9: The evolution of terror

Long after the Bronze Armor Corpse left,

In the corner of the stone house courtyard, behind the dust-covered, kite-shaped wooden shield that had been leaning there,

a yellow paper butterfly silently flew out.

Its wings fluttered slightly, circling the empty stone house once.

Then it silently flew out of the courtyard,

and slowly flew into the courtyard of an inconspicuous stone house two houses away,

landing on a pale, bony hand that stretched out from the shadows.

......

“This Bronze Armor Corpse is probably about to become a spirit.”

In the shadows of the stone house,

Li Ke’s figure emerged.

The paper butterfly gently flew into his sleeve, disappearing from sight.

His gaze turned towards the direction where the Bronze Armor Corpse had just disappeared, a hint of solemnity flashing in his eyes.

Just by relying on the momentary mental connection before the paper butterfly was destroyed, it could roughly pinpoint his location.

This level of intelligence and keenness had far exceeded the scope of ordinary zombies.

“What exactly is that Baron Charles up to?”

“A failed ritual, yet it could form such a bizarre field domain, allowing these demonic creatures to undergo such terrifying evolution in such a short period?”

Li Ke cursed inwardly, feeling that things were becoming increasingly tricky.

But his previously taut nerves relaxed slightly.

Based on the information the paper butterfly had gathered in the secret chamber just now,

Li Ke could conclude that,

this field domain, born from the ritual, probably wouldn't last much longer.

This was the best news possible.

If it were a complete field domain,

with his current Realm, there would be almost no chance of escape.

The difference in rank was Li Ke an unbridgeable chasm.

But Charles’s ritual had clearly failed, and failed thoroughly.

Although this failed ritual, by a strange twist of fate, connected to some unknown source of power,

giving birth to this bizarre field domain that enveloped the entire manor.

But it clearly wouldn't last long.

If he hadn’t misread it,

the key to maintaining this power connection,

was the seven bronze oil lamps burning with green flames in the center of the ritual.

When the paper butterfly observed just now, three of the seven lamps had already gone out.

As long as the remaining four oil lamps completely extinguished, this power connection would be interrupted.

The field domain would naturally dissipate with it.

And these demonic creatures, evolving frantically within the field domain,

due to their overly close connection with the field domain itself,

once the field domain collapsed, they would probably have their power instantly drained,

collapsing Li Ke a sandcastle, turning directly into ashes.

“Which means...”

“Only those four lamps need to be extinguished.”

“Everything here will then end.”

......

Bang...

In mid-air,

several strange, twisted ghosts, connected head to tail, suddenly froze.

The next moment,

the tall figure of the Zombie Old Ma Slave, Li Ke a cannonball, rushed into them!

His lead-gray arms swung,

tearing the aggregate into pieces as easily as ripping rags.

He raised his head, greedily devouring the scattered remnants of souls,

and the huge, hideous wounds on his body began to heal rapidly.

Li Ke stood to the side,

slowly lowering the hand that was holding a strange fist seal.

The Concept of Phantom Building Fist quietly dissipated.

A full day had passed since he was last hunted by that Bronze Armor Corpse.

During this day, he had tried more than once to send the Zombie Old Ma Slave to infiltrate the castle,

attempting to destroy the oil lamps in the ritual secret chamber.

But that Bronze Armor Corpse had been guarding near the castle,

and once any demonic creature approached, it would arrive in time to kill it,

seemingly having a very strong desire to protect the ritual in the secret chamber.

Previously, when Li Ke used the paper butterfly to explore the secret chamber, it was also discovered and shattered by the arriving Bronze Armor Corpse.

If it weren't for the extremely hidden Qi of Paper Butterfly Binding,

which caught the Bronze Armor Corpse off guard at the time, Li Ke probably wouldn't have been able to truly see that ritual.

Although the Zombie Old Ma Slave’s strength had greatly increased now,

it was still no match for the astonishingly fast-evolving Bronze Armor Corpse, and was severely wounded several times.

If it weren't for Li Ke using the strange ability of Phantom Building Fist,

to confuse some ghosts and skeletons, and timely draw away the Bronze Armor Corpse’s pursuit,

the Zombie Old Ma Slave would probably have been completely killed and devoured by it.

Several consecutive failed attempts,

not only failed to destroy the ritual, but also attracted the attention of the Bronze Armor Corpse.

Li Ke could clearly feel that,

that Bronze Armor Corpse had already locked onto him as a priority hunting target,

and had begun consciously searching for his whereabouts within the manor.

As time passed,

this bizarre manor now had completely lost the distinction between day and night.

The sky was always that dull, dim color, with faint, pale light, Li Ke an eternal twilight.

This environment was a perfect paradise for demonic creatures Li Ke zombies and ghosts.

Without the restraint of sunlight,

they could move freely all the time, greatly increasing the risk of Li Ke’s outdoor activities.

Several new paper butterflies silently flew in from different directions,

lightly landing on his shoulder, and after a brief stop, flapped their wings and flew to various corners of the manor.

During this time, relying on the domineering nature of the Summoning Demon Scripture and the rich Death Qi here,

he successfully condensed a second drop of inky Devilish Qi liquid in his body,

and his cultivation smoothly advanced to the second layer of Qi Condensation.

More Paper Butterfly Bindings were made by him,

Li Ke countless extending tentacles, constantly monitoring the situation within the manor.

However, the images transmitted by the paper butterflies,

quickly replaced the slight sense of security brought by his increased strength with a heavy gloom.

As the Death Qi in the manor grew denser,

the evolution speed of various demonic creatures also became faster and more frantic.

They began to cannibalize and devour their own kind more frequently, and their forms became increasingly twisted and grotesque.

The paper butterflies had even seen a huge aggregate ghost composed of dense, constantly wriggling and wailing human heads.

They had also seen a terrifying zombie that had grown six deformed arms, constantly waving them.

And a Giant Skeleton, three meters tall, completely covered in thorn-Li Ke bone spurs.

And what made him most wary,

was still that Bronze Armor Corpse with the fastest evolution speed!

It was Li Ke a calm and efficient hunter,

constantly wandering and hunting around Charles Castle.

Whether it was zombies, skeletons, or ghosts,

once it encountered them, they almost inevitably ended up being torn apart and devoured.

Just now, a paper butterfly observed from a distance.

A cold, silvery white color was faintly beginning to appear in the bronze-Li Ke hue of that Bronze Armor Corpse!

Silver Armor Corpse...

Li Ke’s heart sank sharply.

He couldn't wait any longer.

Originally, he had planned that even if he couldn't destroy the ritual lamps, as long as he hid safely,

the lamps would extinguish on their own, and the field domain would naturally dissipate, so there was no need to take too much risk.

But now, it seemed that,

as the demonic creatures in the manor devoured each other, their numbers sharply decreased, and targets would become fewer and fewer.

Especially this Bronze Armor Corpse, evolving frantically at an astonishing speed,

it would sooner or later refocus its gaze on him, the only “living thing”!

He probably wouldn't be able to last until the moment the field domain dissipated!

“I must resolve this trouble as soon as possible!”

A look of determination flashed in Li Ke’s eyes.