Chapter 146: If you go in like that, you will die a miserable death.

Two days later, Jiang Yan and his companions finally arrived at the Land of Cursed Malice.

Caw, caw, caw, caw. A flock of crows circled overhead. They watched Jiang Yan and the others as if eyeing prey, their eyes glowing with an eerie green light.

"Master, we have arrived," the Evil-Slaying Sword reminded him.

Jiang Yan opened his eyes to see a massive canyon shrouded in shadows. The surroundings were nothing but sheer rock walls, barren and desolate, devoid of even a blade of grass.

"Your kin live... inside this place?"

"What do you think? Impressive, isn't it?"

"As long as you like it, that's all that matters."

Jiang Yan offered no further comment. It was a matter of taste, after all, and different species had different preferences. He leaped off his flying sword and said, "Let’s head in."

Yunyun and Long Kui also jumped down, leaving only the unconscious little dwarf dragon slumped atop the Evil-Slaying Sword.

"Hey, hey, hey? If you just walk in like that, you’re going to have a miserable death!"

As soon as Long Kui said this, Yunyun immediately sprinted toward Jiang Yan and hugged his legs. "Brother Yan, be careful!"

"Hahaha, little girl, you’re quite protective of your brother, aren't you?"

After his mockery, Long Kui sat down on the ground and pulled off the black boot from his left foot. In an instant, a faint, pungent stench permeated the air.

Does this guy have athlete's foot or something?

"Just how long has it been since you washed your feet?"

Yunyun stood a bit further away from Long Kui. Long Kui frowned, "Oh, this scent isn't strong enough! Whatever, as long as it keeps you from dying, it’ll do."

He pulled two black paper talismans from his boot. "Here, don't be picky. One for each of you."

"Take them away! I don't need them..." Yunyun pinched her nose and huffed indignantly.

Jiang Yan, having seen his share of the world, didn't refuse immediately. He asked, "What are these?"

"These are safety talismans imbued with my scent. You are not of the dragon race; it will be extremely perilous inside. I suggest you take them. Otherwise, if you drag me down, I won't save you!"

Seeing that Long Kui didn't seem to be lying, Jiang Yan nodded. He cast a minor spell, causing the two talismans to adhere to his and Yunyun’s backs. Yunyun curled her lip and rolled her eyes at Long Kui.

"Everyone ready? Let's go in."

With that, Long Kui began whistling an off-key tune he had picked up from somewhere and walked into the canyon first. His voice echoed through the air. "I am a dragon, yi-ya, yi-ya..."

Yunyun, looking utterly disgusted, covered her ears with her hands, clearly impatient.

Actually, the moment he entered the canyon, Jiang Yan sensed something wrong. He felt as if he could no longer use his spiritual power.

"Little Xue? Little Xue?" Jiang Yan reached out to Little Xue in his mental consciousness, but received no response.

"Mo Xie?" He tried to communicate with the Evil-Slaying Sword in his mind.

"Master, what are your orders?" the sword’s voice replied.

"Nothing."

At least the Evil-Slaying Sword was still there; there was still some semblance of safety.

Perhaps it was the safety talismans, but the long stretch of the journey remained relatively uneventful. Yes, uneventful, meaning no bizarre monsters came to harass them. However, uneventful did not mean easy to pass.

They had arrived at a broken gorge. A black chain connected the two sides, and gusts of fierce wind roared up from the bottom of the abyss, causing the chain to swing violently from side to side.

Long Kui looked at Jiang Yan and Yunyun. "Don't say I didn't warn you. Be careful, and whatever you do, don't fall. I won't..."

"We know, you won't save us," Jiang Yan finished, his voice devoid of emotion.

"Good that you know. I'm going across first. Don't keep me waiting."

After these words, Long Kui flew toward the opposite cliff. He seemed to have calculated the rhythm of the gusts rising from the abyss, nimbly dodging the wind in mid-air and even performing several somersaults. After landing steadily, he whistled at Jiang Yan and Yunyun, who had yet to move.

"Hurry up and come over!"

Jiang Yan felt a surge of agitation. Dammit, this godforsaken place must be discriminating against them—it even specifically blocked their spiritual power!