Hu Shu watched as the sky gradually darkened, knowing that it was not wise to continue investigating. He turned and strode quickly toward the Human Race settlement. Along the way, he kept considering possible countermeasures. After returning to the settlement, he reassured everyone, yet he himself remained awake all night. The next morning, Hu Shu's gaze was resolute. He decided to follow the rune traces to their source. No matter how many dangers lay ahead, he would never retreat.
The moment he left Shouyang Mountain, Hu Shu became completely focused. The forest path was rugged and winding, with gloomy trees lining both sides and an indescribably eerie air hanging over them. The ground beneath his feet was uneven and pitted, and now and then he spotted strange stones, as though they were telling the hidden secrets of these mountains and forests. Hu Shu followed the rune traces carefully, taking every step with extreme caution.
He had not gone far before Hu Shu sensed something amiss. Faint Spiritual Energy Fluctuations rippled across the ground ahead, as if a trap lay concealed there. He stopped, crouched down, and examined it closely. Several barely visible rune lines lay across the ground, remarkably similar to the runes he had discovered on Shouyang Mountain. Hu Shu's heart tightened. It seemed this trap was inseparable from the force behind those runes.
He slowly rose to his feet and activated the Invincible Domain System, expanding the domain to a radius of thirty meters. Under the cover of the Invincible Domain, he could sense the trap's arrangement more clearly. Powerful spiritual power was contained within it; once triggered, its destructive force would likely be terrifying. Hu Shu drew a deep breath and carefully circled around the trap through his control of the Invincible Domain.
After bypassing the trap, Hu Shu continued onward. Suddenly, rustling sounds came from the woods to his right. Hu Shu immediately went on alert, his gaze shooting toward the source like lightning. A massive "beast" sprang from the forest, its entire body radiating a demonic aura. Ghostly light flickered in its eyes. It was clearly no ordinary beast.
Hu Shu understood that this was likely a Demon Race sentry in disguise. The "beast" let out a roar and lunged at him with astonishing speed, whipping up a fierce gust that made the surrounding trees rustle. Hu Shu remained calm and activated the Invincible Domain again, enveloping the "beast" within it. Inside the Invincible Domain, the "beast's" movements instantly became sluggish.
Hu Shu took the opportunity to study the "beast" carefully. He discovered a distinctive Demon Race aura on its body, and its disguise was exceptionally skillful. Had it not been within the Invincible Domain, it would have been difficult to detect. Sensing Hu Shu's scrutiny, the "beast" howled furiously and struggled without pause, trying to break free from the Invincible Domain's restraints.
Hu Shu sneered. "Your disguise may be clever, but before me, it is nothing. Speak. Who sent you?" The "beast" ignored him and only attacked more frenziedly. Hu Shu felt helpless. It seemed this Demon Race sentry was determined to stop him. He no longer hesitated, circulating his spiritual power and condensing a Spiritual Power Sword, which he thrust toward the "beast."
The "beast" sensed the danger and desperately tried to evade, but under the Invincible Domain's restrictions, its efforts were somewhat futile. The Spiritual Power Sword struck it accurately. The "beast" let out a pained roar, its body twisting and changing until it finally revealed its true form: a demon wolf. The demon wolf collapsed to the ground, its breath weak, yet it still glared viciously at Hu Shu.
Hu Shu walked over and asked again, "Speak. Was the Chan Sect behind this?" The demon wolf suddenly opened its mouth and spewed a cloud of black poisonous mist at Hu Shu. Hu Shu had been prepared. He swiftly cast a Spiritual Power Shield, blocking the poisonous mist outside. The mist hissed as it touched the Spiritual Power Shield, revealing just how potent its poison was.
Hu Shu became even more certain that a powerful force was manipulating matters from behind the scenes. After dealing with the demon wolf, he continued along the rune traces. Along the way, he encountered several more traps and Demon Race sentries disguised as beasts. Each time, he dealt with them only with difficulty by relying on the Invincible Domain System.
As he ventured deeper, Hu Shu noticed that the rune traces became increasingly distinct, while the surrounding atmosphere grew ever stranger. Suddenly, a bank of fog appeared ahead, with faint light flickering within it. Hu Shu became vigilant, but he did not retreat. Instead, he resolutely stepped into the fog.
After entering the fog, Hu Shu found himself seemingly trapped in an illusory space, where the scenery around him constantly changed. Terrifying demon beasts appeared at times, while familiar Human Race settlements appeared at others. Hu Shu knew this was an illusion. He circulated his spiritual power, trying to break through it. However, the illusion was immensely powerful, and his spiritual power consumption grew faster and faster.
Just as Hu Shu began to struggle, he suddenly remembered the Invincible Domain System. He focused his mind and activated the Invincible Domain with all his strength. The domain's radiance instantly illuminated the entire fog-shrouded space. Under the Invincible Domain's effect, the illusion gradually began to dissipate. Hu Shu seized the chance to quicken his pace and finally emerged from the fog.
After barely escaping the attacks, Hu Shu discovered that he had entered an unfamiliar and dangerous region. The sky here was an eerie dark red, while a pungent, rotten stench filled the air, enough to make one vomit. Cracks covered the ground, and black smoke occasionally rose from within them. In the distance, several enormous shadows swayed faintly, as though even more powerful enemies were waiting for him.
Hu Shu looked over this unfamiliar and dangerous region, and a trace of worry rose in his heart. Could he escape unscathed and uncover the truth? Yet he quickly steadied his resolve. For the Future of the Human Race, he had to press forward bravely.
Before you continue