The colossal saber-light cleaved the air, and the dense fog parted momentarily, then closed again. Yet, the scene revealed in that fleeting instant was enough to chill one to the bone.

What manner of origin did this thick mist possess? Why did wandering souls prowl in the clear light of day?

From whence came such a multitude of specters? Even if every soul in Xiaolin Town had transformed into a fierce ghost, their numbers could not possibly swell to this extent, almost entirely filling one’s field of vision!

Of course, in that harrowing moment, everyone grasped the grim reality: with such a dense congregation of phantoms, it was likely that the entirety of Xiaolin Town held… not a single living soul!

One of the seven major towns under the jurisdiction of Fenglin City had fallen.

At this crucial juncture, it was Wei Yan’s composed voice that first pierced the growing panic, asserting control: “Those skilled in fire-based Dao techniques, establish a warning line fifty paces from the formation and draw a line of fire. The rest, extinguish the wandering souls within the warning line in the shortest time possible!”

The Five Elements Dao techniques were among the most foundational, and many cultivators possessed skill in the manipulation of fire. Following Wei Yan’s command, clusters of flames erupted fifty paces from the formation. Under the direction of Wei Yan’s adjutant, these flames swiftly connected, forming a circular barrier of fire.

Beyond the fiery ring, the specters momentarily recoiled. And the wandering souls ensnared within the fire circle instantly became more aggressive.

Li Jianqiu abruptly sheathed the longsword wreathed in furious flames, his hands forming a swift mudra before his chin, then he decisively shifted his stance. Two flaming swords, burning with fierce intensity, materialized in his grasp.

The twin swords danced like swimming dragons, propelling him into the heart of the ghostly horde. One sword to dispel the specters, the other to shatter their souls.

Simultaneously, a sword-light whirled in a rapid arc, and countless specters vanished into naught. As the sword-light receded, Jiang Wang’s agile figure was revealed.

The Purple Qi Coming East Sword Technique, the first stance of its killing art!

All were astounded, having not anticipated that this cultivator, who had yet to condense a Dao Whirlpool, would rely solely on sword techniques to eliminate souls, and with an efficiency that far surpassed their own.

As Jiang Wang made his move, Zhao Rucheng also sprang into action, his longsword a flash of lightning, cutting down specters in its path.

He typically projected an air of indolence, but in the execution of the Purple Qi Coming East Sword, he was scarcely inferior to Jiang Wang.

Among those present, only Du Yehu and Ling He exchanged glances. The martial arts they specialized in were indeed difficult to employ against these ethereal, transcendent foes. While they could unleash their vital energy to shock and slay a few specters, against such a multitude of wandering souls, how much vital energy could they possibly muster?

In truth, Jiang Wang had not concealed the Purple Qi Coming East Sword Technique from them; it was merely that Du Yehu held firm to his belief in the power of his fists, eschewing external aids and holding no interest in sword techniques. And Ling He… likely due to his aptitude, his progress was slow, and he had not yet mastered the killing art, rendering him unable to utilize it in actual combat.

In the early days, as the elder brother who toiled as diligently as Jiang Wang, his combat prowess, which did not lag behind, was entirely the fruit of his relentless effort.

The situation on the ground appeared stable, but those with discerning eyes understood that it was already critical.

The only specters that had appeared thus far were ordinary wandering souls. Now, for reasons unknown, Xiaolin Town had drawn such a vast congregation of phantoms; surely there were evil ghosts and fierce ghosts among them, and perhaps even ghost generals!

This was no longer a situation this team could handle. The current plan was to quickly withdraw from the engagement.

But as they had advanced along the way, they had already lost their sense of direction within the dense fog. Surrounded by layers of specters outside the fire line, how easy would it be to break through?

Wei Yan stepped out of the fire circle, allowing the specters to swarm and bite. His battle armor, which appeared mottled and damaged, trembled slightly, and those specters that were almost clinging to him had already been repelled.

But his face showed no sign of joy; instead, he stepped back into the fire circle and said in a low voice: “Who is skilled in wind-based Dao techniques? Attempt to disperse this fog!”

Though he addressed the group, his gaze settled on Wang Changxiang.

Compared to the Five Elements Dao techniques of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth, wind-based techniques were relatively uncommon, but Wang Changxiang was precisely a master of this art.

Wang Changxiang did not hesitate either, immediately forming a finger gesture, clearing the surrounding specters with wind blades. Then, his hands moved like a dancing butterfly, changing mudras. Finally, he brought his hands together before his lips, his index and middle fingers touching, while his thumb, ring finger, and little finger were pressed together. In the triangular space formed by his middle and ring fingers, he opened his mouth and exhaled.

The light exhalation passed through the finger space, suddenly intensified, and swirled and expanded at a visible speed, crashing directly into the dense fog. Like a violent dragon, roaring within the thick mist.

Wind-based Dao technique, Blow Breath Dragon Roll!

This wind was no ordinary breeze, but one of the Eight Winds, the East Bright Virtue Wind.

The Bright Virtue Wind illuminates all things as they emerge. Employing it here was perfectly fitting.

This level of power, even among sixth-grade cultivators, was not something everyone could master. And Wang Changxiang could actually command this technique before opening his Heavenly Gate, which was quite formidable.

Wang Changxiang’s face turned pale after completing the Dao technique, clearly, this technique was a considerable burden for him. He barely managed to stand firm, “I will leave the rest to you.”

Wherever the roaring dragon roll passed, the dense fog was scattered. Everyone was able to see this place for the first time since entering Xiaolin Town.

The candied haws skewers leaned against the wall, the rice shop connected to the soy sauce workshop, and the flag of the restaurant still fluttered in the wind.

Everything seemed as if it had never changed – were it not for those wandering souls.

The wandering souls within the fire line had been swept away by this time, but the specters outside the circle still swarmed and hovered. They instinctively feared the flames, but also instinctively were reluctant to part with these living souls, brimming with vital energy.

“It’s bad!”

This cry of alarm sounded a chilling warning. Everyone saw that, just as the roaring dragon roll had passed, the distant fog had once again begun to gather. This kind of fog could not even be dispersed by the Blow Breath Dragon Roll.

“Let’s withdraw first, seizing this opportunity,” Li Jianqiu, wielding his flaming swords, suggested in a low voice.

In the interval created by the Blow Breath Dragon Roll, everyone was able to discern the path they had taken. With the strength of this group, in the absence of a ghost general, they would have a strong chance of safely withdrawing while fighting.

Wei Yan watched the fog that was approaching again with his saber, lost in thought.

His adjutant also grew anxious, “Sir, the situation in Xiaolin Town is no longer something we can handle! We must mobilize a large army. And the people in Xiaolin Town are all dead; staying here is also meaningless. How about…”

Wei Yan interrupted him: “The specters we have encountered thus far are all ordinary wandering souls, not even one with a clear mind. You must understand, with so many specters here, this is not normal.”

Wang Changxiang frowned and said, “There are no cultivators in the entire Fenglin City area who specialize in the art of controlling ghosts; this matter should still be left to the city guards to handle. When the large army arrives, the baleful aura will disperse these wandering souls.”

“The Qingjiang water tribe is restless, and the city guards went to suppress them. By the time they return… perhaps it will be too late,” Wei Yan had no choice but to reveal a piece of news of considerable weight.

The Qingjiang River is a great waterway that flows through the entire Qinghe Prefecture, and the Green Willow River outside Fenglin City is one of its tributaries. But the Qingjiang water tribe had long established an alliance with the imperial court, so why would they suddenly become restless?

Jiang Wang pondered in his heart. The term “restless” indicated that the Qingjiang water tribe had shown restraint. But matters concerning the waterways of the entire Qinghe Prefecture were not to be taken lightly by the government, so the deployment of city guards to various locations was only right.

The Soul Devouring Man Demon appeared… the Qingjiang water tribe was restless… Xiaolin Town, a hundred ghosts in broad daylight. These events seemed unrelated, but there was an unseen hand subtly weaving them together.

“Something is amiss,” Wei Yan shook his head and had already made a decision: “Everyone, follow me in a charge forward. I will not halt, and no one can stop! Those who fall behind, accept your fate!”

Without waiting for others to persuade him, as soon as he finished speaking, he stepped out of the fire circle with his saber and took the lead in charging towards the depths of Xiaolin Town!

As his adjutant, Zhao Lang naturally followed without hesitation. Then came Li Jianqiu and Wang Changxiang. They were all seasoned veterans; although they did not agree with Wei Yan’s decision, they knew even more that in times like these, their strength must not be scattered.

The entire team finally mobilized quickly, with Wei Yan as the arrowhead, plunging deep into Xiaolin Town!