When Black Dog saw the silvery-white flames, he had already raised his guard. He reacted quickly and dodged aside in time.
But the subordinates who had gathered at his call, ready to kick a man when he was down, were not so fortunate. Scattered sparks landed on at least three of them. In the instant they froze, the sparks found fuel, burned through their clothes, and blazing flames whooshed up.
The men were horrified. They hurriedly tore off their outer garments and circulated their qi to ward off the firelight. Yet it would have been better if they had not stirred their qi at all. Once they did, the flames actually treated their surging true breath as fuel, clinging to their bodies as they burned. Even as they burned, more sparks burst forth and splattered in every direction.
"This talisman fire is vicious!"
Black Dog's face turned green. How could he still care about whether his men lived or died? Without another word, he spun and fled, smashing straight through the wall. Another lucky fellow who had not been touched followed his example, crashing out right behind him. A commotion immediately broke out outside.
Only Kou Chu, who had yet to climb back to his feet, and three unlucky men struggling and flailing amid the flames remained in the little temple.
Kou Chu was dazed as well. Seeing that the three men were clearly about to die while it had somehow kept its own life, it still wondered whether it was dreaming. After standing blankly for a long while, it finally remembered to call out tentatively:
"Immortal, Immortal?"
Immortal Master Lu gave no response, but Kou Chu suddenly shuddered as though struck by lightning. The yin qi within its body stirred for no apparent reason. Then spiritual light condensed above