.
Each squad had ten members, meaning the fifth squad had already lost five people.
And they were being chased by three evil demons.
Damn, if that's the case.
Except for our seventh squad, the experiences of the other squads wouldn't be much better.
"Shifu, Shifu!"
Wang Qi rubbed his head and woke up.
"Uncle Shifu, have we escaped danger?"
"..."
The other few members of the fifth squad also spoke up.
Daoist Qing Shi shook his head.
I spoke directly:
"We have entered the innermost core of the Black Demon Cult.
Continuing forward, we should be able to see the Demon Palace."
I said calmly.
Upon hearing this, everyone else showed a look of panic.
"Ah? Weren't we running in the opposite direction the entire time? How did we get closer to the demon's lair the more we ran?"
"Yes! How did we go further away? It's over, it's over. We're all going to die this time."
"The Dao Alliance's high command completely underestimated the evil cult; we will all have to become martyrs this time."
The members of the fifth squad were dejected, even fearful.
Only Wang Qi steadied himself, scanning us a few times.
Then he spoke:
"It seems now that the direction we chose initially was wrong.
Those three evil demons were likely herding us deeper in.
They intended to trap us in this misty forest."
Saying this, Wang Qi also gritted his teeth fiercely.
Daoist Qing Shi let out a long sigh and looked at my Uncle and Yunxia Gu:
"What are your plans for your squad from here on?"
My Uncle answered without thinking:
"What other plans can we have? Continue forward."
"Still going forward? Didn't you say that the Demon Court was ahead and it would be even more dangerous?"
Daoist Qing Shi said.
My Uncle, having drunk some wine, replied:
"Do we retreat just because it's dangerous?
Even if we can't destroy the Black Demon Cult, we must bring back something useful.
Otherwise, I wouldn't have captured him as an informant."
He said this while glancing at the yellow weasel spirit squatting motionlessly nearby, its cultivation completely sealed.
After my Uncle finished speaking, Yunxia Gu added:
"Senior Brother Qing Shi, we had already predicted that the Black Demon Cult's strength differed from the Dao Alliance's estimations.
Therefore, we have changed our squad into a scout squad.
Our primary task is to gather intelligence.
Now that we have reached the demon's lair, we naturally must take a look.
We will obtain the most accurate intelligence to lay the groundwork for eradicating the Black Demon Cult..."
Hearing Yunxia Gu's words, the members of the fifth squad exchanged glances.
Finally, they all looked towards Daoist Qing Shi.
This was because Daoist Qing Shi was the leader of this squad.
Whether to advance or retreat was up to Daoist Qing Shi.
Daoist Qing Shi took a deep breath, then said:
"Alright, we will advance and retreat with you.
I also want to see.
What the scene inside this demon's lair truly looks like."
Since Daoist Qing Shi had spoken.
The three disciples of Longhu Mountain, Wang Qi and the others, also voiced their agreement.
The remaining lone cultivator disciple, even if he didn't want to go, had no choice but to follow the crowd.
Here, in the core region of the Black Demon Cult.
Without mutual support, it would be difficult for anyone to get out safely.
Next, my Uncle, Yunxia Gu, and Daoist Qing Shi discussed their action plan.
Ten minutes later, our ten-person squad had become fifteen.
Without stopping, we continued to press forward.
But as we moved forward, the mist began to thin.
Gradually, the fog dissipated.
Before long, we ascended a small hill.
When we stood on the hill and looked down.
Everyone was startled.
Because we had finally seen our destination.
It was a Demon Palace, guarded by zombies within the city, with roaming evil spirits.
Black energy shot into the sky, and clouds obscured the summit.
In the center of the city, there was a large black sphere.
This black sphere pulsed like a heart.
Numerous black tendrils spread out from it, their extent unknown.
Besides the black sphere, the most striking feature was a gem on it that shone with a red light.
Even from a distance, one could see the gem's sparkle and the strange sensation it evoked, drawing one's soul...