Soul-Eroding Cave, the Mastermind Behind It

The energy ball slammed into the Netherworld Poison Dragon's head and exploded. Azure-gold Bamboo Soul Power bound its movements, orange-red flames scorched its scales, and silver-and-jade Symbiotic Power tried to purify the Soul-Eroding Corrupt Miasma inside it.

The Netherworld Poison Dragon let out a piercing scream and thrashed violently. The Soul-Eroding Corrupt Miasma inside it surged wildly, struggling against the purification.

"Hold on!" Xiao Shenghe shouted. He poured out his Soul Power with everything he had, while his Symbiotic Link with Lu Yao grew even closer. Her Clouded Deer Soul Power flowed into him without end, sustaining his purification.

Deep within his soul, the Skyvault Bamboo King and the Tigerfang Blazing Panda lent their full strength. Azure-gold Bamboo Soul Power and orange-red flames washed over the Netherworld Poison Dragon again and again, suppressing the spread of the Soul-Eroding Corrupt Miasma.

Time passed bit by bit. The Netherworld Poison Dragon's struggles weakened, the scarlet faded from its eyes, and its frenzied aura subsided. The Soul-Eroding Corrupt Miasma inside it was purified little by little, and the black poisonous fog grew thinner.

At last, the final trace of Soul-Eroding Corrupt Miasma was purified. The scarlet vanished completely from the Netherworld Poison Dragon's eyes, leaving them clear. It looked at everyone with gratitude and remorse, then slowly lowered its enormous head.

"Thank you, seniors, for saving me." The Netherworld Poison Dragon's voice entered their minds, faint with weakness. "The Soul-Eroding Corrupt Miasma corroded my mind. That was why I attacked you. Please forgive me."

Xiao Shenghe withdrew his Soul Power and let out a breath. "There's no need to thank us, senior. We came to investigate the source of the Soul-Eroding Corrupt Miasma. Do you know how it appeared in the Netherworld Swamp?"

The Netherworld Poison Dragon shook its head. "I don't know either. Not long ago, a powerful evil aura suddenly appeared deep in the swamp, and then the Soul-Eroding Corrupt Miasma began to spread. I tried to stop it, but it corroded my mind. I remained that way until you purified me."

It paused, then added, "But I can sense that the evil aura comes from the Soul-Eroding Cave at the very heart of the swamp. It was once the calmest place here. Now a powerful evil force hangs over it."

Lu Xuan's expression darkened. "The Soul-Eroding Cave? Then we'll have to go there."

Jian Chenxin nodded. "Whatever's hidden inside, we need to find out. Anything capable of producing this much Soul-Eroding Corrupt Miasma won't be easy to deal with."

The Netherworld Poison Dragon said, "Seniors, the evil force within the Soul-Eroding Cave is extremely powerful. I'm willing to guide you there and lend you my strength."

"Thank you, senior." Xiao Shenghe cupped his hands. "With you leading the way, we'll avoid plenty of wrong turns."

The Netherworld Poison Dragon nodded and flew toward the deepest part of the swamp. The others followed close behind, heading for the Soul-Eroding Cave.

The fog thickened, and the evil aura in the air grew stronger. Xiao Shenghe sensed both Soul Spirits deep within him growing alert. The Skyvault Bamboo King's azure-gold Soul Power stood ready, while the Tigerfang Blazing Panda was itching to fight that evil force.

Xiao Shenghe tightened his grip on Lu Yao's hand, and their silver-and-jade Symbiotic glow grew denser. He knew the coming battle would be brutal. Yet he felt no fear. He had companions at his side, Soul Spirits within him, and powerful protectors behind him. No matter how strong the enemy, he was confident he could hold on.

After following the Netherworld Poison Dragon for about half an hour, the fog ahead turned black as ink. The evil aura in the air grew so dense it was hard to breathe. Even after taking Purifying Poison Pills, everyone felt their Soul Power turn sluggish, while a dull pain throbbed deep within their souls.

"The Soul-Eroding Cave is just ahead." The Netherworld Poison Dragon sounded grave as its enormous body stopped amid the dark fog. "A powerful evil barrier surrounds it. The aura inside is terrifying. I can only bring you this far."

Following its gaze, the others made out the entrance to a huge cave through the dark fog. Countless Black Chains coiled around it, giving off dense Soul-Eroding Corrupt Miasma. Together they formed a sturdy barrier that kept anyone from approaching.

"This barrier is no simple thing." Jian Chenxin's expression turned grave. He raised a hand and sent a golden sword beam slashing toward it.

Clang! The sword beam struck the barrier with a metallic crash, scattering golden sparks. But the barrier only trembled slightly. It did not break. Instead, a powerful shockwave rebounded from it and shattered Jian Chenxin's sword beam.

"What a strong barrier!" Jian Chenxin frowned. "It holds not only the power of Soul-Eroding Corrupt Miasma, but a great deal of Soul Power as well. Breaking through by force will take considerable effort."

Gu Rong stepped up to the barrier and lightly touched a Black Chain with his gaunt fingers. A fierce corrosive force and evil aura immediately surged through his fingertip and into his body. He hastily circulated his Soul Power to drive it back. "The Soul-Eroding Corrupt Miasma on these chains has solidified, and they contain a trace of spatial power. Forcing our way through won't be easy."

Lu Xuan studied the barrier, his expression grave. "This barrier didn't form naturally. Someone set it up. Whoever did so possesses profound cultivation and extraordinary control over Soul-Eroding Corrupt Miasma."

He turned to Xiao Shenghe. "Shenghe, your Symbiotic Power contains pure plant and flame energies. Perhaps you can purify the Soul-Eroding Corrupt Miasma on the barrier and find its weak point."

Xiao Shenghe nodded and stepped forward. Taking a deep breath, he circulated his Symbiotic Power and fused his silver-and-jade Soul Power with the Skyvault Bamboo King's azure-gold Bamboo Soul Power and the Tigerfang Blazing Panda's orange-red flames. A stream of many-colored energy formed and slowly reached toward the barrier.

The instant the energy stream touched the barrier, it collided violently with the Soul-Eroding Corrupt Miasma on the Black Chains. Many-colored light intertwined with black miasma, hissing as the miasma was purified bit by bit and dispersed in wisps of smoke.

Xiao Shenghe could clearly feel that, powerful as the Soul-Eroding Corrupt Miasma on the barrier was, the three forces together could purify it. He continued driving his Soul Power forward, the energy stream boring into the miasma like a drill.

Time passed bit by bit. Much of the black miasma on the barrier was purified, and the Black Chains' glow dimmed. Xiao Shenghe felt the barrier weakening. He also discovered a spot at its center where the energy fluctuations were weaker—the barrier's core node.

"Found it! The barrier's core node is there!"