CHAPTER 585: CHAPTER 572 BLACK DEMON LOCUST_1

Ever since they entered the Netherworld, they had been continuously battling and fleeing. Their bodies were caked with blood, filth, and dust, and had yet to be washed clean.

So, when Shen Mei saw the pond, she wanted to bathe. Of course, this was understandable. After all, as a woman, and a beautiful one at that, the love for beauty and cleanliness was natural.

Shen Mei spoke again, "If it’s truly not possible, it’s alright. I can endure it."

"It’s fine. I also think we could all use a wash." Qin Feiyang smiled, jumped down from the rock, and cautiously approached the pond.

He hadn’t paid much attention to such things before, but after Shen Mei mentioned it and he looked at everyone’s disheveled state, he agreed they indeed needed to clean up. However, any number of dangers could lurk in the water, so it was essential to scout it out first.

The pond wasn’t far, and Qin Feiyang quickly reached its edge. The water was very clear, about fifty-six meters wide. Aquatic plants grew around the perimeter, but the bottom was not visible.

Qin Feiyang observed for a while. The water surface remained calm, giving a sense of tranquility. However, he didn’t enter rashly. He found a nearby basin-sized stone and tossed it into the pond.

Instantly, water splashed everywhere. The stone quickly sank towards the bottom. But even after a while, it hadn’t reached the bottom, indicating the pond was incredibly deep.

Should I go in and check? Qin Feiyang hesitated.

Finally, he gritted his teeth, leaped, and jumped straight into the pond, swiftly descending towards the bottom.

The water was unexpectedly tranquil, with no sign of any creatures. But the calmer it was, the more cautious Qin Feiyang became. He even drew Blue Snow, just in case.

About two hundred breaths later, he finally saw the bottom of the pond. The moment he saw it, he stopped abruptly, horror filling his eyes!

At the bottom of the pond, there was an enormous pile of White Bone! The stone he had tossed in earlier now rested on top of the White Bone.

Qin Feiyang scanned them, and a chill ran down his spine. The White Bone included human skulls and the craniums of beasts. It was like a scene from hell, terrifying enough to make anyone freeze in their tracks. This was proof enough that the pond wasn’t safe.

But where exactly did the danger lie? At the bottom of the pond, Qin Feiyang only saw White Bone, no other creatures. He wanted to go down and investigate, but an inner voice warned him against taking the risk.

After a moment of indecision, he decisively swam towards the surface.

But suddenly, he stopped again. He looked towards the left side of the pond bottom, a hint of surprise in his eyes. Over there, a ray of light seemed to appear, but it vanished in the blink of an eye.

Was it an illusion?

Qin Feiyang frowned.

The next instant, the light reappeared, only to vanish again.

It’s not an illusion! His spirits lifted, Qin Feiyang immediately swam to the left, maintaining a distance from the bottom. This shimmering light could be some kind of treasure!

As he drew closer, the light became more distinct. Vaguely, Qin Feiyang could see a glowing object at the bottom of the pond!

There really is a treasure! Qin Feiyang was overjoyed, but he didn’t lose his composure. He approached slowly, Blue Snow held tightly in his hand.

A few moments later, he finally got a clear view of the glowing object. It was actually a flower!

The flower was about the size of a palm, rooted in a patch of mud, and resembled a snow lotus. It had only three petals, each like a crystal carving, flawless. Moreover, it radiated a hazy glow. Despite growing in mud, it was untainted and astonishingly beautiful.

What kind of flower is this? How can it grow in such a place? And it looks somewhat familiar... Qin Feiyang was captivated. He was certain of one thing: this flower was no ordinary item!

After carefully observing the surroundings and seeing no other creatures, Qin Feiyang slowly approached the flower. But just as he was about to grab it, he stiffened, as if he had spotted something terrifying. He quickly withdrew his arm and shot towards the surface without a second thought!

At the same instant he withdrew his arm, the mud near the flower began to churn violently.

WHOOSH!!!

Immediately after, a group of mysterious creatures darted out from the mud and shot towards Qin Feiyang like lightning.

These mysterious creatures were as long as chopsticks and as thick as a thumb, pitch-black as ink. They resembled snakes, but were not snakes. They had no scales or eyes. However, they could clearly sense Qin Feiyang’s presence and pursued him relentlessly.

Damn it. Qin Feiyang looked down at the mysterious creatures, his expression grim. What are these creepy things?

These creatures were fast, but still a fraction slower than him.

After a moment, Qin Feiyang broke through the water’s surface and quickly clambered ashore. Once ashore, he stopped running. He stood at the pond’s edge, surveying the water as red Sword Qi surged around him.

"What’s happening?" Fatty and the others rushed over, puzzled.

Without turning his head, Qin Feiyang said, "Stay back! Be ready to flee at any moment."

"Flee?" The three of them exchanged glances. Could there be some dangerous beast in the pond?

At this thought, Ren Wushuang shivered and shouted, "There’s trouble! Everyone, on guard!"

Instantaneously, everyone snapped their eyes open, rose, and assumed a defensive stance.

WHOOSH!!!

Almost simultaneously, the swarm of mysterious creatures burst from the pond, rushing towards Qin Feiyang.

"What?"

"Black Demon Locusts!"

Seeing this, not far away, Fatty and the others paled. Black Demon Locusts, much like Blood Locusts, could burrow into a living being and suck it dry of blood, eventually killing it. But Black Demon Locusts were far more terrifying. Their bodies were incredibly tough, making it difficult for ordinary weapons to breach their defenses. Most importantly, they could absorb not only blood but also Battle Intent!

Fatty yelled, "Boss, don’t get tangled up with them! Let’s go!"

"We can’t leave yet," Qin Feiyang murmured, his red Sword Qi transforming into a raging torrent that hurtled towards the Black Demon Locusts.

At that moment, the Black Demon Locusts began to absorb his Battle Intent! However, some Black Demon Locusts were sliced into pieces and fell into the pond.

However! These Black Demon Locusts were also known to possess undying bodies! Even if chopped into pieces, they would regenerate. Furthermore, each piece would form a new, independent entity. For instance, if one Black Demon Locust was cut in half, it would become two. Unless burned to ashes, killing them only caused them to multiply! This was what made the Black Demon Locusts so terrifying!

"Qin Feiyang, you can’t exterminate these damned things! We must retreat now!" Dong Zhengyang also roared anxiously.

"Not necessarily," Qin Feiyang mumbled. The red Sword Qi retracted, and fiery Battle Intent surged out, sweeping towards them like a tidal wave.

However, swarms of Black Demon Locusts rushed forward relentlessly. As one wave was incinerated, another took its place. They even dared to absorb the fiery Battle Intent. What was more alarming was that as they continuously absorbed Battle Intent, their bodies grew larger and more menacing! Several Black Demon Locusts had already swollen to the thickness of an arm, a horrifying sight!

"They can absorb Battle Intent, but they can’t absorb real flames. Why not use real fire on them?" someone suggested.

"Burning them with ordinary fire only works on common locusts. But these Black Demon Locusts... even ordinary sharp weapons can’t cut through their bodies, let alone common flames," Dong Zhengyang immediately rejected the idea.

Shen Mei frowned. "Does that mean Black Demon Locusts are essentially invincible?"

"You could say that," Dong Zhengyang nodded.

Burn them? Qin Feiyang paused; this gave him an idea. Ordinary fire doesn’t work, and fiery Battle Intent doesn’t work... what about Dan fire? Dan fire isn’t a type of Battle Intent. Could it effectively stop these Black Demon Locusts from regenerating?

With this thought, the Netherworld Demon Flame appeared at his command. The temperature released by a Fifth Grade Dan fire was astounding. As soon as the Netherworld Demon Flame appeared, the ambient temperature soared, instantly turning the area into a giant furnace! The surrounding bushes and wild grass visibly withered and then burst into flames.

Within a few breaths, the place had become a sea of fire!

"What grade is that Dan fire?"

"The heat it’s giving off... even I can barely stand it!" Wu Yan and the others at the resting place were utterly horrified.

Meanwhile, Lu Xingchen stared at the Netherworld Demon Flame, his eyes shining. "If I’m not mistaken, that Dan fire should be Fifth Grade!"

"What?"

"Fifth Grade!"

Everyone was dumbfounded. In the entire Spirit State, the highest-grade Dan fire was only found in the Inner Sanctum, and it was merely Fourth Grade.

Where on earth did Qin Feiyang get a Fifth Grade Dan fire? Could it be from the Yun State?

The appearance of the Netherworld Demon Flame indeed had a significant effect. The Black Demon Locusts were no longer as frenzied. Some circled Qin Feiyang warily. Others retreated to the pond, floating on the surface and watching him intently. Only a small portion of the Black Demon Locusts continued to charge Qin Feiyang. Among them were those that had swollen to the thickness of an arm and faintly exuded the aura of a King.

Qin Feiyang’s gaze locked onto them, his eyes filled with killing intent. He couldn’t let them continue to grow, or they would undoubtedly become a threat.

CLANG!

Just as those few Black Demon Locusts closed in, he raised his arm. Blue Snow flashed like lightning, and the locusts were instantly sliced into pieces.

Immediately after, with a thought, he sent the Netherworld Demon Flame rushing forward. The terrifying heat enveloped the fragments, quickly incinerating them to ash!

This spectacle seemed to terrify the other Black Demon Locusts, and they all retreated into the pond.

"Hmph!" Qin Feiyang snorted. With a wave of his hand, the Netherworld Demon Flame transformed into a streak of light and plunged directly into the pond.

At that moment, the pond water began to boil. Bubbles gushed to the surface, and wisps of white steam rose into the air.

"What is he trying to do?" everyone wondered in surprise.

Lu Xingchen said, "He’s probably trying to evaporate all the water in the pond."

"Why would he do that? Just to deal with Black Demon Locusts? Isn’t that pointless?" Everyone couldn’t help but frown.

Fatty snorted inwardly, his eyes filled with disdain. Pointless? What a joke. The Boss never does anything meaningless. There must be something in that pond that caught his eye!

WHOOSH!

With a quick step, he darted towards Qin Feiyang.