"Even... even Dou Zun expert can be instantly killed by Sound Wave..." someone stammered, trembling.
Although the voice was stuttering, it startled all those who had escaped the calamity and retreated outside the main hall.
Those who had narrowly escaped death looked at the blood mist that still lingered in the center of the hall and the thick, pungent smell of blood in the air. At that moment, everyone swallowed hard, a chill running from the soles of their feet to the top of their heads.
Even the lone wolf, whose strength reached the level of Four-Star Dou Venerate and who had successfully obtained a scroll, was now covered in cold sweat and filled with lingering fear. His hand, which had been holding the scroll, was trembling slightly.
He had just witnessed Lin Ming and the others fleeing for their lives, and since he had also gained something, he had retreated along with them. Although he hadn't left the main hall, he had retreated to the edge.
At this moment, he couldn't help but feel fortunate that he had managed to retreat; otherwise, he probably wouldn't have survived the destructive Sound Wave!
"Old Ghost Xing! What on earth have you done?!"
Having recovered from the shock of this sudden and terrifying turn of events, the leading elder of the Nether Python Clan immediately turned his uncontrollable fury toward the equally disheveled Old Ghost Xing, whose mouth still bore traces of blood, and questioned him angrily in a voice as cold as ice.
The Nether Python Clan lost several elite experts in an instant during the Sound Wave, how could this not enrage him?
Hearing the angry roar of the Nether Python Clan, the remaining surviving experts in the hall turned their terrified and furious gazes toward Old Ghost Xing.
Everyone saw what just happened clearly. It was this Old Ghost who rashly touched the bones and dripped blood, which led to this catastrophic disaster!
Old Ghost Xing's lips twitched as he was glared at by so many powerful figures, including some whose strength was no less than his own. His mouth was filled with bitterness.
He was filled with remorse; he hadn't expected things to turn out this way so suddenly.
How could those skeletons, which had clearly perished countless years ago and appeared lifeless, suddenly unleash such terrifying, near-destructive energy?
The group from the Five Elements Sect led by Lin Ming, the group from the Blazing Flame Valley led by Tang Zhen, the group from the Starfall Pavilion where Xiao Yan was, and some clever experts who had retreated quickly with them earlier, were all unharmed because they retreated in time and decisively.
But seeing the horrific scene inside the hall where at least a third of the lives, nearly a thousand, had been lost in an instant, including three Dou Venerate, everyone felt a chill run down their spines and linger in their hearts.
That seemingly peaceful skeleton, with just a roar, possessed such terrifying power?!
"Cough cough..."
Feeling the piercing gazes around him, as if they wanted to devour him alive, the Old Ghost Xing took a deep breath, suppressing the injuries and churning Qi and Blood within him, and said in a deep voice:
"Gentlemen, regarding this matter... I truly do not know why those skeletons, fallen countless years ago, suddenly unleashed such an attack. Several of my Soul Hall's powerful members have perished, suffering heavy losses..."
He tried to position himself as a victim, attempting to absolve himself of primary responsibility.
After all, there are many powerful individuals here, and the crowd is indignant. He alone is not capable of dealing with everyone.
"Hmph! You don't know? If your blood hadn't fallen on the bones, how could it have been awakened?! Now that things have come to this, are you still trying to shirk responsibility?"
Upon hearing this, Lin Ming immediately sneered, bluntly exposing his excuse. Lin Ming's clear voice resonated throughout the room, firmly fixing his criticism on Old Ghost Xing.
Upon hearing Lin Ming's words, Old Ghost Xing's expression immediately changed. He glanced at Lin Ming with a sinister look, but sensing the increasingly unfriendly and angry gazes around him, he knew he couldn't defy the wrath of the crowd. He could only forcibly suppress his anger and resentment, cupped his hands in a gesture of respect, and softened his tone as he said:
"Indeed, I was reckless and did not consider this matter carefully. But the most urgent matter at hand is not the time to assign blame!"
He First Revolution, attempting to direct everyone's attention to a common threat:
"If I'm not mistaken, the unusual movement of the Dou Saint remains at this moment is not a true resurrection, but rather the activation of a trace of protective will left behind by this powerful figure before his death!"
"This kind of will, though powerful, is ultimately like a rootless duckweed with limited energy, and it's not difficult to deal with! As long as we all join forces, we can definitely suppress it."
He wanted to incite everyone to join in and share the risks, while also coveting the greater secret hidden within the skeleton.
"A mere trace of will is this terrifying? Hmph, you make it sound so easy! If that kind of Sound Wave were to happen again, probably not one in ten of us here would survive!" The leading elder of the Nether Python Clan had a grim face and an icy voice.
The blood of their people could not be shed in vain. If it weren't for the greater threat posed by the resurrected skeletons, he would have wanted to immediately attack the Old Ghost Xing Zhaixing to vent his hatred.
"Now that we have the scroll, let's each go our own way. This thing is too terrifying; it's simply not something we can touch..."
Among the crowd, someone from the Alliance of several Monster Beast Clan whispered, their voice filled with barely concealed fear.
The devastating Sound Wave they had just witnessed had terrified them; the level of power they were experiencing far exceeded their comprehension.
"Leave? I'm afraid we can't leave."
The Old Ghost Xing shakes his head and says in a deep voice, "Since this protective intent has been activated, its purpose must be to eliminate all those who have trespassed into the Saint's resting place, as a warning to others! If we scatter and flee now, without pooling our strength, I'm afraid no one will be able to leave this hall and this ruin alive! Only by working together can we have a glimmer of hope!"
His words were not meant as a threat, because they were about to come true.
Lin Ming stood at a safe distance, his eyes slightly narrowed. He naturally knew why Old Ghost Xing was so eager for everyone to join forces and refused to give up.
Lin Ming himself didn't really want to give up. The "Great Heaven Creation Palm" hidden in the skeleton was another ultimate goal of his trip, but now was definitely not the time to force his way in.
The words of the Old Ghost Xing caused a commotion and hushed discussions in the main hall.
Some of the weaker individuals showed even greater fear on their faces, their eyes darting around, clearly weighing the pros and cons of fleeing versus staying.
But looking at the blood-mist-filled center of the hall, and feeling the faint yet chilling pressure, no one dared to actually turn and run, for fear of becoming the next target of that skeleton.
"Creak... creak..."
Just as everyone was struggling internally and a disturbance was brewing, a faint yet incredibly clear, teeth-grinding sound of bones twisting suddenly came from the central area of the blood-mist-filled hall!
The moment that eerie sound rang out, all the commotion and chatter ceased abruptly, as if an invisible hand had gripped their throats! Horrified gazes were fixed on the depths of the blood mist, hearts pounding in their throats. Fear, like a plague, silently and rapidly spread among the survivors, growing ever more severe.
"Da... da... da..."
Immediately following, the sound of bones hitting the ground slowly approached.
The sound wasn't loud, even somewhat muffled, but each step seemed to tread on everyone's hearts, bringing an indescribable heaviness and oppression, making it difficult to breathe.
"Watch out... Everyone stay close to me, don't get separated!"
Lin Ming's expression was more solemn than ever before. His internal Dou Qi quietly circulated to its peak. He turned his head to Zi Yan, Qing Lin, and all the people from the Five Elements Sect beside him and gave them instructions in a low and serious voice.
The situation was already out of control. Even if he really wanted what was inside the skeleton, now was definitely not the time to confront it head-on.
Before the "resurrection" of the Dou Sheng Skeleton has consumed most of the enormous energy remaining inside, even Lin Ming would absolutely not dare to approach it easily.
The level of power contained within it was truly terrifying.
"Clear!"
"Yes, Sect Master!"
Upon hearing Lin Ming's warning, Qing Lin, Zi Yan, Di Kong, Xiong Zhan, and the other members of the Five Elements Sect all nodded solemnly.
Although they didn't know as clearly as Lin Ming, they also deeply felt the absolute pressure originating from the Life Level itself.
If this situation is not handled properly, everyone here may very well have to be buried here with this ancient Dou Sheng!
Given the terrifying Sound Wave attack from before, among those present, aside from a very few top-tier individuals, probably very few would be confident enough to withstand a second one.
In the deathly silence of the entire hall, under the watchful eyes of countless tense figures, the thick blood mist in the center of the hall began to slowly ripple and part to both sides.
Immediately, a Blood Skeleton, its entire body stained with crimson blood mist as if it had just been pulled from a pool of blood, walked out of the churning blood mist step by step with slow but firm steps, clearly appearing in everyone's horrified gaze.
Its bones were no longer jade-white, but had taken on an unsettling dark red, as if they had drunk their fill of blood.
Within the skeleton's eye sockets, two blood-red lights flickered like will-o' -Ghost Fire, radiating indifference and murderous intent.
The Blood Skeleton stopped about a hundred meters in front of the group.
At this moment, its empty eye sockets slowly swept over the crowd before it, who stood like frightened birds. Its jaw slightly opened and closed, and an ancient, hoarse, emotionless voice, like a pronouncement from the Nine Nether, softly yet clearly resounded throughout the deathly silent hall:
"Those who trespass into the Saint's tomb shall die!"