In the face of this extreme evil gaze, if it were an ordinary person present, they’d feel their scalp crawl and flee in terror in mere moments.
However, today, those present are seasoned warriors; even first-tier ones are only fit to guard the gate, while second-tier and above are plentiful, with third-tier experts counted by the bundles—all are highly skilled.
Everyone merely stayed slightly alert, glaring back, making the eerie gaze last only a short moment.
Once they saw clearly, they found that the pairs of eyes belonged to two Daoist children.
They bore smiles and wore Taoist robes with distinct styles and features: one had "Qingfeng" written on the chest, the other "Bright Moon."
These words are not ancient; although scrawled, even Xu Shu could immediately recognize them, clearly indicating their identities.
These were the two demon paths guarding the seal array of the "Fearful God," as mentioned by Mao Tu, originally tasked to prevent the latter from being disturbed, but now preparing themselves for a new alliance.
It is noteworthy that these two Taoists also had strange silver chains locking their waists, each connected to a rotten tree root entwined into an ancient tree base.
The roots arched over the sides of the cave entrance, constantly exuding black mist that faintly surrounded the silver chains, leaving yellowed marks on the ground, evidently concealing hidden dangers.
Rotten wood, chains, demon paths, cave... every element hinted an inscrutable atmosphere.
At this moment, the two Daoist children clasped in their hands lotus people transformed by Lotus Mother, munching them like candies, then spat the debris onto the seemingly fragmented arrays surrounding.
These Lotus Mothers probably never expected that after consuming young boys and girls their whole lives, they’d end up being transformed as such and consumed themselves—a cycle of karma, a fitting retribution.
Circuit patterns on the ground absorbed these lotus root fragments, occasionally causing a ripple, gathering at the cave entrance, along the connection lines of the towering tree roots.
Each undulation made the cave entrance, originally appearing empty, grow a shade darker.
After successive rounds, a giant ink-black mountain gate manifested from thin air!
The black giant gate was covered in light cyan transparent slime, meandering and twisting, appearing to depict certain symbols, though their colors were now indiscernible.
The two Daoist children placed their hands on the door, where their palms touched the surface smoke fizzed, their faces revealing agonizing expressions, seemingly enduring the pain of corrosion by strong acid.
Even so, they still clenched their teeth, pushing the massive gate inward amidst heavy creaks, revealing a deep cave inside, with the walls embedded with gemstones that emitted a faint green fluorescence, illuminating the passage.
After finishing all this, the two finally breathed easy.
While cleaning the scorched yellow fragments from the sleeves of their Taoist robes, they bowed to everyone, chuckling as they spoke.
"Hahaha, boundless Immortal Venerable! The passage to the Underworld has been opened today, below lies the sealed Fearful God, should you succeed, remember those who dug the well!" Qingfeng’s intonation resembled a street-performer of an evil storyteller.
Beside him, Bright Moon chuckled and followed up after he finished, saying, "What my senior brother means is, if there’s a White Lotus bud deep within the seal, may we trouble you to bring it out and hand it to us."
Their duet seemed to imply some terms, as if asking for some rewards.
"White Lotus bud?"
Yan Hui frowned as he was irked by their tone and asked, "And what if we don’t get it?"
Qingfeng and Bright Moon’s eyes simultaneously snapped onto him: "Can’t get it? Impossible, that thing is highly conspicuous!"
"If indeed you can’t get it..."
"That’s fine too, that’s fine, hehe!"
"Hehehehehe~~"
Amidst sinister and mad laughter, the two Daoist children clapped their hands and hopped about as if they were singing.
Despite saying it was fine, if they didn’t retrieve the so-called "White Lotus bud," troubles awaited upon return.
Not everyone in the Red Emperor Army could immediately understand these convoluted words, especially those from the Western War Zone, they were even more confused.
However, with companions fluent in the local dialect translating, everyone realized and fixed unfriendly gazes on the two demon paths.
Yan Hui squinted, turning back to watch the black-robed Taoist.
The latter, suppressing excitement, whispered, "The seal is now removed, and Fearful God is silent, seemingly weakened to the extreme! Commander Yan Hui, what are we waiting for? Opportunity is fleeting! Why care for these two stray dogs guarding the gate? Daring enough to covet the relic of the White Lotus Saintess, simply fool them, and upon exit..."
He didn’t finish, but the murderous intent in his blood-red eyes under the hood was apparent, his intentions clear without need for words.
"The relic of the White Lotus Saintess... is it the one you mentioned?" Yan Hui looked at the black-robed Taoist, whispering.
"Yes. It’s also included in our agreement." The black-robed Taoist answered softly.
"Understood."
Yan Hui lowered his head in thought, speaking no further, and immediately organized the troops, with squads of Red Emperor Army knights stepping forward; they were the forces to descend and combat the "Fearful God" below.
However, after hearing the words earlier from the two demon paths, he clearly remained cautious, withholding an entire squad of the main forces, five experienced and powerful third-tier Saint Knights.