Half a year later, in the desolate southern mountains of the Southern Lands.
Clearly, they had not encountered a newly risen demon faction. Most likely, it was a group of itinerant demons without a fixed base, and among them was at least one cultivator at the Spirit-Refinement Stage.
Their eyes scanned the woods with vigilant caution.
The Skyward Rangers belong to the Heavenly Marshal Corps under the Heavenly Court, a special force dedicated to patrolling the mortal realm.
Though not part of the regular army, in terms of individual strength, they are the most formidable among all Heavenly Court forces.
They operate in teams of three, with at least one Spirit-Refinement Stage cultivator, navigating the forests in their exclusive celestial chariots. Whenever they encounter fledgling demons with no established power, they eliminate them on the spot.
If they discover demon groups that have already formed a stronghold, they report to the Heavenly Court, which then dispatches other forces to eradicate them.
In a sense, they serve as both law enforcers and scouts for the Heavenly Court in the mortal realm.
“Afraid of an ambush? All three of us are at the Spirit-Refinement Stage. If they see us, they’ll be too busy running away.”
“Better to be cautious. Don’t forget that the missing team had one at the Spirit-Refinement Stage, and another at the Spirit-Absorption Stage who was about to break through.”
However, at the site of the Heavenly General's disappearance, they found no clues, nor the soul of the Heavenly General.
Clearly, they had not encountered a newly risen demon faction. Most likely, it was a group of itinerant demons without a fixed base, and among them was at least one cultivator at the Spirit-Refinement Stage.
Because of this, they had to widen the search area, which directly caused the six teams of Skyward Rangers to become scattered.
This was one of those teams.
The leading Skyward Ranger closed his eyes, carefully sensing the aura around them. After a long moment, he opened his eyes, seemingly giving up on this approach.
After all, their speed was too fast—even if they sensed something, they couldn’t react in time. But if they slowed down...
With too few personnel, slowing down to search the entire area would mean those wandering demons could have escaped anywhere by then.
“The woods are thick here; demons can easily hide. Let’s raise our altitude.”
“Afraid of an ambush? All three of us are at the Spirit-Refinement Stage. If they see us, they’ll be too busy running away.”
“Better to be cautious. Don’t forget that the missing team had one at the Spirit-Refinement Stage, and another at the Spirit Channeling Stage who was about to break through.”
“Hyah!” The Skyward Ranger driving the chariot cracked his whip, and the Pegasus quickly soared higher.
Just as they were about to fly over the next mountain peak, two arrows shot out from the crown of a large tree below, snapping one of the reins.
One Pegasus broke free, and instantly, the entire chariot lost its balance.
“Ambush! Be careful!” Amidst the violent shaking, the leading Skyward Ranger shouted, drawing his longbow and aiming at the tree crown where the arrows had come from.
Just as all three focused their attention on the treetop, a tall figure suddenly rushed out from the rocks on the other side.
It was a Rhino Brute, over three meters tall, with thick hide, bulging muscles, and a massive horn three feet long atop its nose.
Before the three Skyward Rangers could react, he spun a grappling claw in his hand and hurled it, hooking it onto the wheel of the chariot.
With a sharp tug, the chariot—now pulled by only one Pegasus—suddenly came to a halt, suspended in midair.
“Rhino Brute!” one of the Skyward Rangers shouted.
Not satisfied, the Rhino Brute wrapped the rope around his arm twice more, let out a thunderous roar, and tore the wheel and axle clean off.
The chariot collapsed instantly, scattering its parts.
The three Skyward Rangers immediately beat their wings, trying to take flight.
But soon, they realized their white wings had become feeble and powerless, unable to lift them off the ground.
“Not good! It's a Flight Ban Spell!”
The three plummeted, crashing straight into the thicket below.
Before they could free themselves from the branches and leaves, a group of little demons in ragged clothing, wielding strange weapons, surrounded them.
Many of their hands trembled, and some wore nothing but two banana leaves tied around them, hesitating and too afraid to approach.
Seeing these little demons, the three men visibly relaxed.
One Skyward Ranger quickly fired a signal flare, but before it could rise, an Owl Sentinel intercepted it with its own body.
Scanning the area, then glancing up at the Owl Sentinel circling above with bow drawn and eyes sharp, the lead Skyward Ranger slowly stood, discarded his longbow, drew the heavy shield from his back and unsheathed his sword. He said, “Careful. Among them, there must be a Spirit-Refinement Stage demon cultivator.”
A towering Black Minotaur, with a large ring through its nose, skin as black and glossy as jade, and bulging muscles, strode forward with a broadsword in hand.
Most were newly transformed, not even at the Spirit-Focusing Realm.
It was a Jackal Marauder, about five feet tall, with long limbs, dressed in a tattered military uniform and twirling two curved blades.