Hui Ming's gifts and promise were like a steadfast ray of Buddhist light cast into the gloom. The three [Vajra Demon Subduing Talismans] felt warm in Su Yan's hand, and the pure Buddhist Power within them steadied his mind. With these trump cards, along with a mysterious Soul Ferryman providing support from the outside, challenging the ancient tower's seal seemed a little more certain.
"Time is of the essence. The Ghost Princess's singing hasn't stopped, and something may yet happen. Let's head for the ancient tower now." Su Yan handed one talisman each to Mo Hen and Bai Zhi, keeping one for himself as he spoke gravely.
Hui Ming pressed his palms together and nodded slightly. "This poor monk will arrange the remnants of the Rebirth Great Array. Though it cannot eradicate the evil completely, it can purify the scattered resentment and weaken its connection to the Earth Vein, easing some of the pressure on you all. Remember, the tower is dangerous. If things cannot be done, preserving yourselves must come first." With that, he took his staff and walked toward the ruins on the other side with calm, measured steps. He began softly chanting the Sutra of Rebirth, and faint golden runes quietly sank into the ground with each step.
With a clear goal and support in place, the four-person team no longer hesitated. They bypassed the temple area where the eerie singing still echoed and headed straight for the half-collapsed ancient tower.
The closer they came to the tower, the more ruined and deathly still the surroundings became. Broken weapons and fragments of armor nearly carpeted the ground, while the air reeked of rust mixed with rotting earth. Semi-transparent phantoms of soldiers in ancient clothing wandered aimlessly among the ruins. They were [Ancient Battlefield Remnant Souls] (Level 37, Normal). They were not particularly aggressive, but their numbers were endless, as if they were repeating the hopeless patrols of their lives.
"Try not to get entangled. Our target is the core inside the tower," Su Yan said quietly, using [Shrink Ground into Inches] to deftly avoid several groups of wandering remnant souls. Xingxuan followed close behind. The powerful aura brought by its evolution made those low-level remnant souls instinctively fearful, and they did not dare approach lightly.
Mo Hen relied on his superb stealth skills and mechanisms to scout ahead, occasionally using specially made [Silencing Mechanisms] to lure away monsters they could not avoid. Bai Zhi and Yun Ji supported from the middle. One purified the occasional intrusion of yin energy, while the other silently sensed the flow of energy around them with her divination arts.
At last, they arrived beneath the ancient tower. From up close, it looked even more weathered and ruined. Its body was built from dark bluish-green Jushi, scarred with blade and axe marks and large patches of dried, blackened stains that seemed to be blood. The tower had once been about seven stories tall, but its upper half had collapsed, leaving only three relatively intact levels. A pitch-black entrance, like a gateway to hell, stood open before them. Thick black baleful energy, nearly solid in form, poured continuously from within, carrying bone-piercing cold and a nauseating stench of blood.
Around the tower's base lay eight stone carvings of different forms, all badly damaged. They vaguely resembled Buddhist guardian kings or Vajra Strongmen, but most had broken heads and missing arms. Their surfaces were covered in thick grime and moss, and they had long since lost their former majesty and intimidation.
"These statues... were originally part of some sealing formation," Yun Ji said softly as she studied their arrangement. "But their spirituality has been completely lost, and the formation's foundation has been destroyed. With only the few remaining restrictions on the tower itself, it will be difficult to contain the accumulated evil within."
As if to confirm her words, a deep, beastlike roar suddenly came from the depths of the tower, shaking dust loose from its walls. At the same time, the ground beneath their feet trembled faintly.
"It sensed us—or it's trying to break through its final restraints." Mo Hen's expression turned grim as he gripped his enchanted crossbow bolts.
"Inside!" Su Yan stopped hesitating and stepped into the tower first. Xingxuan let out a low roar and followed without pause, starlight flaring around its body to dispel the dense darkness at the entrance.
The interior was far more spacious than it appeared from outside. The first floor was actually like a small military drill ground. Yet the field was far from empty—dozens of [Ghost Soldier Guards] (Level 38, Elite), clad in intact black armor and wielding weapons that glimmered with ghostly light, stood in neat ranks. Blood-red flames burned in their eye sockets as they silently watched the intruders! Their auras were concentrated and murderous, utterly unlike the wandering remnant souls outside!
Behind those Ghost Soldier Guards sat a massive figure three meters tall, clad in heavy bronze general's armor and holding a giant blade as broad as a door. It sat upon a throne made of piled white bones! It had no head. Jagged flesh surrounded the break at its neck, where raging blood-red flames burned. A terrifying pressure filled with violence, hatred, and endless desire for slaughter spread through the entire level like a tide!
[Headless Ghost General Blood Fiend (Leader)] Level: 40!
It really was a Level 40 leader! Its mere pressure made Su Yan and the others feel as though they could barely breathe, and even their spiritual power circulated sluggishly. Xingxuan faced a formidable enemy. The Star Map Veins across its shell lit up to their brightest, while the star vortex at its tail emitted a piercing hum.
"Intruders... die!"
The Headless Ghost General did not speak, but a mental wave filled with killing intent exploded in everyone's minds like thunder!
The next instant, the dozens of Ghost Soldier Guards seemed to receive an order. They let out soundless roars in unison and transformed into torrents of black as they charged fearlessly toward the group! Their movements were perfectly coordinated, their sword-and-shield cooperation seamless, carrying the faint momentum of a military formation!
"Form up and defend! Clear the lesser enemies first!" Su Yan shouted, slapping a [Vajra Demon Subduing Talisman] onto himself without hesitation!
Bzz!
The talisman transformed into a brilliant golden light and merged into Su Yan's body. Dazzling golden Buddhist light immediately bloomed around him, making him resemble an arhat descended into the world! Not only were his physical and magical defenses greatly enhanced, but more importantly, the damage he dealt to yin and evil creatures reached an astonishing level. Even his Star Power carried a trace of evil-dispelling Buddhist Power!
"Lightning Talisman!"
A golden thunder dragon several times thicker and brighter than before roared forth, instantly blasting the Ghost Soldier Guards charging at the front! -3888! -4102! -3955! A string of astonishing damage numbers rose. The Ghost Soldier Guards did not even have time to scream before they were reduced to ash in the golden lightning!
The effect was outstanding!
Seeing this, Mo Hen and Bai Zhi immediately used their own [Vajra Demon Subduing Talismans]. The power of Mo Hen's enchanted crossbow bolts surged, and every shot dealt massive damage to the ghost soldiers. Bai Zhi's Buddhist arts became like blazing sunlight melting snow. When the [Golden Cudgel Spell] landed on a ghost soldier's head, it not only dealt continuous damage but also greatly slowed its movements.
Although Xingxuan could not use Buddhist Talismans, its own Power of Stars also restrained yin and evil. Combined with the [Battle Intent Burn] passive that made it stronger the longer it fought, [Star Vortex Sky Rend Strike] became like death calling names, specifically targeting the shield-bearing ghost soldiers. A single strike often shattered their shields and severely wounded them!
With the boost from the [Vajra Demon Subduing Talismans], they cleared the Ghost Soldier Guards with tremendous efficiency. But Headless Ghost General Blood Fiend clearly would not sit back and watch.
"Ants! How dare you run wild!" The mental wave rose again. The Headless Ghost General suddenly stood from its bone throne, swinging its giant blade toward the densest part of the group with a terrifying force that seemed capable of tearing everything apart!
A massive crescent-shaped blade light, composed entirely of condensed blood fiend energy, slashed toward them like crimson lightning! Before it even arrived, its fierce killing intent nearly froze their blood!
"We can't dodge it!" Mo Hen's expression changed drastically. The blade light covered too wide an area!
"Starlight Barrier!" Su Yan activated the Compass's new ability without hesitation! A silver shield formed from countless Star Runes instantly unfolded before the group!
"Boom!!!"
The crimson blade light crashed fiercely against the starlight shield with an earthshaking roar! The shield shook violently, and fine cracks even appeared across it, but it ultimately withstood the terrifying blow! Su Yan felt his Spiritual Power pouring away like floodwaters through an open gate. His face turned pale, but relief flashed in his eyes. The Starlight Barrier's defensive power had not disappointed him!
"Attack its broken neck! That is its core and where its resentment gathers!" Yun Ji's voice rang out at the perfect moment. She had been watching the Ghost General's energy flow all along.
"Xingxuan!" Su Yan immediately understood and gave the command through their Soul Link.
Xingxuan let out a long cry, forcibly enduring the attacks of the surrounding ghost soldiers. The star vortex at its tail flared brilliantly, turning it into a silver meteor that shot straight toward the Ghost General's blood-flame-covered broken neck! [Star Vortex Sky Rend Strike]!
"Pfft!"
The thrust containing the power of spatial severing struck the target with precision! The blood flames abruptly faltered, and the Ghost General's massive body staggered. It gave a soundless roar filled with pain and fury! A huge damage number rose, while the added "Spatial Tear" effect began continuously eroding its soul body!
"It worked!" Everyone's morale soared.
However, Headless Ghost General Blood Fiend was still a Level 40 leader. Having suffered such a grievous injury, its ferocity erupted completely! It stopped attacking from afar and instead stomped forward with heavy steps, charging at Su Yan and Xingxuan like a war chariot. Its giant blade whirled, sending blood-red blade shadows through the air in an assault as violent as a storm!
Su Yan relied on [Shrink Ground into Inches] and the Starlight Barrier to barely hold it off. Xingxuan used its speed to fight it in motion, constantly seeking chances to attack the core at its broken neck. Meanwhile, Mo Hen and Bai Zhi did everything they could to clear the remaining Ghost Soldier Guards, repeatedly using control and healing skills to support the front line.
The battle fell into a brutal stalemate. The space inside the tower was limited, making evasion increasingly difficult. Su Yan's spiritual power and Spiritual Power were rapidly draining away, while Xingxuan had gained many wounds. It could only barely endure through Bai Zhi's healing and its own [Advanced Life Drain]. The duration of the [Vajra Demon Subduing Talismans] ticked away second by second.
Just as the talismans' golden light began to dim and the pressure on the group surged, Hui Ming's melodious yet majestic chanting outside the tower suddenly became clear!
"Namah Amitabhaya, Tathagataya, Tadyatha, Amritodbhave..."
It was the Divine Incantation of Rebirth!
As the scripture sounded, faint golden Buddhist light seeped in from outside the tower. Though it could not directly purify the dense blood fiend energy within, it was like water dripping into boiling oil, causing the resentment throughout the tower to churn and rage violently! The Ghost Soldier Guards' movements visibly became slower and more chaotic. Even the blood flames on Headless Ghost General Blood Fiend flickered unsteadily, and its aura faintly weakened!
Hui Ming's Rebirth Great Array had taken effect!
Though it could not directly determine victory or defeat, this crucial weakening instantly shattered the Subtle Balance!
"An opportunity!" Su Yan's eyes flashed sharply as he squeezed out the last of his Spiritual Power and guided the Compass once more!
"Now! Attack with everything you have!"
Before you continue