Within the last few meters of the riverbank, we were once again blocked by the ghoul.
The ghoul was visible, but not Master Jiang.
This suggested Master Jiang might be in danger.
A ball of rage ignited within me.
Immense rage.
But there was nowhere to unleash it; I had to remain calm.
I needed to think of a way to break through.
Once we reached the shore,
Lao Mo and I, working together, would not fear this ghoul at all.
In fact, we would have a high probability of killing it.
However, in the water, the situation was less optimistic.
This time, without Master Jiang's help.
We could only rely on ourselves.
Facing this river ghoul, unable to use talismans, and with Lao Mo, who couldn't swim, beside me.
For a moment, I was at a loss for solutions.
What should I do? Charge in foolishly and fight this ghoul to the death?
How could I fight when I couldn't even stand steady?
The ghoul was highly skilled, possessing Xuan Dan stage cultivation even after being heavily injured.
Meanwhile, Lao Mo and I were only at the early and middle stages of the Soul Palace realm.
We had no advantage in the water.
Charging in blindly?
That would be suicide.
But what else could I do?
In an instant, I reviewed all my abilities in my mind.
The Qiankun True Method?
Among its techniques, only the Destruction Seal might have a chance to harm the opponent.
The other two true techniques were not practical.
The Gathering Sun Pearl?
No, this item could temporarily replenish my own spiritual energy and enhance my strength, but it couldn't counter water spirits.
The Dragon Phoenix Jade Pendant?
This might be our only and last means of self-preservation.
Only by summoning Qing Dai's spirit could we save ourselves and Lao Mo.
I thought to myself.
Assessing the situation between the enemy and ourselves.
Because we only had one life, one wrong step would mean death for both of us.
The ghoul opposite us had already crouched on the river's surface like a frog.
It was extremely emaciated, with long limbs.
Coupled with its mouth that split to its ears, it looked incredibly eerie.
It stared at us and suddenly spoke in a hoarse voice:
"Such delicious scents. If I eat you two, my injuries will surely heal.
How could I possibly let you reach the shore.
Hehehe..."
That strange laughter echoed again, and it slowly crawled towards Lao Mo and me.
And with this eerie laughter.
Black bubbles began to appear and burp from the surrounding river surface.
Following that, dozens of wet, sallow-skinned heads of the deceased began to emerge from the river.
Looking at them, they were the Water Corpse Ghouls we encountered before.
These were far more formidable specters than the drowned souls in the river.
They were incredibly fast.
At this moment, there were at least fourteen or fifteen Water Corpse Ghouls appearing.
This instilled fear in both Lao Mo and me.
Lao Mo's eyes widened, and he panted heavily:
"Damn it, I, Mo, the Child of Light, the Arbiter of Fate, the Urban Exorcist.
I might die here.
Old Qin, don't worry about me. I'll grab that ghoul for a moment.
Buy us some time.
You find a way to escape back to shore.
Remember, you must escape to shore, and avenge me in the future."
Lao Mo spoke fiercely, his words filled with determination.
His chuunibyou tone made it impossible for me to laugh.
Instead, I directly replied:
"What are you talking about? We go together or not at all.
Didn't you say we were the Twin Exorcists?
How could we possibly die here."
I said fiercely, raising my peach wood sword towards the ghoul crawling towards us.
And vigilantly observing the water corpse ghouls surfacing around us.
Lao Mo, however, spoke with great seriousness:
"The situation is different! In the water, we can't even stand. How can we fight?
Master Jiang is probably dead.
Now, only you can possibly make it to shore.
Is it not better for one person to die than for both of us to die?"
Lao Mo's voice was loud and impassioned.
This kid, he usually seemed so chuunibyou.
He liked anime, watched cartoons.
Bought figurines and spoke chuunibyou words.
But Lao Mo, as a person, was truly admirable.
He was loyal, righteous, just, and willing to sacrifice himself for his brother.
Now, he was even willing to sacrifice himself to ensure my escape.
The more he acted like this, the less I could abandon him.
I grabbed him:
"Stop talking nonsense. Neither of us will die.
The only one who will die is this ghoul!"
With that, I clasped the Dragon Phoenix Jade Pendant at my chest and injected a wisp of spiritual energy into it.
Instantly, the color of the Dragon Phoenix Jade Pendant began to shift from white to red.
And I prepared to summon Qing Dai for assistance.
The ghoul opposite us, however, at this moment.
Laughed twice, "Heh heh":
"Neither of you will escape!"
After saying that, it suddenly opened its mouth wide.
And once again, a stream of black energy rolled out with a "hoo hoo hoo" sound.
We had seen this black energy before.
It had corroded Master Jiang's artifact, the black umbrella.
If this were to hit our faces, we would be finished.
I was astonished, not even having time to utter the word "Qing Dai."
Grabbing Lao Mo, I plunged headfirst into the river.
In the water, it was even more impossible for me to make a sound.
Without sound, I couldn't activate the formation on the jade pendant.
Without activating the formation, I couldn't summon Qing Dai.
This was a vicious cycle.
I thought, waiting a few seconds to surface, then calling Qing Dai.
Summoning Qing Dai's spirit medium and soul, to deal with this ghost.
Even if it couldn't kill him, at least Lao Mo and I could preserve our lives.
However, the moment we submerged.
The ghoul and the dozen or so Water Corpse Ghouls also plunged into the water.
Letting out "ao ao" roars.
Raising their sharp claws, they lunged towards Lao Mo and me. The ghoul, trembling with excitement, spoke from its mouth:
"Let me taste your blood!"