Whoosh! Several figures flashed out of the dense jungle like ghosts, speeding south! It was Mo Luo Aotian and his five companions, mounted on Mammoths.
Mid-flight, Xuan Zhi kept his eyes tightly shut, seemingly tracing the detection necklace around his chest while hastily murmuring some profound incantations. After a considerable moment, he finally opened his closed eyes.
“Five hundred li due south, past the Gale Valley,” Xuan Zhi’s voice cut clearly through the shrill whistle of the wind. “His speed has slowed considerably compared to before!”
“It seems his injuries are severe,” Xuan Yi noted. “Gale Valley is plagued by raging winds year-round, with torrents of loose stones flying everywhere. For him, traversing it with major wounds must be incredibly difficult. I doubt he has much life left.”
“Once past Gale Valley, it won't take long to reach Man City. Does Jiu Yao Shen Zhen still intend to attack Man City?” Mo Luo Zhanlong considered a different angle.
“Jiu Yao Shen Zhen is wounded now. Even if he manages to rendezvous with the two Sky Rainbow Arch-Mages from the Blood Wolf Tribe, he wouldn't dare attack Man City. Moreover, Man City is already prepared; if Jiu Yao Shen Zhen dares to show himself there, it would be walking straight into a trap!” Mo Luo Aotian analyzed. “My biggest fear is that he has already guessed we planted the Thousand-Mile Tracker on him, prompting him to seek out the two Sky Rainbow Arch-Mages. After all, only the masking magic of Sky Rainbow Arch-Mages can nullify the Thousand-Mile Tracker and break the detection necklace’s lock.”
“If that’s the case, finding him again won't be so easy,” Mo Luo Zhankong muttered with reluctance.
“Which is why we must hurry,” Mo Luo Aotian urged. “This is our final chance! We must strike while he is just past Gale Valley and his injuries are worsening!”
“Haha, then we need to move fast!” Mo Luo Ouzhanxiong’s spirits soared. Indeed, although the Mammoth King was incredibly fast, that Mammoth King was unarmored. Passing through Gale Valley unscathed would be impossible.
And Jiu Yao Shen Zhen’s physical condition was dire; it was highly likely that the man and beast now had little strength left. This was the perfect moment to catch up!
The six immediately urged their ferocious Mammoths forward.
Roar! Roar-roar! Whipped a few times, the Mammoths went into a frenzy, their speed surging dramatically.
Gale Valley! A treacherous chasm located at the southern end of the Wan Luo Mountain Range. Steep cliffs soared a thousand zhang on either side, framing a narrow passage, nine hundred meters long and fifty meters wide. Due to the unique terrain, hurricanes raged within Gale Valley year-round. Ordinary people would never dare set foot inside; one slip could send them caught in the violent gales, slammed against the valley walls until they were pulverized.
Thus, it was listed as one of the Ten Most Perilous Places on the Demon Sealing Continent! Of course, this peril was relative to mere mortals!
For massive beasts like the Mammoths, the hurricanes inside Gale Valley were not strong enough to lift them. Therefore, the winds offered no hindrance to their steady advance. As for Mo Luo Aotian and the others, nestled atop the Mammoths, coupled with their cultivation base at the Heavenly Demon Warrior rank, they too paid little heed to the gale’s impact.
Without the slightest hesitation, the six charged straight into Gale Valley upon arrival, making no pause.
Although being inside Gale Valley at this moment instinctively made Mo Luo Aotian and the others anticipate ambushes or sniping maneuvers, Mo Luo Aotian did not believe Jiu Yao Shen Zhen dared to turn the tables and set a trap for them. Furthermore, Xuan Zhi’s detection necklace had confirmed Jiu Yao Shen Zhen was still speeding toward Man City, which prevented them from daring to slacken their pace, lest Jiu Yao Shen Zhen rendezvous with the two Sky Rainbow Arch-Mages. If that happened, tracing him easily again would become impossible.
In the wind, the gale howled fiercely! Stones danced in the air!
All the ears could register was the violent shriek of the hurricanes. The fierce gusts swept through the narrow valley, frequently tearing loose stones from the cliff faces. These stones mixed with the gales, resembling countless gigantic hailstones, smashing down relentlessly upon the Mammoths and the riders.
Though the Mammoths possessed tough hides and thick flesh, and though the Heavenly Demon Armor offered astonishing defense, being hammered by this deluge of stones was far from a pleasant experience. Mo Luo Aotian and the others could only circulate their protective Battle Qi to shield themselves and their ferocious Mammoths.
And despite their immense size, the Mammoths were forced to slow down against the violent hurricanes, lowering their bodies and advancing in a prone, crawling posture.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The arrival of the six riders and six beasts added an unusual rhythmic note to the surging torrent of loose stones within Gale Valley! The dull thudding sound as the flying debris struck the shields of Battle Qi.
Fortunately, both the Heavenly Demon Armor and the armor worn by the ferocious Mammoths were fully enclosing, even including specialized masks for the head to guard against wind and dust. The eye slits were fitted with goggles made of specially processed transparent crystal. Otherwise, the Mammoths and the Mo Luo party would have been utterly incapable of opening their eyes.
But even so, what their eyes could perceive was only a violently swirling blur. Amidst this screeching blur, black dots occasionally appeared, hurtling toward them at astonishing speeds.
These were rocks dislodged by the hurricane. Most were only the size of footballs, but many larger stones, some as big as millstones, hurtled down. Facing such projectiles, even the astonishing defense of the Heavenly Demon Armor and the tough plating on the Mammoths could be fatally breached by a direct hit. Under these conditions, the Mammoths struggled simply to move forward, let alone evade!
Therefore, while advancing, Mo Luo Aotian and the others channeled their protective Battle Qi to shield themselves and their ferocious mounts, while simultaneously channeling their Battle Qi into their blades and swords, unleashing dazzling crescent-moon sword energies to cleave apart the massive stones hurtling toward them.
For a time, the valley echoed with the sound of raging wind, flying boulders, and clashing sword energies. However, as they penetrated deeper, the wind intensified, and the density of the falling stones became shockingly great. Millstone-sized boulders rained down like a deluge!
“Something feels wrong,” Mo Luo Ouzhanxiong’s slightly panicked roar echoed amidst the indistinct howling. It wasn't just Mo Luo Ouzhanxiong; Mo Luo Aotian also sensed an abnormality in Gale Valley. Although Mo Luo Aotian and the others had heard tales of the valley’s terrifying stone-filled gales, nothing could explain this exaggeration. Such a widespread bombardment of millstone-sized boulders—how could the heavily injured Jiu Yao Shen Zhen and the unarmored Mammoth possibly have passed through this?
Just then!
Boom! Rumble!
Earth-shattering explosions suddenly erupted within the valley. Brilliant white light flashed abruptly through the hazy storm, and the very ground seemed to tremble violently!
Roar! Accompanying the blasts came a fierce bellow capable of tearing the world apart!
“Magic explosion!”
“It’s Jiu Yao Shen Zhen!”
“And that Mammoth King.”
Indeed, that sound was emitted by the Mammoth King that had abducted Jiu Yao Shen Zhen. The dazzling light, mixed with the violent roar, was followed by the tell-tale surging magical fluctuations of a magic explosion. Countless massive stones, mixed with the violently swirling hurricane, rained down madly!
Thump! Splat! Roar!
Everything happened simultaneously in that fleeting moment!
With stones flying and gales raging, the valley instantly descended into chaos.
Countless boulders, some the size of five or six cubic meters, descended like small mountains bearing down upon them!
Mo Luo Aotian and his company had no chance to evade! Although they managed to intercept many stones with their crescent sword energies, quite a few slammed into the Mammoths. Even with the Mammoths' hardened armor coupled with the formidable protective Battle Qi of the Heavenly Demon Warriors, they could not withstand the bombardment of these massive, densely packed stones!
Splat! Xuan Yi and Xuan Zhi, lacking protective Battle Qi, were struck by several crashing boulders. They were instantly smashed backward, spitting blood. Their ferocious Mammoth let out a heaven-rending scream and was immediately crushed into a pulp of raw meat!
Thump! Splat!
Roar! Brilliant white light instantly flashed, and a torrent of thick crescent sword energy slashed out, instantly shattering a rapidly approaching giant stone. But before Mo Luo Aotian could stabilize his breath, several massive grey shadows hurtled toward him in quick succession!
Ah! Mo Luo Aotian’s face twisted in horror. Evasion was impossible in this situation; he could only pour all his strength into his protective Battle Qi to fight!
Thump! A dull impact sounded amidst the howling, chaotic wind.
The surging boulders slammed into Mo Luo Aotian, sending him flying. Although the defense of the Heavenly Demon Armor and his robust protective Battle Qi prevented him from being instantly crushed to death, he was tossed through the air like a kicked leather ball, completely out of control. His ferocious Mammoth was immediately smashed into a meat paste by several subsequent whistling stones, not even managing a scream!
“Retreat! It’s an ambush!” The terrifying impact caused Mo Luo Aotian to cough up blood on the spot, his body feeling as though it were falling apart. He could only let out a desperate roar, then forcibly channeled his protective Battle Qi and retreated back the way they came!
Yes, as soon as he heard that terrifying impact, Mo Luo Aotian realized he had fallen for Jiu Yao Shen Zhen’s trick.
And those successive, powerful magic explosion fluctuations explained the sudden, overwhelming shower of massive loose stones.
Clearly, the two Sky Rainbow Arch-Mages had arrived at Gale Valley earlier, met with Jiu Yao Shen Zhen, and used masking magic to displace the Thousand-Mile Tracker, causing an error in the necklace’s reading! Consequently, their unprepared party had stumbled right into the trap!
But by the time they realized it, it was too late. Xuan Yi and Xuan Zhi were doomed!
Mo Luo Zhankong, Mo Luo Zhanlong, and Mo Luo Ouzhanxiong were also struck by boulders and sent flying. However, being veterans of countless battles, they understood they were ambushed without needing Mo Luo Aotian’s warning.
Forcing down the searing pain and the chaotic energy within their bodies, they desperately rushed back toward the entrance!
Fortunately, they were already running full-speed downwind. Soon, they burst clear of the valley!
Their vision cleared as they exited the gorge!
Whoosh whoosh whoosh whoosh! Golden figures materialized out of thin air!
Simultaneously, six streaks of colored light appeared, aiming with terrifying speed directly at the chests of Mo Luo Aotian and the others!
“It’s the Dragon Shadows!”
“Jiu Yao Shen Zhen!” Mo Luo Zhanlong and Mo Luo Ouzhanxiong roared in unison. Yes, they knew these mutated Dragon Shadows intimately.
And from the moment they were struck by the ambush, they had already guessed that Jiu Yao Shen Zhen would be waiting at the exit to deliver a fatal blow to his injured foe!
They were not surprised by Jiu Yao Shen Zhen’s sudden appearance; in fact, they had been prepared!
Almost the instant the Dragon Shadows flashed!
“Die, monster!” The four roared simultaneously, unleashing four dazzling, giant crescent strikes that shot out toward the sudden Dragon Shadows!
Boom! Rumble! With a dull impact, the six Dragon Shadows were instantly blasted backward!
The combined strike of the four was astonishingly powerful. The four crescents not only blasted the six Dragon Shadows away but also continued toward Jiu Yao Shen Zhen. Their long-honed tacit understanding meant the combined crescent strike launched by Mo Luo Aotian and his group possessed near-perfect speed, force, and angle.
Yes, this was the last chance to kill Jiu Yao Shen Zhen, and this attack had been brewing in their minds the moment they began retreating rapidly out of the valley.
Mo Luo Aotian and the others had experienced the terror of Jiu Yao Shen Zhen firsthand. Faced with such a rare opportunity, they were certain Jiu Yao Shen Zhen would not easily let it pass—and reality proved their prediction correct!
Jiu Yao Shen Zhen had indeed been waiting at the valley exit and launched a surprise attack the moment they rushed out!
And all of this had also been factored into Mo Luo Aotian’s calculations!
Ah! Seemingly unprepared for Mo Luo Aotian’s swift reaction, Jiu Yao Shen Zhen could only frantically circulate the Thunder Shield and sidestep to the left! But he still could not escape the combined crescent strike unleashed by the four!
Thump! Splat! The rebounding Jiu Yao Shen Zhen was struck by Mo Luo Zhankong’s crescent, sending him flying uncontrollably!
Everything unfolded in that brief flash of lightning!
Ah! They hit him! The four were overjoyed! But the opportunity was once-in-a-lifetime. The four did not pause for a moment; they sprang up like four golden lightning bolts, relentlessly pursuing the airborne Jiu Yao Shen Zhen!
They had to kill Jiu Yao Shen Zhen! He absolutely could not be allowed to escape!
However, at that moment! The ground suddenly erupted! Amidst the soaring dust and smoke, a hazy, silvery-white light suddenly flashed! It swept across the faces of the four like a graceful, light breeze!
Accompanying it came a wave of chilling killing intent!
Splat splat splat splat!
The four had no time to react at all! A slight, cold sensation brushed against their throats!
Then, they felt themselves involuntarily flying upward!
Ah! How is this possible!
In a daze, Mo Luo Aotian saw four headless corpses on the ground, maintaining their forward striding posture in a grotesque manner!
And behind them stood another figure: imposing, with a magnificent, snow-white longsword trembling slightly, silver-white hair dancing in the wind, and silver eyes deep and chillingly cold!
“It’s you! Yin Mo Jidu!” Mo Luo Aotian managed to force out the words, then could hold on no longer, closing his eyes, followed by an endless void!