Chapter 374 – The Beast That Defies Life and Death

Tenth Floor Center, Inside the Canyon.

This was the place with the most concentrated demonic energy in the entire Midnight Labyrinth.

Within this canyon, the originally intangible demonic energy had become so dense that it materialized, resembling wisps of black mist that permeated the area, exuding dangerous, terrifying, and violent aura.

Under the influence of this aura, even Upper-Rank Professionals felt somewhat oppressed, let alone lower-rank ones.

After arranging all support personnel outside the canyon, ready to provide backup at any time, Su Ming’s group entered this place.

There were nine people in total who entered.

First were the three Six-Star Professionals from 『Summer Chasing Smoke』 — Xu Xiayan, Wang Di, and Wang Qian.

Next was one Six-Star Professional from 『Brocade Dragon Jade Pavilion』 — Qiao Liang.

Then came one Six-Star Professional from 『Iron Rose』 — Zhu Qian.

Followed by one Six-Star Professional from 『Azure Mercury』 — Chi Qian.

Plus Su Ming, Bai Ruxiang, and Bai Xiaoyan — making nine people in total who entered the canyon together, arriving at this place overflowing with demonic energy.

The remaining people, including Mu Yan, Feng Qing’er, and Tong Xinyao, all stayed outside to provide support.

As soon as they entered this place, while the Upper-Rank Professionals could manage, Bai Ruxiang and Bai Xiaoyan — being lower-rank Professionals — were struggling.

The dense demonic energy permeating the air seemed to affect them, making them feel mentally oppressed and somewhat distracted, with their breathing unconsciously becoming chaotic.

“Focus your minds, don’t be nervous or anxious, or the demonic energy will take advantage of your weakness.”

Xu Xiayan naturally noticed Bai Ruxiang and Bai Xiaoyan’s abnormal state and reminded them with a serious expression.

“Ah, yes.”

“U-understood.”

Bai Ruxiang and Bai Xiaoyan responded as if suddenly awakened, quickly trying to focus their minds and adjust their breathing, though it seemed to have little effect.

Seeing this, everyone couldn’t help but frown.

“It’s no use — the demonic energy here is too concentrated.”

Qiao Liang spoke gravely.

“They won’t be able to withstand it.”

Zhu Qian was even more concise.

Wang Di and Wang Qian’s expressions also turned solemn.

Clearly, they had underestimated the danger of this place, resulting in Bai Ruxiang and Bai Xiaoyan — as accompanying personnel — experiencing issues immediately upon entry.

“It would be best to have them leave.”

Seeing the situation, Chi Qian made the suggestion.

“But if they leave, no one will know how to operate the detection and analysis Alchemy Devices and Alchemy Instruments.”

Xu Xiayan also seemed not to have anticipated this situation, looking troubled.

Tianfeng City’s SS-rank mission had two objectives that needed completion.

First: Find and obtain the Golden Dream Sprite Thread.

Second: Conduct reconnaissance on the Nightmare Species Mutant that has occupied the Midnight Labyrinth Tenth Floor as its territory.

The former had been assigned to the treasure hunting team of over a thousand people, while Su Ming’s group was mainly responsible for the latter.

For the latter objective, they needed to first locate the Nightmare Species Mutant, then seize the opportunity to collect intelligence and data, transmitting all relevant information back to Tianfeng City.

This required not only visual confirmation but also professional instruments for scanning and analysis.

Those instruments were what Xu Xiayan had assigned Bai Ruxiang and Bai Xiaoyan to learn how to operate.Thus, within the entire team, only Bai Ruxiang and Bai Xiaoyan were capable of operating these specialized alchemy devices and alchemy instruments.

If Bai Ruxiang and Bai Xiaoyan couldn’t enter the canyon, the mission would be impossible to complete.

The two clearly understood their responsibilities and promptly assured everyone.

“We’ll be fine, Commander.”

“Yes, let’s proceed.”

Bai Ruxiang and Bai Xiaoyan quickly tried to rally their spirits.

Unfortunately, the effect was minimal.

Hitting an unexpected obstacle here made everyone’s frowns deepen further.

In the end, it was Su Ming who stepped forward.

“Let me give it a try.”

Su Ming curled his lip slightly and moved behind Bai Ruxiang and Bai Xiaoyan. He placed his hands on their backs, one on each.

Spirit Power flowed gently from within him, passing through his palms and infusing into Bai Ruxiang and Bai Xiaoyan, entering their bodies.

“Hah…”

“So comfortable…”

Bai Ruxiang and Bai Xiaoyan immediately perked up, feeling a cool, soothing stream of Qi flow from their backs throughout their bodies. It brought them immense relief, gradually easing the pressure and oppression in their hearts, while their minds grew noticeably clearer.

This scene left everyone stunned.

“Commander?”

Chi Qian looked at Su Ming in surprise.

“Why are you all staring at me like that?” Su Ming glanced at the group and said nonchalantly, “I just shared a bit of my Spirit Power with them, using my spiritual nature to disperse the demonic energy gradually invading their bodies. There’s nothing to be surprised about.”

Hearing Su Ming’s explanation, regardless of the others, Xu Xiayan was the first to understand.

“Right, that can be done.” Xu Xiayan chuckled lightly and said, “A Sorcerer’s spiritual nature is naturally the bane of a Phantom Demon’s demonic energy. When Spirit Power infused with spiritual nature enters the body, the invading demonic energy will be dispersed. It’s perfectly normal.”

Upon hearing this, the others gradually grasped the situation as well.

“No wonder you seem so unaffected and normal.”

Wang Di smiled at Su Ming.

“It seems that in the Midnight Labyrinth, Sorcerers might have an advantage over Hunters, at least in terms of being less affected by the demonic energy.”

Wang Qian interpreted it this way.

Qiao Liang and Zhu Qian each glanced at Su Ming but said nothing.

Su Ming offered no further explanation. He simply circulated a portion of his Spirit Power through the two female Hunters of the Bai Family before withdrawing his hands.

“This is only a temporary solution, not a cure. The dense demonic energy will eventually erode the minds and spirits of lower-level Professionals over time.” Su Ming stated, “It’s best to resolve this quickly and not drag it out.”

“Indeed.” Xu Xiayan nodded in deep agreement. “In that case, let’s pick up the pace and try to shorten our time here as much as possible.”

Everyone naturally nodded in agreement and began to move, heading deeper into the canyon.

Though they said that, no one dared to make too much noise. Caution was still necessary.

Remembering that a legendary Phantom Demon resided here—a mutated Nightmare Species capable of surpassing even a Seven-Star Professional—even with the desire for a swift resolution, they couldn’t help but proceed with extreme care. They advanced slowly and stealthily, almost as if lurking.

Xu Xiayan even had Wang Di and Wang Qian distribute vials of alchemical potions to everyone, instructing them to take them.”This is a specially commissioned alchemy potion I had a Great Master Alchemist refine,” Xu Xiayan explained as she distributed vials to everyone. “It can conceal the user’s aura and scent. The potion’s quality is exceptionally high, already reaching premium grade. Let’s all take it to minimize the risk of detection by that Nightmare Species Mutant.”

Xu Xiayan’s thorough preparation showed as she passed out the potions one by one. Everyone drank theirs without hesitation.

Su Ming also consumed the potion and found its effects remarkable. Even when he released the Blue Demon Cessation Ring’s suppression of his power, his aura remained completely hidden by the potion’s properties.

With this advantage and careful attention to avoiding any noise, their infiltration would be nearly perfect.

Silently, the group sped deeper into the canyon like ethereal shadows, disturbing neither air currents nor making any sound, resembling highly skilled assassins in their movements.

To maintain pace, Su Ming even slightly relaxed his usual self-restrictions, displaying speed and stamina uncharacteristic of a Sorcerer. He kept up effortlessly with the group of Six-Star Professionals, not even breathing heavily, which drew frequent sidelong glances from the others.

Under different circumstances, in a different place, and without more pressing matters at hand, Su Ming’s performance would have caused astonishment and raised suspicions among observant members. But now, everyone remained focused on their mission, moving with intense concentration while minimizing noise, which amused Su Ming internally.

However, as they ventured deeper into the canyon, Su Ming’s amusement gradually faded.

Not only because of the increasingly dense demonic energy permeating the area, but also because his spiritual nature was issuing urgent warnings.

His exceptional spiritual sensitivity screamed at him about some terrifying presence ahead.

Su Ming’s Spirit Sense had already swept forward, causing his expression to grow increasingly grave.

Though the others lacked Su Ming’s extraordinary spiritual perception, they too felt instinctive unease and restlessness.

Their Phantom Demon Bloodlines were telling them that a higher-level life form awaited ahead, making them almost want to turn back immediately.

If this were merely a typical treasure hunt or exploration mission, encountering such feelings in a mystic realm would have made the various Commanders and Vice Captains avoid risking their lives. But they understood their mission’s importance well, forcing them to suppress their discomfort and press on toward the basin at the canyon’s deepest point.

After what felt like an eternity, Su Ming’s group finally traversed the long, narrow canyon and entered a small basin.

True to its name, the basin terrain sloped downward like a dried-up lake, presenting a desolate wilderness.

The barren land contained no plants or animals—only vast expanses of reddish soil and black mist hanging thick in the air.

Upon arriving, everyone held their breath.

From their elevated position at the basin’s entrance, they immediately witnessed the scene below.

Within the barren basin, shrouded in black mist, numerous figures swayed and staggered back and forth.

Yes.

Countless figures moved about the area.

And these figures moved in an utterly bizarre, unnatural state.Some were humans, yet their eyes were vacant and their faces pale, moving slowly like the living dead.

Some were Phantom Demons, yet devoid of any demonic nature, dragging bodies of varying sizes as they sluggishly shuffled along, resembling puppets on strings.

Humans and Phantom Demons were all mixed together, neither fighting nor communicating with each other, merely passing back and forth like lifeless corpses, swaying and shuffling, forming an extremely eerie scene.

That somewhat spine-chilling sight nearly made Bai Xiaoyan cry out, but Bai Ruxiang beside her quickly covered her mouth.

“What’s going on here?”

Though Chi Qian and Zhu Qian weren’t frightened, their expressions still shifted slightly.

Su Ming and Qiao Liang also narrowed their pupils, their hearts skipping a beat.

There was no helping it—the scene was truly bizarre.

In contrast, Xu Xiayan stared fixedly at the spectacle and spoke in a low voice.

“According to the records left by Tianfeng City, these humans and Phantom Demons should all be lives that were once killed by that Nightmare Species Mutant.”

Xu Xiayan’s words made everyone turn to look at her.

Meeting their gazes, Xu Xiayan proceeded to explain.

“If the data in the records is accurate, then that Nightmare Species Mutant, which once invaded the present world alongside the Terror Species, possesses the ability to manipulate the dead.”

“It’s said that all beings whose blood was devoured and absorbed by that Nightmare Species Mutant would have their life forms transformed into imprints, etched into its own blood.”

“So, whenever that Nightmare Species Mutant is injured, the blood flowing from its body immediately manifests the imprinted life forms, recreating their appearance and even their power from when they were alive.”

Xu Xiayan’s explanation made everyone suddenly understand what was happening.

“So, you mean these humans and Phantom Demons here were all once devoured by that Nightmare Species Mutant, and what we’re seeing now are merely the forms from their lives, created from its blood?”

Chi Qian looked toward the figures shuffling back and forth like the living dead.

“Exactly.” Xu Xiayan nodded. “They are no longer who they were in life. They are merely forms shaped from the Nightmare Species Mutant’s blood, yet they possess all the power those forms had when alive.”

“That Nightmare Species Mutant can control them to use against enemies.”

This unexpected information made everyone’s hearts sink.

“Doesn’t that mean the more injured and bloody that Nightmare Species Mutant becomes, the stronger it gets?”

“Even if it weakens from injuries, its blood will transform into so much power for it to control?”

Bai Ruxiang and Bai Xiaoyan wore expressions of disbelief.

But this was the truth.

“That’s why that Nightmare Species Mutant was able to escape the siege by our human experts back then—precisely because it possesses such troublesome and tricky characteristics.””

Xu Xiayan sighed and added one more sentence.

“Because of this trait, the records left by Tianfeng City refer to it by this name.”

“The Beast That Overturns Life and Death—’Hell Beast’.”

As Xu Xiayan’s voice faded, in the basin ahead, one of the living dead-like beings let out a low growl.

“Roar!”

“Roar!”A low growl seemed to trigger countless chain reactions, causing countless human and Phantom Demon corpses to roar in unison.

The cries formed layer upon layer of Qi waves, layer upon layer of sound waves, making everyone’s hearts tremble.

“Look over there!”

Suddenly, Wang Qian pointed toward a direction ahead, making everyone turn their gaze simultaneously.

In the next second, all their pupils constricted abruptly.

They saw it.

Saw a terrifying figure beyond description.

It lay crouched at the deepest part of the Basin, surrounded by countless Living Dead.

Its eyes were closed as it dozed, its body covered in wounds that seemed to bleed incessantly.

It possessed a ferocious, pitch-black gigantic form, resembling a small mountain.

A terrifying demonic aura emanated from its body, shaking the souls of all who beheld it.

－－－－－－Author’s Note－－－－－－

Typing on a phone is damn slow…

Hope I can be discharged from the hospital and go home soon…o(╥﹏╥)o

7017k

(End of Chapter)