Wandao 035
As night descended, the winds howled through the forests surrounding Niupu Village. Thick clouds churned ominously, as if the heavens were on the verge of collapse. Occasional moonbeams pierced the canopy, casting a pale glow upon the damp moss, shimmering with a cold luminescence.
Wan Xiaochuan stood at the village entrance atop the ancient stone bridge, clad in a robe of azure and white. Subtle currents of wind and thunder stirred beneath his sleeves. His star-like eyes fixed intently on the ink-black wilderness ahead. To his right stood Renee, donned in a silver gauze light armor, her hair neatly tied with a single silver strand cascading beside her cheek, her gaze vigilant and spirited. Behind them, Lin Qixian gripped a purple-copper spirit staff, his eyes steady, spiritual awareness already extended to monitor their surroundings.
Jiang Lingshan, in a moon-white long dress, had yet to unsheathe her sword, yet her sword intent subtly emanated. She stood silently to Wan Xiaochuan's left, the Frost Feather Spirit Sword at her waist, its icy tassels trembling gently in the night breeze, reminiscent of a crane poised to sing.
In the distant forest, black mists surged, spreading like toxic fog.
"They're coming…" Wan Xiaochuan murmured.
"Demonic cultivators, and quite a number of them," Lin Qixian frowned.
In the next instant, a figure clad in black armor burst from the forest. His face was as pale as paper, eyes blood-red. Behind him followed dozens of formidable demonic cultivators, each wielding peculiar weapons, exuding a chilling aura.
Leading them was Mu Fengyan, the Hall Master of the Soul Refining Hall under the Black Flame Demon Sect, at the late Foundation Establishment stage, specializing in soul-seizing techniques. Tall and slender, his robe sleeves embroidered with blood flame patterns, he wielded a pitch-black sickle resembling a crescent moon, named "Nether Prison Soul Hook."
Mu Fengyan sneered, "This little village hides a group of spirit-rooted youths. Tonight, you'll make fine additions to my soul furnace!"
Wan Xiaochuan's brows furrowed, the Wind Thunder Sword emerging from his storage pouch, transforming into a gleaming blade in his hand.
"Renee, Brother Lin, Lingshan, form the formation!"
With that, the four moved like lightning, positioning themselves at the cardinal points.
The battle formation activated instantly.
Wan Xiaochuan struck first, "Gentle Breeze Shadow – Thunder's First Cry!" His sword danced gracefully, accompanied by faint thunderclaps. The sword energy weaved through several demonic cultivators, suddenly erupting, severing two heads.
Lin Qixian tossed several green-patterned pills into the air, which exploded into spirit smoke, releasing dozens of fierce spirit insects. They tore through enemy shields, injecting venom into their veins, causing one demonic cultivator to collapse in convulsions.
Renee shouted, her delicate hands forming seals, spirit light transforming into threads, "Wind Dance Thunder Bind – Heart-Entangling Threads!" Silver threads ensnared three demonic cultivators, slowing them, allowing Wan Xiaochuan to swiftly dispatch them.
Jiang Lingshan sighed softly, drawing the Frost Feather Spirit Sword. With "Snow Feather's First Soar," her sword energy floated like snowflakes. Three demonic cultivators ahead were mentally disrupted by the illusory sword, their spiritual awareness faltering, and were slain by "Frost Falls on Three Rivers."
Mu Fengyan roared, "Trivial tricks!"
He formed a dark seal, the Nether Prison Soul Hook slicing through the air, black light surging. The move "Hellfire Soul Slash" carried wailing spirits, targeting Jiang Lingshan.
Jiang Lingshan countered with "Frost Shield Heart Guard," an icy shield resembling the moon, blocking the lethal strike. Without pause, she retaliated with "Cold Light's Glimpse," thrusting directly at his forehead.
Mu Fengyan smirked, his figure splitting into three shadows, flanking Lin Qixian from behind.
"Watch out!" Renee exclaimed.
Lin Qixian chuckled, his spirit staff striking the ground, activating "Earth Dragon's Mysterious Evil Pattern," shattering the three shadows. "Did you think I was unprepared?"
Elsewhere, a minor demonic cultivator known as Red-Faced Vulture, with a hooked nose and wide mouth, wielded steel feather fan blades, executing "Thirteen Wind Slashes," sharp wind blades sweeping towards Renee.
Renee leaped gracefully, her "Mirror Light Movement" evading the attacks like a phantom butterfly. She retaliated with "Wind Shock Thunder Move – Twin Shadows Severing Affection," twin lightning sword shadows striking Red-Faced Vulture's chest, blood splattering.
"Huff!" Renee landed, her left sleeve flicking to retrieve his storage pouch, embossed with a red-faced spirit eagle. Inside were three mid-grade spirit stones, a packet of bone-breaking poison powder, a fragment of the Wind Splitter Blade manual, and a damaged tome titled "Mad Feather Ghost Scripture."
"A truly sinister technique," Renee frowned, storing it away.
The night battle raged on, blood rain falling outside Niupu Village, the air filled with the cacophony of shattered artifacts and roaring spiritual energy.
Wan Xiaochuan felled three more demonic cultivators, stepping into the center of the formation. He formed seals with both hands, unleashing "Heartfelt as Wind – Thunder's Wishful Shatter," a symphony of swords and lightning, felling several remaining enemies.
Jiang Lingshan's cold gaze fixed on Mu Fengyan. "Your end has come."
She inhaled deeply, pointing her sword skyward. The Frost Feather Spirit Sword radiated a blue glow as she executed "Frost Sky's Imprintless Trace." The silent sword, imbued with frost, grazed Mu Fengyan's throat, leaving a white line.
Mu Fengyan paused, looked down, and blood gushed forth as he collapsed.
His storage pouch detached, floating mid-air. Wan Xiaochuan retrieved it, finding over twenty top-grade spirit stones, a soul-refining gourd, five soul poison pills, and a fragment of the "Nether Prison Soul Seizing Technique."
Lin Qixian took his weapon, the Nether Prison Soul Hook, sealing it with a sleeve flick.
The battle concluded.
Outside Niupu Village lay a field of corpses, the air frigid. Though all four were wounded, none had fallen.
Wan Xiaochuan gazed at the night sky, stars breaking through the clouds, cold moonlight cascading down.
"This is merely the beginning," he whispered.
Jiang Lingshan stood beside him, sheathing her Frost Feather Spirit Sword, her eyes colder than the blade.
Renee quipped, "Next time there's a night raid, make sure to prepare two explosion-proof talismans for me."
Lin Qixian laughed, "No problem. Next time, I'll unleash spirit beast venomous bees to show them the true meaning of a group assault!"
Amidst their laughter, the battle spirit lingered. Outside Niupu Village, the night grew colder, yet the hearts of the four grew ever more resolute— the path ahead would be one where blood and spirit intertwine, accompanied by wind and thunder.