Lantern Banshee

The light emanating from the two figures was akin to the same light produced when Jiang Cheng was fusing items. It wasn't a conventional source of light, thus, it didn't illuminate the surroundings. It was evident that only Evolvers had the ability to perceive such light.

Liang Xin, who had been dozing off, caught sight of the two figures. Her eyes lit up, and she felt a sudden surge of superiority. This was because she and Jiang Cheng's group were resting comfortably in a safe shelter with a magical campfire to keep the Yin Tide at bay.

In contrast, those two figures were probably huddled under a tree, quivering in fear, hoping to evade the night monster, just like she had done in the past. Reflecting on this, she felt even more fortunate for the choice she had made.

At the same time, a hundred meters away, Liang Weilun halted his wife and looked ahead in surprise. "It's the Evolver we met earlier. Let's go and say hello."

"Is it safe?" his wife asked anxiously.

"I think so. There are women in his group and I can sense that he's still at an early stage of Rank-1. Don't worry," Liang Weilun reassured her as they walked toward Jiang Cheng.

Jiang Cheng remained wary as the couple approached. He stood up, expressionless, and asked, "What do you want?"

Liang Weilun's previous sorrow had dissipated, replaced with a smile as he spoke from a distance of 20 meters. "We saw the fire in the distance and came over to take a look. By the way, I don't think we've been properly introduced. What's your name?"

"My name is Jiang Cheng," Jiang Cheng replied coolly. "If you don't have any business here, it's better to keep your distance."

"Brother Jiang." Liang Weilun glanced at Liang Xin, who looked like a skeleton at the entrance of the tree cave, then at the corpse of the evolved mantis on the ground. Finally, he looked at the magical campfire and said in surprise, "I didn't expect you to be a Special Evolver as well."

"Special Evolver?" Jiang Cheng asked.

Liang Weilun smiled and explained, "I'm sure you know that we Evolvers are the embodiment of spiritual will. Some even call us Willcrafters. However, not all Evolvers are the same. Some excel in combat, while others possess different talents. And among Evolvers, there's a small group of us with abilities that can directly impact the Yin Tide and even harm the night monsters. These are the Special Evolvers."

Despite not being able to see through the campfire's evil-warding properties, Liang Weilun knew it wasn't an ordinary fire. With summer temperatures still high, there was no need to start a fire for warmth. Jiang Cheng must have lit it for a reason. Combined with the Yin Tide staying away from the area, he guessed that Jiang Cheng was a Special Evolver.

Jiang Cheng had a sudden realization - it appeared that Liang Weilun was also a Special Evolver. The light that only other Evolvers could see, emanating from Liang Weilun, was proof of this. Jiang Cheng asked, "What do you want?"

Liang Weilun didn't beat around the bush and replied, "The Plains of Giant Beasts are incredibly dangerous. Even if the giant beasts have migrated, there are still many threats like evolved insects. Let's travel together."

"The Plains of Giant Beasts?" Jiang Cheng repeated, "And then what? Are we going to take on the Terrawheeler?"

Liang Weilun smiled wryly and said, "I apologize, Brother Jiang. I spoke out of anger earlier. The Terrawheeler had the ability to take down that high-level evolved beast, but they left alone. I won't bring it up again. Let's focus on the present. There were many dangers in the grassland, and I don't have much confidence in traversing it alone. I believe you feel the same way, or you wouldn't have stayed here for so long."

Liang Weilun and his wife had been keeping vigil for their late mother and son for three days before they set off, but they could catch up with Jiang Cheng's group.

Jiang Cheng remained silent for a moment. Though Liang Weilun had been kind, he knew that in this world, trusting others too quickly could be fatal. As he was about to respond, he suddenly furrowed his brows and gazed ahead.

In front of them was actually the direction they came from. Because the wind would blow from the grassland at night, the tree hole shelter he had opened faced this direction.

Liang Weilun also sensed it and frowned as he looked behind him.

Off in the distance, a red light could be seen rapidly approaching.

Jiang Cheng felt an icy chill in the air.

"It's a night monster! Based on the commotion, it might be the Lantern Banshee!" Liang Weilun's expression grew serious. Although the light on him could shield them from the Yin Tide, it was less effective than the campfire which could disperse the Yin Tide. So he instinctively pulled his wife closer to the campfire.

Jiang Cheng also frowned, but he didn't stop them. He simply kept watch over himself and asked, "Have you ever seen the Lantern Banshee before?"

Liang Weilun stopped three meters away and replied, "The elders in the camp say that while the Lantern Banshee doesn't usually kill, she's known for her volatile temper. It's best not to cross her, or else the consequences could be dire."

"In that case, should I put out the campfire?" Jiang Cheng wondered if the fire's ability to ward off evil spirits might anger the Lantern Banshee.

"It's better not to," Liang Weilun quickly responded. "Night monsters can only move within the Yin Tide. Once they leave it, they'll be rejected by the natural order and suffer great harm. Your campfire is their archenemy. To be honest, there aren't many Willcrafts like yours in Azure Camp that can disperse the Yin Tide."

There was a hint of envy in his tone. Even though he had some methods to restrain night monsters, they were far less effective than Jiang Cheng's campfire.

Curiously, Jiang Cheng asked, "You seem to be very knowledgeable about night monsters."

Liang Weilun didn't hold back. "The Azure Camp I was in before did a lot of research on night monsters. These creatures only appear at night and come and go with the Yin Tide. Although we call them night monsters, some are actually intelligent creatures that belong to the darkness."

'They're intelligent creatures?' Jiang Cheng was surprised. He thought that night monsters were some kind of evil spiritual entity.

"I've sensed the presence of Glacifemina," Liang Weilun spoke in a low voice. "The one that cries. Now, even the Lantern Banshee has appeared and is moving in this direction. Clearly, these night monsters have also been affected by the drought and are migrating in search of water."

"So the one that cries is called Glacifemina," Jiang Cheng's eyes lit up. "And the night monsters are also affected by the drought."

He was astonished. Night monsters were nothing like he had imagined.

"Of course, among them, there are intelligent creatures, but there are also true evils. Those things lack any humanity," Liang Weilun lowered his voice as the red light in the distance drew nearer.

They could now see red lanterns floating in the air, densely packed and emitting a strange red glow as they approached quickly towards Jiang Cheng and his companions.

Strangely enough, there were only lanterns and no visible figures.

"Each of those lanterns is a part of the Lantern Banshee. They could also be considered as her avatars," Liang Weilun explained.

Jiang Cheng nodded slightly.

Suddenly, the red lanterns came to a halt about a hundred meters away without any warning. They felt a strong sense of surveillance followed by intense hostility, which enveloped them with a powerful pressure.

Yaya and Tong Xiaorou, who were taking shelter in a tree-hole, woke up. Liang Xin, who was blocking the entrance, had a frightened expression on her face.

Jiang Cheng and Liang Weilun, who were in front of the campfire, looked as though they were facing a formidable foe.

Jiang Cheng quickly grasped his Tang Dynasty Sword as he sensed danger. However, he soon noticed that the flames of the campfire were behaving strangely. His attention was drawn to the words "Exorcise Evil" flashing on the campfire's exclusive panel, and he couldn't help but feel uneasy.

Liang Weilun emitted a peculiar radiance from his entire body. He focused on the cluster of red lanterns, about a hundred meters away, and spoke in a low tone, "Lantern Banshee, we mean no harm. Please continue on your way and leave us be. Why must you stir up trouble?"

"Despicable Azure Camp scum!" An erratic female voice retorted, followed by a surge of malevolence. An ominous aura emanated, causing all the red lanterns to radiate brightly.

Liang Weilun was taken aback and was preparing to take action.

Just then, Jiang Cheng noticed the words on the campfire panel flashing frantically. With a wave of his hand, he felt as though luck was on his side.

FWOOSH!

In an instant, the flames above the campfire soared and rapidly expanded, consuming all the approaching evil aura. It was as though pouring gasoline on a fire and igniting it at the source.

The entire area was engulfed in a blaze.

The evil aura acted as the perfect fuel, igniting the flames of the exorcism in all directions.

"What the hell is that?!! " The agitated female voice exclaimed in alarm. She quickly subdued her aura and commanded the red lanterns to retreat.

The flames pursued her relentlessly, resembling an overturned sea. Everywhere it went, the Yin Tide retreated, and the evil aura was consumed. After chasing the source for over 300 meters, it seemed to have lost its target and vanished quietly.

The campfire returned to its original state, and the bright surroundings quickly darkened, but the residual high temperature did not immediately dissipate.

Liang Weilun and his wife, as well as Liang Xin and Tong Xiaorou, who were in the tree hole behind them, were all stunned by this spectacle.

Even Jiang Cheng himself was taken aback, not to mention the others. 'So my campfire is capable of this?'

But when he looked at the campfire, he was on the verge of screaming in shock.