Fallen Star Lake truly lives up to its name; the lake water is pitch black, and the surface is shrouded in a hazy mist, with visibility less than ten feet. The surroundings are eerily quiet, without even the chirping of insects or birds, except for the occasional slight ripples on the lake.
A faint aura of malevolence permeated the air, which would be harmful to cultivators if they lingered there for a long time. However, Snow Empress's Taiyin Physique was not afraid of it and found the environment comfortable. Luo Qingyin's Pure Spirit Physique had natural purifying abilities, so she was also unharmed.
"Ancient maps record a safe area on the island in the middle of the lake, where the malevolent energy is thin." Luo Qingyin breathing and pointed to the lake. "We need to cross the lake."
Snow Empress looked at the dark lake water. The jade pendant flickered faintly, not a strong warning, but still not safe.
"There's something in the lake," she said coldly. "Be careful."
The two took to the air, flying close to the lake's surface. After flying for about ten miles, the lake suddenly churned, and several pitch-black tentacles burst forth from the water, attacking the two directly!
The Snow Empress was prepared; with a flick of her finger, frost spread, instantly freezing the tentacles. But the next moment, even more tentacles surged forth, densely packed, numbering in the dozens!
"It's the ' Mo Yuan Demonic Octopus,' a sixth-tier Demonic Beast, equivalent to the Dao Palace Peak!" Luo Qingyin's expression changed. "This beast lives in groups, and there's usually more than one!"
Before the words were even finished, the lake surface exploded, and three pitch-black octopuses the size of houses emerged from the water, each with dozens of tentacles, baring their fangs and brandishing their claws. Their aura was chilling, blending seamlessly with the malevolent energy in the lake.
"We can't get entangled in a prolonged fight!" Snow Empress made a decisive decision. "You clear the way, I'll cover the rear!"
Luo Qingyin nodded, took out a jade flute, and placed it to her lips. A clear and melodious flute sound rang out, the sound waves spreading as if they were tangible. When a hand touched the sound waves, its movement immediately froze.
"The ' Demon-Cleansing Melody ' of Heavenly Melody Valley?" Snow Empress recognized the melody; it was specifically designed to subdue evil spirits and malevolent entities.
The flute music played melodiously, causing the three-headed Mo Yuan Demonic Octopus to become restless, its tentacles waving at a much slower speed. Taking advantage of this, the Snow Empress unleashed her power, transforming the Lunar Power into countless ice spikes that poured down like a torrential rain.
"Puff puff puff--"
Ice spikes pierced the demon octopus's body, and Black Blood gushed out, staining a large area of the lake black. The demon octopus, in pain, let out a sharp screech and launched a frenzied counterattack.
A tentacle broke through the sonic barrier and lashed out at Luo Qingyin. Snow Empress flashed in front of her and blocked her, striking out with a palm. A burst of cold air caused the tentacle to freeze and shatter inch by inch.
"Walk!"
The two fought and retreated, speeding towards the island in the middle of the lake. Yao Zhang pursued closely, but his speed was greatly reduced due to the restraining effect of the Demon-Cleansing Melody.
After flying for about half an hour, the fog ahead gradually thinned, and the outline of a small island came into view. The island was not large, only a few miles in circumference, and surprisingly, vegetation grew on it, which was out of place with the surrounding desolate environment.
"That's it!" Luo Qingyin's spirits lifted.
The two sped up, and the demonic octopus chased them to within a hundred feet of the island before suddenly stopping. It waved its tentacles but dared not advance any further, seemingly wary of the island.
"There are restrictions on the island, Demonic Beast dare not approach." The Snow Empress noticed something amiss.
Upon landing, they indeed sensed an invisible force field enveloping the entire island, isolating it from malevolent energy. In the center of the island was a clear spring, its waters a stark contrast to the dark lake.
"Rest first." The Snow Empress remained vigilant. "The people from the Underworld will be here soon."
Luo Qingyin nodded and sat cross-legged to regulate her breathing. The battle had taken a toll on her, and she needed to recover as soon as possible.
The Snow Empress then inspected the island's protective barriers. The barriers were ancient, likely remnants from the distant past. Although only a tenth of their original power remained, they could still block malevolent energy and low-level Demonic Beast. However, their effectiveness against cultivators at the Dragon Transformation Realm and above was limited.
"We can gain at most two hours," she estimated.
Two hours later, as dawn broke, Luo Qingyin finished recovering and began studying the ancient map.
"According to our patriarch, the ruins of the Ziwei Sect are three hundred li north of Fallen Star Lake, but the journey requires passing through ' Wind Burial Valley ' and ' Ghost-Weeping Forest,' both of which are dangerous places." She pointed to the map, " Wind Burial Valley is perpetually filled with eerie winds that can erode bones and souls; the Forest of Ghost-Weeping Forest is rife with illusions, making it easy to get lost."
Snow Empress pondered for a moment, "Is there a shortcut?"
"There is one," Luo Qingyin pointed to a winding route, "Heading east from this island, around ' White Bone Shoal.' Although it's a hundred miles longer, it's relatively safer. However, White Bone Shoal is an ancient battlefield, littered with corpses, and may harbor vengeful spirits."
"Let's take this route," Snow Empress said decisively. " The Underworld is skilled at exorcising ghosts and controlling souls; they are more familiar with Ghost-Weeping Forest and Wind Burial Valley. On the contrary, the chaotic environment of White Bone Shoal is advantageous to us."
With the plan settled, the two did not delay any longer and set off immediately.
Just an hour after they left Fallen Star Lake, several dark figures descended upon the island in the center of the lake. The leader was none other than Earth Venerable, followed by more than ten powerful men in black, the least of whom were at the Dao Palace Peak, and three of them were even at the Dragon Transformation Realm.
"My lord, there are signs that the island's restrictions have been tampered with; they stayed here." A Yin Sha Guard reported after investigating.
The Earth Venerable's withered fingers caressed the black bell, his eerie green eyes sweeping across the island. "The aura of the Pure Spirit Physique, and the Taiyin Physique... two special constitutions, truly heaven is helping me."
He sensed for a moment, then pointed east. "They've gone to White Bone Shoal. Give the order to encircle them from three directions. Gui Sha and Yin Sha, each of you take three men and flank them from both sides; the rest of you follow me straight ahead."
"Yes!"
The men in black responded and quickly split into three groups, disappearing into the fog.
The Earth Venerable gazed eastward, a cruel smile playing on his lips, "My Myriad Ten Thousand Yin Banner is only missing one Taiyin Main Soul and one Pure Spirit Main Soul. Do you think you can escape?"
White Bone Shoal truly lives up to its name.
Looking around, one sees bones everywhere, some human-shaped, some animal-shaped, and others of all sorts of strange forms, piled up over countless years. Many bones have weathered away, making a crisp "crack" sound when stepped on.
The air was thick with the stench of decay and death, even more unsettling than the ominous aura of Fallen Star Lake. Occasionally, phosphorescent lights floated by, their eerie green glow illuminating the white bones, adding to the eeriness.
As Snow Empress and Luo Qingyin stepped into the White Bone Shoal, they immediately felt a bone-chilling cold. This was not a cold in terms of temperature, but a chilling cold that penetrated straight to their souls.
"Be careful, there are many evil spirits here," Snow Empress warned.
Before the words were finished, several illusory figures floated out from the pile of bones ahead. Their faces were indistinct, and they exuded resentment and malice. These were the remnants of the dead, transformed into yin spirits. They had no complete intelligence and only knew how to devour the yang energy of the living.
Luo Qingyin took out her jade flute and played the Demon-Cleansing Melody. Wherever the sound waves passed, the evil spirits dissipated, emitting mournful howls. But more evil spirits surged in from all directions, gathering in ever-growing numbers.
"This can't go on. There are too many evil spirits; they'll drain your true energy," the Snow Empress said coldly.
She formed a hand seal, Lunar Power surged forth, transforming into a ring of icy blue light that spread outwards. Wherever the light passed, the Yin spirits froze, turning into ice crystals that fell to the ground.
The Lunar Power is inherently Yin, and it has a natural suppression effect on these Yin spirits. However, there are simply too many Yin spirits, one after another, making them impossible to kill completely.
"We must get through quickly!" Luo Qingyin said as she walked, playing her flute.
The two quickened their pace, speeding across the White Bone Shoal. But the evil spirits surged in like a tide, gradually forming an encirclement.
Snow Empress's eyes turned cold as she took out a deep blue talisman. This was the " Profound Ice Talisman " bestowed upon her by her master, capable of Ice Seal an area within a hundred feet in radius. It was extremely powerful, but could only be used once.