The former Ghost King Liu Jingkang had fallen.
The Liu family was devastated, their voices choked with grief.
For hundreds of years, it was Liu Jingkang's protection that had allowed them to remain in the mortal realm.
Now, with Liu Jingkang's soul scattered to the winds, the Liu family would likely be torn apart. Stripped of their guardian, they might be forced into reincarnation.
Reincarnation meant the loss of past memories; they might never be a family again.
Liu Jiaren, nestled in Agong's embrace, wept uncontrollably.
Agong's heart ached.
He had come today to avenge the Liu family.
But Liu Jingkang had died instead.
Now, facing Bai Shixi, who had ascended to the rank of Ghost King, what were their chances of victory?
If they lost, they would all be annihilated, becoming sustenance for Bai Shixi.
They wouldn't even have a chance in their next lives!
"Brother Yan..."
Agong gritted his teeth and asked Yan Shouyi, "What should we do now?"
Everyone's eyes turned to Yan Shouyi.
Lu Jing, who had once held the highest prestige among them, was now too weak to fight. Thus, Yan Shouyi had become their rallying point.
Long Feicheng urged, "Brother Yan, give us some advice. Should we fight or flee? Just say something; everyone is counting on you..."
Under everyone's gaze, Yan Shouyi slowly spoke:
"If I say we fight, is anyone afraid?"
Liu Yong, a guard of the Liu family, immediately replied, "I am not afraid! Our ancestor's kindness to us is immense. Even if I must die, I will avenge him!!"
Liu Yong had a past conflict with Yan Shouyi, but when they met again, their differences had long been resolved.
Though not a true member of the Liu family, Liu Jingkang had treated him as family, inspiring Liu Yong's resolve.
The other members of the Liu family also voiced their determination, vowing not to retreat!
They swore to avenge Liu Jingkang!
"Bai Shixi is powerful. Even if we all fight with our lives, we might not win," Yan Shouyi stated gravely. "Even so, are you willing?"
Agong glanced at Liu Jiaren in his arms and nodded resolutely, "I don't care about the others, but I will fight to the very end."
A disciple of the Lu Shan Sect declared, "The Lu Shan Sect's duty is to vanquish demons and uphold righteousness. If we falter now, won't we become a laughingstock to outsiders?"
"Yes, we will never retreat!"
"If we have to fight to the death, so be it. If we cower now, we wouldn't have joined the Lu Shan Sect in the first place!"
"Mr. Yan, tell us how to fight, and we will obey!"
The disciples of the Lu Shan Sect were filled with righteous fervor, their fighting spirit even higher than before.
This was despite the fact that Bai Shixi was an opponent they could not possibly defeat.
Yan Shouyi closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
When he opened them, his body was enveloped in the Golden Light Divine Incantation!
Flames ignited in his eyes.
"Good! Then we fight!"
Yan Shouyi roared and, with his remaining right hand, pulled the Zankon Blade from the ground.
He raised the blade and shouted, "Everyone, charge Bai Shixi with all you've got!"
"Charge!!!"
The crowd, fueled by a mixture of grief and fury, unleashed an unprecedented surge of power.
They were united as never before!
However, after only a few steps, they were intercepted by Bai Yusheng's forces.
Bai Yusheng said with a smile, "Great-Grandfather, you just ascended to Ghost King status. Please don't trouble yourself. We will handle these fellows for you!"
Bai Yusheng's reinforcements were not to be underestimated. If they joined the fray, Yan Shouyi's side would likely lose half their numbers!
Yan Shouyi was anxious but showed no sign of retreating.
Just as they prepared to press forward, another change occurred!
The doors to the stairwell were suddenly kicked open, and beast-like figures poured out!
They bypassed Yan Shouyi and the others, lunging directly at Bai Yusheng's subordinates!
"Who... who are these creatures?!"
Bai Yusheng's expression changed; he couldn't immediately identify the newcomers.
But Yan Shouyi recognized them.
These sudden apparitions were zombies!
Yan Shouyi's mind snapped back into focus.
The 44th floor of Ping An Building was the place where Luo Ning and Zhong Qi raised their corpses!
He turned to look at Luo Ning, who had a faint smile on her lips. She said casually, "My uncle taught me to always have a backup plan. I've been raising these zombies in Ping An Building for a long time. I never expected them to be useful today."
Long Feicheng exclaimed excitedly, "Sister Luo Ning, this isn't just a backup plan; this is a full-blown offensive!"
These zombies, fearless of death and pain, were far more difficult to deal with than ghosts.
Bai Yusheng's subordinates, already exhausted from being trapped in formations and ambushed by spirits, some even injured, were caught completely off guard by the appearance of the zombies.
Seeing this, Yan Shouyi quickly signaled for everyone to bypass Bai Yusheng's men and surround Bai Shixi!
At the same time, Yan Shouyi sensed something amiss.
If Bai Shixi had truly ascended to Ghost King, Bai Yusheng's earlier actions would have been entirely unnecessary.
Why would he have his subordinates needlessly sacrifice themselves instead of letting Bai Shixi handle it directly?
Aside from a few powerful individuals like Yan Shouyi, killing others should have been as easy as swatting flies for Bai Shixi.
There had to be a trick to this!
Bai Shixi must have a weakness!
If he could find that weakness, he could defeat Bai Shixi!
At this moment, everyone had charged up the stairs and surrounded Bai Shixi.
Bai Shixi's colossal frame made everyone else appear insignificantly small.
Yet, even so, no one showed any intention of retreating!
"A bunch of suicidal trash!"
Bai Shixi sneered and said coldly, "With just you lot, you dare challenge a Ghost King!"
The Liu family, their enmity with Bai Shixi absolute, was the first to charge.
Dozens of paper figures leaped onto Bai Shixi. Those with weapons used them; those without bit with their teeth.
Bai Shixi seemed to have stirred a hornet's nest.
But he showed no fear.
"Get off!"
With a low growl, Bai Shixi unleashed a tremor that shook most of the Liu family off him.
A few of the more resilient Liu family members clung to Bai Shixi, but the paper effigies they inhabited quickly shattered.
Liu Yong scrambled onto Bai Shixi's back, a sharp knife in his hand, and fiercely stabbed towards the back of Bai Shixi's neck.
But Bai Shixi merely reached out with a hand, caught the knife barehanded, and then, with a slight exertion of force, disarmed him.
Liu Yong refused to give up and attempted to bite Bai Shixi.
Bai Shixi, somewhat angered, swatted at Liu Yong as if he were a mosquito!
*Splat!*
Liu Yong could not withstand such power. Bai Shixi crushed his soul with a single palm strike!
Before he could even scream, his soul was scattered to the winds!
"Liu Yong!"
Seeing Liu Yong's soul dispersed, the Liu family's fury was further ignited.
As Bai Shixi was about to deal with the remaining Liu family members, the disciples of the Lu Shan Sect had their spells ready.
Various talismans burned in their hands, and spells of all colors struck Bai Shixi.
However, their cultivation was ultimately insufficient. Though Bai Shixi felt pain, he was not injured.
"You have never seen a Ghost King and do not know our power. I shall make you pay the price!"
Bai Shixi roared, his body suddenly exploding into a mass of black mist that enveloped everyone!
The Lu Shan disciples corrupted by the black mist let out agonizing cries.
Their skin rapidly rotted, they spat black mist from their mouths, and soon collapsed powerlessly to the ground!
"Everyone cover your mouths and noses and run outside!"