"Master Tobias, the joint guard team of the two fiefs has arrived at the entrance of the Nether Fire
Land. They have sent people to explore the terrain," a scout reported, breathing heavy from his
journey.
"Very good. The illusionary array in the valley has been activated. They will see it as a safe path. After
they enter the valley, they will relax their vigilance even more. Then, we can surprise them. If we're
lucky, we can capture both the Godly Geniuses in a single move. That would be a great achievement!"
Tobias replied, smiling devilishly. In his mind, there was no reason to fear the guard team. Although he
only had a hundred people under his command, each of them was outstanding at combat and was an
elite. He wholeheartedly believed that his team of one hundred people could defeat the guard team.
"Sir, you are so wise and mighty. The two Godly Geniuses are just ignorant youths. They are not
experienced enough to oppose you," a Spiritual King next to him flattered.
"Go back and spy on them further. The moment they enter the valley, I want you report it to me," Tobias
told the scout in a domineering voice.
"Yes, sir." The scout immediately turned around and ran off.
Meanwhile, the joint guard team was still resting outside the entrance of the Nether Fire Land. They
spent a full night there. The next morning, the reconnaissance team confirmed that there was no
danger in the valley and Vivian chose to advance along the main path of the valley.
Early in the morning, the joint guard team passed through the entrance of the Nether Fire Land and
headed for the valley.
As soon as they set their feet on the earth of the Nether Fire Land, a heat wave pounded down on their
backs. Salty sweat dripped from their skin and dotted the dirt at their feet. The whole joint team
released their spiritual power to protect themselves and walked further into the Nether Fire Land,
prepared to accept their test.
About two hours later, they arrived at the entrance of the valley. The two Spiritual Emperors that were
leading the reconnaissance team had arrived in advance and were waiting for them.
"Miss Vivian, we have checked everything. It is safe!" one of the masters reported.
"Okay. Let's march forward in groups of ten. Keep your eyes open. There are lots of forks along the
path!" Vivian ordered. Because the passage of the valley was so narrow, they had to travel in small
groups to avoid any accidents. They had to form a long line and enter one at a time.
Soon, the whole team was standing in one column and marching into the valley.
The valley was long and narrow and the forks in the path were littered with possible diabolic beasts.
They had to constantly be on their guard.
Under such precautions, the team moved slowly. Soon, they had walked a short way and it was
smoother than they had anticipated.
"See? This was the safest route! He was ridiculous to suggest we couldn't take it. Some people think
they know everything. Now we can all see what a joke he is!" Valeria exclaimed, sneering at Rocky as
he traveled next to her.
When they heard that, the Spiritual Emperors that were nearby all snickered. However, they didn't
laugh at Rocky. They all just thought that the Godly Genius was a little naive.
The whole time, Rocky kept his mouth shut. Instead, he focused on the surroundings. A bad feeling
had surrounded him the moment he entered the valley because the valley was too quiet. They had
encountered a few diabolic beasts along the way, but didn't see any flocks of beasts. Logically
speaking, in places like the Nether Fire Land, the beasts usually showed up in groups. Therefore, the
current situation was abnormal.
"Miss Vivian, can I take a look at the topographic map?" Rocky suddenly asked. As his feelings of
suspicion rose, Rocky steered his beast to Vivian's side. She was at the very front of the team.
Vivian nodded, took out the topographic map, and handed it to Rocky. When Rocky opened it and
examined it, his expression suddenly changed and he shouted, "Damn it!"
"What's wrong?" Vivian lowered her eyebrows.
"We might have entered their trap. We're being ambushed." Rocky's eyes shot up to the precipices on
both sides of the valley and he quickly released a streak of spiritual power.
All the masters watched curiously as his spiritual power passed through the rock and disappeared
without a trace, as if it had been devoured. Soon, the high rocks on both sides began to tremble,
gradually became transparent, and slowly disappeared. An arc-shaped area came into view. There was
no way forward. They were cornered.
However, that was not the thing that shot fear into their bones. A group over a hundred wolf-shaped
diabolic beasts were staring down at them with red eyes and bared teeth.
They had made themselves into a den of diabolic beasts.
"Oh my! What's going on?" Vivian's beautiful eyes had turned cold and afraid.
The other team members looked all around them. None of them understood what had happened or
why they had suddenly entered a lair full of the diabolic beasts.
"Someone must have set up an illusion to guide us here and make us think that the valley was safe. It
was always leading to the lair of diabolic beasts. We have been trapped since we entered the Nether
Fire Land," Rocky said with certainty.
"How is that possible? The reconnaissance team confirmed our safety again and again," Vivian said in
a trembling voice. She couldn't accept that she had been made into a fool.
"It's very likely that they were also affected by the illusion while they were investigating. That means
that the topographic map they drew may not be accurate," Rocky continued, slowly piecing together the
puzzle.
"Who could be so insidious?" Vivian cried out in outrage.
"It's useless talking about it now. We need to get out of here." Rocky counted the number of diabolic
beasts he could see surrounding the team. There were only three or four hundred members in the
team, but most of them were ordinary family retainers. Less than fifty of them had the strength to kill
diabolic beasts.
And it appeared that most of the diabolic beasts had surpassed the King Realm. Once they attacked,
the joint guard team would have a hard time gaining an advantage.
When Valeria realized that the team was being ambushed by the diabolic beasts, her pretty face turned
pale. Rocky had been right. The valley was not safe for travel.
"Miss Vivian, these diabolic beasts are called Diabolic Flaming Wolf. Although they are small in size,
they are very fast. Moreover, the diabolic flames on their bodies can't be touched. Once the flames
start, they can't be extinguished," an experienced Spiritual Emperor from the Ghost Fief reminded from
aside.
Meanwhile, the ferocious Diabolic Flaming Wolves were glaring at the team who had invaded their
territory. Giving them no chance to prepare, the head wolf roared, causing the others to turn violent.
They rushed at the joint guard team and started to attack them.
"We have to retreat," Vivian snapped as her eyes narrowed.
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