The Ferocious God in the Celestial Master's Mansion

Before Zhang Yulei finished speaking, his figure flashed like a black lightning bolt, hurtling towards the back mountain. The brilliant golden light above the Celestial Master's Mansion fell upon him, making the bloodstains on his coarse Taoist robe appear even darker red. The scabbard of his black sword trembled slightly in the wind, emitting a faint hum.

His steps were incredibly swift, his footsteps landing on the blood-stained flagstones without stirring up a speck of dust. The vegetation on both sides of the mountain path was still trembling slightly, the blood-stained leaves glowing with an eerie red hue in the morning light. His gaze was sharp as an eagle's, sweeping across every corner of the path, his aura forming an invisible net that captured every hidden presence.

From the depths of the bamboo forest behind the mountain, the faint sounds of clashing weapons, along with a few suppressed cries of pain and angry shouts, could be heard. Zhang Yulei frowned slightly, and quickened his pace.

After passing through a dense bamboo forest, the view suddenly opened up before us.

On a spacious bluestone slab, four figures were locked in a fierce battle.

One of them was dressed in tattered black clothes, wearing a bamboo hat, and holding a thin, long mourning staff. The staff was about three feet long, with a foot-long white ribbon hanging from the top, and a thick black aura swirling around it. Within the black aura, Zhang Yulei could vaguely see tiny ghostly figures wailing and struggling. This person was none other than Xue Fan, the Mourning Gravekeeper of Quanxing.

The three people fighting Xue Fan were Xiao Xiao, Yun, and Xi, who had already lost his fighting ability.

hope collapsed in a corner of the bluestone platform, his face ashen, his lips bluish-black, and his clothes tattered and corroded by the black aura. On his right arm, there was a dark mark, and the skin around the mark had begun to turn black. Dense corpse energy was spreading along the mark to his limbs and bones.

Xiao Xiao stood before Xi, his hands clenched into fists, his Qi surging wildly around him. A trickle of blood oozed from the corner of his mouth, clearly indicating he had forcibly activated some secret technique. He took a deep breath, then suddenly opened his mouth, unleashing a visible white wave of energy that shot towards Xue Fan like a cannonball. This was his unique skill—the Exhalation Technique!

Wherever the breath passed, the air exploded, emitting a piercing shriek. The swirling black mist was instantly dispersed by the impact of the white shockwave.

Xue Fan seemed to have anticipated this. He let out a strange laugh and suddenly spun the mourning staff in his hand. The scattered black energy recombine like a tide, transforming into a huge ghost face that opened its bloody maw and bit at Xiao Xiao's energy wave.

"Bang!"

The shockwave collided with the ghost face with a deafening roar.

Xiao Xiao's body trembled violently, and he staggered back a few steps, his face growing even paler. Although his exhalation was domineering, Xue Fan's mourning staff was an evil weapon specifically designed to capture souls and spirits. When the two clashed, he was ultimately at a disadvantage.

Seeing that Xiao Xiao was no match for him, Yun, who was standing next to Xiao Xiao, immediately activated his Qi. The Measuring Ruler lit up instantly, and a soft white light spread out from the ruler, enveloping Xue Fan.

"court death!"

Xue Fan's voice came from behind the mourning mask, hoarse and shrill. He clearly hadn't expected that one of the three would possess a magical artifact that could counter him. A ruthless glint flashed in his eyes, and he slammed the mourning staff in his hand towards Yun.

The ghostly face on the mourning staff instantly became incredibly ferocious, and a black aura even denser than before swept towards Yunxi like a tsunami. Within that black aura, countless mournful wails of ghosts carried an eerie, soul-capturing power, causing those who heard them to feel dizzy and their minds to waver.

Yun's expression changed drastically. He could sense that this black aura contained the resentment of countless people who had died tragically. Those resentments, like needles, pierced his consciousness, trying to disturb his mind. He quickly gritted his teeth, channeling all his Qi into the Measuring Ruler.

The runes on the ruler shone even brighter, forming a solid white light shield in front of him.

"Click—"

The black mist collided with the light shield, producing a crisp sound.

The runes on the light shield dimmed slightly in an instant, and Yun's body shuddered violently. He spat out a mouthful of blood, which splattered onto the Measuring Ruler.

Seeing this, Xue Fan let out a smug, eerie laugh. He swung his mourning staff even more fiercely, and black energy surged towards Xiao Xiao and Yun in waves.

Xiao Xiao and Yun stood back to back, their faces pale and their eyes filled with despair. One of them was already seriously injured, and the other was exhausted. Facing Xue Fan's fierce attack, they were about to give way.

Xue Fan's gaze fell on hope, who was slumped on the ground, and a sly glint flashed in his eyes. He suddenly pointed the mourning stick in his hand towards Xi.

"Why am I so unlucky! That bastard Wan Tao must have tricked me..."

As the crying subsided, a black aura, like a venomous snake, shot out from the mourning staff and burrowed towards hope's brow.

Xiao Xiao and Yun were furious upon seeing this. They wanted to intervene, but their bodies seemed to be nailed to the spot, unable to move.

The black aura was about to enter hope's brow.

Just then—

A thunderous shout suddenly resounded throughout the entire Qingshiping!

"You wretched creature, how dare you control souls!"

The sound, like a thunderclap from a clear sky, carried an overwhelming and powerful majesty, instantly dispersing the black aura surrounding Xue Fan. The wailing ghosts, as if encountering their natural enemy, let out a series of mournful screams and vanished without a trace.

The four people who were locked in combat all trembled and froze abruptly.

They looked in the direction of the sound and saw a figure dressed in a coarse Taoist robe who had appeared silently in the center of the bluestone platform.

The man had white hair and beard, his face was covered in wrinkles, and his Taoist robe was soaked in blood, yet he exuded a chilling majesty. In his right hand, he gripped a black sword, on the blade of which golden arcs of lightning flickered and crackled, emitting a teeth-grinding sound.

This person was Zhang Yulei.

His appearance was like a ghost, silent and stealthy. It wasn't until he shouted that everyone became aware of his presence.

Xue Fan's pupils suddenly contracted. He could sense an extremely terrifying power of lightning emanating from the old Taoist priest before him. That power, extremely yang and rigid, was precisely the nemesis of his sinister techniques!

"Who are you?!" Xue Fan's voice trembled with disbelief. He had lived in the Quanxing Sect for many years and had seen countless masters, but he had never witnessed such terrifying power of lightning!

Xiao Xiao and Yun stared at Zhang Yulei in astonishment. Both were disciples of prestigious sects, yet they had never seen this old Taoist before. What shocked them even more was that the old Taoist's aura was several times more terrifying than that of their sect leader!

Zhang Yulei ignored their astonishment.

His gaze was fixed on the mourning staff in Xue Fan's hand. His crimson eyes, like two burning flames, exuded an intense killing intent.

What he hates most is this kind of evil artifact that can capture souls and spirits!

During the Battle of Blood Moon Valley, Japanese Onmyoji used this evil weapon to massacre countless civilians and steal countless souls. The black sword in his hand was forged into this extremely yang and powerful thunderous force by slaying countless Onmyoji in that great battle.

Today, he has actually seen this evil artifact again!

A fierce rage burned within Zhang Yulei's chest.

Without wasting words, the black sword in his hand, carrying a golden arc of lightning, slashed fiercely at the mourning staff in Xue Fan's hand!

This sword strike was as fast as lightning and as powerful as thunder!

The arc of lightning on the sword blade instantly surged three feet, its golden light illuminating the entire bluestone platform. The remaining black energy, under the lightning's illumination, vanished without a trace, like snow meeting the blazing sun.

Xue Fan's face turned deathly pale instantly. He could feel that this sword strike contained world-destroying power. He dared not be careless in the slightest and hurriedly channeled all his Qi into the Mourning Staff.

The ghostly face on the mourning staff instantly became extremely ferocious, and a thick black aura, like a shield, blocked the front of the mourning staff.

"clang!"

A deafening clang of metal suddenly rang out.

The sword and the mourning staff collided with a loud crash.

Golden arcs of lightning, like a tidal wave, surged from the sword into the mourning staff.

"Sizzle sizzle—"

A piercing sound echoed throughout the entire Qingshiping area.

The black mist on the mourning staff emitted a piercing scream as it was scorched by the lightning. The ghostly figures lurking within the black mist were instantly burned to ashes by the lightning.

Xue Fan felt a terrifying force emanating from the mourning staff, causing his tiger's mouth to split open and bleed profusely. His arm felt as heavy as if it were filled with lead.

He was horrified to discover that his prized mourning staff was utterly powerless against this seasoned thunderous force!

"Impossible! This is impossible!" Xue Fan's voice carried a hint of hysterical madness.

A cold smile curved at the corners of Zhang Yulei's lips.

He twisted his wrist sharply, and the arc of lightning on his sword surged once more!

"Click—"

A crisp sound.

The mourning staff in Xue Fan's hand was actually cleaved in two by this sword!

A mournful wail emanated from the broken mourning staff, then vanished in a wisp of black smoke.

Xue Fan's face instantly turned deathly pale. He stared at the broken mourning staff in his hand, his eyes filled with despair.

The mourning staff is his natal magic weapon. If the magic weapon is destroyed, his cultivation will be greatly reduced!

"You...you dare to destroy my magical artifact! I'll kill you!"

Xue Fan, seemingly driven mad, abruptly discarded the broken mourning staff, spread his ten fingers, and lunged at Zhang Yulei. A dense black aura swirled around his fingertips; clearly, he intended to perish together with Zhang Yulei!

Zhang Yulei's gaze grew increasingly cold.

His feet remained motionless.

Just as Xue Fan's fingertips were about to touch his collar, the sword in his hand was raised once more.

A golden arc of lightning, like a bolt of lightning, swept out horizontally.

"Pfft—"

A soft sound.

Xue Fan's body suddenly stopped.

He looked down at the deep, bone-revealing sword wound on his chest, his eyes filled with disbelief.

Hot blood gushed from the wound and splattered onto the bluestone pavement.

His body slowly collapsed.

In his final moments, only one thought remained in his mind—

That old swordsman's sword is too fast.

It was so fast that he didn't even have time to react.

The stone platform instantly returned to calm.

All that remained were the crackling of lightning and the muffled thud of Xue Fan falling to the ground.

Zhang Yulei slowly sheathed his sword, the arc of lightning on the blade gradually fading. He looked down at Xue Fan on the ground, his eyes showing no emotion.

He never showed mercy to those sorcerers who controlled the souls of the dead.

"Thank you so much for saving me, senior!"

A series of hurried thanks came from behind.

Zhang Yulei turned around and saw Xiao Xiao and Yun looking at him respectfully. Both of them bowed to Zhang Yulei, their eyes filled with admiration and gratitude.

If it weren't for the old Taoist priest's timely intervention, the three of them would probably have perished here today.

Zhang Yulei's gaze swept over the two of them, then landed on hope, who was slumped on the ground. He frowned slightly, walked slowly to hope's side, squatted down, and reached out his finger to check hope's pulse.

hope's pulse was so weak it was almost imperceptible. The dark, ghostly face mark on his arm continued to emanate an aura of death.

A golden arc of lightning swirled around Zhang Yulei's fingertips. He gently touched the lightning arc to hope's brow.

Golden arcs of lightning, like sunlight, slowly seeped into hope's body.

The corpse energy lingering within hope's body hissed and slowly dissipated under the lightning. A sliver of color gradually returned to hope's pale face.

Upon seeing this, Xiao Xiao and Yun showed expressions of joy.

They knew there was hope!

Zhang Yulei withdrew his finger, stood up, glanced at Xiao Xiao and Yun, and said in a hoarse and low voice, "This person has been poisoned by a yin evil poison. After returning, soak him in pure yang water for three hours, and his life will be safe."

"Thank you for your guidance, senior!" Xiao Xiao and Yun quickly bowed and expressed their gratitude.

Zhang Yulei waved his hand, saying nothing more. His gaze swept across the depths of the back mountain, the killing intent in his eyes still undiminished.

He could sense that there were still many Quanxing demons fleeing around the back mountain.

His mission is not yet complete.

Zhang Yulei didn't linger. His figure was like a black lightning bolt, rushing towards the depths of the back mountain.

Golden arcs of lightning shone once more on the blade.

The sword's cry, like a dragon's roar, resounded throughout the entire back mountain.

Xiao Xiao and Yun stared at Zhang Yulei's departing figure, remaining lost in thought for a long time.

"Senior Brother Yun, who exactly is this senior?" Xiao Xiao's voice was filled with shock.

Yun shook his head, his eyes filled with awe: "I don't know. But I can sense that this senior's strength is probably no less than that of the Old Celestial Master!"

As soon as he finished speaking, both of them gasped.

Not inferior to the Old Celestial Master?

Does that mean this senior is one of the top experts in the world of supernatural beings today?

The two men exchanged a glance, both seeing a profound shock in each other's eyes.