Yin Soul Willow Tree

Prince Shaomiao's group stood beneath a dark-golden ancient umbrella that spun continuously, emitting a faint, ghostly glow as it resisted and dispersed wave after wave of Yin Qi Tide crashing toward them like the sea.

Those sheltered beneath the dark-golden umbrella took turns channeling spiritual power into it, maintaining its operation.

After barely resisting the erosion of the Yin Qi Tide, Prince Shaomiao led everyone toward the boundary at the true depths of the Tomb of Gods and Devils.

There, they spotted three figures waiting ahead of time—the trio transformed from Heavenly Demons.

The three wore black robes, like invisible ghosts in the night.

Even the surging Yin Qi Tide around them could not harm them in the slightest, as though what surged around them was not Yin Qi, but spiritual energy.

Seeing this, Prince Shaomiao hesitated slightly before stepping forward and saying, "I'm late. My apologies. We lost some time adapting to the Yin Qi Tide on the way."

Hearing Prince Shaomiao's words, the leading black-robed man waved his hand slightly and replied courteously, "No matter. These are minor matters. We will still need Prince Shaomiao to guide us carefully along the road ahead."

The black-robed man's flattering words improved Prince Shaomiao's expression somewhat. He then said, "Rest assured. Since we have chosen to cooperate, I will naturally treat you sincerely and guide the way with all my heart."

"However, should we encounter any trouble that cannot be resolved along the way, I will have to ask the three of you to lend a hand."

"Certainly, certainly." The leading black-robed man nodded in agreement, then added,

"Since everyone is here, let us set off. This spiritual energy tide will not last long. It would be troublesome if we missed the opportunity."

At this,

the prince nodded, then took out his [Nine Nether Map] and began determining their bearings amid the Yin Qi Tide.

Before long, having found the right direction, Prince Shaomiao waved his hand and directly signaled everyone to follow.

Thus, the group began heading deeper into the Gods and Devils Cemetery, toward a place that was truly barren and deathly silent.

Elsewhere, Su Fang immediately followed after seeing Prince Shaomiao's group begin moving through the [Sky Patrol Monitoring Formation].

However, Su Fang did not dare follow too closely. After all, Prince Shaomiao's party included three Eighth-Stage Heavenly Demon-level experts. It would be bad if they discovered him.

To that end, Su Fang deliberately activated the [Divine Concealment Formation] to avoid being discovered, while also evading the harassment of Yin Wraiths and ghostly monsters within the Yin Qi Tide.

Once everything was ready, Su Fang followed them out of the burial grounds of the Gods and Devils Cemetery and into the unknown barren region deeper within.

Along the way, Yin Wraiths and ghostly monsters could often be seen lurking about, while strange cackles of "Heh, heh, heh" rang out from time to time.

Fortunately, Su Fang had the protection and concealment of the [Devouring Yin Tortoise Carapace] and the [Divine Concealment Formation], so those Yin Wraiths and ghostly monsters did not notice him.

Prince Shaomiao's group, however, was not so fortunate.

They had not walked long through the Yin Qi Tide before encountering a troublesome Yin Wraith monster.

It was a willow tree-like monster, its trunk covered in densely packed human heads. Its branches were not true willow twigs either, but mangled bloody limbs formed from a mixture of bone and flesh.

Its appearance alone was terrifying beyond measure.

Its strength was no weaker either. It had reached the level of a seventh-stage Ghost Spirit, roughly equal to the average strength of Prince Shaomiao's group, yet it was exceptionally difficult to deal with.

"Prince Shaomiao, leave this monster to me."

The bare-chested man in the group volunteered himself.

He then left the ancient umbrella's protective range and charged straight at the monster.

"Nine Tribulations Soul-Annihilating Thunderfire! Smash!"

The bare-chested man let out a loud roar!

A dazzling mass of thunderfire condensed in his palm. He leaped into the air and smashed it down upon the monster's head.

"Boom!"

A tremendous explosion rang out.

Dust and smoke immediately billowed everywhere!

Watching the battle through the [Sky Patrol Monitoring Formation], Su Fang was slightly surprised as well.

"I never expected

this bare-chested man to be a disciple of the Thunderfire Sect. And he even cultivated the Nine Tribulations Soul-Annihilating Thunderfire Art, something only the sect's true disciples were qualified to learn." The Nine Tribulations Thunderfire Art was a ninth-rank secret art specifically designed to suppress Yin Wraiths and ghostly monsters. Its power was naturally unimaginable.

"No wonder this bare-chested man dared to challenge that Yin Wraith monster alone. So he had everything under control."

"Although his mastery is not particularly profound, it should still be quite easy for him to deal with a Yin Wraith monster of the same rank." Su Fang thought to himself.

Yet reality delivered a fierce slap across everyone's face, Su Fang included.

Once the dust and smoke dispersed, the willow tree monster had merely lost a dozen or so branches. More than a hundred branches still writhed wildly from its trunk.

"This..."

"Watch out!"

Prince Shaomiao was the first to react and shouted a warning to the bare-chested man.

But he was still one step too late...

The Yin Soul Willow Tree lashed out in fury, several branches smashing straight toward the bare-chested man.

Caught off guard, the bare-chested man was immediately sent flying dozens of meters. After vomiting a great mouthful of blood, he finally lost consciousness.

"Damn it!"

Prince Shaomiao cursed angrily.

Then he shouted, "Everyone, attack together! Kill this monster!"

At his words,

the people in Prince Shaomiao's group immediately attacked as one.

The three black-robed men, on the other hand, remained standing where they were, apparently intending to watch the show.

"Kill!"

Prince Shaomiao roared in fury.

He was the first to unleash a streak of Sword Qi!

A golden dragon coiled around the Sword Qi, dazzling and magnificent.

The others were not idle either...

Luo Changqing activated the Violet Star Sword Art, instantly firing streak after streak of violet Sword Qi.

Brother Meng held a long saber. As he swung it, saber qi crisscrossed wildly, fierce and savage, with none of the frail, aged appearance he usually wore.

At the same time, Prince Shaomiao's guards and steward also attacked in succession, golden light swirling around them. Their cultivation arts clearly shared the same origin as Prince Shaomiao's.

The withered-faced old woman swung her wooden staff and scattered patches of green poisonous mist. She was clearly an expert in poison.

As for the final cold-faced masked youth, he looked more like an assassin. As his dagger danced, it was impossible to discern the path of his cultivation art.

Once these seven made their move, they swiftly suppressed the Yin Soul Willow Tree.

Before long, they had completely slain the terrifying and troublesome Yin Soul Willow Tree.

Seeing this through the [Sky Patrol Monitoring Formation], Su Fang was utterly astonished.

"I never expected these people to be hiding their strength all this time—and hiding it so deeply," Su Fang sighed.

Brother Meng and Luo Changqing in particular were far stronger than he had imagined.

Originally, he had thought that with his own strength, nearly comparable to a seventh-stage Martial Lord, he could at least exchange blows with these people.

But now that he saw it, if he did not use the [Heavenly Evolution Array Disk], he could not defeat a single one of them.