Facing the numerous merchant caravans along the way that had been waylaid, robbed, and suffered heavy casualties, the vast majority of the massive, ten-thousand-strong merchant group indifferently filed past.
Such experiences were commonplace for both merchant caravans and mercenary groups.
Those who could make money in the Plunder Heaven Plains were all people who had weathered one bloody storm after another. At most, they felt a sense of sympathy akin to mourning the death of a fellow creature.
Some soft-hearted mercenary groups or merchant caravans allowed the surviving remnants to join the larger group, offering protection and a safe passage out of this dangerous Plunder Heaven Plains.
Witnessing these tragic scenes, Ye Chen could only let out a soft sigh, finding himself at a loss for words.
The Corpse Devouring Insect Emperor merely sneered coldly, appearing unconcerned.
The massive merchant group continued its slow, steady progress along the main trade route. Though the pace was unhurried, it felt secure.
Due to their sheer numbers, even the many fierce bandit gangs they encountered along the way only watched their departure from afar with sinister gazes, not daring to approach out of caution.
Moreover, in the Plunder Heaven Plains, there was a code even among thieves. Generally, bandits found it difficult to unite. Each group had its own pride and was unwilling to join forces with others, preferring to operate alone. Therefore, in the Plunder Heaven Plains, as long as people banded together, they rarely met with disaster.
Thus, a day passed in the blink of an eye.
During this time, some caravans left, and others joined, keeping the entire merchant group fluctuating around the ten-thousand-person mark.
Furthermore, with the addition of several top-tier mercenary groups, the merchant group now boasted three Demi-Saints, and even had a powerful old Saint overseeing things. This brought a great sense of security to the countless people within the group.
A Saint-level figure standing guard was a true hero even within the vast Plunder Heaven Plains. As long as they didn't venture too deep into the plains or encounter those terrifying figures of the Plunder Heaven Plains, this Saint was enough to safeguard the merchant group's journey.
Another day passed, and it was now the third day since Ye Chen had entered the Plunder Heaven Plains with the mercenary group. According to his calculations, in another half a day, they would approach the inner region of the plains. At that point, he planned to leave the group, quietly slipping away from the merchant group to head towards the core area.
"Huh? Why is it getting dark so quickly?"
Suddenly, someone in the merchant group exclaimed in surprise.
Without anyone noticing, the sky had grown much gloomier, plunging into darkness as if night were falling.
But it was high noon. How could night be descending?
Rumble—
The very earth trembled slightly, causing alarm.
When they looked into the distance, they suddenly saw the distant sky had turned utterly dark, pitch black. It wasn't just a case of dark clouds covering the sun; it was accompanied by terrifying fluctuations.
The heavens and earth began to change color. Fierce winds howled, the ground shook, and from the distant sky, a dark, raging torrent surged forth madly, sweeping across the vast land.
At this moment, the experienced mercenaries understood immediately. Their expressions changed one after another as they shouted, "Everyone, prepare yourselves! The Black Storm is coming!"
"What? The legendary Black Storm?!"
Hearing this, everyone's faces paled.
The Black Storm was a truly fear-inspiring, catastrophic tempest of the Plunder Heaven Plains. It wasn't just an ordinary storm. The Black Storm was so violent, and within its winds, it contained terrifying baleful energy that could condense into wind blades capable of nearly slicing through the void. If encountered, some super-large-scale Black Storms could even tear apart and pulverize a Saint.
This was its truly terrifying aspect.
The Black Storm swept in from afar, blotting out the sky and earth as if to destroy heaven and annihilate the world. The distant sky was completely darkened, accompanied by a rumbling, roaring cacophony that shook the heavens and earth. One could imagine how terrifying it was.
Immediately, it caused everyone in the entire merchant group to change color. The experienced mercenary groups quickly made preparations.
The Black Storm had existed in the Plunder Heaven Plains for so many years that mercenary groups, merchant caravans, and bandits alike had long accumulated genuine experience in resisting it. They all gathered together, secured the flying boats, and gathered the draft beasts.
Furthermore, the various mercenary groups each took out pitch-black flagpoles at this moment, planting them in front of the merchant group facing the oncoming Black Storm.
These were specially forged flagpoles, inscribed with unique Dao mark runes, capable of effectively resisting the disaster of the Black Storm.
Especially with so many flagpoles planted—counting them, there were six to seven hundred—even a ten-thousand-strong merchant group could be effectively protected.
After completing all this, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. The main task now was simply to wait for the Black Storm to pass.
"Brother, come back. Get behind the flagpoles. Standing in your position, you're very likely to be attacked by the Black Storm," the leader of the Sky Tiger Mercenary Group called out to Ye Chen.
But Ye Chen, gazing towards the rapidly approaching Black Storm, shook his head. "Leader, we shouldn't let our guard down. This Black Storm isn't simple."
"What do you mean?" the leader asked, taken aback.
Ye Chen said softly, "I'm afraid we're about to encounter a disaster—not just the Black Storm, but also—"
"Bandits!"
These words exploded like a thunderclap beside the Sky Tiger Mercenary Group leader's ears, roaring and rumbling.
The leader's expression changed drastically. He stared in horror towards the direction of the Black Storm. His eyesight was, in a way, extraordinary, and he vaguely saw numerous blurry figures hidden within the Black Storm, rushing forward with the storm's impact.
If not for Ye Chen's warning, probably no one in this ten-thousand-strong merchant group would have noticed the trick.
But precisely because of this, it was all the more terrifying. Those bandits were actually hiding within the Black Storm to carry out their plundering raids. How dreadful.
The Sky Tiger Mercenary Group leader immediately had no time to ask how Ye Chen knew. He roared, "Everyone, prepare yourselves! Bandit attack! They're hidden within the Black Storm! Quickly!"
This shout rolled like thunder across the sky, startling everyone's ears. With alarm, they too saw the figures within the Black Storm swiftly charging forward.
They rode atop ferocious, pitch-black beasts, creatures with savage, cruel appearances—the signature storm beasts of the Plunder Heaven Plains, fearless even in the face of the most terrifying Black Storm.
"Enemy attack! Enemy attack! Bandits are coming! Everyone, take defensive positions! Prepare for battle!"
Shouts rang out one after another. All the mercenary groups wore grave expressions, and every merchant caravan looked horrified.
Rumble—
The dark hurricane, carrying the figures of the bandits, swept forward and crashed head-on into the merchant group.