Chapter 235

The Six Monsters of Mount Mei and Howling Celestial Dog behind Yang Jian were also in a sorry state. The fierce battle with the Heavenly Court pursuers had exhausted all of their strength.

"Hold on!"

Kang Anyu staggered forward, trying to help Yang Jian, but Yang Jian stopped him by raising his hand.

Yang Jian slowly stood up, his face frighteningly pale.

His deep eyes swept over his exhausted brothers. "I'm fine. The Heavenly Soldiers have a keen sense of smell, better than dogs. We can't stay here any longer; we must leave as soon as possible."

His gaze drifted into the distance, where his mother lay trapped beneath the mountain, suffering endless torment. Every moment of delay only intensified her pain.

This overwhelming hatred and endless longing were his sole motivation to fight against the entire Heavenly Court.

Despite their injuries, the group continued onward.

After walking for an unknown amount of time, the outline of a town appeared ahead, but unlike the usual towns with their wisps of smoke rising from their chimneys, it was shrouded in a layer of visible gray-black death aura.

Upon entering the town, the streets were deserted, and every household had its doors and windows tightly shut, creating a deathly silence that sent chills down one's spine.

Something's not right.

Zhang Boshí gripped his weapon tightly, "This place is even more eerie than a mass grave."

Just then, a dilapidated wooden door creaked open a crack.

A pale, thin little girl peeked out, looking at them, this group of menacing uninvited guests, with fear.

The Howling Celestial Dog instinctively bared its teeth, but was stopped by a look from Yang Jian.

He suppressed his imposing aura and softened his voice. "Little sister, don't be afraid, we're just passing through. Where have all the people in town gone?"

The little girl's eyes were filled with fear as she pointed tremblingly to the most magnificent mansion in the center of town.

Her lips trembled, but she couldn't utter a single word before a withered hand yanked her back, and the wooden door slammed shut.

Yang Jian's brows furrowed instantly.

His third Celestial Eye slowly opened, and a dazzling golden light shot out like a sharp sword, instantly piercing through the mist that shrouded the town.

Under the Celestial Eye, all falsehoods have nowhere to hide.

He saw that deep within the magnificent mansion, a huge crimson magic array was in operation, and countless illusory souls were being forcibly extracted from every household in the town and merged into the center of the array.

Above the magic circle, an old man dressed in black robes with a withered face sat cross-legged, absorbing the pure soul power. His aura was rising at an astonishing speed.

"Brute!"

Yang Jian gritted his teeth, his boundless rage instantly ignited. What he hated most was this kind of evil heretic who sacrificed innocent lives.

"Walk!"

With a low shout, he swayed and rushed towards the mansion.

The Six Monsters of Mount Mei and the Howling Celestial Dog followed closely behind, their killing intent palpable.

Inside the mansion, the old man in black robes seemed to sense something, and suddenly opened his eyes, shooting out two venomous green beams.

"How dare you disrupt my Grand Ceremony of Ten Thousand Souls!"

He let out a strange laugh and vanished from the spot.

When Yang Jian and his companions burst through the door, they were greeted by countless demons and monsters emerging from the shadows, as well as a black-robed old man standing in the center of the courtyard, exuding a cold and powerful aura.

The old man sneered, "Perfect! My Banner of Ten Thousand Souls is missing the soul of a True Immortal to serve as its main banner. I'll start with you!"

"Enough with the nonsense, prepare to die!"

Yang Jian was too lazy to say anything more to him. His three-pointed, Three-Pointed Double-Edged Halberd sliced through the sky, bringing down with a devastating force.

"Kill!"

The Six Monsters of Mount Mei and the Howling Celestial Dog instantly engaged the henchmen in battle.

Amidst the clash of swords and the fierce collision of Yao Qi and divine light, the entire mansion instantly transformed into a battlefield.

The old man in black robes was indeed powerful. He waved a black banner in his hand, and the wind howled and ghosts wailed. He was able to fight Yang Jian, who was greatly depleted of his divine power, to a standstill.

The two fought from the ground into the air, each collision unleashing a devastating shockwave that leveled the surrounding buildings.

"Hehehe, you are indeed very strong, but unfortunately, you are already past your prime!"

The old man keenly sensed Yang Jian's weakening aura. He suddenly bit his tongue, spitting a mouthful of blood onto the black banner.

Forbidden Technique: Devouring Souls!

In an instant, the black banner swelled in the wind, obscuring the sky and the sun.

Countless tormented and twisted souls burst forth from the banner, transforming into jet-black chains that swept over Yang Jian.

These spirits, carrying endless resentment and curses, can not only bind the physical body but also erode the primordial spirit.

Yang Jian suddenly felt the pressure increase, and even the flow of his divine power became sluggish.

He swung his sword and severed one chain, and immediately ten, a hundred more wrapped around it, seemingly endless.

Seeing this, the Meishan Brothers in the distance were extremely anxious, but they were tightly entangled by the surging henchmen and unable to break free.

Yang Jian found himself in an unprecedented predicament.

After a moment of calm, he closed his eyes, but the Celestial Eye on his forehead shone with an unprecedented light.

Golden light swept across the countless soul chains, searching for the core and weakness of this forbidden technique.

Just then, a Yunxiao bark rang out!

"Roar!"

The Howling Celestial Dog, its black fur standing on end, recklessly broke through the demons' encirclement, transforming into a black lightning bolt and biting at the black-robed old man's hand holding the banner pole!

"You wretched beast who's asking for death!"

The old man was shocked. He had never expected that this seemingly inconspicuous black dog would possess such divine power, able to ignore the resentment of the Banner of Ten Thousand Souls.

He instinctively swung his hand back, trying to slap the Howling Celestial Dog away.

It was that momentary lapse in concentration!

"Break!"

Yang Jian's Celestial Eye instantly locked onto a node where soul power flowed, which was the closest connection between the old man's mind and the magic weapon, and also the most vulnerable point at this moment!

The Three-Pointed Double-Edged Halberd shone brightly, all the divine power converging at the tip, transforming into a golden divine light refined to its extreme, piercing towards that node with speed surpassing lightning!

"Pfft!"

With a soft sound, the countless soul chains vanished instantly, and the black banner that blotted out the sky let out a mournful cry as it fell to the ground, its light dimming.

The old man in black robes was struck dumb, spitting out a mouthful of black blood, his aura instantly weakening.

Yang Jian gave him no chance, his figure approaching like a ghost, the cold Three-Pointed Double-Edged Halberd already pressed against his neck.

With their leader subdued, the demons and their minions scattered like monkeys falling from a tree, and were all slaughtered by the Six Monsters of Mount Mei as easily as cutting melons and vegetables.

The deathly aura that had hung over the town began to slowly dissipate, and sunlight once again shone upon the land.

One by one, the tightly closed doors and windows opened, and the surviving people came out of their houses. Looking at Yang Jian, who appeared in the courtyard like a god descending to earth, they all knelt down, tears of gratitude streaming down their faces.

That evening, the townspeople brought out their best food and wine to hold a grand victory celebration for Yang Jian and his brothers.

After several rounds of drinks, a respected old town mayor walked shakily to Yang Jian and handed him a yellowed animal hide map.

"My benefactor, I have no way to repay you. When I was young, I was a merchant who traveled all over the country. I heard that you were inquiring about Peach Mountain."

I obtained this picture by chance many years ago; perhaps... perhaps it can provide you with some clues."

Yang Jian took the map and his gaze fell on a place name marked on it— Black Wind Mountain.

His heart skipped a beat, and a strong premonition surged into his mind.

He solemnly thanked the old town mayor, then stood up, his gaze sweeping over his brothers who had shared life and death with him.

"Gentlemen, we have a new direction. Let's rest for the night, and tomorrow we'll set off for Black Wind Mountain!"

Everyone immediately agreed.

Under the cover of night, the campfire flickered, illuminating the resolute faces on their faces.

The next day, the group prepared to set off to search for clues...