The first to notice something amiss was Uncle Ji.
The water current grew increasingly rapid, and the originally clear river now faintly emanated a deathly aura.
As Uncle Ji looked down, he saw a dead Taoist's finger twitch.
His expression changed abruptly. "Not good, let's go! The dead have absorbed resentment energy and turned into Corpse Demons."
Su Su was momentarily stunned, then also looked toward the Taoists' corpses.
Indeed, the resentment energy they thought would dissipate was now being disrupted, drilling into the Taoists' corpses.
Who knew what dark arts these demonic Taoists had practiced—their bodies could actually contain resentment energy, and they rose to their feet controlled by it.
Having known some spells in life, they now wore eerie smiles as they lunged toward the crowd.
Uncle Ji struck a Corpse Demon's head with his horsetail whisk, producing a dull "thud."
He cursed loudly, "Damn things have become harder than iron lumps!"
Though well-versed in mystical arts and having grasped some cultivation methods, Uncle Ji, like Yu Qing, lacked combat prowess. The Corpse Demon moved with unnatural speed, almost flying over to grab the hand holding his whisk.
Uncle Ji was violently knocked to the ground, yelling frantically. There was no time to even reach for his Talisman Paper.
As he prepared to curse, the Corpse Demon's gaping maw loomed before him. He shouted, "Have mercy, fellow Taoist! We're all brothers here, all brothers!"
The Taoist Corpse Demon had no memory of kinship and opened its mouth to devour him.
But in the nick of time, a pale, delicate hand grabbed the Corpse Demon's hair, yanking it away, then a Peach Wood sword pierced its heart, and it collapsed.
Seeing Su Su, Uncle Ji broke into a cold sweat, his legs going weak. "Thank you, girl."
Su Su helped him up, urgently asking, "Sir, you know how to kill them, right?"
"Yes, yes, this humble Taoist was just caught off guard earlier."
Su Su asked, "What's happening?"
Uncle Ji's expression turned grim. "Someone used a dark artifact to force resentment energy into the corpses, making them kill."
Like a centipede that dies but doesn't stiffen, the resentment energy had lingered at the bottom of the Mohe River for thousands of years, its power formidable.
Meanwhile, Yu Qing wasn't faring well. He dodged left and right, evading the Corpse Demons darting through the water, cursing, "What the hell are these things!"
Their skin was thick and tough, unfazed by blows.
Having previously killed the old Taoist and destroyed the Soul Devouring Banner, Su Su was also struggling. If not for being underwater, she'd likely be drenched in cold sweat by now.
The Corpse Demons had formed unexpectedly, and everyone was quickly entangled by them. More terrifyingly, those killed by the Corpse Demons were immediately invaded by the riverbed's resentment energy, rising to kill in turn.
Even the Corpse Demon Su Su had slain with her Peach Wood sword was now staggering back to its feet!
Yu Qing: "Shit!"
Now everyone knew they were doomed—soon the entire riverbed would be swarming with enemies!
Out of the corner of his eye, Uncle Ji spotted that little bastard Tantai Jin being escorted to shore by Nian Bai Yu.
The young man glanced back with a cold, malicious smile.
The Corpse Demons didn't attack Tantai Jin and his group, completely ignoring them.
Xiao Lin's eyes darkened as he quickly deduced, "Uncle Ji, Tantai Jin must have an Exorcism artifact on him!"
Uncle Ji declared, "We can't let them leave! Xiao Lin, I'll cover you. Take the ice girl and stop them. That ruthless little bastard must have a way to break this."If these things were to reach the shore, how many people would they kill!
If Tantai Jin drove them toward Great Xia, they would become an invulnerable army.
Xiao Lin understood the severity of the situation. Without another word, he held Ye Bingshang and chased after them.
Ye Bingshang, pale-faced, leaned against his chest. After a moment’s thought, she placed the heart protecting scale in Xiao Lin’s hand.
Xiao Lin paused, then gently stroked her hair.
As soon as the heart protecting scale entered Xiao Lin’s grasp, it emitted a dazzling white light, instantly carrying them forward to catch up with Tantai Jin.
Nian Bai Yu exclaimed, "Your Majesty!"
Tantai Jin turned and saw the heart protecting scale in Xiao Lin’s hand, his eyes gleaming with greed. Licking his lips, he commanded, "Night Shadow Guard, kill Xiao Lin."
Several Night Shadow Guards immediately appeared around him, blocking Xiao Lin’s path.
Xiao Lin raised his sword to meet them. His martial skills far surpassed those of the Night Shadow Guards, and with the heart protecting scale, he did not find the fight difficult.
Seeing this, Nian Bai Yu immediately joined the Night Shadow Guards, and Xiao Lin’s situation quickly turned dire.
Xiao Lin dodged the arrows with Ye Bingshang and returned the heart protecting scale to her. "Hide safely."
Ye Bingshang pursed her lips and hastily chanted an incantation, using the heart protecting scale to attack the Night Shadow Guards.
She was not skilled in wielding such a high-level treasure, but Xiao Lin was an expert. All he needed was the slightest opening from the Night Shadow Guards to counterattack and kill them.
Nian Bai Yu retreated to Tantai Jin’s side. "Your Majesty, we must kill that woman first."
Tantai Jin glanced at Ye Bingshang and frowned.
Almost instinctively, he said, "No."
In that brief moment, Su Su and Uncle Ji also caught up, followed closely by a dense swarm of Corpse Demons.
Uncle Ji shouted, "Xiao Lin, they are carrying Evil-Warding Spirit Essence. Seize it!"
Understanding his meaning, Xiao Lin reached for the waist of an injured Night Shadow Guard and indeed found a warm, yellow spirit essence. He tossed it to Uncle Ji.
Uncle Ji grinned, broke the spirit essence into smaller pieces, and distributed them to those around him.
Su Su also received a piece and breathed a sigh of relief. This thing truly had the power of Exorcism—at least the Corpse Demons would not attack them.
As the Corpse Demons closed in, they suddenly became confused and began wandering aimlessly at the river bottom.
Su Su said, "We can’t let them escape."
"Of course not," Uncle Ji replied. "The source must lie with Tantai Jin."
With the enemy closing in, Nian Bai Yu sensed the danger. Once they obtained a piece of the spirit essence, the Corpse Demons were no longer a threat. Combined with the heart protecting scale in Ye Bingshang’s hands, Tantai Jin was now at a disadvantage.
"Your Majesty, we must retreat."
Tantai Jin made a swift decision. "Let’s go!"
Uncle Ji yelled, "Xiao Lin, don’t let them escape!"
Xiao Lin swung his sword, violently stirring the water. Uncle Ji assisted him by casting a Water-Repelling Yellow Talisman, which glowed with an eerie blue light in the water. Instantly, the water began to form a massive whirlpool, pulling Tantai Jin and Nian Bai Yu, who were about to ascend the water stairs to the shore, back into the vortex.
However, the whirlpool expanded rapidly, engulfing not only Tantai Jin’s men but also Xiao Lin, who was at the center.
Yu Qing: "..."
Su Su: "..."
Uncle Ji looked embarrassed. "Nephew Xiao Lin, your uncle didn’t mean to."
Xiao Lin remained silent, struggling to stabilize himself in the chaotic, churning water.
Yu Qing said, "The whirlpool is expanding! The Water-Repelling Pearl will soon lose its effect. We must leave now."
Without another word, everyone quickly swam toward the shore, taking advantage of the fact that the whirlpool had not yet reached them.Uncle Ji, realizing his mistake, rescued Ye Bingshang as he passed by, considering it a favor to his nephew Xiao Lin by protecting his woman.
Only Xiao Lin and Tantai Jin remained in the vortex's center. Xiao Lin managed to stabilize himself with great effort, but Tantai Jin, lacking martial skills, grew pale, his fear of death stirring panic within him.
Tantai Jin looked up and saw those outside the vortex climbing ashore one by one.
His gaze turned venomous as he watched them.
The Night Shadow Guards were either dead or crippled, with no one left to aid him now. Then he spotted a figure in white—a girl adorned with sacred sacrificial patterns. Daylight had broken outside, and sunlight refracted into the water, causing the golden patterns on her body to shimmer as she swam outward.
Yu Qing and the others strained to pull Xiao Lin from the vortex. Xiao Lin, skilled in swimming, channeled his inner strength to forcefully break through the water currents and emerge from the whirlpool.
Yu Qing exclaimed joyfully, "Let's go quickly!"
As people departed one after another, Su Su, on her way up, noticed Ye Chu Feng unconscious from the water's force. Pressing her lips together, she hauled him up with her.
The vortex continued to expand, and with a horde of Corpse Demons lurking at the riverbed, everyone fled desperately.
Su Su finally climbed ashore, dropping Ye Chu Feng beside her as she coughed uncontrollably.
Fortunately, their landing spot was far from Tantai Jin's personal troops, sparing them an immediate enemy encirclement.
Uncle Ji collapsed on the bank, gasping, "Infinite Heavenly Lord, that scared me to death!"
Seeing Xiao Lin safe ashore, Uncle Ji grinned, "Heh, I knew you had the skills, kid."
Xiao Lin smiled wryly.
Yu Qing suddenly asked, "Where's Tantai Jin?"
"Still in the vortex," Xiao Lin replied. "My sword energy separated him from Nian Bai Yu, and now Nian Bai Yu can't find him."
Yu Qing inquired, "What about the Corpse Demons?"
This was everyone's concern. After a moment of silence, Xiao Lin opened his hand.
Resting in his palm was an orchid-shaped Evil-Warding Spirit Essence, flawless and evidently precious.
Su Su stared in surprise, "Is this from Tantai Jin?"
Xiao Lin nodded.
Uncle Ji beamed with schadenfreude, "That brat tried to harm others, and now without the Evil-Warding Spirit Essence, he's sunk to the riverbed. Forget the vortex—those Corpse Demons will devour him alive."
Yu Qing mused, "Since he created this mess, if he doesn't want to die, he'll have to find a way to eliminate the Corpse Demons himself."
Xiao Lin shared the same thought. Hearing faint footsteps in the distance, he said, "We must leave. Tantai Jin's men are on the opposite shore. If we delay, we'll be in grave danger."
Su Su glanced at the Evil-Warding Spirit Essence in Xiao Lin's hand, finding it darkly amusing. Wasn't this the epitome of reaping what one sows?
Tantai Jin had created a killing device and now found himself trapped at the riverbottom.
Worst of all, everyone loathed him so intensely that no one would lift a finger to save him.
Great Xia soldiers awaited nearby. The group mounted their horses and had ridden several steps when Xiao Lin paused, unable to resist looking back.
Sunlight slanted down, illuminating the girl in sacrificial robes as she lifted her eyes to watch them.
His grip on the reins tightened, "Third Miss Ye, come back with us."
Pang Yi Zhi, observing the girl's pure and exquisite features, chimed in casually, "Indeed. Your father is General Ye. It's only fitting you return to Xia with us."
Yu Qing nodded, "Ye San, hurry up and let's go."Even Uncle Ji blew out his mustache: "Little girl, what are you still standing there for? That boy is a murderous maniac, surely you don't intend to follow him?"
Upon hearing this, Ye Bingshang's gaze turned obscure.
She lifted her head and smiled gently: "Indeed, third sister, no one will blame you."
Su Su glanced at her, then smiled at everyone, revealing a row of pearly white teeth. The usual aloof indifference faded, replaced by a touch of the endearing innocence characteristic of Ye Xi Wu's appearance.
"Thank you all, but Xi Wu will not return to Great Xia with everyone. I still have important matters to attend to. The road is long and the sky vast—we shall meet again someday."
Xiao Lin pressed his lips together and said softly: "In that case, take care."
Su Su waved at them.
Pang Yi Zhi shot her a resentful look and muttered under his breath: "Ungrateful foolish woman!"
Uncle Ji clicked his tongue and sighed: "Silly little girl."
Though none approved of her staying, no one bore her ill will. She was brave and righteous, repeatedly saving people in times of peril. Nearly everyone present had received her help at some point—no one could truly dislike her.
Ye Bingshang leaned against the carriage, watching the sun rise high outside, her hand clutching the carriage curtain.
After a long while, she gently closed her eyes.
When had third sister earned everyone's respect? The Ye Xi Wu from last year—the one who pushed her into the water with a vicious expression—seemed to have faded into a distant memory.
Tantai Jin sank to the riverbed.
The Mohe River ran deep, having flooded numerous times over thousands of years, submerging nearby cities on several occasions.
The icy water enveloped him. At first, he remained relatively calm, but when he saw a Corpse Demon charging toward him, he reached for his waist—and his expression instantly turned grim.
The most precious Evil-Warding Spirit Essence of the Yiyue tribe was gone!
The Corpse Demon moved swiftly, completely unaffected by the turbulent underwater currents.
Unbeknownst to him, he had become the only living person left underwater. Instinct for survival drove him to swim desperately away from the Corpse Demon.
Yet, to his horror, another Corpse Demon appeared from the opposite direction.
He pressed his pale lips together, a rare flicker of panic crossing his features. Frantically, he searched his person for anything useful, but aside from the Evil-Warding Spirit Essence, he carried no other spiritual tools to combat these creatures.
When he entered the water, he and the old Taoist had set this trap.
Even if the Flood Dragon couldn't be refined, creating Corpse Demons would still be advantageous. This indestructible army could help him march on Great Xia. Yet, he never expected these mindless demonic creatures would turn on him first.
Just as the Corpse Demon's hand was about to touch him—
His expression cold, he closed his eyes. He felt no regret, only resentment that he hadn't dragged more people down with him.
Gritting his teeth, he thought of using his blood to repel the demonic creatures. At worst, he could let the Corpse Demon bite him and then destroy these things. Though Tantai Jin knew it was unrealistic—the Mohe River was vast, and his blood would quickly dissipate. How could he possibly kill an endless horde of Corpse Demons?
The next moment, the Corpse Demon was kicked away.
Someone gently tugged at the corner of his robe. He opened his eyes and saw a young girl swimming toward him.
She parted the water, her white dress billowing gracefully beneath the surface, breathtakingly beautiful.
The girl glanced at him, her small hand clutching his clothes tightly as if unwilling to speak to him. She tugged at him, signaling for him to follow her away.
Tantai Jin had never imagined that, in such a situation, someone would still come for him. He watched her silently, then pressed his lips together and asked: "Why did you come?"
The girl glared at him, gritting her teeth.
"Of course—marry a chicken, follow a chicken; marry a dog, follow a dog! You little rascal."
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