Chapter 242 - 241: Ambushed

Chapter 242: Chapter 241: Ambushed

The Primitive Forest hadn’t seen humans in a very long time. For the animals living here, humans were like aliens suddenly invading Earth, making them both curious and afraid.

Many predators merely watched from a distance before leaving. Uncertain of the threat the humans posed, they didn’t dare attack rashly.

But the ghost souls hiding in the woods had no such reservations.

Most were the ghost souls of animals, with only a few being humanoid. Even so, the humanoid ghost souls used their cunning to seize control.

Under their command, this group of ghost souls from the underworld launched their first attack on the party.

Flying through the air, running on the ground—they swarmed toward the group from every direction.

Setting aside their actual strength, the sheer number was enough to scare someone to death. Countless ghost souls blotted out the sky like a tsunami, threatening to engulf them in the next second.

But in the face of this small fry, even Zhang Qiuyan’s expression barely changed, let alone the others’.

Huo Yunjing took a step forward, shielding Gu Qingyin and Huo Xingchen behind him. He then instantly deployed a restrictive seal, blocking the ghost souls in front.

Gu Qingyin wasn’t idle either. The moment she was shielded, the talisman paper in her hand flew out like a goddess scattering blossoms. The instant it touched a soul body, it bloomed with a soft light, silently purifying them.

At the rear, Gu Ziqian stood his ground. He raised his hand and snapped his fingers lightly. The approaching soul bodies seemed to crash into something, and after a loud BANG, they all collapsed to the ground, unable to rise.

Seeing this wasn’t going well, the humanoid ghost souls hiding in the back turned to flee. After another loud BANG, the forest fell silent once more.

A few minutes later, all the ghost souls that had attacked them were purified, and the group continued on their way.

They experienced similar small attacks about once every half hour. It couldn’t even be called a minor setback; at most, it was a little diversion on an otherwise tedious journey.

Soon, two hours had passed. Huo Xingchen’s small frame was now visibly tense.

Gu Qingyin understood and warned aloud, "It’s coming."

Zhang Qiuyan and Dongfang Lingjun, who were walking in the middle and well-protected, perked up and took out their respective Magic Artifacts for defense.

The group’s pace didn’t change, but the atmosphere grew palpably tense. Their eyes swept their surroundings from time to time, vigilant for the impending danger.

Knowing danger was coming but not when it would arrive, Zhang Qiuyan felt every second stretch into an eternity. The oppressive feeling made it hard for her to breathe.

It reminded her of how she felt on her first commission—unbearably nervous, just like this.

But looking at the others, although they were also vigilant, their expressions remained relaxed.

Zhang Qiuyan couldn’t help but smile bitterly. ’Been in the business for years, but still a rookie when it matters.’ That was her, wasn’t it?

Just then, Huo Xingchen, who was being held in Gu Qingyin’s arms, suddenly turned his head, and his eyes met hers.

Huo Xingchen gave a slight smile, then very naturally looked away.

Zhang Qiuyan froze for a moment, the bitter feeling in her heart intensifying. ’My composure isn’t even as good as a child’s,’ she thought. ’Although, a child probably doesn’t even know what fear is...’

After this bout of wild thoughts, Zhang Qiuyan actually felt less nervous. She took a deep breath, and her body suddenly froze.

Noticing something was wrong, Dongfang Lingjun, who was beside her, turned and asked with concern, "Dayan? Are you tired?"

Zhang Qiuyan slowly raised her head, but at the same time, the hand gripping her peach wood short sword thrust out with incredible speed toward Dongfang Lingjun!

Dongfang Lingjun’s pupils contracted. His mind reacted, wanting to dodge, but his aged body clearly couldn’t keep up with his brain’s speed. He only had time to flinch before his skin felt the sharp sting of the sword’s tip.

’It’s over!’ Dongfang Lingjun thought. ’And I haven’t even set up the Space-Time Array yet!’

With a CLINK, the stabbing wooden sword was blocked by a white Jade Fan, wielded by Gu Ziqian.

The next second, Zhang Qiuyan was bound by a Lock God Talisman.

The crisis was averted, for now.

Only after the pure white Jade Fan was withdrawn did Dongfang Lingjun snap back to his senses. He looked at Zhang Qiuyan’s numb expression, his face filled with anxiety. "Dayan has been possessed?"

At some point, Gu Qingyin had already put Huo Xingchen down. She was now studying Zhang Qiuyan with her chin in her hand. Hearing the question, she shook her head and replied, "It’s more like she’s being controlled."

Huo Yunjing nodded. "Her willpower was weak, and something took advantage of the opening."

Dongfang Lingjun sighed, starting to regret bringing Zhang Qiuyan. She was such a promising talent; if she perished on Ai Lao Mountain because of his decision, he would never forgive himself, even in death.

"It’s not a big problem. We just need to expel it." Gu Ziqian took a step forward, about to act.

"There’s no need for you to handle such a small matter!" a high-pitched, childish voice piped up from below.

The group followed the sound and their gazes were drawn to the thin, little black stick in Huo Xingchen’s hand.

Gu Qingyin smiled knowingly. "Then I’ll leave it to you."

Gu Ziqian looked at the little black stick and raised a slight eyebrow. ’A Magic Artifact that has bonded with a soul?’

Huo Yunjing was also surprised. He had known him for days, but this was the first time he had seen Huo Xingchen take out this little black stick. ’Perhaps it has some special effect?’

Compared to them, Dongfang Lingjun was much more anxious. He didn’t believe such a small child could save his precious apprentice. "Xingchen, stop fooling around..."

"Grandpa, trust me!" Huo Xingchen trotted a couple of steps and stopped in front of Zhang Qiuyan. He lifted his little head, looked directly into her numb eyes, then raised the Conductor’s Baton and said sternly, "Get out of her!"

The next second, a night breeze blew past, and Zhang Qiuyan’s eyes rolled back in her head as she fainted.

Dongfang Lingjun jumped in fright. He was about to rush over when Gu Ziqian held him back. "She’s fine now."

Dongfang Lingjun: "Huh?"

In the time it takes to say a few words, the fainted Zhang Qiuyan woke up again. She raised her head and looked at everyone blankly. "What happened?"

Gu Qingyin dispelled the effect of the talisman. The support from the Lock God Talisman suddenly vanished, and Zhang Qiuyan staggered a few times before steadying herself. Then, with a surprised "Huh?" she said, "Why do I feel so weak...? What on earth happened?"

For a moment, no one spoke.

Gu Qingyin and the other two were waiting for Dongfang Lingjun to speak, but he was still stunned by Huo Xingchen’s ability. In the end, it was Huo Xingchen, the pseudo-child, who smugly waved the Conductor’s Baton in his hand and succinctly explained what had just happened.

Zhang Qiuyan was utterly shocked. ’Are all kids this powerful nowadays?’ This was immediately followed by shame. ’I’ve really wasted the last twenty-some years of my life, needing a toddler to save me... Heavens, I’m too embarrassed to face anyone!’

Zhang Qiuyan’s face flushed red, but she bravely looked Huo Xingchen in the eye and gave him her sincere thanks.

Huo Xingchen shook his head. He stared at her for two seconds, then suddenly tilted his head and grinned, revealing what could only be described as a wicked smile. "Don’t mention it."

Zhang Qiuyan froze. ’Something isn’t right, is it?’ She instinctively looked up, only to see that Gu Qingyin, Huo Yunjing, and Gu Ziqian’s faces had all turned cold. They were frowning, their gazes fixed on the "Huo Xingchen" standing in their midst.