Amid the howling evil qi came a feeling of utter irresistibility. It had appeared without warning and struck from the middle, leaving no room to retreat, nowhere to dodge!
The next moment, Qiu Yan was enveloped by that evil qi. Strange sounds arose from the surface of his flesh, followed by signs of melting and collapse!
Yet as soon as his will settled, a resolute heart was born within him. The scenes of corroding, rotting flesh vanished in an instant, and everything returned to normal!
"Your thoughts are surging with no small force!" a voice came from the side. "Since that is so, I have no opportunity to interfere. Let us keep to our own waters and not offend each other. I ask that you leave."
Once the voice finished speaking, it vanished without a trace, like a gust of wind that swept past and left no mark behind—nor any trail that could be followed.
Still, following that faint origin, Qiu Yan found the source. His gaze shifted and fell upon the pit nearby.
Within the pit, the remaining twenty-odd people had once again sunk into silence. When Qiu Yan emerged without a sound, they seemed not to notice anything and showed little reaction. Yet when Qiu Yan looked their way, he vaguely saw a thin layer of mist around them.
The mist was hazy and indistinct, merely a thin veil covering the surface of their bodies. One would struggle to notice it without looking carefully, but once Qiu Yan detected it, he discovered a deeper mystery.
"This mist contains the aura and intent of Heart Demon transformations." Hovering in midair, Qiu Yan narrowed his eyes at the scene below. "For the Demon King of this continent to advance, one step is to pass the heart tribulation and resist Outer