As for Lei Dong, he seemed to be heading toward Li Chang'an, but how could the Ghost Shadow Evasion Technique be judged by common sense? After the battle with Baili Yun, Lei Dong’s understanding and application of the Ghost Shadow Evasion had ascended to an entirely new plane. Coupled with his current cultivation at the tenth level of Qi Refining, his deployment of the technique was nearly flawless in its cunning, shifting and elusive, yet always maintaining a considerable distance from his target.

Amidst the fluid motions, the Myriad Ghost Banner had been drawn into his hand at some unknown moment. With spectral quickness, over two hundred malevolent ghosts surged forth in a dense swarm, forming a black tide in the sky. With continuous spectral shrieks, they lunged at Li Chang'an, claws and fangs bared. The Phantom Ghost Guards were equally treacherous, coalescing into a mist, mingling perfectly within the horde of ghosts, making them indistinguishable as members of the ghostly tide.

Ding Wanyan also knew that although Li Chang'an had only managed to reach the third level of Foundation Establishment at such an advanced age, any old demon who managed to linger this long must possess certain hidden capabilities. Thus, she harbored no intention of holding back her true strength. As she manifested the Yin Fiend Great Method, translucent fiendish energy spread out to cover a radius of ten zhang. With a delicate pinch of her slender hand, the high-grade artifact Vermilion Bird Mirror, which she hadn't used against Dongfang Fu, appeared in her grasp.

She had spent considerable time refining this Vermilion Bird Mirror, but this was the very first time she was employing it in actual combat. As she skillfully executed the necessary hand seals, the ancient and exquisitely patterned mirror erupted in intense firelight, causing her long hair to whip wildly about her face, her expression one of extreme gravity.

Suddenly, amidst a flicker of crimson light, a magnificent bird, its entire body enveloped in a faint, shimmering flame, materialized before her. Its form bore a distinct resemblance to the legendary Vermilion Bird.

"Go!"

With a sharp cry from Ding Wanyan, the crimson bird flared its flames, beat its wings once, and shot towards Li Chang'an with incredible speed.

Li Chang'an, having initially heard from a distance that two Qi Refining cultivators intended to slaughter him, had turned pale with rage. However, upon seeing these two—one wielding a ghost-controlling art to summon a Ghost Guard, and the other even more egregious, conjuring a firebird of immense power from a bronze mirror—he immediately recognized their might. Their aura was in no way inferior to that of an ordinary cultivator at the second or third level of Foundation Establishment. His expression instantly grew stern, daring not to show the slightest carelessness.

He roared in response, and the surrounding Yin Fiend energy permeated the air. It was the same Yin Fiend Great Method, but its oppressive power seemed several notches above Ding Wanyan's. This was understandable; although Li Chang'an's innate talent was far inferior to a bewitching figure like Ding Wanyan, he was, after all, at the third level of Foundation Establishment and had lived for over a hundred years. Though his cultivation prevented him from unleashing the full might of the Yin Fiend Great Method, it was assuredly superior to Ding Wanyan's application.

A Foundation Establishment cultivator naturally possessed the dignity of their rank, especially since Li Chang'an hailed from the Imperial Clan lineage, not some haphazard rogue cultivator. He would certainly not be intimidated by two mere Qi Refining juniors. Instantly, he drew in his fiendish aura, condensing it into several thin, semi-transparent Yin Fiend Blades. With a casual wave, the fiend blades danced forth, striking toward the senior sister and junior brother pair.

Wang Kang had initially thought Lei Dong was speaking recklessly by volunteering to challenge Li Chang'an alongside Ding Wanyan. But seeing the formidable power of their respective spells, and with Lei Dong having a Ghost Guard in support, he finally let go of some anxiety. Nevertheless, Ding Wanyan was simply too vital to the Myriad Ghost Cave to risk her safety. He drifted closer, remaining ready to intervene if either of the two faced danger, though he did not immediately engage.

Wu Di, at the second level of Foundation Establishment, turned back to address the cluster of Qi Refining disciples. "You lot, go slaughter those rogue cultivators. Kill as many as you can for practice. Fifth Martial Uncle will cover your rear to prevent anyone from fleeing and becoming future trouble."

Chen Ge and the others, bolstered by the presence of a Foundation Establishment martial uncle overseeing them, grew bolder, their faces alight with excitement. They descended with predatory grins, activating their movement techniques. The rogue cultivators below, who had just shaken off their stupor and emerged to see what the commotion was, lacked any unified command. The impulsive ones rushed forward headlong, while the cunning ones, sensing the unfavorable situation, began to contemplate retreat.

Chen Ge and his companions were all disciples of the Imperial Clan; both their cultivation methods and magical artifacts far surpassed those of the rogues scrabbling through the mundane world. Moreover, the three of them were strong—two at the seventh level of Qi Refining, one at the tenth. Compared to the majority below, who were mostly at the fourth or fifth level, they held a distinct advantage. Their only fear was if the rogues could somehow rally and fight together. If they remained scattered, they would inevitably be picked off one by one.

Facing those attempting to flee, Wu Di let out a few sinister cackles. He tapped his fingers in quick succession, unleashing a storm of shadowy blue finger strikes. Hiss, hiss, hiss—like venomous snakes darting in separate directions, they shot toward the retreating low-level rogue cultivators.

"Foundation Establishment cultivator, Spirit Slaughtering Finger!"

The knowledgeable rogues cried out in a mixture of terror and despair. While many within the Yin Fiend Sect might employ the Spirit Slaughtering Finger, it was, in fact, a complementary finger technique within the Profound Yin Great Method, though it could be cultivated independently. Even throughout the entire cultivation world, the Spirit Slaughtering Finger was recognized as an elite-tier finger technique. When mastered to its depth, it could, in an instant, erupt into a brilliant and dense curtain of shadowy blue light, akin to fireworks, covering the sky and earth like a genuine downpour, countless streams without end. It seemed capable of slaughtering millions of living beings in a single moment—hence its name.

If not for this, even Dongfang Fu’s primary cultivation technique would not have included a spell like the Spirit Slaughtering Finger. Baili Yun, whom Lei Dong had dispatched, also specialized in the Spirit Slaughtering Finger as his core enemy-killing technique.

While Yin Fiend Sect disciples could cultivate it by accumulating contribution points, it didn't mean rogue cultivators could. The Sect maintained extremely strict control over its methods. Any individual outside the Yin Fiend Sect found to be practicing proprietary Sect techniques would be hunted down, even to the ends of the earth or into the lairs of other sects, and forcibly captured. They would be subjected to Soul Searching Arts to extract the origins of the technique. If it was discovered that a Yin Fiend Sect disciple had leaked it, that disciple would truly be finished—even a quick death would be a luxury, and moreover, their entire clan would be implicated.

Puff, puff, puff~

The might wielded by a Foundation Establishment cultivator employing the Spirit Slaughtering Finger was not to be trifled with. The dozen or so sapphire light beams shot out, dividing toward the three Qi Refining cultivators. Not only was their cultivation low, but their defensive shields were also severely dilapidated. Under the impact of the Spirit Slaughtering Finger, all defenses shattered upon contact, pierced by the light beams, resulting in immediate death.

This display of power struck the remaining rogue cultivators from the Wanxi Li Family with utter terror. Their fighting strength, originally at one hundred percent, was reduced to less than seventy, let alone the ability to unite and fight back with high morale. With the battle devolving into disarray, the trio of Zuo Chao, Chen Ge, and Wei Hua moved like tigers entering a flock of sheep, each dispatching one or two in the blink of an eye. Zuo Chao wielded a high-grade flying sword. Chen Ge and Wei Hua, under Lei Dong's tacit protection, were also faring well. One utilized a swallow-tailed artifact burning with flame, agilely darting above and below in the air, seizing opportunities to claim lives. The other held a crimson banner exuding a foul, bloody stench, incessantly erupting with clouds of red blood mist. Anyone caught within it would struggle in vain before their protective shield and body were instantly melted into a pool of blood.

All three wielded high-grade artifacts, items that many rogue cultivators might never afford even after a lifetime of striving. Unable to cooperate, they stood no chance against three high-level sect disciples wielding superior artifacts, moving like a hungry pack of wolves. The battle seemed on the verge of collapse. Such fighting prowess was a stark reminder that their earlier worries had been largely unfounded. Rogue cultivators were just that—rogues; few ever managed to truly rise to prominence.

Given her status and cultivation, Dongfang Fu found it beneath her dignity to engage such petty skirmishes. However, seeing that Li Chang'an was proving quite formidable—protected by a black fire shield swirling around him that incinerated the charging malevolent ghosts one by one, while his Black Flame Sword relentlessly pursued Lei Dong, forcing him into continuous evasive maneuvers—she knew she needed to act.

Simultaneously, Li Chang'an had to deploy various techniques of the Yin Fiend Great Method, using fiend blades and yin lightning against the joint assault of the Ghost Guard and the firebird, as well as Ding Wanyan's endless stream of condensed fiend lightning and Yin Fiend Palms. Although his defense appeared somewhat strained, he was managing to hold his ground.

Likely worried that she would arrive only to be useless and have made the trip for naught, Dongfang Fu, enveloped in profound yin cold air, darted into the fray with lightning speed. Mimicking Wu Di’s earlier action, she let out a sharp cry and rapidly pressed her fingers down, instantly causing light pillars to shoot out brilliantly in all directions, like blooming fireworks. In the next moment, more than a dozen Spirit Slaughtering Finger strikes arced gracefully, showering down upon Li Chang'an like rain of sapphire light.

...M