28: Shadow Devouring Snake Guard, Heart Burning in the Valley

The putrid stench of the Death Swamp was completely isolated by Lin Chen, kept outside the invisible barrier formed by his Shadow Erosion Dou Qi.

He sat cross-legged in a muddy cave, like an ancient Vicious Beast hibernating in the abyss.

His Realm at the Peak of a four-star Dou Master was now completely stable, with thirty-eight drops of ink-jade starlight-like Dou Qi liquid slowly rotating within his Dantian.

Each pulsation drew in the pure, icy Death Qi and pervasive grievances from the depths of the swamp, transforming them into nourishment for himself.

In his Sea of Consciousness, the Soul Power perception network, woven around the Hall of Souls's imprint as its core, clearly reflected every stir in the Imperial Capital:

Alchemy Shop Secret Chamber: The Hall of Souls operative finished his transmission, the black mist of the bone talisman receded.

He cautiously scanned his surroundings, confirmed no one was watching, then quietly melted into the shadows of the alleyways, stealthily moving towards a predetermined rendezvous point outside the city.

His aura, within the imprint's perception, was as clear as a firefly in the dark night.

Imperial Capital Southern Suburbs Dense Forest: Seven ghostly figures were quietly gathering.

They wore Cloud Mist Sect-standard black robes, but beneath the robes were even more form-fitting dark soft armor, their faces covered by masks, revealing only cold, sharp eyes.

Their auras were condensed, their steps silent, and their coordination was seamless—these were the Cloud Mist Sect's sharpest and most secretive dark blades—the Cloud Shadow Guard!

The leader's aura had reached the Peak of a Battle King, while the other six were all at the Peak of a Battle Spirit!

They silently exchanged glances, the leader clutching a Jade Slip that contained the approximate last known location of Yun Yun—deep within the Magical Beast Mountain Range!

Yunlan Mountain Direction: Yun Shan's unstable aura, like a candle flickering in the wind, still languished in the main Peak's secret chamber.

However, at its core, the source core fragment left by Lin Chen, like a maggot on bone, was continuously and greedily devouring the Origin Dou Qi he had forcibly condensed using a secret Hall of Souls technique.

The trend of his Realm decline had not stopped with the passage of time; instead, under the fragment's erosion, his Foundation became increasingly precarious.

Yun Shan's Soul fluctuations, filled with resentment and anxiety, faintly transmitted through the imprint.

“Cloud Shadow Guard… led by a Battle King, with six Battle Spirit Peaks, quite a grand gesture.” Lin Chen's lips curved into a cold arc, his eyes devoid of any fear, only the excitement of a hunter spotting plump prey.

“Too bad you don't know who the real hunter is.”

He slowly rose, the faint black mist swirling around him instantly receded, his presence dropping to freezing point.

With Shadow Erosion Dou Qi circulating, his body, like a weightless shadow, silently slipped out of the muddy cave, merged into the murky swamp water above, then, like a phantom, pierced through the water surface, stepping onto the muddy and rocky swamp edge, which had been ploughed by energy shockwaves.

Shadow Erosion: Concealment!

He did not directly pounce on his target but, like the most patient viper, used the shadows of ruins, fallen giant trees, and the pervasive thin mist to maintain an almost perfect state of stealth, trailing far behind the Hall of Souls operative who had left the alchemy shop.

His speed was neither fast nor slow, always maintaining an absolutely safe distance, like a silent ghost.

The Hall of Souls operative was extremely cautious, taking many detours, specifically choosing rarely trodden paths, and even stopping several times to use secret techniques to detect Soul fluctuations.

However, in Lin Chen's state, where his presence was erased to the extreme and his Soul essence was highly attuned to the shadowy Death Qi, these detections were like stones sinking into the sea, yielding no reaction.

He finally arrived at the entrance of an abandoned mine in the southern suburbs of the Imperial Capital, where he rendezvoused with the already assembled Cloud Shadow Guard.

At the mine entrance, shadows were deep.

Seven Cloud Shadow Guards stood silently like cold stone statues.

The Battle King Peak leader, “Shadow Owl,” scanned the newly arrived Hall of Souls operative, “Viper,” with hawk-like eyes, his voice low and hoarse: “Is the message confirmed?”

Viper bowed, speaking rapidly: “Confirmed! Target Yun Yun, with Xiao Yan, their aura last disappeared in the direction of the Magical Beast Mountain Range's 'Poisonous Miasma Valley'! Protector Wu has ordered: reclaim the ring at all costs! If necessary, you may… eliminate Yun Yun!” A hint of ruthlessness flashed in his eyes.

Shadow Owl's mouth, hidden beneath his mask, seemed to twitch, bearing the Cloud Mist Sect's characteristic coldness: “The Sect Master's secret order is also thus.

Depart!” With a wave of his hand, seven black figures, like bats merging into the night, silently shot into the deep darkness of the abandoned mine.

This was a secret shortcut leading to the outer reaches of the Magical Beast Mountain Range.

Just as the last Cloud Shadow Guard's figure vanished into the mine's darkness!

An abrupt change occurred!

A thick, impenetrable shadow at the mine entrance

“came alive” without warning! Like a giant mouth suddenly opening beneath a calm surface!

“Buzz—!”

A terrifying Domain, cold, deathly silent, and imbued with an absolute will to devour, instantly descended! It was Lin Chen's long-prepared—Shadow Erosion: Soul Devouring Domain!

After advancing to a four-star Dou Master, the range, intensity, and Soul suppression of this Domain far surpassed what it was before!

“Not good! An ambush!” Shadow Owl, at the Peak of a Battle King, reacted the fastest, roaring out loud, his internal Dou Qi erupting without reservation, attempting to break free from the Domain's quagmire-like suppression!

Blinding Dou Qi radiance lit up around him, like a torch ignited in the dark night!

However, it was too late!

The moment the Domain descended, terrifying devouring power and Soul suppression had already acted upon everyone!

Especially the six Cloud Shadow Guards at the Peak of a Battle Spirit; they only felt their entire body's Dou Qi suddenly stagnate, their Souls as if clamped tightly by icy iron pincers, their thoughts experiencing a momentary blank!

Their movements inevitably became sluggish!

It was in this moment of sluggishness!

A shadowy figure, even deeper than the mine's darkness, like a poisonous spear thrust from Hell, silently appeared behind the weakest Cloud Shadow Guard at the very rear of the group!

Lin Chen's figure materialized from illusion, his right hand pointing like a sword, his fingertip condensing a point of pitch-black light compressed to the extreme, with annihilating electric arcs jumping around it—source core fragment: Soul Devouring Stab!

“Pfft!”

A soft sound, like fabric tearing.

The fragment effortlessly pierced through the Cloud Shadow Guard's hastily condensed protective Dou Qi, accurately stabbing into his vital heart from behind!

Terrifying annihilation power and devouring properties instantly erupted!

“Ugh…” The Cloud Shadow Guard couldn't even let out a scream, his body suddenly stiffened, and the vitality in his eyes rapidly dimmed.

His lifelong cultivated Dou Qi, Soul Origin, and even life essence, like a bursting dam, were frantically devoured and extracted by the source core fragment!

His body visibly shriveled, turning into a mummified corpse covered in black frost!

Shadow Erosion: Instant Kill!

“Seventh Brother!” A nearby Cloud Shadow Guard's eyes were bloodshot, roaring as he swung his saber at Lin Chen!

The blade was sharp, carrying a piercing shriek that tore through the air!

Lin Chen's figure flickered, merging like a ghost into the shadow of the side rock wall, the saber striking empty air, leaving only a deep gash.

Meanwhile, Lin Chen's figure, as if teleporting, appeared beside another Cloud Shadow Guard whose movements were slightly slower due to the Domain's suppression, delivering the same deadly fragment stab, silently!

“Pfft!”

Another Cloud Shadow Guard turned into a mummified corpse!

“Form up! Cloud Shadow Annihilation!” The Battle King Shadow Owl roared in fury, forcibly enduring the Soul Devouring Domain's suppression, forming hand seals!

The remaining four Cloud Shadow Guards instantly snapped out of their shock, suppressing the Soul's tremors and the Dou Qi's stagnation, quickly repositioning themselves, their Dou Qi intertwining, instantly forming a sharp annihilation formation!

Four condensed Dou Qi streams, like venomous snakes emerging from their lairs, from four tricky angles, carrying killing intent that sealed space, fiercely twisted towards Lin Chen!

“Hehehe…” The Hall of Souls operative Viper also reacted, his eyes flashing with fierce light, the black mist of the bone talisman in his hand churning, a pitch-black Soul Arrow filled with corrosive power condensed, flying towards Lin Chen's glabella with a shrill shriek!

He wanted to interfere with Lin Chen, to cooperate with the Cloud Shadow Guard's annihilation!

Facing this deadly situation, sealed from all directions, both spiritually and physically, Lin Chen's eyes flashed with a dark light.

Instead of retreating, he let out a low, mocking sneer!

“Petty tricks!”

He suddenly spread his hands, palms facing upwards!

Shadow Erosion: Abyss Devour!

Within his Dantian, the source core fragment vibrated violently!

Beneath Lin Chen's feet, a profound, dark vortex, as if leading to the Nine Nether Abyss, suddenly expanded!

Within the vortex, terrifying suction power erupted, not only frantically devouring the surrounding space's light and energy but also forcibly twisting, pulling, and devouring the four Dou Qi streams that were twisting towards him and the Soul Arrow shot by Viper!

“What?!” The four Cloud Shadow Guards turned pale with fright, feeling their own Dou Qi like a mud ox entering the sea, being frantically drained by the dark vortex!

Their formation instantly disintegrated!

Viper, even more so, lost control of his Soul Arrow as it left his body, devoured by the vortex, and his own Soul suffered a backlash, letting out a muffled groan!

Just as the Cloud Shadow Guard's formation disintegrated, with their old power gone and new power yet to emerge!

Lin Chen moved!

His figure left a faint afterimage in place, his true body appearing as if teleported in front of the Cloud Shadow Guard closest to him!

It was still that deadly fragment stab!

Fast! Accurate! Ruthless!

“Pfft!”

The third mummified corpse fell to the ground!

“Bastard!” The Dou Master Shadow Owl went completely insane, his eyes bloodshot. He knew he had kicked an iron plate today! The opponent's elusive stealth, overbearing Devour, and the deadly annihilation of that tiny speck of light were simply the bane of his Cloud Shadow Guard! He no longer held back, pouring all the Dou Qi in his body into a dull black short blade in his hand! The short blade hummed, emitting a sharp Qi that seemed to cut through space! Earth Rank Low-grade Dou Skill—Sky-Rending Blade! He transformed into a stream of light, charging with unwavering determination, directly stabbing at Lin Chen's heart! This was a desperate strike!

Facing the Earth Rank Dou Skill of a Peak Dou Master's enraged, desperate strike, Lin Chen's eyes finally showed a trace of solemnity, but even more so, excitement! He needed stronger pressure to temper himself, and he also needed to devour stronger energy to break through the five-star barrier!

He did not dodge or evade, letting out a low roar: “Good timing!”

Within his Dantian, thirty-five drops of Dou Qi liquid spun wildly, and the source core fragment glowed brightly! He clenched his right fist, dense Shadow Erosion Dou Qi enveloping it, and his annihilation will was highly concentrated! No longer a pinpoint stab, but a heavy punch! Above the fist, black light swirled, carrying the domineering will to devour everything and annihilate all things, fiercely smashing towards the tearing Sky-Rending Blade edge!

Shadow Erosion · Source Shattering Punch!

“Boom—!!!”

Fist and blade met!

The ear-piercing clang of metal and the explosive sound of energy annihilation erupted within the narrow mine tunnel! The violent shockwave shook the surrounding rock walls, causing gravel to fall!

Lin Chen's body trembled violently, he let out a muffled grunt, his feet plowing two deep grooves. Above his fist, the Shadow Erosion Dou Qi fluctuated intensely, and his skin was cut open by the sharpness of the Sky-Rending Blade, seeping dark purple blood. However, the wound was instantly covered and repaired by the surging Shadow Erosion Dou Qi!

But Dou Master Shadow Owl was even worse off! He felt as if his Sky-Rending Blade had struck an abyss that continuously devoured his power! That terrifying annihilation will spread up the short blade, frantically eroding and disintegrating his Dou Qi! Furthermore, a chilling devouring force, like a parasitic maggot, began to extract his Dou Qi and vitality! His arm ached intensely, his tiger's mouth split open, and his body staggered backward!

Now is the time!

A fierce glint flashed in Lin Chen's eyes. He forcefully suppressed his churning Qi and blood, and his left hand shot out like lightning! His five fingers splayed, his palm aimed at Shadow Owl, who had been forced back and whose aura was chaotic! A devouring force, even more overbearing and concentrated than the previous “Abyss Devour,” erupted! Its target was directly at Shadow Owl's Dantian core!

Shadow Erosion · Source Extraction!

“No—!” Shadow Owl let out a shriek of extreme terror. He felt his Dou Master Origin Dou Qi, cultivated for many years, gushing uncontrollably towards Lin Chen's palm like a flood from an open dam! His Realm instantly began to destabilize!

“Puff! Puff!”

Just as Lin Chen was fully devouring Shadow Owl's Origin, two sharp blade lights and a sinister Soul prick fiercely attacked Lin Chen from the side and behind! It was the remaining two Cloud Shadow Guards and the recovered “Viper”!

Lin Chen seemed to have anticipated it. His body twisted at an incredible angle, like a boneless poisonous snake, narrowly avoiding the vital points! The blade grazed his ribs, drawing a trail of blood; the Soul prick flew past his temple, leaving a scorching, stinging pain in his Soul! But his devouring action did not stop in the slightest! In fact, the blood flowing from his wounds transformed into wisps of black Qi, which were reabsorbed by the Shadow Erosion Dou Qi!

“Die!” Lin Chen's eyes shot out a fierce light. Enduring the pain, he clenched his right hand violently!

Shadow Owl, who was being frantically devoured, twitched violently. The vitality in his eyes rapidly dissipated, and his entire body shriveled instantly, like decaying wood drained of water! All of his Peak Dou Master Origin was transformed into nourishment for Lin Chen to break through the five-star barrier!

“Captain!!” The remaining two Cloud Shadow Guards let out roars of grief and indignation, charging forward like mad tigers! Meanwhile, “Viper” 's face was pale, and fear had already appeared in his eyes. He turned to flee!

“Too late!” Lin Chen, like a blood-soaked demon god, flickered, dodging the incoming blade light, and instantly appeared behind one of the Cloud Shadow Guards, pointing out a speck of light! Another dried corpse was added!

Immediately after, without even looking at the last charging Cloud Shadow Guard, he abruptly grabbed at “Viper” with his left hand, across the air, as “Viper” turned to flee!

Shadow Erosion · Soul Binding!

Several pitch-black chains, condensed from pure Shadow Erosion Dou Qi, ignored spatial distance and instantly wrapped around “Viper” 's body and Soul! Terrifying devouring and annihilation power erupted!

“Ah—!” Viper let out a mournful scream from his Soul. His body was constricted and shriveled by the chains, and his Soul Origin was forcibly extracted and devoured!

The last Cloud Shadow Guard's blade finally struck Lin Chen's back! But Lin Chen merely swayed slightly, enduring the blow! He countered with a Source Shattering Punch, fiercely slamming it into the opponent's chest!

“Bang!”

The last Cloud Shadow Guard's chest caved in. He flew backward like a broken sack, crashing into the rock wall, his breath cut off.

The battle ended.

At the entrance of the abandoned mine tunnel, there was dead silence. Eight dried corpses of various forms lay scattered on the ground, narrating the brief yet deadly hunt that had just occurred. A dense smell of blood and pure energy permeated the air.

Lin Chen stood amidst the blood and corpses. The wounds on his ribs and back were healing at a visible rate under the circulation of Shadow Erosion Dou Qi. He slowly closed his eyes, feeling the torrent of energy surging within him like a raging sea!

Devouring the entire Origin of a Peak Dou Master Shadow Owl, six Peak Battle Spirit Cloud Shadow Guards, and a Hall of Souls Great Dou Master dark agent, Viper! This energy was vast and complex, filled with fragments of unwilling resentment and battle will!

“Refine me…!”

Lin Chen roared inwardly. The source core fragment spun wildly like a world-grinding disk! Pure annihilation will swept through his entire body, brutally crushing all external will imprints, decomposing complex energy, leaving only the purest Origin! The thirty-five drops of ink-jade starlight-like Dou Qi liquid expanded, spun, and split at an unprecedented speed!

The thirty-ninth drop! The fortieth drop! The liquid drops were as thick as ink, with annihilation electric arcs leaping at their edges!

Buzz—!

The Dantian Qi vortex suddenly shook, expanding once more! More profound and vast Shadow Erosion Dou Qi was generated! The forty-first embryonic drop of liquid Dou Qi instantly condensed! A powerful aura, far surpassing a four-star Dou Master, erupted from Lin Chen's body like a sleeping Vicious Beast awakening, blowing away the gravel and dust in the mine tunnel!

Five-star Dou Master!

Not only that!

Devouring so many Soul Origins containing battle will, his Soul Power also surged again! His Sea of Consciousness became more stable and vast, his perception range expanded, and his control over Shadow Erosion Dou Qi reached a new height! The ink-jade imprint on his wrist, after absorbing the Soul Origin of the Hall of Souls dark agent, became even darker in color, and that strange sense of resonance almost materialized into a tangible link! He could even vaguely sense that, in an extremely distant place, several powerful Hall of Souls nodes (sub-halls) were emitting fluctuations like lighthouses in the darkness!

He slowly opened his eyes. In the depths of his pupils, a dark galaxy seemed to rotate, cold, profound, and with the indifference of controlling power. He glanced at the dried corpses on the ground. The Shadow Erosion Dou Qi surged, like an invisible flame, instantly corroding and annihilating these remnants along with the bloodstains, transforming them into the purest shadow Death Qi, which was absorbed by himself. At the entrance of the mine tunnel, apart from the faint residual energy fluctuations, there was no longer any trace.

“Cloud Shadow Guard, Hall of Souls dark agent… Hehe.” Lin Chen muttered softly, his gaze directed towards the depths of the Magical Beast Mountain Range, where Yun Yun had disappeared with Xiao Yan—the “Poisonous Miasma Valley.”

“Protector Wu's injuries are not yet healed, Yun Shan is preoccupied, and the pawns he sent have been eliminated… So, it's my turn on the stage of the Magical Beast Mountain Range.” A cold arc appeared at the corner of his mouth.

“Green Lotus Core Flame… the opportunity for Yao Chen to awaken… and also, those forces lurking in the dark, eyeing Xiao Yan like a tiger, such as the Myriad Scorpion Gate of the Chu Yun Empire, the Golden Goose Sect, etc…” Lin Chen's eyes flickered with calculation and greed, “These are all excellent ‘nourishment’ and… pieces to stir up the winds and clouds!”

His figure flickered, completely merging into the shadows of the mine tunnel. Following the faint aura trail of Yun Yun, which he sensed through the Hall of Souls imprint, he silently and stealthily moved towards the depths of the Magical Beast Mountain Range, towards the direction of the “Poisonous Miasma Valley,” which was filled with poisonous miasma and unknowns.

The poisonous snake in the shadows, having devoured its pawns and sharpened its fangs, was quietly swimming towards a larger hunting ground. The wind of the Magical Beast Mountain Range, carrying the scent of blood and flames, was about to be stirred by an even colder, more greedy undercurrent.