These silver threads were naturally the Netherworld River fish that Han Li had encountered earlier.
These strange fish were each slender as needles, and while the silver threads they transformed into were ineffective against high-level demonic beasts, they were absolutely lethal to many low-level demonic creatures incapable of releasing protective spiritual light.
In mere moments, hundreds of demonic beasts that had rushed into the passage first had their bodies riddled with holes, collapsing to the ground lifeless.
The creatures surging in from behind were startled, but many of them quickly radiated spiritual light from their bodies. Meanwhile, the ghost soldiers and puppets on either side immediately swung their weapons, blocking most of the silver threads.
Yet, the silver threads shooting out from the black light barrier continued endlessly, as if inexhaustible.
Under the urging howls of a blood-robed figure, the low-level demonic beasts that had entered the passage desperately fled toward the other end.
Even as low-level creatures, their full-speed flight was astonishingly swift.
Demon energy surged as many of them crossed a significant portion of the passage.
Then, abruptly, a sudden change occurred!
From the surrounding black light barrier, shadowy figures emerged, accompanied by eerie cries from all directions.
Dark, grotesque shapes of various forms squeezed out of the barrier in a bizarre manner.
Some of these shadows opened their mouths, spewing streams of white water arrows, while others pounced forward, baring fangs and grappling with the demonic beasts, tearing into each other.
Any beast struck by the water arrows stiffened and collapsed dead on the spot. Even those with protective spiritual light seemed unable to resist the arrows—black miasma instantly surfaced on their bodies, allowing them only a few more steps before succumbing.
As for the beasts locked in combat with the shadows, once bitten, they struggled briefly before their souls scattered, their corpses rapidly dissolving into foul-smelling puddles.
These shadows carried a strange, deadly poison in their mouths!
“These are Netherghosts!”
Han Li’s eyes flickered with blue light as he observed from afar, inwardly shocked.
With his spiritual sight, he could see clearly—these shadows were unmistakably the corpses of countless bizarre creatures, now transformed into mindless, zombie-like undead, frantically attacking the living demonic beasts while ignoring the puppets and ghost soldiers on either side.
Of course, the tens of thousands of low-level demonic beasts were not entirely defenseless. After the initial surprise, they retaliated by spitting fireballs, slashing with wind blades, or unleashing other spells in dense volleys against the Netherghosts.
Yet, to their astonishment, no matter what spells struck the Netherghosts, they simply vanished into their bodies without any effect.
Panic spread among the demonic horde.
“Fools! Netherghosts cannot stray far from the Netherworld River. Just escape the passage, and you’ll be safe!” Six-Legs’ icy voice boomed through the passage, deafening the creatures.
Realization dawned on the low-level beasts, and they ceased resisting the Netherghosts, focusing solely on fleeing toward the other end.
For the fastest among them, the distance of ten thousand zhang was crossed in mere moments.
Under the cover of the puppets and ghost soldiers, the remaining beasts suffered heavy losses from the fish and Netherghosts, but given their sheer numbers, only about a fifth of those who entered the passage perished.
Meanwhile, more low-level demonic hordes, driven forward by the high-level creatures, continued flooding in like a tide.
The stench of blood filled the entire passage.
Outside, Mu Qing, the beautiful woman, and the others watched the scene with grave expressions, yet none made a move to assist, as if waiting for something.
Just as Han Li frowned, silently speculating on their intentions, a massive shadow descended over a section of the passage.
A violent tremor shook the once-stable black light barrier.
With several thunderous crashes, enormous tentacles, thick as pythons, burst through the barrier and surged into the passage.
With a casual sweep, they ensnared over a dozen demonic beasts too slow to evade, yanking them into the Netherworld River beyond the barrier.
After a chorus of agonized screams, the beasts seemed to be swallowed whole by the colossal shadow. Then, the tentacles reappeared in the passage.
Chaos erupted among the nearby low-level creatures!
“It’s here. Move now!”
The demon kings rejoiced at the sight of the tentacles. Without hesitation, Six-Legs barked an order.
Instantly, the two blood-robed figures, Six-Legs, Mu Qing, and the beautiful woman vanished in flashes of light.
The next moment, they reappeared near the tentacle-infested section of the passage.
Mu Qing and the other three each raised a hand, summoning gigantic spectral hands of varying colors from the void.
With a swift motion, each hand seized a tentacle and yanked downward.
The combined strength of four Body Integration-stage beings could lift even a mountain of ten thousand blades.
A monstrous roar echoed as, with a thunderous crash, the owner of the tentacles was forcibly dragged into the passage—a massive, pale sphere of flesh!
It had no eyes or nose, only a gaping maw occupying most of its body. From its upper half sprouted seven or eight writhing tentacles, most of which were now immobilized by the spectral hands, while the remaining few flailed wildly, lashing out at the demon kings.
A cold snort rang out.
A dark sword light materialized in the air, cleaving the giant flesh sphere cleanly in two with a single stroke.
A figure darted out like smoke, retrieving an object from within the sphere before solidifying—Six-Legs, who had remained inactive until now.
In his hand rested a milky-white crystal, the size of an egg, glowing faintly.
“Finally, the Netherworld Spirit Crystal is ours. With this, passing that trial later will be much easier,” Six-Legs remarked, examining the crystal with satisfaction.
Mu Qing and the beautiful woman shared his relief at the smooth acquisition.
“With such a disturbance in the Netherworld River, it was inevitable this creature would appear. No matter its abilities, it stood no chance against our combined strike,” one blood-robed figure chuckled darkly.
Indeed, their seemingly effortless coordination was the result of meticulous rehearsal.
“Now that we have the crystal, let’s move on. It’s fortunate we only encountered Netherghosts this time, not the other formidable spirits from before,” Mu Qing said coolly, flicking her sleeve to shred several approaching Netherghosts with a surge of green light.
The others voiced no objections, transforming into streaks of light that shot toward the other end of the passage.
Meanwhile, the high-level demonic beasts awaiting orders at the opposite end began flying into the passage under Six-Legs’ command.
Han Li and the golden ape followed suit.
For beings of their level, the attacks of the fish and Netherghosts posed little threat, and their speed far surpassed that of the low-level creatures.
In moments, they safely traversed the passage, emerging into an immeasurably vast space.
Low-level demonic beasts continued pouring out from the passage.
After the time it took to finish a meal, the entire force—tens of thousands of demonic beasts, silver-armored ghost soldiers, and puppets—had crossed the black passage.
The ghost soldiers and puppets remained unscathed, but the low-level beasts had suffered losses, with many bearing grievous injuries. Fortunately, their regenerative abilities were formidable, mitigating concerns.
Six-Legs and his companions paid no heed, instead gathering to discuss their next move.
Han Li hovered mid-air, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings.
He found himself thousands of zhang above a desolate expanse of black soil, dotted with stunted yellow-black grass.
Above them stretched the Netherworld River, forming a pale, misty sky that seemed to envelop the entire land.
“Proceed as planned. Ghost soldiers lead, puppets guard the rear,” Six-Legs commanded after their discussion.
The forces quickly reorganized into several columns, advancing like a colossal black dragon.
Han Li and the golden ape remained behind Mu Qing, who stood gracefully atop a golden flower, commanding a contingent of high-level beasts at the center.
Six-Legs and the white-haired woman led eight thousand ghost soldiers at the front, their passage stirring eerie winds, while the blood-robed figures marshaled the puppets at the rear.
The procession moved with astonishing speed, soon leaving the passage far behind.
Hours later, they left the black-soiled wasteland behind—only to be met with a sight that made Han Li inhale sharply.
A boundless plain of bleached bones stretched before them.
Countless skeletal remains of varying sizes—evidently from diverse creatures—littered the landscape, some piled into towering mounds, others weathered and ancient.
A putrid stench wafted from the depths of the bone plain, unsettling the mind.
After a brief pause, the procession pressed onward under Six-Legs and the white-haired woman’s lead.
Even after advancing over ten li, the endless white expanse and worsening stench persisted.
Han Li had long shielded himself with spiritual light, but his gaze remained vigilant, his pupils occasionally flashing blue.
Though his spiritual sense was still heavily suppressed, his Spirit Eyes allowed him to see far into the distance.
Suddenly, his calm expression tightened, and a soft exclamation escaped his lips.
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