Driven by a thirst for revenge, the remnants of the "Dark Alliance" ventured into the mysterious and dangerous Southern Wilderness. A thick fog shrouded the land, carrying an eerie atmosphere that seemed to conceal countless eyes watching the intruders. Surrounding them were undulating mountains and jagged rocks, the eerie howls of wolves and strange neighing echoing through the air, sending chills down their spines.
The Bloodblade Sect expert, wielding the "Ice Soul Frost Crystal Sword," cautiously surveyed his surroundings. "This Southern Wilderness is indeed exceptionally dangerous. Everyone must be extremely careful; a single misstep could mean our demise."
The elder of the Netherworld Palace nodded in agreement, holding a compass that emitted a faint glow in his hand. The compass needle spun wildly, indicating the chaotic spiritual energy in the area. "According to ancient records, that mysterious ruin should be nearby, but with such chaotic spiritual energy, finding the entrance to the ruin will not be easy."
The group proceeded along a narrow valley, the ground beneath their feet riddled with cracks from which pungent smoke occasionally billowed. Suddenly, a group of leopard-like monsters appeared ahead, their bodies covered in black scales, their eyes gleaming with an eerie green light, drool dripping from their mouths, and emitting a nauseating stench.
"It's a Blackscale Demon Leopard. Everyone be careful. They are extremely fast and are good at group attacks," the elder of the Netherworld Palace warned.
The black-scaled leopards let out low growls and pounced on the group like black lightning. The Blood Blade Sect expert struck first, wielding the "Ice Soul Frost Crystal Sword," unleashing an icy blue sword aura that instantly cleaved a black-scaled leopard in two. However, the other leopards did not retreat; instead, they attacked even more frantically.
The elders of the "Netherworld Palace" unleashed sinister magic, spreading black mist in an attempt to obscure the demonic leopards' vision. The remaining disciples of the "Ten Thousand Poisons Sect" threw out poison bottles, causing poisonous mist to spread among the leopards. Some leopards inhaled the mist, their bodies swaying. However, many more leopards broke through the poisonous and black mist, continuing their attack on the group.
"Everyone, stand back to back, don't panic!" shouted a Bloodblade Sect expert. The group quickly formed a defensive formation, using their respective techniques to fend off the demonic leopard's attacks. A member of the "Dark Alliance" was scratched by the leopard, his arm bleeding profusely, but he endured the pain and continued fighting.
In the fierce battle, a Bloodblade Sect expert discovered that the demon leopard's abdomen was its weak point. Seizing the opportunity, he swiftly dodged the leopard's attack and plunged his sword into its abdomen. The leopard let out a scream and collapsed dead. Seeing this, the other members followed suit, focusing their attacks on the leopards' abdomens.
After a fierce battle, the pack of Black-Scaled Leopards was finally driven back, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief. But they knew that this was only the beginning of danger in the Southern Wilderness.
Continuing onward, they came to a towering cliff. Below the cliff lay a deep canyon, shrouded in mist, its bottom invisible. The elder of the "Netherworld Palace" carefully observed the surrounding environment and discovered that the cliff face was covered with ancient runes.
“These runes seem to be pointing to something. Could the entrance to the ruins be right below this cliff?” Elder “Netherworld Palace” asked in confusion.
The group began studying the runes, trying to find a way to enter the ruins. After some effort, they discovered that they needed to inject spiritual power into the runes in a specific order. The Bloodblade Sect expert injected spiritual power into the runes, which flashed with light, and a hidden door appeared on the cliff face.
The hidden door slowly opened, releasing an ancient aura. The group cautiously entered, finding themselves in a narrow passage lined with various stone figures. The figures were in various poses; some held weapons, others appeared deep in thought, as if guarding something.
Following the passage, they arrived at a huge stone chamber. In the center of the chamber stood a stone platform, upon which rested an ancient book that emitted light and an exquisite box. The Bloodblade Sect expert eagerly stepped forward and picked up the book and the box.
Just then, the floor of the stone chamber suddenly trembled, and the stone figures came to life, surrounding the group. "Not good, these stone figures have been activated! Prepare for battle!" shouted a Bloodblade Sect expert.
Although the stone figures moved slowly, they possessed immense strength. Wielding their weapons, they attacked the group. The remnants of the Dark Alliance quickly engaged the stone figures in battle. Experts from the Blood Blade Sect wielded their "Ice Soul Frost Crystal Swords," each strike striking the stone figures and sending sparks flying. However, the stone figures only suffered minor cracks and were not fatally injured.
"These stone figures are too hard; ordinary attacks are ineffective against them!" one member said anxiously.
The elder of the Netherworld Palace observed the stone figures' movements and noticed that their joints were relatively vulnerable. "Attack their joints!" he shouted.
The group immediately changed their attack strategy, focusing their attacks on the stone figures' joints. Under their combined assault, the stone figures' joints gradually crumbled, making them move much slower. After a fierce battle, they finally defeated the stone figures.
The Bloodblade Sect expert opened the box, inside which was a pill radiating multicolored light. "This should be a pill that can enhance our strength. It seems we came to the right place this time," the Bloodblade Sect expert said excitedly.
Then, he opened the ancient book, which recorded a powerful cultivation technique—the "Dark Void Rift Technique." Practicing this technique could greatly enhance spiritual power and combat strength. "Haha, with this technique and elixirs, our strength will surely increase greatly! Spirit Ruins Market, you just wait!" the Blood Blade Sect expert roared with laughter.
However, unbeknownst to them, while they were exploring the ruins, the Lingxu Market also noticed something amiss. The Linghe Chamber of Commerce's intelligence agents discovered suspicious signs near the Southern Wilderness, suggesting a clandestine force was operating. This intelligence was quickly relayed to Lin Yang.
Lin Yang convened a meeting with the leaders of various factions to discuss countermeasures. "The remnants of the 'Dark Alliance' are likely in the Southern Wilderness. They may be searching for ways to increase their strength, and we cannot stand idly by," Lin Yang said.
The Pavilion Master of Wanbaoge frowned: "The Southern Wilderness is fraught with danger. Sending people there rashly may result in them never returning. We must proceed with caution."
After a moment of contemplation, the elder of the Spirit Sword Sect said, "We can send an elite squad to secretly follow them and learn about their movements. If they really find a way to increase their strength, then we'll find a way to stop them."
Lin Yang nodded in agreement: "Okay, let's do it this way. The Spirit Sword Sect will select sword cultivators to form teams, the Myriad Treasures Pavilion will equip the teams with some practical magic treasures, and the Spirit Harmony Chamber of Commerce will provide detailed intelligence support."
Therefore, the Lingxu Market quickly assembled an elite tracking team and set off towards the Southern Wilderness. Will this team be able to successfully locate the remnants of the "Dark Alliance"? To what extent will the strength of the remaining "Dark Alliance" forces increase after cultivating the "Dark Rift Technique" and consuming elixirs? How will the contest between the Lingxu Market and the "Dark Alliance" unfold? Everything is shrouded in suspense, and the situation is becoming increasingly tense.
The sword cultivators selected by the Spirit Sword Sect are all elites among elites, possessing superb swordsmanship and exceptional adaptability. The Myriad Treasures Pavilion equipped the team with various magical treasures, such as the "Tracking Spirit Jade," which can lock onto the target's aura, making it difficult for the target to escape tracking no matter how well they conceal themselves; the "Concealment Cloak," which can completely shield one's own aura, allowing the team to remain undetected during tracking; and the "Restriction-Breaking Talisman," used to break any restrictions that may be encountered.
The tracking team stealthily entered the Southern Wilderness. Using the power of the "Cloak of Concealment," they concealed themselves and cautiously advanced towards the direction of the suspicious signs reported in the intelligence. Along the way, they encountered various dangers.
Once, they passed through a swamp when countless black tentacles suddenly emerged, attempting to drag them in. The swordsmen reacted swiftly, unleashing their sharp sword techniques to sever the tentacles. However, the tentacles, no sooner severed than reappeared, rapidly grew back, multiplying in number.
"These tentacles are strange; they seem to be connected to some kind of power in the swamp," the squad leader said, frowning.
After observing the area, a swordsman discovered a rock in the center of the swamp emitting an eerie glow, with tentacles extending from its surroundings. "Attack that rock!" he shouted.
The sword cultivators concentrated their sword energy and shot it towards the stone. Under the attack of the sword energy, the stone flashed with light and finally shattered. As the stone shattered, the tentacles retracted back into the swamp, and the crisis was temporarily averted.
Continuing onward, they encountered a group of flying demonic beasts—Blood Feather Eagles. The Blood Feather Eagles' feathers were as red as blood, and their sharp claws and beaks gleamed with a cold light. They circled in the air, emitting piercing cries, locking onto the tracking team.
"Prepare for battle!" At the squad leader's command, the sword cultivators swiftly formed a sword formation. The flock of Bloodfeathered Eagles swooped down like red meteors, the sword cultivators' formation gleaming, sword energy crisscrossing, as they engaged in fierce combat with the Bloodfeathered Eagles.
The Bloodfeathered Eagles were incredibly fast and their attacks were fierce, constantly assaulting the sword formation with their claws and beaks. The sword cultivators worked in close coordination, their sword formation constantly shifting to defend against the Bloodfeathered Eagles' attacks. One sword cultivator seized an opportunity and unleashed the "Sword Shadow Splitting Technique," splitting a single sword aura into several beams, each striking a different Bloodfeathered Eagle. The injured eagles cried out in pain.
With the combined efforts of the team, the Bloodfeather Eagle flock was finally repelled. After overcoming a series of hardships, the tracking team finally discovered traces of the remaining forces of the "Dark Alliance." They saw the members of the "Dark Alliance" in a hidden cave, seemingly preparing to cultivate the "Dark Sky-Splitting Technique."
The tracking team remained hidden nearby, closely monitoring their every move. "It seems they really have found a technique to enhance their strength. What should we do?" a sword cultivator asked in a low voice.
After a moment of contemplation, the squad leader said, "Let's not act rashly. Let's wait until they start cultivating before trying to disrupt their cultivation or find an opportunity to retrieve the cultivation techniques and pills."
Inside the cave, the Bloodblade Sect expert was preparing to lead everyone in practicing the "Dark Sky-Splitting Technique." He knew this training was crucial; if successful, they would have enough strength to launch another attack on the Spirit Ruins Market. But he also understood that cultivating this technique was no easy task, and they might encounter various dangers along the way.
"Listen up, everyone. Cultivating the 'Dark Rift Technique' requires absolute concentration, and there may be situations such as spiritual energy backlash during the process. We must look after each other to ensure the cultivation proceeds smoothly," the Blood Blade Sect expert said solemnly to the crowd.
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