Chapter 322

Chapter 322: Mountain Ghost (Part Two)

Exorcise!

The pale golden true seal characters silently detached from Wang Chen’s palm, expanding a hundredfold in front of him.

They formed a golden, translucent shield, perfectly blocking the four Evil Spirits that lunged towards him!

Magical Energy Condensation!

This was a spell technique Wang Chen had mastered after studying the True Explanation of the Upper Clear Spiritual Symbols Atlas and achieving proficiency in Intermediate Talisman Making.

Compared to ordinary talismans, those formed purely from condensed magical energy undoubtedly possessed greater destructive power.

The drawback was the significant consumption of magical energy.

Sizzle~

As the four Evil Spirits collided with the Exorcism Talismans, wisps of black smoke emerged, quickly enveloping them.

These black-level Evil Spirits held out for only a moment.

【Virtue +136】, 【Virtue +129】, 【Virtue +130】…

Wang Chen instantly gained five hundred points of Virtue!

Indeed, the most effective tool against Evil Spirits was the Heavenly Net for Exorcising Evil solidified on his right arm.

Once deployed, the net would trap the Evil Spirits, transforming them into spiritual energy!

However, this treasure was extraordinary; if it caught the attention of others, who could predict the consequences?

Thus, Wang Chen preferred to expend some resources rather than reveal the Exorcising Net.

“Everyone, be careful!”

At that moment, Xu cultivator’s voice reached his ears: “It’s a Mountain Ghost!”

Mountain Ghosts, the malevolent spirits of the Grim Mountain, were primarily categorized into black-level, gray-resent, and white-resent tiers.

The ones Wang Chen had just vanquished were clearly black-level Mountain Ghosts.

They had somehow managed to lure a group of cultivators out from the defensive formations, then attached themselves to drain the cultivators’ essence and magical energy.

Those who had followed Xu cultivator were already locked in fierce combat with these Mountain Ghosts to rescue their ensnared comrades!

“Above!”

Having just dealt with the four Mountain Ghosts, Wang Chen looked up at the sound and saw dozens of dark shadows rapidly descending.

“Winged Mountain Ghosts!”

These figures were larger than the black-level Mountain Ghosts, with wings on their backs and curved tusks at the corners of their mouths, making them appear particularly menacing and terrifying.

Their approach was swift, accompanied by a strong, foul aura!

One of the Winged Mountain Ghosts fixed its gaze on Wang Chen, its crimson eyes filled with bloodthirsty greed.

It seemed as if Wang Chen was its next delectable meal.

Gray-resent Mountain Ghosts!

The Mountain Ghosts not only possessed wings, but their aura far exceeded that of ordinary cultivators.

Even more horrifying was the dark steel fork each one held in its grasp!

Swish!

Before Wang Chen could react, a Green Sun Umbrella abruptly unfurled above his head.

It perfectly intercepted the diving trajectory of the Winged Mountain Ghosts.

Boom!

In the next instant, the Green Sun Umbrella trembled violently, its spiritual light dimming considerably, yet the umbrella’s surface and frame remained unscathed.

The Winged Mountain Ghost was hurled back several yards, black smoke seeping from its body surface.

In agony, it let out wild, piercing screams.

Clearly, it was severely injured.

“Screech~”

The Winged Mountain Ghost emitted an ear-splitting shriek, causing everyone’s eardrums to reverberate painfully.

Not only that, but the other Winged Mountain Ghosts joined in with identical cries.

Several cultivators clutched their heads, doubling over in pain, their faces contorted with agony.

It was truly a demonic assault on the senses!

Wang Chen swiftly formed a spell with his hands, and Fire Crows rapidly materialized on his shoulders and arms.

With a sudden motion, he swung his arm, sending the Fire Crows soaring into the air, targeting the Winged Mountain Ghost that had attacked earlier.

The creature had retreated to the top of the grand hall, attempting to regroup, but it was bombarded by one Fire Crow after another, its form nearly disintegrating under the assault!

The same Fire Crow Technique, when executed by cultivators of different ranks, produced vastly different levels of power.

After grievously wounding and repelling the Winged Mountain Ghost, Wang Chen turned to the female cultivator who had just appeared behind him and said, “Thank you.”

If she hadn’t summoned the Green Sun Umbrella at the critical moment, he would have undoubtedly suffered significant harm.

This courageous female cultivator was none other than Li Yian!

She had disregarded Wang Chen’s instructions to remain in the grand hall.

Yet, Wang Chen harbored no resentment toward her.

The number of cultivators who had rushed out to aid others was few, and compared to those who cowered in fear, Li Yian’s bravery and battle intent were truly praiseworthy!

Wang Chen suddenly channeled all his magical energy, conjuring a Heavy-winged Fire Crow.

As the enormous Fire Crow spread its wings, the entire courtyard was bathed in its radiant glow, illuminating every detail.

“Strike!”

Without a moment’s hesitation, Wang Chen pointed his sword finger at a Winged Mountain Ghost engaged in combat with another cultivator.

Whoosh!

The Heavy-winged Fire Crow slammed into the unsuspecting Winged Mountain Ghost, sending it flying more than ten meters away. Wang Chen then planted his foot firmly on the creature’s chest.

With no time to waste, he drew the Wind and Thunder Sword from his sleeve and brought it down with force upon the Winged Mountain Ghost’s neck.

Puff!

Filthy black blood sprayed across the ground.

【Virtue +1029】

Wang Chen had no time to glance at the messages flashing in his vision, as more and more Winged Mountain Ghosts swooped in to attack.

Spirit beasts, equivalent to Purple Palace cultivators among human cultivators, possessed formidable strength.

The glow from the Green Sun Umbrella continued to dim, and it was clear to all that this magical artifact wouldn’t last much longer.

“Withdraw!”

Seeing this, Wang Chen immediately ordered Li Yian to retract the Green Sun Umbrella.

The moment the artifact vanished, he summoned the Wind and Thunder Sword.

In an instant, dazzling sword light swirled above Wang Chen’s head, creating a breathtaking spectacle. The second-tier spirit sword darted back and forth at an astonishing speed, forming a small forbidden air domain.

Though not truly banished from the sky, the effect was nearly the same.

Next, one stone seal after another was hurled into the air, transforming into towering mountains that crushed all resistance!

The ferrymen had joined the fray.

The Winged Mountain Ghosts were at least gray resentment-level Evil Spirits, and if they broke through the cultivators’ ranks, the casualties would be devastating.

One cultivator had already been seized by a Winged Mountain Ghost, its sharp claws lifting him high into the sky.

There was no time to save him.

These Evil Spirits were utterly merciless, so they had to be suppressed with overwhelming force the moment they appeared.

Otherwise, regret would come too late!

Soon, other cultivators summoned their own magical artifacts, plunging into the chaotic battle.

The fight grew increasingly intense.

One by one, the Winged Mountain Ghosts were struck down and trampled into the mud!

The battle raged from midnight until dawn, and even Wang Chen lost count of how many Mountain Ghosts he had slain.

In the end, the Evil Spirits retreated.

Though they lacked the emotions of sentient beings, they still knew how to weigh their options.

Fearless as they were, they also knew when to cut their losses; once the outcome was inevitable, they would not persist.

After the Mountain Ghosts withdrew, everyone let out a collective sigh of relief.

They began to tally their losses.

Seven had died in battle, two were missing, and dozens were injured!

The ferocity and resilience of the Evil Spirits had surpassed many expectations, especially the dozens of resentment-level Winged Mountain Ghosts, which had become nightmares for countless cultivators.

Fortunately, with the break of dawn, the nightmare finally came to an end.