Inside, people are running everywhere, searching for the End of the Sky, while outside, four figures are locked in a bitter battle.
Lance Blue, Mason White, Connor Hawke, and Ray Laird.
Lance Blue takes on the Strange Fiend, while Mason White, Connor Hawke, and Ray Laird handle the insect monsters that have already surged forward.
"You should just give up!" The Strange Fiend laughed at the four of them.
"Keep dreaming!" Lance Blue snorted coldly.
"Even as the continent's number one, you can't block my advance. Do you really think this continent can stop me?" The Strange Fiend sneered.
"Then why are you here? Isn't it just for the End of the Sky? What's the point of slaughtering our continent's people like this?" Lance Blue knew that truly defeating the Strange Fiend was nearly impossible, but he was curious—why would someone so powerful stay in the Death Crystal Field, and why use those insect monsters to kill cultivators?
"Because I want to turn this place into my insect empire—including you. I want you all to obey me. As for the End of the Sky, none of you should even think about entering! Not a single one of you!" The Strange Fiend's laughter echoed in the first half, but his tone turned stern in the latter, as if warning these four strongest experts.
"That place isn't yours—what gives you the right to keep us out? As for your insect empire, you can stay in the Death Crystal Field if you want. Why come out here?" Lance Blue retorted, refusing to back down.
"The less you know, the better!" The Strange Fiend sneered.
"Is there something you don't want us to know?" Lance Blue asked suspiciously.
"I told you, the less you know, the better. If you agree to become my slaves, I can spare you. As long as everyone submits to me, I'll let you all live." The Strange Fiend laughed loudly.
"In your dreams!" Lance Blue snorted.
Everyone here was a lofty figure; none could possibly accept being someone's slave. So Lance Blue wasn't the only one to respond—the other three felt exactly the same.
Seeing their refusal, the Strange Fiend could only intensify his attacks.
"Damn it, looks like you've fully recovered!" Lance Blue exclaimed, shocked to find the opponent was even stronger than before.
"Surprised? This is just the beginning. I'll torment you slowly, continent's number one." The Strange Fiend laughed.
Lance Blue knew things couldn't go on like this. He quickly sent a sound transmission to the other three: "Retreat. He's too strong."
The three hadn't expected Lance Blue could match him, but after hearing his warning, they didn't linger. With a flash, each darted away toward the cave entrance.
Seeing the three enter the cave, Lance Blue also flashed after them.
"Trying to run?" The Strange Fiend shouted as he saw them all enter the cave, then followed right behind. The insect monsters also went wild and chased after.
Inside the cave, the four saw the black tunnel and hurried through it. Lance Blue had just entered when the Strange Fiend followed close behind.
After passing through the tunnel and black hole, the four emerged, glanced around, then looked at the wall. Spotting the End of the Sky, they rushed toward it.
"What now?" On the way, Mason White asked Lance Blue, whose strength was the greatest.
Lance Blue could only hold off the Strange Fiend for a moment; truly defeating him was nearly impossible. So he planned to reach the End of the Sky and use everyone's combined strength for something.
"Follow me. Maybe I can try a method." Lance Blue said thoughtfully.
He had a plan? Then why head toward the End of the Sky? The others were puzzled, but thinking of the Strange Fiend behind them, none dared linger—they all followed Lance Blue.
When Lance Blue and the others reached the mountain range, they found many spirit beast corpses lying around, and even a few human corpses. They didn't examine them closely, just passed by.
Actually, the conflict here had been caused by clashes between spirit beasts and people. Even when a few powerful spirit beasts charged out, they couldn't withstand so many Spirit-Wandering experts; after some died, the rest hid away.
As for those Spirit-Wandering experts, they had already circled around the mountain and were now gathered outside the restriction. Like Zane Tiernan, they simply couldn't get in.
Even with everyone's combined strength, they still couldn't open the barrier. At this moment, their anxiety was intense. When they saw Lance Blue and the others arrive, they were overjoyed—maybe with these powerful figures, they could finally break through.
But before anyone could speak, Lance Blue addressed the crowd, "If you want to survive, do exactly as I say. Otherwise, none of you will escape the Strange Fiend's hands."
Was it really that serious? But seeing how urgently those four had rushed, everyone realized the Strange Fiend really was coming to kill them. Now, everyone was tense; some even prepared to burn their life force.
Seeing their expressions, Lance Blue explained, "I have a treasure here. In a moment, everyone needs to pour all your power into my treasure."
He then produced a long staff, with an opening at one end—almost as if it could shoot something out.
Lance Blue aimed the staff at the crowd, instructing them to inject their spiritual power collectively into the handle.
A few Blue Clan members immediately stepped forward. The others, seeing this, were skeptical that such a thing could actually wield power.
Noticing their doubts, Lance Blue urged, "If you want to survive, hurry up. Soon, it'll be too late."
Mason White glanced behind and told everyone, "Look, the insect army is already charging over."
Everyone looked—they saw a dense swarm. With Spirit-Wandering experts flying, it would take at least half an hour to reach here; even Evan Yang once needed half an hour to arrive. So their time was limited.