"You're the weakest. Stay in the back!"
Zhou Qing suddenly turned around and said to Lu Yaoyao.
The originally aloof Lu Yaoyao immediately smiled, then nodded and stood behind Zhou Qing.
The two weakest people here simply watched as the other seven stepped into the passage ahead first.
The moment they entered, an incomparably vast and majestic sense of gravity descended from above like an awakening giant dragon.
Everyone's faces instantly reddened. Their waists bent, and they immediately braced their hands against the ground, tightened their Dantians, and only then slowly stood back up.
Then, like mud oxen sinking into a sea, they slowly pressed forward beneath gravity four or five times stronger than usual.
Fortunately, those Wandering Souls that had burrowed into the depths did not reappear this time, and everyone unconsciously quickened their pace.
Seeing this, Zhou Qing finally relaxed. After exchanging a glance with Lu Yaoyao, he began to step inside.
The moment he entered, that crushing gravity came roaring down. Caught off guard, he nearly fell, but he gritted his teeth and slowly straightened his back before moving forward.
But after walking only several dozen meters, a howling sound suddenly came from the depths of the passage.
Those Wandering Souls that had vanished earlier appeared again, letting out shrill, ear-piercing roars as they charged over.
Everyone's expressions immediately changed.
Yet before they could draw close, streams of scorching light suddenly burst from everyone's bodies.
The Wandering Souls instantly let out miserable screams and retreated again and again.
"Useful!"
Seeing this, everyone finally let go of their suspended hearts.
Then those Wandering Souls quickly charged toward Lu Yaoyao at the very back.
Light likewise bloomed from Lu Yaoyao's body, forcing them back.
However, she quickly realized something was wrong.
Every single Wandering Soul was attacking her, completely ignoring Zhou Qing beside her.
Only after the Wandering Souls realized that these outsiders had come prepared and could not be approached did they howl as they retreated back into the depths.
They had not even tried Zhou Qing once, as if they could not see him.
What if he did not have the Yang Fire Talisman bestowed by the Grand Elder?
Zhou Qing was stunned as well, but he quickly understood something. His eyes immediately gleamed.
That was it. These Wandering Souls were generally in the Qi Condensation Realm, but his innate skill, Reduce Presence, had already reached LV2. Even those in the Foundation Establishment Realm had a 30% chance of ignoring him.
In an instant, Zhou Qing's confidence soared. But to avoid arousing suspicion, he still shouted angrily, "Hey, hey, hey! What are you doing? Can't you see such a big living person? What's the meaning of this? Looking down on me?"
Seeing this, Lu Yaoyao hurriedly said, "Senior Brother Zhou, keep your voice down. Don't draw them back here."
After hearing Zhou Qing's indignant shout, the seven people walking ahead all wore displeased expressions.
Only then did Zhou Qing shut up.
Everyone then continued inching forward beneath the pressure, but before long, howling once more sounded from the depths of the passage, accompanied by a chill that rushed straight at them.
"Everyone, be careful!"
A senior brother at the Late-Stage Foundation Establishment Realm at the very front immediately shouted, and the others quickly went on guard.
Right afterward, a large number of Wandering Souls came howling from ahead.
Everyone's faces immediately changed drastically. Spiritual power surged through their bodies as they prepared for battle at any moment.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Sure enough, this time, the Wandering Souls charged at them without regard for their lives. Fortunately, the talismans on everyone's bodies bloomed again, temporarily forcing them back.
Roar—
Then they charged again. Some Wandering Souls turned to ash beneath the scorching talismanic light, yet it seemed to do nothing to frighten them. They rammed forward one after another, wave upon wave.
"This can't go on. The power of the talismans will be exhausted. Everyone, pick up the pace and fight back!"
Someone shouted. Though they were moving sluggishly beneath pressure several times stronger than usual, they were still in the Foundation Establishment Realm. Why should they fear Wandering Souls in the Qi Condensation Realm?
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Everyone drew their weapons and began clashing head-on, but the gravity descending from above was like heavy shackles, pressing tightly upon their shoulders.
Every time they raised an arm or took a step, they had to expend enormous strength. The sluggishness of the spiritual power within their bodies especially placed severe limits on them.
Multicolored lights flickered in the darkness. When swords slashed into the illusory bodies of the Wandering Souls, no tangible sound rang out, but ripples of energy could be seen spreading outward.
The illusory Wandering Souls seemed to feel pain. Their bodies trembled slightly as they retreated at high speed, their cries becoming even more piercing.
This gave everyone confidence for a time. Ignoring the icy aura traveling up through their weapons, they intensified their attacks and gradually pushed forward.
Of course, all of this excluded Zhou Qing!
He simply stood there blankly, watching countless Specters besiege everyone as both sides fought with great gusto.
This is way too lacking in presence!
Zhou Qing muttered to himself, then turned to look at Lu Yaoyao not far away. She was being attacked from every direction by more than thirty Wandering Souls.
The Yang Fire Talisman flickered with scorching light. While forcing them back, it also gave Lu Yaoyao opportunities to counterattack. Fortunately, she handled them with ease and did not seem to be in any danger.
Moreover, undergoing such training beneath this gravity was of immense benefit to oneself.
Ignorance Points +1
Before long, a system notification sounded in Zhou Qing's mind, making his eyes light up.
That was right. The more tense and thrilling the environment with many people, the more easily Ignorance Points were generated.
Seizing the opportunity, he quickly crouched down in secret, hugged his head with both hands, and farmed points.
Heart Insight Points +6
After Lu Yaoyao panted as she slew the final Specter, she subconsciously looked toward Zhou Qing and could not help but freeze.
He's really amazing. He actually killed all the Specters so quickly. It's just that his current posture is a little... well.
The “so happy” tag above her head instantly changed to “so amazing.”
Hearing the notification, Zhou Qing also subconsciously looked toward Lu Yaoyao and could not help smiling wryly.
No, why does the tag you give me always start with "so"?
As for Eldest Brother Li Daoxuan, who loved getting jealous, his had become ridiculously long.
If people notice me, I won't be able to refresh Ignorance Points.
"Is everyone all right?" After dealing with the Specters, a senior brother ahead turned around to look around and behind him.
Seeing that everyone had dealt with the Specters one after another, he could not help suggesting, "In such a short time, the Yang Fire Talismans bestowed by the Grand Elder have already consumed nearly half their power. Yet we've only just begun. To be safe, why don't we gather together and defend against the enemy jointly?"
Hearing this, the few people taking the chance to rest looked at one another, each harboring their own thoughts.
That was easy for him to say, but he was the strongest among them. Once they passed through safely, who could possibly compete with him?
If he activated the key first, then the secret technique rewarded by the Grand Elder and the No. 3 Flame Spirit Blood Pool would belong to him. What would be left for them?
They could see it clearly now. The gravity in this passage grew stronger when facing the strong and weaker when facing the weak. That was also why no one else had been sent in.
At the same time, it was their only chance to turn the tables.
Besides, the passage was silent right now. Perhaps there were only this many Wandering Souls.
"I think we should forget it. Gathering together might actually make things more dangerous."
"Yes, yes, yes. Everyone should spread out. If we encounter danger, we can still watch out for and support one another."
"Let's hurry. Don't disappoint the Grand Elders."
The few of them laughed it off, effectively refusing.
The Late-Stage Foundation Establishment Realm senior brother who had made the suggestion frowned, snorted coldly, and continued forward beneath the pressure.
The others did the same.
Before you continue