I activated the Bagua mirror with my Taoist methods.
The Bagua mirror flashed a yellow light, forcing the water ghost back.
On the bank, several people noticed a sudden flash underwater.
Then, the vortex that had suddenly appeared disappeared.
However, it was broad daylight, and it wasn't clear.
Many people thought it was an illusion and didn't pay much attention.
They also breathed a sigh of relief at the disappearance of the vortex.
But I, underwater, seized the opportunity and quickly swam towards the two drowning youths.
Swiftly, I grabbed the two, then swam towards the shore.
"Saved them, saved them..."
Many people shouted happily.
The middle-aged uncle from the rescue team also grabbed a fishing rod from a fisherman and came ashore.
Several people extended their fishing rods, gesturing for me to grab them.
But how could I possibly reach out at this moment?
I could only swim forward, approaching the bank.
"Hurry, Old Qin, that thing has returned."
Old Mo said anxiously.
If he knew how to swim, he would have already jumped into the river to fight the water ghost.
I accelerated my swim.
Despite dragging two people, with my current cultivation, I still had considerable speed.
In a blink of an eye, I reached the bank.
Several people were already crouched by the bank, holding hands.
"Save them, pull these two ashore first."
I said.
The passersby did not hesitate; each grabbed one person and quickly pulled them ashore.
Old Mo also extended his hand, wanting to pull me ashore.
However, at this critical juncture.
I felt a chill on my ankle, and a cold hand grabbed it.
"Damn it!"
I cursed.
Before I could even grab Old Mo's hand, I was "whooshed" and dragged into the river.
In an instant, I seemed to have evaporated in the river.
Apart from the surging river water, no figure could be seen.
"Old Qin, Old Qin!"
Old Mo shouted, his face full of worry.
He knew very well that I had been dragged into the water by something evil.
"Ah! The young man is diving!"
"Diving my foot! He must have been caught by an underwater current and swept away!"
The bystanders around spoke, searching for me.
And the three people who were rescued were fine, except for the middle-aged man's exhaustion.
The young couple was also receiving first aid.
Because they had been underwater for a short time, they only coughed up a few mouthfuls of water.
The two regained a little consciousness.
But I, who had saved them, had disappeared from the water's surface.
And I, who had been dragged into the river, found a black aura on my ankle.
This black aura was the same as the one that had wrapped around the middle-aged man's ankle earlier.
It was very long, extending all the way to the center of the river.
It dragged me, pulling me towards the center of the river.
The speed was extremely fast.
There, it seemed as if countless hands were emerging from the mud, clawing relentlessly.
It was a horrifying sight, sending shivers down one's spine.
I didn't react at all for a moment.
After I stabilized myself, I quickly activated my Taoist energy.
I dispersed the black aura with a palm strike and surfaced again.
It was then that I realized.
I had already moved more than ten meters away from the bank.
I was in the center of the river.
"Look quickly, where is that young man?"
"My God! He's been swept to the center of the river by the current!"
"Brother, hold on, you'll surely swim back."
"..."
Many people spoke, cheering me on.
Old Mo could only worry, regretting that he couldn't swim.
I took a couple of breaths.
With a fierce gritting of my teeth, I knew this water ghost was indeed troublesome.
Fighting him in this water was a huge disadvantage.
Just as I thought this, a large wave surged.
I quickly dove underwater.
Underwater, I saw the water ghost again.
It was blurry underwater, only his pale face was visible.
And his ferocious expression.
And the "wuwuwu" angry growls:
"You dare to meddle, and I'll take your life!"
After speaking, he swam towards me again.
His speed in the water was incredibly fast, like a fish.
I held my breath.
I could only discern his movements based on the blurry silhouette in the water.
Holding the Bagua mirror in my hand, I was ready to strike at any moment.
Suddenly, the water ghost lunged from the side.
A pair of ghost claws aimed straight for my face.
I raised my hand and struck with the Bagua mirror.
However, it was skillfully dodged by him.
He made a strange arc and appeared behind me.
And let out a chilling voice:
"Is this all the skill you have?"
The voice was cold, with a hint of hoarseness.
Before the words fell, he grabbed my arm.
The icy touch made me extremely displeased.
My left hand directly grabbed the fox claw on my wrist and stabbed back.
With a "swoosh," it pierced his arm.
"Ah!"
The water ghost let out a scream in the water and quickly retracted his hand.
I knew very well that I was no match for the water ghost in the water.
If this dragged on, I might also be at risk of drowning.
I had to get to shore quickly.
Without hesitation, I swam towards the surface again.
However, before I could break the surface.
The water ghost lunged again.
Once more, he grabbed my ankle.
"Damn it, again?"
I was furious.
I reached out to swat at the water ghost.
But the water ghost, using his agility advantage in the water, dodged again.
I wanted to swim upwards, but if I turned my head, he would pounce again, grab my ankle, and drag me down.
This guy had no intention of fighting me head-on.
He wanted to use the geographical advantage to drown me to death in the water...