```html
From within a small cluster of blood-red bristles, a wisp of light red aura drifted out, slowly merging into the black ripples.
Liu Ming's eyes reflected a similar layer of black ripple.
Since entering the ruins of the upper realm, he had experienced consecutive battles, and without realizing it, his state of mind and mystical techniques had deepened. Now, as he performed the Ghastly Soul Searching Technique, not only was it no longer strenuous, but he felt the sensing distance had increased significantly.
"He's indeed caught up..." Liu Ming's gaze flashed as he retracted his arm and the black ripples dissipated with a flicker. His body made a slight movement, transforming into four shadows, each heading rapidly in different directions, vanishing from the horizon within a few breaths.
A stick of incense later, a streak of blood-colored light sped from afar, revealing the figure of Jiying after a single flash.
