The instant the lanterns burned through, the entire river exploded with a thunderous blast.
Dense masses of ghost puppets, their bodies soaked deathly pale, burst from the water.
Shadowy figures filled the depths of the thick fog as well, puppets swaying in great clusters, stretching beyond sight.
Specks of green fire carpeted the river channel, making the entire waterway resemble a ghost market in the underworld.
"Wang Lei, guard the ship."
"Zhao Hu, take the helm and control the ship."
"Old Wu, protect all the civilians."
"Yes!!"
Xu Jin stepped onto the prow, his body turning into a blazing golden rainbow that crashed straight into the boundless tide of puppets.
At the same time, at the provincial branch of Profound Yin Hall.
Wen Liang sat quietly in the hall.
A trusted subordinate at his side asked, "First Seat, can the grand welcoming formation you so carefully arranged truly trap Xu Jin?"
"It can't." Wen Liang lightly flicked the lid of his teacup with one finger. "From the very beginning, I never intended to trap him."
"I merely wanted to give him a meeting gift."
Hearing this, the subordinate grew concerned again. "But what if he senses the danger and immediately withdraws to flee?"
"Flee?" Wen Liang gave a soft laugh. "The formation core locks onto the strongest aura in the field. Wherever he is, the formation's Killing Intent will follow. There is simply no path of retreat."
"If he abandons a ship full of civilians to save himself..."
"Then he would not be Xu Jin."
Wen Liang lifted his teacup and gently blew away the froth. Without warning, his right eyelid twitched violently.
Reed-Blossom Marsh · Docking Area of the Water Stronghold
The puppets surged madly toward that golden rainbow in the sky.
More than a dozen corpse puppets that