Demon King: Hero, don’t run away!

The darkness stretched endlessly, and while the near scenery could still be illuminated by the glow from the passage, the distant scenery was completely immersed in darkness.

Yang Yu was unable to determine whether the city was originally this dark or if the Curse Sect had detected their change in strategy and shut down the entire city’s lighting facilities.

If it were the latter, even a little glimmer would be enough to expose Yang Yu and his group’s position, and they had no way to pinpoint where the Curse Sect was summoning the Demon amidst this vast darkness.

Scanning the empty streets, intuition told Yang Yu that the current environment was definitely created by the Curse Sect.

”They are really competent, and their reaction is swift. It seems they had already conceived countermeasures from the start.”

The raid probably caught them off guard, although it bought some time, they would likely soon catch up and obstruct them.

Yang Yu immediately organized the troops to pass through the Barrier, spread the teleportation scroll on a flat area, and set up a portable teleport point.

On the other side of the mountain, Lotcar explained the next combat plan to all present.

Once the Magician confirmed the deployment of the portable teleport point, they continuously transported the remaining personnel into the Barrier, completing the merge with Yang Yu and his group.

Instructing all units to quickly organize their squads for immediate engagement in battle, Yang Yu headed towards Iyas to ask if she had the ability to illuminate the entire underground city.

Before he could speak, a girl in a checkered long robe suddenly flashed in Yang Yu’s mind.

Carlo, a disciple of the Curse Sect, was a girl extremely adept at Barriers.

Her Barrier, which could restore everything to its original state within a certain range, was still fresh in Yang Yu’s memory.

On the island once occupied by the Goblin Emperor, there was a Barrier capable of distorting the surrounding scenery, hard to detect unless one was very close.

The Barrier used by the Curse Sect’s stronghold was even more exaggerated, mimicking rocks, undetectable even to those who approached.

If Yang Yu were Carlo, faced with this situation, the first thought would definitely be how to completely hide what was truly important.

Even if the entire underground city was illuminated, perhaps it still wouldn’t quickly locate where the Curse Sect was conducting their ritual.

Thinking this, Yang Yu still found Iyas:

”Iyas, this city is about half the size of the Luo Ze Capital we visited before.

Can you shoot a Light Arrow into the sky to continuously illuminate this city?”

Iyas sighed: ”That’s really asking too much...

If that Holy Light Acceleration Stone were still around to amplify my Holy Light power, I might give it a try.

But that thing was returned to the Goddess Sect as per your request.”

Speaking of which, we did use such a tool in the past.

Unfortunately...

After all, it was a Holy Artifact of the Goddess Sect.

To expose the Enchanting Demon’s plot and ally with the Goddess Sect, Yang Yu did instruct Iyas to return it if the Goddess Sect ever asked for it.

This decision was a result of various considerations.

If Yang Yu and his group refused to return it, the Goddess Sect would surely demand it repeatedly.

The dissatisfaction on both sides would constantly accumulate due to this matter.

Returning it voluntarily not only seemed more gentlemanly, leaving a good impression on the Goddess Sect, but also boosted his team’s public image.

Why not?

Back then, Yang Yu thought that rare treasures like that would probably be reacquired during future tasks involving the Goddess Sect, so returning it wasn’t a big deal.

Now it finally involved a task with the Goddess Sect...

And yet, busy with various affairs, he hadn’t recalled this matter immediately.

Yang Yu rubbed his temples in frustration.

If it were his former self, he would’ve used the battle against the Curse Sect as an excuse to demand various rewards from different forces, easily recalling such treasures...

But... now...

No, it’s unrelated to that.

Receiving rewards after everything is settled is perfectly fine as well.

That’s how Yang Yu planned from the beginning.

Demanding rewards before everything is conclusive seems untimely.

There might be other reasons for not recalling this immediately back then.

In fact, Yang Yu already knew the reason secretly.

The Demon King’s descent was imminent, unknowingly making him a bit more anxious.

Summoning a Messenger Soldier, Yang Yu contacted Ussiger, informed them of their current situation, and hoped for further generosity from the Goddess Sect.

Since the Goddess Sect was coordinating reinforcements, they might as well send any usable Divine Artifacts, specifically the Holy Light Acceleration Stone, hoping it wasn’t too late to mend the fold.

The Holy Light Acceleration Stone was indeed a rare Divine Artifact for Iyas.

But without that Divine Artifact, it wasn’t enough to make Yang Yu and his group retreat and recalibrate.

If they were always craving immense combat power, they wouldn’t be standing here now but would be waiting outside the mountains for decades.

After concluding the dialogue with Ussiger, Yang Yu inquired about the maximal range Iyas could illuminate.

Iyas stated that although she couldn’t illuminate the entire city, one-third should be achievable.

Having received that answer, Yang Yu asked Iyas again:

”By the way, you seemed to have been able to sense Darkness before.

During the strategy of the Hall of Wisdom, you sensed Amon’s presence before reaching the last level.

Besides that... later, you’ve sensed Darkness several times as well.

Your ability hasn’t vanished, right?

Can you sense the Darkness here?”

”It should still be there...” Iyas pouted, recollecting for a moment, then continued, ”Previously, I was trembling in fear of the Darkness because I didn’t know how to utilize Holy Light.

Through relentless effort, I’ve mastered part of the Holy Light, and I’m no longer afraid when facing Darkness.

Outside, surrounded by Black Mist, with darkness all around, didn’t feel particularly special.

Though the city is engulfed by blackness, these blacks are no different from an ordinary Dark Night.

I should be able to discern the true Darkness lurking within these blacks.

But the discernible range might not be extensive.”

”If what you said holds true, that’s the best we could hope for.”

Glancing at the assembled troops, Yang Yu quickly flipped through his inventory, searching for usable tools.

Suddenly, Yang Yu widened his eyes slightly, having found something interesting.

Iyas raised her bow, asking, ”So, do we still need the Holy Light illumination? I can give it a try.

If my Holy Light doesn’t work, maybe you could ask Bai Jin from her side.”

Yang Yu chuckled toward Iyas, ”For now, we don’t need it because I suddenly thought of a better plan.

We won’t even need your Darkness-sensing ability.

Just use your Holy Light to illuminate our path forward.”

Iyas tilted her head, unsure of what Yang Yu had come up with, but looking at his grinning expression, it probably wasn’t some harebrained scheme, right?