Second Spirit—Xuanyuan Sword

"...We're surrounded."

Hu Liena set Zhou Chen down, her expression grave.

The Demon Fox Spirit's third ability was exceptionally powerful perception. Hu Liena could clearly sense the presence of many humans within several hundred meters.

Sure enough, in the next instant, numerous shadowy figures suddenly appeared all around them.

They moved with remarkable agility, closing in on Hu Liena and Zhou Chen within only a few breaths and surrounding the two of them completely.

All of these figures wore black, numbering several dozen. Every one of them radiated killing intent!

"Is this Spirit Hall's Enforcement Team?" Zhou Chen whispered.

Hearing this, Hu Liena shook her head, her face grim. "No, I've never seen them before."

"Hehe, what a pretty little thing!"

A rough, cold laugh rang out. A Black-Clad Person with an exceptionally burly build and a somewhat domineering air stepped out from the crowd. He gave Zhou Chen a chilly look, then pulled a portrait from his robe.

Under the faint moonlight, Zhou Chen clearly saw that the portrait bore his face!

"That's right. It's you."

The Black-Clad People's leader sneered and shouted, "Spirit possession!"

In an instant, a powerful pale-white glow burst from the Black-Clad People's leader. Ten sharp claws sprang from his hands, his bones crackled, his muscles abruptly swelled, and white fur grew across his body. He grew to more than two meters tall!

Four faint black markings appeared on his forehead—three horizontal strokes and one vertical stroke, forming the character for "king"!

"White Tiger Spirit?"

The moment Hu Liena saw the Black-Clad People's leader after his spirit possession, she cried out, "You're a member of the Star Luo Empire's royal family?"

Everyone knew that the White Tiger Spirit, a top-tier beast spirit as renowned as the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, belonged only to the Dai Family of the Star Luo Empire's royal house!

That made the identities of these Black-Clad People obvious. They were undoubtedly death warriors sent by the Star Luo Royal Family!

"The Star Luo Empire has quite some nerve! I am Hu Liena, the Spirit Hall Saintess. Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan, an elder of Spirit Hall, is nearby. Let's see who dares lay a hand on me!"

Hu Liena stood in front of Zhou Chen and declared fiercely!

At her words, the Black-Clad People's leader paused before suddenly sneering. "Hu Liena, who are you trying to fool? Our Dark Guards know perfectly well that you ran away with Zhou Chen! As for your backer, Chrysanthemum Douluo, he's searching for you in the Soul Hunting Forest right now. How could he possibly spare any attention for this place?"

"As long as we kill both of you, who will know it was the Star Luo Empire?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the Black-Clad People's leader stomped hard. Six shining spirit rings—two yellow, two purple, and two black—silently rose from beneath his feet, accompanied by an overwhelming Soul Power Pressure that bore down on them!

"Six spirit rings—a Soul Emperor!!"

Hu Liena clenched her pale little fists, her face turning deathly white.

She was only level 31, while Zhou Chen was currently weak to the extreme. How could they possibly contend with a Soul Emperor?

But that was not all. The next moment, something even more despairing happened!

Brilliant lights appeared around the several dozen Black-Clad People. Their spirits were released and their spirit rings rose—they... were all Spirit Masters!

Moreover, every one of those Black-Clad People was at least a level-30 Soul Elder!

"System, is there a way?"

In such a desperate situation, Zhou Chen could only rely on the System.

"Ding... Does the host have one hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins?" the System asked in return.

"Not right now, but I can earn them slowly after I return, then repay you double."

Faced with the System's extortion at such a critical moment, Zhou Chen did not get angry. Instead, he spoke unhurriedly.

"Ding... Deal. This System can help the host awaken his second spirit in advance!"

"Ding... Awakening a spirit requires time. Please stall for ten seconds."

"Alright!"

Zhou Chen nodded and looked at Hu Liena beside him. In a solemn whisper, he said, "Can you hold these people off for ten seconds? I have a way!"

"I can try."

Hu Liena gritted her teeth.

Just then, the Black-Clad People's leader suddenly shouted:

"Delay invites disaster. Kill them!"

The next moment, the Black-Clad People's leader waved his hand sharply, and the several dozen Soul Elders immediately charged forward!

"Demon Fox, possess!"

As her spirit was released, Hu Liena seemed to grow even more beautiful. A fluffy, fiery-red fox tail emerged from behind her shapely hips.

A faint red glow appeared around her. Her eyes flickered as she looked toward the Black-Clad People.

Third Spirit Ability—Bewitchment!

In an instant, the Black-Clad People who had been preparing to use their spirit abilities froze. Hu Liena's unique charm made them unable to resist looking at her and abandoning their own resistance!

With such powerful Bewitchment, it was no wonder that Pope Bi Bi Dong had chosen her as a disciple.

"You're courting death!"

Seeing that his subordinates had actually been bewitched, the Black-Clad People's leader flew into a rage.

He swung both claws fiercely. Ten streaks of silver light crisscrossed through the air, instantly sending the level-31 Hu Liena flying several meters away as she spat out blood!

With their mistress injured, the Bewitchment spirit ability naturally lost its effect. The several dozen Black-Clad Soul Elders suddenly came to their senses and immediately began releasing their spirit abilities!

For a moment, a sky-covering barrage of spirit abilities crashed toward the two of them!

However...

Boom!

A Golden Light Pillar that reached from heaven to earth suddenly descended, enveloping Zhou Chen and Hu Liena. Every attack released by the Black-Clad People was blocked outside!

At the center of the light pillar, Zhou Chen was now giving off an ancient, desolate aura. A point of light gleamed between his brows!

Buzz!

Accompanied by the cry of a sword, a golden miniature sword about ten centimeters long burst from Zhou Chen's forehead the next second. The moment it met the air, it rapidly expanded in the wind, becoming a golden ancient sword three chi and three cun long!

The first time Zhou Chen saw this sword, he froze, because he had seen its appearance before!

"Mountains, rivers, plants, and trees carved upon its left; the sun, moon, and stars inscribed upon its right... This is the sacred sword of the righteous path, forged by the gods from the copper of Mount Shou for Xuanyuan Yellow Emperor—the Xuanyuan Sword!"