The Heart-Destructive Formation Jiang Chen deployed wiped out the senior members of the Black Tiger Adventure Group with ease. News of this spread like wildfire throughout Thunderstone City, causing an uproar.
Adventurer groups across the city were in shock.
The Azure Adventure Group, once an obscure presence, had suddenly become infamous. A third-rank formation master like Jiang Chen was powerful enough to annihilate even the top groups.
The message was clear: the Azure Adventure Group was now a force to be reckoned with, and no one dared challenge them.
While Thunderstone City buzzed with rumors, Jiang Chen, Meng Qingxue, and Ye Qingshuang set off for the Thunder Cloud Mountain Range in search of the Heavenly Bamboo Shoot Spirit Milk.
Ye Qingshuang, having spent years in Thunderstone City, knew the mountains well. The Azure Adventure Group had often explored this area to survive, so she was familiar with the terrain and dangers.
Their journey was smooth.
The occasional second-rank monsters they encountered, equivalent to fifth or sixth-level Qi Protection warriors, posed no threat. Meng Qingxue easily dispatched them with her sword.
After half a day, they arrived at a gloomy valley.
"This is it," Ye Qingshuang said, pointing to the dark depths. "The Heavenly Bamboo Shoot Spirit Milk is inside a cave at the end of this valley."
She continued, "We came here six months ago with Sister Qingxue, but had to turn back. A peak second-rank Nether Snow Lion guards the cave. It's as strong as a ninth-level Qi Protection warrior."
Jiang Chen gazed into the depths of the valley, his eyes narrowing.
Suddenly, a piercing scream echoed from deep within the valley.
"Let's go!"
Jiang Chen's eyes flashed with determination, and the three of them rushed towards the source of the sound.
After advancing a few hundred meters, they saw a figure stumbling towards them.
It was a young man, about sixteen or seventeen, with the aura of an eighth-level Qi Protection warrior. But he was in terrible shape—covered in blood, his sword broken, and his clothes in tatters.
"Friends… help… please…"
The boy's eyes lit up with hope when he saw Jiang Chen and the others. Without waiting for a reply, he ran past them, fleeing the valley in desperation.
Jiang Chen frowned, about to stop the boy.
Suddenly, a chilling wind swept over them.
This was no ordinary wind.
Even Jiang Chen, with his ninth-level Qi Protection strength, felt an icy chill penetrate his bones. The very air seemed to freeze.
"Be careful!" Ye Qingshuang's face turned pale. "This must be the Nether Snow Lion! That boy used us as a shield!"
Meng Qingxue's eyes darkened. "This aura… it's too powerful. This isn't a second-rank beast anymore. The Nether Snow Lion has advanced to the third rank!"
Ye Qingshuang's eyes widened in shock.
"A third-rank monster?!"
Third-rank monsters were on par with warriors in the Foundation Opening Realm. This was a far more formidable foe than they had anticipated.