Chapter 94: This Is True Misfortune

“Master Imperial Advisor, there’s no need to be anxious. Since we are here, we must settle ourselves.” Mo Chuan’s voice echoed once more.

Though he had not awakened, and spent his days frail and dependent on medicine for survival, his words were enough to calm Ji Yun’s troubled heart.

“The appointed hour is nearly upon us. If the formation shifts again, I will be able to determine our exact position. Perhaps then, we can find a way to break free from this predicament.”

Ji Yun nodded and instructed those behind him, “Remain vigilant, do not wander about. Everyone, gather together!”

...

Elsewhere, the air was thick with the stench of blood and an unspeakable foulness.

Chu Yu gripped his sword tightly, gazing at the scorched chaos before him, his heart still racing from the ordeal.

Moments ago, their path had been clear and steady, but suddenly, the ground trembled beneath their feet and the scenery changed. The mist had vanished, only to reveal a strange and sinister jungle.

Within the forest hung white objects, resembling silkworm cocoons, each taller than a man. Looking out, the entire woodland was littered with these cocoons.

It was the nest of the Venom Emperor Spider.

The earlier dense fog had prevented them from seeing what became of those hunted by the spider. Had they witnessed it, they would have surely fled in terror.

“What are these things?” someone asked, reaching out to poke a cocoon. Instantly, a sharp spike pierced his skull, killing him on the spot.

A more horrifying sight followed—a monstrous creature burst forth from the cocoon.

“It’s the venomous beast we encountered before! Run!” Chu Yu shouted, and everyone snapped to attention, racing in the opposite direction.

Disturbed, the Venom Emperor Spiders broke out of their cocoons one after another, wildly pursuing the fleeing group.

Those who lagged behind were torn apart by the spiders; others were ensnared in webs and hung upside down from the trees.

Chu Yu glanced back only to witness the carnage. He channeled his soul power, summoning a violent gust that swept toward the venomous creatures.

Du Wei, too, quickly gathered his soul power. A blaze ignited in his palm, and he hurled fireballs at the swarm.

They soon realized these creatures were extremely afraid of fire, and caught ablaze with the slightest spark.

The flames grew ever more intense, fanned by Chu Yu’s wind, and quickly engulfed the entire forest.

The blaze still raged, leaving them stranded, uncertain if more venomous spiders might leap out at any moment. They had lost all sense of direction and had no idea which way to proceed.

If Ji Yin saw the scene before them, she would surely clutch her chest in distress!

They hadn’t merely burned the Venom Emperor Spiders—they had incinerated countless precious forging materials. It was money, up in smoke!

Not far away lay a charred spider corpse; its once dark-purple shell was now scorched black and useless.

On Flowkill Star, extracting a piece of that shell required hand-to-hand combat with the Venom Emperor Spider. Any carelessness risked being poisoned, and the toxin was notoriously difficult to deal with. Once afflicted, it took ages just to purge the venom from the body.

Everyone knew the spiders feared fire, but no one would dare to burn them just to obtain a fragment of shell.

“Are they all dead now? Is it over?” Chu Yu looked to Du Wei.

“It should be,” Du Wei replied, though his tone betrayed uncertainty.

Chu Yu finally raised his head and scrutinized Du Wei. “Your strength is above mine, isn’t it?”

“That’s right,” Du Wei nodded. “Among those I’ve brought, the weakest is a third-tier Spiritual Cultivator.” He had no intention of hiding the truth from Chu Yu.