This whip strike made the ghost wail miserably.
Quickening our pace, we moved forward.
Several demon priests beside them were also merciless, raising their whips and lashing out at the ghosts.
The sound of "crack, crack, crack" echoed continuously.
As they whipped, they cursed:
"To hell with your Yama's Palace, this is our Black Demon Cult's Demonic Palace!"
"You people are just waiting to be refined into ghost slaves!"
"Damn it. Crying, you only know how to cry. What's the use of crying? Hurry up and move!"
"..."
Under the continuous sounds of whips and scoldings.
This group of ghosts, like the walking corpses, were escorted towards the location of the Corpse-Ghost Heavenly Fetus.
From their words, it could basically be confirmed.
These ghosts and walking corpses were likely being used as raw materials.
Sent into the Corpse-Ghost Heavenly Fetus, where the evil entity's abilities would refine them into vengeful spirits and zombies.
Becoming ghost slaves and corpse slaves for these cultist demons to control.
Thus, expanding their strength and serving some research purpose.
Although these ghosts were all innocent people.
But for now, we could only watch quietly, silently.
We couldn't save them, but we hoped they might escape this calamity...
However, the probability was likely very slim.
We stood there quietly at the alley entrance for a long time.
Only after the groups of walking corpses and ghosts had all departed.
Did we hurriedly leave, fleeing the scene.
And began to continue our infiltration, moving closer to the Corpse-Ghost Heavenly Fetus in the center of the Demonic Palace.
Now, we were very close to the center of the Demonic Palace, near the Corpse-Ghost Heavenly Fetus.
The straight-line distance was probably still about three hundred meters.
I could already clearly see the soul stone emitting a red light.
That was what I was looking for.
With anticipation and urgency, we continued forward.
During the journey, we encountered two more patrols of ghastly figures and demon priests.
But they did not suspect us, and we passed through smoothly.
Finally, we approached the center of the Demonic Palace, nearing the Corpse-Ghost Heavenly Fetus.
At this moment, our group flashed into a back alley.
Moving forward, we reached the mouth of the alley.
Hiding behind a stone wall, we concealed ourselves using some nearby bushes.
Simultaneously, we observed the Corpse-Ghost Heavenly Fetus not far away.
Now that we were closer, we could see the full appearance of this thing.
It looked like a large meatball growing from the ground.
About ten meters high and seven to eight meters wide.
Below it was a large stone platform, about two meters above the ground.
It was likely an altar.
Around the altar were four blood pools.
Each five meters square.
Beneath the Corpse-Ghost Heavenly Fetus, black root-like structures were embedded into the blood pools beneath the altar.
As if drawing nourishment from them.
The Corpse-Ghost Heavenly Fetus, as a whole, was a spherical object.
Pitch black, with an uneven surface and numerous black veins.
Densely covering the entire surface of the meatball.
It pulsed, emitting a "thump-thump-thump" sound akin to a heartbeat.
The walking corpses that had been sent here earlier were now being delivered one by one into the Corpse-Ghost Heavenly Fetus.
In front of the altar, there were three fleshy tentacles that continuously swayed.
The thing was like a carnivorous plant; as soon as a walking corpse approached.
The tentacles would open, revealing a mouth full of viscous fluid.
Directly swallowing it and sending it into the interior of the Corpse-Ghost Heavenly Fetus.
"Holy crap, this thing looks so disgusting!"
Lao Mo whispered, his voice filled with surprise.
Uncle-Master also narrowed his eyes:
"Disgusting it may be, but this thing itself has no offensive capabilities.
It's merely a breeding nest.
Let's see what method we can use to get the soul stone on top."
I had been looking at the soul stone since I arrived here.
It was only about the size of a child's fist.
Attached to the very front of the Corpse-Ghost Heavenly Fetus, at a height of about nine meters.
At such a height, with demon priests guarding the surroundings.
How could we obtain this soul stone?
It was somewhat perplexing.
Everyone seemed to have no good plans or ideas.
They just hid and watched.
For a moment, a sense of helplessness washed over us, unsure of where to begin.
After a while, Xia Qiuxi finally broke the silence, saying:
"I have an idea, I don't know if it will work!"
Upon hearing Xia Qiuxi say she had an idea.
Everyone turned to look at her.
I quickly said:
"Qiuxi, tell us!"
"Yes, please elaborate."
Uncle-Master also chimed in.
We currently had no ideas and all wanted to hear Xia Qiuxi's plan.
Xia Qiuxi looked at us, then at the continuously pulsing Corpse-Ghost Heavenly Fetus:
"To get the soul stone, we must climb up.
And to climb up, we cannot attract the attention of those around us.
So, I propose.
To create some commotion outside.
First, attract the attention of the surrounding guards, then stealthily climb the Corpse-Ghost Heavenly Fetus from behind.
Before anyone can react, quickly retrieve the soul stone.
Seal it with a talisman to prevent its aura from leaking.
Finally, rendezvous with everyone, and continue the disguise.
Amidst the chaos, see if we can sneak out of the Demonic Palace and escape this misty mountain forest..."
Xia Qiuxi quietly and concisely explained her thoughts and plan.
It might not be fully mature and had some flaws.
But after listening, everyone fell silent.
Because none of us had any better ideas or solutions in the short time.
Moreover, the time for my life-curse to activate was running out.
Finally, Uncle-Master gritted his teeth and made the decision on the spot:
"Alright, let's stop thinking.
Whether it's fortune or misfortune, we cannot avoid what's coming.
We will proceed with Qiuxi's plan.
Let's make haste.
Whether we succeed or not, it's up to fate..."