On the surface of the imperial mausoleum, the Gou Di Yin Suo tightly locked all enemies, rendering them immobile.
Li Chongxi, all by himself, was holding back over a dozen opponents, plus three ferocious ghost kings!
Only then did everyone realize the strength of this tomb guardian.
During the years Li Chongxi spent guarding the tomb, he had much free time. He often exchanged knowledge with inheritors of other folk sects, gradually learning their skills.
Of course, others only taught Li Chongxi mere fragments of their arts, as these were the ultimate techniques of their respective families.
The reason for Li Chongxi’s formidable ability was entirely due to his years of dedicated study!
In fact, some of his ultimate techniques had long deviated from their originals, becoming Li Chongxi’s own unique moves, entirely developed by himself!
Li Chongxi suppressed the crowd, his eyes filled with fury.
It was these scoundrels!
Their hearts were corrupt, swayed by his son, Li Genmiao. For their own selfish gain, they had turned on their own kin!
Although the folk sects were passed down through single lineages, over the years, different schools had inevitably branched out.
For instance, if a master taught his skills to a disciple, and that disciple then betrayed the sect and fled into the martial world, the master would have to train another. The elder disciple who fled might well establish new branches elsewhere, eventually forming another school.
But no matter the school, they all originated from the same root. Even if they flowed with different bloodlines, their shared skills should have bound them more closely than blood. They should have been one family!
Now, seeing them fight amongst themselves, Li Chongxi’s heartache was indescribable.
“Wake up, all of you!”
Li Chongxi, his grip locking them down, said in a deep voice, “What good does killing your fellow disciples bring you? Do you really believe Li Genmiao’s nonsense?”
However, the Twenty-Eight Constellations did not heed Li Chongxi’s words. They continued to resist, finding the old man named Li exceedingly bothersome.
Li Chongxi stared at them and suddenly understood. Perhaps he was not the one destined to unite the folk sects.
That person… should be Yan Shouyi, shouldn’t he?
No wonder Yin Tang had called him repeatedly in the past few days, constantly mentioning Yan Shouyi…
However, if Yan Shouyi were to form a power, he would inevitably become an opponent of his own son, Li Genmiao.
Two forces clashing, one must fall.
Who would die then, Yan Shouyi or his son, Li Genmiao?
Li Chongxi sighed heavily.
These were not questions he should be considering now.
“Senior Li, we are trapped within the Myriad Ghost Burial,” Agong returned, reminding Li Chongxi.
Chu Wu had already led his men into the imperial mausoleum, with Shi Jing and Yu Jinhong close behind. If they could not enter the mausoleum to provide support, Yan Shouyi would undoubtedly face immense pressure.
Thus, everyone was growing anxious.
Li Chongxi glanced back, gritted his teeth, and diverted some of his energy.
He reached into his robes and pulled out a string of paper figures. These paper figures were also holding hands, appearing to be a magical artifact for activating the Myriad Ghost Burial!
The only difference was that these paper figures were crimson and black, emitting an unpleasant stench.
Agong’s expression changed. The paper figures for the Myriad Ghost Burial required the souls of living people to be sealed within them.
Had Senior Li done the same?!
As if sensing Agong’s suspicion, Li Chongxi explained, “This technique of mine is not the Myriad Ghost Burial, but a move developed specifically to counter it. The paper figures contain no souls, only black dog blood used against evil spirits.”
Li Chongxi not only studied the ultimate techniques of various sects but also researched how to counter them.
After hearing the explanation, Agong was utterly impressed by Li Chongxi.
Senior Li possessed such talent, such intellect, and such perseverance, yet he was confined to guarding the imperial mausoleum, day after day, for decades. This was too cruel for him.
If Senior Li had been able to leave the imperial mausoleum, perhaps the history of the Xuanmen over the past few decades would have been altered by him!
Agong couldn’t help but ponder further: Senior Li was so formidable, his son Li Genmiao must also be extraordinary.
Li Genmiao’s ability to establish the Xin Xuan Shan sect and force the death of the Old Heavenly Master Zhang Yin, made him a formidable figure to some extent. However, Agong had never directly confronted Li Genmiao, so he had no clear perception of his strength.
Now, witnessing Li Chongxi’s prowess, Agong instinctively raised his estimation of Li Genmiao’s capabilities several notches.
Li Chongxi instructed:
“My technique can carve a path out of the grand formation’s blockade of the Myriad Ghost Burial. You must seize this opportunity to leave. Once outside, pursue into the imperial mausoleum. Do not look back; leave the matters on the surface to me!”
“Understood!”
Agong turned, conveying the message to the others, signaling them to prepare.
Li Chongxi then cast the paper figures, chanting incantations.
The string of paper figures flew towards the barrier, forming an archway that precisely isolated the power of the Myriad Ghost Burial, creating a small passage that required one to bend over to pass through.
Tiny beads of sweat dotted Li Chongxi’s forehead, indicating that the task was not easy for him:
“Hurry!”
“Go!”
The group, in single file, quickly passed through the passage, finally escaping the Myriad Ghost Burial!
Agong called out again, “Time is of the essence, we cannot turn back. Quickly enter the imperial mausoleum!”
Every second spent within the imperial mausoleum was hard-won by Li Chongxi and the other folk sect inheritors; not a moment could be wasted.
Seeing that everyone had entered the imperial mausoleum, Li Chongxi let out a sigh of relief. The escape passage could not be maintained for more than a second longer, and the crimson and black paper figures instantly turned to ash.
“Damn old man!” The enemies cursed. “If we weren’t considering you are Li Genmiao’s father, we would have killed you long ago!”
Old man?
Li Chongxi’s anger flared. His previously somewhat frail body suddenly straightened considerably.
“Li Genmiao is my son, since when am I inferior to my son?” Li Chongxi roared. “Whatever fear Li Genmiao instilled in you, I will double it today! I will show you, impudent juniors, what a true tomb guardian is!”
Li Chongxi, in his fury, was like an aged, fierce lion. Though showing signs of weariness, his might remained as formidable as ever!
A tempest was about to sweep across the surface of the imperial mausoleum, a tempest mixed with the scent of blood, more violent and ferocious than the current downpour.
For the one raining down this storm was not the clouds in the sky, but the tomb guardian – Li Chongxi!