The dark, overcast skies will eventually break, and the skies over Rongcheng have finally cleared.
The formidable ghost's "teleportation array" was destroyed, its core vanishing, and the Yu Yi Ghost King's whereabouts and fate remain unknown. The remaining ghost cultivators either perished or fled.
Now, before the gates of Rongcheng, only the cultivators of Rongcheng and Huacheng remain, along with disciples from sects who came to support the Immortal Alliance.
The invasion from Fengdu this time was ferocious and swift, catching everyone off guard, and their retreat was equally decisive.
However, this was typical of their nature: they would surge like a tide when the wind blew, and scurry away with their tails between their legs when the tide receded.
But still, this time, the three cities suffered heavy losses.
Cibei City had two immortal artifacts stolen by Fengdu, their power greatly amplified. They would surely not rest now. Although they had temporarily repelled the enemy and bought themselves some respite, the true battle lay ahead.
Liu Jiang Fusheng… Who exactly is he?
After his disappearance years ago, and following a period of upheaval within the Dayan Sect, the echoes of his former glory gradually faded. Many disciples even believed he had fallen into decline and met his end, which was why he hadn't returned.
But after all these years, he hadn't become the downcast figure that others had speculated. On the contrary, he appeared not only more formidable than before but was also accompanied by two extraordinary individuals.
At this moment, the "Sound Transmission Jade Ruyi" on the waist of the Rongcheng City Lord grew warm.
It turned out that the ghost realm's barrier had been broken, and this region was no longer affected or restricted by Yin energy for communications.
Yu Shicheng took out the "Sound Transmission Jade Ruyi" to check, and it was indeed a message from an elder of the Liuming Sect.
A voice, full of vigor, came through urgently, "City Lord Yu, what is the situation in Rongcheng?"
It's hard to put into words.
City Lord Yu Chengshi was worried about the previous battle, yet also deeply relieved that everything had temporarily settled. He replied, "It's temporarily resolved… By the way, Elder, are the envoys from Wushang Mansion with you?"
At his question, the Huacheng City Lord and Abbess Huiming, among others, turned their attention, ears perked.
"What is it?"
City Lord Yu Chengshi exchanged a glance with the Huacheng City Lord and hesitated, "Is it possible… that they arrived in Rongcheng ahead of time?"
The elder of the Liuming Sect immediately denied it, "Impossible! The envoys from Wushang Mansion are with us. Could someone be impersonating them…"
"No," City Lord Yu Chengshi quickly explained. He didn't know how to articulate it, but he was certain, "No one is impersonating them."
"Then what is this hesitancy about? Never mind, we're about to pass through the teleportation array. We'll discuss everything when we arrive!"
*Clack—*
The elder of the Liuming Sect was always known for his decisive and forthright nature. When dealing with someone who was overly cautious or hesitant, he would typically end the conversation within a few sentences.
Yu Chengshi: "…"
Fine, they would discuss it when they arrived.
He looked up at the sky once more.
—
"Liu Jiang Fusheng, it's been a long time."
Danya listened to the lively and admiring voices around him, a smile gracing his lips, but only he knew the true feelings in his heart.
"Mountain Master Wumei, have you had enough of your madness?"
A faint, gentle chuckle sent a chill down Daoist Zhiyang's spine. He withdrew his fervent gaze fixed on Liu Jiang Fusheng and met the sect leader's clear, ink-like eyes, which were like autumn waters reflecting the remnants of a sunset, a vast expanse of shadowy bluffs tinged with crimson.
His lips stiffened, and he suppressed his animated gestures and excited shouts.
Mountain Master Jiutun tightened his grip on his sword. Although Danya hadn't spoken to him directly, he knew that Danya disliked their genuine excitement and joy at Liu Jiang Fusheng's appearance.
He was once Danya's master, but now his own disciple had become the sect leader, forcing him to act according to his disciple's wishes, which was truly frustrating and helpless.
"He's still the same…" Danya chuckled lightly, but there was no mirth in the depths of his pupils, "Whenever he appears, he effortlessly draws everyone's attention to himself."
Over the years, he had believed he was no longer the same as before. But the moment Liu Jiang Fusheng appeared, it felt as if time had reversed, and nothing had changed.
The other could still easily surpass him.
At this moment, Xiao Chenmu and Mu Qianmi retracted their magical artifacts and landed first with grace and ease. The swirling flying swords in the sky coalesced into a single immortal sword, ultimately returning to Liu Jiang Fusheng's hand.
The summoned "Divine Eye" transformed into purified spiritual energy, scattering into fine light fragments. The dark energy dissipated like wisps of silk.
Everyone gazed up at the sky, waiting for him to descend.
However, just as everyone waited with eager anticipation to welcome Liu Jiang Fusheng, an unexpected figure, like a streak of black light, flashed across the sky.
A long, slender black chain extended like a probing snake, coiling around his waist. The corner of his black robe swept past, his arm reached out and pulled, drawing a beautiful picture in the light with the most graceful posture, and then…
The white figure fell, completely unguarded, into the embrace of the dark shadow.
A resounding voice, difficult to discern as male or female, powerful and resonant, echoed from high in the sky.
"Your savior, I shall borrow him for now. In seven days, if you can conquer Fengdu Ghost City within seven days, I will return him as promised."
With that, the black figure, tearing through space, took Liu Jiang Fusheng away.
Everything happened too suddenly, and no one had foreseen it.
How could such a powerful Liu Jiang Fusheng be abducted in the blink of an eye?!
More importantly, who was this kidnapper?
"Holy Lord—"
Xiao Chenmu and Mu Qianmi rushed to follow, but the torn black hole had already closed by the time they arrived. They lacked the ability to tear through space and could only watch helplessly as Liu Jiang Fusheng was taken away.
—
Elsewhere, time rewound slightly.
Rongcheng Ancestral Hall
Gu Sizhun saw that everything unfolded as his mother had predicted. As wave after wave of monstrous attacks ensued, the initially calm Mo Tu began to show signs of impatience.
Concurrently, an icy cold aura, appearing from nowhere, permeated the surroundings, becoming unbearable. The visibility dimmed all around, as if the heavens and earth had been enveloped by a shroud.
"Mother, why did the sky… suddenly turn so dark?"
Gu Sizhun tugged at a corner of Gu Junshi's robe, his voice filled with surprise.
Gu Junshi's eyes moved. After a brief scan, he understood what was happening.
Fengdu Ghost City was planning to go all out, even deploying the "Gathering Yin Ghost Array."
With the outbreak of the "Gathering Yin Ghost Array," countless fierce ghosts and vengeful spirits would soon fly out from its core. The bone-chilling Yin energy and ghost qi would form a ghost domain that would cause significant harm to children with lower cultivation levels like Gu Sisi.
He could no longer stay here.
Gu Junshi shielded him from the wandering Yin energy and said, "Sizhun, Rongcheng is no longer a suitable place for you. Go and keep your uncle company for a while, he's about to hatch."
What? Uncle?