Just as Liu Buli had, Master Linkong sensed something was amiss the moment the Yin energy of the ghost race appeared.
He immediately ceased his attack and scanned his surroundings. While speaking to Liu Buli, he asked, "Sect Leader Liu, it seems our match will have to be postponed. Unfriendly uninvited guests have arrived nearby. Do you also sense them?"
"With such a dense aura, if I couldn't sense it, I'm afraid I wouldn't be fit to stand here," Liu Buli replied with a seemingly relaxed smile, though his expression had also turned serious.
Grasping his long sword a little tighter, he looked around. Feeling the increasingly potent ghost energy, Liu Buli paused before continuing, "I sensed this aura once a few years ago. Perhaps Master Linkong, you won't find it unfamiliar either. After all, these scoundrels have been quite active these past few years. You must have encountered them before, haven't you?"
Naturally, he had.
Or rather, in the current cultivation world, the ghost race had become a bothersome yet rather common presence. It would be more peculiar if someone claimed they had never seen them.
As the surrounding ghost energy intensified, the once azure sky became overcast. Everything around them darkened at a visible rate. Master Linkong gritted his teeth and raised his hand, sending a surge of spiritual energy into the sky. The golden light pierced through the clouds, illuminating the surroundings once more.
"Ghosts prefer darkness. We absolutely cannot let it get dark, as it is disadvantageous to us," Master Linkong explained his actions. "And judging by this aura, there are quite a few ghosts here to join the fun..."
As his words fell, screams and wails erupted from the distant spectator stands.
These cultivators who had come to watch the match did not possess the cultivation of Master Linkong or Liu Buli. Thus, the moment the change occurred, they had already panicked and lost their composure.
Ghost energy and killing intent spread, accompanied by a strong scent of blood.
This meant some of the ghost race had already begun their attacks amidst the chaos...
"Everyone, please remain calm. The more critical the situation, the more we must cooperate to win."
Shen Muzhi's clear voice rang out, overpowering the surrounding clamor.
Another surge of spiritual power was unleashed, and a red lotus made of fierce flames bloomed above the spectator stands. The firelight illuminated everything, its scorching heat not harming humans but deterring the ghost race from making rash moves.
Upon seeing this, Liu Buli couldn't help but curve his lips.
After all, they had been prepared. Even with the sudden turn of events, people weren't overly panicked.
But he had to admit, Shen Muzhi, as the protagonist, was truly reliable at such crucial moments.
As the darkness in the spectator stands was completely dispelled, the few ghost race members who had been lurking in the shadows, attempting to attack people, were fully exposed.
Their extremely hideous faces and distorted forms made the surrounding people gasp in shock. However, when it came to matters of life and death, no one would show mercy at this moment.
With almost everyone working together, those few ghost race members were immediately turned to ash in the flames. Those with slightly higher cultivation, following Shen Muzhi's example, used their spiritual energy to illuminate the spectator stands together. Now, the entire spectator area was brightly lit, resembling midday.
The cultivators who had previously looked down on each other now displayed unprecedented unity. They stood close together, leaving no room for the ghost race to infiltrate. With this collective effort, there was no longer a need for concern.
Since this was their sect leader's match, and the final round of the martial arts tournament, all members of the Dan Sect brought by Liu Buli were present in the spectator stands.
With the safety of the spectator stands secured, Liu Buli felt somewhat relieved.
When he sensed the intensifying ghost energy near the martial arts stage, he couldn't help but chuckle. He then said to Master Linkong, "Master, it seems those ghosts realized the spectator stands couldn't be easily breached, so they've decided to treat us two as soft targets."
Master Linkong let out a cold laugh. He had naturally sensed this as well. Looking around, he tightened his grip on his weapon and narrowed his eyes. "It's been a long time since I've seen these filthy creatures. I thought they had quieted down, knowing they were no match for us and had retreated to their own realm. I overestimated them. These beasts must be eradicated in one go, so the rest will learn their lesson."
As he spoke, he glanced at Liu Buli on the other side. "Sect Leader Liu, you and I should move towards the center of the martial arts stage. Even with spiritual energy illuminating the surroundings, there will still be blind spots in the corners. They can hide in the shadows, and I fear..."
Before he could finish speaking, a surge of ghost energy suddenly attacked his face.
Master Linkong swiftly raised his long sword to block, but a deafening clang echoed, momentarily stunning him.
With his other hand, he rapidly formed seals and chanted incantations, igniting flames around himself. He knew the ghost race feared fire, so this was the quickest way to protect himself.
However, what he never expected was that the ghost race attacking him seemed to have cast aside all fear of death. They completely disregarded the flames, and even as the fire scorched their bodies, they continued to attack Master Linkong.
The intense flames were effective. Those at the forefront, their bodies burned, would retreat when they could no longer fight, leaving the battlefield to their kin.
This relentless tactic consumed the flames and Master Linkong's spiritual energy. While Master Linkong's cultivation was indeed not low, the ghost race attacking him was equally formidable.
With comparable cultivation levels, he alone could not withstand this group of fearless monsters.
In his panic, Master Linkong stole a glance at Liu Buli. He hoped Liu Buli would lend him a hand at this critical moment, but after just one look, he was completely disheartened—
The monsters surrounding Liu Buli were even more numerous than those around him.
As his injuries increased, Master Linkong thought his end was near.
However, at this very moment, the monsters that had been tightly surrounding them suddenly dispersed slightly. Following that, thick mist permeated the air, and Lu Wuming's voice was heard, saying, "Master, the sect is safe. I've come to help you."
—
(My father passed away tonight. I have some drafts saved for this month, so there shouldn't be any disruptions. I will notify in advance if there are any special circumstances. Today is Father's Day. I want to tell everyone, if possible, spend more time with your elders. Wishing everyone peace and joy.)