Suddenly, the situation erupted from within, catching the distant crowd off guard. Fortunately, Zhang Yuchong was quick. He lightly flung out a talisman and shouted, “Ji!” Instantly, a shimmering wave appeared, providing a momentary defense.
However, Zhang Yuchong had acted hastily, and his sudden counterattack couldn’t match Tao Zhongwen and Duan Chaoyong’s prepared assault. The barrier collapsed quickly under their combined attacks.
Nonetheless, even that brief moment was enough for Lu Bing to gain the necessary time.
Lu Bing raised a jade tablet in his hand and roared, “Sides sealed by mountains, Xuan Yuan unbreakable! Wuji!” Immediately, four strange beast-like figures appeared around Mei Qing.
These creatures resembled tigers and bears, stood upright, wore armor, and wielded weapons, each letting out a fierce roar.
A violent and ferocious aura accompanied their savage growls, shaking all around. Even Tao Zhongwen and Duan Chaoyong were momentarily startled.
The tiger-like beast was the fiercest. As Tao Zhongwen’s jade ruler approached, it charged forward alone, raised its claw-like weapon, and with a strange shriek, swung out a golden arc that struck toward him.
With a loud clang, a resonating hum echoed continuously. The tiger beast roared in fury but was immediately pushed back by the jade ruler’s force.
Though the jade ruler managed to repel the beast, it also trembled violently, halting its attack momentarily before instantly returning to Tao Zhongwen’s grasp.
Meanwhile, Duan Chaoyong’s black mist was blocked by the bear-like beast’s dual strikes. The bear roared in pain but was forced to retreat, unable to advance further.
“Director Lu, indeed impressive,” Tao Zhongwen spat bitterly. “Even the ancient four beasts are now under your command. Truly the leader of the Jinyiwei.”
“Likewise, Master Huang’s heavenly net is no slouch. But now the situation is clear. Master Dian, do you have anything else to say?”
Tao Zhongwen glanced at the four beasts, his voice filled with resentment. “I suspect controlling these four creatures isn’t so easy for you, Director Lu. If you can command them effortlessly, my brother and I will naturally surrender.”
Lu Bing chuckled, shook his jade tablet, and the four beasts dissolved into green smoke and were drawn into the tablet. “Controlling these beasts is beyond my cultivation level. But to detain you two gentlemen, perhaps such means aren’t even necessary.”
As Lu Bing spoke, numerous streams of colorful energy gradually emerged from behind Tao and Duan, converging into a strange formation.
The people accompanying Lu Bing had already moved forward, shielding Mei Qing behind them. Once the formation was complete, each took their position within it. Though Zhang Yuchong wasn’t inside the formation, he stood outside it, monitoring the retreat path of the two men.
Outside, Master Ku and the other monks had already taken their positions. Although this was a Daoist affair and the Buddhist sects wouldn’t get deeply involved, Master Ku’s temperament was not easily provoked. Even if they wouldn’t directly attack, it was unlikely that Tao and Duan could escape from that direction.
Li Daoding and other Daoists formed an arc on the opposite side.
They had been persuaded by Zhuo Wanchun to remain neutral earlier. But now, seeing the tide had turned decisively against Tao and Duan, they immediately changed their stance, glaring at the two men angrily, ready to attack at the slightest provocation.
Lu Zeyou, being a mere scholar, didn’t need to join the fight. He quickly rushed over to help Mei Qing up and retreat to the side.
Tao Zhongwen and Duan Chaoyong exchanged glances, both seeing the gravity in each other’s eyes.
Turning his head, Tao Zhongwen, with a gradually widening smile on his round face, addressed Lu Bing and Zhang Yuchong, “I hadn’t expected today’s internal matter to trouble you two Daoist friends so much, nor this outcome. It seems our momentary conflict has left our young Master Zhuo and Daoist Huang grievously wounded. My junior brother might also have suffered some misfortune. Mei Qing’s condition is also dire. Perhaps we should temporarily cease hostilities, each tending to our wounded, leaving our grievances for another day?”
Lu Bing laughed heartily. “Master Dian, now that the situation turns against you, you speak of calling it quits? Have you considered that now my side is numerous and strong, while you are only two, both at the end of your strength? Do you really think I would let you go?”
Tao Zhongwen’s smile deepened. “Director Lu, it’s said even a cornered beast will fight. Cultivators, how can we behave like ordinary men, fighting to the death? Are you not afraid that in our desperation, we might both perish?”
Zhang Yuchong shouted from the side, “Tao Zhongwen, today, even if Director Lu were willing to let you go, I, Zhang, would never release you. Your schemes are sinister. If I let you go, who knows how many troubles might arise later? Better to settle this now, even if you choose to self-destruct, I, Zhang, will endure it!”
Upon hearing Zhang Yuchong’s words, Tao Zhongwen’s smile gradually faded. He sneered coldly, “It seems Master Zhang holds me in deep hatred. However, Master Zhang, your current plight has many contributors. When seeking revenge, tracing back to the source, would you truly attack every Daoist sect across the land?”
Upon hearing Tao Zhongwen’s repeated use of “Master Zhang” and references to the past rain-summoning incident, Zhang Yuchong laughed loudly. “You dare still sow discord as death approaches you? Indeed, many bore grudges against me back then, and many pushed the matter forward. But fate works through human hands. Since I’ve withdrawn from worldly affairs, I’ve long since taken it lightly. But you schemed behind my back, fought with Master Fan Meihua under unclear circumstances, and finally ambushed us with a prearranged formation, attempting to kill both of us together. How can such a grievance go unavenged? These years I’ve searched endlessly for you in vain, but now that you’ve come willingly, I, Zhang, will settle this with you today!”
Having spoken, Zhang Yuchong turned to Li Daoding and the others. “Today, I ask all my fellow Daoists to lend me your strength. Once this villain is captured, all past grievances will be forgotten. I swear this by my sect’s ancestors, never to break my word!”
Tao Zhongwen shouted, “If that’s the case, what more can my brother and I say! Old Four, since it’s come to this, no more words are needed. What’s left to hold back?”
Duan Chaoyong chuckled darkly. “Since you won’t leave us brothers a way out, then we’ll fight to the end!”
With that, Duan Chaoyong and Tao Zhongwen suddenly split apart. Instantly, the ground behind them tore open with a massive rumble, splitting into a huge chasm ten zhang wide. The surrounding earth collapsed, sending sand and stones flying.
As if an earthquake had struck, the ground trembled like rolling waves, accompanied by thunderous roars. Massive amounts of earth and sand collapsed, revealing a dark, yawning hole. From the dust and debris, several enormous skeletons slowly emerged.
The skeletons were gray and covered in dirt, showing only their skulls and limbs, yet they were gigantic. With the earth trembling beneath them, they created a deafening cacophony, like mountains collapsing and seas surging, sending sand flying in all directions.
“Nightmare spirits!” Zhang Yuchong and Master Ku shouted simultaneously, recalling the giant skeleton they had seen at the Shi residence. They both rushed forward, one throwing a talisman, the other manifesting a dharma form, attacking together.
“I’ll hold these nightmare spirits. Everyone else, quickly move to capture the enemy!” Zhang Yuchong shouted calmly amidst the chaos.
Both Zhang Yuchong and Master Ku had personally experienced the nightmare spirits’ power. Previously, one spirit had left them helpless. Now, with several appearing together, the assembled crowd might be unable to resist. But since Tao Zhongwen and his brother controlled the spirits, if they could temporarily contain them, the others could unite to capture Tao and Duan, causing the spirits to collapse on their own.
Among the others, people like Lu Bing knew of the nightmare spirits. Disciples from the major sects had also heard of their power from their sects. Upon hearing Zhang Yuchong reveal their names, they immediately understood that these skeletons would be extremely difficult to handle. Without further prompting, each displayed their abilities, launching attacks toward Tao and Duan.
The true energy in the area was instantly overwhelmed by the various techniques, becoming wildly chaotic. Black and red, fire and lightning, all kinds of magical tools and spells rained down like a storm around the two men.
Although the nightmare spirits were powerful, their movements were clumsy and their attacks not particularly fast. Having fought them before, Zhang Yuchong and Master Ku instinctively avoided direct confrontation, opting instead to entangle and harass, aiming only to delay these giants.
Tao Zhongwen and Duan Chaoyong both wore grim expressions. Duan’s eyes were blood-red, his hands like bird claws emerging from his sleeves, emitting a ghostly wail. One of the nightmare spirits, upon hearing his cry, attempted to shake off the entanglements of Zhang Yuchong and Master Ku, charging toward the attacking crowd.
How could Zhang and Master Ku allow this? They both exerted their full strength. However, the nightmare spirits’ power was indeed formidable. Gradually, the two found themselves struggling to hold back the spirits, which were drawing closer to the crowd.
Tao Zhongwen wielded his jade ruler, sending out swirling masses of green light like snowflakes dancing chaotically. Within moments, the battlefield was filled with this blinding radiance, swallowing the spells launched by the crowd and mixing them into the luminous veil, creating a disorienting haze that obscured Tao Zhongwen’s position.
“Watch out, he’s trying to escape!” Lu Bing’s spiritual sense couldn’t track Tao Zhongwen, and momentarily losing sight of him, he immediately realized Tao intended to use an illusion to flee. He quickly warned the others.
The Jinyiwei attendants, having witnessed many high-level cultivators during this mission, had been somewhat frustrated. Now, with Tao Zhongwen trapped in the formation, they were eager to prove their abilities. Upon hearing Lu Bing’s warning, they all focused their efforts, pressing forward to capture the elusive Master Dian.
Suddenly, a blinding flash of green light erupted from the veil, sending a massive shockwave outward. The shockwave struck an elderly man in black robes who had charged ahead, scattering his light barrier and sending him flying backward, his body battered and torn.
“Watch out!” the crowd shouted as they scattered to avoid the shockwave, each casting protective spells around themselves. A white-haired Daoist in the rear saw the elderly man in black robes flying toward him, his face pale and lifeless, and quickly reached out to catch him.
But just as he extended his hand, the flying elder suddenly exploded.
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