One Twist After Another

Just as Huang Tao's palm was about to land on Shen Ge's head, Shen Ge bit his tongue sharply to force himself to stay alert, and with a tilt of his head, he squatted down. The palm that could have killed him only shattered his head and shoulder.

The intense pain made Shen Ge grit his teeth, but now was not the time to cry out in pain. The danger was not over yet, so Shen Ge lazily rolled over a few times behind Huang Tao.

Although he couldn't use his spiritual power, reaching the Foundation Establishment Realm didn't just grant him more powerful spiritual power, but also enhanced his physique. This is why Shen Ge, now an ordinary person, was able to dodge Huang Tao's fatal blow at the Third Layer of Qi Refining.

Huang Tao looked at Shen Ge, who had rolled behind him. He was truly a sorry sight, his clothes stained with blood, looking as if he had crawled out of a pile of corpses. Huang Tao shook his head and sighed, "Brother Shen, why bother? I've made so many preparations for you. Just leave with some dignity. Why make yourself look so pathetic?"

Because of the pain, Shen Ge's head wasn't so dizzy anymore. He got up, clutched his left shoulder with his right hand, and spat out a mouthful of blood. He said calmly, "Brother Huang, no living being wants to die. Even a mayfly, which lives only a day, will reproduce and continue its species within its limited lifespan."

"I may die, but I'm not willing to die like this without struggling."

As Shen Ge spoke, he backed away, glancing at Han Li and noticing him standing quietly in a corner, watching. Li Hua was already dead, his head severed from his body.

However, Han Li's expression was slightly strange; his face was blank, like a statue, and he didn't look like a living person at all.

Shen Ge turned to look at Huang Tao, a cold smile playing on his lips, "Brother Huang, you really have some tricks up your sleeve. You even had an external puppet; you fooled even me."

Huang Tao smiled but didn't explain. Instead, he strode towards Shen Ge, appearing unhurried, but the flames emanating from his body were incredibly oppressive.

For every step the other man took forward, Shen Ge took a step back. His eyes were fixed on Huang Tao. The reason he didn't dare to turn around and run was because he was afraid that without Huang Tao's gaze, he would be immediately beheaded.

As they drew closer to the skeleton chair, the surrounding black mist grew thicker and thicker until Shen Ge's entire figure disappeared into the mist, leaving no trace from the outside.

But for Huang Tao, who was also in the black mist and could control it, this was nothing. He could clearly see all of Shen Ge's movements.

Seeing Shen Ge retreat step by step towards the skeleton chair, Huang Tao sneered and said, "Brother Shen, what, still thinking about how to run away?"

"To tell you the truth, there's another space under this seat. Of course, even if you go in, you'll still die."

"Is that so?" Shen Ge was now standing beside the bone chair, a cold smile playing on his lips. "If I remember correctly, this is the Ghost Demoness's cave abode, right? Do you think she knows what's inside?"

Huang Tao stopped and frowned, asking, "What do you mean?"

But then Huang Tao relaxed his brow and strode towards Shen Ge: "It's not important anymore, Brother Shen. You should be content after talking with you for so long. Let's get going!"

Seeing Huang Tao charging towards him, radiating flames, Shen Ge was anxious but had no better option. He desperately pushed aside the bone chair, trying to escape to the space below, but time was running out!

Just as Shen Ge was filled with despair, a refreshing current surged through his mind and body, and the faint coolness completely dispelled his unease and fear. Shen Ge knew that this was the Clear Heart Instruction purifying the unease and chaotic thoughts in his heart.

Taking advantage of this brief opportunity, Shen Ge automatically activated the "Return of the Soul Instruction" in his mind.

Although the black mist was being slowly absorbed by the Return of the Soul Instruction, Shen Ge was still unable to use his spiritual power. However, Huang Tao had already reached him, and in the blink of an eye, his fiery fist could smash his head open, giving him no more time.

Seeing the fist about to fall, even Shen Ge couldn't help but feel a little desperate. But just then, the Storage Bag at his waist suddenly exploded, and the Spirit Stone, pills, talismans, Law Artifact, and other items stored inside flew in all directions.

Seeing the various talismans flying towards his fist, Huang Tao finally stopped. His fist not only missed Shen Ge, but also the talismans.

After all, these things were his spoils of war, and it would be even more unwise for him to destroy them now, which is why he held back his power at the last moment.

Seizing the opportunity, Shen Ge immediately used all her strength to push aside the skeleton chair and jump into the dark space.

Now, all he needs to do is stall for time, waiting for the Return of the Soul Instruction to absorb enough black mist to restore his spiritual power.

Shen Ge understood from the fact that the Return of the Soul Instruction could be used in this black mist that the Ghost Demoness might have obtained the Return of the Soul Instruction in this space.

Although these High Antiquity ruins were dangerous, Shen Ge had no choice; not entering meant certain death.

After falling for a good ten seconds, Shen Ge's heart sank lower and lower. Good heavens, that high!

I initially thought it was only a dozen or tens of meters high, but now it seems to be hundreds of meters high. Could anyone survive falling from that height?!

At the entrance above, Huang Tao remained calm, gazing silently down at the dark opening from which black mist continuously billowed. After a long silence, he murmured, "Brother Shen, what makes you think there's any chance of survival in here? Heh, are you betting I won't dare go down, or do you have a way to block the effects of the Spirit-Severing Smoke?"

"But it doesn't matter anymore. Once you get out, you will no longer be yourself. My plan will have been a complete success!"

Huang Tao didn't go down. Instead, he collected Shen Ge's scattered equipment and supplies. It wasn't that he was afraid to go down, but he knew what was down there and what Shen Ge would face, so there was no need to go down.

"Brother Shen, you really are pampered. Even your Storage Bag is a whole grade better than mine. To be honest, I'm a little jealous of you," Huang Tao muttered as he picked things up.

Before landing, Shen Ge used all the spiritual energy he had recovered to create a protective shield to prepare for the impending crash. However, to his surprise, he did not land on a hard surface but instead landed on something very soft and bouncy, which caused him to bounce several times before finally coming to a stop.

Looking at the black, gelatinous substance at his feet, Shen Ge was surprised to think of jelly.

Shaking his head to clear his mind of these chaotic thoughts, Shen Ge began to observe his surroundings. Although the area was also shrouded in black mist, a few faint lights pierced through the mist and emitted their light.

Shen Ge hesitated slightly, but after glancing at the ceiling, he finally gritted his teeth and walked towards the farthest light.