Chapter 71

The sky grew increasingly overcast, accompanied by the rumbling of distant thunder. Dozens of figures darted swiftly between the trees, moving so fast it was as if they were a gust of wind, one following closely behind the other.

From their attire, they appeared to be mercenaries. "Hurry, they should be just ahead!" Yu Hai said with a somewhat anxious expression.

These people were the mercenaries hired by Meng Laik, who had finally found a clue after hours of searching. Just a moment ago, they had seen a massive ball of earth explode in the sky. If they were not mistaken, that should be where the teacher and students were.

Perhaps because they saw a glimmer of hope, the originally weary mercenaries could not help but quicken their pace. After about the time it takes to burn an incense stick, they finally arrived at the location.

However, the scene that greeted them made them all draw in a sharp breath. It was too gruesome, too terrible to behold! The air was thick with the smell of blood, and mangled bodies and flesh were scattered everywhere. Even these mercenaries, who were accustomed to the edge of the blade, could not help but turn pale and clench their teeth in anger at the sight.

"Damn it, which beast could be so ruthless?" a blunt-spoken mercenary clenched his fists.

"Even the children were not spared. Does the murderer have no mercy at all?"

Another mercenary also showed great anger, his face contorted as if he wanted to catch the murderer and tear him apart. The other mercenaries, though silent, their increasingly cold and stern expressions made it clear that they too were enraged by the murderer's cruelty.

"We must hurry and search the area to see if there are any other survivors!" Yu Hai said, his face calm, but he was the angriest among them.

As a poor child who had grown up in the "Grassroots Enlightenment School," if it were not for the school, he would not be who he is today. He would never tolerate such a heinous murderer!

The mercenaries nodded and began their tasks. Among them, Yu Hai was the most powerful and had the most authority, especially after everyone learned he was a member of the "Flying Tiger Mercenary Group," they tacitly acknowledged him as their leader.

"No survivors found."

"None here either!"

"..."

The mercenaries searched the area thoroughly but all shook their heads in disappointment. In truth, they had not held much hope. From the murderer's cruel methods, it was clear that no one would be spared.

Although Yu Hai had anticipated this outcome, he believed there were other survivors. The number of dead at the scene was only a few dozen, which was far from the number Meng Laik had provided.

"Time is precious. We will split into groups of five and search. I believe there are still survivors." After a pause, Yu Hai said firmly, "If you encounter the murderer, use the signal!"

Almost everyone saw the cold light flash in his eyes.

On a slope, Yu Hai's group of five found Lu Neng and others who had already gathered. At that moment, Yu Hai unconsciously let out a sigh of relief.

After a brief conversation, Yu Hai learned the general course of events, though many important details were still unclear.

"Three Corpse Devourers? I've heard of them before. Could the murderer be them?"

With this question in mind, Yu Hai left the other four mercenaries to protect the frightened children and continued searching for survivors, hoping to meet up with Teacher Liu Hong.

The sky grew darker with thickening clouds, and thunder rumbled. It was still morning, but it was as gloomy as night.

Liu Hong, who had been moving quickly, stopped, beads of sweat appearing on her beautiful and fair face. Looking at the dense forest around her, she furrowed her brows, unsure which direction to continue searching!

"Damn it!"

Her anxiousness made her lose her composure. With a wave of her arm, a flame burst forth, instantly igniting a tree.

If burning the trees could help her find Wang Junqi, she would not hesitate, but in reality, this action only wasted her magic and was of no use!

"Qiqi, where are you?"

Looking at the pale blue flame on her chest, which had shrunk significantly, Liu Hong felt a sharp pain in her heart, once again experiencing her own helplessness!

After a frantic search, her "Netherworld Perception" ability had diminished, and she could now sense only a range of less than a hundred meters.

This meant that her chances of finding Wang Junqi were becoming increasingly slim!

Unless a miracle happened, even if she found Wang Junqi, it might be an incomplete body.

The intense frustration and worry grew, making this strong woman shed tears!

No matter how strong she was, Liu Hong was still a woman!

The rumbling thunder grew louder, and soon, large raindrops began to fall. The cold rain washed over her face, gradually restoring her calm.

No matter how anxious she was, as long as she had not seen Wang Junqi, there was still a chance!

Liu Hong was about to gather herself and continue searching when, suddenly, a miracle happened.

Suddenly—

A column of water shot up into the sky, swirling and dancing like a dragon, its momentum still awe-inspiring from a distance.

"Water magic?"

Liu Hong's foot, which was about to step forward, froze in place, and she stood there, dazed as if struck by lightning.

It was indeed water magic, but what made Liu Hong hesitate was that she had never seen such strange magic before.

The water column, which resembled a dragon, grew stronger with each movement, and the rain falling from the sky seemed to be drawn to it, gathering in a large area.

"Crack!"

A bolt of lightning split the dark clouds and struck the terrifying water column directly.

However—

The water column was not dispersed; instead, it emitted a brilliant light.

"Could it be...?"

Liu Hong seemed to have realized something, and her shocked expression grew even more intense.

Her mouth opened, as if she wanted to say something, but it was as if something was stuck in her throat, and she could not utter a sound.

However, Liu Hong did not know that her shock and fear were nothing compared to the Three Corpse Devourers.

They had witnessed the entire process up close, and their initial disdain and contempt were instantly replaced by overwhelming fear!

If there was anything more terrifying than "death," it was "waiting for death"!

Just a moment ago, the Three Corpse Devourers were openly mocking the young boy's overconfidence, but with just a wave of his hand, the boy silenced all three of them!