Shadows flickered, and the three figures, Hao Xue among them, slipped out of the cave one after another. They did not leave in unison.

Instead, they departed separately. Only after the first to emerge, Hao Xue, confirmed the vicinity was clear did he give the signal for the other two to follow.

Although he knew they couldn't possibly see him, He Yiming instinctively lowered his body slightly. Through their recent observation, he and Bai Lingba had determined that Hao Xue definitely possessed a unique ability or special artifact that granted him a field of vision far exceeding ordinary people in this area.

While it might not reach the exaggerated level of Bai Lingba’s, it certainly couldn't be underestimated. Against such a character, drenched in blood and ruthlessness, taking too much caution was never an excess.

The three conferred briefly outside before setting off in a specific direction. Their relaxed and carefree expressions suggested they hadn't given the events inside the cave a second thought.

Once Hao Xue confirmed the safety, the other two visibly eased up. Even after the trio had moved far away, they failed to notice that the earth beneath their feet had silently gained a thin layer of distinctly unusual soil.

Only when the three were completely gone did He Yiming straighten up, carrying the hibernating Precious Pig and bringing Bai Lingba with him to the cave entrance. The moment they reached the opening, numerous silver specks immediately materialized on the ground.

These points quickly coalesced into a shimmering puddle of silver fluid that flowed towards Bai Lingba's feet. Bai Lingba looked down, then lifted one foot and stepped into it.

The silver liquid visibly receded at a rate perceptible to the naked eye, and simultaneously, Bai Lingba’s partially severed arm began to regrow at a speed equally visible. He Yiming watched with envy, deeply yearning for such a peculiar power.

Yet, the thought of hacking off one of his own limbs to test it never once crossed his mind. A moment later, Bai Lingba’s arm was fully restored.

Then, he raised his hand and beckoned gently toward the cave. A small, round bead immediately rolled out, spinning.

This bead seemed alive. Upon reaching Bai Lingba’s feet, it continuously rolled upward until it stopped right before his eye socket.

Bai Lingba extended his hand, widened the aperture, and the sphere automatically rolled inside. Patting his cheek lightly, Bai Lingba’s eyes returned to normal.

The muscles on He Yiming’s face twitched violently several times. Even though he was long aware of Bai Lingba’s origin, and even though he possessed a powerful resistance to Bai Lingba's metamorphic abilities, in that instant, He Yiming was still overcome with the urge to vomit.

The sight of an eyeball being violently shoved back into its socket—the sheer horror and revulsion of it—was unimaginable until witnessed firsthand. Forcibly suppressing every adverse feeling within him, He Yiming took a deep breath.

The Yin Sha Qi was icy cold; once drawn into his body, it was immediately and unceremoniously absorbed by his Dantian. It would be utterly impossible for He Yiming to experience resisting the Yin Sha Qi again.

Gently patting the miraculous Dantian, He Yiming looked up with satisfaction. Bai Lingba turned his head.

The back of his skull once again transformed into a screen, replaying everything that had just transpired inside the cave. He Yiming’s expression grew exceedingly grave.

While his Clairaudience Divine Skill was formidable, without daring to expose himself, he could only catch a general sense—certainly nothing as crystal clear as this. He pondered for a moment, then walked into the cave, approaching the dim corner.

Indeed, he found a pool of crimson blood that had not yet fully seeped into the soil. Bai Lingba moved silently to his side.

“They are already searching for the next target,” he stated. He Yiming nodded slightly, countless thoughts racing through his mind.

Finally, he said in a deep voice, “I understand now. They didn't strike before because they feared arousing the suspicion and vigilance of others.

So they waited until someone went mad from enduring the invasion of the Yin Sha Qi—only then did they truly begin the hunt.” As he spoke, a flicker of savage intent crossed He Yiming’s face. The three of them were indeed hunting, but their prey was not ordinary beasts, nor spirit beasts, but fellow human beings.

Bai Lingba stood quietly, seemingly unaffected by this revelation. After a moment of reflection, He Yiming asked, “Brother Bai, what exactly is that bead they obtained?” “I do not know, but based on analysis, this bead must have gathered a massive amount of energy; it is the totality of that person’s essence,” Bai Lingba replied slowly.

“Such an item, under certain specific circumstances, can play an irreplaceable role.” He Yiming’s expression shifted slightly. “Can you deduce its purpose?” “No,” Bai Lingba answered without hesitation.

“There is too little data for deduction. However, for humans like you, this blood bead functions somewhat similarly to an energy stone.” He Yiming sighed in frustration, yet even a simple thought told him the value of this blood bead was extraordinary; otherwise, why would Hao Xue and his two companions undertake such a dangerous endeavor?

His eyes darted around, and He Yiming said seriously, “If I am not mistaken, this blood bead must be related to advancing to the Venerable realm.” He paused, and an absurd thought suddenly struck him: “Perhaps by consuming them, one can directly liquefy divine weapons and achieve the Venerable realm.” A flash of light, utterly inhuman, ignited in Bai Lingba’s eyes. “That is impossible.” He Yiming was greatly surprised.

“How do you know?” “According to my calculations, the blood bead contains the entire life essence of the deceased, but it simultaneously absorbs all the Yin Sha Qi. If one were to swallow it directly…” Bai Lingba’s lips actually curved upward slightly.

“Unless they intended to commit suicide, or were insane, choosing to use the blood bead in that manner would be highly unlikely.” He Yiming’s mouth fell open, as if he had discovered a new continent. “Brother Bai, you can actually smile!” His astonishment stemmed from the fact that, throughout the several years they had known each other, this was the first time Bai Lingba had displayed such an expression during conversation.

However, the expression lasted only a fleeting instant before Bai Lingba’s face reverted to its usual poker face, not even acknowledging He Yiming’s exclamation. He Yiming shook his head slightly, but since he had managed a first smile, the second one shouldn't be far off.

A continuous series of piercing cries drifted from the distance again. He Yiming’s expression immediately darkened.

After listening intently for a moment, a strange look crossed his face. Amidst the howls, it wasn't just one voice; there were two madmen screaming incessantly.

Although the cries of the frenzied were generally similar, there were subtle differences. After listening for a while, He Yiming asked, “Brother Bai, don’t you think one of the voices sounds familiar?” Bai Lingba nodded slightly.

“That voice belongs to the person who naturally went mad. If my estimation is correct, while those three were hunting, they happened upon that naturally deranged individual.” He Yiming’s eyes brightened.

“That’s what you call retribution. Let’s go see.” He turned and led the way out of the cave toward the source of the sound.

In Ghost Cry Ridge, others who heard the howls of madmen would surely flee as far away as possible, but He Yiming chose the opposite course of action. In moments, he approached the location from which the shrieks originated.

Before even reaching the spot, he clearly sensed the powerful surges of energy emanating from there. He Yiming swiftly moved behind Bai Lingba, settling in to watch the live broadcast.

On the flat back of Bai Lingba’s head, two towering figures were locked in a unique entanglement. Both were human, or at least had once possessed human intelligence, but at this moment, they resembled two ferocious beasts, tearing at each other using sheer brute force and speeds far surpassing the norm.

Their mouths were stretched to their absolute limits, revealing gaping maws as they lunged relentlessly to bite their opponent, utterly disregarding the wounds they sustained. In that clearing, flesh and blood flew; the brutality of the combat far exceeded the imagination of any sane human.

He Yiming gently placed his hand on the back of Bai Lingba’s head, moving it slowly. As his fingers shifted, the image on the screen adjusted continuously.

After a few breaths, He Yiming spotted the lurking figures of Hao Xue and his companions. However, their faces currently displayed an expression of utter, deep-seated helplessness.

Adjusting the view back to the two frenzied fighters grappling, He Yiming observed closely. After the time it took for an incense stick to burn, he finally discovered the difference.

Although both men had gone mad from absorbing the Yin Sha Qi, seemingly indistinguishable outwardly, after a period of violent grappling and biting, distinct differences emerged. One of the madmen held a significant advantage from the very beginning; one could say they weren't even on the same level initially.

He battered the other into howls of agony and ceaseless misery. But the one being beaten fought with increasing vigor; every time he was thrown down and struggled back up, his strength and speed increased slightly.

Though the increments were small, as this process accumulated, the difference became quite considerable. Slowly, half an hour passed.

The balance of power between the two lunatics had completely leveled out, and the originally weaker madman had gradually gained the upper hand. A thought sparked in He Yiming’s mind.

He whispered a few words into Bai Lingba’s ear. Bai Lingba nodded slightly, turned, and walked away.

On the battlefield, victory was sealed. The initially weaker madman finally twisted the neck of his opponent completely off.

He raised the severed head high, letting out a fierce, wild howl. However, at that very moment, an identical howl suddenly erupted from afar.

The man paused momentarily, then his legs sprang into action, charging toward the distance with the swiftness of a shooting star chasing the moon. Hao Xue and his two companions, who had been poised to act in the distance, were instantly stunned speechless.

The expressions on their faces were pricelessly varied.