This was done by using a special ability to disrupt the Earth Primordial Qi in the area, thereby affecting the balance of living creatures and destroying their coordination.
However, this was still not the end.
In a patch of shadow in the distance stood a grotesque corpse. It had no facial features; its entire body was covered in eyes. Right then, those eyes quivered and began to slowly, laboriously, squeeze shut.
In that instant, everyone’s vision and senses were impaired, and their surroundings seemed to blur.
Eight statues in total, representing eight guardian Evil Spirits.
Five of them specialized in direct combat, while the remaining three possessed terrifying support-type abilities!
The eight guardian Evil Spirits struck simultaneously. Caught off guard, even the five top experts of the Five Sects were plunged into grave danger in an instant!!
Purification Spell!!
Evil-breaking Technique!!
The low shouts of Zhuang Li and Pu Xiangrong rang out almost simultaneously as a green glow and the red light of an Escape Technique expanded in unison. The two held nothing back, giving their all to create a protected space less than five meters wide in the shortest time possible. This weakened the terrifying effects of the three special Evil Spirits to a degree.
Sword Essence—Slash!!
Demon-Breaking Blade!!
Golden Fire—Qilin!!
The trio of Zhao Xuanqi, Ren Fei, and Chi Li also held nothing back, unleashing their peak strength in that first instant.
If they failed to weather this moment, the entire group would likely be wiped out on the spot!
Zhao Xuanqi thrust out a palm, unleashing a terrifying Golden Fire Qilin that rampaged forth. It was accompanied by the Jade Sword Light from Ren Fei’s slash and Chi Li’s Red Blade Light as they all collided head-on with the five attacking Evil Spirits.
BOOM!!
Primordial Qi and Yin Qi erupted at the same time, diffusing outward. Under the trio’s brief but powerful burst of strength, the five guardian Evil Spirits, despite their immense power, were forcefully driven back several meters.
They had successfully repelled the first wave of the vicious ambush!
However, this was nothing to celebrate!
To begin with, none of them besides Zhao Xuanqi had been in peak condition. After unleashing that explosive attack, their Physical Ability and Primordial Qi levels plummeted once more.
Furthermore, they vaguely sensed that the expanse of blood-red vines beneath their feet was siphoning off a portion of the Blood Qi they unleashed. This caused the drain on their Physical Ability and Primordial Qi to become even greater with every move they made.
Their opponents, on the other hand... The trio’s peak burst had left visible wounds on the five guardian Evil Spirits. Remnants of Golden Fire still burned on their bodies, causing damage and corrosion, and the deep gashes left by Ren Fei’s Jade Sword Light and Chi Li’s Demon-Breaking Blade were plain to see.
Yet, in the blink of an eye, the blood-red vines on the ground swelled and pierced into their bodies. An infusion of Blood Food Power caused their wounds to heal at a rate visible to the naked eye.
With the enemy waxing as they waned, there was no way the five of them could win a battle of attrition against these Evil Spirits. In just a few more exchanges, their Physical Ability and Primordial Qi would be completely exhausted, and they would be killed.
’As for escaping?’
The Ghost Gate hadn’t opened, and the Night Parade of Hundred Demons was about to begin. If they fled now, they would be consigning their remaining sect members to certain death!
The five of them stood with their backs to the high wall of the Huang Mansion, their faces grim. They were caught in a dilemma, forced to watch as the Evil Spirits slowly approached, their injuries healing with startling speed.
’Advancing means certain death, and there’s no guarantee we could even force the source to summon the Ghost Gate.’
’Retreating would be a betrayal, and there’s no guarantee we’d even survive the pursuit of these Evil Spirits.’
The moment they entered the Huang Mansion, they had walked right into a deathtrap!
At this moment, even Zhao Xuanqi felt the gravity of the situation. Despite his power, his Hundred Beasts’ Intent was now screaming, warning him of the terrifying danger.
Before, even when deep within the Ghost City, he had always felt at ease. But now, for the first time since his reincarnation into this world, he truly felt the threat of death.
"HAHAHAHA!!"
Stimulated by the intense crisis, Zhao Xuanqi felt a long-absent warmth spread through him, a feeling like bathing in the mythical Liquan. For the first time in ages, the blood in his veins began to boil.
The more dangerous it was, the calmer and more relaxed he became!
’Interesting!!’
"Our only option now is to go for broke and destroy the source. It’s our only sliver of a chance. Who among you dares to make that bet with me?"
Zhao Xuanqi spoke with a smile. His gaze—calm, placid, yet resolute—seemed to possess a unique, infectious power that made the others’ hearts tremble.
’Retreat?’ Their own principles and pride would not allow them to abandon their sect members.
’Advance and buy time?’ The situation had already spiraled beyond their plans. The enemy was prepared. Even if they broke through and threatened the source, once the Ghost Gate was summoned, hordes of special Evil Spirits would arrive, and their fate would still be sealed.
The only path forward now—one that didn’t involve retreat, yet offered a sliver of hope—was to fight with everything they had and end this Ghost City incident before their Physical Ability ran out completely!!
’Caught in a dilemma? Then there is only one way: forward! Never look back!!’
’Certain death? Then we will fight and carve out a path to life!!’