"Evil Monarch, what are you trying to do? We’ve minded our own, are you trying to fight me?"

The expert from the Blood Phoenix Race, Chi Huang, shouted sternly.

"It’s not that I want to fight you all, but you have provoked me too much. I painstakingly had Wuxiang contact you, but upon meeting, you decided to leave, not giving me any face. How should I feel about this?"

The middle-aged scholar said calmly.

"Venerable Wuxiang, you..."

"You have actually pledged allegiance to Evil Monarch Wenti?"

Everyone was shocked and angry, looking at Venerable Wuxiang.

Venerable Wuxiang smiled slightly, saying, "He who knows the times is a fine man. Everyone, my master has profound strength and great ambition, he is the first below the Saints, known for his grand ambitions to conquer the four seas and sweep the eight directions. He is destined to enter the Ancient Saint Realm. Pledging allegiance to my master isn’t necessarily a bad choice."

"You!"

"What a fine Venerable Wuxiang!"

Everyone shouted in anger.

Jiang Shi’s mind began to turn, quickly piecing together a general idea.

This Evil Monarch Wenti seems to be some great demon.

However, his strength seems yet to reach the Saint Realm.

Only being the first below the Saint Realm!

"It’s useless to say more. Before everyone now are two paths. First, cooperation with my master. Second, I act myself. But by then, I fear you all will be in a difficult position."

Venerable Wuxiang said calmly.

"Enough, whether they agree or not, I still have to put in some effort."

The middle-aged scholar sighed lightly, and one finger instantly pointed out.

Perhaps knowing his fearsome power, at the instant his finger pointed out, everyone present turned and fled without thinking, each maximizing their speed.

However, the middle-aged scholar’s finger, as if capable of sealing space, emitted an eerie divine light, instantly splitting into seven, rapidly shooting towards the bodies of the seven present.

Puff, puff, puff, puff, puff!

In an instant!

All seven silhouettes were hit.

No matter what secret techniques they used, no matter the methods they employed, defenses and resistance were all ineffectual.

Even Jiang Shi’s Space Sacred Technique became powerless as an eerie divine light instantly entered his body.

Jiang Shi’s expression changed.

Power of Space!

The opponent also understands the Power of Space!

And it is more mysterious than his own.

In an instant, he felt that divine light penetrate his soul, leaving a faint white mark deep within his soul.

"Soul Restriction!"

His heart weighed heavily.

The middle-aged scholar directly implanted the Soul Restriction into himself and others.

Instinctively, he wanted to use [Soul Devouring Talent] to devour, but soon his movements paused, quickly stopping.

Given the mysterious power of the middle-aged scholar, immediate resistance would likely become a target for retaliation.

If he were to strike cruelly next time, it would be certainly undesired.

"Evil Monarch, you’ve actually controlled us?"

Shen Ao revealed a surprised look, gazing at the middle-aged scholar.

The others also paled, hearts frightened.

After being absent for many years, Evil Monarch seems closer to becoming a Saint.

Such power, and the true Ancient Saints seem not too distant...

"To let myself smoothly acquire the Black Tortoise Essence, I had no choice but to take this step. Now, with my Soul Restriction on you all, you have no choice but to join me in hunting down the Holy Beast Black Tortoise!"

Evil Monarch Wenti’s tone was calm, his scholarly robes softly swirling, releasing waves of unique aura.

Everyone’s expressions grew dark, heads hung low and silent.

If possible, they’d likely devour Venerable Wuxiang alive...

But now, there’s no option but to proceed!

...

Vast ruins.

Endless sight.

Seven or eight silhouettes reluctantly followed Evil Monarch’s lead, marching in the distance, each displaying a somber face.

Several days passed.

They finally halted outside an endless Mist Sea.

Looking around.

Behold the white expanse, mist rolling boundlessly like an ocean of mist, sight unable to pierce through its depths.

It’s as if the entire white fog contained a mysterious power that obstructed all vision.

"Endless Sea of Fog!"

Evil Monarch Wenti clasped his hands behind his back, his tone gentle, saying, "It’s said that after being severely injured, the Black Tortoise Holy Beast has been sleeping in this Endless Sea of Fog. To widen the search area, I have cast four ships here. Let’s partner up in pairs and board the array ships into this Endless Sea of Fog."

Jiang Shi observed.

On one side of the vast Mist Sea were seven small boats, completely black, inscribed with dense array text, all floating.

It seems that these array texts contained incredible power.

"Let’s go, paired up and aboard the ships!"

Evil Monarch Wenti’s voice rang out, he had already moved towards one of the small ships.

Venerable Wuxiang, smiling widely, immediately boarded the same ship as Evil Monarch Wenti.

The others showed dark expressions, moving forward onto the ships.

"Scram! I’m not used to sharing a ship with the weak!"

Zhao Jingang, his temper fiery, already angered by Evil Monarch, sent a slap as Jiang Shi approached.

Without looking, Jiang Shi returned the slap.

Bang!

Crack!

Zhao Jingang’s face changed, emitting a painful groan, his hand shattered like an egg, minced by Jiang Shi, with all bones and flesh flying chaotically, twisting his expression in pain.