"For this operation, the sect appointed me as leader, and I must shoulder that responsibility. Too many of our disciples have already died because of the strange events in the Ghost City. That is my failure. If it means I can lead the rest of them out safely, I’m willing to take any risk, no matter how great."
"After giving it some thought, I agree. It’s a crazy plan, but it’s also a good one and very effective. I believe our Five Sects should each send one person to form a small team to execute it."
Chi Li nodded and spoke slowly.
"Are you implying that my Celestial Net Department is full of cowards, Chi?"
Xu Jingtian’s eyebrow twitched upon hearing this, and he immediately shot back.
"Xu, this isn’t the time to let your pride get in the way. We both know that the Celestial Net Department and the Dynasty’s forces mostly cultivate the Incense and Candle Dao and excel at fighting large groups. Your ’Virtue’ power is most effective against hordes of common Evil Spirits. That makes you the best person to stay behind and lead the defense against the Night Parade of Hundred Demons. That task is just as dangerous, because if the other team runs into even the slightest trouble, all the pressure will fall on you."
Zhuang Li said.
Xu Jingtian fell silent, saying no more.
It was true. His abilities were better suited for large-scale battles. During the previous Night Parade of Hundred Demons, he and the Martial Artists from the Celestial Net Department and the Government Office had made significant contributions, handling nearly all of the troublesome Sword Soldier Ghosts.
"Then it’s decided. The Five Sects of Heqing will each send one person. During the final Night Parade of Hundred Demons, we will raid the source of the Ghost City at the Huang Mansion on Anyuan Street and draw the attention of as many Evil Spirits as possible. I’ll represent the Red Heart Sect."
Zhao Xuanqi said, nodding.
Upon hearing this, Lu Dong and He Xijun exchanged a glance. They opened their mouths, as if to say something, but a look from Zhao Xuanqi silenced them.
It was true. No one was more qualified than Zhao Xuanqi. In fact, if he didn’t participate, the mission’s chances of success would plummet.
"I will go for the Five Elements Gang."
Pu Xiangrong said with a smile.
"I, Ren Fei, will represent the Rebirth Palace."
Ren Fei said, his expression cold.
"I’ll represent the Yin Mountain Sect."
Chi Li said, his voice hoarse.
"Are you sure you can handle it?"
Xu Jingtian asked, concerned for his condition.
"It’s nothing. I should be recovered by the time the fourth Night Parade of Hundred Demons begins."
Chi Li said in a low voice.
"Then I will represent Miaoyin Hall."
Just then, Zhuang Li spoke up.
"Zhuang Li! What nonsense are you talking about? How can we let you go on such a dangerous mission? If the Hall Master finds out, we’ll be sentenced to the Bone-Corroding Demonic Sound punishment!"
Deng Mingsheng and Li Zhilin’s expressions darkened as they spoke almost in unison.
"Senior Brothers, I am the most suitable person for this. The mission is dangerous, but it isn’t a brute-force assault. The goal is to stall. As long as we can hold out through the fourth Night Parade of Hundred Demons, we’ll have succeeded. In that situation, the abilities of my Mysterious Spirit Secret Technique will be crucial."
"I know neither of you are cowards, but we must choose the most suitable people for the job right now. That’s how we maximize our chances of survival. It’s the wisest and most responsible decision for everyone."
Zhuang Li said calmly.
For a moment, neither Deng Mingsheng nor Li Zhilin could argue.
It was true. In terms of pure combat strength, Zhao Xuanqi, Ren Fei, and Chi Li were superior to them. For this mission, those three would be the primary combatants. Pu Xiangrong would use his Escape Technique to conceal their auras for infiltration. The only thing missing was someone like Zhuang Li, who could provide crucial support and recovery.
"Then it’s settled. The five of us—me, Ren Fei, Chi Li, Pu Xiangrong, and Zhuang Li—will form a team. After the third Night Parade of Hundred Demons, we’ll depart in secret, infiltrate Anyuan Street, attack the source of the Ghost City, and force it to open the Ghost Gate."
"However, this means that during the next Night Parade of Hundred Demons, we’ll need to avoid going all out as much as possible in order to preserve our strength."
Zhao Xuanqi said, finalizing the plan.
"Don’t worry about that. In the next Night Parade of Hundred Demons, as long as those intelligent Evil Spirits don’t show up, the rest of us can hold the line."
Xu Jingtian said with a nod.
"Alright, then it’s settled. I’ll focus on recovering my strength now."
Zhao Xuanqi nodded, then immediately found a spot and sat down cross-legged. He began to commune with the Rebirth Jade, channeling Life Primordial Qi to heal the damage from unleashing the full power of his Double Secret Technique.
The other four members of the team did likewise, working to recover their Physical Ability as quickly as possible.
Unlike Zhao Xuanqi, they didn’t have a Rebirth Jade or Life Primordial Qi to aid their recovery. Inside the Ghost City, there were no external resources to consume, and they couldn’t connect with the Primordial Qi of the outside world. The human body could self-recover its Physical Ability by breaking down fat and muscle, but the process was slow and had severe side effects. It wasn’t sustainable, and even after recovering, they would struggle to reach their previous peak condition. Still, under the circumstances, they had no other choice.
The rest of the survivors didn’t stay idle either. They split into two groups. One group focused on recovering their Physical Ability, while the other worked with the remaining disciples to stand guard, hunting down any scattered Evil Spirits that broke through.
「Elsewhere in Heqing Dao.」
Two cloaked figures watched the general situation unfold within the Ghost City through a red screen of light.
"They actually repelled the Night Parade of Hundred Demons? They even managed to slay one of the five guardian Evil Spirits and seriously wound two more... And the disciples from the sects only lost about a fifth of their number?"
The tall cloaked figure said in a low voice.
"It was indeed unexpected. This is all because of that kid who appeared out of nowhere, the one who can use Golden Fire. He slew one guardian Evil Spirit and severely wounded another in an incredibly short time. That’s what forced the others to retreat."