"You Lan Lu, like tearful eyes... Nothing to tie a lovers' knot, fireworks are too fragile to cut... Grass like a mat, pines like a canopy. Wind as my robe, water as my pendant... Painted carriage, waiting at dusk. Cold green lamp, toiling with light... Below Xiling, the wind blows the rain..."
Amidst Mount Longhu, a strange song suddenly rang out.
The voice was exceptionally ethereal, fluctuating between sharp and deep, not like a living person humming. Just hearing it sent shivers down one's spine, truly eerie.
The sound echoed through every corner of Mount Longhu.
Zhang Sishui, recuperating in the back mountain, and Liu Yiren, accompanying him, both heard the sound.
Zhang Sishui was now emaciated, completely lacking the vigor of the past two days, as if he had aged decades overnight.
He didn't even have the strength to drink water.
Liu Yiren, who had been attending to Zhang Sishui, instinctively stood up upon hearing the song, saying vigilantly, "Master, this song..."
"They... have arrived." Zhang Sishui, lying in bed, turned his head, his hollow eyes looking out the window.
"Who has arrived?"
"A group of demon-touched."
Liu Yiren became nervous. "How dare they be so bold as to cause trouble on Mount Longhu?"
Zhang Sishui sighed and said to Liu Yiren, "Yiren, go find the Heavenly Master. Go lend him a hand."
Liu Yiren hesitated. "But Master, you..."
"This master is already gravely ill, no different from a dead man. I don't need your care anymore." Zhang Sishui said self-mockingly.
"Isn't the Old Heavenly Master your sworn enemy?"
"No, the Heavenly Master is the person I respect most in my heart," Zhang Sishui said gravely. "I merely coveted the position of Heavenly Master... Yiren, don't mind me. Today is a great calamity for Mount Longhu. The Heavenly Master has prepared for this for a long time. Go."
Liu Yiren understood Zhang Sishui's intention. She silently covered him with a quilt, then, carrying two ghost-catching rods, she cast one last look at Zhang Sishui before running out into the pouring rain.
Zhang Sishui weakly closed his eyes, a hint of parting sorrow appearing on his face.
...
Yan Shouyi and others also heard the singing.
"Is this the Nuo Ghost Play?" Lin Zitong looked around, trying to locate the source of the song.
Long Feicheng frowned. "What are they singing? It doesn't sound good!"
"This is 'Su Xiaoxiao's Tomb' by Li He, the Poet Ghost of the Tang Dynasty," He Xiping explained.
"It sounds creepy. I'm already breaking out in a cold sweat," Old Jin grumbled. "This stuff really isn't meant for living people!"
Yan Shouyi's expression turned serious. "What is coming is finally here. Everyone, be prepared."
Everyone gripped their weapons tightly.
They stood in a state of readiness.
"Report!!!!"
At that moment, a flustered disciple of Mount Longhu ran over. Before he even reached Zhang Shanli, he tripped and tumbled several times on the ground, finally being grabbed by Zhang Shanli.
The disciple had a bloody head but reported immediately:
"Hall Master, great trouble! There are tens of thousands of malevolent ghosts, thousands of zombies, and countless demon-touched below the mountain. They are charging up the mountain like madmen!"
Zhang Shanli's pupils constricted. He had anticipated a significant event that night, but he hadn't expected it to be this massive!
The power of this New Xuan Mountain Sect had actually grown to such an extent!
However, Zhang Shanli did not panic. Their strength at Mount Longhu was not weak. At this moment, there were many elites from various sects within the mountain, and the Old Heavenly Master had already sent them a message. Together, they would surely be able to eliminate all the demon-touched!
Thus, Zhang Shanli immediately ordered, "All disciples are to gather at the Ten Thousand Dharma Altar to prepare for the eradication of demons and the upholding of righteousness!"
"Yes!"
Abbess Guanyun also turned her head and said to the Emei disciples she brought, "You have cultivated for a thousand days; today is when you must put it to use. Are you willing to act?!"
Ling Xiaoxiao immediately knelt down. "Exterminating demons and eradicating evil is the sacred duty of our generation!"
"Very well, all of you, gather at the Ten Thousand Dharma Altar!"
Lu Jing also issued a similar order.
At this moment, everyone looked at Yan Shouyi. Long Feicheng excitedly shouted, "Brother Yan, what about us?!"
To everyone's surprise, Yan Shouyi shook his head and said in a deep voice, "We are not going to the Ten Thousand Dharma Altar."
Everyone was astonished. Wang Jiwang couldn't help but advise, "Although the traditional sects look down on us, we cannot stand idly by when our neighbors are in trouble!"
"Yan Shouyi, this isn't like you," Luo Ning also expressed her confusion.
Lin Zitong said nothing, quietly waiting for Yan Shouyi's explanation.
Yan Shouyi then said, "Those below the mountain are merely pawns. They don't require our intervention. I will take you to a place... a place a hundred times more dangerous than below the mountain. I wonder if you are willing to accompany me."
Upon hearing Yan Shouyi's words, everyone fell silent.
What place could be more dangerous than tens of thousands of malevolent ghosts, thousands of zombies, and countless demon-touched?
Wouldn't going there be suicidal?
Long Feicheng gulped, then gritted his teeth. "Brother Yan, although my strength isn't much, I can block a knife for you at a crucial moment. Wherever you go, I go!"
A Gong said, "We all came up the mountain together, and we'll go down together. No matter where we go, we'll be together."
"That's right! As long as we're together, we can charge through mountains of knives and seas of fire!" Wang Jiwang shouted.
"Let's kick their asses!" Zhao Yiyao was as straightforward and rough as ever.
Everyone unanimously agreed to follow Yan Shouyi on an adventure. Yan Shouyi wasted no more time. "Alright, everyone, follow me!"
After a brief discussion, they decided to let Lin Zitong and Zhang Shantong stay behind to protect Old Jin and Wang Zhilai, who were incapable of fighting.
Lin Zitong did not resist this arrangement. She knew she was injured, and going to a dangerous place would only make her a burden.
Moreover, she believed Yan Shouyi would be safe.
Thus, the group split into three paths: those staying in the courtyard, those going down the mountain to eliminate demons and uphold righteousness, and Yan Shouyi's group acting alone.
Leaving the courtyard, he headed straight for the dungeon!
He knew Xi Zi's plan.
They would use those demon-touched from the New Xuan Mountain Sect to attract most of the attention.
They would surely send an elite squad to infiltrate the depths of Mount Longhu and break into the dungeon!
Therefore, Yan Shouyi's destination was the dungeon of Mount Longhu!
The so-called malevolent ghosts, zombies, and demon-touched tonight were mere grunts.
Only those heading to the dungeon were the main characters!