Threads of dark-red Baleful Qi slithered along the massive scythe and through Huo Yuhao's every limb and bone. An exhilarating clarity, so intense it bordered on intoxication, swept through him.
A faint scarlet glint flashed in the depths of Huo Yuhao's eyes, gone too quickly to catch.
The feeling of wielding power over life and death, judging falsehood, and looking down upon the Sin of all living things was dangerously seductive.
It felt as though a mere lift of Huo Yuhao's hand could crush every obstacle and sweep away everything that displeased him. All things could be subjected to Judgment; all falsehoods could be broken.
That addictive rush of ultimate power spread through his marrow, making it almost impossible to stop.
But Huo Yuhao's mind was still clear. He had not surrendered to it completely.
Crack!
A sharp fracture rang out.
The pure-white cocoon shattered completely, scattering countless flecks of spiritual light through the air.
A tall young figure stepped out, a savage-looking dark-red scythe resting steadily across his shoulder.
Huo Yuhao landed on his feet and swept his gaze across the dense forest. His eyes froze.
As far as he could see, the entire region where the inner and outer reaches of Star Dou met was crowded with translucent blood-red cocoons. They hung at different heights, some large, some small.
Clearly, this was no trap aimed at him alone. The killing formation covered the whole area.
Everyone in their group, including the Soul Beasts, had been caught!
Huo Yuhao's mouth twitched. Helplessness rose in his chest as he hefted the scythe on his shoulder and muttered, "Everyone got caught? A total wipeout, huh?"
His gaze darted across the blood cocoons and instinctively settled on the few whose auras felt most familiar. Unease stirred in his heart.
"Gu Yue should