Ling Tian used a black obsidian stone tablet to set up a small Yin Gathering Array on the riverbank. The moment the array formed, the surrounding spiritual energy of heaven and earth began to spin violently around it.
A large amount of Yin-attribute spiritual energy from heaven and earth swirled and converged near the array, ultimately forming a significant amount of Yin Sha Qi.
Monk Cheng'e, accustomed to dealing with such malevolent entities, was no stranger to this Yin Sha Qi. At this moment, he was utterly shocked. He could feel how terrifying the Yin Sha Qi gathered by this array was.
If a corpse were thrown into this array, it would likely turn into a zombie in less than a week.
In reality, even in other places, it took decades for a zombie to fully form.
Monk Cheng'e looked at Ling Tian with a complex expression. He knew very well that Ling Tian's skill was like the flesh of a Tang monk to those who practiced crooked ways.
Whether for cultivating evil arts or raising zombies, imps, ghosts, or various strange animals, having Ling Tian's array would be twice as effective with half the effort.
If Monk Cheng'e didn't know Ling Tian's true identity and abilities, and that Ling Tian was a member of the Righteous Alliance, he might have even considered killing Ling Tian.
Ling Tian's array-setting skill, whether he fell into evil ways or fell into the hands of evil practitioners, would be an absolute disaster for others.
Fortunately, Ling Tian was a member of the Righteous Alliance, held a very high rank, and had demonstrated sufficient strength to protect himself. This allowed Monk Cheng'e to dismiss the dangerous thought.
While Monk Cheng'e was still in a daze, Ling Tian reached out and poked the monk's lower back.
"Master Cheng'e, don't just stand there. Those things are coming out!"
Monk Cheng'e quickly looked towards the river. Through the darkness, he saw dozens of heads suddenly appear on the surface of the once-calm river.
Following that, these heads began to surge towards the shore. As the heads approached the bank, humanoid figures emerged from the water.
These were the appearances of drowned ghosts. Their clothes were still dripping water, but at this moment, the eyes of these伥鬼 (chāng guǐ - a type of ghost that lures others to their death) were filled with greed, like an old lecher who had been locked up in prison for decades suddenly seeing a peerlessly beautiful woman with nothing on.
Monk Cheng'e clutched three Vajra Darts and stared intently at the 伥鬼 with his wrathful gaze.
Soon, the closest 伥鬼 were only five or six meters away from the edge of Ling Tian's array. At this moment, Monk Cheng'e made his move. He raised his hand sharply, and the three Vajra Darts flew out.
These three magical artifacts hit three 伥鬼 squarely. Immediately, golden light erupted from the 伥鬼, and almost everyone present felt the pain that the 伥鬼 experienced upon their death.
This sudden turn of events caused the 伥鬼 who were about to rush ashore to seize the Yin Sha Qi to pause almost simultaneously. They felt the energy emanating from the Vajra Darts and were somewhat wary of it.
However, these entities soon overcame their fear. The reason was simple: Ling Tian's Yin Gathering Array was too enticing to ghosts.
They would rather risk annihilation than rush forward to absorb the massive amount of Yin Sha Qi within the Yin Gathering Array. As for the obstacle in front of them, they would simply destroy it together.
Thus, a large number of 伥鬼 directly pounced on Monk Cheng'e, who was blocking their path!
With a wave of his hand, Monk Cheng'e retrieved the four Vajra Darts that had fallen to the ground. However, this time, due to the large number of zombies surging forward, he no longer had the opportunity to infuse the Vajra Darts with spiritual power again.
The three Vajra Darts were once again shot out by Monk Cheng'e, hitting three 伥鬼. With a flash of golden light, the three 伥鬼 were reduced to ashes. However, this time, the light emanating from the Vajra Darts was much dimmer.
The monk extended his hands again, and the three Vajra Darts flew back. They circled above Ling Tian's head and behind his brain before suddenly flying towards the 伥鬼.
This time, three more unfortunate 伥鬼 were struck by the Vajra Darts. However, the light released by the Vajra Darts was now only the size of a basketball. The three 伥鬼 that were hit were thrown to the ground, suffering heavy injuries.
However, this time, as the energy on the Vajra Darts had been almost depleted, the three 伥鬼 did not suffer fatal damage. They crawled up from the ground and continued to pounce towards Monk Cheng'e.
At this point, the three iron darts had very little energy left. Monk Cheng'e no longer cared about the iron darts; he grabbed his staff and charged forward.
"Master Cheng'e, do you need my help?" Ling Tian shouted from the side.
"Not yet, I can hold on for a while longer. If I can't manage, brother, you can make your move then!" the monk replied while his body swayed, fighting.
Ling Tian nodded. He held a fire talisman in each hand, then retreated dozens of meters away, watching the battle with great interest.
Monk Cheng'e, carrying his heavy staff, charged into the crowd of 伥鬼 like a fierce tiger descending a mountain charging into a flock of sheep.
Every time his staff struck a 伥鬼, golden light would be released from the staff, quickly eliminating those 伥鬼.
Simultaneously, an invisible energy converged and was absorbed by the monk's body. After absorbing this energy, he became more energetic, his body filled with strength, and he was extremely excited.
In less than two minutes, he had already eliminated over a dozen 伥鬼. At this time, thirty to forty more 伥鬼 surrounded him, fearlessly pouncing at Monk Cheng'e.
Monk Cheng'e was almost scratched by these 伥鬼 several times. Fortunately, a protective Buddhist light covered his body, which blocked the attacks of the 伥鬼.
However, the energy of this Buddhist light also seemed to have its limits. After several consecutive attacks, Monk Cheng'e's protective golden light also began to dim.
"Brother Cheng'e, do you need me to act?" Ling Tian called out from a distance.
"Brother Ling Tian, please wait a moment!"
Before he finished speaking, Monk Cheng'e swung his staff even more ferociously, his body weaving back and forth between the 伥鬼.
Ling Tian observed that his actions were not aimless but were constantly adjusting his position. Finally, he was completely surrounded by the 伥鬼!
Monk Cheng'e, while fighting, observed the surrounding situation with his wrathful gaze. Seeing that the 伥鬼 had gathered sufficiently, a cold smile appeared on his lips.
"Now!"