Hu Shu took a deep breath and tried to calm himself. He clenched his fists, determination and resolve in his eyes. Though the danger ahead was unknown, he would never retreat. He stepped forward and slowly walked toward the massive shadow, each step feeling as though he were treading on the soles of his own feet. The secrets of this unfamiliar region seemed to be waiting for him to uncover them.
The sky's eerie dark red deepened, as if it had been soaked in blood. Black smoke continuously poured from the cracks in the ground, and its pungent stench made Hu Shu frown. The enormous shadow in the distance flickered in and out of view amid the smoke, and low roars occasionally echoed out, as though some colossal beast were warning off intruders.
As Hu Shu remained fully alert to his surroundings, a pack of Wolf Demon-like creatures suddenly charged out from every direction. They were swift and agile, their eyes gleaming with bloodlust, their sharp fangs shining with a cold light beneath the dark red sky. Hu Shu's heart tightened, and he swiftly activated the Invincible Domain. Wherever the domain reached, the Wolf Demons seemed to slam into an invisible wall and fell to the ground one after another. Yet their numbers were immense, and they continued rushing forward in waves, relentlessly battering the domain.
Hu Shu maintained the domain while considering his options. Just as he began to struggle, a dazzling golden beam shot over from afar. Wherever it passed, the Wolf Demons screamed and turned to ash. Startled, Hu Shu turned to look and saw an elderly man with snow-white hair descending slowly from the sky, a Fly Whisk in his hand. The old man wore flowing white robes, his expression kind yet carrying a trace of majesty.
Hu Shu was both curious and wary of the old man's sudden appearance. He stared at him closely, ready to respond to any danger. After landing, the old man looked at Hu Shu and smiled faintly. "Young friend, there is no need to be nervous. I mean you no harm." Hu Shu did not lower his guard. "Who are you? Why are you here, and why did you help me?" The old man lightly waved his Fly Whisk, instantly dispersing the lingering black smoke around them. Only then did he slowly reply, "An old friend asked me to come lend you a hand."
Hu Shu's confusion deepened. "An old friend? Which old friend?" The old man did not answer directly. Instead, he gazed into the distance as though lost in memory. After a moment, he said, "Young friend, do you know that the Human Race's development has always been secretly obstructed by certain forces?" Hu Shu's heart stirred as he recalled everything that had happened before. "Please, tell me more."
The old man's expression turned solemn. "The mastermind behind this is the Chan Sect. To preserve their authority over the primordial world and their influence over the distribution of resources, they fear that the rise of the Human Race will threaten them. Thus, they have secretly interfered at every turn, preventing the Human Race from growing stronger. During this Tribulation of Witches and Demons, they even intend to make the Human Race a sacrifice of the tribulation." Rage surged within Hu Shu after hearing this. Gritting his teeth, he said, "I never thought the Chan Sect could be so despicable!"
The old man nodded and continued, "They have not only targeted the Human Race during the tribulation. Even in ordinary times, they have planted spies among the Human Race to monitor every movement. At the slightest disturbance, they will move to suppress them." Hu Shu clenched his fists, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes. "I will never let them succeed!" The old man looked at Hu Shu with approval. "It is good that you possess such resolve, young friend. However, the Chan Sect is powerful. You must proceed with caution."
Hu Shu took a deep breath and tried to quell the fury in his heart. "Senior, could you tell me who exactly the old friend who asked you to help me is?" The old man smiled faintly but did not answer. "The time has not yet come. You will learn the answer someday." With that, his figure flashed, and he vanished from where he stood.
Hu Shu stared in the direction where the old man had disappeared, his heart filled with doubt. Though he had learned part of the truth from the old man, he still did not know the old man's identity or who the old friend behind him was. At that moment, even the air around him seemed to freeze, and the silence was almost terrifying. Hu Shu knew that what awaited him next was the powerful enemy known as the Chan Sect, yet he had not even fully grasped their specific plans. How to deal with the Chan Sect's schemes had become a difficult problem before him. And this unfamiliar, dangerous region might still conceal more secrets connected to the Chan Sect's conspiracy, waiting for him to explore.
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