These malevolent spirits were exceedingly numerous, considering the countless souls who must have perished over countless years in the endless cosmos. It was impossible to calculate.
So many people had degenerated into malevolent spirits, condemned to an eternal abyss of suffering, becoming another native species in the Sea of Suffering, besides memes.
If these malevolent spirits possessed any sentience, their sheer numbers and terrifying power would mean neither the positive nor negative planes would need to engage in warfare. Instead, they might have even united to defend against the onslaught of these spirits.
Malevolent spirits were not exclusive to the Sea of Suffering; countless also resided in the Ghost Realm.
After death, the mortal body would decay, and the soul would be liberated.
However, the soul, belonging to a deceased person whose lifespan had ended, having no further life to lose, would have its consciousness extinguished, transforming into a malevolent spirit.
Malevolent spirits instinctively coalesced into groups for survival, feeding on each other. Periodically, they would venture out to attack bases in the positive and negative planes, or cities within the Ghost Realm.
Furthermore, malevolent spirits exhibited strong territorial instincts. Though devoid of intelligence, the innate drive to protect their lairs and eliminate intruders was present in all beings.
This time, it was evident they had trespassed into the lair of the malevolent spirits—the lake.
What Wan Lei hadn't anticipated was that demons also transformed into malevolent spirits after death.
Tens of thousands of malevolent spirits surged towards the demon army on the shore.
The demon army had not yet formed its battle formations when the malevolent spirits attacked. Forced into a hasty engagement, they unleashed demonic energy and divine abilities to combat these spirits.
Wan Lei, pulling Qian Niao and Qi Man Yao back, transmitted his voice,
"Let's not act rashly for now. If the demons can withstand these malevolent spirits, they will likely suffer heavy casualties. Then we can kill them and retrieve the bead to examine it.
If they cannot hold their ground and scatter, we will escape in the ensuing chaos.
Do not stray beyond my hundred-zhang radius, otherwise, the effect of Qian Mian will be lost, and your true forms will be exposed."
When he was in the Tai Xu Realm, Qian Mian's influence range was only ten zhang. Now, in the Tai Heng Realm, with his increased strength, the range he could affect had naturally expanded.
After a while, Wan Lei observed that the demon's defensive formations were hopelessly disorganized. They had yet to establish effective defenses and were in disarray. With the malevolent spirits already upon them, they had no choice but to fight.
The three of them attacked half-heartedly, feigning effort. Their attacks appeared formidable, accompanied by thunderous roars, but in reality, they weren't exerting much power.
Wan Lei and Qi Man Yao's control over their strength was not perfect, but fortunately, the demonic energy disguised by Qian Mian's transformation provided cover.
Qian Niao, however, was seasoned in this art. If there was one thing she excelled at, it was slacking off during combat.
This was Wan Lei's first encounter with a malevolent spirit tide. As he fought, he observed these spirits.
Through his meticulous observation, he found these malevolent spirits to be bizarre in strength, lacking any discernible logic, much like memes.
Some malevolent spirits displayed speeds and strengths equivalent to only the Qi Condensation and Foundation Establishment stages, easily dispelled by a single attack.
Others, however, were incredibly swift and powerful, their combat prowess comparable to Tai Xu or Tai Heng realm cultivators, requiring significant effort to defeat.
This might be related to the strength of these malevolent spirits in their former lives.
But malevolent spirits possessed one characteristic that proved particularly troublesome.
A malevolent spirit lunged at Wan Lei. Wishing to test if his fists could dispel them, he unleashed a punch. However, the spirit remained unharmed and firmly gripped Wan Lei's arm, gnawing at it ferociously.
Wan Lei's arm felt no pain, but he distinctly sensed his soul being torn apart, causing excruciating agony.
He unleashed a bolt of lightning, instantly obliterating the malevolent spirit with ease.
After a brief period of combat, Wan Lei understood. These malevolent spirits were immune to physical attacks and the cleaving of blades and axes. It was likely that technological weapons would also be ineffective against them.
However, spiritual energy attacks, divine ability assaults, demonic energy, spiritual fires, lightning, and divine sense attacks could easily dispatch them.
Simply put, malevolent spirits did not attack the physical body; their damage directly affected the soul.
Similarly, they ignored physical attacks; only spell-like assaults could inflict damage.
At this point, Wan Lei understood the terrifying nature of a malevolent spirit tide.
Individually, their power was not remarkable. But their sheer numbers were overwhelming, ceaseless, and they lacked intelligence, being fearless of death.
When fighting them, it was difficult to maintain airtight defenses. Once an opening was exploited, even a Foundation Establishment-level malevolent spirit could inflict a severe bite upon one's soul.
Moreover, one's cultivation was not infinite; it would eventually deplete. At that point, facing the malevolent spirits, one would be utterly defenseless, forced to watch as their soul was torn to shreds and devoured.
It was no wonder that every positive plane base was extremely wary of malevolent spirit tides.
It was fortunate that this species lacked intelligence and could not be controlled by anyone. Otherwise, if someone were to unify all the malevolent spirits in the Sea of Suffering, the accumulated number from countless ages in the endless cosmos would be sufficient to topple any planar universe.
Wait, no one could control malevolent spirits?
A flash of inspiration struck Wan Lei. Through the chaotic, screaming mass of demons, he looked towards the black bead in the center of the lake.
He hadn't observed it closely earlier. Now, upon closer examination, he realized that only a small portion of the countless malevolent spirits churning in the lake attacked the demons. The majority, in the center of the lake, had actually entered the bead.
It was unclear whether the bead could contain the malevolent spirits or if it absorbed them to nourish itself.
But one thing was certain: it was a treasure.
Convinced that he was the protagonist due to his protagonist's halo, Wan Lei immediately decided to take the bead.
After all, a protagonist was destined for continuous opportunities and to stumble upon treasures wherever they went.
"You two come with me to get that bead. Remember to protect yourselves with demonic and spiritual energy. Don't worry about killing many malevolent spirits; just protect yourselves."
Wan Lei had initially intended to retrieve it alone, as the place was highly dangerous. But then he remembered that if he went too far, they would immediately revert to their true forms, compelling him to bring them along.
Qian Niao's expression turned to one of extreme shock upon hearing this.
"What? You want to get that bead? Are you tired of living? That place is far too dangerous; we should seize this opportunity to escape."
"If we flee so brazenly, everyone will discover our issues. It would be better to take the bead and then flee, making our escape legitimate."
Although Qian Niao couldn't fathom Wan Lei's logic, she could already foresee that taking the bead would undoubtedly provoke a relentless pursuit by countless malevolent spirits.
"That's too risky."
Qian Niao remained cautious.
"Was it not dangerous for me to infiltrate the Liu family's demon stronghold alone? Was it not dangerous for me to be pursued by dozens of demon commanders in the Ghost Immortal Secret Realm? Was it not dangerous for Slow Slow to venture into the Ghost Immortal Secret Realm alone to save me?"