Along the way, the Qingqiu cultivators moved swiftly and cleanly, taking out five or six outlying sentry posts without alerting the main force inside the mountain.
Elder Bai Xuan felt somewhat reassured. The surprise attack seemed to be working well.
But just as they were about to reach the entrance into the mountain, the cultivator at the head of the group suddenly stopped short, having stepped on something.
The next instant, a black pattern of light rose from the ground and spread outward in a flash.
"Damn it! We've triggered a restriction!"
Elder Bai Xuan's expression changed, and he gave a sharp, low cry.
Almost simultaneously, a shrill alarm sounded from inside the mountain.
Its wailing echoed through the valley, piercing their ears.
Immediately afterward, a large number of heretical cultivators charged out of the entrance.
Each wore black robes and carried a different sinister weapon, an aura of evil emanating from their bodies.
Leading them was a pale-faced middle-aged man with a malevolent gaze-the Altar Master of the Eastern Sub-Altar.
"Hmph. A pack of little rats, daring to trespass on the Black Baleful Church's territory. You must be tired of living."
The Altar Master sneered, sweeping a contemptuous gaze over the Qingqiu cultivators.
Elder Bai Xuan stepped forward and spoke in a grave voice.
"You fiends of the Black Baleful Church have brought disaster upon the world. Today, I will carry out Heaven's justice and destroy your sub-altar!"
"Carry out Heaven's justice?"
The Altar Master burst into laughter as though he had heard a joke.
"Here on the Far North Icefield, the Black Baleful Church is Heaven!"
"Since you've come, you can all stay and become nourishment for my Soul-Refining Formation!"
With those words, the Altar Master formed seals with both hands, chanting under his breath.
In an instant,