43: The fortress in the cave and the trap of inviting the enemy into the trap

Inside the Black Wind Cave, the darkness was as thick as ink. Only the "Star Domain" maintained by Wen Youyi and The core five people, like a moving silver ball of light, dispersed the darkness within a ten-foot radius, becoming the focus of all the Demonic Bats.

"Screech—!"

Piercing screeches surged from all directions, and countless pairs of tiny scarlet eyes lit up in the darkness like ghost fires. The swarm of black Demonic Bats charged at the pale silver light shield like a tide, frantically tearing with sharp claws and fangs, making a tooth-grinding scraping sound.

The light shield fluctuated slightly under the impact, starlight flowing across it, yet it remained as steady as a rock. Within the Domain, The core five people looked calm, completely unaffected by the outside world.

"These guys really are afraid of light!" Wang Wu said, letting out a sigh of relief as he looked at the Demonic Bats, which appeared restless and their attacks became disorganized under the starlight.

"Follow Cleaning Plan Number One," Wen Youyi issued the command through the "communicator," as calm as if he were directing a drill. "Iron Pillar, use Ground Shaker at the edge of the Domain to disrupt their formation. Senior Brother Wang and Senior Brother Li, perform fixed-point eliminations on the left and right, prioritizing those trying to condense sonic waves. Senior Brother Zhang, prepare the Bright Light Talisman and wait for my command."

The instructions were clearly transmitted to everyone's minds.

Zhao Iron Pillar let out a low growl, poured spiritual energy into his feet, and stomped hard on the ground at the edge of the Domain!

"Boom!"

The dull thud echoed in the cave. The violent vibration caused many bats in the dense swarm to fall like dumplings, throwing their formation into chaos.

Meanwhile, the Spells of Wang Wu and Senior Brother Li were like precise scalpels, specifically picking off the slightly larger Demonic Bats that seemed ready to open their mouths for a sonic attack. With the enhancement of the starlight, the Wind Blades and Water Arrows seemed half a degree more powerful.

"Senior Brother Zhang, directly ahead, Bright Light Talisman!"

A specially made Talisman capable of instantly erupting with intense white light was activated by Senior Brother Zhang, exploding like a small sun amidst the Demonic Bats!

"Screech—!!"

The Demonic Bats let out shrill screams, extremely uncomfortable with such intense light. They instantly fell into even greater chaos, colliding and trampling over each other.

"Advance!"

The starlight fortress was like a steamroller, steadily advancing. Wherever it passed, the Demonic Bats were either shaken down and trampled to death, precisely picked off, or lost their direction under the bright light and were accidentally injured by their companions. The core five people cooperated with tacit understanding, and their spiritual energy circulated and recovered within the Domain, with consumption far lower than expected.

Was this really a dangerous mission? It clearly felt like they were here to farm experience!

As they went deeper, a faint black poisonous miasma began to appear in the cave. An ordinary Cultivator would feel dizzy after inhaling just one breath. However, within the "Star Domain," the air remained fresh and pure; the poisonous miasma was completely isolated outside.

Occasionally encountering some forks in the road, Wen Youyi would assign personnel through the "communicator" in groups of two (maintaining the Domain connection) to use the starlight to disperse darkness and poisonous miasma, quickly clearing small groups of Demonic Bats with high efficiency.

After about four hours, The core five people had already reached the heart of the cave, having killed no fewer than two hundred Demonic Bats. A more powerful Demonic Qi came from ahead, accompanied by the sound of wings flapping like beating drums.

"We're almost at the lair; the Bat King should be just ahead." Wen Youyi signaled everyone to stop and take a short break to adjust their condition to the optimum.

He laid out the final plan through the "communicator": "According to the original plan, after killing the Bat King, immediately feign heavy injuries and lean against the rock walls separately. Maintain the Domain at minimum consumption, only to block the poisonous miasma. I will use the Yao Beast blood prepared earlier to create a realistic effect. Chen Jian and the others should be arriving soon."

Everyone understood, a hint of expectation in their eyes.

After finishing their rest, The core five people advanced again. After passing through a narrow passage, the view suddenly opened up into a huge underground cave.

At the top of the cave hung a giant Demonic Bat, far larger than its kin. Its wingspan was about ten feet, its fur was dark gold, and its scarlet eyes were like lanterns, emitting a powerful Demonic Qi of the Qi Refining Fifth Layer! It was the Bat King!

Around it circled dozens of exceptionally strong elite Demonic Bats.

The Bat King was infuriated by the intruding starlight and let out a sharp, piercing roar. A powerful sonic wave surged forward like a physical force!

"Shrink the Domain! Concentrate defense!" Wen Youyi shouted.

The pale silver light shield instantly shrank to cover only the bodies of The core five people, its defensive power increasing sharply! The sonic wave crashed into the condensed shield with a loud humming sound but could not shake it in the slightest.

"Move! End this quickly!"

The core five people no longer held back. Zhao Iron Pillar stood at the very front to attract the Bat King's attention; Wang Wu and Senior Brother Li unleashed their Spells to clear the surrounding elite Demonic Bats; Senior Brother Zhang threw Talismans at the Bat King as if they cost nothing; Wen Youyi looked for opportunities to shoot spiritual energy condensed with starlight power, like a sniper rifle, precisely at the Bat King's weaknesses—its eyes and wing joints!

With the enhancement of the "Star Domain" and their tacit cooperation, this Qi Refining Fifth Layer Bat King had plenty of Demonic Qi but was completely suppressed, especially by that annoying starlight, which made it extremely uncomfortable.

In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the Bat King let out an unwilling wail. Wen Youyi seized the opportunity, and a condensed starlight finger force pierced through its skull. Its massive body crashed to the ground!

With the leader dead, the remaining Demonic Bats immediately scattered and fled.

The battle was over!

The core five people immediately acted according to plan. They quickly collected the most valuable Materials from the Bat King (Yao Core, wing membranes, etc.), then each forced out a mouthful of blood (or used the prepared Yao Beast blood), messed up their hair and clothes, and collapsed in various parts of the cave with "pale" faces and "weakened" auras.

The "Star Domain" was shrunk to the extreme, barely maintaining the function of blocking the poisonous miasma. Its light was dim, as if it could go out at any moment.

The entire cave was filled with a heavy smell of blood and the "tragic" atmosphere of a great battle.

The trap was set.

Now, they just had to wait... for the fish to take the bait.

Wen Youyi closed his eyes and sent the final command through the "communicator":

"[The prey is approaching; prepare to close the net.]"

(End of Chapter)