No matter how the soldiers restrained and commanded them.
Even when faced with the whips lashed down by the soldiers, the horses still refused to move forward even half a step.
They even showed faint signs of losing control.
They kept kicking their hind legs and struggling, as if trying to throw the riders off their backs.
Several soldiers nearly fell from their horses.
They could not help tightening their reins and stopped there.
The young officer who had led them here looked grim.
"The horses are so frightened. It seems we won't be able to ride in."
He gritted his teeth. "Everyone, dismount!"
"Leave one person here to watch the horses. The rest, follow me."
Naturally, two legs could not move as fast as four.
On open plains with fewer obstacles, horses allowed them to escape most threats from beasts and monsters.
Unfortunately, if they did not want to give up investigating ahead, they could only abandon their horses and proceed on foot.
"Yes!"
Those who had come out to investigate at a time like this were naturally not cowards.
Though they were somewhat afraid, not a single one chose to retreat.
Other than the one left behind to guard the horses, the rest followed the officer into this land that seemed to have been struck by divine punishment.
The scorched smell of lightning strikes was everywhere.
As they stepped on the ground, they seemed to feel a strange tingling sensation travel up from the soles of their feet.
Everyone's faces turned waxy yellow.
The feeling was far from pleasant, as if they were walking on a carpet covered in needles.
Every step was agony.
"Quickly, move at full speed."
The officer also sensed the sinister nature of this land. He forced himself to quicken his pace, wanting only