Slender willows sway in the breeze

Chapter 162 Give Me a Helping Hand

As soon as you step into the Stone Forest, the surrounding stones seem to be awakened by some force and begin to tremble slightly.

Immediately afterwards, black runes emerged from the surface of the stone. As the runes flickered, they released a powerful binding force, attempting to restrain everyone within them.

Gao Kuo's expression changed, and he swung his long sword rapidly, unleashing a torrent of sword energy as he attempted to sever the runes.

However, the runes were extremely resilient. The sword energy only caused the runes to flash a few times, without causing any real damage.

"These runes are extraordinary. Let's all work together to break this barrier!"

Gu Changzhou shouted loudly.

Having said that, he channeled the power of the stars, his body shimmering with starlight, and unleashed "Star Shattering Shadows," sending countless fine star sword energies raining down on the surrounding rocks.

Min Rui formed hand seals and chanted, "Spiritual wind transforms into blades, shattering the void and breaking the seal!" Instantly, a gust of wind arose, condensing countless sharp wind blades that attacked the runes along with the star sword energy.

Tong Lei poured all his spiritual power into the longsword, causing it to shine brightly. He shouted, "Sky-Splitting Slash!"

A massive blade of energy cleaved towards the rock in front, tearing a black rift in the air as it passed.

Liu Sijun then activated the Taixu Mirror with all his might, and beams of runic light containing purifying power shot out from the mirror, coordinating with the group's attacks in an attempt to break the confinement.

The six Nascent Soul stage experts also unleashed their respective special skills. In an instant, light flashed and spiritual energy overflowed, enveloping the entire stone forest in this powerful force.

Under the combined attack of everyone, the runes began to crack, and their light gradually dimmed.

Finally, with a deafening roar, the runes shattered completely, and the surrounding stones stopped trembling. However, before the group could even breathe a sigh of relief, a group of ghostly black figures suddenly emerged from the stone forest. These figures moved with incredible speed, arriving before the group in an instant.

They are ethereal in appearance, and ordinary attacks seem to have no effect on them.

A Nascent Soul stage expert attempted to attack the shadowy figure with magic, but the magic passed right through the figure's body and had no effect whatsoever.

"These shadowy figures are a bit troublesome. Their bodies are ethereal, and ordinary attacks can't hurt them."

The expert shouted.

Liu Sijun circulated his spiritual power and carefully observed the shadowy figures, discovering that although they were ethereal, they would briefly materialize when they moved.

A thought struck her, and she quickly said, "Everyone, pay attention! The shadow will briefly materialize when it moves. Seize this opportunity to attack!"

Upon hearing this, Gu Changzhou immediately used his movement technique, moving like a ghost among the shadows.

Whenever the shadow moved, he would seize the opportunity and unleash "Starry Sky Rift," a sword aura containing powerful stellar energy slashing towards the shadow.

After being hit, the shadowy figure let out a sharp cry, and its form became ethereal.

Not to be outdone, Tong Lei channeled his fiery spiritual energy into his longsword, causing it to burst into flames. He seized the moment the shadowy figure moved, and with a sudden slash, a fiery blade of energy hurtled towards it.

The shadowy figure was struck by the fiery blade energy, letting out a painful roar as its body gradually dissipated.

Min Rui formed hand seals, and countless sharp rocks suddenly sprouted from the ground, piercing towards the shadows. He seized the moment the shadows materialized, manipulating the rocks to change direction, successfully striking several of them.

Gao Kuo, wielding a long sword, charged left and right among the shadows. Whenever a shadow materialized, he would swiftly draw his sword, each strike sharp and deadly, slaying many of them.

With everyone's efforts, the group of shadowy figures was gradually eliminated.

Before they could even catch their breath, a melodious flute tune suddenly drifted from the depths of the stone forest. The flute's melody was plaintive and sorrowful, as if telling of endless lamentations, sending a chill down their spines. "This flute music...something's wrong. Everyone be careful, don't let it cloud your judgment!"

Gu Changzhou shouted a reminder.

Everyone circulated their spiritual energy to protect their heart meridians and looked warily in the direction from which the flute music came.

As the flute music grew clearer, a figure dressed in a black robe slowly emerged from the depths of the stone forest. This person's face was as pale as snow, his eyes were empty and lifeless, and he held a black flute in his hand, the very source of the music.

A thin layer of mist surrounded him, giving him a mysterious and dangerous aura.

"You should not have trespassed here. This is a cursed place, and you will all become victims of this curse," the man in black said coldly, his voice seemingly coming from the deepest hell, filled with endless chill.

Gu Changzhou's expression was solemn as he gripped his sword tightly. He said, "No matter who you are or what your purpose is, we will not back down. Xuanji Hall is attempting to obtain the Blood Spirit Source and endanger the common people. We must stop them."

The man in black robes sneered, "The Source of Blood Spirit? That's a power even I covet. You think you can stop everything with your meager strength? You're just dreaming."

After speaking, the man in black robes placed the flute to his lips and played an even more eerie melody.

As the flute sounded, the surrounding stone forest began to shake violently, and huge rocks rose from the ground, hurtling towards the group.

Tong Lei shouted, "Well done!"

He poured all his spiritual power into his longsword and unleashed the "Blazing Fire Heaven-Burning Technique." The flames on the longsword instantly surged several feet, forming a massive wall of fire that blocked the incoming boulders.

The boulder collided with the wall of fire, producing a series of booming sounds, and turned into countless fragments that scattered all over the ground.

Min Rui quickly formed hand seals and chanted, "Reverse the earth's veins, trap the enemy in the rocky prison!"

Suddenly, the ground beneath the black-robed man's feet rose up, forming a huge rock cage, attempting to trap him inside.

However, the man in black simply waved his sleeve, and a stream of black energy surged out, instantly shattering the rock cage.

Liu Sijun knew that the man in black robes was very powerful, so he dared not be careless in the slightest.

She activated the Tai Xu Mirror with all her might, and beams of runic light containing powerful spiritual energy shot out from the mirror, heading towards the man in black robes.

At the same time, she shouted, "Gao Kuo, lend me a hand!"

Upon hearing this, Gao Kuo immediately activated his late-stage Nascent Soul spiritual power, causing the longsword in his hand to shine brightly.

He unleashed "Thousands of Sword Shadows," countless sword energies following him like shadows, attacking the black-robed man along with runic rays.

The man in black snorted coldly, and his flute spun rapidly, instantly creating a black barrier that blocked all the runic rays and sword energy.

Gu Changzhou seized the opportunity, channeled the power of the stars, and unleashed the "Star Shattering Slash," a sword aura containing powerful stellar energy that slashed towards the black-robed man like a meteor.

Wherever the sword energy passed, space itself was distorted.

The man in black robes sensed the immense power of the attack. He dared not be careless, gripped the flute with both hands, and chanted incantations.

A huge black vortex appeared in front of him, slowly swallowing the star sword energy.

(End of this chapter)