Dense black demonic qi churned above the stone hall like spilled ink. A figure draped in an obsidian-black cloak slowly stepped out from within it—the face beneath the hood was concealed by a Green-faced, fanged ghost mask, revealing only a pair of crimson eyes. Wisps of Soul Corroding Demonic Qi coiled around its fingertips, and when it landed, even the rock beneath its feet was corroded with countless fine holes.
"Ghost Face Guardian! Why are you here?" Liao Kun staggered back two steps, his voice filled with terror. Though he was the branch master of Clear Water Pool, he had only ever seen this Guardian's portrait—one of Blood Fiend Hall's upper echelons, second only to the Blood Demon Venerable. His cultivation had long since broken through the Sword Emperor Realm, and he was tasked specifically with purging branch divisions that failed in their duties. His methods were vicious beyond measure.
Ghost Face Guardian paid Liao Kun no heed. His crimson gaze locked directly onto Ling Yun, and his cold voice seemed steeped in ice. "A mere Sword King Realm cultivator dares ruin Lord Blood Demon Venerable's 'Sword Soul Sacrifice to Demons' plan? Ling Yun, you do have some nerve." He raised his right hand, and a claw-shaped demonic artifact glowing black appeared out of thin air. Black liquid dripped from its tips into the pool, turning the newly purified water black again. "Unfortunately, the bolder one is, the faster one dies."
"Worry about yourself first!" Xiao Zhan roared. Lightning flared wildly along his broad saber. "Savage Lightning Saber Technique—Lightning Net!" Golden lightning interwove into a net several yards wide and descended upon Ghost Face Guardian with demon-breaking power. The instant the lightning touched the demonic qi, sizzling burns rang out, and the black qi was forced back half an inch.