The advantage of the cultivators’ side was overwhelming. Individually, apart from two idle cultivators at the “Divine Emperor late-stage,” the weakest among them were all at the Divine Emperor Perfection level! In contrast, the group of Hunyuan lifeforms known as the ‘Ant Dragons’ were much weaker. Though they had strong survival abilities, most of them were only at the Divine Emperor mid-stage, with some at the late-stage and a few at the Perfection level.
Moreover, the cultivators excelled in different combat techniques, allowing them to coordinate flawlessly. Proper teamwork enabled them to unleash extraordinary combat power. Just like the eight-member squad that once rescued Dongbo Xueying—they effortlessly suppressed nearly a hundred ‘Shadow Reapers,’ demonstrating how terrifying a carefully selected group of Divine Emperor Perfection cultivators could be when working in perfect harmony.
At this moment,
Daoist Youya commanded an elite squad, while Xie Fan led another highly coordinated elite team. Most of the other idle cultivators were also at the Divine Emperor Perfection level.
As for the Ant Dragons?
Each of them wielded similar abilities, making it difficult to complement one another.
Especially since the cultivators’ sole objective was to escape swiftly, avoiding prolonged combat.
**”Boom—”**
With a single charge, they shattered the Ant Dragons’ formation, sending them scattering in all directions, utterly incapable of resistance.
**”Die.”**
Xie Fan’s aura surged like tidal waves, distorting the surrounding spacetime. The two Ant Dragons charging at him were even pulled toward him involuntarily under the influence of his domain.
**”Roar—!”**
One of the Divine Emperor Perfection-level Ant Dragons roared, still struggling to resist.
But the other, a late-stage Ant Dragon, was instantly closed in on by Xie Fan. With a single punch to its chest, the massive creature shuddered violently before its soul aura completely dissipated.
**”One punch to annihilate a late-stage Ant Dragon?”**
Though the situation wasn’t particularly dangerous, Dongbo Xueying still had the leisure to observe his surroundings. Witnessing Xie Fan’s devastating strike, his pupils constricted.
**”Even the Cloud Phoenix City Lord couldn’t achieve this—killing in a single strike? No wonder he’s a Dao Comprehender who has reached the half-Hunyuan lifeform stage. And he’s the one with the ‘heaviest body’ in all of Redcloud City. In terms of raw power, he might be on par with the Cloud Phoenix City Lord, but the profundity of his techniques far surpasses him! A single punch left no visible wound on the Ant Dragon, yet it was already dead…”**
Dongbo Xueying felt a deep sense of wariness.
For someone to act so brazenly even within Redcloud City, his strength was undoubtedly terrifying.
**”Whoosh.”**
Xie Fan casually stored the Ant Dragon’s corpse and continued advancing with the team.
Within just two breaths, the cultivators broke through the Ant Dragons’ blockade. Only three Ant Dragons had fallen—two at the mid-stage and one at the late-stage. Xie Fan had slain the late-stage one, while the other two mid-stage kills belonged to Daoist Youya’s squad.
Since their goal was escape, killing was merely incidental—hence the low body count.
**”Impressive.”**
Daoist Youya cast a sidelong glance at Xie Fan.
Each had their own strengths.
In close combat, Daoist Youya was far inferior to Xie Fan, only slightly better than an average Divine Emperor Perfection cultivator. His true expertise lay in **domain techniques**, which greatly enhanced the entire team’s performance.
**”With Xie Fan here, our chances of hunting the Mo’wu Chaos Serpent have increased significantly,”** Daoist Youya mused silently.
—
The group flew at extreme speeds.
With the assistance of the cultivator ‘Chengyu,’ their velocity far surpassed that of the Ant Dragons.
**”We’ve escaped.”**
**”We’re out of the encirclement.”**
**”No more danger.”**
The gray-robed scout and the golden-armored cold-faced man confirmed that the team had successfully broken free.
Had they lingered in battle, countless more Ant Dragons would have swiftly surrounded them. Once fully entangled, death would have been inevitable.
When hunting outside the city, the cardinal rule was—**never engage in prolonged combat!**
The Hunyuan lifeforms were innumerable. The longer one delayed, the greater the numbers that would converge—a hundred, two hundred, five hundred, a thousand… If they stalled for even a day or two, tens of thousands of Hunyuan lifeforms could swarm them. No matter how powerful the cultivators were, against such an endless tide, death was certain.
**”Proceed.”**
Daoist Youya gave the order.
The team’s speed abruptly decreased as spacetime and other mysterious domains enveloped them, rendering the group nearly invisible.
This was the safest way to advance.
Only after more than two hours did they finally get detected again.
—
Without any hesitation, they pressed forward swiftly.
**”This team is incredibly strong. We haven’t faced any real danger along the way. My purpose in joining this hunt was twofold—to gather resources and to temper myself. Yet, it’s been smooth sailing all along.”** Dongbo Xueying reflected.
But then again, this hunting party consisted of the core members of both Daoist Youya’s and Xie Fan’s squads. Their strength was naturally formidable.
**”Be alert.”** Daoist Youya’s voice echoed through the team. **”A large group of ‘Venomous Shadow Dragons’ has detected us—over three hundred in number. They’re closing in.”**
**”Whoosh.”**
A gray mist instantly shrouded the group as their speed skyrocketed. No longer concerned about concealment, they fled at maximum velocity.
**”Over three hundred Venomous Shadow Dragons?”** Many cultivators in the team paled.
The ‘Venomous Shadow Dragons’—a name they had given to a certain type of Hunyuan lifeform—were among the more dangerous variants due to their lethal abilities. And this time, their numbers were overwhelming.
An ordinary hunting party facing over three hundred Venomous Shadow Dragons might suffer casualties.
Fortunately, this team was exceptionally strong.
**”They’re here. Prepare for battle. Everyone must cooperate flawlessly.”** Daoist Youya’s solemn voice resonated in their minds.
**Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!**
From the left front, a swarm of swift-moving figures emerged.
The Venomous Shadow Dragons were gray-scaled, resembling draconic reptiles. Their bodies were covered in spikes, with massive fan-like clusters of spines along their backs. Their long tails were similarly bristling with barbs. At a glance, Dongbo Xueying estimated that each dragon bore **1.8 million venomous spikes.**
Each spike contained a **deadly poison**—one that could unsettle even the Divine Emperor Perfection cultivators of Redcloud City.
It was this venom that made the Venomous Shadow Dragons so fearsome.
**”Kill.”**
The lead dragon’s eyes gleamed coldly as it sent a psychic command.
These creatures possessed high intelligence and showed no mercy toward cultivators.
**”Kill!”**
Daoist Youya’s body suddenly radiated intertwining black-and-white ribbons, which shot out in all directions, entangling the Venomous Shadow Dragons. Those ensnared found their speed and momentum drastically reduced.
**”Daoist Youya excels in domain techniques, but his power stems from bloodline abilities.”** Dongbo Xueying recalled from intelligence reports.
The black-and-white ribbons maintained peak efficiency when binding **nine enemies**. Beyond that, their effectiveness diminished with each additional target.
Countless ribbons spread across the battlefield, with one floating near Dongbo Xueying—though it wasn’t actively restraining any foes yet. It would only intervene if absolutely necessary, as overextending the domain would weaken its potency.
**”Little Snow Eagle, we’re here to save you!”** Xie Fan laughed mockingly as he and his fifteen elites surged toward Dongbo Xueying’s position.
Within moments, Xie Fan’s sixteen-strong unit had encircled Dongbo Xueying.
Seventeen cultivators clustered together—a third of the team—naturally drew the attention of over a hundred Venomous Shadow Dragons.
**”Bam! Bam! Bam!”**
**”Boom!”**
Xie Fan’s squad unleashed a coordinated assault—some deploying domains, others weaving illusions, some emitting sonic waves, while the rest engaged in direct combat or long-range attacks. Their seamless teamwork, bolstered by their individual prowess, allowed them to hold their ground against the overwhelming numbers.
But Dongbo Xueying?
Though technically part of the formation, **none** of Xie Fan’s sixteen offered him any assistance.
Seven Venomous Shadow Dragons focused their assault on him—a standard number for most cultivators in the fray. However, unlike the others who received mutual support, Dongbo Xueying faced the onslaught **alone.**
**”Perhaps this swarm of Venomous Shadow Dragons will finish him off.”** Xie Fan sneered inwardly, effortlessly slaying a late-stage dragon with a punch and sending a Perfection-level one flying with a palm strike.
On this battlefield, only Xie Fan possessed such domineering might.
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