Breath-Blowing Tornado

A massive blade light swept through, and the thick fog parted only to close again.

But what was glimpsed in that brief gap was already enough to inspire terror.

What exactly was the nature of this dense fog? Why were wandering souls rampant under the bright sun?

Where did so many ghosts come from? Even if everyone in Small Forest Town had turned into vengeful spirits, there couldn't be this many—they nearly filled the entire field of vision!

By now, everyone also understood that with such a dense congregation of ghosts, the whole of Small Forest Town... likely had no living people left!

Of the seven major towns under Maple Forest City's jurisdiction, one was already lost.

In such a moment, it was still Wei Yan's calm voice that rang out first, suppressing the chaos: "Those skilled in fire-element techniques, set a fire line fifty paces outside the formation as a warning perimeter. Everyone else, eliminate all wandering souls within the warning line as quickly as possible!"

Five-element techniques were the most basic arts, and cultivators adept in fire were not few. At Wei Yan's command, bursts of flame ignited fifty paces beyond the formation. Then, guided by Wei Yan's adjutant, these flames instantly linked together, forming a circular fire line.

Outside the fire ring, the ghosts retreated for now. But the wandering souls trapped within the ring instantly grew frenzied.

At that moment, Li Jianqiu suddenly sheathed his flame-wreathed longsword, formed hand seals before his chin, and then decisively swept his hands down to his sides. Two blazing swords of fire materialized in his grasp.

The twin swords moved like swimming dragons, carrying him in an instant charge into the ghost horde. One sword annihilated spirits; both swords shattered souls.

At the same time, a sword light swept in a full circle, and countless ghosts were gradually extinguished. As the light faded, Jiang Wang's agile figure was revealed.

Purple Qi Coming from the East Sword Art—first killing move!

Everyone was startled. This cultivator, who had yet to condense a Dao Vortex, was annihilating souls purely with swordsmanship, and even outpacing many of them in efficiency.

Just as Jiang Wang moved, Zhao Rucheng also rose. His long sword spun like lightning, cutting a path through the ghosts.

He was never seen putting in much effort on ordinary days, yet his use of the Purple Qi Coming from the East Sword Art was not far behind Jiang Wang's.

Among those present, only Du Yehu and Ling He exchanged helpless glances. The mundane martial strength they specialized in was of little use against supernatural foes like ghosts. They could, by purely rousing their blood energy, shake a few ghosts to death, but with so many wandering souls, how much blood energy could they expend?

In truth, Jiang Wang had not kept the Purple Qi Coming from the East Sword Art secret from them. But Du Yehu trusted in his fists, disdaining external tools, and had no interest in swordsmanship. As for Ling He... it was likely a matter of talent. His progress was slow, and he had yet to master the killing move for practical combat.

Back then, as the eldest among them whose effort rivaled Jiang Wang's, his ability to keep up in battle was built entirely on sweat.

The situation on the field seemed favorable, but those with keen eyes knew danger was imminent.

So far, only ordinary wandering souls had appeared. For so many ghosts to gather in Small Forest Town for some unknown reason, there was bound to be an evil spirit, a vengeful ghost, or even a ghost general among them!

This was no longer a situation this squad could handle. The best course now was to break away from combat quickly.

But the group had advanced so far through the fog that they had lost all sense of direction. Outside the fire ring, layers of ghosts surrounded them. Breaking through was no easy task.

Wei Yan stepped out of the fire ring, letting the ghosts swarm and bite at him. His battered, worn-looking battle armor gave a slight tremor, and the ghosts that had nearly latched onto him dissolved into nothing.

Yet there was no joy on his face. Instead, he stepped back into the fire ring and said in a low voice, "Is anyone skilled in wind-element techniques? Try to disperse this fog!"

Though he addressed everyone, his gaze fell on Wang Changxiang.

Compared to the five-element techniques of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth, wind-element arts were relatively niche, but Wang Changxiang was an expert in this field.

Wang Changxiang did not hesitate. He immediately traced a line before him with joined fingers, using wind blades to clear the nearby ghosts. Then his hands moved like butterflies through flowers, shifting through seals. Finally, he brought his hands together before his lips, index and middle fingers touching, while thumbs, ring fingers, and pinkies paired respectively. In the triangular gap formed by his middle and ring fingers, he opened his mouth and exhaled.

That gentle breath passed through the finger gap, suddenly intensifying. It visibly swirled and grew, charging straight into the thick fog like a violent divine dragon roaring within the heavy mist.

Wind-element technique—Breath-Blowing Tornado!

This wind was no ordinary wind. It was one of the eight winds: the Eastern Mingshu Wind.

The Mingshu Wind signified the emergence of all things. Its use here was perfectly timed.

A technique of such power was not something even all sixth-rank cultivators could master. That Wang Changxiang could wield it before opening the Heaven and Earth Gate spoke to his formidable skill.

Having completed the technique, Wang Changxiang's face was pale. Clearly, this art was a significant burden even for him. He steadied himself with difficulty and said, "The rest is up to you all."

Where the roaring tornado passed, the thick fog was driven away. For the first time since entering Small Forest Town, everyone could see clearly.

A candied hawthorn stick leaned against the wall. A rice shop stood next to a soy sauce workshop. The tavern's banner still fluttered in the wind.

Everything seemed unchanged—if not for all those wandering souls.

The ghosts within the fire ring had been swept clean, but those outside still lingered and prowled. They instinctively feared the flames, yet equally, by instinct, they could not bear to part with these living people so rich in vitality.

"Damn it!"

This cry sounded the alarm. Everyone saw that as the roaring tornado passed, the distant fog once again gathered. Even the Breath-Blowing Tornado could not clear this mist completely.

"Take this chance to withdraw," Li Jianqiu suggested in a low voice, dual flaming swords in hand.

In the interval created by the Breath-Blowing Tornado, everyone could now discern the way back. With the strength of this group, as long as no ghost general appeared, they could fight while retreating and had a good chance of escaping safely.

Wei Yan held his blade, staring at the encroaching fog, lost in thought.

His adjutant grew anxious as well. "Sir, the situation in Small Forest Town is beyond what we can handle! We need to mobilize the army. Besides, everyone in town is dead. Staying here is pointless. Why not..."

Wei Yan cut him off. "All the ghosts we've seen so far are ordinary wandering souls. Not a single one has clear consciousness. With so many ghosts here, it defies reason."

Wang Changxiang frowned. "There are no cultivators specializing in ghost-controlling arts in all of Maple Forest City. This matter should be left to the City Guard. Once the army arrives and their Sha Qi clashes, these wandering souls will scatter on their own."

"The Qing River water tribes are stirring. The City Guard has gone to suppress them. By the time they return... it may be too late." Wei Yan reluctantly revealed a piece of highly significant news.

The Qing River was the great river running through all of Qinghe Prefecture. The Green Willow River outside Maple Forest City was one of its tributaries. But the Qing River water tribes had long sworn an alliance with the Zhuang Court. Why would they suddenly stir?

Jiang Wang pondered this. "Stirring" suggested the water tribes were exercising restraint. But with matters involving the entire water vein of Qinghe Prefecture, the authorities could not take them lightly. The mobilization of City Guards across the region was only to be expected.

The Heart-Devouring Demon's appearance... the Qing River water tribes' unrest... Small Forest Town's ghosts walking by daylight. These events seemed unrelated, yet an invisible hand seemed to be weaving them together.

"Something's wrong." Wei Yan shook his head, having made his decision. "Everyone, follow me and charge forward. Don't stop until I do. Those who fall behind are on their own!"

Without waiting for anyone to dissuade him, he stepped out of the fire ring as soon as he finished speaking and led the charge deep into Small Forest Town.

As his adjutant, Zhao Lang naturally followed without hesitation. Then came Li Jianqiu and Wang Changxiang. They were all seasoned veterans. Though they disagreed with Wei Yan's decision, they knew better than to split their strength at a time like this.

Finally, the entire squad mobilized swiftly, with Wei Yan as the arrowhead, driving fiercely into the depths of Small Forest Town!