After walking for about four or five days, Ming Qi gradually noticed a significant change in the surrounding environment. Both the vegetation and the ground had begun to take on a uniform dark gray hue. Most of the demonic beasts were also of the same dark gray hue. The demonic beasts here were particularly ferocious and aggressive. Although most of the demonic beasts that appeared were only level two or three, the most frustrating thing was that they were always persistent, attacking the very first stranger they encountered.
After two days of walking, three members of the team had already lost their lives in battle with demonic beasts, and some had even begun to develop fear.
Before setting off, Ming Qi had conducted extensive research on the areas they might pass through. He knew that the area they were entering was called the Darkside Land, located between the Western Wasteland and the Central Land. According to information, there were alien dark demons living underground there.
Although Dark Demons don't resemble humans in appearance, they possess intelligence similar to that of humans. However, Dark Demons tend to be solitary and rarely interact with humans, so passing through their territory isn't difficult.
Ming Qi briefly surveyed the surrounding terrain and chose a relatively open direction, heading towards the Imperial Mountains. If all went well, they would be able to pass through the Dark Realm and officially exit the Central Lands into the Western Wilds in two days.
Entering Dark Demon territory, everyone became noticeably more cautious. For these mercenaries, even though they hadn't reached their destination yet, the journey thus far had already been an unprecedented experience of danger. Countless demonic beasts lurked around, threatening to attack at any moment. In the murky underground, even the cold-blooded Dark Demons lived, a constant test of their resolve.
Da Bai remained on guard, checking in with Ming Qi periodically to ensure the surroundings were safe. "Changli, do you know the origins of these Dark Demons? According to some sources, although the Dark Demons have rarely come into contact with humans, their history is very long, even dating back to before the end of antiquity."
Ming Qi asked Mo Changli as they walked. Although he had researched some materials, it was only a last-minute effort, and his limited knowledge of the Dark Demons was barely scratching the surface.
"Dark Demons..."
Mo Changli pondered for a moment, then continued walking, "The Dark Demons' history is indeed very long, predating even before the end of antiquity. It's said that the Dark Demon Clan was once one of the ten outposts of the Heavenly Sin Camp."
"Heavenly Sin Camp?"
This was another thing Ming Qi had never heard of, but it sounded very distant.
"Yes, the Heavenly Sin Camp was once the only entity besides the Celestial Clan that could challenge the rule of the gods of heaven and earth. The Celestial Clan's rebellion against the gods could be considered a rebellion at the pinnacle of glory, while the emergence of the Heavenly Sin Camp was a challenge to the pinnacle of the gods from the lowest echelons."
Mo Changli said that as a Celestial Clan member, she was naturally well aware of their former glory. Placing the Celestial Clan at the pinnacle of glory was consistent with their former role as patrollers of the heavens on behalf of the gods of heaven and earth.
This so-called Heavenly Sin Camp, however, seemed to have a completely different identity and origin from the Celestial Clan.
"What kind of people are the members of this Heavenly Sin Camp?"
Based on Mo Changli's observations, Ming Qi guessed that this so-called Heavenly Sin Camp must be a group at the very bottom of the cultivation world.
"The Heavenly Sin Camp is composed entirely of alien races. Most of them are a vulnerable group, irreconcilable with human cultivators and the gods of heaven and earth. Among them are also quite a few demons and devils. However, as the power of the gods of heaven and earth grows, the alien races associated with the Heavenly Sin Camp have become increasingly weaker during the long struggle. This is why many people have now forgotten the name of the Heavenly Sin Camp."
"Oh."
Ming Qi nodded. From this perspective, it seemed that the Heavenly Sin Camp was equivalent to an alliance against the gods of heaven and earth.
"However, at its peak, the Heavenly Sin Camp once slew the gods of heaven and earth. The Heavenly Sin army was endless, with countless masters and powerful individuals. The Dark Demons were once one of the ten vanguard legions of the Heavenly Sin Camp."
"It seems that the Dark Demon Clan also has a glorious history."
After listening to Mo Changli's explanation, Ming Qi sighed.
"However, among the ten vanguard legions of the Tianzui Camp, the Dark Demons aren't the strongest. The strongest are the Shadow Demons. Legend has it that a Shadow Demon God of the Shadow Demon Clan was once capable of single-handedly fighting two Heavenly and Earthly Gods."
Single-handedly fighting Heavenly and Earthly Gods!
Ming Qi was speechless. Even though he had entered the world of immortal cultivation and his power had reached a level unimaginable to mortals, he had never imagined that one day he would be able to fight a legendary Heavenly and Earthly God. And yet, a Shadow Demon God of the Shadow Demon Clan could single-handedly fight two Heavenly and Earthly Gods. How powerful must that be to achieve?
After a moment of sighing, Ming Qi suddenly asked, "Changli, how do you know all this?"
Mo Changli smiled and said, "Because we have a common enemy!"
Ming Qi immediately understood. The enemy of my enemy is my friend, and naturally, I understand my friend better. This seemed like a very true principle.
"It's a shame, but the legendary Heavenly Sin Camp is probably long gone."
The Celestial Tribe were once the shepherd swords of the gods, but now they live like ants, stealthily surviving. Imagine what will become of the Heavenly Sin Camp, which has constantly defied the gods.
Hearing this, a trace of sadness crossed Mo Changli's face. The Celestial Tribe had also been cursed by the gods. Although Mo Changli still didn't know why her ancestors resolutely gave up their glory and chose to defy the gods, her only responsibility now was to continue following the will passed down by her clan, until the end of her life.
For a long time, she had barely imagined she would ever see the day her clan embark on a crusade against the gods, but now, she still occasionally fantasized about what that day would be like.
"Okay, enough of this. We've been walking for over a day. Let's find a place to rest. Tomorrow we'll be able to cross the Darkside and reach the Western Wasteland, where we can reunite with Silong and the others."
After so much conversation along the way, Mingqi had gained a much deeper understanding of the Dark Demon Clan. They were only passing through their territory. The Tianzui Camp no longer existed, and the Dark Demon Clan was no longer as powerful as it once was. Mingqi believed that as long as they didn't provoke them, there wouldn't be any trouble.
After receiving the order to rest, the mercenaries quickly began selecting a location and setting up tents and other temporary resting facilities. Soon, everything was ready, and fireworks began to rise from the simple camp.
The Dark Demon Clan lived in underground caves. They rarely surfaced except when searching for food. Mingqi and his companions had already penetrated deep into the Darkside, but hadn't seen a single Dark Demon.
"Boss, are all the Dark Demons here dead? Why can't I see even one?"
The past few days of peace had relaxed the mercenaries' vigilance. Now, while taking a break, some began discussing the Dark Demon Clan.
While Ming Qi and Mo Changli's group were resting, Wei Silong, Xiao Qi, and the others were in dire straits.
Compared to Ming Qi's peaceful journey, Wei Silong's group had a much harder time.
Less than half of the original twenty-five mercenaries were still alive, and many suffered varying degrees of injuries. Fortunately, they were all very strong, and as long as they weren't fatally wounded, they could continue fighting.
Not only had these acquired mercenaries suffered heavy losses, but among Wei Silong, Su Yuan, and Xiao Qi, only Su Yuan was in relatively good condition. Wei Silong and Xiao Qi were also injured.
They were currently in a swamp known as the Thick Mist Swamp, at the border of the Central Lands and the Western Wasteland. Their previously planned route would have allowed them to bypass the swamp and reach the base of the Imperial Mountains. However, whether the planned route was inaccurate or the swamp had undergone a sudden transformation, Wei Silong and the others were trapped.
Luckily, the area they had fallen into was not one of those bottomless pools that had accumulated over the years, so they avoided death in the swamp. However, they now faced not only the inability to identify a safe path through the swamp, but also a snake-like monster that inhabited it: the Three-Tailed Wolf-Headed Snake.
The Three-Tailed Wolf-Headed Snake was a nearly deformed creature, a strange beast that resembled a snake, but not a wolf. It had the head of a wolf, the body of a snake, and three tails.
Their massive heads could shred boulders, their serpentine bodies enabled them to move with lightning speed through the swamp. Most terrifying of all, their three tails could harness wind currents to propel their entire bodies into the air. With these three tails, the three-tailed wolf-headed snake practically possessed the ability to fly.
Facing the murky, muddy swamp, with the three-tailed wolf-headed snake glimpsed in the distance through the thick, pale green mist, Wei Silong realized he had led his team down a path of no return.
The dozen or so remaining mercenaries huddled together, surrounding Wei Silong, Xiao Qi, and Su Yuan. Each one, eyes wide open, cautiously moved forward.
No one knew how long this journey would last. Though fearless, the mercenaries, faced with the hopeless situation, revealed a wave of fear.
Knowing the prospect of death, yet still moving forward, was a completely wrong decision.
"Captain, let's retreat..."
As they slowly moved forward, the thought of retreat still surfaced.
Wei Silong's brow furrowed. The worst had finally happened. The thought of retreat indicated that these men had lost their resolve to continue. Even if they could have defeated the enemy, it would no longer be possible.
"We can't retreat. Deputy Captain Ming and the others are still waiting for us up ahead. According to the map, there's land not far ahead. We just have to hold on and we can cross!"
Wei Silong spoke firmly, her eyes fixed intently ahead.
Her actions seemed to give the team immense courage, and the thought of retreat was finally suppressed.