The Ghost Soldiers at the Tower's Base and the Activation of the Rebirth Array

The monk Hui Ming's gift and promise were like a steadfast ray of Buddhist light piercing through 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, plus a mysterious Soul Ferryman providing support from the periphery, the dangers of challenging the ancient tower's seal seemed to have a few more chances of success.

"There's no time to delay. The Ghost Princess's song hasn't stopped, and something might change. Let's head to the ancient tower now," Su Yan said, distributing one talisman each to Mo Hen and Bai Zhi, keeping one for himself, and speaking in a deep voice.

Hui Ming clasped his hands together and nodded slightly. "This humble monk will now arrange the remnants of the Rebirth Great Array. Although it cannot eradicate the evil, it can purify the dispersed resentment and weaken its connection to the earth's veins, thus reducing some pressure for all of you. Remember, the tower is dangerous. If things become impossible, prioritize your own safety." With that, he held his staff, turned towards another ruined area, and walked with steady steps, beginning to chant the Sutra of Rebirth in a low voice. Almost imperceptible golden runes quietly merged into the ground with his footsteps.

With a clear goal and support, the four-person team no longer hesitated. They skirted the temple area, which was still echoing with eerie singing, and headed straight for the ancient tower, half of which had collapsed.

The closer they got to the ancient tower, the more dilapidated and dead the surrounding scenery became. Fragments of broken weapons and armor almost covered the ground, and the air was filled with a heavy mixture of rust and rotten soil. Some semi-transparent phantom soldiers in ancient attire wandered aimlessly among the ruins. They were [Ancient Battlefield Remnant Souls] (Level 37, Normal). They weren't very aggressive, but there were too many of them, seemingly endlessly, as if repeating their hopeless patrols from life.

"Try not to get entangled. Our target is the core inside the tower," Su Yan whispered, skillfully using [Shrink Ground into Inches] to avoid several groups of wandering remnant souls. Star Vortex followed closely behind. Its powerful aura after evolving made those low-level remnant souls instinctively fearful, not daring to approach easily.

Mo Hen, relying on his superb stealth skills and mechanical assistance, scouted ahead, occasionally using specially made [Silent Mechanisms] to lure away monsters they couldn't avoid. Bai Zhi and Yun Ji provided support in the center, one responsible for purifying the occasional yin energy infiltration, and the other silently sensing the flow of energy around them with heavenly machine techniques.

Finally, they reached the base of the ancient tower. Seen up close, the tower appeared even more ancient and dilapidated. Its body was built from a dark green giant stone, covered with marks of swords and axes, as well as large patches of dried, blackened stains that appeared to be blood. The tower was about seven stories high, but the upper part had already collapsed, leaving only three relatively intact floors. A pitch-black entrance, like a gateway to hell, gaped open, and a dense, almost tangible black malevolent energy continuously surged out, carrying a bone-chilling cold and a nauseating smell of blood.

Around the tower's base, eight stone carvings of various forms lay scattered, all of them severely damaged. They could vaguely be recognized as Buddhist guardian heavenly kings or Vajra warriors. However, most of these statues now had broken heads and missing limbs, their surfaces covered with thick dirt and moss, having long lost their original solemnity and deterrence.

"These statues... were originally part of some kind of sealing formation," Yun Ji observed the arrangement of the statues and said softly. "But now their spiritual essence is lost, the formation base is destroyed. Relying only on the residual restrictions within the tower, it's difficult to contain the malevolent energy accumulated inside."

As if to confirm her words, a muffled, beast-like roar suddenly erupted from deep within the tower, shaking the tower body and causing dust to fall. At the same time, everyone felt the ground beneath their feet tremble slightly.

"It sensed us, or it's breaking through the final restraints," Mo Hen said with a grave expression, his hand already gripping an enchanted crossbow bolt.

"Go in!" Su Yan no longer hesitated and was the first to step into the tower. Star Vortex let out a low growl and followed without hesitation, its body's starlight illuminating, dispelling the thick darkness at the entrance.

The space inside the tower was much more spacious than it appeared from the outside. The first floor was like a small training ground. However, the training ground was not empty – dozens of [Ghost Soldier Guards] (Level 38, Elite) clad in complete black armor, wielding weapons that flickered with eerie light, and with blood-red flames burning in their eye sockets, stood in neat formation, silently watching the intruders! Their aura was condensed and solemn and murderous, far beyond those wandering remnant souls outside!

And behind these Ghost Soldier Guards, a colossal figure, three meters tall, wearing heavy bronze general's armor and wielding a giant blade as large as a door, sat enthroned on a pile of white bones! It had no head, the neck stump uneven and ragged, burning with a raging blood-red flame. A terrifying pressure, filled with violent, resentful, and endless lust for slaughter, spread like a tide throughout the entire tower level!

[Headless Ghost General · Blood Fiend (Leader)] Level: 40!

It was indeed a Level 40 leader! Merely the pressure emanating from it made Su Yan and the others feel their breath catch, and their spiritual power circulation became sluggish. Star Vortex seemed to be facing a formidable enemy, the star map patterns on its entire carapace instantly lit up to the extreme, and the Star Vortex at its tail emitted a sharp 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 moment, those dozens of Ghost Soldier Guards, as if receiving an order, let out silent roars in unison and turned into streams of black torrents, charging forward fearlessly! Their movements were uniform, their cooperation with shields and swords seamless, faintly carrying the momentum of a military formation!

"Form a defensive array! Clear the trash first!" Su Yan roared, and without hesitation, slapped a [Vajra Demon Subduing Talisman] onto himself!

Buzz!

The talisman transformed into a brilliant golden light and merged into Su Yan's body. His entire being immediately erupted with dazzling golden Buddhist light, like a descending Arhat! Not only were his physical and magical defenses greatly enhanced, but more importantly, he felt that his damage bonus against evil entities had reached an astonishing level, even his Star Power was tinged with a trace of evil-dispelling Buddhist power!

"Lightning Talisman!"

A golden lightning dragon, several times thicker and brighter than before, roared out and instantly struck the first few Ghost Soldier Guards at the front! -3888! -4102! -3955! A series of astonishing damage numbers floated up. Those few Ghost Soldier Guards turned to ashes in the golden lightning without even a scream!

The effect was remarkable!

Seeing this, Mo Hen and Bai Zhi also immediately used the [Vajra Demon Subduing Talisman]. Mo Hen's enchanted crossbow bolts' power surged, each shot capable of dealing massive damage to the Ghost Soldiers. Bai Zhi's Buddhist magic was like the sun melting snow; the [Golden Cudgel Spell] landed on the Ghost Soldiers' heads, not only dealing continuous damage but also greatly slowing their movements.

Although Star Vortex could not use Buddhist talismans, its own Star Power had a restraining effect on evil. Coupled with the passive [Battle Intent Burn] that grew stronger with combat, its [Star Vortex Sky Rend Strike] was like a grim reaper's calling, specifically targeting the shield-bearing Ghost Soldiers, often breaking their shields and heavily wounding them with a single blow!

With the enhancement of the [Vajra Demon Subduing Talisman], the efficiency of clearing the Ghost Soldier Guards was extremely high. But the Ghost General Blood Fiend clearly wouldn't stand by and do nothing.

"Ants! How dare you be so arrogant!" The mental wave sounded again. The Headless Ghost General abruptly stood up from its bone throne, its giant blade carrying a terrifying aura that could tear everything apart. It swung its blade from a distance towards the densest part of the crowd!

A crescent-shaped, massive blade energy, composed entirely of condensed malevolent energy, slashed down like a blood-red lightning bolt! Before the blade energy even arrived, its sharp killing intent almost froze the blood!

"We can't dodge!" Mo Hen's face changed drastically. This blade energy covered too large an area!

"Starlight Barrier!" Su Yan immediately activated the Compass's new ability without hesitation! A silver light shield made of countless star runes instantly unfurled, blocking in front of everyone!

"BOOM!!!"

The blood-red blade energy fiercely struck the Starlight Shield, emitting a deafening roar! The shield vibrated violently, and even fine cracks appeared on it, but it ultimately withstood the terrifying blow steadily! Su Yan felt his mental power pour out like an opening floodgate, his face turning pale, but a hint of relief flashed in his eyes. The defensive power of this Starlight Barrier had not disappointed him!

"Attack its severed neck! That's its core, and where the resentment gathers!" Yun Ji's voice sounded in time; she had been observing the Ghost General's energy flow.

"Star Vortex!" Su Yan immediately understood and issued commands through their soul link.

Star Vortex let out a long cry, enduring the attacks of the surrounding Ghost Soldiers. The Star Vortex at its tail shot out bright light, turning into a silver meteor, heading straight for the severed neck of the Ghost General, which was burning with blood-red flames! [Star Vortex Sky Rend Strike]!

"Swoosh!"

The thrust, imbued with spatial cutting power, accurately hit its target! The blood flame abruptly paused, the Ghost General's massive body staggered, and it let out a silent roar mixed with pain and rage! A huge damage number floated up, and the superimposed "spatial tear" effect began to continuously erode its soul!

"It's effective!" Everyone's morale surged.

However, the Ghost General Blood Fiend was, after all, a Level 40 leader. After suffering such a heavy blow, its ferocity completely erupted! It no longer attacked from a distance but moved its heavy steps, charging towards Su Yan and Star Vortex like a war chariot. Its giant blade swung, bringing with it a sky full of blood-red blade shadows, its attacks like a storm!

Su Yan, relying on [Shrink Ground into Inches] and the Starlight Barrier, struggled to maneuver. Star Vortex engaged it in a hit-and-run battle, constantly looking for opportunities to attack its severed neck core. Mo Hen and Bai Zhi focused on clearing the remaining Ghost Soldiers and continuously supported the front lines with control and healing skills.

The battle fell into a fierce stalemate. The limited space inside the tower made dodging increasingly difficult. Su Yan's spiritual power and mental energy were rapidly depleting, and Star Vortex had also sustained several injuries, barely holding on with Bai Zhi's healing and its own [Advanced Life Drain]. The duration of the [Vajra Demon Subduing Talisman] was ticking away second by second.

Just as the talisman's golden light began to dim and everyone's pressure increased, outside the tower, the monk Hui Ming's melodious and grand chanting suddenly became clear!

"Namo Amitabha, Tathagata, Tadyatha, Amitayus..."

It was the Divine Incantation of Rebirth!

As the scripture sounded, golden Buddhist light faintly penetrated from outside the tower. Although it couldn't directly purify the dense malevolent energy inside the tower, it was like dropping clean water into a pot of boiling oil, causing the entire tower's resentment to churn violently and become agitated! The movements of the Ghost Soldier Guards visibly slowed and became chaotic. Even the blood flames on the Ghost General Blood Fiend's body flickered unstably, its aura faintly weakening!

Hui Ming's Rebirth Great Array had taken effect!

Although it couldn't directly decide the outcome of the battle, this crucial weakening instantly broke the delicate balance!

"Opportunity!" Su Yan's eyes flashed with brilliance, squeezing out the last of his mental energy, and guiding the Compass again!

"Now! Attack with all your might!"