Ning Yu felt the unfamiliar aura growing stronger, like a lurking beast opening its blood-red maw, ready to devour them. He forced his weak body to stand, fine beads of sweat beading on his forehead, but he didn't bother wiping them away, shouting urgently, "Prepare for battle!"
Although all the team members were injured, they struggled to their feet upon hearing the order, gripping their weapons tightly and looking around warily. Mu Xue also came to Ning Yu's side, her delicate face filled with worry, and asked in a low voice, "What happened?"
"Something's coming, it's dangerous!" Before Ning Yu finished speaking, the surrounding air seemed to freeze, and a suffocating sense of oppression swept over them.
Immediately afterwards, black smoke surged in from all directions, like countless venomous snakes slithering through the forest, quickly enveloping them. The smoke carried a nauseating stench, along with a strange energy fluctuation that sent chills down their spines.
"What is that?" a team member asked in alarm, instinctively reaching out to touch the black smoke.
"Don't touch it!" Ning Yu shouted, but it was too late to stop him.
The moment the team member's fingers touched the smoke, it was as if they were being burned by a raging fire. His skin and flesh festered at a visible speed, making a sizzling sound that was horrifying.
"Ah—" The team member let out a shrill scream and pulled his hand back sharply, but it was too late. His entire arm had turned pitch black, with black liquid dripping down and emitting a nauseating stench.
"Quickly, retreat!" Ning Yu made a decisive decision, directing his team members to retreat.
The black smoke seemed to possess a life of its own, relentlessly pressing forward until it was upon them in the blink of an eye. Ning Yu's mind stirred, attempting to mobilize the familiar plant energy within his body to form a barrier against the eerie mist. However, this power was like a frightened wild horse, rampaging uncontrollably within him, causing his blood to surge and a metallic taste to rise in his throat.
"Damn it!" Ning Yu cursed under his breath. He knew this wasn't the time to be reckless, so he decisively abandoned using his superpower and shouted to the others, "Everyone, move to higher ground! Quickly!"
Knowing the situation was critical, the team members endured their injuries and scrambled up the hillside. However, the black smoke seemed to have chosen them, following them relentlessly and occasionally shooting out black beams of light that struck the team members like venomous snakes.
"Ah!" Several more screams rang out as several more team members were unable to dodge in time and were struck by the beam of light. They rolled helplessly down the hillside and fell into the black smoke, their fate unknown.
"No!" Mu Xue was frantic as she watched this scene. She bit her lower lip and her hands emitted a faint white light as she desperately tried to create a thin protective shield in front of her to block the deadly black beam.
However, her powers were already heavily depleted, and this protective shield was as fragile as paper in the face of the black smoke. It only lasted for a moment before being easily broken through and dissipating into the air.
As the black smoke drew closer again, Mu Xue closed her eyes in despair. Just then, a warm, large hand grasped hers, and Ning Yu's deep yet firm voice reached her ears: "Don't be afraid, I'm here."
Mu Xue opened her eyes and saw Ning Yu desperately channeling the chaotic supernatural power within his body. The originally gentle green light was now flickering erratically, as if it might go out at any moment. He suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze sharp as torches, staring intently at the thick black smoke in front of him, as if trying to see right through it.
"I must find its source!" Ning Yu said through gritted teeth. The next second, he released Mu Xue's hand and rushed into the black smoke without regard for anything else...
Mu Xue felt her hand go empty as Ning Yu's tall figure disappeared into the thick black smoke. Her heart clenched, and she wanted to call out, but she was afraid of distracting him. So she could only stand there anxiously, her beautiful eyes fixed on the direction of the churning black smoke.
"Ning Yu!" The team members' hearts jumped into their throats when they saw this. They desperately tried to rush into the black mist to support Ning Yu, but were bounced back by an invisible force and could only watch helplessly as he risked his life alone.
Within the black mist, Ning Yu forcibly concentrated a wisp of his supernatural power, forming a faint green light to protect his body as he groped his way forward. However, the thick black mist was like a giant maze, trapping him within, making every step extremely difficult.
"We must find the source as soon as possible!" Ning Yu was extremely anxious, but just then, a powerful force struck him without warning, slamming into his chest.
"Pfft!" Ning Yu groaned, a metallic taste rising in his throat. The green light flickered violently a few times, but ultimately couldn't withstand the powerful attack and went out like a candle in the wind. He was also thrown back by the force and crashed heavily to the ground.
"Ning Yu!" The team members were frantic when they saw Ning Yu knocked down, but they were helpless. They tried their best to get closer, but were repeatedly repelled by that invisible force, and could only let out futile roars.
Just then, a sinister and terrifying laugh echoed from the thick black smoke. "Hehehe... Overestimating yourself!"
The laughter seemed to come from the depths of hell, carrying a chilling aura that made everyone's blood freeze.
As the laughter grew louder, the black smoke began to churn violently, as if it were brewing something terrifying. To everyone's horror, the massive black mist was slowly coalescing, and a huge black figure gradually appeared before them.
It exudes a suffocating sense of oppression; its mere silhouette is enough to inspire despair.
"What is that thing..." someone muttered to themselves, their voice filled with fear and trembling.
No one answered, for everyone held their breath in fear, staring intently at the ever-solidifying black mist, praying for a miracle. Ning Yu struggled to stand, but found himself powerless, forced to watch helplessly as everything unfolded before him.
"Click...click..."
It was as if some enormous creature was taking heavy steps, each step causing the earth to tremble.
Everyone instinctively gripped their weapons, despair and fear spreading in their eyes...
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com