Since the Heavenly Demon Sect changed its selection mechanism for the Thirteen Protectors, these individuals wreaked havoc in the martial world, causing endless trouble and leaving the righteous alliance in a state of utter disarray.
However, this came at a great cost. The righteous alliance launched a full-scale crackdown on unorthodox sects. In just half a year, seven of the Heavenly Demon Sect's thirteen protectors were eliminated, with Ling Tian being responsible for the demise of several of them.
To maintain their combat strength, the Heavenly Demon Sect had to promote new Thirteen Protectors. These positions offered greater resources from the sect, making them highly sought after by those under the Heavenly Demon Sect's banner.
Among the targets for selection were individuals from the Heavenly Demon Sect's affiliated sects.
Originally, Yin Tianxiong, the sect leader of Yin Fu Sect, and Shi Xiaoyue, the sect leader of the Corpse Refining Sect, were renowned figures in the martial world. Their status was well-established, and even their notoriety was a form of fame.
The problem was that the Heavenly Demon Sect offered too much, making it impossible for them to refuse the sect's recruitment. Moreover, joining the Heavenly Demon Sect would not affect their positions as leaders of the Yin Fu Sect and the Corpse Refining Sect, respectively. Thus, the two men, relying on their exceptional strength, became newly appointed Thirteen Protectors.
This time, the appearance of a natural Yin Gathering Great Array in Hantan Village presented a fatal attraction to these unorthodox practitioners.
In such a location, Yin-elemental heavenly treasures would be born. These were crucial materials for the Yin Fu Sect in refining various bizarre talismans, and the Yin Gathering Array served as an auspicious ground for the Corpse Refining Sect to forge zombies.
However, as this place was close to Longhu Mountain, Yin Tianxiong and Shi Xiaoyue, after some discussion, decided to travel together. Each would pursue their own objectives, ensuring that even if discovered by the people of Longhu Mountain, they could defend themselves, or even counterattack.
"Brother Xiaoyue, what exactly has happened?"
"Brother Yin, things are not looking good. All the mountain specters I painstakingly crafted a few days ago have been eliminated!"
The mountain specters that Ling Tian and his group had eliminated were actually created by Shi Xiaoyue during a previous visit. He had discovered a group of macaques in the local area.
These monkeys were numerous and inherently ferocious, which sparked an idea in Shi Xiaoyue's mind: to transform these monkeys into mountain specters, a different form of zombie.
Compared to ordinary zombies, these creatures could strengthen themselves by devouring the blood and flesh of living beings. Like other zombies, they could also absorb Yin energy and spiritual energy from heaven and earth to grow stronger.
To achieve this, Shi Xiaoyue used the Soul Locking Nails that his sect had accumulated over many years. After killing seventy to eighty monkeys, he managed to craft these mountain specters.
Shi Xiaoyue was extremely satisfied with his creations. These mountain specters were far more agile than ordinary zombies and possessed comparable strength. Although they were not as durable as regular zombies, they operated in packs. Being swarmed by such creatures made it incredibly difficult to escape unscathed.
After creating these monsters, he released them directly, and the other creatures in the mountain forest became their prey.
These creatures were also intended as a gift for the people of Longhu Mountain and the righteous alliance.
Tonight, Shi Xiaoyue sensed an anomaly with the mountain specters. The information fed back by the mountain specters indicated the presence of a large amount of Yin energy near the village.
They instinctively sought to absorb this Yin energy. Shi Xiaoyue didn't think much of it. In a natural Yin Gathering Great Array, the concentration of spiritual energy from heaven and earth constantly fluctuated, and he didn't consider it an anomaly.
However, less than half an hour later, he sensed that some mountain specters were being killed. What chilled him even more was that over ten mountain specters were simultaneously eliminated in an instant.
Shi Xiaoyue was well aware of the capabilities of his mountain specters. To eliminate them all in such a short time required terrifying strength.
The loss of so many Soul Locking Nails truly pained him, as they were incredibly difficult to refine.
Crafting a single Soul Locking Nail took over ten days. The loss of twenty Soul Locking Nails represented over half a year of his painstaking effort.
"How could this happen? Was it the people from Longhu Mountain?" Yin Tianxiong asked, his expression grave.
"You should know the combat prowess of my mountain specters. Even if the people of Longhu Mountain mobilized their entire force, it would take them a considerable amount of time and a heavy price to completely eliminate those mountain specters! Yet, they were killed in an instant!
We've dealt with the people of Longhu Mountain enough over the years to be familiar with their strength. This isn't them. It's highly likely that the righteous alliance has dispatched experts!
I suspect the person who came is at least at the level of Xuan Yuanjie or Zhuge Tianji!"
Upon hearing this, Yin Tianxiong's brow furrowed even deeper. Just then, a sharp voice cut through the air.
"Heh heh, look at the two of you, so spineless. Even if experts from Longhu Mountain have arrived, what are you afraid of with this old man here!"
The gazes of the two men simultaneously turned towards the direction of the voice. There stood a short old man, barely reaching 1.6 meters in height.
This person appeared to be in his mid-forties, but in reality, he was nearly eighty years old.
His name was Hu Lan. He belonged to no sect but was a cultivator, or more accurately, a rogue cultivator!
His Taoist arts were inherited, and his primary area of study was Qimen Dunjia (Mysterious Gates and Eight Trigrams).
Hu Lan's public identity was that of a renowned Feng Shui master, skilled in Qimen Dunjia and various geomantic arts. For him, performing Feng Shui consultations was child's play.
However, Hu Lan was also a shrewd businessman. He would often tamper with the Feng Shui of wealthy clients, forcing them to hire him at exorbitant prices.
Initially, his Qimen Dunjia skills were mere tricks. But as the Immortal Palace asteroid drew closer to Earth and the spiritual energy of the planet gradually revived, the power of his techniques grew steadily.
Later, by chance, he met the sect leader of the Heavenly Demon Sect. They hit it off immediately, and the Heavenly Demon Sect leader gifted Hu Lan a secret manual. After obtaining this manual, Hu Lan's strength surged.
This time, he was also invited to become one of the Thirteen Protectors of the Heavenly Demon Sect!
Although this old man had no fame in the martial world, he quickly intimidated others with his strength.
This time, he accompanied the other two to Hantan Town. The abundant spiritual energy and Yin energy here made the old man even more formidable. In just a few days, his cultivation broke through again.
Despite the formidable reputations of Yin Tianxiong and Shi Xiaoyue, in front of Hu Lan, they could only behave themselves meekly.