The patch of scorched blackness continued to spread, rapidly pursuing the group, its edges always just a hair's breadth from engulfing his legs.
Later, as they ascended into the air, the scorched blackness still spread below, accompanied by a creeping shadow that advanced in tandem, chasing them relentlessly.
The Fire Demon did not look back, but he could clearly feel the shadow threatening him, and he cried out in panic, "Help! Help!"
There was no one else to save him but himself, so he ran forward with all his might.
The others also ran for their lives. Fortunately, after a moment, the patch of scorched blackness stopped spreading.
All danger vanished instantly!
This scene was exactly the same as the last time in the Tongtian Secret Realm.
Last time, they had thought it was some kind of heavenly tribulation, but now it seemed it was nothing of the sort.
As everyone, still shaken, looked back, the ground was scorched black, and everything had turned to nothing.
Mo Qi recalled that when the scorched blackness first appeared, General Duan and General Feng had their faces change drastically, as if they knew something.
Mo Qi asked, "Do you know what this is?"
Generals Duan and Feng's eyes were filled with terror. They could only shake their heads and dared not speak.
Mo Qi understood immediately; it was the Mei!
He wouldn't force them, as that would lead to their deaths.
After all the effort to gain two loyal "mounts," he couldn't let them die so easily.
He had to be responsible for them!
"Come here, you two. I want to see what restrictions you have on you and if I can help you remove them," Mo Qi said enthusiastically.
However, these two clearly did not believe in Mo Qi's abilities. They thought that since their strength was comparable, or even slightly inferior, to his, how could he possibly remove restrictions that they themselves couldn't break?
Therefore, neither of them moved. They merely shook their hands politely and said, "No need!"
"Stop the nonsense and come here!" Mo Qi roared.
Mo Qi had established soul contracts with them. With just a thought, they could be instantly turned to ash.
Thus, the two dared not delay any longer and immediately rushed over.
Earthlings were generally short. Standing before Mo Qi, these two were like adults with two children.
The two felt very uncomfortable, so they simultaneously turned around, their backs to Mo Qi.
Unexpectedly, this turn became a stroke of genius. Mo Qi activated his Heavenly Eye and instantly saw a black line on each of their backs.
Mo Qi then placed his hand on General Feng's back and channeled his spiritual energy, carefully trying to draw the black line out. This seemed even more difficult than the silkworm-drawing technique used in alchemy.
The black line initially remained motionless, then slowly began to move. It was also extremely fragile, as if it were about to break. Yet, he dared not exert too much force. Without force, it remained still. It was truly vexing.
After a long time, he was covered in sweat, but he still couldn't extract the black line.
General Feng had initially felt a slight movement on his back and was somewhat excited, thinking there was hope. Later, when there was no movement for a long time, he gradually became disappointed.
"Alas, how difficult it is to remove this restriction! If it were so easy, we would have removed it long ago," General Feng murmured.
General Duan also said, "This is the pain of most of our tribesmen!"
Mo Qi finally sighed and gave up!
He had never encountered such a difficult silkworm-drawing process. If drawing silk were this hard, he would have abandoned alchemy long ago.
At this moment, he suddenly thought of Lu Xiaoyue. What exactly had she encountered in the Tongtian Secret Realm?
Could it be that the Mei's lair was located there?
If that were the case, then the Tongtian Secret Realm would have to be visited again.
The strength of the Mei was unimaginably powerful. It was an unknown variable how much his cultivation would need to reach to be able to fight them. However, it was certain that the higher his strength, the lower the danger.
Therefore, he had to quickly improve his cultivation. There were several places to quickly increase his cultivation: Hongdu Sect, Shendu Sect, and Xindu Sect.
He decided to go to Shendu Sect first.
With this thought, he turned to tell Murong Yanran his idea.
As a result, black mist suddenly appeared above Murong Yanran's head, then spread throughout her body. She suddenly collapsed to the ground, her body convulsing.
Mo Qi was at a loss. Just as he was about to step forward to pick her up, she suddenly stopped convulsing.
The black mist also disappeared from her body. Whether it had dissipated or been absorbed was unknown.
Mo Qi stepped forward, pulled her up, and asked with concern, "What's wrong?"
Murong Yanran was also bewildered, "I don't know either. Am I sick? It doesn't feel like it!"
Generals Duan and Feng's eyes widened simultaneously, filled with terror, "This is their restriction! You've been hit by a restriction."
Murong Yanran and Mo Qi realized almost simultaneously who "they" referred to: the Mei!
Murong Yanran was already pale with fright, her whole body trembling.
The death of Tuoba Wen had been too shocking, and the memory still sent shivers down his spine.
Mo Qi secretly activated his Heavenly Eye and glanced at her back. Indeed, there was a black line!
His heart sank to the bottom.
"What exactly did you do just now?" Mo Qi asked with a frown.
"I didn't do anything," Murong Yanran shook her head weakly. "I just absorbed a few Tongtian Talisman Seals, and then ran with you all. Could it be that I was accidentally hit by that shadow while escaping?"
Mo Qi shook his head, "No. You were running alongside me at the time. If you had been affected, I would have been too."
Generals Duan and Feng both said in unison, "It's that talisman seal, it must be that talisman seal! This is bad!"
Mo Qi also felt a chill down his spine!
If that talisman seal was problematic, how many people in the world would be affected!
"Now you don't have to worry. So many people are with you," Mo Qi said, patting Murong Yanran's shoulder.
Murong Yanran gave a wry smile, "Husband, you're really good at comforting people. I'm not scared anymore!"
Mo Qi also smiled wryly, "I'll find a way. I almost succeeded just now when I tried to help them remove their restrictions."
However, his words were taken to heart by Murong Yanran. She immediately became spirited, her face full of smiles, "I believe in you, husband. In my heart, you've always been omnipotent!"
Her words, however, made Mo Qi feel uncertain!
"Really... Yes, I also feel like I'm omnipotent," Mo Qi said absentmindedly.
Afterward, Mo Qi and the others headed towards Shendu Sect.
Dugu Sheng had narrowly escaped that massacre. However, upon returning to Shendu Sect, he felt a sense of impending doom. The sect's core members had all died in the melee, and the forces behind him had clearly abandoned him. A strong sense of crisis washed over him. Without time to notify his family, he packed a few belongings and fled alone.
When Mo Qi and his group arrived at Shendu Sect, only a group of low-level disciples remained. A few elderly disciples guarded the entrance, their hair white, their bodies emaciated, swaying unsteadily as they walked. Their appearance was alarming, making one fear they might collapse at any moment.
Mo Qi approached one of them and asked, "Is your sect leader here?"
"Ah? What did you say? You want to cry? Go ahead and cry, I'm listening."
Mo Qi raised his voice, "How many people are left in your sect?"
"Why do you care how many people there are? If you want to cry, then cry! Isn't it enough for me to listen alone?"
"I've come to take over Shendu Sect. Your sect leader sold out his subordinates for personal gain and broke his vows. He's not worth your loyalty. Are you willing to follow me?"
"Follow you? I'm not going anywhere. I'm right here. I can't walk anymore."
Mo Qi was utterly speechless!
The old man spoke again, "Didn't you want to cry? Are you asking me to cry with you?"
Mo Qi slapped his forehead, his head aching!
Talking was too much effort!
Mo Qi then wrote a banner: "Destroy Shendu Sect." Generals Duan and Feng pulled it forward, while he and Murong Yanran followed slowly behind.
As a result, they passed through unimpeded.
Some people saw them from afar and immediately detoured.
Some people stared blankly for a moment, then walked away as if nothing had happened.
Some people came up to ask Mo Qi what the writing said.
Mo Qi felt annoyed and ignored them, telling them to ask Murong Yanran.
Murong Yanran felt that these words were too difficult to say, so she replied, "It says not to talk to strangers."
"Don't try to fool me. Although I can't read, there are clearly only four words on it, and you've told me eight."