Chapter 34

Chapter Thirty-Four: The Evil Ghost Sword Formation

This set of black brocade clothing was made from specially refined silk, very comfortable to wear, and had a certain level of protective ability, making it difficult for ordinary blades to penetrate. It was just a casual outfit, but Xu Daoyan had never worn such good clothes in his life!

Walking out of the military camp, Tian Tian took out a black silk ribbon and smiled, "It fits you perfectly, you look much better now. Tie up your hair."

Xu Daoyan's long hair was loose. People like Tian Tian, who were born into the homes of dukes, were very particular about their attire; it was a matter of etiquette.

Reluctantly, Xu Daoyan had to tie up his long hair, and he did indeed look more spirited.

"Tian Gongzi, I have a question. You are so much stronger than me, why do you need me to protect you? In the Stone Dragon Camp, there are many Immortal experts. If you choose me, I won't be much help in dangerous situations and might even be a burden. Why don't you find someone else?" Xu Daoyan still wanted to find an excuse to go back and practice. This Tian Gongzi was truly formidable, and it was better to avoid him if possible.

"The security in Stone Dragon City is good, and there are experts stationed here. Why would I need an Immortal? With you, if there are any ignorant lackeys, you can deal with them for me. Also, I don't want to reveal my identity. Do you understand?" Tian Tian, without regard for Xu Daoyan's feelings, walked straight out of the Stone Dragon Camp.

Xu Daoyan said no more and could only follow behind. Indeed, someone of such noble status wouldn't fight ordinary people. Dealing with lackeys was naturally his job.

"Take me around the city. I want to see the life here!" Tian Tian ordered.

"I just arrived in Stone Dragon City yesterday and am not familiar with it at all. There doesn't seem to be much to see here," Xu Daoyan was speechless.

"I don't care. You lead the way, wherever we go is fine." Tian Tian now seemed like a capricious princess, completely different from her demeanor in the military camp.

"Why does a man talk like a woman?" Xu Daoyan sighed.

"What did you say!" Tian Tian glared at Xu Daoyan fiercely.

"..." Xu Daoyan shrank his neck, pretending not to hear, and quickened his pace to lead the way.

The night in Stone Dragon City was particularly lively.

The snow on the main streets had been swept clean, and every household hung red lanterns. In three days, it would be the Lantern Festival, also known as the Yuanxiao Festival.

The festive atmosphere was already thick. Besides the regular patrols of the army, there were many vendors on the streets selling lanterns and Kongming lanterns.

In addition, there were many local specialties of Stone Dragon City, making it very lively and bustling.

At a small stall, Tian Tian pointed to the Kongming lanterns and said, "Buy two."

"Sure thing." The vendor chuckled, "Sir, choose the color you like."

"I want red." Tian Tian took one and looked at Xu Daoyan, asking, "What color do you want?"

"I don't want one." Xu Daoyan was speechless; he had no such leisurely mood.

"Do you know what this is?" Tian Tian, who had been kind, was now a bit angry and asked seriously.

"A Kongming lantern." Xu Daoyan was puzzled.

"The Lantern Festival is coming. Don't you have a family? Kongming lanterns are for making wishes. Don't you want to pray for your family?" Tian Tian asked.

"..." Tian Tian's words touched the softest part of Xu Daoyan's heart. "Then I'll take one."

"What color?"

"White."

"Are you in mourning? Why white? Get a red one too!"

Xu Daoyan was drenched in sweat, his mouth twitching. Tian Tian took two red Kongming lanterns and walked away. The vendor hurriedly said, "Sir, you haven't paid yet."

Tian Tian glanced at Xu Daoyan, "Be more aware."

Xu Daoyan took out two copper coins and followed behind Tian Tian.

"Ice sugar haws, delicious ice sugar haws..."

Tian Tian got two skewers and didn't forget to give one to Xu Daoyan, of course, he still paid.

"Osmanthus lotus cakes, freshly baked, fragrant and delicious..."

Tian Tian got two more.

"Suzhou sweet heart cakes, fragrant and delicious, perfect for giving to a loved one..."

Suzhou sweet heart cakes were heart-shaped and very beautiful, steaming hot. Tian Tian got two more, and Xu Daoyan paid the bill all the way.

"Why are you looking at me? Eat!" Tian Tian, as they walked, almost ate all the snacks on the busiest street.

"..." Xu Daoyan found it hard to imagine that a man could have such a hobby. He had no choice but to eat. This night was the most bizarre night of his life.

After eating, the two walked toward the outskirts of Stone Dragon City. To release the Kongming lanterns, they needed to go to an open area outside the city. However, since the Lantern Festival hadn't arrived yet, only Xu Daoyan and Tian Tian were outside the city.

"Oh, I forgot to bring the fire starter. What should we do?" Tian Tian wanted to light the Kongming lanterns but just remembered.

"I'll do it."

A flame appeared at Xu Daoyan's fingertips, lighting the lantern. Tian Tian held the Kongming lantern with both hands, closed her eyes to make a wish, and then released it.

Xu Daoyan also lit his Kongming lantern, made a wish in his heart, and then released it.

Tian Tian blinked a few times and asked with a smile, "What did you wish for?"

"I hope to find my father. What about you?" Xu Daoyan blurted out, immediately feeling it was inappropriate to ask someone of her status.

"Not telling you." Tian Tian's lips curled up, and she turned to head back to the city.

"Truly, I searched high and low, but found you here. I was worried about how to kill you, but you came out of the city to die." Suddenly, a cold voice came from the darkness.

Xu Daoyan's face changed, and he said, "Be careful, Tian Gongzi, go back to the city quickly!"

"Hmph, too late. Both of you will die together." Several figures emerged from the darkness, surrounding them.

The night was as cool as water.

The moonlight cast a cold glow, and the sky was dotted with stars. Two Kongming lanterns slowly rose, flying high with the wind.

Tian Tian had never intended to retreat. She calmly looked at everything and smiled, "Xu Daoyan, it seems your enemies have found you, and I'm implicated."

"Sorry, I've involved you." Xu Daoyan saw that they were surrounded by people from the Heavenly Ghost Sect. He calmly observed the situation. There were twelve people, and he tested their strength with the Immortal Wood Mirror.

Each of them was at the upper level of the Third Rank, 3,900 years old!

The upper level of the Third Rank was 3,410 to 4,110 years old!

A man in his forties or fifties stepped out from behind the twelve people, his expression grim, and he glared at Xu Daoyan.

"Just get rid of these people quickly, and I won't hold it against you. This is really disappointing!" Tian Tian looked very dissatisfied, making Xu Daoyan feel a headache.

"Facing death, you still dare to be defiant. Kill them!" The leader of the group shouted fiercely.

At this moment, Xu Daoyan deeply regretted lending out his Thunder Armor and Thunder Spear. Otherwise, he would have had a much better chance of winning. But now, he had no choice but to fight.

"Release."

From the twelve Ghost-Binding Bags, thirty-six evil ghosts, all at the Second Rank Ghost level, emerged. The Heavenly Ghost Sect's method was to raise ghosts.

Ghosts were naturally more powerful than their own strength. Their power lay not in themselves but in the ghosts they raised.

Xu Daoyan also released his Ghost-Binding Bag, and Qin Han, Zhang Chao, and Bai Shi emerged.

Qin Han condensed a Fiery Sun Body, Bai Shi a Cold Moon Body, and Zhang Chao a Starlight Body, all incredibly powerful, far surpassing the evil ghosts. The bodies they condensed could cause significant damage to ordinary ghosts, showing the different levels of ghost-raising methods.

The people from the Heavenly Ghost Sect were greatly surprised. They had never seen such a powerful ghost-raising method before.

"Such a powerful ghost-raising method. What is your background?"

The three soul-refining techniques passed down by the old beggar could make them contend with powerful people. Additionally, they were highly effective against yin ghosts, though the cultivation process was difficult and required great pain. However, they were all people with strong wills, and their persistence over so many years showed their determination.

"Form the formation!" Qin Han ordered, and he, Bai Shi, and Zhang Chao stood in three positions, the sun, moon, and star lights converging. Each of them held a battle spear covered in radiant light.

The three evil ghosts that rushed forward were caught off guard, their bodies pierced by the spears. The light dispersed their bodies, and they screamed as they disintegrated.

Qin Han, Bai Shi, and Zhang Chao, in formation, launched their attacks, quickly killing three more evil ghosts, their combat power astonishing.

Xu Daoyan formed seals with his hands, the Fiery Sun Seal in his hand, a defensive seal. He was extremely cautious.

Each punch he threw was accompanied by rolling flames, effective against yin ghosts, and his own blood qi was very strong, making it impossible for the evil ghosts to get close.

"What kind of technique is this? No wonder my child died at his hands. It's a natural enemy of our Heavenly Ghost Sect's techniques. Form the Evil Ghost Sword Formation, kill him!" The outer sect enforcer of the Heavenly Ghost Sect ordered.

Swords with evil ghosts attached to them floated in the air, strange patterns on their blades extending in all directions, forming a sword formation. Black mist appeared, spreading through the air.

These swords had been stained with the blood of countless people, and the screams of evil ghosts emanated from them, causing fear.

The black mist spread from all sides, forming twisted faces, extremely terrifying, capable of breaking one's courage and confusing the mind, making one feel as if they had fallen into an endless abyss. This was an illusionary sword formation.

Xu Daoyan was fearless, unaffected by the illusions. The Heart Lamp Technique illuminated his true self, dispelling all illusions.

Qin Han, Bai Shi, and Zhang Chao formed a formation, protecting Xu Daoyan and Tian Tian, killing the evil ghosts that rushed toward them.

The evil ghosts, empowered by the Evil Ghost Sword Formation, saw a significant increase in strength, but they dared not approach easily, circling around because their opponents were too powerful.

However, if this continued, Xu Daoyan would definitely be at a disadvantage!