Snake Demon Army garrison, Southern Wilderness Hundred Thousand Mountains, original world.
Emerald Giant Trees rose and fell like mountain ranges. Sunlight streamed through gaps in the Branches and Leaves in threads of golden light, warm and humid, brimming with life. On the broad drill ground near the giant trees, the orderly Snake Demon Army was conducting exercises. Ironball gnawed on an Ant Leg while discussing military matters with Qiao Jin.
At Mountain Peak stood an enormous divine hall. Inside, Bai Yujun's Scale Clone left behind in the Southern Wilderness territory sat upon the dragon throne.
Suddenly, her eyes opened, and she turned to look in a certain direction.
The training ground.
Ironball and Qiao Jin froze briefly, then looked toward the ground beside them. A vortex-like tunnel had appeared there for no apparent reason, leaking an evil aura. Its sudden appearance was exceedingly strange.
"What is that? It feels really unpleasant."
Qiao Jin stroked her chin, pondering what this inexplicable thing was.
Ironball waved a hand, and over ten thousand Snake Demon Soldiers swiftly formed ranks, their expressionless faces as uniform as one person's. They withdrew to a sufficient distance, established defenses, and completely surrounded the vortex tunnel. Shields combined into a temporary wall, while archers, crossbowmen, and firearm troops prepared for battle. The air brimmed with killing intent!
Spitting out the Ant Leg, Ironball pulled out a new type of explosive, lit it, and casually tossed it into the tunnel.
"Who cares what it is? Throw in a firework and we'll find out."
He counted four seconds in his head. Blinding light erupted within the tunnel, followed by thick smoke and a thunderous boom. The feeling... was like tossing a firecracker into water, dull and muffled.
Then came wails and shrieks from inside the tunnel. There was something in