Chapter 269

Chapter 269: The Red Demon’s Shadowy Grasp

The Jade Heart of the Earth Court stood in opposition to all evils; if it weren’t for the treasure cabinet restraining and controlling it, something unusual would likely occur, unleashing righteous energy to attack the crowd ahead.

The siblings from the Heavenly Ghost Sect moved one in front and one behind, their magic treasures resonating as if they were a giant gourd, drawing on the life force of the two hundred young men and women to attract formless and intangible ghostly beings.

The green light from the purple teapot and the white light released from the wooden mask were densely packed with dark energies, subtly forming a massive Soul-Eating Array, continuously devouring the life essence of these young cultivators with malicious intent.

With the formation set, it was not only dangerous to approach, but Li Hui also felt apprehensive about the purple teapot in the hands of the Ghost Blood Dress. He had previously fallen victim to this teapot and must remain alert.

Thanks to the siblings in front constructing the Ghost Formation, the pressure lessened significantly.

Li Hui looked left and right and saw blurry figures. It seemed he wasn’t the only one trailing from a distance; others were also trying to take advantage of the situation, though he didn’t know who they were.

As his vision blurred more and more, if it weren’t for the treasures held by the Ghost Blood Dress and Feng Du acting like beacons, illuminating the surroundings and projecting light far ahead, it wouldn’t be easy to keep up.

About half an hour later, Li Hui suddenly came to a stop, allowing the green and white lights to drift away, gradually disappearing into layers of shadows. Rouran stomped her feet anxiously, not understanding why her Senior Brother had halted.

Just then, someone spoke from behind: “I didn’t expect Buddha’s Child Qinan to be so cautious, not willing to take a step forward, just perfectly stuck on the Yin-Yang line.”

As soon as the voice fell, four figures emerged from the shadows and approached.

“Li Jiner of the Yuan Kui Sect greets Buddha’s Child!” The speaker was Li Jiner, a young woman in her teenage years, well-known among young cultivators.

“Ha ha ha, Luo Benchu of the Yuan Kui Sect greets Buddha’s Child!” A blue-browed boy with a robust build smiled innocently, appearing harmless, yet Li Hui was well aware of his strength, which likely surpassed that of Li Jiner.

The other two followed suit: “Chen Changsheng of the Cultivation Intent Sect, and Cui Ranran greets Buddha’s Child.”

This Chen Changsheng was the one whose Fortune Ascending Talisman vibrated as if the Ideal Body encountered its nemesis, while Cui Ranran was his Junior Sister, seeming akin to Rouran, also benefiting from their presence without facing a tragic fate.

Li Hui clasped his hands and said, “I see the four of you. The Grand Xuan Dynasty is engaging in reckless actions, intending to use our blood to sacrifice to the Xuantian Road. Observing the various happenings on this road, it seems these malicious actions are related to the Grand Xuan Cave Sky.”

“Indeed, Buddha’s Child’s thoughts align with ours,” Li Jiner nodded, gazing ahead. “The Heavenly Ghost Sect must know many secrets, perhaps even being the masterminds. Originally, we suspected you and your Senior Sister were involved, especially since many monks from the Earth Store Sect came here to chant ghost scriptures, but observing your behavior, it appears you two are not in the know.”

“Alas!” Li Hui sighed. “Even if Qinan doesn’t come, others will. Our sect values benefits and doesn’t care about sacrificing a few disciples.”

“Does this mean Buddha’s Child believes the Earth Store Sect is involved?” Chen Changsheng asked.

“Recalling yesterday’s events, the Earth Store Sect and the Heavenly Ghost Sect must have reached some agreements with the court. I saw my master and uncle before we entered. It’s frustrating that these two just watched while I stepped through their door; if I get the chance to leave, I will certainly sever ties and leave this heartless sect behind.”

“Very well said!” Luo Benchu agreed wholeheartedly.

After that, the six of them joined together, and while Cui Ranran and Rouran could only go along, Li Jiner, Luo Benchu, and Chen Changsheng were solid in skill and action, each possessing unique abilities and formidable trump cards.

Li Hui began to chant spells: the Hell Is Not Empty Chant, the Fundamental Nectar Chant, the Vajra Armor Chant, and the Diamond Zen Staff Chant were used in rotation, either empowering those around him or launching direct attacks. Nine golden lotuses spun rapidly at his feet, effectively restraining the dark energies. The Buddhist light illuminated layers of shadows, preventing the malicious beings from escaping.

These malevolent beings were not ordinary ghosts; they were born from the erosion of national fortunes, human darkness, and collective evil thoughts. Formless and intangible, they were extremely troublesome, especially being spurred into greater ferocity and brutality by the blood energy of the disciples from all sects.

Ahead, dark winds swirled, while it remained eerily quiet behind.

Influenced by the siblings from the Heavenly Ghost Sect, an Yin-Yang line appeared on Xuantian Road.

A multitude of dark shadows surged toward the Soul-Eating Array, causing a storm to brew ahead, bringing forth abominable evil and compelling the cultivators from various sects to step forward and side with the siblings. Behind them, while it appeared calm, danger lurked; the Ghost Gate no longer fractured, instead emitting terrifying winds.

On this Xuantian Road, only this boundary line was safe, continually moving forward. The six of them stood firmly on the line, tightly grasping their slender chance of survival.

The outside world must be dark now, but the Xuantian Road gradually brightened, clarifying the surroundings.

The battlefield, graves, ruins, and ghostly mountains were numerous, seemingly connecting to create a vast domain.

Li Jiner exclaimed in realization, “Could it be that the New Emperor of the Grand Xuan is not satisfied with ruling the mortal realm but desires to rule over the underworld as well? Wouldn’t this bring disaster to future generations? Years later, if the Grand Xuan becomes a ghost nation, ghost cultivators will eagerly fight for blood and flesh; where would the common people find a way to survive?”

Li Hui thought, “This little girl is quite sharp; her guess is spot on. However, the New Emperor of the Grand Xuan has surely considered the ramifications; perhaps he has ways to counter the downsides. If he can maintain the Yin-Yang order, then he will be formidable; ruling during the day and at night in the underworld—would those officials hoard merit in the afterlife knowing there are still opportunities for prosperity?”

Except for Li Hui, the other five looked pale, fully aware that the road ahead was fraught with peril. Their lives were in constant jeopardy, making it hard to feel at ease.

The road beneath their feet must come to an end, and in the distance, they saw many figures surrounding a high platform. The Ghost Blood Dress sat atop the high platform, with Feng Du and the true Qinan standing behind her.

The ground erupted with pale white light mist, enveloping the high platform in an eerie atmosphere, causing the disciples from all sects to suddenly turn around, revealing tears of blood streaming down their faces.

Rouran and Cui Ranran were so terrified that they nearly screamed, quickly covering their mouths and retreating.

The Ghost Blood Dress slightly curled her lips, gazing at the six where she was about to speak. Suddenly, a thunderous boom shook the air as the sound waves resonated from a distance: “Well, you little fish that slipped through the net, hiding here made it hard for me to find you.”

Li Hui’s heart pounded violently, and the Fortune Ascending Talisman vibrated wildly. The sounds of wind and thunder merged in his ears, and with a loud crack, he saw the false Li Hui standing behind the Ghost Blood Dress, the true Qinan, whose body shattered into a cloud of blood mist. In the blink of an eye, even the blood mist collapsed and vanished into nothingness.

“Holy mother!”

“Why did the Hongmo Sect chase us down so quickly?” Li Hui never expected Qinan would step in for him at this moment; if he should die, it should have been at the hands of the Grand Xuan, right? Who did the Hongmo Sect send after them? This was too brutal, directly reaching into Xuantian Road to erase them.

The Ghost Blood Dress let out a shrill scream, “Who is it? Who dares to destroy my child’s fate? I’ll fight you!”

Just as she spoke, in the blink of an eye, all the arrays outside Xuantian Road gathered their strength to strike the sky, no longer concerned with suppressing the altar, unleashing a wave of dark energy.

Simultaneously, a Mammoth Elephant was pulled to the front of the altar; a palace erupted with golden sword light, and martial artists from the Bosa stage stationed around responded.

“What are you doing here, little dogs? Ah, so you’ve set up a private underworld court. The Hongmo Sect rules the seas; who gave you the guts?”

“Hahahaha, the Red Demon’s Shadowy Grasp!” The night sky instantly turned blood-red, as an enormous hand stretched downward, crushing countless arrays and restrictions, plunging them into chaos.