Spirit Devouring Sub-Mother Array

Luo Mountain is vast. According to Chen Mei's introduction when they arrived on the Yin Corpse Cloud, Luo Mountain has thirty-six peaks, seventy-two waterfalls, and countless rivers and streams, with the main mountain range stretching for tens of thousands of miles.

Due to the abundant moisture and lush vegetation, all sorts of birds and beasts are countless, and snakes and insects are also emerging endlessly.

Fortunately, Chen Huan and his party were well-prepared. After entering the forest, they distributed insect repellent sachets to everyone. Zhang Zhongqin held his long saber, cleaving a path forward. Although they encountered ambushes from beasts and insects several times, Chen Huan and his companions were clearly experienced from many missions. Their coordination was tacit, and their response was rich in experience, making the overall journey relatively smooth.

"Silence!" After walking for an unknown amount of time, sinking deep into the mud, Zhang Zhongqin, who was clearing the path ahead, suddenly made a gesture. The entire team immediately tensed up. Before Pei Ling could react, his shoulder felt heavy as Chen Huan caught up from behind and placed his hand on him.

Chen Huan's originally refined and handsome face was clouded with gloom. He gave Pei Ling a warning glance before looking forward.

Between the towering ancient trees, behind the dense foliage, several ape-like demonic beasts with crimson eyes and green fur were playing.

After signaling everyone to retreat a distance and having Zhang Zhongqin confirm that there were no problems nearby, Chen Huan said in a low voice, "According to previous reconnaissance, the most troublesome creatures in this area are these Fiery-eyed Green Apes. If we can't eliminate them, I'm afraid it will lead to complications later."

Pei Ling watched quietly, not intending to help at all. He hoped they would run into some trouble so he could take Chen Mei and complete the transaction with Wu Liu!

But then, he saw Xiao Tasha and the others successively take out wine and sedatives from their storage bags. After some ingenious planning, they exploited the Fiery-eyed Green Apes' weakness for alcohol and knocked them out... ultimately resolving the group of demonic beasts without shedding a drop of blood!

Afterward, with equally thorough preparations, they dealt with a nest of Spirit Devouring Ants and a Blue-winged Crow.

It was difficult to discern direction in the dense forest. Pei Ling could only vaguely sense that they seemed to be taking a large detour, thoroughly clearing out the troublesome demonic beasts and insects within that circle. Only then did Chen Huan and the others stop and lead him toward the center of the circle.

During this process, Chen Huan remained highly vigilant toward Pei Ling, constantly watching his actions, giving him no opportunity to cause trouble.

Pei Ling's expression remained unchanged. He could tell that Chen Huan and the others' intentions toward him were becoming increasingly obvious. However, he was currently cooperating very well, or perhaps it was because Chen Mei was in his hands, that these people had no intention of revealing their true colors yet.

"Senior Brother Chen, how much further is it to the mission location?" After walking for a while, Pei Ling suddenly asked, as the surrounding environment was gradually becoming colder.

Even the vegetation had changed to a certain extent, with a significant decrease in sun-loving plants and a rapid increase in shade-loving ones... and the terrain was gradually sloping downward.

"We're almost there," Chen Huan replied briefly.

As they spoke, they entered a narrow gorge.

Pei Ling's eyes flickered, and he carefully noted all the traces along the way.

The gorge ahead had a sheer, cliff-like appearance. Once inside, there was only one path. Towering blue-gray rocks faced each other overhead, covered in creeping vines that hung down to the valley floor, blocking out the sun. Moreover, miasma filled the air, severely limiting visibility even during the day.

Xiao Tasha, having recovered somewhat after this period of rest, dismounted from Huang Xian's back, activated her array disk, and took the lead, replacing Zhang Zhongqin.

Although this place was devoid of sunlight year-round, it was still bone-chillingly cold at noon. However, for some reason, various vines grew exceptionally luxuriantly, intertwining and twisting in strange ways, appearing like demons and ghosts at first glance.

After a short while, they pushed aside a cluster of thick vines, and the area before them suddenly opened up into a flat clearing.

Xiao Tasha breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Junior Brother Pei, the Flower Demon is ahead. You can go!"

Upon hearing this, Pei Ling's heart skipped a beat. Without hesitation, he replied, "Okay! Hunting the Flower Demon is a mission for Senior Sister Chen Mei and me. We'll go in together!"

As he spoke, Pei Ling naturally drew the Aversion to Life Saber and then held it against Chen Mei's neck!

Chen Mei's expression instantly stiffened. She had no idea what was happening, but then she heard Pei Ling say coldly, "Don't move, or else..."

Before he could finish speaking, their waists suddenly tightened. Pei Ling looked down and saw that, at some point, a vine as thick as a child's arm had extended from behind them, coiling around both him and Chen Mei, and then abruptly dragging them forward!

The surrounding scenery rippled like water. Pei Ling's pupils contracted sharply. He saw that Chen Huan and the others had inexplicably vanished, despite being only a dozen feet away.

In their place stood towering ancient trees on all four sides.

Pei Ling was startled. Gripping Chen Mei with one hand, he wielded his saber with the other, hacking at the vine that ensnared him.

The vine seemed to have a mind of its own. Before the blade of the Aversion to Life Saber could fall, it suddenly released him. However, it immediately coiled around Chen Mei and dragged her into the forest!

Pei Ling followed without hesitation, slashing at Chen Mei with his saber. But the vine was too fast; it coiled around Chen Mei and retreated rapidly, a step ahead of him!

Pei Ling immediately pursued. He now knew that this vine was a spell used by Chen Huan! Even though he had prepared thoroughly, there was still a gap of two minor realms between them, and he couldn't match the opponent's speed!

Soon, Chen Mei disappeared into a clump of bushes not long after being dragged into the forest.

But Pei Ling, who followed closely, stepped forward, and the bushes remained just bushes, almost snagging his trouser leg.

An Illusion Array?!

Pei Ling's expression changed, and he then said coldly, "What do you Senior Brothers and Sisters mean by this?"

"It means nothing, we just hope Junior Brother Pei will stay in this sub-array for a while. We'll be back to find you soon!" Chen Huan replied with a smile.

Hearing this, Pei Ling snorted coldly but quickly regained his composure. He immediately said, "Senior Brother Chen, I respect you like a brother. Why are you plotting against me?"

"Since you regard Senior Brother Chen as a brother, how can you, as a junior brother, stand idly by when your elder brother is in trouble?" He couldn't see them, but he could clearly hear Xiao Tasha's voice, giggling, "Junior Brother Pei, don't struggle. Just stay obediently in the sub-array. When the mother array is set up, you can honestly feed your essence and blood to Senior Brother Chen's Soul Summoning Banner, and it won't be a waste of your good body."

Pei Ling wanted to locate the exit by sound, but the voice came from all directions, making it impossible for him to pinpoint.

Seeing this, Pei Ling stopped speaking and quietly sat down on the ground.

Outside the array, Chen Huan withdrew his gaze and asked Xiao Tasha, "Are you sure he can't get out?"

Xiao Tasha confidently replied, "Don't worry, Senior Brother Chen! Outside the sub-array, I've specifically set up another layer of Illusion Array, the same one used to trap Senior Brother Huang and Senior Brother Zhang before. Even if he luckily gets out of the sub-array, he definitely won't be able to get out of it."

She added, "The most crucial part now is the mother array. Yesterday, we lacked materials, so we could only set up the sub-array and the Illusion Array. In comparison, the mother array is more complicated and has more requirements."

"Moreover, to maximize Senior Brother Chen's ability to control the completed Soul Summoning Banner without being disturbed by the souls within, we will all need to contribute our vital blood and birthdates later, especially Senior Brother Chen... All of this must be done before midnight. Only then can we extract the soul and essence blood of that young man in the sub-array with the most perfect effect, completely integrating his lifelong cultivation into the Soul Summoning Banner."

"Otherwise, if we miss the opportunity, the next suitable date will be five days later."

Chen Huan said, "Thank you for your hard work." He then glanced at Huang Xian and Zhang Zhongqin. After the two nodded, indicating that Xiao Tasha's Illusion Array was indeed reliable, he smiled and said, "Then we will all follow Junior Sister Xiao's arrangements from now on."

After confirming again that the Illusion Array and the sub-array were intact, they turned and headed to the location of the mother array outside the gorge.