The black-robed elder brought down his Bone Staff.
Black threads bit into Rujie's wrists, drawing beads of blood.
Rujie grunted, the Buddhist light around him forced back into his body.
Just then, a crisp, abrupt bell rang from outside the hall.
One of the demonic cultivators blocking the entrance stiffened, and the magical artifact in his hand dropped to the ground.
The bell rang a second time.
Another demonic cultivator clutched his head and fell to his knees at the hall entrance.
Si Youyou walked in from beyond the black mist, the Soul-Devouring Bell on her wrist swaying lightly.
She did not look at the black-robed elder. She looked at Rujie first.
"Still alive?"
Rujie answered at once, "Barely."
Si Youyou said, "Didn't you say you had an affinity with Buddha?"
Rujie raised the hand bound by black threads.
"My affinity with Buddha got tied up."
The black-robed elder turned, pointing his Bone Staff at Si Youyou.
"The Soul-Devouring Bell."
Si Youyou stopped.
"If you recognize it, then move aside."
The black-robed elder said, "Perfect. I'll take you both down together."
Si Youyou raised her hand, and the Soul-Devouring Bell spun once against her palm.
"Try it."
The black-robed elder wasted no words and tapped his Bone Staff against the ground.
The black qi inside the Buddhist hall rolled outward.
Si Youyou shook the bell.
As the chime fell, screams rose from the black qi.
Seizing the chance, Rujie shook both arms, and the Great Sun Tathagata Seal crashed into the black threads.
The black threads snapped.
He rushed to Si Youyou's side and took two breaths.
"You came just in time."
Si Youyou asked, "Did you get the Buddha Bone?"
Rujie covered the Broken Bowl in his robes.
"This was requested by this humble monk."
"Don't explain. Go."
"Where?"