Zhang Xiaofan stared in astonishment at the box he had opened. Inside lay a sheet of black paper, neither quite metal nor quite paper. The pattern on it looked familiar, but he couldn't remember where he had seen it before.
The moment he opened the box—which sent the soldiers into a frenzy whenever they came near it—the ground shook, and countless streams of black gas surged up from beneath the earth, shooting straight into the sky.
The column of gas erupting from underground locked Zhang Xiaofan's body in place, leaving him completely unable to move.
He wasn't the only one. Every living thing in the stronghold was immobilized by the columns of gas.
Outside the stronghold, Big Dabai, Old Ancestor Fengyue, and the burly man were not affected as severely, but even they were stunned by the sight of the stronghold.
Big Dabai left the other two behind and floated to Luo Yunji's side, standing guard. The Demon Wolf let out a wail and collapsed to the ground, unable to move.
Big Dabai had just been about to warn Luo Yunji to stay away from the stronghold when the aura around Luo Yunji suddenly changed. Big Dabai hurriedly lowered himself, bowed his head, and gave a respectful salute.
"Luo Yunji" walked through the air toward the center of the black columns. With every step, ripples spread through the air beneath his feet, as if he were stepping not on air, but on the surface of water. It was an astonishing sight.
Big Dabai followed behind him with a deep bow, floating along at a slow pace.
The soldiers near the buildings were all crushed to the ground by the oppressive force of the black columns, their eyes squeezed shut. Even breathing felt like it took all the strength they had;