Li Zhixian and his group of seven proceeded cautiously through the Dark Forest.
"Be careful..."
"Something isn't right about this place..."
The trees in this area were unusually thick.
Their dense leaves were as large as heads, a deep green that was nearly black.
The soil beneath their feet was wet and sticky. Every step felt as though they were treading through mud mixed with rotting flesh.
The air was thick with a foul stench, and grim white bones lay scattered everywhere, all confirming an ominous sign.
All was silent.
Even the insects had fallen quiet.
An invisible pressure blanketed the area, making their hearts pound with fear with every breath.
Every sign pointed to one thing:
They had entered the territory of some terrifying soul beast.
"I-Idol..."
Yufeng's voice trembled with terror.
"Y-You... look... what is that?!"
Li Zhixian and the others hurriedly followed his gaze.
Before them stood a jet-black stone wall covered in vines.
Several claw marks, each several meters long, were etched across the seemingly indestructible wall.
The marks had carved deeply into the stone, and an indescribably vicious aura rushed toward them, shaking Li Zhixian and the others to their core.
"Let's take a look."
Li Zhixian spoke in a low voice.
Holding their breath, the group carefully approached.
The closer they came to the wall, the denser the savage aura from the claw marks became. The invisible pressure made their legs tremble, and they could barely remain standing.
Li Zhixian walked beneath the claw marks and looked up.
He slowly raised a hand.
His fingertips brushed over one of the grooves.
Hiss—
A sharp pain pierced his fingertip.
Bright red blood seeped out, instantly staining the claw mark.
Yet the inside of the mark was smooth as a mirror, without the slightest shard of