2927 Caught Off Guard

"These individuals are part of the Heavenly Fate organization," Qiao Mu explained. "To them, this is merely a minuscule branch of their operation."

She then turned her attention to the villagers and continued, "As for all of you…"

Qiao Mu cast another meaningful glance at them. "You were simply potential test subjects."

"If you doubt my words, come with me." Without allowing the astonished villagers to inquire further, Qiao Mu pivoted and signaled for Chen Qi and Lu Zheng to follow, along with the bewildered Old Village Chief and Hu Erhua.

In an instant, Mo Lian appeared at Qiao Mu's side.

The two of them moved swiftly and reached the frost-covered tree within moments.

Qiao Mu gazed up at the tree, its exterior seemingly unremarkable. However, the malevolent yin energy surrounding it remained incredibly dense, resisting dispersion.

Lu Zheng forcefully threw Hu Erhua to the ground and kicked him, demanding, "Do it."

Hu Erhua quivered, hesitating as he glanced back at Qiao Mu and Mo Lian, who stood behind him.

Mo Lian grinned. "Need me to do it for you?"

Hu Erhua shuddered once more and hastily proceeded. He circled the ice tree and slapped it a few times, causing a jade talisman to spring from his sleeve. This talisman, resembling a key, was inserted into the barrier in front of him.

Clearly, this was a significant location, as the barrier was further reinforced with a complex array of talismans. As the talisman matrix activated, even more malevolent energy began to seep out.

Ordinary individuals remained oblivious to it. Only those with elevated levels of cultivation could discern the malevolent yin energy produced by this cursed talisman.

Given her proficiency in curse arts, Qiao Mu possessed a heightened sensitivity to such forces compared to the average person.

Typically, as she circled the ice tree, she would, at most, feel a slight chill in the air.

Unexpectedly, a dense black fog suddenly emanated from within the ice tree. This fog coalesced into a colossal, ghostly visage with a gaping maw, charging directly at Qiao Mu, who stood at the forefront, as if intent on devouring her.

Its velocity was so astonishing that Qiao Mu had barely enough time to conjure a protective barrier around herself in the form of an eggshell. She had no opportunity for any other action before being engulfed by the billowing black fog.

Within the black fog, a pair of chilling crimson eyes materialized, and it roared at her without preamble, sending a shockwave hurtling towards Qiao Mu.

In an instant, a barrier composed of black flames materialized in front of her, entirely insulating her from the external world. The ensuing soundwave ripples had no impact on Qiao Mu.

Just as she was about to dismantle the defensive barrier around herself, Mo Lian clasped her slender waist, seemingly offering both comfort and assurance, unconsciously stroking her waist twice.

Lady Qiaoqiao blinked and turned to gaze at the red-eyed zombie that had suddenly emerged from the black fog.

This advanced-level zombie stood apart from the previous three partially dismembered rank zombies. Not only could it emit soundwaves, but its hands were also capable of detaching from its body.

Its two arms appeared poised to fly ahead towards them.

Mo Lian narrowed her eyes with a cold demeanor, and fist-sized black lotus flowers imbued with ruthless and merciless intent began to emerge from the ground, slowly ascending.

Surprisingly, the black flames were actively consuming the surrounding malevolent yin energy.

Lu Zheng and Chen Qi found themselves stranded outside the enshrouding black fog.

In that very moment when the black fog metamorphosed into a colossal spectral visage, its maw agape, poised to consume Qiao Mu, they witnessed Crown Prince Mo's silhouette darting inside without hesitation.

Together, the two of them channeled their sacred energy to disperse the spectral fog.