The bold ideas that Zhong Shenxiu harbored were nothing less than the desire to refine the "Alien Space":

Through Zhong Shenxiu's understanding, this "Alien Space" was quite similar to a "Qiankun Domain." Although existing in a different dimension from the real world, it maintained a certain connection, making the idea of refining it, though somewhat insane, not entirely impossible!

The moment this thought surfaced, even Zhong Shenxiu, with his high degree of self-control, felt his blood surge. If he truly succeeded, the "Alien Space" would fall under his dominion; he could alter everything within it at will and command all living entities inside.

If that were the case, the Demonic Bugs would no longer be a threat. With a mere thought, Zhong Shenxiu could shut down every "Access Point" in this world, or even obliterate every Demonic Bug within the "Alien Space"! This wasn't exaggeration or jest; this was the power of absolute mastery!

Of course, this would not be an easy feat. Though Zhong Shenxiu appeared formidable now, his current strength made achieving this audacious goal somewhat precarious! However—

If he could borrow the power of Xi Xiaoli, success might be within reach!

Zhong Shenxiu knew clearly that ordinary external forces would not suffice. His first instinct was to utilize the power of the Heavenly Tribulation, and it had to be his Tribulation!

Earlier, one "Access Point" had mutated due to lightning strike, and the Heavenly Tribulation was precisely that kind of mutated lightning, making it perfectly suited to directly infiltrate the "Access Point"! Furthermore, Zhong Shenxiu's constitution was peculiar; the Heavenly Tribulation could not harm him in the slightest; instead, it would integrate into his body, laying the necessary groundwork for this plan!

The concept was sound, yet Zhong Shenxiu hesitated in the face of such immense opportunity!

Could there be some other prerequisite? No. What truly made Zhong Shenxiu indecisive was his concern!

This wasn't due to the operational process being perilous—quite the opposite. What Zhong Shenxiu feared was flawless execution!

Perhaps the readers are confused: wouldn't smooth sailing be preferable?

In reality, they overlooked one crucial point: Zhong Shenxiu had already reached the "Mahayana Stage" cultivation. If he were to undergo and successfully pass another Tribulation, he would face Ascension! And this was precisely what Zhong Shenxiu wished to avoid!

(Cultivation realms, from lowest to highest, proceed as follows: Foundation Establishment, Illumination, Fusion, Heart Movement, Spirit Seclusion, Golden Core, Nascent Soul, Out-of-Body, Spirit Division, Integration, Tribulation Crossing, Mahayana!)

Zhong Shenxiu did not wish to ascend, just as he hadn't before, perhaps even more so now! He had always suppressed his internal cultivation level, just as he had in the Cultivation World previously; back then, it was because he didn't want to abandon his research, but now, it was because he couldn't bear to leave Robin and the others!

Had it not been for this concern, given Zhong Shenxiu's abnormal rate of progress, he would have long surpassed the "Mahayana Stage" and reached an unprecedented realm!

Charlotte and the others were oblivious to Zhong Shenxiu’s current thoughts, merely observing the mutated "Access Point" with curiosity. To their eyes, it likely offered nothing more than novelty.

Time ticked by, and over half an hour had already passed unnoticed.

The "Bear Bone Mercenary Group" exhibited good self-awareness, standing quietly. Though countless questions swirled in their minds, they knew what to ask and what to refrain from. At this moment, their only hope was for Zhong Shenxiu and his party to finish quickly and lead them out of this "Gloomy Valley"!

"Hey, did you guys hear anything?" Bondi whispered to the comrade beside him.

"What sound? Stop being jumpy!" one middle-aged man retorted irritably.

Their nerves were taut at this moment; the slightest rustle made their hairs stand on end, which is why they reacted so negatively to Bondi’s baseless claim.

Bondi assumed he was being overly suspicious and offered no rebuttal.

About five minutes later, Bondi couldn't contain himself again: "There really is a sound; listen closely, it seems to be getting clearer."

Saying this, he tugged at Scott's sleeve nearby. The other companions were about to scold Bondi for making a fuss, but Scott spoke up then: "I think there really is a sound; I hear it too."

With his confirmation, everyone held their breath and strained their ears, and indeed, they heard a faint thump, thump sound, much like a heartbeat.

"Is... is it the wind?" one person nervously suggested. He was clearly trying to reassure himself, as there wasn't a breath of wind in the vicinity—where would the sound of wind come from?

"Should we notify them?" Bondi pointed a finger toward Charlotte and the others, who remained unmoved.

"L-let's wait a bit longer; maybe we misheard!" Scott tried to maintain a calm demeanor.

Until they were certain, he didn't want to disturb Charlotte and the others, as incurring their wrath would have unthinkable consequences.

As the thump, thump sound grew clearer, Bondi and the others' heart rates accelerated. Everyone scanned their surroundings with alert vigilance, terrified that something might burst forth from any corner.

Approximately three more minutes passed, and the strange noise was clearly audible. Moreover, the ground began to tremble slightly, and the leaves on the surrounding trees started to rustle!

Even a fool could now understand that something massive was approaching, and it was certainly gargantuan!

Scott could hold back no longer. He couldn't fathom why Charlotte and her group remained so calm despite the colossal commotion. Were they truly unafraid?

"Excuse... excuse us, something seems to be approaching!" Scott said tentatively.

His companions had gathered close to him, seeking the slight sense of security offered by being nearer to Charlotte and the others.

"It's fine; we already knew!" Charlotte replied, then turned her gaze back to the "Access Point."

What else could Scott say? He found the people before him increasingly inscrutable! Judging by their matching attire, they must be a group, likely mercenaries, but he had never encountered such a distinct and unconventional mercenary band!

In agonizing suspense, Scott and his group finally glimpsed a dark, colossal shape—it was a Demonic Bug they had never seen before! (If they had seen one, they would likely have already expired!)

"Heavens, is that a mountain moving?" Bondi’s face went ashen as he retreated continuously.

His partners were no better off, trembling as they pointed forward and stammered: "Qu... quickly look..."

At this moment, Charlotte and the others finally pulled their attention away from the "Access Point" and glanced behind them. "It really is a 'Black Luo'." Rachel’s reaction was the most pronounced; despite having psychological preparation, she couldn't help but show a flicker of shock.

"Strange, we didn't make any sound; why did it find us?" Ma Kexin looked perplexed.

"Maybe it smelled food?" Elena joked lightly.

Seeing the members of the "Ethereal Mercenary Group" still in the mood for banter, Scott and the others were truly speechless. Facing such a massive Demonic Bug, they felt like screaming, yet the beautiful women before them could still exchange pleasantries. What had become of the world? Had things changed drastically outside in these past few months?

Scott now resolved that upon leaving, he absolutely had to inquire about the major events of the last few months.

This Black Luo finally seemed to notice Charlotte and the others, letting out a roar that stirred up a wave of foul, stinking air.

Glancing at Scott and his trembling group, Charlotte kindly offered a warning: "Stay behind us and don't dart around. This Demonic Bug is called a 'Black Luo,' and the venom it spits is highly corrosive!"

Scott and the others nodded in unison, signaling their compliance, but they were worried about whether Charlotte's group could handle this Bug, which was clearly on a different level from those they had encountered previously.

Charlotte ignored the others and walked toward the Black Luo. It seemed it was her turn to act!

"Aren't you going to help?" Bondi asked Ma Kexin and the others in surprise.

"Hehe, you're amusing!" Ma Kexin’s reply only deepened Bondi’s confusion.

When they looked again, Charlotte had stopped. In her hand, she now held her specialized heavy blade, radiating imposing might and extraordinary bearing!

The Black Luo seemed to sense the threat and halted its movement, but it issued another deafening roar!

"Our Young Master is thinking; aren't you deliberately causing trouble with all that noise!" Charlotte sized up the Black Luo from top to bottom.

But just then, the Black Luo suddenly spat out a stream of venom, rushing straight toward Charlotte!

Charlotte’s eyebrow twitched. She spun her blade into a flurry, then flipped the edge upwards, unleashing a reverse upward sweep—a blast of elemental energy sliced toward the venom stream.

Sssshhh! It sounded like something being cleanly severed.

Then, the venom stream abruptly split in two, splashing harmlessly to the sides and emitting a pungent vapor! Charlotte simultaneously retracted her blade and walked back.

The instant she turned, the Black Luo’s massive body suddenly split down the middle, slamming heavily onto the ground, causing the earth to shudder once more.

The members of the "Bear Bone Mercenary Group" had forgotten how to tremble; their exaggerated expressions seemed to compete with one another.

This must be an illusion; it absolutely must be!

Scott and the others' expressions were beyond knowing whether to laugh or cry; what they had just witnessed had pushed them to the brink of collapse!

"Now you should understand why we didn't offer help!" Ma Kexin didn't miss the chance to rub salt in the wound.

Just as Charlotte was about to return, Tiya suddenly pointed at the corpse of the Black Luo and asked with surprise, "Huh, what is that?"

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