Chapter Forty-One: Betrayed in the Shadows

When the people from the three great academies entered the Den of Ten Thousand Demons, they discovered that the traces of the demon clan had already vanished from the surroundings. The members of the three academies, as if by tacit agreement, split into three groups, each centered around their own institution.

Peng Lei looked at the other two academies and instructed his fellow disciples, "Let's go! For now, let's avoid any conflict with them. We'll hurry ahead and see what happens."

Seeing Peng Lei and his companions about to leave, Li Qin quickly ran over. "Brother Peng, please wait! We would like to travel with you, is that possible?"

"Of course! With more people, we can look out for each other," Peng Lei considered for a moment, then agreed to let Li Qin and his group join them.

Watching Martial Arts Academy and Divine Wind Academy walk together, the disciples from Fire Dance Academy couldn't help but sneer. "Let's go. Doesn't adding more people just make our target bigger?" With that, the group from Fire Dance Academy followed their leader deeper into the cave. Seeing them depart, Peng Lei waved his hand. "Let's move as well! We can't let the demon clan get ahead of us!"

As everyone ventured deeper, their curiosity about the Den of Ten Thousand Demons grew. The entrance was just a small cave, yet inside it was unexpectedly vast. Staring at the wide open land before them, Peng Lei halted the group. "Everyone, be careful. Legend has it that this place is filled with untamed venomous insects and beasts, poisonous mists and marshes—even the plants can be deadly!"

After Peng Lei spoke, Yao Ye casually drew Bloodcry and came forward. "From now on, I'll lead the way. My divine sense is the strongest among us." Peng Lei nodded at him, and Yao Ye slowly moved ahead.

"Everyone, keep up! Stay alert!" Peng Lei turned and softly reminded them.

As they went deeper, the poisonous mist began to appear around them. Everyone instinctively unleashed their divine senses, watching warily. The group gradually disappeared into the fog.

"Stop! Something's not right," Peng Lei saw Yao Ye motion for everyone to halt and quickly asked, "What's wrong, Yao Ye? Did you notice something?"

"Senior brother, this mist is corroding my divine sense! I can barely hold on. And there’s something unusual ahead!"

"I noticed it too! My divine sense is draining at nearly double the normal rate. Be careful." Peng Lei then turned and signaled to the group, "Stay alert! There’s something strange ahead—it could be dangerous!"

Everyone drew their weapons and gathered closer. Zhao Mu and Peng Lei moved towards Xiaoxiao and Liu Xin. Yao Ye slowly parted the grass ahead, and was instantly stunned, frantically signaling to those behind him.

Seeing this, everyone quickly crouched down. Peng Lei hurried forward and looked in the direction Yao Ye pointed. Ahead, a swarm of leeches—each at least two meters long—crawled across the ground. Their skin was black tinged with green, their bellies coated in sticky mucus, undulating as they moved. Peng Lei gently tapped Yao Ye, signaling him to retreat, and together they crawled back.

When they reached Li Qin, Peng Lei explained the situation. "Brother Li, there are leeches here. That means there must be a swamp ahead. We should take another path." Li Qin nodded and turned to inform his academy.

Just as Peng Lei signaled Yao Ye to notify the group, he spotted another group lying nearby on the right. Squinting, he realized they were from Fire Dance Academy, who were waving at them, their faces twisted in sly smiles.

"Something's wrong! Yao Ye, quickly tell everyone to head back the way we came!"

"What’s happened? Brother Peng, did you discover something?" Li Qin asked, puzzled.

Hardly had he spoken when chaos erupted—a chorus of insect cries sounded, and a figure sprinted towards the two academies from afar. "Brothers, help me!" The figure attacked behind him as he ran.

Peng Lei and Li Qin looked closely, and saw it was a member of Fire Dance Academy—a shock to both. "We’re in trouble! Everyone, run!" Peng Lei stood up and shouted.

Li Qin glared at the approaching figure, gritting his teeth. "If we survive this, Fire Dance Academy and ours will be enemies to the death!"

"Survive first, then talk! Ha! Good luck to you!" The young man sped past the bewildered group and ran off to the right.

As everyone watched, a vast swarm of leeches appeared before them. Their faces turned pale, and they fled as quickly as they could.