「In another city block.」
The other two members of Miaoyin Hall, who ranked alongside Zhuang Li, had been relatively close to one another after entering the Ghost City. They had already converged to jointly face the tide of Evil Spirits brought on by the sudden Night Parade of Hundred Demons.
"Cloud-scribed void, dawn of tribulation. Now distant, now near; now sinking, now floating."
"Yu!!"
Of the two, the man named Deng Mingsheng—so handsome he looked almost feminine—wore a cold, stern expression. Technique patterns were drawn on his face as he chanted a spell.
One of the Three Extremes of Miao Yin, the Profound Essence Spell!
The next moment, a blazing green light erupted from his body, enveloping him completely. He then continued to chant without pause:
"Heaven and Earth as they are, foul Qi scatters. Profound mystery in the grotto, illuminating the Grand Origin!!"
"Purify!!"
Purification Realm Spell!
VMM!!
As soon as the spell was cast, Sound Waves coalesced with the green light on his body, which instantly expanded nearly ten meters. It was like a pure land holding its own in the darkness. Furthermore, under his control, the green light and Sound Waves within this ten-meter radius condensed at will, vaguely forming the shape of peculiar Talismans that attacked any Evil Spirit entering the light's domain.
This green-light Purification Realm was a condensation of Life Primordial Qi and possessed immense vitality. Evil Spirits that entered it would be suppressed, their abilities restricted. They might even become completely immobilized, as if frozen in amber.
These condensed Talisman-like shapes were a unique aspect of the Profound Essence Spell, one of the Three Extremes of Miao Yin. They were extremely effective against evil creatures. When an Evil Spirit was struck by a Talisman shape, the Vitality Primordial Qi within it would detonate, inflicting damage no less severe than a direct palm strike. An ordinary Evil Spirit might even be killed instantly.
This level of Primordial Qi control—the ability to subdue demons from afar—was simply divine, far exceeding anything achievable at the Blood Strengthening realm.
Such was the wondrous power of Miaoyin Hall's Three Extremes of Miao Yin.
Among the Three Extremes of Miao Yin, the Profound Spirit Spell stimulated Vitality. It specialized in recovery, support, and protection. It granted the user extremely strong regenerative abilities and also allowed them to bestow this green-light Vitality on others, helping them recover quickly from injuries or unlocking their physical potential.
The Profound Essence Spell, on the other hand, focused on control and mastery. It greatly enhanced one's conscious control over Primordial Qi and Physical Ability. With such a surge in control, one could use Sound Waves to condense Primordial Qi from a distance, delivering continuous attacks without using fists or feet. One could also form a Purification Realm to significantly weaken enemies.
In addition, Miaoyin Hall had a third Extreme.
"Clear and pure, C and D beneath the heart. Gaze right to the Southern Dipper, grasp left the Seven Stars!!"
"Evil Qi!!"
A voice rang out beside Deng Mingsheng. It carried an indescribable ferocity, a restless quality that felt like it could pierce one's eardrums.
The tall Li Zhilin, standing to the side, began to radiate a spectral green light. Nether Fire seemed to burn in his eyes, and under the green glow, the gentle smile he always wore now revealed an intense Evil Qi.
BOOM!!
His body expanded, his fists clenched tight. With a Force Release from his entire being, the spectral green light enveloping him pulsed violently, condensing into the shapes of sharp blades.
This was a fierce Evil Qi, transformed from the body's own Vitality.
"Celestial Essence Taiyi, spirit that commands soldiers! Guard the mortal lands, preserve the living essence!!"
"Kill!!"
Demon Suppression Spell!!
WHOOSH!!
He shot forward. Under the Vibration of the spell's Sound Waves, the spectral green light covering him flared once more, and his physical capabilities were further enhanced.
His towering frame lunged forward, his palms swinging repeatedly. The spectral green light swept out like thin blades. Ordinary Evil Spirits were no match for him. Paired with Deng Mingsheng's Purification Realm, even Evil Spirits covered in blood-red patterns couldn't withstand three of his attacks.
One of the Three Extremes of Miao Yin, the Profound Evil Spell.
It could convert the user's own Vitality Primordial Qi into a fierce Evil Qi. It was a primary Attack Technique, the strongest offensive method in Miaoyin Hall.
Cultivators at the Blood Strengthening realm could choose to practice one of these three great Secret Spells. Simply achieving a basic mastery was a sign of incredible talent.
The pair cleared out a group of Evil Spirits with extreme speed, but the horde seemed endless. No matter how strong the two of them were, they couldn't sustain this constant drain on their energy.
"We'll fight as we fall back. Let's get to the rendezvous point and meet up with Junior Sister Zhuang Li, then we can figure out our next move."
Deng Mingsheng used the power of his Profound Essence Spell to control the Sound Waves, making his voice echo through the area.
"Alright!"
Li Zhilin nodded. He punched through the chest of a two-meter-tall Blood Zombie, then pulled back and followed Deng Mingsheng, breaking through the tide of Evil Spirits to escape.
The huge commotion they created attracted the attention of many survivors nearby. Disciples from various sects within the block who were capable of breaking through the siege all started converging in their direction.
「In another city block.」
A figure in white flickered in and out of sight. Before long, he had over twenty Evil Spirits trailing behind him.
'This many... I suppose it's finally worth one of my sword strikes.'
The white-robed young man's expression was cold and detached, like eternal ice. It was none other than Ren Fei of the Rebirth Palace.
As he thought this, he had already finished tracing the Technique, his fingers formed into a sword.
No Blood Qi or light erupted from his body. But in the next moment, his expression focused, and his skin took on a translucent, jade-like hue, as if his entire body was emitting a faint, jade-colored glow from within.
In an instant, he seemed to have become a man made of jade, looking dazzlingly bright in the gloomy Ghost City.
BOOM!!
His jade-like arm suddenly expanded, becoming incredibly thick. Then, with his fingers still held like a sword, he swung it forward fiercely.
SWISH!!