Lin Qianyi's Self-Reproach

Just as expected, a group of Evil Soul Masters emerged at the sound, warily looking around. Wang Yan gave a low shout, and Ma Xiaotao nodded in understanding. The seven of them revealed themselves at once, pouncing on the enemy like phantoms. The sudden attack caught their opponents off guard, throwing their formation into chaos.

At that moment, Wang Yan led the Reserve Team into action in silence. Huo Yuhao's Mental Detection Share activated, and in an instant, every scene in the surroundings was laid bare before them.

Yet what appeared before them was an incomparably bloody sight—the civilians who had once been full of life had been sucked dry into mummified corpses, their faces twisted as though recounting the endless pain and despair they had suffered before death.

Seeing this, Xiao Xiao and Jiang Nannan almost instinctively turned away, unable to bear the sight of such a horrific scene. Xu Sanshi's eyes were filled with shock, an instinctive response to an unknown terror. Beibei, meanwhile, burned with rage, his eyes blazing with fury.

As for Lin Qianyi, the girl who was usually so calm that she hardly showed any emotion, she could not suppress the indignation in her heart either. Clenching her fists, she slammed them hard against a nearby tree trunk. The dull bang seemed to vent the sorrow and fury within her. At that moment, she truly understood the crushing weight carried by the word "responsibility."

Wang Yan's steady voice broke the brief silence. "Everyone, understand this: only by completely eliminating these evil beings can we protect the people of this land." The eight of them nodded, determination shining in their eyes. Wang Dong gritted her teeth. "These people are absolutely despicable!"

While Ma Xiaotao and the others launched their offensive, the Reserve Team followed closely behind Wang Yan, ready for battle. Wang Yan turned to Huo Yuhao, his gaze carrying concern and instruction. "Yuhao, keep your Mental Detection Share active at all times. Everyone's safety depends on it. You must all protect yourselves." Everyone nodded together, their expressions solemn and resolute. Wang Yan took a deep breath and said in a low voice, "Prepare for battle!"

Lin Qianyi quietly led the group around from behind to approach their target. She remained alert inwardly. These "corpses" seemed to conceal some unknown secret. They absolutely could not be allowed to die completely, or an even greater crisis might arise.

Suddenly, a powerful killing intent swept toward them like a raging tide. Lin Qianyi jolted in alarm and quickly grabbed Xiao Xiao's hand, pulling her a step back. Ma Xiaotao and the others sensed the abnormal aura as well, stopping their attacks and cautiously retreating a step. Their eyes swept the surroundings warily, and the atmosphere instantly grew grave.

Not far away stood a man in black. His entire body exuded a lewd, sinister aura, and his face was completely concealed, making it impossible to glimpse his true appearance. This was the Death Messenger. "Who dares disturb this messenger's peace? Who dares come to my territory?"

He roared, his voice as cold and piercing as if it had come from an ice cellar. Then he controlled the Evil Soul Masters and launched an attack. A series of beeps sounded from within the Evil Soul Masters' bodies—the warning sound of bombs. He Caitou's expression changed. "Soul Tool Bombs. These bastards."

Lin Qianyi swiftly summoned her second martial soul. She glanced at Ling Luochen, and the two seemed to reach an unspoken understanding as they nodded lightly. In an instant, an Ice Crystal Butterfly appeared behind Lin Qianyi. As it fluttered its wings, the temperature around them plummeted.

Ling Luochen cried out, "Ice Staff!" Following her incantation, the Ice Crystal Butterfly scattered threads of cold air, freezing some of the Evil Soul Masters. Lin Qianyi hurriedly grabbed Xiao Xiao's hand. "Retreat. They won't be trapped for long." Ma Xiaotao reacted as well. "Go!" she shouted, pulling Lin Qianyi along. Though she knew Lin Qianyi had the ability to escape, she still instinctively held on to her, as though it could give her a greater sense of security.

The group scattered and fled, but the Evil Soul Masters pursued them relentlessly as though possessed. Seeing this, Xixi flashed forward, charging toward several accomplices beside the Evil Soul Masters with lightning speed. In the blink of an eye, she took them out, buying her companions precious time to escape. The Death Messenger laughed wildly. "Hahaha! Let's see how long you can keep running!"

Amid the mad laughter, Lin Qianyi keenly sensed that Xixi was in danger. Without hesitation, she turned and rushed to Xixi's side, yanking her toward herself as she shouted in a low voice, "Second Soul Skill: Azure Luan Bodyguard!" In that instant, tremendous power burst from Lin Qianyi's body, temporarily blasting the Evil Soul Masters away like surging waves. The two seized the fleeting opportunity and quickly fled the scene.

However, the Death Messenger did not let up. He continued wielding his evil power in pursuit. Huo Yuhao suddenly turned around, his gaze sharp. He shouted, "Mental Shock!" His cry exploded beside the unprepared Death Messenger like a thunderclap. The man instinctively rubbed his head, his face filled with astonishment. Seeing this, Wang Dong hurriedly released a measure of light power, forming a brilliant curtain between the group and their pursuers, successfully blocking their path.

The Death Messenger seemed to be activating the evil object in his hand, controlling the corrupted Evil Soul Masters. He laughed arrogantly. "You have nowhere left to run. Time's up—let the game begin!" As his laughter rang out, the Soul Tool Bombs inside the Evil Soul Masters detonated one after another, and the shockwaves swept outward like raging tides.

Though Chen Zifeng and Gongyang Mo reacted swiftly and tried to block the blasts with soul power, they still could not escape severe injuries. Lin Qianyi rushed toward Xiao Xiao, Huo Yuhao, and Wang Dong at incredible speed, carrying them out of the danger zone. Seeing this, Ma Xiaotao did not hesitate to unleash her Fifth Soul Skill, Phoenix Meteor Shower. Dai Yueheng followed closely behind, first using his Fourth Soul Skill, White Tiger Meteor Shower, then immediately his Sixth Soul Skill, White Tiger Annihilation Kill. Even with both of them giving it everything they had, they could only barely withstand the attack, and they were injured as well.

Ling Luochen summoned an Ice Wall and barely blocked the attack. She turned to help the wounded Chen Zifeng up, while Xixi hurried to support Gongyang Mo. Yet the power of the explosions continued to grow. To protect Gongyang Mo, Xixi resolutely shoved him away and suffered a devastating blow herself.

Ling Luochen quickened her pace upon seeing this, but an Evil Soul Master suddenly grabbed her ankle. In that critical moment, she decisively pushed Chen Zifeng into safety.

Just as Ling Luochen closed her eyes, believing disaster was about to strike, Yao Haoxuan stepped forward and stood in front of her, buying everyone precious time to escape. Amid the blazing fire of the explosions, Yao Haoxuan's figure gradually blurred before finally vanishing from sight.

Lin Qianyi walked over and helped Ling Luochen up. At that moment, everyone's emotions were a tangled mess. Yao Haoxuan had traded his life for their chance to live, and his sacrifice moved them deeply.