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The night at Yanjiabao was deeper than I had imagined.

Su Ning sat cross-legged by the window of the inn's private room, his eyes slightly closed, a wisp of purple lightning flickering between his fingertips.

The divine sense cultivated through the Great Evolution Technique spread out like a spider web, enveloping the entire courtyard.

In fact, Su Ning's main cultivation technique, "Great Wilderness Technique," already includes a divine sense component. Now, with the assistance of "Great Evolution Technique," Su Ning's divine sense is quite powerful.

Su Ning's current cultivation level is at the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, but with the support of the "Great Wilderness Technique" and the "Great Evolution Technique," his divine sense is already approaching that of a great cultivator at the early stage of Core Formation.

After discovering the anomaly at Yanjiabao during the day, Su Ning took the initiative to assume the duty of keeping watch at night.

"Thud"...

A soft sound came from outside the courtyard wall, like a stray cat snapping a branch.

The electric light at Suning's fingertips suddenly solidified, and his eyes slowly opened.

In his divine sense, a cold aura spread across the courtyard wall like water, without triggering any protective restrictions.

The newcomer was no weakling, at least at the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, and was also proficient in concealment techniques.

“The Ghost Spirit Sect’s ‘Shadow Escape’…” Su Ning sneered inwardly.

The jade slip Lei Wanhe gave him contained detailed records of the signature techniques of various demonic sects, and this invisible escape technique was the direct lineage of the Ghost Spirit Sect.

A chilling aura flowed along the ground, heading directly towards Dong Xuan'er's room.

On the window paper, the graceful silhouettes cast by the candlelight could be faintly seen...

Dong Xuan'er was putting on her makeup in front of the mirror, completely unaware of the danger approaching.

"Whoosh!" A dark shadow slipped into the room through the crack in the door and instantly transformed into human form.

The young man was pale-faced and wore a black robe embroidered with a ferocious ghost head. He was none other than Wang Chan, the young master of the Ghost Spirit Sect.

"Little beauty, aren't you lonely being alone at night?" Wang Chan raised her hand with a wicked smile, and several black wisps flew out from her sleeve, coiling towards Dong Xuan'er like serpents.

Dong Xuan'er turned around in surprise, but it was too late to react.

The moment she was enveloped in black energy, her body went limp, and she couldn't even utter a cry for help.

"I've been longing for the seductive arts of the Hehuan Sect..." Wang Chan licked her lips and was about to step forward when suddenly the hairs on her body stood on end!

"Tsk-!"

A bolt of purple lightning pierced through the roof and struck straight down. Wang Chan hastily summoned a bone shield to block it.

The lightning collided with the bone shield, unleashing a blinding burst of light.

The shield cracked open with a "crack," but the remaining force still forced Wang Chan back three steps.

"Who?!" Wang Chan shouted angrily, her face grim.

This attack was far more powerful than that of an ordinary early Foundation Establishment cultivator; the attacker was no ordinary person.

The door opened silently, and Su Ning stood with his hands behind his back, his body crackling with fine electric light: "Visiting a female cultivator's boudoir in the dead of night, the Ghost Spirit Sect's etiquette is truly unique."

Wang Chan narrowed her eyes: "How dare a junior from Huangfeng Valley meddle in my business?"

He secretly activated his cultivation technique, and the black energy that had been scattered by the lightning reformed. "Since I've already broken through, I'll deal with you too!"

Before she finished speaking, seven beams of dark light suddenly shot out from Wang Chan's sleeve, each beam containing a hideous ghost head that emitted a piercing shriek.

This is the "Seven Fiends Soul-Devouring Nail," a secret technique passed down by the Ghost Spirit Sect, specifically designed to break through a cultivator's protective spiritual aura.

Su Ning neither dodged nor evaded, his right hand forming a sword shape with fingers pointing together, a brilliant purple light emanating from the fingertips.

With a single stroke in the air, a barrier of lightning instantly formed.

The seven ghost nails struck the lightning curtain, making a "sizzling" sound, and were actually refined by the power of the lightning!

"Purple Heaven Thunder Finger? You're Lei Wanhe's disciple?!" Wang Chan's expression finally changed.

Thunder magic is extremely powerful and yang, making it the nemesis of ghostly techniques.

What's more troublesome is that Lei Wanhe has a notorious reputation in the cultivation world, so how could his disciples be simple?
Before Wang Chan could react, Su Ning had already pointed with his second finger.

This seemingly slow gesture seemed to have summoned thunder from heaven and earth, and a bolt of purple lightning as thick as a bucket crashed down!
"boom!"

The entire room was illuminated by the lightning as if it were daytime.

In her haste, Wang Chan crushed a bone talisman, and her figure transformed into dozens of ghostly shadows that scattered in all directions.

The lightning bolt struck only three of the illusory figures; the rest recombine outside the courtyard, revealing Wang Chan's disheveled appearance...

His left arm was charred black, and blood was trickling from the corner of his mouth; he had clearly suffered a serious injury.

"Fine! Very well!" Wang Chan glared venomously at Su Ning. "Tomorrow at the Yan family's grand banquet, I, the young master, will make you wish you were never born..."

Before he could finish his harsh words, another bolt of lightning struck.

Wang Chan dared not linger any longer and transformed into a cloud of black mist to escape.

"Senior brother, what's going on?" Han Li's voice came from the corridor, accompanied by hurried footsteps.

Su Ning dispersed the lightning from his fingertips and turned to look at the still-shaken Dong Xuan'er: "Don't panic, a petty thief came by, but I've already chased him away."

Han Li stormed in, sword in hand, his gaze sweeping over the messy room before finally settling on Dong Xuan'er: "Junior Sister Dong, are you alright?"

"Thank you so much, Senior Brother Su, for saving me." Dong Xuan'er's face was pale, but this time it didn't seem like she was faking it.

She straightened her disheveled clothes, a hint of lingering fear flashing in her eyes.

Han Li frowned: "This shouldn't be! We're new here, why would someone specifically target us..."

“Perhaps it’s because Junior Sister Dong is too eye-catching.” Su Ning looked at Dong Xuan’er meaningfully. “During the daytime, Junior Sister used her ‘Red Dust Attraction’ quite a bit on the street.”

Dong Xuan'er stiffened, forcing a smile, "Senior brother is joking, how could I possibly know anything..."

“The Hehuan Sect’s secret technique, ‘The Heavenly Art of the Maiden,’” Su Ning interrupted her, “Although it deliberately conceals the path of cultivation, it cannot escape the perception of a thunder magic cultivator.”

The room fell silent instantly.

Han Li silently stood at the doorway, blocking Dong Xuan'er's retreat.

“I…” Dong Xuan’er’s forehead was covered in fine beads of sweat. She suddenly gritted her teeth and said, “That’s right, I am an undercover agent sent by the Hehuan Sect! But Master Hongfu treated me like her own daughter. I have never done anything to harm Huangfeng Valley!”

Su Ning remained noncommittal, instead asking, "Why is Wang Chan so persistent with you?"

Dong Xuan'er was silent for a moment, then said in a low voice, "Three years ago, the Ghost Spirit Sect and the Joyful Union Sect arranged a marriage, and my senior sister was supposed to marry into the sect. But she ran away from the marriage, and Wang Chan has held a grudge ever since..."

"Tomorrow's grand banquet at the Yan family is actually a signal that the demonic path is officially declaring war on the seven sects." Su Ning suddenly revealed the secret. "The Yan family has already sided with the demonic sect, and we disciples of the seven sects are just hostages sent to their doorstep. I even suspect that we are sacrifices for blood sacrifice."

Han Li's pupils contracted slightly: "How did you know, Senior Brother?"

"The jade slip given by my master records the characteristics of various demonic sects' techniques." Su Ning pointed to the remaining black energy on the ground. "The Shadow Escape technique that person just used can only be learned to such a high degree by the direct descendants of the Ghost Spirit Sect."

Dong Xuan'er looked at Su Ning in surprise: "You...you knew all along that the Yan family was up to no good?"

"It was just a guess, but I've just confirmed it." Su Ning walked towards the door. "Everyone, get some rest. There's bound to be a fierce battle tomorrow."

Han Li took two steps forward and transmitted his voice, "Senior brother, this Dong Xuan'er..."

“It’s believable for now,” Su Ning replied. “If she really wanted to harm us, she would have had the chance to do it long ago.”

Back in his room, Su Ning did not rest immediately.

He took out the jade pendant given to him by Lei Wanhe from his bosom. At this moment, the jade pendant was slightly hot, and fine blood-red patterns appeared on its surface—this was an ominous sign.

Outside the window, dark clouds had gathered in the night sky over Yanjiabao.

A flash of lightning illuminated the dark figures patrolling back and forth on the city wall.

The "guards" walked in strange postures, like puppets being pulled on strings.

Su Ning gently touched the storage bag at his waist, inside which lay three Purple Lightning Escape Talismans and a Lightning Shield.

After tomorrow, who knows how many will be able to leave Yan Family Fort alive...

……

After Han Li and Dong Xuan'er returned to their room, seemingly lost in thought, Su Ning began to consider the upcoming battle once again.

Not long after, Han Li returned again. "Senior brother, we've stumbled upon the scandalous affair of the Ghost Spirit Sect and the Yan Family Fortress. I'm sure they won't let us off the hook."

"Absolutely! The safest course of action now is to escape before the conference begins."

“That’s right! Let’s run away now!” “The problem is that the Ghost Spirit Sect and Yan Family Fort are definitely on guard against us. It won’t be easy to get out of the city smoothly. In addition, we need to buy more time for Yan Shi and Mo Caihuan to escape. As mortals, they are powerless to resist cultivators.”

"Brother, what you said makes sense."

"In addition, we need more cultivators from the seven sects to see through the conspiracy of the Ghost Spirit Sect and Yan Family Fortress. Only then can we use everyone's strength to thwart the Ghost Spirit Sect's plan and truly gain a glimmer of hope."

It turns out that the Yan family gathering was actually a blood sacrifice ceremony. The Yan family patriarch wanted to use the essence and blood of the disciples of the seven sects to awaken the remnant soul of the ancient demon sleeping underground, paving the way for the invasion of the demonic path.

In the central square of Yanjiabao, disciples from all seven factions gathered together.

Su Ning followed behind the Yan family steward, his eyes scanning the surroundings.

The plaza floor was covered with eerie blood-red patterns, which, though seemingly decorative, actually formed a massive array.

A faint, sweet, fishy smell wafted in the air, making the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end.

"Senior brother, there's something wrong with this wine," Han Li transmitted his voice, seemingly raising his wine cup but not actually touching it.

Dong Xuan'er's face turned pale, and her fingers unconsciously twisted the hem of her clothes: "Those servants... their pupils were all vertical..."

On the high platform, the patriarch of the Yan family raised his cup and stood up, his face beaming: "It is a great honor that talents from seven different schools have gathered at my Yan Family Fortress today! I toast to you all!"

Just as everyone raised their glasses, Su Ning suddenly shouted, "The wine is poisoned! This is a blood sacrifice formation!"

Before he could finish speaking, he suddenly threw the wine glass to the ground.

With a crisp "crack," the wine splashed onto the blood-red pattern, instantly igniting a dazzling red light!
"Make your move!" The Yan family patriarch's expression changed drastically, and he gave the order.

A crimson light curtain suddenly rose around the square, enveloping everyone.

Dozens of Yan family cultivators simultaneously formed hand seals, causing the blood-red patterns on the ground to writhe as if alive.

The weaker disciples among the seven sects immediately clutched their heads and screamed in agony, blood seeping from their seven orifices!
"Do you believe me now?" Su Ning shouted sharply, "Those who don't want to die, follow me to break the formation!"

He formed hand seals, and the "Human King's Heavenly Control Technique" circulated wildly within his body.

Suddenly, dark clouds filled the sky, and a bolt of purple lightning as thick as a bucket struck down, transforming into a three-zhang-long (approximately 10 meters) thunder dragon above Su Ning's head!
"Thunder Dragon Technique! Go!"

The thunder dragon roared to the sky, unleashing a devastating attack on the core of the great formation.

Wherever it passed, the blood-red patterns burst open.

Han Li simultaneously made his move, sending twelve puppets flying from his sleeves to form a defensive formation to protect everyone.

"You're courting death!" Wang Chan leaped down from the platform, her black robe billowing as hundreds of ghostly figures flew out. "None of you will escape!"

The great formation was torn open by the thunder dragon, and the cultivators from the seven sects immediately rushed out.

Dong Xuan'er bit her fingertip and drew a pink talisman in the air: "Illusion!"

The talisman exploded, sending peach blossoms flying everywhere.

The seemingly beautiful petals actually concealed a deadly trap. Several pursuing Yan family cultivators touched the petals and immediately fell into an illusion, standing frozen in place.

"Let's go!" Su Ning grabbed Dong Xuan'er and sped off with Han Li towards the outside of the city.

A hysterical roar came from behind: "Chase them! Especially those three from Yellow Maple Valley, I, the young master, will personally skin them alive!"

The three rushed out of the city gate, but Han Li suddenly stopped: "We can't escape like this."

He took out three talismans. "Let's split up and meet at the usual place!"

Su Ning shook his head: "No! Wang Chan has a secret tracking method; separating us would be dangerous."

He then summoned the flying boat bestowed upon him by Lei Wanhe, saying, "Get on!"

As soon as the flying boat took off, a streak of black smoke shot out from behind.

Han Li threw three self-destructing puppets with a backhand, temporarily blocking the pursuers with a loud "boom".

"The valley on the left!" Dong Xuan'er suddenly pointed to a narrow mountain stream. "The terrain there is complex and suitable for maneuvering!"

The airship swooped down, flying almost close to the rock face.

Wang Chan, piloting a white bone flying boat, pursued relentlessly, occasionally unleashing streaks of ghostly fire.

Several times it nearly hit the tail of the airship, but Su Ning blocked it with lightning.

"No, we can't shake them off!" Han Li's face darkened. "His flying boat is too high-grade!"

A fierce glint flashed in Su Ning's eyes: "Then let's fight!"

He suddenly changed the direction of the flying boat and rushed towards Wang Chan.

The distance between the two closed rapidly, and Wang Chan grinned maliciously as she unleashed a ghost-headed banner: "You're courting death!"

The Ghost Head Banner swelled in the wind, growing to about ten feet in size, and spewed out thick black mist.

Countless fierce ghosts bared their fangs and claws in the fog, emitting piercing screams.

"Lei Lai!" Su Ning clasped his hands together, and a dazzling golden light suddenly burst forth from his body.

The second level of the Great Wilderness Technique, "Divine Consciousness Transforms into the Sea," was fully activated, and a golden thundercloud actually condensed above his head!
"This is..." Han Li's pupils shrank suddenly. He had never seen Su Ning use such a technique before.

Golden lightning and purple electric light intertwined, transforming into a dazzling pillar of light that blasted towards the Ghost Head Banner.

The two forces collided, causing a deafening roar.

The Ghost Head Banner was torn in two with a "rip," and Wang Chan spat out a mouthful of blood, her face filled with disbelief.

"Impossible! What kind of lightning magic is that?!"

Suning did not answer, but maneuvered the flying boat to approach rapidly.

Han Li seized the opportunity to throw out a handful of poisoned needles, while Dong Xuan'er used her seductive arts to interfere.

In the midst of her frantic efforts, Wang Chan was struck in the chest by Su Ning's thunderous palm strike, causing the Bone Flying Boat to lose control and crash into the cliff!

"boom!"

As the smoke and dust cleared, Wang Chan was found hanging disheveled from a tree branch on the edge of the cliff, her black robe tattered and her face deathly pale.

Su Ning flew close and snatched the storage bag from his waist and the bone pendant hanging around his neck.

"You...you dare!" Wang Chan's eyes widened in fury. "My father is the leader of the Ghost Spirit Sect!"

Su Ning sneered: "That's why I'm sparing your life."

With that, he urged the flying boat onward and sped away.

After flying dozens of miles, Dong Xuan'er finally couldn't help but ask, "Senior brother, why didn't you kill him just now?"

On the flying boat, Su Ning inspected the spoils of war without looking up: "Kill him, and the Ghost Spirit Sect will use all its power to retaliate against Yellow Maple Valley. As for the other six sects..."

He sneered, "They'd love for someone to stand in front. The righteous sects these days are nothing but a disorganized mess, and they'll only resort to appeasement in the face of the demonic sect's relentless pressure."

Han Li nodded and added, "This is just right. Wang Chan, who cares too much about his reputation, suffered a great loss but dared not speak out, otherwise his collusion with the Yan family would not be able to be kept secret."

Dong Xuan'er suddenly realized, and her gaze towards Su Ning now held a greater sense of admiration.

As the sun sets, a flying boat glides across the sky.

Behind them, in the direction of Yanjiabao, one could vaguely see blood shooting into the sky.

This battle resulted in heavy losses for the seven factions, but it also exposed the demonic conspiracy ahead of schedule.

An even bigger storm is brewing...

Su Ning gripped the bone pendant he had snatched from Wang Chan, feeling the surging Yin energy within it.

Lei Wanhe will definitely be interested in this; perhaps he can exchange it for a few bottles of good pills or pill formulas.

"Senior brother, where to next?" Han Li asked.

"Let's go back to Tainan Valley to hide for a while and see the Mo family mother and daughter. We haven't seen Zhang Tie in a long time either." Su Ning steered the flying boat to a different direction. "Then... let's prepare for war. The real war has only just begun."

The airship glided through the clouds and disappeared into the twilight.

No one noticed that while hanging on the edge of the cliff, Wang Chan secretly crushed a blood-red jade talisman.

Thousands of miles away in the forbidden area of ​​the Ghostly Gate, a pair of scarlet eyes suddenly opened...

...(End of chapter)