cation, I'll only perform the ritual if you give me what I want."I snorted. “In your dreams.”She crossed her arms and said, "I really don't understand what you mind. If you think hair and nails are to...My brother's car was scraped on both sides, it was a terrible sight. This alleyway is narrow, driving here was already pushing the limits.

The three-way intersection ahead is only wide enough for two people to walk side by side, and cars can't chase after them.

"Three roads, we'll split up and search. You two, if you find my brother, come look for me immediately." I instructed Ah-Dai and Ah-Meng to spread out on either side.

"Well then, little empress, please be careful too."

I clutched the Ruyi, the smooth warmth between my fingers doing little to ease the unease in my heart.

Have their souls been taken by the Mirage Pearl

My cousin may appear frivolous and lazy on the surface, but he is very composed when it comes to important matters.

But this time, I don't know what he was thinking.

He shouldn't have chased the enemy into this fire pit, even if he was trying to save Da Mao. This place is very dangerous.

The doubts that linger in my mind are like the faint, eerie presence in this alley. The deeper I go, the heavier it becomes.

There are no more "bodies" on the ground.

I stopped in my tracks, could it be that I wasn't on the right path

Ahead of me was darkness. I turned on my small flashlight, but the cold white light couldn't reach the end.

I couldn't move forward, my heart started pounding in my chest. A sinister and fierce energy surged from behind me. I instantly summoned the blade of Zi Xiao Ruyi, its sharp edge gleaming, to defend myself.

Several shadowy figures lurked behind me, their features obscured, slowly approaching.

In one hand I held the wishful staff, and with the other I raised it high, preparing to unleash the Heavenly Thunderbolt Technique.

The lightning method I use, although most of it was taught to me by Professor Jiang Qiyun, is strictly speaking a part of the Southern School's lightning method.

After a certain ancestor of the Southern School obtained the Jingxiao Dailang Scripture, the Shenxiao lineage began to transmit Lei Fa (thunder methods). There is also a rumor that the Shenxiao lineage originated from Jade Purity True King.

The Jade Pure True King, also known as the South Polar Longevity Emperor in traditional Chinese beliefs, and the "Nine Heavens Ying Yuan Mansion, Supreme Jade Pure King" mentioned in the Lei Zu Bao Gao that I often recite, is the incarnation of the South Polar Longevity Emperor - the Nine Heavens Ying Yuan Thunder Sound Universal Heaven Venerable.

It is the Great God Lei Zu of Shenxiao Jade Mansion.

Before I obtained this Purple Heaven's Desire, my lightning magic was only rudimentary, capable of frightening away minor demons and ghosts.

However, after obtaining this magical artifact, Lei Fa's cultivation progressed greatly. This is also one of the reasons why I was able to gain tacit recognition from everyone in the industry at a young age.

Many cultivators are unable to learn Lei Fa, and Taoist teachings are passed down with great care, preferring not to be transmitted at all rather than being transmitted carelessly. Lei Fa, in particular, has the "Eight Prohibitions of Transmission."

Even many sayings in the classic works of Taoism are hidden, and ordinary people, even if they study them, don't know their mysteries.

After all, those who cultivate the Tao, when they glimpse into the secrets of heaven, must consider whether they can bear the consequences and dare not spread them casually to the world.

So, I got a little lucky, Jiang Qiyun directly pointed out the parts that were hidden.

For example, when I was reading a certain book, I saw that the production method "print" mentioned that lightning-struck jujube wood is a good material to use.

At that time, I thought to myself, is this the only kind Isn't it said that peach wood is the best for warding off evil

Jiang Qiyun later listened to my account, raised an eyebrow and said: “There are even higher-level materials, but can ordinary people get them Why write it down, letting people tirelessly pursue it, becoming obsessed and going astray”

With him around, my Thunder Technique improved tremendously. Not only did I steadily gain a foothold in the circle, but I also developed some ability to fight back against ordinary demons and ghosts.

"Halt... who are you" I spoke, "Come any closer and I won't be polite."

Those shadows seemed to not hear, swaying like a drunk.

Ghost

Thinking of this possibility, I hurriedly changed my hand gestures. If I used the Demon Thunder Technique, a bolt of lightning would likely obliterate everything.

I quickly pinched a ghost-binding seal, clutching the wishful thinking stick, almost messing it up.

However, the leading shadow was immediately restrained and fell to the ground, confirming my idea - these were ghosts.

Perhaps just the souls of those who fell along this road.

Leaving the soul from the body is very dangerous. If it's not brought back in time, once the soul is damaged, even if it's finally pulled back through a summoning ritual, it's very easy to cause problems on the mental side.

But I don't have time to go and treat them one by one right now, my brother is still missing.

"... You guys just lie still for now, I'll come back later and let you return your souls..." I took out a few ghost-binding talismans.

The Shen family talismans are powerful and versatile. After taking over the management of the Shen family, I saw a vast repository of talismans in the talisman vault, each one a culmination of the research and expertise of every generation of Shen family masters and disciples.

But the users are the core, Fu is just a method, the depth of one's Dao practice is the source of power.

I had bound the several black figures in front and quickly darted through the alley, heading back the way I came.

Whew... The wind in my ears seems to be getting louder, like something's following me!

I suddenly stopped my feet and turned around —

The alleys behind me were swallowed by darkness, as if the very darkness was chasing after me!

"Brother—" I couldn't help but call out.

Things are different here compared to the last time we were here!

Up until now, I haven't seen a single living person!

Even with epidemic control, it shouldn't be the case that there isn't a single living person, right

"Brother, where are you... Mu Yunfan!" I didn't care about alerting them anymore.

This pursuing darkness, it makes me realize that even if I hide, it's useless.

As if stopping would mean being swallowed by darkness, I ran forward ceaselessly, yet I still couldn't see the fork in the road where I parted ways with A-Da and A-Meng.

"Don't come any closer!" I shouted at the darkness behind me, my scalp tingling.

The Five Thunders of the General Office run through the Three Realms.

Teacher of Ten Thousand Spirits, Father of All Living Beings.

The great saint, the great compassion, the supreme emperor, the supreme way.

Nine Heavens Responding Yuan... Thunderclap Universal Heaven Venerable!

The technique shifted, I first used the Yaolé and then the Dielé techniques. Two strikes, silver light like a blade, suddenly cleaved through this darkness.

The earthen bricks on the ground cracked open, like a line drawn dividing the Chu and Han empires.

Darkness lingered there, giving me a moment to catch my breath. All was silent around me, and I could hear the pounding of my own heart.

Just swallowed a mouthful of saliva, suddenly a gust of wind rolled up a few strands of black air in the shadows, "whoosh!" A line was drawn across the air and landed suddenly behind me!

I immediately turned around, and the Zi Xiao Ruyi hadn't even had time to protect me when I felt a cold hand suddenly clamp down on my jaw!

"Ugh!! " I cried out, my eyes wide with pain.

Who is this!

I didn't see anything!

Hmm…

I seemed to hear a mocking laugh from the void.

Mu Xia Qiao

There is a path in Heaven, but you choose not to take it.

Whose voice is that An ethereal tone echoed in my mind, coming and going, carrying a dizzying power.

I reached up into the air, my jaw clamped by an invisible force. I couldn't touch the other party.

That large hand loosened its grip on my jaw and suddenly reached forward, grabbing at my chest as if to fling me away!

A sudden surge of heat came over her chest, as if something was burning inside.xpression on his face. The elder smiled and, in a raspy voice, said to me, “It seems we are fated to meet…”“Grandpa, I have no ill intentions. I've also paid my respects to your Great Corpse King. He...