Aged Tiger, Demonized Beast

The night was deep.

The mountain wind blew.

The whistling of dry branches sent shivers down one's spine.

The ground was covered in ghouls, numerous and spectral, inspiring extreme fear.

But at this moment, it wasn't Lin Yan, holding the incense and candles, who was trembling, but the ghouls surrounding them.

As Lin Yan approached, holding a saber in one hand and incense and candles in the other.

The intense light of the flames made the girl tremble all over, but instead of fleeing like the other ghouls, she hid herself in Lin Lei's shadow.

Using Lin Lei's body as cover, she avoided the firelight.

At the same time, a slender hand grasped Lin Lei's neck.

"No... don't come any closer..."

The girl's trembling voice was filled with fear: "Or I'll strangle him!"

"Ghosts and malevolent spirits have no form, how can they strangle someone?"

Lin Yan's voice was cold as he arrived beside his second brother.

He looked up and breathed a sigh of relief.

Fortunately, he was in time. His second brother was alive, though trapped in an illusion.

He didn't rush to wake his second brother, but looked at the girl in the shadow and said calmly, "Weren't we supposed to discuss our marriage? I've come alone!"

With a sudden slash!

He struck out!

He knew his long, narrow iron saber couldn't harm formless spirits!

But with his Demon Quelling Divine Ability, the intense killing intent and malevolent energy on his blade could scatter these malevolent spirits and vengeful ghosts!

But the next moment, blood splattered out!

She wasn't a ghost!

She was human!

"Huh?"

Lin Yan's pupils suddenly contracted, and his heart trembled: "No life, no breath, no heartbeat, no warmth, not even her feet are touching the ground... How can she be human?"

He had killed many people in recent years and was experienced. He could tell if someone was human or a ghost with a single strike!

This woman was not human at all!

To be precise, she couldn't be a living person!

But she wasn't a formless spirit; she was a dead person with a physical body!

But if she had a physical body, why was she like a ghost, her feet not touching the ground?

However, as his heart trembled, a low roar echoed from the temple at that moment!

Instantly, even Lin Yan's heart shuddered.

The numerous ghosts and spirits that had retreated from the candlelight now trembled even more, appearing more terrified.

But in that instant, they roared and pounced!

Ghouls had no form and couldn't harm a physical body!

But ghosts could invade the souls of the living!

The roaring sound shook people's hearts and minds, instilling immense fear!

And when facing ghosts, once fear arises, one is completely consumed!

If one's will is not firm, even at the peak of Inner Strength, they would be no match for the situation before them!

"..."

However, Lin Yan's eyes remained cold, without any panic. He immediately stepped forward and placed the incense and candles in his second brother's hand.

He raised his second brother's arm, holding it above his head.

The candlelight illuminated the surroundings.

Within a radius of about ten feet, the flames burned intensely, like the scorching sun, making the ghouls dare not approach.

But at this moment, Lin Yan, holding his saber, voluntarily stepped out of the protective range of the flames.

Beyond the ten-foot radius, there was still a faint glow from the candles, but it was no longer enough to deter the ghouls.

The horde of ghosts pounced, baring their fangs and claws, their faces ferocious.

"..."

Lin Yan took a deep breath.

Suddenly, a chill emanated from his body.

A Fierce Ghost appeared on his left shoulder.

With a green face, fangs, and claws like talons, it was terrifying.

Whoosh!

The blade light flashed past!

Lin Yan felt the slash miss, as if it hadn't connected with flesh and blood.

But his expression remained calm as he heard the Fierce Ghost let out a scream.

The Malevolent Energy accompanying the blade was like a gentle breeze across water, creating ripples... Under the turbulent ripples, the Fierce Ghost's soul vanished into thin air.

Even a Martial Artist with Inner Strength would have to treat such ghostly spirits cautiously, yet under the potent Malevolent Energy, they were no match!

The Demon Quelling Divine Ability seemed to amplify his fierce energy a thousandfold!

"Chen Jiangbao!"

Lin Yan suddenly strode forward, taking three steps and bringing his blade down.

The figure screamed for mercy, but as the blade light passed, he dispersed like smoke, vanishing completely, turning to dust.

"A lowly wretch in life, an ungrateful ghost in death."

"Today, I'll give you a quick end. Consider yourself lucky."

Lin Yan turned and swung his blade again, destroying another ghostly soul.

For Martial Artists in the world, Malevolent Spirits and Fierce Ghosts were often more terrifying than Demonized Beasts.

Though Demonized Beasts were strong, they still had physical bodies that blades and swords could harm.

But Malevolent Spirits had no form, making them impervious to blades, fists, or kicks.

However, today, with the Demon Quelling Divine Ability, Lin Yan's Malevolent Energy allowed his blade to strike ghosts.

In his eyes, these ghostly spirits were merely dust, easily blown away with a wave of his hand.

In less than twenty breaths.

Silence fell upon the ground, figures vanished, and ghosts were nowhere to be seen.

No corpses were found among the withered grass and dead trees, leaving the area clean.

Yet, Lin Yan's gaze remained extremely serious.

He glanced at the temple before quickly moving to his second brother's side.

He extended his index finger and touched the center of Lin Lei's brow.

Lin Lei's body jolted, and the dazed look in his eyes gradually cleared.

Then, he saw a cold, unfamiliar face before him and was greatly startled.

He stumbled backward in fear, dropping the candle he held.

But the stranger's hand shot out, grabbing him.

At the same time, the stranger's other hand caught the fallen candle and incense, handing them back to him.

"Hold the candle and incense tightly."

The stranger's voice was deep. He reached into his robes and took out another unlit candle.

"Before dawn, don't let the candle extinguish. Remember to light this one!"

"..."

Lin Lei took them dazedly. Though still a bit disoriented, he knew the stranger meant him no harm.

"Listen, hold the candle above your head and walk east. There's a cave three miles away, and it's considered a 'Sanctuary'."

"There will be wild beasts seeking refuge inside, but they can't hunt within the Sanctuary, so don't be afraid."

"When dawn breaks, before the beasts awaken, immediately go down the mountain and return to Gao Liu City!"

The stranger stood with his back to Lin Lei, his gaze fixed on the dilapidated temple, speaking rapidly.

Lin Lei felt a flickering, unsettling light emanating from the temple.

He now fully understood what had just happened.

Ghosts everywhere!

And something even more terrifying was likely inside the temple!

Lin Lei trembled, feeling a sense of suffocation, and asked with a shaky voice, "Aren't you leaving?"

"Something from the temple is about to come out."

The stranger's voice was grave and low. "I have to stop it, or you won't be able to escape! You need to hurry. I won't be able to look after you after this..."

"Okay... I'm going then..."

Lin Lei swallowed, his mouth dry. He quickly backed away.

Just as he was about to flee, he saw half a roasted chicken on the ground. He quickly picked it up, retreated in a hurry, and said tremulously, "Then... you be careful..."

"Got it!"

Lin Yan took a deep breath, gripped his long saber, and looked towards the temple.

The temple was dim, with two faint lights visible, appearing cold and chilling, filled with a cruel intent.

Those were a pair of eyes like copper bells!

As it slowly walked out of the temple.

Lin Yan gradually made out its form.

It was a giant tiger.

An aged, twilight-stricken tiger, like a candle in the wind.

It was old, so old it didn't want to move, so it relied on the ghoul to lure prey to the temple for it to feed on.

Even its breathing was heavy, like it was struggling to gasp for air.

But facing this incredibly old tiger, Lin Yan still dared not show any contempt.

Because this tiger had already become a demonized beast.