The Young Monk Xilai (continued)

Before anyone could dig to rescue the person, the surrounding plants went berserk. Patterns resembling human faces sprouted from the tree trunks, and the plants lashed out at the unfortunate souls nearby. Some flower petals formed distorted human face shapes, spewing out poisonous gas that killed anyone who touched them instantly. Some large trees even turned their fruit into skulls. Those who were picking and enjoying the fruit immediately met their demise. At such close range, there was no way to dodge; they were bitten in the face, blood and flesh flying everywhere, their screams deafening.

"What's going on? Is it haunted?"

"There's no such thing as a ghost in broad daylight, this is clearly Anomalies, everyone be careful!"

"Why are these Anomalies attacking our Aristocratic Clan? Are they also accomplices hired by the Heavenly Martial Alliance?"

The scene was chaotic, with supernatural Technique Method, Sword Qi energy, and fist force crisscrossing and occasionally injuring their own people. Although everyone was determined to find the real culprit and kill him, they didn't know where to start. It seemed like enemies were everywhere, and even their friends could be replaced by Anomalies beings who could suddenly launch a sneak attack.

Seeing this, the Heavenly Martial Alliance members looked at each other in bewilderment. Of course, they didn't think these Anomalies were related to their own group. The alliance leader's attitude towards Anomalies was obvious. The task with the most generous contribution points reward was to eliminate Anomalies. What really troubled them was whether or not they should save people.

"What's the point of saving them? Even if you save them, they'll still blame you for meddling. Why bother trying to win them over?"

"You can't say that. Our conflict as Aristocratic Clan is an internal conflict, while the conflict with the Anomalies is an external one. At this time, we should put aside our differences and unite against the outside world."

With Si Ming absent, the group lacked a leader, became indecisive, and argued endlessly.

"Shut up, all of you!"

Si Shuiyun unleashed a powerful shout, silencing the entire crowd. Having served Si Jingyu for a long time, she knew how to control the situation at this moment.

Before today, people might not have given her face. Even though she was the leader's person, she was still just a maidservant. But Si Shuiyun had just defeated Shen Wumian, the Snowflake Divine Sword. Putting aside her status, people had to show her respect just for her strength.

"Even if you want to save someone, you should consider whether you have the ability to do so, otherwise you'll just be causing trouble," Si Shuiyun turned to Feng Liancheng and Duan Jinsu, "This matter will require your assistance."

Duan Jinsu said, "Eliminating Anomalies and maintaining human order is the duty of us exorcists." Then he hurriedly led his disciples towards the Aristocratic Clan.

Si Shuiyun recalled the information about the Anomalies occurrences and the methods her mistress had once told her to deal with them.

"Everyone stay in your positions. No one may move an inch without permission. Raise your hand to report if you need anything. Anyone who acts without authorization is possessed by Anomalies and will be killed without exception!"

Upon hearing this, everyone stiffened and stood rooted to the spot, not daring to move an inch, for fear of being mistaken for Anomalies and killed unjustly. At the same time, they remained vigilant and wary of everyone around them.

A moment later, a shadow resembling a cloud gradually moved, blocking the sunlight and bringing a refreshing coolness to everyone.

"This is... rain clouds?" Kou Feng of the Mysterious Sword Sect, was a meticulous man. He looked up and saw something densely descending from the sky. "Wait! Everyone, watch out for what's overhead!"

Everyone looked up and were shocked to find that what was falling from the sky was not rain, but needles! Sharp pins rained down from the sky, their gleaming cold light sending chills down one's spine!

Everyone quickly used their special skills to block the rain of needles falling overhead, creating a crisp clanging sound. Occasionally, someone would be pricked by a stray needle, letting out a painful scream.

Although a needle or two won't be fatal, the pain it causes surpasses that of other weapons. The stinging pain of a needle piercing the flesh is more intense than a cut, and if it gets into the eye, the agony is unbearable.

Si Shuiyun wielded the Wave-Severing Dagger-Axe, stirring up the moisture in the air and condensing it into a small water dragon that danced wildly above her head, deflecting the rain of needles. Kou Feng, on the other hand, wielded his sword with such skill that it seemed as if ink could not penetrate his skin, his body surface was covered with a sword light, like a protective Gang Qi, impervious to a hundred needles. For experts of their level, blocking the rain of needles was not difficult.

Among them, Hongdou used the technique of Boundary Wall Isolation to condense an invisible shield above her head, which made blocking the attack the easiest. She only needed to raise her hand. Unfortunately, with her current level, the range of the boundary wall she could create was not large, so she could not help others.

This sudden attack of needles seemed to cover a wide area quickly and injured many people, but no one died. Moreover, those who were injured were all low-level martial artists and posed no threat to the real masters.

Si Shuiyun suddenly sensed an unusual aura beneath her feet. Her gaze shifted downwards, and she immediately became alert. "The needle rain above is a feint; the real attack is below!"

The moment the thought crossed her mind, everyone's shadows detached from the ground and transformed into black snakes that lunged at Hongdou with incredible speed. Hongdou had no time to react and was about to be bitten when one of the black snakes suddenly betrayed her, flicking its body and sending the others flying.

"The art of shadow manipulation isn't something only you possess."

This black snake was actually Si Shuiyun's shadow. The reason she was able to sense the abnormal aura beneath her feet was thanks to the "Void Shadow Killing Technique." This Cultivation Method also includes techniques for using shadows to launch sneak attacks and assassinations. Although she didn't focus on assassination, she had still learned the basic techniques.

As the saying goes, rivals are enemies. Si Shuiyun immediately manipulated her shadow to launch a counterattack, turning the black snake into a scythe. With a sudden twist, she cut down all the snake shadows.

However, the enemy's offensive was not limited to this wave. Soon, many more figures transformed into various ferocious beasts and venomous snakes, rushing towards Hongdou and Si Shuiyun respectively.

While defending herself, Si Shuiyun warned, "Hongdou, be careful! They're after you!"

Hongdou nodded, and realizing what was happening, she picked up her paintbrush and used the Eight Principles of Yong) to shatter all the shadows.

With her cultivation level, even top masters would find it difficult to win quickly when she gets serious. Although her moves are too routine, methodical and disciplined, with the support of her profound cultivation, both her strength and speed are among the best in the martial arts world. Even if she reveals a flaw, others will not be able to seize it.

Just as Si Shuiyun thought the enemy's skills had stopped and was slightly relieved, the ground exploded, and a giant centipede tens of meters long emerged from the ground, emitting a highly corrosive green gas, and pounced towards Hongdou.

"This is bad! This is the enemy's real killing move."

Si Shuiyun wanted to rush to Hongdou's aid, but the shadow beasts pounced on her frantically, sparing no effort to entangle her movements, making it difficult for her to cross the line. The other members of the Heavenly Martial Alliance were in the same situation; they were too busy dealing with the rain of needles from the sky to spare any effort to escape.

In the moment of crisis, it Wuguo the old monk Wuguo who stepped forward. Having been struck on the head by Si Ming, his Cultivation Body seemed to have improved. He flicked his prayer beads, and golden light emanated from his body, blocking the rain of needles. He held his right palm upright in front of his chest, and his left hand supported his right hand. The surging True Qi condensed in front of him into two Arhats, the Dragon Subduer and the Tiger Arhat.

"The Blazing Glaze, Arhat Clears the Way!"

The giant centipede, carrying a strong venomous gas, crashed head-on into the golden Arhat. In the ensuing turmoil, both Arhat shattered and vanished into streaks of golden light. Master Wuguo was also struck by the backlash, coughing up blood as he retreated.

However, this obstruction gave Hongdou time to react. Master Wuguo took in the sight of her injury, immediately pursed his lips, and revealed an angry expression. He used all his strength to activate the ultimate technique in the "Scroll of Space," causing the surrounding light to blur and all the needles aimed at her to fall into empty space.

"Dragging Star-Piercing Seal!"

Hongdou formed a hand Law Seals and struck the giant centipede's body with a palm strike from a distance.

At this moment, the two were only two meters apart. It seemed that the giant centipede could pounce on Hongdou in just half a second. However, its upper body was pulled backward as if by a strong force, while its lower body was pulled forward as if by a strong force.

Centered on its body, the giant centipede was kneaded into a ball of flesh by an irresistible force. Although its body was tens of meters long and looked enormous, after being kneaded into a ball, it was only about the size of a basketball. This was the result of being compressed and contracted by space.

The so-called inertial drag effect refers to the distortion of spacetime caused by the velocity and angular momentum of a massive celestial body as it rotates. The effect is somewhat like putting a rubber ball into a bowl full of syrup. When the rubber ball or the massive object rotates, it will cause the syrup or the spacetime structure to move along with it.

The Dragging Star-Piercing Seal utilizes a similar principle. When the Law Seals is injected into the target's body, it causes the surrounding space to rotate, thereby generating a powerful centripetal force that compresses the target's body together.

Those who witnessed this scene were startled; it was truly terrifying. They never expected that the Alliance Leader's second wife, who appeared harmless, would possess such wicked martial arts skills. If they were struck by that palm print, they would likely end up as a ball of flesh.

Suddenly, seemingly spurred by the death of its companion, the rain of needles in the sky turned violent, gathering together to form a giant wasp that aimed its stinger at Hongdou. At the same time, the shadows on the ground merged together, transforming into a jet-black wolf that pounced on Hongdou.

"Get out of my way, Blazing Sun Heavenly Saber!"