The night sky outside Qingyun City was stained by an ominous red light. Ning Xiaochuan and Su Linger stood at the entrance to the Mine Cave, their expressions grave as they stared at the Red Markings pulsing like veins across the rock walls. The Sacred Spirit Dragon returned to its Combat Form, folding its west wing as it warily scanned the surroundings.
"It's worsened by more than tenfold since we left." Profound Ice Power gathered at Su Linger's fingertips. The moment she touched the rock wall, a rebounding force flung her hand away. "The entire mountain is being assimilated."
The Red Markings on Ning Xiaochuan's chest faintly burned, resonating with something deep within the Mine Cave. He endured the discomfort as Sacred Source Power circulated through his palm. "The Black Robe Sorcerer must be undergoing his final transformation in there."
The moment the two entered the Mine Cave, they were enveloped by viscous darkness. The air reeked of rust-like blood, while the ground was covered in a thin layer of flesh membrane that made sickening squelching sounds beneath their feet. The Red Markings on the walls moved faintly like living things as they passed.
"These markings..." Su Linger suddenly stopped. "They're recording our information."
Ning Xiaochuan examined them closely and discovered that the Red Markings were indeed rearranging themselves, vaguely forming the outlines of the two of them. "The Bloodline Mother is learning our fighting methods."
The Sacred Spirit Dragon gave a low growl and spat out a small burst of Dragon Breath, scorching the nearest markings. The charred section quickly peeled away, but new matter immediately surged in from around it to fill the gap.
"It's useless." Ning Xiaochuan shook his head. "Unless we destroy the core, it'll regenerate endlessly."
After advancing another hundred meters, the Mine Cave's structure