Eternal Holy Emperor
Chapter 725 - 670: The Black Storm and the Bandits

Chapter 725: Chapter 670: The Black Storm and the Bandits

Facing the many merchant caravans along the road that had been ambushed and suffered heavy casualties, the majority of the people in the huge Merchant Group of ten thousand passed by indifferently.

To these experiences, both merchant caravans and Mercenary Groups had become accustomed.

Who among those who could make money in Stealing Heaven Plain hadn’t lived through scenes of blood and violence? At most, they would show a fleeting sympathy for the plight of the hare at the fox’s death.

Some of the more compassionate Mercenary Groups or merchant caravans would allow those who remained alive to join the Merchant Group, ensuring their safety and departure from the dangerous Stealing Heaven Plain.

Witnessing these tragic scenes, Ye Chen merely sighed softly but was left speechless.

The Corpse-devouring Worm Emperor, however, gave a cold laugh, appearing indifferent.

The immense Merchant Group continued its slow progress along the main commercial route, appearing somewhat sluggish but so very stable.

The large number of people meant that even though there were many fierce bandit gangs along the way, they would only look on threateningly from a distance as the Merchant Group left, reluctant to approach because of their wariness.

Moreover, in Stealing Heaven Plain, even bandits followed a code; it was difficult for robbers to band together, each with their own pride, unwilling to join forces with other groups. Most operated alone, so as long as people stuck together on Stealing Heaven Plain, they rarely encountered disaster.

In this way, a whole day went by in the blink of an eye.

Along the way, some merchant caravans left while others joined, but the entire Merchant Group always maintained its standard of fluctuating around ten thousand people.

Furthermore, because several top-tier Mercenary Groups had joined the caravan, they now boasted three Semi-Saints, and even had an Old Saint presiding over them, providing countless people within the Merchant Group with a great sense of security.

With a Saint presiding, even within the expanse of Stealing Heaven Plain, they were among the truly powerful. As long as they didn’t venture too close to the deeper regions of Stealing Heaven Plain and didn’t encounter its most terrifying beings, they could sufficiently protect the safety of the Merchant Group along the way.

Another day passed, and in the blink of an eye, it was Ye Chen’s third day following the Mercenary Group into the Stealing Heaven Plain. By his estimation, in half a day’s time, they would approach the inner areas of Stealing Heaven Plain. That would be when he planned to quietly leave the convoy and leave the Merchant Group to head for the core area.

"Eh, why has it gotten dark so quickly?"

Suddenly, someone in the Merchant Group exclaimed in surprise.

Unbeknownst to them, the world around them had grown much gloomier, dimming as if nightfall was descending.

But it was the height of midday; there should be no nightfall.

Boom, boom, boom—

The ground began to tremble slightly, causing alarm.

Yet it was only when they looked towards the far horizon that they saw the Heavenly Dome completely darkened, a black expanse, not merely covered by dark clouds, but accompanied by terrifying fluctuations.

The color of the sky and earth changed, a howling wind arose, and the ground shook. In the distance, a black torrent surged wildly, enveloping the vast earth.

In that moment, those experienced mercenaries knew too well, and one after another their expressions changed as they shouted, "Everyone get ready, the black storm is coming!"

"What, it’s the legendary black storm!"

Hearing this, everyone’s faces turned pale.

The black storm was a truly terrifying disaster from Stealing Heaven Plain, not just an ordinary storm. The ferocity of the black storm, along with the deadly aura it contained, could solidify into Wind Blades, capable of tearing through the void. Once encountered, some of the massive black storms could even rip Saints to shreds.

This was the true horror.

The black storm rolled in from afar, overwhelming in its approach, as if intending to destroy the heavens and obliterate the earth. The distant Heavenly Dome turned completely dark, accompanied by thunderous roaring, resonating between heaven and earth—showing just how terrifying it was.

The entire Merchant Group turned pale as they all witnessed the storm’s approach, the experienced Mercenary Groups hurriedly making preparations.

The black storm had long existed over Stealing Heaven Plain, and whether it was Mercenary Groups, caravans, or bandits, they had all accumulated experience in confronting it. They gathered together, binding one Floating Boat after another and rallying some Chariot Beasts.

And at this moment, each of the Mercenary Groups took out poles of pitch-black flags and planted them in front of the Merchant Group facing the black storm.

These were specially crafted flagpoles, inscribed with specific Dao Mark Runes, which could effectively resist the disaster of the black storm.

Especially with so many flagpoles planted, numbering six or seven hundred—enough to protect even a group as large as ten thousand.

After completing all this, everyone breathed a sigh of relief, the job was finished. The main task now was to wait for the black storm to pass.

"Brother, come back. Get behind the flagpoles, or you’ll easily fall victim to the storm’s assault," the leader of the Sky Tiger Mercenary Corps called out to Ye Chen.

Ye Chen, however, gazed toward the rapidly approaching black storm and shook his head, "Leader, we must not be careless. This black storm is no simple matter."

"What do you mean?" the Leader asked, startled.

Ye Chen said softly, "I’m afraid we’re about to face a disaster, not just the black storm, but also—"

"Bandits!"

This statement exploded like a bolt from the blue, resounding thunderously by the ears of the Sky Tiger Mercenary Corps’ Leader.

The Leader’s expression turned grave instantly, looking horrified in the direction of the black storm. With his extraordinary vision, he faintly made out the blurred figures hidden within the storm, rushing forward with it.

If not for Ye Chen’s warning, perhaps no one in the ten-thousand-strong Merchant Group would have detected the trickery.

It was precisely this that made it so frightful; those bandits were actually hidden within the black storm, engaging in robbing and looting—utterly horrendous.

Without waiting to ask how Ye Chen knew, the Sky Tiger Mercenary Corps started shouting immediately, "Everyone prepare! Bandits are attacking, hidden in the black storm, act quickly!"

This shout rumbled like thunder overhead, startling everyone. Shocked, they saw the silhouettes within the black storm swiftly advancing toward them.

They rode atop pitch-black Fierce Beasts, creatures both fierce and vicious, characterized as Storm Beasts of Stealing Heaven Plain, unafraid even of the most terrifying black storms.

"Enemy attack, enemy attack, bandits are coming, everyone brace for defense, prepare for battle!"

Calls and shouts echoed one after another, all Mercenary Groups turned grim, and every caravan bore faces of horror.

Rumbling—

The pitch-dark hurricane, with the silhouettes of bandits within, swept forward and violently collided head-on with the Merchant Group.