Within the dimensional space, Xu Que had finally cleared the Shadow Panthers in the central passage.
Although he had wasted quite a bit of time sharpening Zhao Xian and the others' combat awareness, the results were unexpectedly favorable.
In his past life, Xu Que had wondered why there weren't any powerful individuals like Zhao Xian and the others on the Heavenly Ranking, but he had also begun to sense something amiss.
The current Kun Shao was vastly different from his past incarnation—something had evidently happened to him, explaining why he had become so taciturn.
As for Zhao Xian and the others, their cultivation speed was not much slower than Kun Shao's, which clearly suggested they had encountered some sort of hardship in their past lives.
"Though I am unsure just how much my butterfly's wings will change things, it seems that, for now, the winds are shifting in a favorable direction," Xu Que mused.
As he pondered these thoughts, he finally reached the last passageway!
The surroundings were eerily silent, yet Xu Que felt an uncanny sensation as if some unseen eyes were watching him.
The fetid stench of decay assailed him, causing his expression to darken in grave concern.
"This smell… It's from the Evil Spine Beast!"
His eyes darted around, but there was no trace of these alien creatures in the passage.
Yet, this sensation of being watched could not deceive Xu Que. He knew that these beasts hunted by striking from the most unexpected angles!
"Are they planning an ambush?"
A smile tugged at the corners of Xu Que's lips, the curve almost predatory.
"If that's the case, I shall offer you creatures the opportunity."
Deliberately, Xu Que turned his back, adopting a seemingly unguarded posture, then slowly moved along the right side of the passage.
When facing these alien creatures, they would instinctively show their vicious fangs and pounce—this was the nature of beasts, no matter which world they hailed from.
After walking four paces along the right side, the sound of liquid dripping reached his ears, followed by the appearance of a creature the size of an adult ox—an Evil Spine Beast—materializing just behind him.
Its body was covered in red fur, with a long, conspicuous horn running down its spine.
The beast gathered its strength, preparing to pounce.
"Roar!"
Xu Que had been waiting for this moment. As soon as he heard the roar, he swiftly raised his weapon, the Cloud Essence Demon Cutter, and slashed backward.
This instinctive movement came from years of experience. While he couldn't easily defeat an S-Class alien, taking down a B-Class beast was all but certain.
"Whoosh!"
The blade's edge flashed like a meteor, severing the Evil Spine Beast's jaw in one swift motion.
The creature howled in pain, tumbling in agony.
"Argh!"
Just as the first beast writhed in pain, another one appeared from seemingly nowhere, charging straight at Xu Que.
Xu Que didn't bother with the second beast; instead, he swiftly advanced and finished off the wounded one with a decisive strike.
When dealing with alien creatures, if the first strike didn't kill, the best course of action was to ensure the kill immediately. If they managed to flee, it would spell disaster.
Xu Que leapt into the air, swinging his blade with deadly precision, and the Evil Spine Beast's head was cleaved cleanly from its body.
Before Xu Que could turn around, the first beast, which had missed its attack, lunged again.
Xu Que's brow furrowed. Though he knew the Evil Spine Beast was fast, he hadn't expected another one to strike so quickly after the first.
Rather than face it head-on, Xu Que quickly dropped low and rolled sideways.
As he rolled, a shadow streaked past him, and the Evil Spine Beast's face collided with the ground where he had just been.
The beast's horn embedded itself into the earth with a sharp crack.
This creature's combat style was different from other alien beasts. It not only attacked with claws and teeth but also employed its spine as a weapon!
However, there was no time for admiration. The second Evil Spine Beast was already charging at him with great speed.
Xu Que didn't attempt to meet it head-on. Instead, he retreated rapidly, eventually finding himself backed against a wall, where he instinctively acted.
"Whoosh!"
With the wind howling past his ear, Xu Que tilted his body back, swinging his Cloud Essence Demon Cutter from below in a powerful arc.
"Thwack!"
Blood sprayed as the blade sliced through the beast's neck, and the creature's breath ceased, its life extinguished.
"Phew…" Xu Que exhaled a heavy sigh, holding back the rancid stench that assailed his nostrils.
Although he disliked facing these multi-faceted alien creatures, he understood that to rise quickly, he must confront them with all his might, no matter the cost.
Seeing that the Evil Spine Beast had not dropped anything useful, he prepared to move forward.
Xu Que had no intention of collecting the creature's corpse. Its meat was notoriously unpalatable, and the foul odor was unbearable.
Just as he took a step to continue his journey, the feeling of being watched returned.
Xu Que paused, scanning his surroundings. The walls of the passage showed no signs of caves, so it was illogical for multiple pairs of eyes to be observing him from every direction.
He examined the walls carefully, but before he could pinpoint the source, several Evil Spine Beasts dropped down from above!
"Roar! Roar! Roar!"
"Awoooooo…"
A chorus of growls and snarls filled the air.
Seeing the creatures actively emerge, a radiant smile spread across Xu Que's face.
Eight of them!
He cracked his neck and tightened his grip on the Cloud Essence Demon Cutter, its surface gleaming with starlight.
"Kill!"
With a thunderous roar, Xu Que charged forward like a cannonball.
He feared not the direct confrontation with these beasts, but rather their ambush tactics. Their ability to strike from the shadows far exceeded that of the Shadow Panthers!
As the Cloud Essence Demon Cutter flashed in the air, three of the Evil Spine Beasts were slain in an instant, unable to even strike back.
Xu Que's blade danced with each movement, his body evading attacks with the grace of a seasoned warrior. His instincts were sharp, and his resolve was unshakable.
Having lived through countless life-or-death moments in his past life, Xu Que never once faltered. In this second life, he would not retreat.
His belief in his previous life had always been that one must move forward, no matter the obstacles. And in this life, he not only intended to move forward—he would reach the summit!
"Thwack!"
Blood gushed as the blade severed the Evil Spine Beast's head from its body.
Xu Que immediately turned his attention to the final beast, swinging his blade once more.
With a spray of blood, the beast's skull split in two under the force of Xu Que's strike.
Surveying the corpses of the eight Evil Spine Beasts, Xu Que's eyes shifted upward to the darkened tunnel above.
The tunnel leading upward was engulfed in shadows, its depth unexplored by even the distant light of the flames below.
Xu Que did not choose to enter the dark, narrow passage. He knew it was a shortcut to deeper areas, but the danger within was unknown.
Pulling his gaze away, Xu Que glanced ahead at the path before him and began walking toward the end of the passage.
According to his knowledge from his past life, Xu Que soon arrived at the passage's terminus.
As he looked at the stone statues on either side, Xu Que did not immediately move. Instead, he closed his eyes, listening intently for any sound.
From the other side of the wall came the faint sound of dripping water. Xu Que slowly placed his hands atop the statues' heads.
"Three…"
"Two…"
"One!"
"Crack!"
It was as if something had been triggered.
Xu Que quickly retreated, warily watching the direction in which the stone wall began to shift open.
"Is this the passage leading to the plaza?"
Just as Xu Que pondered the potential dangers within, a dozen or so monkey-like alien creatures burst out of the opening.
"Kekekek!"
"Yuanling Water Monkeys!"