Myron and I were startled awake, exchanging a glance.
“What’s going on? The mountain bell at this hour?” Myron asked suspiciously.
My expression darkened slightly. I quickly grabbed my clothes, saying, “This is an alarm bell. Something’s happened. Let’s go see!”
With that, I rushed out of the tent.
As soon as I stepped out, I saw figures emerging from the surrounding tents.
“What’s happening?”
“Why is the alarm bell ringing?”
“…”
As everyone muttered in confusion, I noticed black mist surging up from the mountainside. The mist spread like a tide, constantly advancing from the foot to the peak. The air was thick with a heavy, sinister aura.
“What is this black mist? Such a strong sinister aura!”
“And so much corpse qi… Could it be the Demon Cult attacking the mountain?”
“…”
People around me speculated, none of us knowing what was truly happening. Uncle-Master, Jiang Ye, Bai Lao, and others also rushed out from our sides, joining us.
“Uncle-Master!”
“Master!”
“…”
Myron and I called out. Uncle-Master nodded, “Be careful, everyone. This sudden alarm bell means something serious has occurred.”
As Uncle-Master spoke, a lama monk from Kumu Temple rushed from the back of the mountain, saying, “Everyone, this is bad! The Demon Cult’s specters are attacking the mountain and have already reached the foothills. Please prepare yourselves to descend and meet the enemy.”
The lama’s accent was heavy, but everyone understood him. Upon hearing this, faces registered surprise, followed by a surge of killing intent.
“Well done, Demon Cult. We didn’t make a move, and you’ve come to our doorstep first.”
“Bai Shu Guan disciples, heed my command! Follow me down the mountain!”
“Maoshan disciples, assemble!”
“Cang Lan Guan disciples, descend quickly to meet the enemy!”
“…”
In an instant, the entire back of the mountain echoed with the rallying and commands of various sects and factions. Uncle-Master said without hesitation, “Let’s go. We’ll descend and take a look.”
“Yes!” The three of us responded, grabbing our weapons and following him down. Bai Lao, Jiang Ye, and others also followed.
Soon, the descending crowd formed a tide, rushing towards the foothills. Everywhere I looked, there were people. Disciples from various sects and factions were present, some familiar faces. For instance, Li Cong from Xiao Yue Guan, Kong Ming from Shaolin, and Zhang Zhi from Kongtong. Although I recognized them, we had no prior interactions, so no greetings were exchanged.
The further down we went, the denser the black mist became. The stench of blood and death grew heavier. Simultaneously, sounds of combat and the explosive crackle of talismans could be heard from the mountain below, one after another. Thuds and bangs echoed continuously, punctuated by the low growls of some monstrous creatures.
We were among the first to reach the mountain’s foot. Upon arrival, we saw specters floating within the black mist. They hung suspended, dense and ever-increasing in number. At the front lines, these specters were already engaged in combat with the Kongtong elder who had guarded the mountain gate, Daoist Nian Hua, and other disciples.
In addition to the specters hovering around, there were also ground-dwelling creatures resembling large frogs, with blood-red mouths. I had seen these monsters before, during our encounter at the Black Demon Palace. They were all corpse beasts, slaves refined by the Black Demon forces for combat.
On the ground, seven or eight bodies of fellow cultivators lay being torn apart by these monsters, blood splattered everywhere.
“Roar!”
Dozens of specters and seven or eight corpse beasts roared, lunging at Daoist Nian Hua and the remaining dozen or so individuals. Seeing this, Daoist Nian Hua drew his sword and charged, his voice low, “As long as I am here, you shall not set foot on this mountain!”
“Immeasurable Heaven, we fight to defend the Way!”
“Demons, cease your insolence!”
“…”
The remaining dozen or so people did not retreat an inch, roaring their defiance and engaging the enemy. Witnessing this, Uncle-Master’s expression turned grim. “Kill!” he commanded. With that, Uncle-Master brandished his broadsword and charged into the horde of specters and beasts.
Without a word, I formed hand seals and roared, “Heaven and Earth without limit, Yin and Yang lend me power, Decree!” Three wooden swords flew forth, piercing the specter ranks. Myron let out a low growl, “You fiends, let me, the Son of Light, pass judgment upon you!” As he spoke, the wooden axe in his hand crackled with electricity, arcs of lightning flashing. Xiao Yao also swung her long sword, activating the Heavenly Constellation Fire Art, and a humming red flame surged onto her blade. The three of us from our sect instantly unleashed our abilities and signature techniques, earning astonished glances from the fellow cultivators rushing behind us.
In a flash, we reached the front lines. Uncle-Master’s broadsword cleaved through a corpse beast, spraying black blood. The creature let out a pained cry before its body rotted away into black liquid. Myron’s lightning axe struck, accompanied by crackling current, and two white-robed specters were instantly electrocuted, their souls scattered. My three swords shot out, controlled in the air. In a single exchange, they pierced ten specters. Xiao Yao’s Heavenly Constellation Fire Art, honed through diligent practice, was now formidable. Each sword strike carried fiery power, overwhelming the lesser specters. Behind us, Bai Lao, wielding his fire-controlling fan, Jiang Ye, holding his black iron ruler, and disciples from various sects began to arrive. However, I noticed that beyond the mist, there seemed to be more specters and corpse beasts, inactive, waiting for their moment to strike.