The black smoke rising from the crystal basin was like a giant python awakening, churning and twisting in the dim light with an eerie vitality.
The soldiers stared at the changing shadow in shock. Before they could recover from their astonishment, it swiftly turned into dense clouds of pitch-black smoke that poured outward like nightfall, spreading soundlessly in every direction.
A faint, bitter, fishy smell filled the air, making their hearts tremble.
"Stand farther back." Ang gave the order in a low voice as he controlled wind magic.
An invisible wall of wind promptly rose, accurately guiding the black smoke deep into the cave.
The rock walls along its path quickly turned black, while the moss and wild vines in the cracks withered in an instant, as though some invisible presence had devoured their life force.
Several soldiers gaped in disbelief. One of them could not help muttering, "Th-this... is this a curse?" They instinctively retreated again and again, not daring to approach.
Although Isi and the others could not sense the aura of Dark Magic from the black smoke, they were still shaken by its terrifying effects.
Isi looked at Ang's back, a trace of awe rising in his heart.
He had followed Ang for years and knew that Ang was decisive and meticulous, but he had never expected him to be so proficient at concocting poisons and dispersal methods as well.
Isi recognized most of those materials, but it was his first time seeing them combined to produce such a terrifying effect.
The black smoke continued for half an hour. Only when night gradually shrouded the mountains did the crystal basin stop smoking and fall silent.
Ang took a deep breath and looked at everyone. "For the next three days, no one is to approach this place."
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