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Everyone couldn't help but curiously examine this so-called Stone Swallowing Ant Queen.
The Ant Queen's entire body was a dark golden color, with four pairs of wings thin like cicada wings on its back. Its large jaws, like serrated pincers full of sharp teeth, made people feel a chill just looking at them.
If those jaws were to bite someone, the result would no doubt be extremely miserable.
As everyone studied the Stone Swallowing Ant Queen, it also seemed to sense it. Facing the gazes of so many Dou Zun, it felt threatened. Its four pairs of wings trembled slightly, showing a bit of unease, as it bared its mouthful of sharp teeth menacingly at the crowd.
"Don't be afraid, don't be afraid." Zi Yan gently stroked the Ant Queen with her small hand, and only then did it gradually calm down.
Even so, its gaze toward the others still carried a glint of ferocity. This kind of magic beast was naturally violent and cruel. In this Death Soul Mountain Range, it basically had no natural enemies, and had always run rampant without fear.
Even now, facing so many Dou Zun, it showed no sign of backing down. If not for being suppressed by Zi Yan's dragon might, it probably would have already commanded the countless ant swarm lurking nearby to attack.
"This thing really knows where the Hall of Souls is?" Xiao Yan asked, a trace of delight in his voice.
"Mm, I asked it, it said it knows." Zi Yan nodded.
"Then let's move out."
Time was precious in battle. They had already been searching in this forest for quite some time. If they kept delaying like this, sooner or later the Hall of Souls people would notice.
"Alright, follow me." As her words fell, Zi Yan's figure flickered as she darted toward the depths of the mountain range shrouded in cold mist.
Behind her, Wei Yang and the others hurried to keep up. With the Ant Queen leading the way, their speed was noticeably much faster this time.
And since they no longer needed to divide their attention to search for the path, they could head straight for their destination. Thus, in less than half an hour, they had already penetrated deep into the mountain range.
At a certain moment.
"Shhh."
In the cold misty forest, Zi Yan, who was leading in front, suddenly stopped, then turned and gestured for everyone to remain silent.
Seeing this, everyone immediately grew tense, halting their movements. Their gazes swept vigilantly around the surroundings.
At this moment, the Ant Queen perched on Zi Yan's shoulder suddenly let out a faint, strange sound wave, spreading outward in rippling waves.
A few seconds later.
Pa! Pa! Pa!
From the cold fog ahead, several black shadows suddenly fell, crashing onto the withered yellow grass below.
On each of their bodies, there clung a fist-sized black ant. These ants had bitten firmly into their throats with their pincers, killing them instantly, and even cutting off all possible sounds.
Looking closely, everyone was slightly surprised to discover that these black shadows being bitten to death were actually all small black birds, each only palm-sized.
These little birds were tiny, hidden in the cold mist, so much so that even with everyone's perception earlier, they had not noticed their presence.
Realizing this, everyone's eyes narrowed.
"These are all Hall of Souls's lookouts, stationed around the perimeter. At the slightest disturbance, they can transmit messages through sound waves."
"If we don't wipe them out completely, our movements will fall right into Hall of Souls's eyes." Zi Yan whispered to the group.
Everyone silently nodded.
As expected of the Hall of Souls, they really had some tricks. To think they would raise such strange creatures to serve as outer scouts.
If not for the Ant Queen leading the way, if they had been wandering around blindly here, they would've long since alerted the Hall of Souls. Thinking of this, everyone couldn't help but feel a chill in their hearts.
If that had happened, the Hall of Souls would've surely prepared an ambush ahead of time, waiting for them to walk straight into the trap.
"All the transmission birds nearby have already been secretly cleared by the Stone Swallowing Demon Ants, so there's no need to worry."
"Also, the Hall of Souls is not far ahead. Everyone be careful, follow me." Zi Yan spoke softly.
Hearing this, everyone's expressions grew solemn, and the Dou Qi within their bodies began to circulate quietly as they prepared to strike at any moment.
They continued forward.
After about ten minutes of weaving through the mountains, Zi Yan, who was leading at the front, finally stopped again. She exhaled lightly, then turned back and whispered, "We're here."
Hearing that, everyone quickened their pace slightly and moved forward. Only then did they notice that, for some reason, the mist here was much thinner than in other areas. Where they now stood was on a steep, towering slope.
Ahead, through the faintly drifting cold mist, at the end of the slope, lay a massive mountain valley surrounded on all sides by mountains.
Within the gigantic valley stood an enormous black hall, towering at least a hundred zhang high. It loomed like some ancient beast crouching silently in wait. From within that darkness emanated a terrifying aura that made one's heart tremble.
"So this is a branch hall of the Hall of Souls?"
Everyone narrowed their eyes as they stared at the colossal structure inside the valley.
For the Hall of Souls to construct such a massive building deep within these mountains, their resources and audacity were no small thing. Everyone crouched down slightly, staring at the black hall that radiated an ominous chill, and let out a quiet breath.
They had finally found it.
What came next would be the true battle.
"There's a spatial barrier set here." Wei Yang whispered.
At his words, everyone looked closely. Through the faint mist, they too spotted something strange.
Just ahead, the space appeared faintly distorted, its traces extremely subtle. If not for careful observation, it would have been hard to notice beneath the cover of mist. Clearly, this branch hall was concealed and protected within a spatial barrier.
"Leave this barrier to me. I can cut it open quietly without alerting those inside." Zi Yan said softly. In her light purple eyes gleamed a hint of excitement, clearly itching to try.
"Don't rush. Let me first check inside." Wei Yang said, closing his eyes slightly. His soul power spread out, probing carefully before he opened them again.
"Brother Wei, how is it? Can you sense how many Dou Zun are inside?" Xiao Yan asked in a low voice.
Wei Yang nodded, pondering. "Mm, there are eight hidden auras inside, all Dou Zun. As for Dou Zong, there are several dozen."
Hearing this, everyone relaxed a little, smiles flickering across their faces. Eight Dou Zun, that was manageable. The advantage was on their side.
"Then should we act now?" Xiao Yan asked impatiently.
"When the barrier opens, I'll send the Stone Swallowing Demon Ant swarm inside first and have they bite everyone to death." Zi Yan chimed in from the side, flashing her small tiger teeth in excitement.
Everyone exchanged speechless glances at her. This little girl was truly a tiny demon, always itching for chaos.
"Follow the plan first." Wei Yang rapped his knuckles lightly on her head.
"Ow." Zi Yan rubbed her forehead, gritting her teeth, but still obediently nodded. She wasn't particularly afraid of Xiao Yan, but she did fear Wei Yang a little.
"We have ten Dou Zun. Once we go in, each of you will find your opponent among the eight Dou Zun inside. Elder Feng and Tie Jian Zun Zhe, the two of you can join forces against one."
Wei Yang gave his orders, then turned to Xiao Yan. "As for you, Xiao Yan, don't reveal yourself at first. Wait until the fighting starts, then slip inside during the chaos to find Yao Lao. Once you find him, get him out immediately."
"Remember, you don't need to care about us. Just take Yao Lao and leave."
"Got it." Xiao Yan nodded gravely.
Wei Yang then addressed the group again. "This is, after all, a branch hall of the Hall of Souls. It's possible they have something like spatial jades for instant reinforcements. So once Xiao Yan succeeds, no one should linger in battle. We all retreat at once!"
"Understood."
"Zi Yan." Wei Yang drew in a deep breath, then tilted his chin toward her.
"Got it." Zi Yan nodded knowingly, stepping forward. Purple light gathered on her fingertip. She lightly traced across the twisted space, and soundlessly drew open a crack over a zhang wide. With a gentle push of her palm, the crack silently dissolved into nothingness.
Before their eyes appeared an invisible spatial gate.
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