Chapter 3545: Exploration Mission

The eighth‑grade Item, even if Ye Liuyun uses all of his Divine Core, can only fire one arrow; the high grade brings great power, but it also drains Divine Core.

"That's it, it's already upgraded, no need to revert it!" Ye Liuyun also didn't let them downgrade the grade.

He also wanted a refiner to help modify his Storage Yuan Stone, but he hasn't found that material in the Taixu World, and Divine Realm material can't withstand Taixu World pressure, so he had to put it off for now.

Previously his Storage Yuan Stone could store a bit of Divine Core, but for his current realm it is of little use now.

His Nine‑Dragon Swallowing Heaven Tripod hasn't been modified for the time being; he hasn't needed to refine anything lately nor practice alchemy, so there's no need to touch it now.

After upgrading the Item, Ye Liuyun immediately led the group to undertake another mission: to explore a place called Sheng Mo Gu and draw a map of it.

Ye Liuyun has always been very interested in places no one has explored; each visit yields plenty of good resources. Moreover, this mission was issued by the Royal Mansion, with a generous bounty, definitely worth the adventure.

Although Ye Liuyun knows that orders from the Royal Mansion are never easy to fulfill; if it were that easy, the Royal Mansion would just send a few people to handle it without publishing it.

The Martial Cultivators captured by Ye Liuyun all wore mournful faces; one, bold enough, warned Ye Liuyun: "Master, no one knows what dangers lie in Sheng Mo Gu; no one who entered has ever returned…"

"Hmm, let's go check it out first; if it doesn't work, we'll say so!" Ye Liuyun remained as calmly as ever.

The Monster Beasts are accustomed to adventuring with Ye Liuyun and don't mind; even Chen Yueying has been influenced by Ye Liuyun to no longer fear danger.

Sheng Mo Gu lies outside the city; they must take a Flying Boat to get there, so Ye Liuyun only let a few Mercenaries left outside pilot the Flying Boat, while the others and the Monster Beasts were recalled to the Space World, outfitted with high‑grade armor as a precaution.

Xu Rong was startled when he learned Ye Liuyun was heading to Sheng Mo Gu, but seeing Ye Liuyun's resolute demeanor, he fell silent, quietly using the time to cultivate, clearly very nervous.

Thus, upon arrival, Ye Liuyun didn't release all the Monster Beasts at once; he only took Lei Ming, Qiong Qi, Chen Yueying, and Xu Rong. Qiong Qi helped watch for Formation traps, and Lei Ming used his Golden Pupil to scout.

He released the ferocious beasts Black Panther, Qingshe, and the Mastiff. These beasts are more sensitive to danger and might detect threats early.

"Xu Rong, cover the rear; you few, scout ahead!"

Ye Liuyun didn't bother the Mercenaries politely; he issued the order outright, using a Slave Seal to control them. Even if reluctant, they must grit their teeth and act as cannon fodder up front.

Their Flying Boat halted before a narrow valley, and it is said this gorge is only the outer rim of Sheng Mo Gu. Yet even this outer rim is extremely perilous; many Mercenary groups cannot even pass it.

The sky above the valley is a solid black, looking grim and terrifying. Even when Ye Liuyun levitates, he cannot see the full layout of Sheng Mo Gu.

The Demon Qi within the valley is denser; without his Golden Pupil he couldn't see inside at all. Yet his Golden Pupil only reveals a stone‑strewn passage, and he hasn't yet spotted any danger.

The Mercenaries tiptoed into the gorge, their hearts lodged in their throats.

"Everyone else, keep up; don't fall too far behind!"

Ye Liuyun and Lei Ming, relying on their Golden Pupils, kept the others behind those Mercenaries so distance wouldn't impair their sight.

The rest, once inside the gorge, had their vision blocked by Demon Qi, only seeing within three zhang around them.

"Uhh…"

They hadn't gone far into the gorge when the Mastiff let out a low warning bark.

"

"Stop!"

Ye Liuyun immediately ordered the front Mercenaries to halt.

"There's a Lightning Strike aura!" the Mastiff reported to Ye Liuyun.

"Good, it's a Lightning Strike aura, and it's growing stronger!" Lei Ming also confirmed to Ye Liuyun.

Ye Liuyun fully activated his Golden Pupil to look skyward, but could only see a black cloud layer; beyond that his sight was blocked by Demon Qi.

Demon Qi is also energy. Ye Liuyun and Lei Ming felt at ease here, even absorbing some Demon Qi. Xu Rong was the same, able to absorb Demon Qi for cultivation.

"Prepare to absorb Lightning Strike power; have your Thunder God Hammer ready. We'll continue and rendezvous with the Mercenaries!"

Ye Liuyun gave Lei Ming a brief instruction, then immediately led the group forward to merge with the front Mercenaries.

Although those Mercenaries are cannon fodder, Ye Liuyun won't easily let them die while protecting them.

"Keep moving; if Lightning Strike hits, all of you converge on me!"

Ye Liuyun gave the Mercenaries a command and led everyone onward.

Soon, a muffled thunder reverberated in the sky. Ye Liuyun had already sensed the Thunder and Lightning Power above and could clearly feel its intensity, which didn't seem very strong.

They moved slowly and cautiously, fearing there might be other dangers as well.

Ye Liuyun not only used his Golden Pupil to see the path but also to scan the cliffs and sky, his eyes becoming overwhelmed. So he released Bai Hu and Long Nv as well, letting them help scout the surroundings.

After a burst of muffled thunder, Ye Liuyun promptly reminded Lei Ming: "Lei Ming, prepare to manifest your true form to block the Lightning Strike!"

"Alright!"

Lei Ming responded, and when the first bolt of Lightning Strike descended, he rushed forward, manifesting his true form into a massive Thunder Dragon Beast that shielded the group from above.

However, this amount of Lightning Strike power didn't need to be blocked; his Thunder God Hammer simply absorbed it.

"Keep moving forward; don't stop!"

Ye Liuyun urged the stalled Mercenaries onward, leading the group forward. With Bai Hu and Long Nv assisting in scouting, their pace quickened.

As they advanced, the Thunder and Lightning Power above grew stronger. Its density increased, overwhelming the Thunder God Hammer; some bolts slipped through, striking Lei Ming, who readily absorbed them.

Subsequently, the Lightning Strike bombarded a stretch of the gorge, leaving no escape, continuously raining down above Ye Liuyun's party.

The Lightning Strike grew even stronger, escalating to violet thunder as thick as a water bucket; at this intensity, even first‑rank Martial Cultivators of the Tai Xu World struggled to endure the relentless attacks.

"Keep moving; don't stop!"

Ye Liuyun, however, has recently suffered serious transcoding, giving us more drive, faster updates; please move your little hand to exit reading mode. Thank you.