"Fang Qiu, your subordinates are almost gone. Do you still intend to resist?"
Lu Jing and Fang Qiu faced each other, their swords clashing.
Although the details of their moves differed, their overall styles were remarkably similar.
Especially Fang Qiu from the so-called Four Symbols Mountain, who, like Lu Jing, was skilled in ghost manipulation!
Fang Qiu let out a cold snort and unleashed his sword, not with sword energy, but with five snarling, clawing resentful spirits.
Lu Jing was not to be outdone. He tossed out five talismans. The script on the talismans flashed with golden light, instantly transforming into five ferocious ghosts that tore Fang Qiu's summoned spirits to shreds and devoured them.
In terms of cultivation, Fang Qiu and Lu Jing were evenly matched.
However, Lu Jing, as the Grand Elder of the Lu Shan Sect, possessed a wealth of accumulated items and treasures over the years.
For instance, when using the same techniques, the ghosts summoned by Lu Jing were far more potent than those of Fang Qiu.
Yan Shouyi, having just recovered from the previous battle, quickly assessed Fang Qiu and Lu Jing.
Fang Qiu was not an easy opponent. If they wanted to assist Lu Jing, they first needed to thoroughly understand Fang Qiu's capabilities.
Otherwise, rashly joining the fray would likely disrupt Lu Jing's rhythm and even turn them into liabilities.
"Yan Shouyi, what do you think Fang Qiu's background is? How can he be a match for old man Lu Jing?"
Luo Ning placed her hands on her hips, observing the spectacle with amusement.
Yan Shouyi spoke in a deep voice:
"Don't you find Fang Qiu's techniques too similar to those of the Lu Shan Sect?"
"Now that you mention it, I've been feeling something was off. Could it be that Fang Qiu himself is a member of the Lu Shan Sect?" Agong pondered, furrowing his brow.
Long Feicheng stumbled into their group, cursing loudly:
"Serves them right! The Lu Shan Sect aided and abetted evil, spawned Fang Qiu, and now expects us to help deal with him!"
"Don't spout nonsense!" Yan Shouyi shot Long Feicheng a glare.
Long Feicheng coughed twice, an embarrassed smile on his face. "Then, Brother Yan, what's your take on this Fang Qiu situation?"
Yan Shouyi stated: "Fang Qiu hails from Four Symbols Mountain, and his techniques indeed bear many resemblances to the Lu Shan Sect's. However, this doesn't necessarily mean he's a member of the Lu Shan Sect. Remember, Elder Lu Jing is already the Grand Elder of the Lu Shan Sect, and he can only fight Fang Qiu to a draw. Who then taught Fang Qiu? Could it be the Sect Master of Lu Shan, Lu Jingsheng? I doubt even Lu Jingsheng has the skill to teach a disciple like Fang Qiu."
Everyone found Fang Qiu's identity and strength to be an enigma, impossible to decipher.
Yan Shouyi, however, harbored some nascent suspicions.
Lu Jing had long suspected Lu Jingsheng of collaborating with the Bai family but lacked concrete evidence.
Yan Shouyi's own gathered evidence suggested that certain individuals were indeed using Lu Shan Sect techniques to covertly aid the Bai family.
This person might not be Lu Jingsheng, but rather Fang Qiu and the power behind him!
Fang Qiu's techniques were too similar to the Lu Shan Sect's, which led him and Lu Jing to believe someone from the Lu Shan Sect was allied with the Bai family.
But then, who was the person behind Fang Qiu?
Was it a former powerful figure of the Lu Shan Sect?
If this powerful figure was still alive, why did they not remain with the Lu Shan Sect to protect the citizens of Rongcheng? Instead, they cultivated Four Symbols Mountain and allowed Fang Qiu to wreak havoc?
The answer to this question could likely only be obtained from Fang Qiu himself.
At this moment!
Lu Jing seized the opportunity and launched a torrential assault upon Fang Qiu.
Fang Qiu was forced to retreat, clearly at a disadvantage.
The others rejoiced. If Lu Jing defeated Fang Qiu, then everyone could focus their combined might on Bai Shixi!
However, Fang Qiu suddenly produced an embroidered shoe and sprayed his own blood onto it after biting his tongue!
The embroidered shoe emanated immense resentment, and mournful cries echoed around them.
Fang Qiu spoke in a sinister tone:
"Lu Jing, your summoned ghosts are formidable, but have you ever heard of a vengeful spirit known as Yin Hongniang?"
Lu Jing's face contorted, his voice filled with fury:
"You scoundrel! You truly stole our Lu Shan Sect's techniques! Cultivating Yin Hongniang is the Lu Shan Sect's greatest taboo!!"
As rage surged through him, Lu Jing unleashed all the ghosts he had summoned!
Various malevolent spirits, fierce ghosts, and wandering souls, numbering over thirty, all converged to protect Lu Jing!
This revealed just how deeply Lu Jing feared this Yin Hongniang.
"Brother Yan, what is Yin Hongniang?" Long Feicheng asked, bewildered. "Judging by Elder Lu Jing's reaction, this Yin Hongniang must be incredibly powerful, right?"
Yan Shouyi explained in a grave tone:
"The Lu Shan Sect excels in ghost manipulation. Among these, Yin Hongniang is considered the most ferocious ghost in the Lu Shan Sect's ancient texts. The conditions for cultivating such a spirit are extremely stringent: one must personally marry a woman who genuinely loves the caster. On the wedding day, the caster must kill his wife, dress her in bridal attire, and apply makeup. The intense resentment will transform the bride into Yin Hongniang!"
"Once formed, Yin Hongniang requires a daily tribute of living souls, and monthly, a pair of virgin boy and girl must be offered. As long as Yin Hongniang is appeased, she will obey the caster's commands implicitly, loving them as she did in life. However, if she is not fed enough... even the caster himself will be devoured, leaving not a single bone behind!"
"The method of refining Yin Hongniang is too cruel and violates all principles of humanity and morality, earning the wrath of heaven. Thus, the Lu Shan Sect listed this art as a forbidden technique. For nearly a century, there have been no legends of Yin Hongniang. Who would have thought that Fang Qiu managed to cultivate one!"
Upon hearing Yan Shouyi's explanation, everyone grew tense.
Could Elder Lu Jing withstand Yin Hongniang?
Would the advantage they had so hard-won be reversed because of Yin Hongniang?
As everyone watched with bated breath, a pair of pale hands emerged from behind Fang Qiu.
The fingers of those hands were incredibly slender, their nails painted a blood red.
The pale hands gently caressed Fang Qiu's cheek, and then, from behind him, a head emerged, covered by a red veil.
"Husband..." the woman whispered, her voice ethereal and chilling, sending shivers down their spines.
This was Yin Hongniang.
Clad in bridal attire, she radiated a terrifying aura of resentment.
"Hahahaha! What an unexpected delight! I never thought I'd witness Yin Hongniang today!"
Bai Shixi, currently engaged in battle with Liu Jingkang, suddenly exclaimed with excitement.
Even Bai Shixi, who had lived for centuries, considered Yin Hongniang a rarity.
Meanwhile, Fang Qiu himself looked somewhat stiff.
He had unleashed the ultimate weapon, Yin Hongniang, and even he harbored some fear of losing control over her.
Yin Hongniang softly inquired, "Husband, you haven't seen me for so long. I miss you dearly."
Fang Qiu shivered, then pointed towards Lu Jing ahead: "My dearest wife, it is this man who obstructs our reunion! Kill him for me, and we shall be together forever, inseparable!"
Yin Hongniang immediately turned her gaze towards Lu Jing.
Though her head was covered by the red veil, inexplicably, everyone felt two beams of red light flashing from beneath it!
A terrifying killing intent surged outwards.