119: Underworld

Jiang Donghua and Red Silk hid in a secluded cave, its entrance concealed by dense vines, allowing only a few faint rays of light to penetrate.

The two held their breath, listening intently to the sounds outside, and only truly relaxed after confirming that the roaring of the Earth Fiend Demon Lizard had completely vanished.

Red Silk leaned against the rock wall, her chest rising and falling slightly, her fringe soaked with sweat and clinging to her pale skin. She turned her head, her clear, cold eyes fixed on Jiang Donghua, her tone uncharacteristically tinged with helplessness and exhaustion.

"Next time, please tell me before you act."

Jiang Donghua gave an embarrassed smile and scratched his head.

"I just got a little excited, didn't I?"

Red Silk snorted softly, a faint purple Lightning Light condensing on her fingertip, flickering in the dim cave before dissipating.

"Even though I have Lightning Attribute Dou Qi, I can't be this lucky every time!"

Jiang Donghua blinked, feigning innocence.

"Senior Sister, the way you say that, it's as if I'm always causing you trouble."

Red Silk glanced at him, the corners of her mouth curving slightly, her tone carrying a hint of teasing.

"My little lover, I really can't stand this kind of thing."

Jiang Donghua froze, then his ears felt warm, and he coughed twice.

"Ahem, Senior Sister, you shouldn't joke like that..."

Red Silk didn't continue to tease him. Instead, she reached into her storage ring, took out the crimson blood ganoderma, and handed it to him.

"Take a look, is that the medicinal herb you wanted?"

Jiang Donghua took the ganoderma and examined it carefully, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

"That's right! It's this! Although I almost lost my life, this is a genuine three-hundred-year-old crimson blood ganoderma!"

Red Silk watched his excited expression and shook her head helplessly.

"For just one medicinal herb, you almost attracted a peak Dou King level magical beast. Is it worth it?"

Jiang Donghua chuckled, a sly glint in his eyes.

"Of course it's worth it! Senior Sister, you don't know, if this thing is refined into a Blood Spirit Pill, it can not only help a Dou Ling break through, but also improve the quality of their Dou Qi! By then, we'll have a few more ways to protect ourselves in the Black-Corner Region."

Red Silk was silent for a moment, then finally sighed softly.

"Forget it, it's already in hand. Just be careful from now on and don't cause any more trouble."

Jiang Donghua immediately said seriously.

"Don't worry! I promise, I'll definitely keep a low profile from now on!"

Red Silk gave him a half-smile.

"You'd better keep your word."

After a short rest, and confirming that it was safe outside, the two cautiously left the cave.

However, just as they stepped out of the cave entrance.

"Boom—!"

A violent explosion sounded in the distance, followed by a surge of wild Dou Qi fluctuations!

Jiang Donghua and Red Silk exchanged glances, frowning simultaneously.

"That commotion is at least a Dou Ling Level battle!"

Red Silk's eyes narrowed.

"Go take a look?"

Jiang Donghua grinned.

"Senior Sister, didn't you say to keep a low profile?"

Red Silk gave him a faint glance.

"Information first."

Jiang Donghua spread his hands.

"Alright, I'll listen to you anyway."

The two quickly stealthily moved towards the direction of the explosion.

Jiang Donghua and Red Silk hid behind a giant tree, observing the battle from a distance.

Although the Black Robed Man, a Dou Ling, was being attacked by three people, he showed no signs of panic. His figure moved like a ghost through the flashing blades and swords, and each time the pitch-black short blade in his hand swung out, it brought forth a chilling black light, forcing his opponents to temporarily avoid its edge.

"This guy is a bit sinister."

Jiang Donghua narrowed his eyes and whispered.

Red Silk nodded slightly, calmly analyzing the situation.

"The guy who is surrounded is probably a Three-Star Dou Ling, and the remaining three are probably all Four-Star or Five-Star Dou Ling. There's probably no surprise."

The implication was that the Black Robed Man's defeat was already decided.

Sure enough, not long after, the Black Robed Man showed signs of fatigue, his movements slowing slightly. One of the Dou Ling seized the opportunity and slammed a palm onto his back!

"Bang!"

The Black Robed Man grunted, staggered a few steps, and a trace of fresh blood overflowed from the corner of his mouth.

Seeing this, the other two Dou Ling immediately closed in, their swords and blades striking simultaneously, aiming for vital points!

"It's over."

Red Silk said faintly, preparing to turn and leave.

However, at this critical moment, the Black Robed Man suddenly let out a sinister laugh, fiercely pulled out a dark purple pill from his embrace, and swallowed it without hesitation!

"Boom—!"

A violent surge of Dou Qi suddenly erupted, and the Black Robed Man's aura instantly skyrocketed, directly climbing from Three-Star Dou Ling to Six-Star Dou Ling!

"Purple Fiend Pill?!"

Jiang Donghua's pupils contracted, and he immediately recognized the pill.

"No, that's not right!"

He stared intently at the surging purplish-black Dou Qi on the Black Robed Man's body, his voice heavy.

"This isn't an ordinary Purple Fiend Pill, this is a 'Soul Devouring Pill'! Only people from 'Hades' would use such a forbidden drug!"

Hearing this, Red Silk's eyes suddenly turned cold.

"People from Hades?!"

On the battlefield, the situation instantly reversed!

The Black Robed Man was wreathed in purplish-black Dou Qi, his eyes glowing with an eerie light, like a fiend crawling out of hell. With a sinister laugh, he threw a punch, and the purplish-black Dou Qi transformed into a ferocious ghostly claw, directly piercing through the chest of a Four-Star Dou Ling!

"Pfft!"

Blood splattered, and the Dou Ling didn't even have time to scream before his eyes widened, and he collapsed to the ground with a thud!

The remaining two Dou Ling's faces changed drastically, and they turned to flee!

However, the Black Robed Man gave them no chance. His figure flickered, and like a ghost, he caught up to one of them, his five fingers forming a claw, directly clamping down on his crown!

"Netherworld Soul Devouring Hand!"

"Ah—!"

Amidst the mournful screams, the Dou Ling's body convulsed violently, all his Dou Qi was forcibly extracted, turning into wisps of purplish-black energy that were absorbed into the Black Robed Man's body!

The last Dou Ling was scared out of his wits, frantically urging his Dou Qi to escape, but the Black Robed Man just sneered, raised his hand and waved.

"Whoosh!"

A purplish-black energy arrow shot through the air, instantly piercing through his back!

"Thud!"

The corpse fell to the ground, and the battle ended.

The Black Robed Man stood in place, taking a deep breath, seemingly greatly enjoying the sensation of devouring others' power.

However, just then.

"Crack."

A faint sound of a branch breaking was heard.

The Black Robed Man suddenly turned his head, his cold eyes fixed on the direction where Jiang Donghua and Red Silk were hiding!

"Oh no!"

Jiang Donghua's heart tightened.

Red Silk's eyes turned cold, and she whispered.

"We've been discovered."

The Black Robed Man's lips curved into a sinister smile.

"Two little mice have been watching for so long, it's time to come out, isn't it?"

When Jiang Donghua saw the Black Robed Man instantly approaching, he still had that annoying playful smile on his face, but his eyes had turned cold.

"We didn't see anything."

He spread his hands, his tone relaxed, as if he really was just passing by.

The Black Robed Man gave a chilling smile, his figure flashing like a ghost to stand before the two. Purplish-black Dou Qi condensed in his palm, and he said grimly.

"Dead men are the best at keeping secrets."

Before he finished speaking, he suddenly struck out with a palm, and the purplish-black Dou Qi transformed into a ferocious ghostly claw, aiming straight for Jiang Donghua's throat!

"You're taking my kindness for granted!"

Red Silk snorted coldly, her figure suddenly flashed, blocking in front of Jiang Donghua, her jade hand gently raised, and Lightning Light surged in her palm!

"Boom—!"

The Lightning Light and the ghostly claw collided fiercely, and a violent energy ripple instantly exploded, causing the surrounding ground to crack inch by inch, and dust to rise everywhere!

The Black Robed Man was forced back several steps, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

"Eight-Star Dou Ling?!"

He had originally thought that these two were merely ordinary Dou Ling, or even Great Dou Master level minor characters, never expecting that this seemingly cold and beautiful woman possessed such formidable strength!