Chapter 1256: Terrifying Existence

Several greenish-gray figures crouched in the distance, their gazes fixed intently on everyone, as if they were observing prey.

Now that the mist had dispersed, everyone could finally see their faces clearly.

They weren't human at all; they were clearly the stone statues that had lined both sides of the road earlier!

Those stone statues, which included both beasts and human figures, were no longer static sculptures. Their entire bodies were now moving freely, explaining why no one had recognized them before.

A wave of belated fear washed over everyone. They hadn't realized so many stone statues had approached so closely; if the mist hadn't dispersed, who knew how many more people would have been ambushed and killed.

After all, everyone present was a master. Before, they had been paralyzed by unknown fear, unable to retaliate against elusive foes. Now that they saw their targets, they didn't hesitate, unleashing their various techniques to attack.

The stone statues also sensed the danger and tried to dart back into the dense mist behind them. But how could the many demon clan masters give them a chance?

The demon clan masters swiftly cut off their retreat and then surrounded these few stone statues.

Seeing no escape, the stone statues unleashed their ferocity, turning directly to battle the group of demon clan members.

Soon, as several demon clan masters came into contact with them, their bodies instantly stiffened. Then, either half their heads were bitten off, or their hearts were ripped out by a claw.

A chill ran down everyone's spines. "Are these creatures devils?" they wondered.

"Be careful," Princess Sauron quickly warned, having clearly seen the situation. "They seem to be able to immobilize their targets just by physical contact. Don't fight them bare-handed!"

From a distance, Yun Jianyue secretly nodded. "This woman isn't just big-chested and brainless after all," she mused. "She has some insight."

Perhaps sensing they were not to be trifled with, the stone statues didn't come their way at all, leaving them content to watch the show.

Zu'an was a bit puzzled. Was this Princess Sauron really so well-endowed?

He subconsciously glanced at Yun Jianyue.

Realizing his gaze, Yun Jianyue's phoenix-like eyebrows arched, and her face flushed slightly. "Do you want to die?" she snapped. "Why are you looking at me?"

Yan Xuehen also couldn't help but stare at Yun Jianyue's chest, then looked down at her own. "Hmph," she muttered to herself. "It's not bigger than mine. She probably just benefits from her clothes accentuating her figure."

Yu Yanluo, standing nearby, also secretly observed the two women, wondering what kind of extraordinary beings they were. Their cultivation was already incredibly powerful, yet they seemed to have no physical flaws whatsoever.

In this short time, the battle on the other side had already concluded.

Although the stone statues were strange, the demon clan members were all masters with the advantage of numbers. They quickly smashed the stone statues into fragments.

"These things are finally dead," Xiong Er said, swinging his hammer and panting heavily. It had taken quite an effort to break apart these stone figures.

Jin Shi, standing nearby, frowned. "I remember there were more stone statues along the road than just these," he said.

Hearing this, everyone's heart skipped a beat. "That's right!" they realized. "So there must be more stone statues lurking in the shadows?"

Just then, a brilliant golden light suddenly flared in the distant mist, then began to shake continuously.

The chubby man at the center of the formation cried out, "Damn it, something is destroying my banners!"

Everyone's expressions changed. As expected, it had to be the remaining stone statues destroying the formation.

Everyone wanted to protect the banners, but there was dense mist over there. Entering meant being passively attacked, as merely touching the stone statues would cause them to lose mobility. So, no one dared to risk it.

At this moment, the mist that had previously receded began to creep closer again.

Everyone understood that once the stone statues destroyed the surrounding banners, the area would be submerged in dense mist again, leaving them in a vulnerable, passively attacked state.

At this point, the chubby man took out his compass, intending to make some calculations. But the needle spun wildly, clearly affected by the local terrain and rendering it unusable.

A thought struck him, and he looked at Yan Xuehen on the other side. "Miss," he asked, "if I can disperse the surrounding mist, can you calculate the correct exit?"

Everyone followed his gaze and was greatly surprised. They had originally thought this delicate young woman was just aimlessly wandering, but judging from his words, she seemed to be skilled in breaking formations?

Yan Xuehen was slightly taken aback, not expecting him to ask her. After a moment of thought, she nodded. "I can," she replied.

Her tone revealed a subtle confidence.

Princess Sauron, Lion Spirit, and other princely and princess-level figures looked at her curiously, wondering about her origins.

At this, the chubby man nodded, then stood up directly. His plump hands moved rapidly, forming intricate array patterns in the air, then he shouted, "Rise!"

The primal stones on his person began to deplete at a visible rate. Immediately afterward, the golden banners in the surrounding dense mist flew up and seemed to ignite with blazing flames.

The forty-odd banners rapidly spun around the area, emitting rays of golden light that caused the mist in the central space to completely disperse.

From deep within the dense mist came low roars, seemingly from the stone statues trying to attack the golden banners. However, they were scorched by the flames on the banners and were momentarily helpless.

The demon clan masters were all astonished. This ordinary-looking chubby man actually possessed such formidable abilities?

They wondered which clan he belonged to.

Many members of prominent clans had already begun to plot how to win him over.

At this moment, the chubby man was covered in fine beads of sweat, clearly not as relaxed as he appeared. He looked anxiously at Yan Xuehen beside him.

Once these banners burned out, he would truly be out of options.

Fortunately, Yan Xuehen did not disappoint him. She quickly surveyed the layout of the surrounding trees and the terrain, her slender, jade-like fingers forming incantations as she calculated. Soon, she stepped in one direction.

Zu'an and the others did not hesitate for a moment and followed her.

The chubby man also hurried after them. As he moved, the burning banners around them also moved. Wherever they went, the dense mist gradually receded, while the places they had left were once again filled with mist.

The others had initially harbored some doubts about this delicate woman, but seeing this, they didn't dare to hesitate and quickly hurried to follow.

Yan Xuehen walked at the very front. The others followed behind, gazing at her back: her shoulders gracefully tapered, her waist slender as a willow, her neck long and elegant, revealing fair skin.

She was clearly beautiful and graceful, yet her every movement exuded quiet grace and composure.

Everyone wondered which clan this woman belonged to. Even the Queen of Qingqiu, famed for her beauty, might not surpass her.

Yan Xuehen wound her way around at the front, sometimes even taking a few steps forward only to retreat more steps afterward.

Feeling that they had to backtrack, everyone was initially filled with uncertainty and doubt. But seeing her serene and elegant expression instilled a strange sense of confidence in them.

Furthermore, with her white robes like snow and long hair flowing freely, she truly appeared as if a light cloud veiled the moon, or like swirling snow carried by a flowing wind.

Many people's gazes became fervent.

Yun Jianyue felt a bit annoyed. This "ice maiden" indeed had an appealing aura everywhere she went. Previously in the human world, everyone treated her like a goddess, and now it was the same among the demon clan. Should she also change her temper and not be so fierce...?

Bah! As if *I* would learn from her!

After an unknown amount of time, the chubby man was drenched in sweat. Looking at the golden light flickering in mid-air, he knew the banners were about to burn out. "I can't hold on much longer," he panted. "How much longer will it take?"

Yan Xuehen's clear, cold voice replied, "It's done."

With one step, the scene before them suddenly cleared. The previous mist vanished, and the entire forest returned to normal, just as they had seen it earlier from across the swamp. It stood quietly behind them, with no trace of mist, and even the stone statues stood peacefully along both sides of the spirit path deep within the forest.

The chubby man plopped down on the ground, muttering to himself, "Damn it, I almost lost my life in there. This trip was a huge loss!"

A pang of pain shot through him as he thought of the forty-nine banners that had just burned away.

Seeing that they had finally emerged from the strange misty forest, everyone cheered, feeling as if they had narrowly escaped death.

Yan Xuehen, however, frowned slightly. Yun Jianyue, who was nearby, also whispered, "Did you feel it too?"

Zu'an's expression was grave. "Indeed," he said. "It seemed like an extremely terrifying presence was lurking nearby several times. But why didn't it try to stop us?"