Having discovered the formation nodes and confirmed that the Shadow Snake Pavilion was indeed operating here, the team is mood was both exhilarated and heavier.
Exhilarated because their direction was correct.
Heavier because this meant they were about to face even more powerful enemies.
The following actions required even greater caution.
They no longer traveled in a straight line toward the core direction Xiaoqi is jade pendant sensed.
Instead, they began carefully scouting in a fan-shaped pattern outward from the discovered formation nodes, trying to ascertain the Shadow Snake Pavilion is personnel activity and stronghold distribution in this area.
The environment in the depths of Black Wind Mountain Range grew increasingly perilous.
The demonic energy almost materialized into a thin mist, with extremely low visibility.
Spiritual sense was also greatly suppressed and interfered with.
If not for Xiaoqi is jade pendant and the rabbit spirit is innate keenness to energy fluctuations, they would have been unable to take a single step in this maze.
Just as they were carefully exploring toward an area of relatively high ground along an underground cave passage severely eroded by demonic energy, the rabbit spirit, walking at the very front responsible for scouting, suddenly had its fur stand on end.
It darted back to Xiaoqi is shoulder, using its paws to cover its own mouth, its red ruby-like eyes full of wariness.
It pointed toward the corner ahead.
Almost simultaneously, the jade pendant at Xiaoqi is chest sent out a dense, urgent coolness, not pointing toward any fixed source but coming from ahead, and it was moving.
Hide!
Liu Yun reacted fastest, immediately sending a voice transmission.
The team did not hesitate at all.
They quickly concealed all auras.
Using the effect of Second Senior Brother is breath-concealing cloaks, they adhered to the damp, cold rock walls of the cave like geckos, merging into the shadows.
Even their breathing almost stopped.
A moment later, somewhat chaotic but rhythmically regular footsteps came from the corridor ahead, accompanied by low conversations.
This damned place really is not fit for people.
One breath feels like it takes years off your life.
Stop complaining.
Once we complete the Holy Sect is great work, there will be no shortage of benefits for you.
I heard the elders in the core area have already started using mortal souls to temper their magical artifacts.
The power is Be quiet!
Did you forget the patrol regulations?
Core area affairs must not be discussed!
Yes, yes Captain, what is there to patrol out here?
Even a decent demon beast is hard to find.
Better safe than sorry.
It is been uneasy lately.
I heard the stronghold at Kaoshan Village was wiped out by Qingxu Temple is trash, and an Iron Mask Executor was even lost.
Orders from above: all strongholds must strengthen vigilance.
The voices drew closer.
Five cultivators in Shadow Snake Pavilion is regulation black robes walked out from the corner.
The leader had Foundation Establishment Early Stage cultivation, with sinister eyes and a black snake-shaped token hanging at his waist.
The other four were all at Qi Refining Late Stage, holding bone-made weapons emanating ghostly light, their expressions warily scanning the corridor.
This patrol team clearly knew this area extremely well.
Their movements were coordinated, their gazes sweeping some corners and rock crevices likely to harbor hidden dangers, checking quite meticulously.
Xiaoqi and the others held their breath, pressing against the rock wall, almost suppressing their heartbeats to the lowest.
Liu Yun and Mu Qingfeng exchanged glances, both seeing gravity in each other is eyes.
This patrol team is appearance proved they were already very close to the Shadow Snake Pavilion is core area of activity.
The patrol team did not discover Xiaoqi and the others hiding in the shadows.
They conducted their routine inspection and then continued walking along the corridor.
Their footsteps and conversation gradually faded away.
They did not relax until confirming the patrol had completely left.
One Foundation Establishment Early Stage, four Qi Refining Late Stage.
Standard five-person patrol team configuration.
Mu Qingfeng said in a low voice.
Listening to their conversation, there seems to be more than just this patrol team, and they mentioned the core area and orders from above.
Liu Yun is gaze was sharp: Their patrol route is very fixed, and they are very familiar with the terrain here.
It seems their stronghold should not be far from here, and the alert level is very high.
Should we follow them?
Zhao Tiezhu clenched his fist.
No, Liu Yun shook her head.
Striking now would easily alert the enemy.
Our target is to find the main formation eye or core stronghold, not clear out these lackeys.
She looked at Xiaoqi and the rabbit spirit: Remember the direction they left and the approximate patrol interval.
We go around them and continue scouting from the flank.
Focus on finding areas with concentrated spiritual energy fluctuations or more heavily guarded regions.
In the following major half day, the team, using the complex terrain and breath-concealing cloaks, moved like phantoms through the depths of Black Wind Mountain Range.
They encountered two more similar five-person patrol teams, as well as some scattered low-level demon cultivators who seemed to be executing certain arrangement tasks.
By observing these people is activity patterns and routes, they roughly outlined the Shadow Snake Pavilion is outer perimeter alert range in this area.
And, as they continued to penetrate deeper, the jade pendant at Xiaoqi is chest sent increasingly intense sensations.
That refined and powerful demonic energy source seemed not far ahead.
At the same time, the formation fluctuations permeating the air grew clearer.
They could even faintly sense a kind of intangible, heart-stopping oppression, as if they were inside a huge beast slowly awakening.
The Shadow Snake Pavilion is core area was in sight.
But the guards ahead would certainly be more heavily armed, and the danger level would increase geometrically.