Hunt in the Shadows

The End Times Cult's outpost was like a grotesque tumor, deeply embedded in the barren, desolate land of the Netherworld. Emerald ghost fires leaped about the camp like specters, as if recounting the eeriness and mystery of the place. They illuminated the distorted figures of patrolling cultists and corrupted creatures, while a faint, foul stench, originating from the same source as the "Rule Tumor," permeated the air, making one nauseous.

Hidden behind a massive black stone, Su Yan and the others held their breath, observing the camp's layout. The camp was not small; its perimeter was a rudimentary wooden fence entwined with thorny vines crackling with corrosive energy. Several watchtowers were manned by cultists with sharp eyes, wielding bone bows that exuded dark energy. Inside the camp, tents were scattered everywhere, and a skeletal altar in the center was faintly visible, emitting ominous spatial fluctuations.

"A direct assault is out of the question," Mo Hen whispered, a miniature mechanical spider in his hand projecting the camp's layout onto the ground. "Patrols pass every fifteen breaths, and the watchtowers have overlapping blind spots, but the internal defenses are unknown, especially around that altar. The energy readings are very strong."

Su Yan nodded, closed his eyes, and slowly channeled his mental energy into the Compass in his hand. With its repair level reaching 60%, the Compass's silver light became subdued, and the [Star Track Deduction] function was quietly activated. Instantly, a miniature camp model seemed to form in his mind. The movement trajectories of the patrolling cultists, the nodes of energy intensity, and even the intermittent fluctuation patterns of the energy thorns on the fence were presented as clearly as data streams.

"Northeast corner, patrols will converge in three breaths, leaving a seven-breath window. The shadow beneath the southwest watchtower is a blind spot for ten breaths. The energy thorns on the fence have a brief dip every twenty breaths..." Su Yan rapidly relayed the deduction results to everyone.

A bold stealth infiltration plan quickly took shape.

Utilizing the Netherworld's unique, almost tangible, slowly flowing mist of resentment, and the dilapidated ruins outside the camp, remnants of some ancient Netherworld town, the four of them and their pet moved like hunters blending into the shadows.

Mo Hen took the lead, his movements ghostly. He used his contraptions to create subtle sounds, drawing the attention of distant guards, while simultaneously covering their movements with a special [Silencing Powder] to muffle any noise they might make. Su Yan followed closely, the Compass's faint light flickering in his palm, constantly correcting their path, avoiding energy detection and visual sweeps.

After its evolution, the Star Vortex's attack power had not only surged but also its control over energy had become more refined. When they needed to quickly cross an open area, the crystal on its forehead flashed, and the Star Vortex at its tail vibrated at a unique frequency. An invisible force field silently enveloped a small group of approaching [Corrupted Wandering Souls]—[Star Vortex Imprisonment]! The souls' movements instantly became extremely slow, as if they were stuck in mud, only able to watch Su Yan and the others pass by silently.

Bai Zhi pinched a willow leaf between her fingers, her gentle purifying Buddha-light extremely restrained, transforming into a barely perceptible golden thread that wound around the team. It subtly purified the faint aura of "living beings" on them and the slight spiritual energy fluctuations inevitably produced during their movement, preventing them from being detected by Netherworld creatures sensitive to the aura of the living.

Yun Ji walked at the rear. She didn't directly intervene, but the mist around her and the Netherworld's deathly aura seemed to achieve a peculiar balance. Occasionally, she would flick her finger, sending out an almost transparent talisman that landed on simple restrictions that might trigger an alarm, rendering them temporarily ineffective.

The entire process flowed like water, their coordination seamless. The outer patrols and fixed sentries were silently eliminated one by one, thanks to the Compass's precise predictions and the team's exquisite cooperation. Mo Hen's poisoned short crossbow, Su Yan's precisely aimed [Soul Chasing Talisman: Corrosion], and the Star Vortex's lightning-fast pounces ensured that the battles ended without a sound. After each fight, Bai Zhi would immediately use a miniature purification array to dispose of the bodies and any lingering resentment, leaving no trace.

With surgical precision, they successfully infiltrated the camp and approached a simple stone house made of black stones, which looked like a command post.

Two elite cultists of level 36 guarded the entrance to the stone house, their eyes vigilant. They couldn't bypass this obstacle.

Su Yan made a gesture. The Star Vortex understood, and [Star Vortex Imprisonment] was activated again, immobilizing both cultists simultaneously! Although the duration was extremely short, it was enough for those who were prepared! Mo Hen's crossbow bolts and Su Yan's talismans arrived almost at the same time, striking their vital points with precision! Bai Zhi's Buddha-light followed closely, preventing the leakage of soul fluctuations.

Quickly dragging the bodies into the shadows, the four of them slipped into the stone house.

The interior was simply furnished, with only a stone table and a few bone stools. On the table lay several scrolls of beast-skin paper. Su Yan immediately stepped forward to examine them.

One was a simplified map of the ritual area, marking their current outpost and a core area deeper within called "Yin Soul Ravine." Arrows pointed towards Yin Soul Ravine from several directions on the map, seemingly representing routes for "sacrifices."

Another was an order, written in distorted script: "...All departments expedite the collection of 'living souls.' Before the 'Yin Year, Yin Month, Yin Day,' nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine living souls filled with resentment must be gathered and sent to the 'Blood Pool'... The ritual must not fail; those who disobey will have their souls scattered! --Netherworld Palace Lord."

"Netherworld Palace Lord!" Mo Hen's pupils contracted. "As expected, a big fish! Living souls... they're actually capturing living souls in large quantities as sacrifices!"

"Yin Year, Yin Month, Yin Day... There isn't much time left," Su Yan said with a grim expression, calculating that less than half a month remained until that date!

Just as they were processing this shocking intelligence—

A cold, sinister divine sense, like that of a venomous snake, swept through the entire stone house without warning, instantly locking onto them!

"Not good! We've been discovered!" Yun Ji was the first to sense it, the mist around her surging violently.

The stone house door shattered! A figure clad in a pitch-black cloak, wielding a scythe-chain entwined with countless wailing phantoms, appeared at the doorway like a ghost. The face beneath the cloak was indistinct, with only two points of crimson light burning like eyes. A powerful aura of level 38 emanated from him, along with a chilling suction force that directly targeted the soul!

[Soul Reaper: Shadow Scythe] (Elite Boss) Level: 38

"Heh heh... a few restless little mice, daring to sneak into the Palace Lord's camp," a hoarse, grating voice echoed directly in their minds, causing waves of dizziness. "Just in time, my Soul Reaper still needs a few powerful living souls as adornments!"

Before the words fell, the scythe-chain in his hand swung out! The scythe seemed to disregard spatial distance, carrying a soul-snatching, spirit-piercing howl, and instantly appeared before Su Yan, aiming directly for his soul!

"Starlight Barrier!" Su Yan reacted with lightning speed. The Compass's silver light erupted, and a starlight barrier instantly deployed!

"Clang!"

A collision sound like a great bell struck on the soul level! Su Yan grunted, his face paling. The starlight barrier fluctuated violently. Although it blocked the attack, his mental energy was severely depleted. This Soul Reaper's attack could directly impact the soul!

"Distract him!" Mo Hen roared, and countless needle-thin [Spirit Breaking Needles] shot out like a torrential rain towards the Soul Reaper, attempting to interrupt his casting rhythm. Bai Zhi's Buddha-light shone, fully resisting the pervasive soul-chasing demonic chant and the soul-pulling force.

The Star Vortex roared and transformed into a silver light, lunging forward. [Star Vortex Sky Rend Strike] targeted the opponent's vital points! However, the Soul Reaper's body twisted strangely as if it had no substance. The scythe spun, colliding with the Star Vortex's sharp claws with a grating sound. The Star Vortex was actually forced back several steps by a chilling force.

Yun Ji formed seals with her hands, sending out streaks of clear light, attempting to disrupt the opponent's connection with the surrounding deathly aura, but the effect seemed insignificant. The power level and strangeness of this Soul Reaper far surpassed any enemy they had encountered before.

The battle instantly devolved into a bitter struggle. The Soul Reaper's attacks were unpredictable and specifically targeted the soul, leaving the group unable to defend themselves. Their spiritual and mental energy were rapidly depleting. Other parts of the camp were also alerted, and the sounds of hurried footsteps and roars were rapidly approaching.

"We can't stay and fight!" Su Yan's eyes sharpened. Seizing an opportunity when the opponent paused briefly after swinging his scythe, the Star Power within him compressed frantically in an unprecedented manner. A [Lightning Talisman], far more condensed than before and carrying a golden light of dispelling evil, was launched fiercely! This was him integrating a sliver of the residual Buddha-power from the [Vajra Demon Subduing Talisman] into the lightning!

"Crack!"

Although the golden lightning was still suppressed by the Netherworld's laws, it carried a righteous aura and accurately struck the Soul Reaper's scythe! The supremely yang and supremely hard lightning power clashed fiercely with the Netherworld's ghostly energy, emitting a series of explosions! The Soul Reaper let out a pained shriek, his movements clearly faltering, and the dark energy swirling around him thinned considerably!

"Now! Star Vortex!"

No words were needed. The Star Vortex, connected to Su Yan's mind, unleashed its full power! The Star Map patterns on its body seemed to ignite, the Star Vortex at its tail spun wildly at an unprecedented speed, and its volume suddenly expanded—[Star Burst]! A destructive shockwave of starlight fiercely bombarded the Soul Reaper's chest!

"Boom!"

The Soul Reaper was blasted backward, his cloak torn, revealing a twisted, rotten face covered in black patterns beneath. His aura was weak; he had clearly been heavily wounded.

"Bastard!" He glared venomously at Su Yan, his form turning into black smoke as he quickly fled towards the depths of the camp. His voice echoed from afar, "The Palace Lord has been waiting for a long time! Your souls will be the most beautiful adornment for the ritual!"

The formidable enemy had temporarily retreated, but a greater crisis had already arrived. The entire outpost had been thoroughly alerted, and countless cultists and corrupted creatures were swarming from all directions! Their location and strength had been completely exposed.

"Go!" Su Yan didn't hesitate. Grabbing the map and order from the table, he and the others forcefully broke through in the opposite direction of the Soul Reaper's escape!

In their first battle in the Netherworld, they had obtained crucial intelligence but had also fallen into a larger encirclement. And the name "Netherworld Palace Lord" hung over everyone's hearts like a heavy dark cloud.