https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-236-Anciently-Known-as-the-Netherworld-Now-Called-the-Shadow-Realm/12850387/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-238-A-Correction-the-Premise-of-Being-Human/12850389/
Chapter 237: Triggering a Total Annihilation
Chapter 237: Triggering a Total Annihilation
The battle was about to begin. No, or rather, the massacre was about to begin.
Their side was no match for these Death Shadows, so most of the Shadow Practitioners had little fighting spirit and were thinking about how to leave.
Even the leader, Black Eagle, was no exception. However, he had the advantage of being closer to Qin Muye, and he knew that he couldn't leave by himself. So, he decided to take Qin Muye with him.
Since the other side had the ability to open the Shadow Realm seal left by the Yin Mountain Army, they definitely had a way to get him out of this hellish place.
Taking advantage of everyone's distraction, he grabbed Qin Muye, and a pair of steel-like eagle wings manifested on his back. He decisively took off with Qin Muye.
Even the Cold Ghost and Mountain Tower, who were by his side, didn't react in time. Black Eagle had already carried Qin Muye and glided past the Death Shadows, exiting the palace.
No one expected things to unfold this way. The already fragile morale of the group collapsed instantly.
Cold Ghost and Mountain Tower were also shocked by the turn of events, which left them seething with anger.
Black Eagle's agility proved challenging, and even Qin Muye struggled to keep up. A group of Death Shadows were sent to give chase, while the rest of the Death Shadows remained vigilant, preventing any further escape attempts. The massacre commenced without delay. Despite his heavy armor, Mountain Tower was impaled through the chest by a spear. Cold Ghost's nimble movements were no match for the spear formation, and he met an even more brutal end, his body riddled with holes.
On the other side, Black Eagle continued to flee with Qin Muye.
"Kid, you better find a way to locate the exit of the Shadow Realm, or we'll both die here," Black Eagle panted, not stopping as he kept moving forward.
Judging by his condition, maintaining such a high speed wasn't easy, especially since he was carrying Qin Muye, which increased his energy consumption.
"Shadow Realm? It should be the Underworld. I knew where the exit was earlier, but I don't know where it is now that you've left," Qin Muye said with a teasing tone.
"You mean the exit is inside the palace!" Black Eagle was shocked and then cursed, "Why didn't you say so earlier?"
"You didn't ask. If you had asked, I would have told you," Qin Muye replied with a look of disbelief.
The exit to the Shadow Realm was indeed inside the palace, but Black Eagle had decided to leave on his own, leading to their current predicament of being lost in the Shadow Realm.
At the speed Black Eagle had been flying, they could be anywhere by now.
"Is there any other way out?" Black Eagle was speechless, knowing they couldn't go back.
The Death Shadows left by the Yin Mountain Army were too terrifying, far beyond his capabilities to handle.
"Of course there is, but you need to tell me about the Shadow Realm and your situation. Only then can I use the information I have to determine our next move," Qin Muye said confidently. They might not be able to handle it, but that didn't mean Qin Muye couldn't.
Black Eagle sighed in resignation. They were relatively safe for the moment, and his mood had calmed down. He then proceeded to introduce the Shadow Practitioners and the Shadow Realm to Qin Muye.
Qin Muye listened with great interest, but he realized that Black Eagle was just a small-time figure, knowing little and being somewhat stubborn. For example, despite knowing that the Yin Mountain Army in ancient times was responsible for suppressing the Death Shadows and Shadow Beasts, he still believed the place was a treasure trove rather than a terrifying seal.
In the Supranatural World, Black Eagle and his Shadow Practitioners were likely similar to street thugs, knowing a bit but not much, and often acting rashly.
Qin Muye also asked how Black Eagle had obtained the Shadow Stone and awakened his shadow. It seemed to be a matter of serendipity.
"By the way, the Shadow Beasts you mentioned, are they like this?" Qin Muye pointed to a creature that resembled a leopard but had three tails, completely black.
Black Eagle turned to look and saw the black leopard pounce at him, its sharp claws instantly tearing through his shadow armor, leaving a large gash.
The two of them, man and leopard, were entangled in a fierce struggle.
Meanwhile, Qin Muye stepped back to think about why he was unharmed. A small black leopard was crouching beside him. From its appearance, the black leopard attacking Black Eagle was likely the mother or father of this small leopard, though Qin Muye couldn't determine the gender.
The little black leopard showed no interest in Qin Muye at all, as if he were just a block of stone.
Even when Qin Muye tried to pet it, the little black leopard rubbed against him affectionately.
He didn't think he had a protagonist's aura; it was more likely because he wasn't a Shadow Practitioner.
As a scholar with no physical strength, he naturally hadn't awakened his shadow.
"So, the Shadow Realm's judgment is actually based on shadows rather than people?" Qin Muye couldn't help but feel curious. Of course, it was also possible that this leopard-like Shadow Beast had a special preference for Shadow Practitioners.
"Li Yan, help me get rid of this Shadow Beast, or you won't be safe either if I die," Black Eagle shouted, his shadow armor largely torn apart by the black leopard.
"Ah, I can't fight. I'm a history teacher, not a physical education teacher. Besides, even physical education teachers can't handle this; they get sick all the time," Qin Muye said helplessly while petting the little black leopard.
He suspected the leopard was a cheetah because he heard the little black leopard's sweet, kitten-like meow. As for why it was black, it might be because the Shadow Realm was mostly dark, so the leopard's spots had faded to blend in.
"???" Black Eagle was baffled. He glanced at Qin Muye petting the leopard and felt a chill run down his spine.
Could someone who dared to touch a Shadow Beast be an ordinary person?
He now suspected that Li Yan had deliberately led them into this trap, otherwise, there was no explanation.
Suddenly, the black leopard fighting with Black Eagle leaped away, looking around alertly. It passed by Qin Muye, picked up its cub, and quickly left.
It was as if something even more dangerous was coming.
Black Eagle, who had narrowly escaped death, let out a sigh of relief, thinking Qin Muye had done something.
On the other side, Qin Muye said, "The Death Shadows from the Yin Mountain Army are about to catch up. Should we run for it?"
"What? You didn't do it?" Black Eagle wasn't stupid; he realized that what had scared the black leopard away wasn't Qin Muye, but the approaching pursuers.
But he looked at his damaged shadow and smiled bitterly, "We can't run. That Shadow Beast destroyed my shadow. It will take at least three days to recover."
"Flying is out of the question. Look."
As he spoke, Black Eagle showed the pair of wings on his back, which had been shredded by the black leopard's claws.
"That's too bad. Do you have any last words?" Qin Muye said regretfully.
"That's not right. Why weren't you hurt earlier?" Black Eagle suddenly realized and asked seriously.
"Oh, because I'm not a Shadow Practitioner. They only target those who have awakened their shadows. Why don't you try destroying your shadow completely? Maybe they'll leave you alone," Qin Muye suggested, with a hint of persuasion.
Black Eagle's face turned pale and red. He didn't know what would happen if he destroyed his shadow.
It might mean he could never recover and remain a normal person, or it might not fool the Death Shadows and Shadow Beasts.
But it seemed to be the only chance for survival—success or death.
As for escaping? That was impossible. The Death Shadows could track them, no matter what.
"Alright, I'll trust you this once," Black Eagle said gloomily, looking at Qin Muye. He felt this person was definitely not simple. Once they escaped the Shadow Realm, he would definitely get rid of him, or he would never be at ease.
Qin Muye was a bit surprised by Black Eagle's decisive action, not expecting his persuasion to work.
If he were to guess his chances, Qin Muye wasn't sure. Who knew what the Death Shadows would think?
But regardless of whether this action succeeded or failed, it didn't affect Qin Muye much. The Shadow Realm was valuable to him, especially the Death Shadows and Shadow Beasts.
Shadow Stones and awakening shadows weren't urgent; he could find samples and study them when he had the time.
He suspected the main quest was related to the Shadow Realm. Perhaps after his investigation, he would find clues to the main quest.
Moreover, he had a vague idea of how to change his identity to deal with the main quest. If the Lord identity was an outsider, then the Shadow Practitioner identity was a local resident.
(End of Chapter)
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