I transmigrated to a chaotic world and became the sole player.

Warm sunshine, fresh air, and solid ground beneath my feet.

For the group who had just escaped from the dark, damp, and deadly depths of the earth, the ordinary mountain scenery before them was like paradise. Many people breathed in the air greedily, as if trying to completely expel the cold and musty smell of the earth from their lungs.

But Lu Zhao's calm words were like a bucket of cold water, waking everyone from their euphoria at surviving the ordeal.

This place is still within the "Dragonbone Hills" area, and the danger has not yet gone away.

A chill ran through everyone, and they quickly suppressed their turbulent emotions. After a brief moment of relaxation came the even heavier reality. Most of them were wounded, exhausted, and had endured prolonged hunger and mental torment; their condition was extremely poor. But no one complained; the instinct for survival drove them to act swiftly.

Chen Bai, mustering his strength, organized those still able to move to search for clean spring water and edible wild fruits and mushrooms nearby. Several ordinary people with some medical knowledge used the few remaining clean strips of cloth and wound medicine they carried to treat the wounds of the seriously injured. A silent yet efficient atmosphere permeated the group.

Lu Zhao did not rest. With a swift movement, he climbed to the top of the tallest ancient tree nearby, like a nimble ape, and stood on a branch, gazing into the distance.

The sun was setting in the west, and it was nearing evening. He first used the sun's position to roughly determine the cardinal directions. Then, his gaze fell upon the winding, grayish-brown "dragon spine" in the distance—the main ridge of Dragonbone Hills. Combining his memory of his location before being teleported with the general direction of the underground passage, he quickly deduced that he and his group should now be in the northeastern outer area of ​​Dragonbone Hills.

This area is far from the core of the desolate hills, with relatively flat terrain, dense forests, and thin spiritual energy. It is rarely inhabited by powerful demonic beasts and is usually the area of ​​activity for low-level cultivators and herb gatherers. It was precisely because of this that they did not immediately encounter danger after emerging from underground.

Once the location is confirmed, the next step is to determine the destination.

"Dragon Bone Hills" is located on the edge of the Southern Wilderness, spanning thousands of miles. There are many markets where independent cultivators gather and strongholds established by small cultivation families on the outskirts. However, the closest place to their current location, and the one that is relatively safe, orderly, and can provide necessary supplies and shelter, is "Black Rock City," located about 600 miles northeast of the hills.

Blackrock City is not a true mortal city, but a market-style settlement jointly controlled by several small cultivation families and open to all cultivators. It has basic order, shops, and inns where one can buy elixirs and talismans, and also gather information. Most importantly, it has teleportation arrays to other areas (short distance, expensive) and relatively safe trade routes.

Six hundred li would be nothing more than half a day for Lu Zhao in his prime, flying on his sword. But for this battered team, mainly composed of mortals, traversing mountains and rivers, and having to be wary of wild beasts in the forests and potential raiders or demonic beasts, it would take at least four or five days, or even longer.

Moreover, along the way, one must avoid areas that may be affected by the evil vortex deep in the barren hills, as well as some known dangerous areas.

Lu Zhao quickly planned the famous route in his mind, his sharp eyes scanning the continuous mountains and forests below, marking several valleys and swamps that might be lurking with danger.

The time it takes for an incense stick to burn quickly passed.

Lu Zhao gracefully descended from the treetop. The others had already treated their wounds, drunk some water, and eaten some wild fruit. Although they were still exhausted, their spirits had improved considerably, and they were at least able to move around.

"This place is on the northeastern outskirts of 'Dragon Bone Hills.' We must leave this place as soon as possible and head to 'Black Rock City,' six hundred miles away, for temporary refuge." Lu Zhao spoke succinctly, his gaze sweeping over the group. "The road ahead remains treacherous. In the mountains and forests, we may encounter wild beasts, poisonous insects, and even people with ulterior motives. But staying here increases the risk of being affected by the anomalies deep within the hills. Whether you stay or go is your choice. Those who wish to follow me must obey my orders and not act on their own. Those who do not wish to follow may scatter here and find their own way to survive."

His words were plain, yet carried an undeniable power.

The group exchanged bewildered glances, almost without hesitation. Having witnessed Lu Zhao's various methods underground, especially his current unfathomable and awe-inspiring aura, everyone knew that following this senior offered the greatest chance of survival. To split up? In this perilous outskirts of the desolate hills, that would be tantamount to suicide.

"We are willing to follow you, senior, to Blackrock City!" Chen Bai was the first to kneel on one knee, clasping his hands in a gesture of respect. The others followed suit, kneeling down and chanting in unison, "We are willing to follow you, senior!"

"Alright." Lu Zhao nodded. "In that case, let's set off. Chen Bai, you and Wang Hu (another late-stage Qi Refining cultivator) will lead the way, and be vigilant. Zhao Si (a mid-stage Qi Refining cultivator), you and Li Xiang (a mid-stage Qi Refining cultivator) will cover the rear. The rest of you, stay in the middle and look after each other. The elderly, weak, women, and children will walk in the middle. Maintain formation, do not make noise, and proceed at full speed!"

The team set off again. Although everyone was injured and their steps were faltering, their morale was boosted by a clear goal and a leader. Lu Zhao walked at the very front of the team, his divine sense acting like an invisible net, constantly covering the surrounding area for miles, avoiding any powerful auras that he felt threatened, and guiding the team through the dense forest.

Along the way, they indeed encountered several groups of people fleeing in panic from the direction of the desolate hills. Some groups were drastically reduced in number, everyone wounded and terrified; others were still complete, even carrying bulging bundles, clearly having made some gains, but each one was wary and hostile to anyone who approached. Lu Zhao did not want to cause trouble, nor did he want to reveal the true strength of his group, so he always spotted them early and avoided them from a distance.

As the sun set and darkness fell, the elderly and weak in the group were exhausted from their continuous journey. Lu Zhao chose a sheltered, secluded valley for the group to stop, rest, and spend the night. He personally set up several simple warning barriers at the valley entrance and instructed Chen Bai to arrange for people to take turns keeping watch throughout the night.

As night deepened, the mountains and forests fell silent, save for the chirping of insects and the sound of the wind.

Lu Zhao sat cross-legged on a blue stone, closed his eyes to regulate his breathing, but in reality, he was on high alert, his divine sense covering the entire temporary camp.

suddenly--

"Boom!!!"

In the distance, from the core of Dragonbone Hills, came a muffled roar that seemed to come from the depths of the earth! Immediately afterward, the gray-black vortex of malevolent energy in the sky seemed to boil, churning and expanding wildly! A thick, dark red beam of light, reaching from the sky to the ground, like the tentacles of a demon, suddenly shot up from the center of the vortex, dyeing half of the night sky an eerie dark red!

"Roar—!!!"

An indescribable, terrifying roar, filled with savagery, chaos, pain, and endless resentment, clearly reached everyone's ears even from hundreds of miles away! The voice was neither human nor that of any known demonic beast; it seemed to come from the deepest hell, piercing straight to the soul, causing everyone's heart to tremble and their blood to surge!

A strong tremor followed, and rocks fell from the valley floor!

Chaos erupted in the camp, filled with screams and cries. Everyone was terrified by the sudden celestial phenomenon and the terrifying roar, believing that the end of the world had come.

Lu Zhao suddenly opened his eyes, stood up abruptly, and stared at the dark red blood light soaring into the sky and the violently churning vortex of evil energy in the direction of the desolate hill. His expression was extremely solemn, and a trace of horror flashed in the depths of his pupils.

The "Nine Netherworld Summoning Formation"... has probably reached its final stage, or perhaps... has already succeeded?

That roar... what exactly was drawn out?!

A strong sense of foreboding, like a cold, venomous snake, coiled around Lu Zhao's heart.