“If you’re here, don’t hide yourself.”
From the beginning, Meng Qi remained fully alert, his spirit partially merged with the environment, creating an ethereal unity, while the other part extended toward his long saber, treating it as his hand, his ears, and his eyes. He dared not relax even slightly, keeping his spiritual sense completely untainted.
This was because he had once been ambushed by the Wolf King, experiencing the sensation of being unable to see, hear, or sense the enemy, as if trapped in a nightmare. Even recalling it now, the memory remained vivid and unsettling.
If the Wolf King was already this formidable, how much more dangerous would an ambush from a half-step external expert be? What about an ambush from a half-step external expert who had properly broken through?
Among the four arriving devils, two were half-step external experts!
Moreover, evil cultivators were often skilled at concealment and ambush. A slight misstep could allow them to close in and kill you before you could find a grave.
Sure enough, in his empty and clear state, Meng Qi sensed a hint of danger through his “Heaven’s Wound,” but couldn’t pinpoint the opponent’s location. Therefore, he immediately spoke out, exposing the hidden enemy, making them think their concealment was ineffective, thus forcing them to abandon their greatest advantage.
“Hmph, you do have some skill…”
A cold voice sounded from near the wall, and a dim fire flickered to life, revealing a shadow within.
He wore a red robe, had no hair, no eyebrows, no body hair at all. His entire body glowed, as if covered in flames. He raised his hand and struck toward Meng Qi.
It was indeed one of the two half-step external experts—the Fire Devil!
From several zhang away, the palm grew larger and larger, nearly filling Meng Qi’s vision, making it seem as if the entire world was consumed by it. Meng Qi felt the surrounding air temperature rise sharply, bursting into intense flames. Within half a chi, there was no place untouched by fire. Even half of Meng Qi’s blue robe caught fire, spreading rapidly and unavoidably across his skin.
Each breath he took inhaled scorching hot air. If this continued, his lungs would be burned, his throat severely damaged.
This was a genuine half-step external expert!
Not a fake and decaying one like the Snake King, nor a half-crippled one like Qing Sanren, whose power and cultivation had both declined after going mad from fire. This was an ordinary half-step external expert, neither particularly outstanding nor lacking, comparable to Dorchad from before!
This was Meng Qi’s first direct confrontation with such an enemy. He dared not be careless. With a swift motion, he slashed his saber, bright as lightning, fast as thunder, cutting through the flames and heat, meeting the terrifying palm in an instant.
Meng Qi moved with the saber’s momentum, leaping off the wall. Flames engulfed his entire body, but his form radiated a pale golden brilliance, even his hair gleaming with a faint luster. Amidst the crimson flames, he exuded a dazzling and sacred aura.
True Gold Tempered by Flames!
Huang Dai and Fan Yu watched with trembling legs. It was indeed the terrifying Fire Devil!
Before being infused with demonic energy, he was already no less formidable than their master. With the enhancement from demonic energy, his evil power became even more formidable. Every movement caused changes in the weather, igniting his opponent.
Legends claimed his temperament had grown increasingly cruel, with a fondness for roasting and devouring live victims piece by piece.
Yet “Sword Subduing Eight Directions” Young Master Su showed no fear of fire!
He countered attack with attack!
As Meng Qi shouted, Qi Zhengyan had already begun moving toward him, intending to fight together. Suddenly, a surge of crimson mist enveloped him like blooming lotus petals. The petals unfurled, deflecting an iron hook that emerged from the void, narrowly averting a fatal strike.
A shadow emerged from the void—a tall, demonic figure. He wore a black robe; his half iron hook transformed into his left hand. His right palm struck out, instantly becoming a pitch-black demonic blade, wrapped in dark qi, seemingly capable of corroding and unraveling everything.
The Weapon Devil! Huang Dai and Fan Yu inhaled sharply. Two devils had come here!
As the name suggests, the Weapon Devil could not only command ordinary demons infused with demonic energy but could also transform every part of his body—arms, legs, eyes, nose, mouth, tongue, ears, hair, nails, and even body hair—into weapons or hidden projectiles. Every movement was a deadly technique, making him extremely difficult to handle.
As the “Demonic Blade” slashed toward Qi Zhengyan, the Weapon Devil’s long hair also swept forward, bristling with sharpness and emitting a sinister glow. Once it cut the skin, besides demonic energy entering the body, it might also inject deadly poison.
Qi Zhengyan dared not be negligent. He activated his crimson glow to disperse the hair, his treasured sword, shaped like a setting sun, parrying the demonic blade. Simultaneously, he released purple and green flares, signaling that they were confronting the Fire Demon and the Weapon Demon—both formidable adversaries requiring urgent reinforcements.
Fireworks soared into the sky, bursting into droplets of purple and green light. Suddenly, white mist enveloped Qi Zhengyan’s area, thick and hot, obscuring vision.
Seizing the opportunity, he swiftly distanced himself, wielding his left palm and sword in his right. He unleashed a chilling gleam with his Bixue Bing Zhenqi while simultaneously manipulating the surrounding iron ore. Countless dark streaks shot forth from the ruins, assailing the Weapon Devil from every direction.
Watching Qi Zhengyan effortlessly unleash earth-splitting strikes and chilling sword gleams, while witnessing the crimson mist suffused with red radiance, Huang Dai and Fan Yu were utterly stunned, nearly forgetting the approaching demons.
He was practically a deity!
“Hmph!” The Weapon Devil snorted coldly, realizing his opponent intended to wear him down with unique martial arts from a distance.
His aura surged rapidly to its peak. His left hand suddenly dissolved into dense demonic energy, plunging the surrounding void into darkness. The airflow collapsed inward, transforming a radius of ten zhang into a filthy and shadowy demonic prison. It dispersed the mist, corroded the crimson glow, weakened the chilling radiance, and suppressed the iron ore.
This was an artificial resonance between Heaven and Man, conjured purely through demonic energy!
…
“Tunderbolt Sword Immortal” Tong Yao and “Eight-Finger Divine Palm” Zu Wenzhong did not separate, guarding together at the still-standing side entrance, waiting to intercept the devils.
They did not speak, for they knew they were inferior to any devil. They had already resolved themselves to die, creating a heavy and oppressive atmosphere.
Suddenly, a slight grayish-white hue appeared on the translucent jade bracelet on Tong Yao’s left hand.
“Corpse Devil!” she warned aloud, glad she had this spiritual artifact capable of sensing corpse energy.
Zu Wenzhong immediately launched fireworks, forming a crossfire with Tong Yao, determined to hold the line and await reinforcements.
From the darkness ahead, a tall figure emerged. Long hair reached his waist, his face dark green. His hands formed claws, wrapped in grayish-white energy. Each step he took seemed to shake the earth.
Behind him was another devil, tall and muscular, his entire body black as if clad in armor.
It was two devils… Tong Yao and Zu Wenzhong could only grit their teeth, hoping Master Baizhang would arrive soon.
…
Master Baizhang and Zhao Heng almost simultaneously noticed the four fireworks rising into the sky, realizing both sides faced half-step external experts.
“Venerable Layman, let’s assist Lady Tong and Master Zu. The other side will be handled by Jiang Zhiwei and her group.” Master Baizhang decisively decided.
Zhao Heng was about to respond when grayish-white mist spread from ahead, and numerous hideous zombies rushed out. They dripped with rotting pus, their fangs and claws gleaming, numbering over a hundred.
Zhao Heng glanced back at the martial artists still searching, then said, “Master Baizhang, you go assist Lady Tong and the others first. I’ll handle this place. We cannot let them harm the righteous heroes.”
“Are you sure you’ll be fine?” Master Baizhang looked worriedly at the over a hundred zombies. It wouldn’t be difficult for him to handle, but could Zhao Heng manage?
Zhao Heng remained calm and smiled, “Master, have you forgotten the origin of my nickname?”
“Earth-Shaking,” naturally meant true earth-shaking power!
Master Baizhang didn’t dare delay further. If he did, Tong Yao and Zu Wenzhong would certainly perish. After reminding Zhao Heng to be cautious, his figure vanished like a gust of wind.
Facing over a hundred zombies, Zhao Heng did not draw his sword. He gently patted his robe with his left hand and slowly extended his right palm.
…
Jiang Zhiwei stood outside the ruins, holding her sword like a blade planted in the ground. Ruan Yushu sat cross-legged by the wall, hands hovering over the Qifeng Qin, seemingly composing emotions or resting with closed eyes.
As fireworks bloomed, Jiang Zhiwei immediately turned, intending to assist Meng Qi’s side, while Ruan Yushu prepared to carry her ancient qin.
At that moment, figures approached. Some were hunched, some were maimed, their postures varied, but all were soaked in blood, exuding faint demonic energy, their eyes filled with killing intent.
The demonic energy gathered like a dark cloud drifting over.
“Zhiwei Elder Sister, I’ll stay here to prevent the demons from breaking through. You go assist them.” Ruan Yushu placed her hands back on the Qifeng Qin.
Jiang Zhiwei understood that against a swarm of weaker enemies, Ruan Yushu had the advantage. Meng Qi had once privately joked that she was a “mass destruction weapon.” Moreover, even if another devil appeared, unless it was an extremely formidable one, her strength would allow her to hold out until Jiang Zhiwei returned. After all, the two half-step external expert devils had already revealed themselves.
“Alright.” Jiang Zhiwei, never one for unnecessary words, immediately rushed toward Meng Qi’s location, leaping over the ruins, sometimes high, sometimes low.
Ruan Yushu maintained her calm expression, elegantly stroking the qin. Her music sounded like Buddhist and Daoist chanting, serene and distant, dispersing resentment and demonic energy.
Ahh!
Ordinary demons touched by the music clutched their heads in agony, dissolving from the inside out within moments. One after another fell, almost simultaneously, like grass blown down by the wind, black qi dissipating in wisps.
After half a piece of the “Demon Subduing Mantra,” the once-crowded mountain was now sparse, like a harvested field, leaving only the stronger ones.
They showed no retreat, continuing their charge.
Ruan Yushu, her white robes unstained, elegantly stroked the qin. Her music changed, filled with the sounds of battle.
Zheng Zheng Qiang Qiang!
A devil ran eight steps before suddenly collapsing, blood pouring from his eyes, ears, mouth, and nose.
At this sound, numerous demons perished.
A tall, muscular devil could no longer endure. He grabbed a companion and hurled him toward Ruan Yushu, attempting to interrupt her music.
Ruan Yushu continued playing, her little fingers slightly raised, releasing sword qi that swiftly pierced and dropped the flying demon. Her qin music remained smooth and graceful, exuding effortless elegance.
…
The saber light cut through the sea of flames, rushing toward the red palm.
The palm, as if foreseeing the attack, suddenly bent a finger. All the flames retracted, merging into a finger gust aimed at Meng Qi’s left chest. The wind hadn’t arrived, but the heat was already scorching, seemingly capable of melting gold and stone!
This was a trap the Fire Devil had laid in advance based on Meng Qi’s qi flow and muscle reactions, making it seem as if Meng Qi was charging headlong into the gust, akin to suicide. This strike was so fast that dodging seemed impossible.
Suddenly, Meng Qi changed his saber’s trajectory, spinning his body. It seemed his previous attack was just a feint. Miraculously, he brushed past the gust, the saber light turning hazy and empty.
From the beginning, he had no intention of relying solely on defense.
Unlike Wang Zai and Elder Brother Zhang, where the Eight-Nine Mystical Art and Golden Bell Cover were most effective in offense rather than defense!
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