With a crunching sound, Icaros crushed the creature's heart before tossing it aside.
Looking at the massive body, Icaros wondered, "How did it know my previous actions?" But just as he was about to dwell on his thoughts, a reaction from the corpse drew him back.
The body and tentacles, once full of life and vitality, rapidly dried up and turned into a desiccated husk. It was clear all life had left it.
Furrowing his brow, Icaros noticed something abnormal hidden within the husk-it looked like human skin.
Bracing himself, Icaros reached out while remaining vigilant. He brushed away the dried remnants, and there revealed...
A shriveled human face, staring soullessly into his eyes. But Icaros, having seen his fair share of horrors in his past life, felt no fear.
However, a dangerous thought struck him as he focused his enhanced sight. It was indeed the same light-skinned face the creature had revealed earlier.
Realizing this, Icaros hastily tore away more of the husk. Just as he suspected, it was a human being-now nothing more than a dried-up corpse.
The realization hit him instantly: "That wasn't a creature or a demonic beast. That was a human."
"I knew you wouldn't die so easily!"
A voice suddenly interrupted him. Icaros nearly attacked out of shock, but stopped instantly upon recognizing Li Han's voice.
"I guess I lost focus on my surroundings after that discovery. That's how he managed to sneak up on me," Icaros analyzed inwardly, turning to face Li Han. The crimson blood on his robes and arms glaringly obvious.
Li Han stood at the door with his usual carefree attitude. However, instead of his wine bottle, he held an unsheathed sword, stained with what Icaros assumed was blood.
"I want answers," Icaros demanded, not entertained by the endless mysteries. "What the hell is happening?"
Li Han, seemingly unwilling to ramble, replied shortly: "We are under attack. That is what is happening."
Hearing this, Icaros couldn't help but roll his eyes. Can't he just give me details? he thought.
As if reading his mind, Li Han explained slowly, "It was a coordinated attack."
"A warship ambushed us. Before we could even react, it struck us with an energy beam-that was what caused the massive tremor."
Icaros listened intently, then pointed at the husk. "What about this?"
Li Han's expression shifted slightly into a frown before returning to his casual demeanor. "When they breached our ship, they simultaneously launched these... cannon fodder, inside."
"Cannon fodder?" Icaros asked, surprised. How could such a terrifying creature be considered mere fodder? He conveniently ignored the fact that he had killed it easily.
Li Han seemed eager to answer, puffing out his chest slightly. "What can this thing really do against cultivators like us? It might be a threat to Body Refinement Realm cultivators, but to powerhouses like me? They are nothing."
Icaros chuckled at the boasting, his expression lightening briefly before turning serious again. "What exactly are they? And what is our current situation?"
Li Han sensed the shift in mood and grew serious as well. "They aren't actually creatures. They are mortals and Body Refinement cultivators who have hit a dead end in their cultivation-people with no future and hope."
"When they are at the end of their rope, the Nine Transformation Demonic Sect takes advantage. They offer them a deal: a chance at power and greatness. With no other choice, these people risk everything."
"And then what happens?" Icaros asked quietly.
"The Sect uses a secret technique to grant them transforming abilities," Li Han explained, walking closer to the corpse. "But it is a grotesque art with a hidden flaw-it constantly consumes their life force, keeping them always on the brink of death."
"To survive, they are forced to do the Sect's dirty work. By killing and absorbing the life force of their victims, they extend their pathetic existence. If they absorb enough quickly, they can temporarily grow stronger."
"Though they can never kill a Spirit Realm cultivator, they become deadly nightmares for Body Refinement cultivators, and absolute disasters for ordinary mortals."
Icaros took a deep breath, processing the information. His eyes fell on the dried-up body of the creature's victim nearby. It had been completely drained.
"I see..." Icaros muttered.
"Now that you understand," Li Han continued, "we were hit hard before we could react. These abominations killed many participants and guards, but Nelly and I managed to save some. I have to admit, their method is terrifyingly efficient-they absorb, grow stronger, and destroy faster."
"I guess you weren't fast enough then," Icaros said with a sad smile. "And why didn't I hear the main forces fighting?"
Li Han returned the sad smile. "Our hands are tied. Su Yan activated the protective formation to keep the main enemy force out for now. But she has to stay there constantly supplying energy to keep it running."
"These creatures, while weak against us, have a unique ability to spread their tentacles underground. The more victims they take, the larger their area of influence becomes. They even possess a form of sensory perception within the range of their tentacles, knowing exactly what is happening."
Icaros breathed a mental sigh of relief. No wonder it knew what I was doing, he thought. Feeling slightly more grounded, he asked, "So what now?"
Li Han's eyes flashed with heroism,as he said boldly and valiantly, imitating a peerless hero. "We are facing an alliance between the Nine Transformation Demonic Sect and the Battle Force Sect. Follow me! We charge ahead to battle!"
Icaros couldn't help but laugh loudly at his act, his spirit rising. "Yes, Senior!"
