Hidden Truth

Just as Shen Luo was about to voice his doubts, a sudden warning rose in his heart. He swallowed the words that had reached his lips and merely waved his hand.

"Everyone, hold fast to your true hearts. It is only an illusion; there is no need to worry," Hu Yong called out.

"Yes." Lü He and the others trusted him completely and responded in agreement.

Yet Shen Luo had already sensed something unusual. He silently returned to his position and stood still, pressing a hand to his chest as he stroked the talisman affixed over his Danzhong Acupoint, pondering in secret.

"Alright, everyone is in position. Let me take another drink, and we'll activate the formation at once." Hu Yong swept his gaze over the crowd, removed the wine gourd from his waist, and laughed heartily.

Lü He and the others rubbed their hands together, seeming to believe victory was already within reach.

After hesitating for a long while, Shen Luo finally removed the "Breath-Concealing Talisman" from his chest, intending to quietly put it away.

But the instant the talisman paper left his body, his vision blurred again. The sensation of crimson mist filling the air returned, even denser than before. Within it, he could see wisps of deep-red fog like clumps of cotton drifting through the void like fish, continuously sweeping toward everyone present.

A hazy mass of golden light glowed over the chests of Lü He and the others, preventing the cotton-like crimson mist from approaching. Having removed his Breath-Concealing Talisman, Shen Luo naturally no longer had its protection, and even more of the crimson fog rushed toward him.

At the same time, Shen Luo realized that this red mist was not merely Yin Baleful Qi. It also contained dense resentment. With every additional trace that entered