The evil ghosts sucked into the Abyss in the Water let out piercing wails. Seeing this, the demon souls within the canopy all huddled far away, not daring to approach the treasure's radiance.
Perhaps the commotion caused by the Abyss in the Water was too great. Suddenly, urgent whistles of air came from the distance as several cultivators flew toward him in a sorry state.
Their clothes were ragged and stained with dark brown blood. Every one of them was wounded; clearly, they had been fighting bitterly for a long time.
Not knowing whether they were enemies or friends, Cui Jiuyang pointed backhandedly. Three Chi Seven turned into a streak of red light and hovered above his head, its blade trembling slightly with a ringing hum as it locked firmly onto the approaching figures.
Only when they drew close did he see that every one of them was deathly pale.
Seeing the Flying Sword hovering over Cui Jiuyang's head, they dared not take another half step closer. The masked elder leading them cupped his hands in greeting. "Fellow Daoist, we are elders of Divine Path Heaven. Our sect leader betrayed us and trapped us within this canopy."
As they spoke, they looked up at the Abyss in the Water above Cui Jiuyang's head. At the sight of the Crystal Palace continuously drawing in evil ghosts, their eyes filled with awe, and their tone grew even more deferential:
"Fellow Daoist, your cultivation is formidable, and your Magical Treasure is immensely powerful. Might you shelter us? Once we survive this calamity, we will repay you with generous gifts."
As it turned out, after the canopy descended, Ao Que alone had escaped. He had kept all of Divine Path Heaven's elders, Incense Masters, and Protectors beneath it, making them sacrifices to the Asura