Blood Mist

"All assessors, you may begin your actions."

The staff member for the demon assessment announced loudly, pointing at the terrifying forest ahead filled with a bloody mist. They said expressionlessly, "Pass through this bloody forest. Ahead is a blood lake, and in the center of the lake is the Bloodthirsty Castle. I wish you good luck and hope you can return alive."

Linley transmitted his thoughts to Thomas and Corey, reminding them, "Let's play it by ear. Don't rush to the front and attract attention."

Just because he was confident didn't mean he wanted to steal the spotlight!

For this one-star assessment mission as a demon, he just wanted to complete it discreetly. High-level enemies like the Bloodthirsty Castle Lord, stewards, and other five-star and four-star demons should be left for the accompanying demons to deal with.

"Friend, how about we go together?"

"Flying straight there is too obvious, right? We'll definitely be discovered by the Blood Slave Guards in advance."

"I'm skilled in Earth Law, why don't we go through underground?"

"This bloody forest looks a bit strange. The mist can actually interfere with Spiritual Sense probes. There must be a Magic Array set up by the Bloodthirsty Castle. Everyone be careful."

Hundreds of newcomers began to make noise, each looking for temporary teammates, while the demons also split into two groups.

Two five-star demons, after discussion, led some three-star and four-star demons to fly directly over the forest.

Claude and Aaron, father and son, were covered in a layer of earthy yellow luster, and they burrowed underground with Mariana and Lisa.

The actions of the leading demons set an example. The six hundred people present all made their choices. Two-thirds of them loudly followed behind the group of two five-star demons, while the majority of the remaining chose to go underground, mostly strong individuals skilled in Earth Law. Very few chose to walk through the forest route.

"Let's follow them too."

After a slight hesitation, Linley and the other two chose to go with the flow and fly over.

During this process, Linley's Spiritual Sense, merged with his Magnetic Field, was released. He discovered that the faint blood mist permeating the forest had no effect on him at all.

Gradually, the blood mist rose!

The sky was no longer unobstructed, and a group of people panicked like headless flies.

"Ah!"

"Big brother, are you crazy!"

"Hahahaha, go to hell!"

Amidst the violent fluctuations of Divine Power, screams and angry curses erupted one after another. The blood-red sky was like a chaotic arena, and slaughter was unfolding.

Soon, someone shouted, "Don't release your Spiritual Sense! This blood mist is Soul Poison refined by a powerful Death Rule expert! Even a trace of it will make you become crazed and bloodthirsty!"

Spiritual Sense is the external manifestation of the soul. The more actively one probes, the more blood mist they absorb, and the deeper the influence.

However, this warning came a bit late; many people had already been affected.

Thomas shouted anxiously, "Corey, wake up!"

As he spoke, he dodged a sword strike from Corey, breaking out in a cold sweat and feeling fortunate. Fortunately, the Water Law he cultivated was best at soul defense. The moment he sensed something was wrong, he withdrew his Spiritual Sense. His head felt a little dizzy, but he quickly recovered.

Thomas's gaze subconsciously flickered to Linley. Seeing that he was also unharmed, Thomas felt much more at ease.

"Kill you all!!"

Corey, with bloodshot eyes, swung his sword wildly and without any pattern. Seeing Thomas dodge, he then targeted the nearby Linley, pouncing at him ferociously like a furious, bloodthirsty beast.

A hint of decisiveness flashed in Linley's eyes. He struck after Corey, slashing off Corey's right arm that held the weapon. Then, he had a sudden idea and quickly lit a stick of Soul Incense. Unfortunately, as soon as the smoke rose, it was contaminated by the blood mist, instantly becoming corrupted, emitting a foul odor, and rendering it useless.

"Kid, good idea, but unfortunately, this ordinary quality Soul Incense is useless. It can't block the erosion of the blood mist at all. Your friend is surely going to die."

The one who spoke was an old man with grayish-white hair, his aura cold and strange. He grinned, and a skull wreathed in eerie blue ghost fire appeared on his wrinkled, aged palm, killing a large number of crazed attackers.

Linley frowned. This old man was one of the two five-star demons leading the group, and he also specialized in Death Rule.

"What do we do, Linley?"

Thomas tacitly transformed his swift water flow into shackles, temporarily restraining Corey. However, this was only a temporary solution. With his soul contaminated by the poison, unless it was quickly cleared, his demise was only a matter of time.

Linley didn't speak. He directly grabbed the frenzied Corey and pulled him away from the group. Seeing this, Thomas immediately followed.

The others who witnessed this scene didn't bother to pay attention. After eliminating those who were in the way, they continued to advance.

Linley looked back, ensuring no one was paying attention to their side, and then stopped to provide aid.

"Linley, what should we…"

Thomas, with a face full of anxiety, stopped short of finishing his sentence. He widened his eyes, watching the Soul Incense reignite. The smoke, which should have quickly rotted and smelled foul, stubbornly seeped into Corey's nostrils. The subtle energy contained within it soothed his agitated soul, gradually restoring his clear consciousness.

"This!?"

Thomas's mouth gaped in astonishment, not understanding the difference between before and now.

Linley sighed, "You're lucky."

He had used his Magnetic Field Power to isolate the blood mist, doing so subtly and skillfully. Thomas, being nervous, hadn't noticed at all.

Linley certainly couldn't display such an operation, which defied ordinary understanding, in front of those demons, lest they detect his uniqueness. Even if these people posed no threat in terms of strength, it wouldn't be good if word got out. Being cautious in this regard was always the right thing to do.

Linley gave Thomas a meaningful look, reminding him, "You don't need to ask. It's good that Corey is alright."

Thomas wisely nodded and smiled, "It's all Corey's good luck that he got through this."

He knew Linley had some secrets but didn't find it strange. There were many similar powerhouses, and there was no need to investigate.

Corey shook his head, feeling dazed, and said with a wry smile, "Sorry for causing you trouble. I thought I was dead for sure."

Meanwhile, in the Tianlan Tribe, Corey's Saint Domain true form wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. He relaxed completely, though his expression was one of lingering fear.

"Let's go."

Linley and the other two returned to the rear of the team. This scene attracted the attention of a few people, who cast surprised glances. This included the old man who was a Five-star Demon. He spoke with surprise, "This kid actually didn't die."

The old man's expression was peculiar. He glanced at the three of them meaningfully but didn't ask anything. Everyone has their secrets, after all.

Linley silently observed, thinking that the old man was wise to mind his own business.

After passing over the Blood Forest, the team was left with just over a hundred and twenty people. The casualties were heavy, and they hadn't even reached the mission objective yet. One could imagine how perilous the assessment mission in the Demon Castle was.

A vast blood-red lake lay ahead, covered in countless Shore Flowers. A black castle stood on the central island, and the only way to reach it from the shore was a bridge formed by logs floating on the water.