Blood Evasion Technique. Lei Dong had witnessed it once before on Baili Yun. It was precisely because that fellow knew the Blood Evasion Technique that it caused him a great deal of trouble. Seeing the Blood Evasion Technique again, Lei Dong’s heart could not remain calm. Especially since the speed and momentum erupting from this Blood Evasion Technique were far beyond what Baili Yun had managed that time.

A thought flickered through Lei Dong’s mind. He knew that unless absolutely cornered, no one would resort to a self-mutilating and life-threatening escape art like the Blood Evasion Technique. Therefore, the person must be severely wounded, or perhaps even unconscious. Judging by the immense power displayed by the technique, this person was certainly no ordinary figure; perhaps there was a chance to profit from the situation.

However, that notion was fleeting. Precisely because the sheer power suggested an entity he couldn't afford to provoke, it was better not to take the risk. By diligently completing Sect missions and accumulating contribution points, he would eventually amass ample resources to advance to the Foundation Establishment stage. Windfalls were appealing, but they came with the risk of losing one’s life. Rather than risking annihilation for quick wealth, it was better to be steady, advancing one step at a time.

Knowing this was certainly not a place to linger, Lei Dong paused briefly, his thoughts shifting. He urged the Evil Ghost Shroud into action, the ghostly black mist surging, propelling him away at extreme speed.

But just as Lei Dong accelerated, within the ravaged bamboo forest, a mass of dark demonic energy condensed, transforming into a colossal black claw, several zhang large, which swooped toward the airborne Lei Dong—fierce and swift.

Lei Dong glanced over, and his face instantly filled with terror. He pushed the Evil Ghost Shroud with all his might; the mist boiled, and his speed increased by another tenth. But the black claw moved with unbelievable swiftness, reaching him within a few breaths. At this point, Lei Dong calmed down from his mixture of shock and anger. Knowing evasion was impossible, he decided to fight desperately.

With a slight lift of his hand, the Annihilation Dharma Wheel whined, growing larger as it flew, striking the demonic claw head-on.

Lei Dong held only one hope: that the opponent, being heavily injured, was running low on true essence, and this demonic claw was merely a façade.

Hiss-hiss~ The violently spinning Annihilation Dharma Wheel desperately shredded the black claw, managing to bite several inches deep, causing ripples across the claw's surface, making it seem unstable.

A flicker of joy sparked in Lei Dong’s heart. Although the person was powerful, they truly seemed to be at the end of their tether. He frantically channeled his spiritual sense to urge the Annihilation Dharma Wheel to exert more force. If he could just block this claw, he might still have a chance to escape with his life. Although Lei Dong couldn't fathom why this person, having already used the Blood Evasion Technique, would still bother intercepting him—was it to silence him? Or did some dark art allow them to consume him for healing? Regardless, neither outcome was something Lei Dong wished to see.

“Hmph~”

A cold snort, sharp to the extreme, indistinguishable as male or female. It felt light yet carried immense weight, striking Lei Dong’s ears like a sudden thunderclap, numbing his entire body and utterly confusing his senses. His mind went hazy, a blank slate. Simultaneously, the demonic claw swallowed the Annihilation Dharma Wheel whole, forcefully capturing Lei Dong and the Evil Ghost Shroud within its grasp.

Lei Dong could only vaguely sense himself being tightly bound by an immense force, unable to move even an inch; his bones felt on the verge of shattering. His vision was pitch black; he could see nothing. But after only a few moments, the crushing pressure lessened, and his vision cleared again. His footing vanished, and he nearly stumbled and fell.

Focusing his sight, he saw that the surrounding rocks had been pulverized, creating a pit several zhang wide and a zhang deep, resembling the impact crater of a meteorite. And there, Lei Dong stood, unsteady on his feet, at the edge of the crater.

Lying within the crater-like hollow was a person enveloped entirely in swirling black demonic mist. Through the fluctuating density of the mist, he could vaguely make out the figure of a long-haired woman in black robes, her garments tattered and ripped in many places. Particularly at her thigh, it seemed something had savagely torn at her, revealing a gruesome wound. A glimpse of half her face showed, and even Lei Dong, a man with memories of two lifetimes accustomed to seeing beauties through various media, felt his heart skip a beat.

But Lei Dong was utterly terrified. Although he did not recognize this woman in black, judging by the preceding demonic claw attack, she was clearly no pushover.

The demonic energy seemed to dissipate quickly. With Lei Dong’s eyesight, he could clearly see her lying