Zhang Shi and his group were not targeted by the earth beasts. They became thieves, scaling rooftops and making their way to safety without any real danger. However, their trip to the city lord's mansion was fruitless, and Zhang Shi was seriously injured.

Seeing that the man in black was difficult to deal with, and that Zhang Shi was already injured, Zhao Feng suggested that they go back to recuperate before coming back, but Zhang Shi himself objected. Although the official target of this trip was the old woman, the real purpose was to resolve Wu Qing's matter, and Zhang Shi did not want to delay for a moment, after all, no one wanted to have a vengeful ghost by their side all the time.

"Let's wait until the earth beasts calm down before returning to the city lord's mansion. Those black-robed men probably won't expect us to come back, so there shouldn't be any more trouble."

Although Zhang Shi's decision carried a hint of risk, everyone understood the urgency involved and nodded in agreement. They found a secluded abandoned house as a temporary shelter. Although the house was dilapidated, it could barely keep them out of the wind and rain, providing a safe environment for them to rest.

Wu Qing took out some basic medical supplies from her backpack and carefully treated Zhang Shi's back wound. Her technique was both professional and gentle, but it couldn't relax Zhang Shi's tense nerves.

After treating the wound, Wu Qing took out a bottle of light green medicine from her backpack.

"This is a specially made recovery potion. Although it cannot instantly cure serious injuries, it can accelerate wound healing and reduce the risk of infection. Drinking it will help you regain some strength."

Wu Qing's voice was gentle yet firm, her eyes revealing concern and gratitude for Zhang Shi. Zhang Shi took the medicine and drank it down without hesitation. He felt a warm current slide down his throat, quickly spreading throughout his body, and his fatigue and pain seemed to lessen somewhat. Ge Dalong, standing to the side, glanced at the two of them from time to time, clearly still worried about Wu Qing.

Suddenly, an even stronger tremor than before came from the direction of the city lord's mansion, followed by a terrifying long howl. An invisible shockwave spread from the ground outwards, knocking Zhang Shi and the others, who were caught off guard, to the ground. Even the foundation of the dilapidated house they were in was uprooted.

Before they could react, a system notification appeared in their minds simultaneously.

Ding! Phase Two objective achieved. Reward: Free teleportation within the Fog City.

Zhang Shi and his companions exchanged bewildered glances, clearly surprised by the sudden system notification. Phase Two objective achieved? They hadn't even done anything yet, how could they have already achieved the objective?

Ge Dalong frowned, and immediately realized the key point.

"We used the zombie virus to deal with those invisible monsters before. After the earth beast appeared, it devoured all the monsters infected with the virus, and they probably turned into walking corpses as well."

Everyone sighed in surprise, never expecting that they had inadvertently solved a difficult problem.

However, after the shockwave from the city lord's mansion, the earth beasts seemed to quiet down considerably, replaced by an eerie calm.

"The earth beasts are infected with the zombie virus; something big is about to happen in this city."

Zhao Feng stood up, dusted himself off, and stared intently in the direction of the City Lord's Mansion, his expression solemn.

"In any case, this could be an opportunity for us."

Zhang Shi struggled to his feet. Although the wound on his back was still throbbing from the impact, his eyes were unusually determined. "While the earth beasts and the black-robed man are in chaos, we need to act quickly."

Ge Dalong and Wu Qing quickly adjusted their mindset and prepared to set off again. Before leaving, Wu Qing took out a few more explosives from her backpack and distributed them to everyone, just in case.

Using their newly acquired free teleportation ability within the City of Mist, Zhang Shi and his group teleported directly to a hidden alley near the City Lord's Mansion, avoiding the chaotic area in front. They cautiously approached the City Lord's Mansion and found that the once magnificent scenery was now a mess. The blood of many black-robed men was splattered on the ground, but there were no corpses left, obviously all of them had been consumed by the earth beasts.

"So it turns out that this earth beast and the invisible monster are not the same kind of creature."

Ge Dalong analyzed in a low voice while cautiously observing his surroundings.

Zhang Shi nodded, secretly relieved; this situation undoubtedly reduced their resistance. They proceeded along the ruins, eventually arriving at the courtyard where they had encountered the man in black robes earlier. At this moment, the courtyard was deserted.

“Since Grandma left clues, it means she should still be deep inside the mansion. We need to hurry.” Zhang Shi said, and took the lead in walking deeper into the mansion.

As they ventured deeper, the surrounding decorations became increasingly luxurious, and many of the ornaments, for some reason, remained completely unaffected by the earlier impacts, retaining their integrity and beauty.

Seeing the scene before them, Zhang Shi guessed that they had obviously approached the core area of ​​the City Lord's Mansion. Suddenly, a faint crying sound came from not far away. Zhang Shi and the others immediately became alert and cautiously approached the source of the sound.

In a lavishly decorated room, they found a centaur-like monster. The monster's face was that of a young girl, who was now huddled in a corner, her hands covering her head, her face filled with fear and despair. Before her lay a broken altar, scattered with black crystals and runes, clearly used for some kind of ritual.

"Who...who are you?"

The centaur girl looked up and saw Zhang Shi and the others, her voice trembling as she asked.

Zhang Shi did not answer, but looked directly at the other person and asked in return.

"Tell me, what exactly is your connection with the man in black robes and the earth beast?"

The girl trembled, seemingly wanting to deny it, but under the resolute gazes of Zhang Shi and the others, she finally spoke and told the truth. It turned out that she came from the centaur tribe within the secret realm. In their pursuit of immortality and power, they colluded with an unseen entity, trying every means to enter the City of Mist, attempting to use the power of the City of Mist and the earth beasts to perform forbidden rituals.

However, as time went on, they discovered that their tribe's preparations were completely ineffective. The earth beasts were of a very high level of life, far beyond their ability to plan against, and they, the outsiders, were trapped and died inside the City of Mist.

The higher-ups among those invisible monsters discovered that the monsters they had introduced were incapable of helping them achieve their goals, so they took the initiative and gradually controlled them, turning them into pawns in their hands.

"I...I just want to live..."

The girl's voice was trembling with sobs, filled with fear.

Zhang Shi looked at the girl in front of him, but did not easily believe her story. He just kept his eyes fixed on her.

"Now, you have a choice. Tell us more about the black-robed man and the earth beast, and we have a way to help you escape."