Li Lin didn't pay much attention to all these changes at the moment, but later he realized that this unintentional action greatly aided him, forging an incredibly strong physical defense for his body.

Seven days later, the Black Headed Pheasants needed to rest before they could continue flying. The group landed in a canyon to rest. During these seven days, they encountered only four early-stage third-order monsters and one mid-stage third-order monster. All were deterred by Huang Qifan, and the group managed to get through without any real danger.

In these seven days, Li Lin constantly worked on expelling the toxins from the Blood Devouring Bone Corroding Pill with the help of the little dragon's golden flames. Eighty percent of the toxins were already burned away, and Li Lin himself reaped many benefits. His true energy cultivation had reached the late seventh stage, and he estimated that refining the remaining twenty percent of the toxins could at least elevate him to the peak of the seventh-stage warrior, or possibly even break through to the eighth stage.

"Only seven more days to go, and then we'll reach the safe mountains," He Qing Shan said.

"Seven days will be quick. Once we reach the safe area, everyone will be secure," Huang Qifan added.

Although Li Lin was somewhat worried, he felt relatively safe with the presence of the Soul Ensnaring Poison Master. However, he planned to find a way to leave the Old Poisoner master once they reached the safe area.

"We've now reached the most dangerous part of the Misty Mountain Range, where fourth-order monsters might appear at any time," Li Feng warned.

"We should leave early. This place doesn't seem safe," the usually reticent well-dressed, long-haired young man suggested.

"No need, it's too late for that," the Soul Ensnaring Poison Master opened his eyes and spoke softly.

Just as the saying goes, what one fears may come to pass. As soon as the Poison Master finished speaking, rustling sounds came from the surrounding woods, and dozens of monster figures appeared before the group.

"Early-stage third-order Earth Howling Wolves, mid-stage third-order Flame Rats, late-stage third-order Bone Craving Wolves, and the Red Ridge Tortoise among others," Li Lin gasped upon seeing the dozens of monsters.

Among these monsters, one stood out with its massive body of two meters in height and a tail over a hundred meters long. It had a snake-like mouth with a long tongue, its entire body covered in thick, blood-red scales, and its eyes were as large as bells, staring intently at the group.

"A fourth-order Blood Lizard," Li Lin's heart sank. This species was recorded in his master's jade slip, and this particular Blood Lizard was at least at the fourth-order level.

With more than fifty monsters surrounding them, including the three Black Headed Pheasants trembling in fear, the mercenaries were sweating profusely. The monsters were all at least third-order, and if they all attacked at once, the group would stand no chance.

The most worrying part was the several flying monsters circling above the woods, making the situation even more difficult.

"It's the Blood Lizard under the Stone Ape Demon King," Huang Qifan exclaimed in shock.

Everyone readied themselves for battle, but the Soul Ensnaring Poison Master remained calm, still seated cross-legged, giving a cursory glance at the dozens of monsters surrounding them.

"Little dragon, stay calm," Li Lin quickly soothed the little dragon, feeling its restlessness due to the presence of the other monsters.

"Humans, this is our territory, not a place for you," the Blood Lizard spoke in human language.

"Indeed, a fourth-order monster," Li Lin was astonished. Fourth-order monsters were considered mid-tier in the monster hierarchy. The first to third-order monsters were low-tier, while fourth to sixth-order monsters were mid-tier.

As for seventh to ninth-order monsters, they were considered great demons, each capable of transforming into a human form, possessing immense strength and inducing terror.

Everyone remained alert, hoping not to encounter the Stone Ape Demon King. As long as they could get past this mountain range, they would be safe. The three Black Headed Pheasants resumed their stable flight, and the group once again began their meditation, hoping not to encounter the Demon King, as it would be difficult to deal with.

Among monsters, low-tier ones from the first to third order, although more gifted and intelligent than wild beasts, still cannot speak human language.

These monsters, similar to martial artists among humans, are not all destined to become warriors. The same is true for monsters, which originate from wild beasts. Not every wild beast can transform into a monster. Typically, it's rare for one in a hundred wild beasts to become a monster. Monsters are significantly stronger than wild beasts. Over countless years of reproduction, the offspring of monsters are naturally monsters too, unlike human martial artists whose children might be ordinary humans.

In terms of inherent genetic talents, monsters are far superior to humans. Once they reach the fourth order, they form a monster core within their bodies and fully unlock their intelligence, enabling them to speak human language. However, they cannot transform into humans.

There are rumors that upon reaching the seventh order, monsters can reshape their bodies and freely transform into humans, as the human form is most suitable for cultivation. However, Li Lin has not witnessed this himself, so he is unsure of its validity.

As for spirit beasts, Li Lin understands they differ from monsters. When a spirit beast reaches the fourth order, it can also form a spirit core and take a leap in its cultivation. But for spirit beasts, the ability to speak human language only comes at the sixth order, and they can transform into human form at this stage. However, the transformation of their actual body into human form only occurs at the seventh order.

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"We're just passing through; here are some pills for the Stone Ape Demon King," said Huang Qifan, leader of the Qingfeng Mercenary Group, offering several third-grade pills. He cast a spell, and a blue light wrapped the pills, delivering them to the Blood Lizard.

The Blood Lizard extended a yellow light from its tongue and enveloped the pills, saying, "The Stone Ape Demon King is now our second demon king. Since humans have killed our kind, our Great Demon King has ordered that all humans be killed on sight."

The revelation of the Great Demon King sent a chill through everyone, even the stoic Poisonous Ghost.

"Kill all these humans," ordered the Blood Lizard, swallowing the pills and striking the ground with its limbs. The ground shook violently, unleashing a ferocious force like a wild wind. Despite taking Huang Qifan's pills, the Blood Lizard was still determined to kill the humans.

"Everyone, be careful and fend for yourselves," Huang Qifan shouted, readying himself for battle. Facing dozens of third-order monsters, the group of over thirty people was at a clear disadvantage.

In an instant, the surrounding and aerial monsters rapidly attacked the humans. The Blood Lizard, a fourth-order monster, launched a lightning-fast attack on Huang Qifan, its scales bristling with a terrifying blood-colored cold light.

"Facing a fourth-order monster is truly fearsome," Li Lin thought, observing the Blood Lizard's overwhelming aura, guessing it was at the early stage of the fourth order, beyond Huang Qifan's capability.

The surroundings erupted in battle, with monstrous energies clashing. Faced with these organized monsters, the humans had no choice but to fight fiercely, knowing these monsters wouldn't retreat unless their leader did.

"Stay put and don't move," the Poisonous Ghost advised Li Lin, casting a protective barrier around them that repelled the nearby monsters.

At that moment, the Blood Lizard launched an attack on Huang Qifan, its massive body vanishing from its spot and rapidly targeting Huang Qifan.

Huang Qifan, without any carelessness, had a gravely serious expression on his face. With a flash of Qi under his feet, he quickly retreated explosively.

“Hiss, hiss…” As Huang Qifan retreated, the Blood Lizard's massive forelimb, like a great avenue, pierced through the spatial airflow, as if trying to tear apart space itself.

In a moment of urgency, Huang Qifan’s long spear flashed like lightning, piercing through the spatial flow. In a flash, it appeared before the Blood Lizard's claw. As a fifth-level Martial Spirit, Huang Qifan was strong, although he was unable to overpower the Blood Lizard, but the creature also couldn't subdue him.

Meanwhile, He Qingshan was engaged in a battle with a third-level late-stage Wind Elemental Bone-Gnawing Wolf, showing signs of struggle. His large sword repeatedly struck out, with a mighty aura emanating from his body.

The Bone-Gnawing Wolf roared continuously, its body spanning over fifty to sixty meters, surprisingly fast despite its size. It even spewed out bizarre wind blades from its mouth, the sonic booms incessant.

As a ninth-level Martial Master, He Qingshan was struggling against the third-level late-stage Bone-Gnawing Wolf, but he managed to hold his own.

At the same time, ninth-level Spirit Master Li Feng's aura vibrated constantly, enveloped in a dazzling light circle. He generated attacks and spirit fires to simultaneously combat a third-level mid-stage Flame Mouse and a Black Haired Demon Monkey.

Li Feng kept the two monsters at bay, as Spirit Masters were disadvantaged in close combat. His agile spiritual attacks prevented the third-level mid-stage monsters from getting close.

Others were already mixed up with the monsters. Explosive sounds of combat filled the air, with some humans being killed by the monsters, but some monsters were also slain or injured. The Qingfeng Mercenary Group, with thirty members, all above the Martial Master level, fought fiercely.

The battlefield was chaotic with fireballs, water columns, and the earth cracking, attacks coming both from monsters and humans.

Suddenly, a scream was heard as Li Lin saw another young man, who had come to seek passage to the ancient domain, being bitten in half by a third-level monster.

The middle-aged woman, although a second-level Martial Master, was severely injured under the attack of two third-level monsters.

When Li Lin saw the long-haired young man, he was surprised, unable to discern his strength. Yet, by the young man's side, a third-level mid-stage monster lay dead.

Considering the young man’s age, around nineteen or twenty, Li Lin was astonished by his formidable strength. He had always thought his rapid progress with the Yin-Yang Spirit Martial Art made him exceptional, but he now realized there were talents with even greater potential and better training than him.

“Uncle, aren’t you going to make a move?” Li Lin asked the Poisonous Ghost next to him, noticing he had no intention of fighting.

“Their life and death have nothing to do with me. Why should I save them?” replied the Poisonous Ghost.

“I say, uncle, don’t forget, if they die, how will we cross this mountain range? We don’t have a flying monster,” Li Lin pointed out.

Hearing Li Lin's words, the Poisonous Ghost's face twitched slightly, and he then said, “Stay inside my poison shield. The monsters won’t dare to come near.”

As his words fell, the Poisonous Ghost disappeared on the spot, setting up a faint black light shield around Li Lin.

“A few third-level monsters dare to be rampant. They’re seeking death.” The Poisonous Ghost leaped into the air, hovering in mid-air. Clenching his hand, he conjured a black light sphere and hurled it down. The sphere exploded with a low, booming sound, targeting three third-level monsters below.

Li Lin, watching from below, thought to himself about the old man's formidable strength. The aura emanating from the Poisonous Ghost was terrifyingly powerful.

The black light sphere exploded, sending out terrifying waves of energy. Even from a distance, Li Lin could feel the oppressive force contained within those waves, far stronger than his own power.

The three third-level monsters were instantly shattered by the explosion, their massive bodies torn apart. Everyone watched in shock as the Poisonous Ghost, a seemingly ordinary old man, revealed his terrifying strength.

“Spirit Commander! He’s a Spirit Commander!” Li Feng and Huang Qifan were stunned, realizing the extent of the Poisonous Ghost's power. Everyone was astonished; such a formidable being had been hiding among them all along.

“Blood Lizard, you little worm, dare to be so bold. Are you seeking death?” The Poisonous Ghost's expression darkened. He didn’t continue attacking the third-level monsters but went straight to the Blood Lizard, which was fighting Huang Qifan.

“You’re a Spirit Commander?” The Blood Lizard looked at the Poisonous Ghost in shock, immediately starting to retreat. It knew it couldn't contend with a human Spirit Commander.

“Take your monsters and scram. I’m not in the mood to deal with you today, or else I’ll rip out your inner core,” the Poisonous Ghost coldly threatened the Blood Lizard.

“Humph, human Spirit Commander, I doubt you have the ability,” the Blood Lizard said defiantly, then roared skywards. The sound pierced through space, echoing in the mountains.

“Looking for help? You’re seeking death,” said the Poisonous Ghost, frowning at the Blood Lizard's roar. His aura vibrated, and he swiftly shot towards the Blood Lizard in a blur.

The Blood Lizard, knowing the strength of the Poisonous Ghost, retreated rapidly, not daring to resist.

“Think you can escape? You’re not fast enough,” the Poisonous Ghost sneered. He moved even faster than the Blood Lizard and quickly appeared in front of it. Conjuring a ball of spirit fire, he released it towards the Blood Lizard.

The Blood Lizard roared, and a giant yellow shield appeared in front of it to block the attack.

The spirit fire roared fiercely, its intense heat spreading. The surrounding trees withered rapidly, and the water vapor in the air completely evaporated. The Blood Lizard’s yellow shield slowly distorted under the fire, eventually melting away.

Just then, a series of roars came from the distant sky, accompanied by an overwhelming presence. Everyone's souls trembled at the sound.

The roar was followed by a massive, rushing aura. Simultaneously, a colossal streak of light soared into the sky.

“What a powerful monster,” Li Lin gasped, looking up. The monster was over three hundred meters long, covered in red scales.