Chapter 268 - 149: Thousand Yin Ghost Clouds, A Sword from Ten Thousand Li (Part 2)

Chapter 268: Chapter 149: Thousand Yin Ghost Clouds, A Sword from Ten Thousand Li (Part 2)

However, it was clear that the two were in poor condition. One of them had a sallow, golden pallor, a clear sign of severe injury, yet he still forced himself to remain. The other, while looking slightly better, was impassively silent.

The ordinary-looking middle-aged cultivator, however, spoke up thoughtfully. "Didn’t those fiends from the Demon Sect send a message saying they’d let us leave if we just surrendered the mountain gate?"

Venerable Ju Mang slowly shook his head. "How can the words of Demon Sect fiends be trusted? If we leave the protection of the Array, and they go back on their word, wouldn’t we be lambs to the slaughter?"

At this, the Yue Family disciple with the sallow-gold face spoke up. "More and more Demon Sect fiends are gathering in this Earth Realm. They must be plotting something. We need to send another message to the sect; they’ll surely send someone to investigate."

The middle-aged cultivator sighed. "We’re completely surrounded. How could we possibly send a message out..."

Just as he spoke, the azure light in the sky suddenly trembled and dimmed. They looked up in horror to see the malevolent power of the Ghost Clouds surging—it was the Daoist Nun outside, making her move.

Seeing this, the middle-aged cultivator gave a bitter laugh. "At this rate, even if we could get a message out, we wouldn’t be able to hold on until reinforcements from Tai Su arrive."

At that moment, Venerable Ju Mang watched as the azure light gradually began to fail. His gaze grew profound. He suddenly formed a Magic Formula, and a strange rustling sound came from the divine wood beneath their feet. The azure light above them flared violently, once again holding back the assault.

The middle-aged cultivator was startled. "Senior Brother, this... this is..."

Venerable Ju Mang replied in a grave voice, "I am consuming the divine wood’s source. The grand Array should be able to hold for at least five more days. Now, we just need to find a way to send for help."

Hearing this, the middle-aged cultivator fell silent with a sigh. This divine wood was the very foundation of the Ju Mang lineage. It not only served as their mountain gate, but it also absorbed terrestrial qi, produced spiritual energy, and supported the grand Array. It even bore precious seeds that were supreme treasures for cultivation. To consume the divine wood’s source... what was the difference between that and severing their entire heritage?

However, since Venerable Ju Mang had already made his choice, he couldn’t say anything more. Besides, he had no solution to their predicament himself.

Hearing this, however, the Yue Family disciple who had been silent all this time had a flicker in his eyes. He suddenly spoke. "In that case, let me try to break through the encirclement and get a message to the sect."

Venerable Ju Mang gazed up at the sky, his eyes seeming to pierce through the Ghost Clouds to the two Demon Sect cultivators beyond. "Zilin," he said, "both of those Demon Sect cultivators are at the second stage of the Nascent Soul realm. And with this Demon Cloud array, breaking out will be no easy feat."

Yue Zilin put on a relaxed air and smiled. "I have protective talismans from my clan. Defeating them won’t be easy, but breaking out and escaping shouldn’t be difficult."

Upon hearing this, the other Yue Family disciple—the one with the sallow, golden face—opened his mouth to speak, but a look from Yue Zilin stopped him before he could make a sound.

In truth, the Yue Family had sent the two of them to assist Ju Mang in defending his sanctum and to investigate the Demon Sect’s plot. To that end, they had been granted numerous clan-refined Daoist Talismans and secretly forged protective treasures, all of which were exceptionally powerful. They had originally believed these would be more than enough to handle the situation.

Unexpectedly, while investigating outside, the two of them had encountered a True Disciple of the Demon Sect. They had used every technique at their disposal but were still no match for him. Fortunately, they had a Tier Nine Escape Skill talisman on hand, which was the only reason they managed to flee back here.

But after that battle, not only was he severely injured, Yue Zilin had also sustained injuries. Furthermore, they had used up most of their Daoist Talismans. Breaking through the siege now would be nowhere near as easy as Yue Zilin made it sound.

But seeing Yue Zilin’s determination, and knowing there was no better alternative, he could only remain silent.

Venerable Ju Mang, unaware of the full story, simply assumed Yue Zilin was truly confident. Since time was of the essence, he didn’t hesitate for long before agreeing. "Very well. Zilin, head to the far side in a moment. I will open a gate in the Array for an instant and use the Wood God Thunder to force their hand. You must seize that opportunity to break through."

Yue Zilin nodded. "There’s no time to lose. Let’s do it now."

Venerable Ju Mang’s expression was heavy. He gave a deep, formal bow before replying, "Very well." He then ordered his junior brother to lead Yue Zilin to the array gate.

The two of them arrived at the array gate and waited silently without exchanging a word. A moment later, a deafening BOOM echoed from above; Venerable Ju Mang had clearly unleashed the Wood God Thunder. Simultaneously, a hole the size of a large jar opened in the azure light before them, and dark clouds immediately began to pour through.

Yue Zilin let out a steady breath, a sharp glint in his eye. Without further hesitation, he transformed into a streak of sword light and shot through the opening. Everywhere he passed, dark clouds shattered and Ghost Soldiers were torn asunder. With no time to look back and see if the gate had closed, he had already fled several hundred yards in a flash.

Before Yue Zilin could feel a flicker of relief, a soft, seductive laugh drifted on the wind. "Young man from Tai Su, I’ve been waiting for you for a long, long time."

Yue Zilin’s eyebrow twitched. Without a moment’s hesitation, he unleashed his sword’s radiance, sending it shooting out in all directions like a torrential downpour. The attack blasted away the heavy yin clouds, and just as he expected, a voluptuous Daoist Nun appeared. He immediately lunged at her, sword leading the way.

’I have a mission to break out, and I can’t afford to linger in these Thousand Yin Ghost Clouds anyway. What’s more, I’m still injured. If I get dragged into a protracted battle and my wounds reopen, I’ll be facing certain death.’ For these reasons, he dared not delay, unleashing his full power from the very first move.

However, the Daoist Nun seemed to know his condition like the back of her hand. Seeing his attack, she simply smiled and dodged gracefully aside. She first sent her Thousand Yin Ghost Soldiers to intercept him, forcing Yue Zilin to deal with them. Only then, seizing the opportune moment, did she flick her hand, sending a crimson silk ribbon lashing down at his head.

Yue Zilin was, of course, prepared. He easily blocked the crimson silk and rallied to press the attack, but the Daoist Nun had already flown off again. She kept an elusive distance, neither too close nor too far, clearly prepared to drag out the fight.