Standing in the swirling black mist, Evangeline finally understood.

This strange place was a cage, built to imprison something terrifying!

And that something was the source of the venomous mist. The precious Spiritual Medicines along the way, rich with Spiritual Energy, had been the key to maintaining a balance by consuming the mist.

By picking the Spiritual Medicines, she had shattered that balance, causing the venomous mist to surge wildly, already showing faint signs of spiraling out of control.

Once the last wisp of Spiritual Energy faded and nothing was left to suppress it, the venomous mist would escape!

And then, the thing that had broken its chains would surely follow the mist and bring calamity to the Beastman Continent.

Evangeline’s expression grew grim as her gaze swept over her surroundings.

The fact that the venomous mist lingered here meant the creature bound by the chains was still lying dormant nearby.

She closed her eyes to concentrate, her mind racing to find a solution.

’A Sealing and Purification Array.’

’The source of the venom has been suppressed here, which means it isn’t easy to deal with. It must be some kind of evil Venomous Beast that can only be imprisoned, not destroyed. In that case, the safest approach is to use a Sealing Array to isolate the venomous miasma and prevent the mist from spreading. Then, I can use Spirit Stones and Magic Artifacts as the core to lay down a Purification Array. Given enough time, that should cleanse this place of its toxic energy.’

’However, this Array is difficult to set up and consumes a vast amount of Spiritual Power. I’m afraid it’s impossible to complete in a short amount of time.’

After a moment, she lifted her gaze and surveyed the area, having made a decision.

’I can’t leave.’

’I was the one who picked the Spiritual Medicines, causing the venomous mist to surge almost beyond control. If I just walk away, it won’t be long before the mist consumes this entire place and then spreads outward. By then, trying to contain it will be beyond anyone’s power.’

With this in mind, Evangeline took out a Spirit Stone from her storage space. But as she looked at the viscous venomous mist surrounding her, her brow furrowed.

Laying an Array with Spirit Stones requires precise timing and location. If the positioning is off by even a fraction, the effect of the entire Sealing and Purification Array will be wildly inaccurate. Right now, the venomous mist was as thick as ink, completely obscuring the landscape in a gray haze. It was impossible to tell east from west.

’The only option now is to find a way to temporarily disperse this mist and bring back the light. I need to use that window of opportunity to lay down the Spirit Stones. I can then use the Spiritual Energy they generate to form the seals for the Array. Otherwise, it will be incredibly difficult to complete the full Array with my power alone.’

’On top of that, there’s the source of the venomous mist hiding in the shadows. That’s another huge problem.’

Evangeline sat down cross-legged, tossing a Spirit Stone in her hand. She surveyed the surrounding venomous mist, her eyes narrowing slightly.

’Rainwater can’t wash this mist away, but ice has some effect. The frosty chill seeping from my Cold Frost Whip made the mist’s flow sluggish, which proves it’s a viable method. However, even freezing it won’t disperse it.’

’What I can do is use rain again to make the mist cling to it, then freeze it solid so it can’t escape.’

’As long as I can set up the Sealing and Purification Array during that time, all my problems will be solved.’

Evangeline held a Spirit Stone in her palm, and a thick stream of Spiritual Energy transformed into a sigil that shot into the air. A moment later, a torrential downpour began!

This time, the rain came down with ferocious intensity, shattering the thick mist. In an instant, the entire area was like an ink wash painting being rinsed by a storm; the ink stains dissolved, revealing a brand-new, clean world.

Between the rugged stone walls lay an open space. Strange and lush plants grew all around, and bizarre flowers unfurled their petals as the mist dissipated, releasing waves of fragrance. Before her was a beautiful, primordial jungle, like a paradise hidden from the world.

If she hadn’t witnessed it herself, Evangeline would never have believed that this Peachblossom Vale before her had previously been The Venom Pit!

She clicked her tongue in wonder, her gaze sweeping the area as a thought crossed her mind.

’This would actually be a great place to retire. A naturally formed grotto, fertile soil, lush vegetation... With a little work, it could become a beautiful, hidden little town!’

The thought was fleeting, and Evangeline’s focus quickly returned to the downpour.

The venomous mist, carried by the rain, seeped into the ground. Instantly, the fertile soil turned pitch-black. The flowers and plants withered. Even though they were often eroded by the mist, they couldn’t withstand having it directly absorbed into their bodies.

She took out her Cold Frost Whip, and a continuous stream of Spiritual Energy channeled through the long whip, generating an intensely powerful cold aura!

The cold aura seemed to come alive, spreading across the soil. Aided by the rain, the freezing process was exceptionally easy. The cold froze all the rainwater that was saturated with the venomous mist. In an instant, the area transformed into a world of ice and snow.

Looking at the frozen venomous mist, Evangeline breathed a sigh of relief. ’This method really works. The principle that the five elements generate and overcome one another holds true.’

She didn’t dare to delay. She rose quickly and began burying the Spirit Stones in every corner.

This stone grotto was truly like the hidden paradise from *Peach Blossom Spring*—the entrance was narrow, barely wide enough for one person, but it opened up into a small world of its own. Evangeline made a wide circuit, burying a Spirit Stone in every designated spot without missing a single one.

All the while, she cautiously watched her surroundings, wary of a sneak attack from the creature that had broken its chains.

However, whether the creature was dead or had long since left, it never once appeared.

Evangeline couldn’t afford to dwell on it. The venomous mist was so potent that the cold was already failing to contain it.

She stepped onto the sacrificial altar and sat cross-legged once more. Her fingertips danced, and complex golden sigils, like flowing fireflies, flew from her palms. Soon, they enveloped the entire space within the grotto, forming a golden film—a Barrier—that layered itself again and again. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

This process of forming seals lasted for another half a month.

Evangeline remained seated cross-legged on the altar. The surroundings were once again filled with a thick, black mist. The wards around her body constantly dissolved and reformed. The golden sigils in her palm, sluggish due to the mist, continued to layer themselves one after another.

The powder from the consumed Spirit Stones had piled up so high it nearly buried Evangeline. If not for those stones, her Spiritual Energy would have been completely depleted long ago.

She didn’t dare to slack off. For half a month straight, aside from taking an occasional bite of food, she never stopped forming the sigils for the great Array.

’Just two more days, and the Sealing and Purification Array should be complete.’

「Outside the stone grotto.」

A tall, slender figure stood beneath the vines, his gaze fixed on the dark cave entrance.

In half a month, Julian had become like a different person. His beast skin clothes were clean, but they hung loosely on his frame. His once-brilliant golden hair was dull and lifeless, and even his gilded golden eyes had lost their color. His handsome face was haggard.

He hadn’t dared to stray a single step away all these days, only hunting a few fish in the nearby area, which was barely enough to fill his stomach.

So much time had passed with no sign of movement from within. He didn’t dare to imagine what had happened to Evangeline.

Suddenly, several fresh fish, each as thick as an arm, were tossed out of the stream. They landed on the bank, their tails flapping wildly with crisp, slapping sounds.

Julian didn’t even turn his head, his gaze still locked on the grotto’s interior.

With a great splash, Rask emerged from the stream and kicked one of the flopping fish.

He glanced at Julian, then at the dark grotto. After a moment of silence, he spoke in a mocking tone, "It’s been this long. You won’t get any results by continuing to wait. You should go back. The Goldeagle Tribe can’t be without its leader."