The instinct for survival, coupled with the inherent resilience of adventurers, quickly brought the group back to their senses.

That’s right; at least for now, they were alive, and as long as they were alive, there was still a chance. This was the first realization that dawned on everyone. Although the odds of survival might be incredibly slim, they weren't nonexistent.

“Form a circular defense now. We don't know the surroundings yet, so absolutely no rash movements,” Bai Ling stated in a low voice.

The slightly disordered formation was swiftly re-integrated.

The warriors on the perimeter held their great shields tautly, while the mages gathered ample magical energy, ready to unleash their full power at the slightest change. The Taoists, meanwhile, utilized Mind Revelation to meticulously monitor every shift in the environment.

The main body of the contingent cautiously advanced forward. Their singular objective was to ascertain the surrounding situation first. However, this was not a task any single person dared to undertake alone. In an unknown world, breaking away from the main group to act independently was undoubtedly the height of folly, especially given that this was rumored to be the Huangquan World.

None of them knew what terrifying monsters lurked within the Huangquan World, but the Huangquan Cult Master, famous in legends spanning centuries, was legendary—a figure arguably equivalent to the God of Death across the Mafa World.

According to the Source, Huangquan referred to the royal lineage among the Orcs. After the fall of the Divine Dragon Empire, the Orcs reigned over the Mafa Continent for a full five thousand years. Like humans, the Orcs also possessed exceptionally intelligent races, among whom the Huangquan Clan represented imperial authority. Every Orc Emperor was bestowed the Hammer of Sovereignty to symbolize supreme royal power. Due to the irresistible nature of this authority, the power to decide life and death rested on a mere thought. Thus, the Hammer of Sovereignty gradually became known as the Hammer of Huangquan. The successive Orc Emperors were collectively called Huangquan. The term Huangquan signified decisive action and absolute, irresistible authority.

As for the Huangquan Cult Master, he was the greatest prophet revered by the Orcs. Among them, the Huangquan Cult held a status as transcendent and lofty as the Holy Word Sect does today. Virtually every Orc Emperor had to undergo the rites of the Huangquan Cult to ascend the throne.

Among the Orcs, the prestige of the Huangquan Cult Master was irreplaceable, mirroring that of the Sage-Words True Soul in human history. It was under its guidance that the Orc armies defeated the Divine Dragon Empire, forging the most brilliant and prosperous dynasty in Orc history. Naturally, for humanity, that era was undoubtedly a blood-soaked nightmare. After his death, the Huangquan Cult Master was revered as a god by all Orcs, and the Huangquan Cult was established in his name to maintain the spiritual faith of the Orcs. This was all the information I possessed regarding the Huangquan Cult Master. However, whether historical truth aligned with this, I could not say for certain. The Huangquan Cult Master currently appearing in the Huangquan World was merely a tomb guardian arranged by the Huangquan Cult to protect the remains of the true Cult Master. In the Source, the current entity is actually called the Huangquan Guardian, not the historical figure. Yet, its formidable power was unquestionable. It was precisely due to its existence that the Bone Demon Cave, where the Huangquan Cult Master was interred, was shielded from petty thieves. Over time, subsequent Orc Emperors also chose to have their remains buried there, turning the Huangquan World into an exclusive royal mausoleum for the Orcs. The Source offered no detailed explanation as to why the Huangquan Guardian later came to be called the Huangquan Cult Master.

Of course, these were the prevailing theories within the Mafa World. Whether they were factually accurate, I couldn't confirm. No one had seen the current Huangquan Cult Master since the Holy Word True Soul overthrew the Orc Dynasty. As I recalled everything I knew about the Huangquan Cult Master, I carefully scanned the surroundings.

The rock walls and ground were a blurred dark red with tinges of brownish-black. The air occasionally carried a scorching, acrid smell, and the entire world seemed enveloped in a hazy crimson. At intervals, one could spot eerie, twisted ripples, much like the shimmering heat rising from asphalt roads under the scorching June sun—distortions that instilled a sense of inexplicable restlessness and unease.

The surroundings were terrifyingly quiet; after walking for ages, they encountered no unusual life forms. Paradoxically, this silence only heightened everyone’s tension. Nevertheless, they had to press on with grim determination. They had no idea where their destination lay, only that they must seek out something specific—a means to escape this place. Perhaps finding the Huangquan Cult Master was the only way. But I couldn't describe my current feeling: if they actually found the Huangquan Cult Master, would any of them survive? Yet, if they failed to defeat him, they would never leave. At the very least, I knew their rations would soon run out, and there was nothing edible in the Huangquan World.

“Ah!” A sudden, piercing shriek erupted, making those already on edge nearly lose their wits. This was immediately followed by a dull, heavy roar and sounds of battle.

“Hah! Over there!” Bai Shuang pointed toward the distance, to the front-left of the formation. “There are strong fluctuations of magic and battle aura.”

“Battle aura,” Bai Fei’s spirit lifted. “Could it be that others, like us, have also been trapped in the Huangquan World?”

“Maintain vigilance,” Bai Ling commanded gravely. “Let’s go see.” Regardless, encountering kindred spirits in this dreadful place had to be counted as a blessing.

The main body quickly moved toward the source of the sound.

From afar, they could see a vast, blurry mass shrouded by dense, vivid green mist. Even from that distance, flashes of firelight and booming explosions occasionally pierced through the fog.

“It’s a Necromantic Illusion,” Bai Shuang identified. “They are attacking humans.”

“Taoists, lock onto the Skeleton Legion! Mages, attack with full force!” Bai Ling commanded. Although they didn't know who was trapped within the Necromantic Illusion, it was certain that another guild engaged in search operations had also been caught within the Huangquan Barrier.

Judging by the scene, their situation looked grim. They knew firsthand just how formidable a Necromantic Illusion combined with a Skeleton Legion could be.

“Yes.”

Despite the distance of over a hundred meters, it didn't impede the mages’ long-range precision attacks. Coupled with the exact targeting provided by the Taoists’ Mind Revelation, the mages' offensive spells flew like pinpoint guided missiles, slamming into the mist.

“Rumble!” Countless exploding flames and Ice Roars struck the fog. Though unseen, the crisp sound of shattering bones, characteristic of the Skeleton Legion, confirmed that the magical bombardment had accurately hit its mark.

“Reinforcements!” The people inside the mist had clearly realized their presence. Though unseen, their voices conveyed immense relief.

“All Mages, attack with full power!” A rough male voice called from within the mist. “Friends outside, secure their retreat route! Do not let them escape!”

“Understood,” Bai Ling responded loudly. “Fire Wall spell area coverage! Establish a Fire Sea formation!”

“Yes,” Bai Fei shouted back. Guided by the markers from the Taoists’ Mind Revelation, he hurled marker fireballs to delineate the area for the Fire Walls. Almost simultaneously, all the mages in the Magic Hall cast Fire Wall spells, engulfing the rear of the Skeleton Legion in a raging sea of fire.

Within the mist, the firelight flared intensely. Perhaps their sudden appearance had disrupted the Skeleton Legion’s deployment, and those besieged within the fog seized this rare opportunity. The Skeleton Legion, which had been ambushing them, was suddenly caught in a pincer movement, sandwiched between the two forces.

The fierce battle of offense and defense reignited. A sky full of arrows flew toward them almost at once. However, having experienced the previous clash, everyone was still jumpy about the arrow attacks. The War Hall immediately raised their great shields, tightly protecting everyone.

“Bai Shuang! Did you locate that high-level undead yet?” Bai Ling asked.

“That bastard disappeared again,” Bai Shuang ground out through clenched teeth.

Da Guangtou, the others, and I could only stare helplessly. This high-level undead was truly adept at running.

Perhaps their sudden assault had interrupted the Skeleton Legion’s siege. In any case, after ten minutes of continuous bombardment, the mist dissipated. We finally got a clear view of those who had been attacked by the high-level undead and the Skeleton Legion.

What they saw could only be described as horrific. Everywhere lay mangled, fragmented chunks of flesh, and the ground was stained crimson with blood. But more shocking were the bodies riddled with holes, each the size of a thumb, from which blood incessantly seeped—wounds inflicted by the penetrating arrows of the Enhanced Skeleton Archers. Those hacked into pieces were clearly the work of the Enhanced Skeleton Axemen who had managed to close the distance.

To our astonishment, the number of people inside the mist was huge—at least over eight thousand!

Upon seeing us, the other group also showed great joy and rushed forward. Leading them was a young man clad in golden God of War armor. The fiery crimson phoenix emblem on his chest allowed me to instantly recognize it as the unique mark of the Vermilion Bird Alliance. Beside him were several others, likely his subordinates, and behind them marched a large contingent of nearly five thousand people, mostly from the Vermilion Bird Alliance, but also adventurers wearing armor marked with other guild symbols. Though battered and weary, they held firm expressions, completely lacking the panicked anxiety that clung to our own group.

“It’s Feng Qingtian and the others from the Vermilion Bird Alliance,” Bai Fei exclaimed, invigorated.

“And Brother is here too!” Xia Na cried out happily, rushing toward them.

“Xia Na,” a figure separated from the opposing crowd and swiftly enveloped Xia Na in an embrace.

.................................

No one expected that the group they saved would be the main force of the Vermilion Bird Alliance. Clearly, Bai Ling had a good relationship with them. The Vermilion Bird Alliance was both surprised and delighted by our sudden arrival.

Taking this opportunity, I finally had a chance to witness Feng Qingtian, the foremost figure among Cangyue’s younger generation.

He appeared to be around thirty, tall and powerfully built. His long, fiery red hair hung messily down his back, giving him an untamed look. His gaze held a captivating, sharp intensity—the distinct aura possessed only by those accustomed to holding high office and wielding life-and-death authority. Beside him stood several other masters, all sharing fiery red hair and crimson eyes—the unique hereditary marker of the Feng family bloodline known throughout Cangyue.

Da Guangtou sidled up to me, briefing me on the important figures present.

Feng Qingtian was undoubtedly the leader. Behind him were the elites of the younger Feng generation, all possessing cultivation at the peak of the Crimson Moon realm. The first on his left was Feng Qingtian’s younger brother, Feng Qingkong. Moderate in stature, he exuded a gentle, scholarly refinement, quite similar in demeanor to Long Qi, suggesting that Taoists in the Mafa World generally possessed this composed and graceful bearing.

Next to Feng Qingtian was Feng Qingxuan, the most outstanding female disciple of the younger Feng generation. Her bright red Demon Robe clearly identified her as a mage. It was hard to believe she possessed a mage cultivation at the peak of the Crimson Moon realm, as she appeared no older than twenty-five or twenty-six, similar to Yan Luo. Yet, she was a top-ten ranked master mage on Cangyue’s Sacred Magic Rankings.

To Feng Qingtian’s right stood three middle-aged men with imposing presences. Da Guangtou informed me these three were long-established titans of the Feng family. Despite appearing only in their early forties, they were already renowned masters across Cangyue more than forty years ago. The younger generation of adventurers classified such veterans as monstrous entities. No one knew their true ages, but it was certain each was at least over sixty.

In another row were several key members of the Han family from Tianyin City. Leading them was a young man roughly the age of Long Qi—Han Yunxiao, the Young City Lord of Tianyin City. Beside him were two tall young women of similar age, the Han family’s esteemed daughters, Han Yunqin and Han Yunling. All three youths possessed striking green hair and blue eyes, the distinctive bloodline marker of the Han family of Tianyin City. Their cultivation levels all reached the advanced stage of the Crimson Moon realm. Behind these three stood three middle-aged men, around fifty years old. Like the Feng family, the Han family had brought three elders to protect their younger generation disciples.

To the right of the Feng family were the core members of the Xia family. The leader was naturally Xia Na’s brother, Xia Ya. Unlike Xia Na, Xia Ya was red-haired and blue-eyed, impeccably dressed and refined—hardly resembling the famous genius Taoist known across Cangyue. He looked like a modern idol star: sunny and handsome.

Seeing his sister now filled him with surprise and joy. It was only at this moment we learned how the Vermilion Bird Alliance ended up in the Huangquan World. It turned out that half a month prior, they, too, had accidentally stumbled into the Huangquan World. Unlike us, they had intended to enter, so they displayed no panic. They organized their forces to search the Huangquan World. But after half a month, they still hadn’t grasped the world’s expanse, nor had they seen any trace of the Huangquan Cult Master. Instead, they had fallen into the high-level undead’s traps several times, suffering losses to the Necromantic Illusions and Enhanced Skeleton Legions. Today was no different; they were ambushed by the illusion and the Skeleton Legion. If we hadn't intervened halfway, while they could have fought their way out of the mist, the cost in lives would have been far greater.

Exchanging pleasantries was unavoidable, though it had little to do with us as we weren't close to them. However, seeing the leading figures of the adventurer world excited everyone, especially Da Guangtou and Fang Rou, who looked upon them with utter reverence, rattling off details about the origins of the Vermilion Bird Alliance and its three major leaders. I was already somewhat familiar with the Xia family, but my knowledge of the other two, the Feng and Han families, was limited to the introductions in the Adventurer’s Handbook.

The Vermilion Bird Alliance was formed by the three great lineages of Cangyue: the Feng family of South Sea Phoenix City, the Daoxuan Gate of North Sea Xia Family, and the Han family of East Sea Tianyin City. These three families were the most ancient noble houses in the history of the Cangyue Continent. Legend held that their ancestors had followed the Holy Word True Soul and made immense contributions to liberating all humanity on the Mafa Continent. After the founding of Cangyue, they were granted hereditary territories that have passed down through generations to this day.

For centuries, these three families continuously produced talent, and the Vermilion Bird Alliance, formed by their union, remained the backbone of the Cangyue adventurer world. As Da Guangtou was enthusiastically recounting these stories,

“Thank you for saving my sister!” Xia Ya approached us, expressing his gratitude.

“It was just a small effort; it amounts to nothing,” Long Xin replied.

“Regardless, the Xia family owes you a favor. We will certainly repay you handsomely in the future,” Xia Ya vowed.

“Haha, excellent,” Dong Guan exclaimed excitedly. “Then if we get into trouble later, we’ll just seek out our great backer here!”

“Well,” Xia Ya hadn't expected Dong Guan to be so unrestrained, yet he smiled warmly. “You young man truly don’t know the meaning of courtesy. But you suit my taste.”

“Brother Xia, don’t underestimate him!” Bai Ling laughed. “If ordinary people crossed them, they might not come away so easily.”

“Oh? Are you lot particularly formidable?” Beside Xia Ya stood a strikingly beautiful woman, bearing some resemblance to Xia Na, who was currently looking at Dong Guan with curious eyes. From Da Guangtou’s earlier introduction, we knew her name was Xia Ni, Xia Na’s older cousin.

“That’s right, we are very formidable, very formidable indeed,” Dong Guan said, his boastful nature truly grating.

“Young Master, these are the masters I mentioned to you before,” Da Guangtou added with a simple smile.

“I see,” Xia Ya mused thoughtfully. “It seems repaying you will indeed be difficult.”

“Brother Xia Na, they are all friends, why talk about repayment? That’s too distant,” Dong Guan, truly familiar with everyone, declared. His cheek was astonishingly thick. “We are Little Na Na’s good friends, helping her is only natural. Don’t you agree, Little Na Na?”

“Hey, you brat! Call me Little Na Na again and I’ll have my brother deal with you!” Xia Na raised her tiny pink fists, resembling an angry kitten.

“....................” Everyone stared, realizing these two were natural enemies. The three elders behind Xia Ya wore looks of sudden comprehension. Clearly, Dong Guan had developed a crush, but Xia Na paid him no mind. It seemed this young man had a long way to go before winning the beauty’s heart.

.................................

After the necessary formalities, the large contingent found a defensible corner and began to settle in. The Phoenix Nest Guild, though not a major power, was close to the Xia family and was naturally incorporated into the Xia family’s formation. Da Guangtou, Fang Rou, Long Zhan, and I remained assigned to the War Hall, commanded by the Xia family elder, Xia Chao.

Regardless of the circumstances, they had finally found organization, and a wave of relief washed over everyone.