"Making it back alive was good enough. If we took this second-tier demon beast to the Immortal-Burying Abyss, we could trade it for at least a few middle-grade crystal stones. Boss Zhao and the others can get their wounds treated, and life will be a little easier from now on."
On the street, Boss Zhao dragged the demon beast's corpse until he finally reached the open ground near the Teleportation Array.
His legs gave out, and he dropped to his knees in the muddy water with a thud, gasping for breath.
Though badly wounded, his sole remaining eye shone with wild joy and relief.
"We survived... we survived..."
Boss Zhao looked back at his four remaining brothers and sisters, his voice hoarse.
"This second-tier demon beast will be enough to get us lifesaving pills. Third Sister's arm can be reattached, and Little Five's eyes can be healed. We can even leave some compensation for the families of our fallen brothers."
The one-armed female cultivator leaned against a companion, tears mingling with blood as she forced a strained smile.
"Big Brother, let's hurry to the Teleportation Array and go exchange it for crystal stones at the Immortal-Burying Abyss. I'm afraid a long night will bring too many nightmares."
Boss Zhao nodded and struggled to stand.
Before he could steady himself, synchronized footsteps sounded from the other end of the street.
A squad of cultivators dressed in the Taichu Immortal Vein's robes swaggered toward them.
Leading them was a Law Enforcement Elder with a drooping mustache, dressed in a sumptuous brocade robe. He rolled two jade hand-exercise balls in his palm, a cold sneer on his face.
Behind him followed more than a dozen enforcement disciples, all at the spirit transformation stage or above, holding gleaming dharma artifacts.
At the sight of