Old Mo's protective talisman was indeed powerful.
After its release, it directly severed one of the headless fiend's arms.
However, this headless fiend was also an extremely formidable entity.
Even so, it wasn't dead yet.
It slowly got back up, its hatred towards us reaching an extreme.
The malevolent energy it emanated made the surroundings exceptionally cold.
Mo Ting and I felt immense pressure.
It was as if a large stone was pressing down on our chests, making it incredibly uncomfortable.
Breathing even became difficult.
The headless fiend, now enraged, lunged ferociously at Mo Ting:
"Brat, I'm going to tear you apart!"
"Old Mo, dodge quickly!"
I shouted a reminder, my heart filled with anxiety.
Mo Ting also reacted.
Now that the protective talisman was gone, Mo Ting had lost his confidence.
While he spoke in a dramatic fashion, he wasn't actually foolish.
Without the talisman, rushing forward to fight the headless fiend one-on-one was no different from seeking death.
Mo Ting turned and ran towards me.
My face was etched with worry as I glanced at the straw effigy on the ground.
I noticed the straw effigy, still emitting black smoke, suddenly stir.
Its body was visibly trembling.
Its arms, tied with withered grass, retracted beneath the parasol leaves.
It was as if the straw effigy was coming to life.
Seeing this, I showed a hint of surprise.
Master had said that as long as the straw effigy hadn't moved, I absolutely must not stop circling.
Now that the straw effigy had moved, I could stop.
Mo Ting was being pursued by the headless fiend, and I didn't hesitate.
Grabbing the peach wood sword beside me, I charged forward.
Just as the headless fiend caught up to Mo Ting and was about to strike his head with its claw,
I swung my sword and cleaved towards its ghostly claw.
The headless fiend's numerous eyes fixed on me, and it let out a cold snort.
It had no choice but to retract its ghostly claw and raise its hand to grasp the peach wood sword I swung.
It didn't let go, even as the yang energy from the peach wood sword burned it.
"Brat, I won't be lenient with you anymore!"
After speaking, the tongues all over its body extended, attempting to entwine me.
Terrified, I quickly let go and retreated rapidly.
I took out the Bagua mirror I carried for protection.
And at this very moment.
The straw effigy, previously pinned to the ground by parasol leaves, suddenly sprang up.
From behind me, it charged directly towards the headless fiend.
The straw effigy was not large, but its speed was incredibly fast.
I only saw a black shadow flash, and the straw effigy landed a punch on the headless fiend's chest.
With a "crack," it directly blew out one of the headless fiend's eyes.
The headless fiend was also sent flying back more than three meters by that punch.
It landed on the ground once again.
Mo Ting and I watched, both utterly shocked.
Merely a straw effigy, yet now it could move and was so ferocious.
With one punch, it had sent the headless fiend flying.
Was this the power of high-level Taoist magic? Puppet technique?
Even from dozens of miles away, it could perform rituals to subdue demons?
At this moment, I felt that Master was truly formidable.
The straw effigy didn't pause; black mist still emanated from its entire body.
It was similar to the headless fiend, which was also shrouded in black energy.
It leaped up again and charged towards the headless fiend, its fist smashing down.
The headless fiend's many eyes widened in fear, and its body quickly dodged to the side.
As a result, the straw effigy's punch landed directly on the concrete ground.
"Bang!" The concrete ground was cracked by the impact.
"Damn! This is too strong!"
I gasped, exclaiming in surprise.
Mo Ting beside me also gaped in astonishment, looking at the straw effigy in disbelief.
Meanwhile, the headless fiend had stabilized itself.
It looked at the straw effigy and said fiercely:
"Puppet technique!"
Then, it raised its single claw and swiped at the straw effigy.
The straw effigy and the headless fiend directly engaged in a fierce struggle.
Mo Ting and I did not flee.
Instead, we picked up the peach wood swords again and circled around, looking for an opportunity.
Master had made it very clear on the phone.
If this fiend was not repelled, no matter how we ran or escaped tonight, it would be useless.
The distance to the shop was dozens of miles, so seeking Master's protection was impossible in a short time.
There was no escape…
We had to fight for survival, to risk everything for a chance at life.
After more than ten exchanges, the headless fiend had been hit three times by the straw effigy.
Each punch caused the headless fiend to howl in agony.
However, the straw effigy itself, whether it wasn't tied securely enough, or because straw made from weeds was less effective than that made from rice stalks.
The straw effigy was fierce, but each strike shed a few blades of grass.
At this rate, it might fall apart in a short while.
But fortunately, the headless fiend was being suppressed.
At this pace, it should only take another minute or two for the headless fiend to be completely defeated.
Filled with joy, I thought to myself about Master's profound Taoist arts.
Upon returning, I must study diligently under him.
I aimed to master this "puppet technique" of controlling straw effigies as soon as possible.
At this moment, the headless fiend was hit by the straw effigy again, its body recoiling repeatedly.
From the large mouth on its belly, it suddenly spat out a mouthful of black energy.
It let out "ah ah" screams.
As soon as that black energy was expelled, the black energy emanating from its body significantly weakened.
The eyes all over its body also exploded in succession, with six of them bursting instantly.
Now, only about five remained.
Mo Ting and I were both seizing the opportunity.
Holding our peach wood swords, we fiercely stabbed towards the headless fiend's back.
We shouted in unison:
"Die!"
The headless fiend was shaken and retreated repeatedly.
We also attacked from behind, so it was unable to dodge at this moment.
With two "whooshing" sounds, our peach wood swords.
Pierced through the headless fiend's back, pinning it in place.
"So, so painful…"
The headless fiend cried out, struggling a few times, appearing to be in great agony.
But then, four grass roots shot out from the straw effigy.
Accurately and precisely, they all pierced the headless fiend's eyes.
The last five eyes, "bang bang bang bang," four of them exploded in quick succession, splashing black blood everywhere.
The headless fiend screamed in pain as it thrashed…
The straw effigy controlled by Master was attacking the headless fiend's eyes with every strike.
It seemed as if the headless fiend's Taoist cultivation and strength were related to these eyes on its body?
It must be correct, the headless fiend's weakness was its eyes.
In the blink of an eye, with the explosion of four eyeballs.
The headless fiend was left with only the last, and largest, eye on its left chest.
At this moment, the straw effigy leaped into the air, with a "whoosh."
Raising its withered grass fist, it smashed towards the headless fiend's last eyeball…