Fierce fighting erupted again on the retreat. Fortunately, they were retracing their route, and the demonized plants had already been cleared out once. Only scattered demonized plants appeared, causing little trouble.
But the demonized Cultivators and Demon Beasts were drawn by their abundant blood essence and cut off their retreat. They had no choice but to clear away the Demonic Beasts before they could withdraw safely.
And so they fought as they retreated. The journey went relatively smoothly. After all, the two squads now numbered twenty-six Great Luo Golden Immortals, a formidable force even in the Immortal Realm.
They had retreated almost a hundred and fifty li without trouble and estimated that they would soon leave the Corrupted Region. Everyone was noticeably more relaxed.
Some squad members who knew one another began chatting and joking. Judging by their experience on the way in, none of the Demonic Beasts they encountered at this point would be strong, so they dealt with them with ease.
By now, everyone was gradually letting down their guard. Any Demonic Beasts that appeared within their Divine Sense were casually killed by the members clearing the way at the front.
Those at the rear were still maintaining their Protective Barriers, but they, too, had relaxed their vigilance.
When they were only about forty li from the edge of the Corrupted Region, something unexpected happened.
Fei Zhiwei, a Great Luo Golden Immortal from the Spirit Talisman Sect, was clearing the way at the front when a demonized Demon Beast appeared within his Divine Sense. Detecting nothing unusual, he casually swung the Flying Sword in his hand, sending a streak of Sword Qi slashing toward it.
Based on their earlier experience, the demonized Demon Beast should have been easily sliced in two.
But his slash struck empty air. Then