The valley was secluded. From time to time, some peculiar birds would fly across the valley. It was early in the morning and Tanai could not see the situation clearly due to the mist.
It would be difficult for an ordinary person to clearly see what was going on in the valley. However, the mist was able to conceal their tracks very well. The unique environment had its own advantages.
Aobashi and Erebus from the City of Shadows stayed together. Naturally, Han Shuo and Andrina followed them. Blightsoar from Mirage City and Eugene from Hushveil City split up and formed two wings to guard Han Shuo's party.
Gradually, they got closer and closer to the valley.
Eugene advanced alone while Blightsoar maintained his formation. Blightsoar stealthily approached Han Shuo and asked in a low voice, "Is it the valley below?"
Han Shuo nodded and replied in a soft voice, "Yes, it is. Tell your people not to get too close. Otherwise, the energy towers will react!"
Blightsoar didn't have any prejudice against Han Shuo. On the contrary, he admired Han Shuo very much. He gestured to his team from afar, signaling them to stay where they were for the time being and not move.
The valley was shrouded in mist. It was surrounded by mountains that rose into the clouds and formed an arc around the valley. At this moment, Han Shuo, Aobashi, and the others were on the side of one of the mountains. They were lying on their stomach and observing the valley.
"I can't see clearly from the bottom of the valley. What's the situation?" Aobashi asked Han Shuo in a low voice.
Han Shuo extended his index finger and drew a simple and crude pattern on a hard rock, forming an arc around the valley. He pointed at a few directions and explained to Aobashi and the others, "I have observed carefully. Here, here, and here, there are energy towers and boundary towers disguised as trees. Here is the only entrance to the valley. There are godhunters hiding in the dark and there is a boundary at the top of the valley. In any case, as soon as we approach the valley, we will be discovered! "
Aobashi looked at Han Shuo in surprise and said, "How do you know so much about what's down there?"
Without answering Aobashi's question, Han Shuo continued, "It's not impossible to sneak into the valley without alerting anyone. As long as we quickly eliminate the sentries along the way and avoid the energy towers and barrier towers, we might be able to sneak into the valley without alerting them."
"Where are the sentries? Can you really pinpoint their location? "Blightsoar's face was also filled with shock and disbelief.
Han Shuo raised his head and looked at Aobashi and Blightsoar. He said, "Since you're here, I'm sure you believe me. I don't want you to doubt my words anymore. Otherwise, you can just force your way in! "
At this critical moment, Han Shuo did not care about the identities of these people.
"As long as we can approach those energy towers and barrier towers without alerting anyone, I can stop them!" Andrina said in a low voice.
Han Shuo had long known that Andrina possessed such an ability. It was also the main reason why he insisted on bringing her to the valley. After hearing her words, Han Shuo thought for a moment and said, "Eugene is biased against me. We can have his men stay outside for the time being. Once we enter the valley, those godhunters will surely try to break out of the encirclement. Eugene and his men will be in charge of blocking those godhunters who try to break out of the encirclement!"
At such a critical moment, Han Shuo would always remain very calm. Having gotten used to giving orders, he had unknowingly assumed the role of a leader. Aobashi, Erebus, and Blightsoar felt that it was rather odd. However, seeing how confident Han Shuo was, as though he knew everything about Tanai like the back of his hand, they did not say anything.
"Alright, I'll go talk to Eugene and have his men stay outside!" Blightsoar knew that if it were Han Shuo and his men, Eugene might not be willing to listen to them. Therefore, he volunteered to persuade Eugene.
After Blightsoar left, Aobashi put on a bitter smile and said to Han Shuo, "Brian, don't be mistaken! There are four hundred divine guards from our Three Cities. A single mistake could cost the lives of many divine guards. This is no joke! "
"Brian, are you really confident?" Erebus asked in a grave face. He did not appear as confident as Han Shuo.
"As long as you listen to me and follow me step by step, I am confident that I can bring you as close as possible without being discovered!" Promised Han Shuo solemnly. After taking a short pause, he said in a relaxed manner, "At least it's better than charging in like a swarm of bees, right?"
"There are benefits to charging in like a swarm of bees. At the very least, we will be able to maintain our momentum in one go!" Aobashi put on a faint smile and said in a low voice, "If we are discovered midway, our momentum will be weakened. This is also very important!"
"Understood!" Han Shuo nodded. After hesitating for a moment, he asked, "If there really is a late-stage highgod godhunter in there, who on our side can handle him?"
Aobashi and Erebus both turned silent upon hearing those words. After a long while, Aobashi said, "We have the advantage in numbers. We will surround him!"
Han Shuo put on a bitter smile and asked, "Even you can't do anything?"
"We don't have enough time to ask for help from the City Lord. But I believe that the First Corps should be able to trap him by releasing a boundary lock. Don't worry, there's nothing to be afraid of even if there is one! " Said Aobashi smilingly. She took a glance at Erebus and said in a low voice, "Besides, Erebus has a scroll that the City Lord bestowed upon him. I know just how powerful that scroll is. If used at the critical moment, even a late-stage highgod wouldn't be able to withstand it!"
Han Shuo knew that Aobashi must have considered that possibility. With that, he did not say anything else. He thought to himself, If the situation is unfavorable, I'll have no problem defending myself.
While they were talking, Blightsoar returned and said in a low voice, "Eugene has agreed. We can move now!"
Han Shuo stood up, waved his hand, and instructed, "Follow me. Tell your subordinates to be careful. Don't make any noise!"
Han Shuo flew straight down and landed at the entrance of the valley. Aobashi and the others turned around and gave instructions to their subordinates before they landed behind Han Shuo.
There was a boundary right above the valley and the energy source was located at the center of the valley. As the distance was rather far, Andrina could not do anything about it. Therefore, they could only enter through the only entrance of the valley.
Aobashi descended gracefully. Her body was as light as a willow catkin. The element of wind swirling around her made her look light and graceful.
Han Shuo had long noticed that Aobashi cultivated in the energy of wind. Her fluttering fine hair carried the element of wind and formed a miniature Domain of Divinity. Not only was she extremely fast, she was also very elusive. That was a characteristic of a god cultivating in the energy of wind.
Demon generals were already lurking in the dark. Han Shuo had been to the valley twice and knew every area like the back of his hand. The light morning fog was a hindrance to ordinary people, but he was secretly delighted. The light fog was a natural barrier to him, allowing him and the demon generals to hide even more stealthily.
Han Shuo waved his hand and moved forward like an elusive ghost. He effortlessly evaded the bushes and shrubs without making the slightest sound.
Aobashi followed closely behind Han Shuo. She looked at Han Shuo with a somewhat complicated gaze. She seemed to be rather astonished by Han Shuo's miraculous performance. She could not understand how this youngster who had just arrived in the City of Shadows possessed so many secrets.
Behind Aobashi was Andrina. Behind Andrina were Blightsoar and Erebus. Although Andrina's strength was slightly stronger than Aobashi's, as a god cultivating in the energy of wind, she was the most adept at flying. Lightness was her specialty. Therefore, it was Aobashi who left Andrina behind.
None of the party spoke a word. They carefully observed their surroundings and followed closely behind Han Shuo as though he was walking into his own home.
Gradually, the party started to believe what Han Shuo had said. They discovered that Han Shuo could navigate through the shrubs and ancient trees with great ease. It was as though he was taking a stroll in his own backyard. From his behavior, the party believed that Han Shuo knew this area like the back of his hand.
Han Shuo's flying figure suddenly came to a halt. He turned around and gestured for the party to keep quiet.
When they finally arrived next to Han Shuo, he pointed at a large tree in front of him and softly said, "There's an Observer hiding above the third branch. Who's going to kill him?"
"I'll do it!" Aobashi drifted away like a wisp of a ghost in the shadows.
All of a sudden, Aobashi appeared at the area Han Shuo pointed at. She lightly patted the branch with her fair, jade-like left hand. Crack! The tree shook slightly.
The corners of Aobashi's mouth curled into a faint smile. She turned to Han Shuo and nodded, indicating that the job was done.
Erebus and Blightsoar were full of smiles. Their gazes when they looked at Han Shuo were filled with admiration. Aobashi's gesture proved that Han Shuo's judgment was correct and that the Observer was indeed there. For Han Shuo to be able to detect a god hiding in a large tree, Blightsoar and Erebus no longer had any doubts.
"Not bad, kid!" Erebus lightly hammered Han Shuo's shoulder and praised in a low voice.
"Continue, follow me!" Han Shuo calmly gestured at Aobashi from afar and continued moving forward.
Another seven godhunters were silently killed by the party. Those godhunters who thought that they had been hiding in the dark didn't even know when they were exposed until the very end.
Han Shuo stopped again and said in a serious manner, "From here on out, there will be boundary towers and energy towers. Andrina, it's all up to you now!"
"Don't worry, not a single message will be sent out from the energy towers!" Andrina proudly replied.
"Alright then. Everyone, continue to be careful!" Han Shuo nodded. As they walked deeper into the valley, he repeatedly pointed out the direction of the energy towers to Andrina. Sure enough, Andrina did not disappoint him. Every time she closed her eyes and paused for a moment, one of the energy towers would lose its function.
Using this method, the party finally reached the deepest part of the valley. There was an enormous cold lake with murky water. The walls of the lake were filled with bottomless caves that looked like a beehive from afar. After a rough estimation, they found that there were dozens of them.
Some of the caves had human figures in front of them, while others only revealed a small gap.
"We're here!" Han Shuo cried in a low voice. Soon after, he bunched his brows and said, "The godhunters should be in those caves. It won't be easy to search through so many caves one by one. I'll leave it to you guys to decide what to do next!"
Han Shuo had perfectly accomplished his mission by leading the party to this place without alerting a single godhunter.
"There's something strange about this godhunter base. It's clearly different from the ones we've seen before. It seems that we've caught a big fish this time, hehe!" Erebus licked his lips and appeared rather excited.
"Let's wait for everyone to arrive first," Aobashi said in a calm voice. Aobashi's expression was calm. She said in a low voice, "Bryan, you have made a great contribution this time. I will report this to the City Lord after this matter is over. The City Lord will reward you accordingly. He will give you a great contribution!"
"Let's not talk about this for now. Let's talk about it after we've annihilated those godhunters!" Han Shuo wore an indifferent face. He did not show the slightest bit of emotion after hearing Aobashi's words. His cold eyes gazed at the caves and he secretly mobilized his demon generals.
A few minutes later, the divine guards who were lagging behind quietly arrived. They kept a large distance from the lake and searched for hiding spots to observe the commotion at the lake.
Andrina was brimming with killing intent. Her face was as cold as the lake not far away. She hatefully said, "I will kill every last one of them today! Those damned godhunters!"
"There are too many caves. It's not practical to search through them one by one. We also don't know if there are any intersections. Should we go in?" Blightsoar asked softly after a moment of silence.
"Let Eugene come. It seems that the godhunters are all inside the caves. Eugene also has a hundred divine guards. Perhaps the battle won't spread to the outside. Let's concentrate our forces," suggested Han Shuo after thinking for a moment.
The party thought for a moment and nodded. When Blightsoar saw that Han Shuo and the others were looking at him, he immediately came to a realization. He turned around and instructed a divine guard behind him, "Go back the way we came. Get Eugene and his men here!"
The divine guard did not say a word and hastily left. About ten minutes later, Eugene arrived with his men.
After taking a look at the caves, Eugene knew that Han Shuo's judgment was correct. This was definitely one of the godhunters' strongholds. Eugene was very curious about how Han Shuo and his party were able to sneak in undetected. However, he did not ask too many questions. Eugene rubbed his hands and said in a gloomy face, "What are we waiting for? Let's kill our way in! "
"There are too many caves. It would be unwise to charge in without knowing the situation inside. Why don't we force them to come out and fight them outside? Since they are all inside the caves, we will be like a turtle in a jar. We won't have to worry about any tricks, "suggested Erebus.
It was obvious that the party felt that Erebus' idea was more feasible. Upon hearing those words, Aobashi, Blightsoar, Han Shuo, and Andrina all nodded in agreement to Erebus' idea.
"First, disperse your men and guard the areas along the way. Then, we will force them out!" instructed Aobashi.
The divine guards dispersed and guarded the areas along the way. When everything was in order, Aobashi nodded and said to Erebus, "Get them out!"
Under the watchful eyes of the party, Erebus took out a pitch-black spear and infused his divine energy into it. The pitch-black spear transformed into a streak of black radiance and shot towards the largest cave.
"Boom …" An earth-shattering explosion resounded in the valley. The spear pierced through the entrance of the cave, causing the rubble to fly everywhere. It was a huge commotion.
"Enemies!" "Oh no!" "What's going on?"
Panicked screams could be heard from the caves. In the blink of an eye, one figure after another appeared at the cave entrances. Those people had fierce and ruthless gazes. It was obvious that they were the godhunters they were looking for!
"It's them!" cried Blightsoar in a deep voice.
"Ranged attack!" Shouted Aobashi. A gale so fierce that it seemed to be able to cleave a mountain apart suddenly arose. The gale charged at the caves.
The whistling of the fierce wind was extremely ear-piercing, as if it wanted to tear one's eardrums. Everywhere it passed, ancient trees that were hundreds of meters tall were snapped, and the bushes looked as if they were cut by knives, sending grass and leaves flying everywhere.
Grim Gale was extremely fast and ferocious. The sharpest of his attacks traversed hundreds of meters in the blink of an eye and penetrated into several caves. Two godhunters were killed on the spot and three others were forcibly dragged out of the caves by Grim Gale. They fell unsteadily into the frigid lake below.
The godhunters who were involuntarily falling towards the lake started shrieking in fear.
Plop! Plop! Plop! After three loud sounds, the bodies of three godhunters sank into the lake.
Three plumes of thick smoke rose from where they landed. Their miserable screams suddenly became even more shrill. Their bodies rapidly melted. Large chunks of skin and flesh fell off. In the blink of an eye, they had turned into three skeletons that sank into the lake!
Everyone's faces jolted. Their eyes were filled with apprehension as they looked at the lake. Those who were about to charge into the cave immediately stopped in their tracks, fearing that they would be struck by the godhunters and fall into the lake.
"Be careful of the lake! Ranged attack!" shouted Aobashi.
Rays of light, bone spikes, and puffs of black smoke shot out from the dense shrubbery and trees towards the godhunters at the cave entrance. In the blink of an eye, a dozen or so godhunters were killed. Two of them, who seemed to be trying to charge out, were struck midway and fell into the frigid pond. They were immediately reduced to skeletons.
Han Shuo did not pay attention to the battle. Instead, he stared at the lake and said in a low voice, "The poison in the lake is exactly the same as the poison produced by the Godswamp Pharmacy in the City of Shadows. It seems that my guess is correct. The Godswamp Pharmacy is indeed related to the godhunters!"
"Brian, are you sure that the Godswamp Pharmacy's poison is in the lake?" Erebus' face turned dark and he hastily asked.
"I have seen that poison before. I can't be wrong!" Replied Han Shuo resolutely. He glanced at Eugene who was wearing an ugly expression and said in a gloomy voice, "It seems that there's something fishy about the master of the Godswamp Pharmacy!"
"You are slandering me!" Eugene retorted, "The Godswamp Pharmacy in the City of Shadows was created by Steiss. What does it have to do with Hassling?"
"Does Hassling have a head full of white hair but skin as clear as jade?" Han Shuo suddenly asked.
"You have seen him? Hassling has always kept a low profile. How did you see him? "Eugene asked curiously.
It couldn't be wrong, it was him! Han Shuo thought to himself.
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