The group concealed their forms and quietly descended from the courtyard skywell, while simultaneously each pressed a night vision charm to their bodies.

Directly beneath the skywell, layers of bones buried under the yellow sand, both from the demon beasts and the Human Clan. A gigantic locust, as big as an average human, sprawled regally on a pile of these bones. Its body was a reddish-yellow, with two scythe-shaped antennae swaying atop its head, casting a faint green gleam along the blade edge.

Meanwhile, on the deep cavern's stone walls, water continually oozed out, slowly accumulating downwards to form a clear spring. Beside the springwater grew seven or eight pale white flowers, six of which had matured, emitting an extremely rich medicinal fragrance.

The pale white flowers were known as Sand Spring Flower, a unique Spirit Grass in the Black Wind Desert and a main ingredient for Core Formation Stage elixir Spring Eruption Pill.

Upon observing the scene inside the cavern, Yuan Ming and his three companions didn't act rashly. Instead, they continued to conceal their presence and searched around for other Poisonous Blade Locusts.

"There's one hidden in the sand on the left, another hiding in the crevice of the stone wall to the right. I haven't spotted the third-level middle-stage one yet. You guys first…" Fang Youting released his Divine Sense and observed for a moment.

Yuan Ming confidently said, "The remaining one is hiding under the spring water."

Fang Youting was startled, hurriedly released his Divine Sense toward the direction Yuan Ming mentioned, and after a moment, he looked deeply at Yuan Ming with a hint of surprise in his eyes.

Yuan Ming didn't intend to explain, and directly spoke, "That one is for Fellow Daoist Fang to handle."

Having said that, he exchanged glances with Feng Qi and Ya Xian, pulled out the White Bone Knife, and together they attacked the Poisonous Blade Locust buried in the sand.

The Bone Knife pierced through the air, whistling as it slashed into the sandy ground.

However, the Poisonous Blade Locust seemed to sense something, screaming in alarm before the Bone Knife could hit, it drilled out from the sand swiftly, flapped its wings, and took to the air, just grazing by the Bone Knife, yet was still affected by the knife's cold aura, shivering as a layer of White Frost formed on its body.

In midair, upon seeing this reaction, Yuan Ming immediately formed a hand spell and pointed towards the Bone Knife buried in the sand.

Instantaneously, a large expanse of White Flames burst from the Bone Knife, surging towards the Poisonous Blade Locust.

The Poisonous Blade Locust attempted to fly and dodge, but found its flying speed severely reduced due to the cold aura's influence, unable to create distance from the White Flames. It could only shake its head lightly, its antennae wildly slashing, producing an impenetrable green blade light that scattered the incoming White Flames.

Yuan Ming's eyes narrowed slightly, he raised his finger, and the White Bone Knife rose again, slashing towards the Poisonous Blade Locust.

The Poisonous Blade Locust tried to repeat its defensive maneuver, about to slash out with blade light again, but suddenly, its vision blurred, and the White Bone Knife disappeared only to be replaced by its mate.

Stunned, it instinctively squawked to inquire about the situation from its mate, but the mate, silent, charged forward, its antennae slashing across its torso.

"Crack"

The body of the Poisonous Blade Locust was instantly severed into two, the separated halves still twitching, its eyes fixated on its "mate," seemingly trying to understand why.

However, the image of the "mate" blurred and then transformed back into the White Bone Knife, flying toward Yuan Ming.

Yuan Ming glanced at the Poisonous Blade Locust on the ground, confirmed its life had dissipated, and immediately used the Bone Knife to assist Feng Qi and others.

As a third-level demon beast, the Poisonous Blade Locust had a fragile body but was especially responsive and quick, its toxic blade light from its antennae posing a difficult challenge. Ordinary Core Formation Cultivators would often switch from offense to defense after a few exchanges, relentlessly worn down by the Poisonous Blade Locust, or even fatally ambushed by other lurking locusts.

But for Yuan Ming, such level of demon beast, with just a slight Illusion Technique, hardly counted as a formidable enemy. After all, to others, the battling Poisonous Blade Locust merely froze suddenly, and naturally, no one would ask why.

If it were not for the presence of Feng Qi and others, he would have already eliminated all the Poisonous Blade Locusts in the area.

Nevertheless, while assisting Feng Qi and the others, Yuan Ming refrained from rashly using Illusion Techniques to avoid arousing suspicion; instead, he continuously weakened the Poisonous Blade Locust's speed with the white flame and cold aura of the White Bone Knife, eventually allowing Feng Qi and the others to find an opportunity to slay it in one strike.

Soon, everyone had cleared out the Poisonous Blade Locusts, Feng Qi heaved a sigh of relief, looked up to see Yuan Ming still effortlessly dealing with the situation, and remarked, "I had no idea Brother Yuan is usually unassuming yet possesses such formidable strength. If Pi Xiu hadn't personally mentioned it, I'd have hardly believed that Brother Yuan you had only just recently entered Core Formation."

"Brother Feng flatters me. I am merely luckier, having stumbled upon a powerful Magic Treasure," Yuan Ming humbly said.

Fang Youting looked at the White Bone Knife in Yuan Ming's hand, and nodding in agreement, commented, "Yin attribute Magic Treasures are rare. Fellow Daoist Yuan must have prepared for a long time before Core Formation, spending much effort on this treasure. No wonder you possess such strength right after your breakthrough."

Yuan Ming only smiled and did not reply, allowing Feng Qi and others to take that as his acquiescence, and thus they spoke no further on the matter.

The group tidied up the battlefield a bit, after which Feng Qi stepped forward to inspect the Sand Spring Flowers.

"The remaining two Sand Spring Flowers should also mature in a few days. Why don't we wait here a bit longer? That way, we can gather all of them at once and take them back."

"This place is the territory of the Poisonous Blade Locust, and now that the demon beast is eliminated, it's unlikely another will come soon. Waiting a few days should be trouble-free." Fang Youting nodded in agreement.

"Fine," Ya Xian succinctly agreed.

However, Yuan Ming slightly frowned upon hearing this, as the Soul Burying Abyss was no benign place. Although he did not fear attacks from demon beasts, the area was often subjected to Black Wind attacks, something he had experienced when he first arrived at the Black Wind Desert, and it was something he was not eager to encounter again.

Before he could speak, his expression suddenly changed.

"Not good, another demon beast is coming."

Everyone was startled and hurriedly took out their Magic Treasures.

"Woo wu―"

At the same time, along with a cry resembling a woman's sob, a fierce wind swept in from the courtyard, stirring up sand and dust while Yuan Ming and his three companions immediately performed the Wind-Avoiding Spell to resist the sandstorm hitting their faces.

Following that, a giant black bird plummeted from the sky. It was as tall as two men. Although its body was covered with black feathers, there were also pale, totem-like patterns on them. Its two bright yellow sharp claws resembled amber, and its sharp beak shone with a dim light.

The bird's head had three eyes swollen bright red like drums, yet upon closer examination, it was clear that within the blood-red whites, there crawled human-shaped yellow threads, resembling ghosts. The orange-yellow pupils at the center comprised numerous screaming human faces.

"Is it actually a Three-eyed Crow?"

When the bird's life was clearly seen, Fang Youting suddenly cried out in a voice containing both fear and delight.

"A Three-eyed Crow? Fellow Daoist Fang, you recognize this beast?" Yuan Ming asked.

Before Fang Youting could answer, they heard Brother Feng shout, "It doesn't matter what it is, just attack! This is a Third-level Peak Demon Beast. If we don't focus on fighting, soon we will end up in its belly!"

Before the sound of his voice had faded, he pinched a spell, and a Green Jade Ruler flew out beside him.

Seeing this, Yuan Ming suppressed his doubts and urged the White Bone Knife, slashing directly towards the Three-eyed Crow.

Meanwhile, Ya Xian took out three Earth Yellow Small Flags from his Storage Bag and tapped them a few times with both hands. A yellow mist immediately emerged from the flags, whirling halfway through the air before rolling up the dust and stones from the hollow like a tornado, striking towards the Three-eyed Crow.

As for Fang Youting, he directly raised his hand, cast a spell on his Purple Steel Fork, and in an instant, several bolts of purple thunder struck from the fork, aggressively targeting the Three-eyed Crow.

Facing the attacks of Yuan Ming's group, the Three-eyed Crow folded its wings by its sides, then suddenly spread them open, shooting out countless black feather arrows from its wings, clattering against the Green Jade Ruler and White Bone Knife, decelerating their momentum.

Next, the Three-eyed Crow opened its beak and spewed out seven or eight clusters of gray ash-like mist. Although the fog seemed ethereal, it exploded suddenly when it hit the tornado summoned by Ya Xian, forming a high wall of gray ash that blocked all the sand and dust.

However, when it encountered the thunder released by Fang Youting, the gray fog was directly split apart, holding off only for a moment, yet it was enough for the Three-eyed Crow to find an opportunity to spread its wings and fly up, narrowly avoiding the thunder.

The thunder released by Fang Youting's Magic Treasure had left scorched black traces on the ground, including an odd purple halo. Seeing the black marks, the Three-eyed Crow seemed somewhat fearful.

Seeing this situation, Yuan Ming immediately shouted, "Fellow Daoist Fang, I'll keep it busy, you take the chance to activate your Magic Treasure!"

After speaking, Yuan Ming tapped the White Bone Knife, and instantly, numerous pale Bone Fires burst forth, lunging towards the Three-eyed Crow.

At the same time, Yuan Ming's eyes hardened, and he secretly began to cast an Illusion Technique on the Three-eyed Crow.

The Three-eyed Crow was confused by Yuan Ming's Illusion Technique, pausing momentarily, but just then, Yuan Ming saw a flash of red light from its third eye on its forehead, and it abruptly broke free from the illusion, with all three eyes simultaneously focusing on Yuan Ming.

But even with this momentary delay, the White Bone Fire had already reached the Three-eyed Crow, forcing it to hurriedly spew gray fog in defense, yet it was still burned by the Bone Fire, manifesting several patches of frostbite on its body.

Simultaneously, Fang Youting once again activated his Magic Treasure to release thunder, and the Three-eyed Crow hurriedly flapped its wings to dodge but was still struck by a bolt of thunder, instantly knocking off its pitch-black feathers, revealing burned, charred flesh.

At that moment, attacks from Brother Feng and Ya Xian also arrived, forcing the Three-eyed Crow to dodge in a flustered manner, gradually showing signs of weakness.

Seeing victory within reach, Brother Feng and the others became exhilarated, and Fang Youting's eyes shone brightly, his face alight with immense surprise and delight.

But just then, the Three-eyed Crow suddenly cried out three times, spewing gray fog from its mouth while its body trembled. Its black feathers shot out like a torrential rain, forcing Yuan Ming and his companions to temporarily abandon their attack and cast spells in defense.

Seizing this opportunity, the Three-eyed Crow immediately turned around, flapped its wings, and without a backward glance dove through the hollow flying towards the depths of the Soul Burying Abyss.

"No, we can't let it escape!" Fang Youting hurriedly said, then prepared to immediately pursue the Three-eyed Crow with tunneling light.

"Fellow Daoist Fang, do not chase after a desperate enemy, and besides, it's headed deep into the Soul Burying Abyss. What if it encounters other powerful demon beasts?" Yuan Ming voiced a note of caution, advising him.

"Fellow Daoist Yuan, trust me, this is a Three-eyed Crow, it's definitely worth the chase!" Fang Youting shook his head, disregarding Yuan Ming's advice, and immediately flew out.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.