Torrential rain pounded the earth.
Rainwater pooled on the cracked pavement of the rundown neighborhood, forming streams that gurgled into the sewers.
A figure in a dark red cloak sprinted through the rain, splashing water in all directions.
"Xiangnan, are you sure the Ghost-Faced King is heading toward the Old Town District?" Zhao Kongcheng asked, his brow furrowed.
"Not certain, but ten minutes ago, our search team found traces of the Ghost-Faced King's blood in the nearby sewer network. Based on its movements, it's likely heading to either the Old Town or the city center," Wu Xiangnan's voice came through the earpiece.
"Two possible destinations?"
"Correct. The city center has high foot traffic, so I've sent most of our forces there. As for the Old Town…"
"You're not abandoning the Old Town, are you?!" Zhao Kongcheng's voice brimmed with anger.
"I didn't say we're abandoning it. Hongying is already leading a team there. Your task is to evacuate the Old Town's residents and avoid direct confrontation with the Ghost-Faced King."
"It's been gravely wounded by the Captain, but it's still a River Realm entity. Without a Forbidden Ruin, you're no match for it."
"If necessary, deploy the Unrestrained Void Domain to trap it. Understood?" Wu Xiangnan instructed.
"Understood."
Zhao Kongcheng raced through the rain, battling time itself.
Suddenly, a nauseating stench hit his nostrils…
Zhao Kongcheng halted, tracing the odor's source.
At a nearby manhole cover, the stench grew stronger.
"Report: Watcher Zhao Kongcheng, Ghost-Faced King located in the Old Town District…"
Zhao Kongcheng opened his briefcase, and three pristine signboards sprang out.
He planted one in the ground, then dashed toward another spot.
As Zhao Kongcheng moved on, a figure slipped swiftly into the area.
"Received! Old Zhao, Hongying's team is on the way. Ten minutes—just hold the Ghost-Faced King in the Unrestrained Void Domain!" Wu Xiangnan said.
Zhao Kongcheng placed the second signboard, running toward the next location while replying helplessly, "Xiangnan, you know the Unrestrained Void Domain is for concealing battles. It can't hold the Ghost-Faced King for ten minutes."
"No matter what, do not engage the Ghost-Faced King directly. Got it?!" Wu Xiangnan's voice was urgent.
Bang!
The manhole cover burst open, and a grotesque arm reached out.
A monster several times larger than a Ghost-Faced Creature leaped out, the ground trembling under Zhao Kongcheng's feet.
Zhao Kongcheng set down the final signboard, biting his fingertip to smear it with blood.
"Xiangnan, remember the oath we swore when we joined the Night Watchmen?"
"This time, I can't retreat. Behind me is that kid's entire world."
Unrestrained Void Domain, activate!
Zhao Kongcheng's gaze hardened as he drew his blade slowly.
The Ghost-Faced King loomed like a mountain in the rain, its eyes burning with a thirst for blood.
Swish!
Zhao Kongcheng gripped his straight sword, its pale blue edge glinting coldly in the downpour.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Sword and claws clashed fiercely, sparking wildly.
Bang!
After three strikes, Zhao Kongcheng was hurled back by the Ghost-Faced King's terrifying strength, crashing hard onto the ground.
"Damn it, think you're hot stuff just because you're a River Realm monster?"
"Roar!"
The Ghost-Faced King bellowed, its massive claws slashing toward the fallen Zhao Kongcheng.
…
One Minute Earlier
Gu Tianchen, who had sneaked into the Unrestrained Void Domain, stared at the emerging Ghost-Faced King.
"Senior Zhurong…"
"What is it?"
"Lend me your halberd."
"Kid, my Zhurong Halberd is an ancient divine weapon. In your hands, it won't unleash much power. Once you deplete the Dutian Divine Fire you've accumulated, you won't even be able to lift it."
"I understand."
There was no hesitation in Gu Tianchen's eyes.
"Alright, kid. Catch."
Within the Pangu Temple, Zhurong tossed the Zhurong Halberd high. A wave of divine fire rippled, and the weapon appeared instantly in Gu Tianchen's hand.
Gripping the flame-wreathed Zhurong Halberd tightly, Gu Tianchen raced toward the battlefield.
Clang!
Gu Tianchen raised the halberd to block the Ghost-Faced King, the weapon trembling faintly.
With his current strength, facing a River Realm Ghost-Faced King was still too much.
Zhao Kongcheng stared in shock at Gu Tianchen standing before him. "How the hell did you get in?!"
"Slipped in when you set up the first signboard," Gu Tianchen said with a grin.
Bang!
The Ghost-Faced King surged forward, knocking Gu Tianchen back. He stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Zhao Kongcheng, who had just risen.
"You're reckless! This monster's beyond you. Get out of here!"
Zhao Kongcheng brandished his straight sword, stepping in front of Gu Tianchen.
"Old Zhao, don't forget—I'm a Night Watchman now too." Gu Tianchen held the Zhurong Halberd, choosing to fight alongside him.
"Bullshit! You call yourself a Night Watchman? Got one of these?" Zhao Kongcheng smugly flashed his Night Watchman emblem—two crossed swords engraved with his name.
As a temporary member, Gu Tianchen naturally lacked his own emblem.
Boom!
A purple-red flame erupted from the Zhurong Halberd, blazing fiercely, evaporating the falling rain.
Gu Tianchen smirked at Zhao Kongcheng. "Got one of these?"
Zhao Kongcheng's face darkened with frustration. Damn it, rubbing it in that I don't have a Forbidden Ruin, huh?
Swish!
Gu Tianchen transformed into a streak of firelight, charging at the Ghost-Faced King.
Zhao Kongcheng gripped his sword tightly, following close behind, slashing at the monster.
The purple-red flame instilled a primal fear in the Ghost-Faced King, making it wary of direct confrontation.
"Roar!"
The Ghost-Faced King let out a furious bellow. Centered on itself, a massive, grotesque ghostly face materialized on the ground.
Forbidden Ruin Sequence 176: Ghost-Faced Earth!
"Holy shit!"
The two charging toward the Ghost-Faced King were struck with dizziness, as if thrown into a washing machine. The world spun wildly, disorienting them.
Zhao Kongcheng gripped his sword, closing his eyes to sense the direction of the raindrops on his body.
The purple-red flames on Gu Tianchen kept the Ghost-Faced King at bay. It flashed behind Zhao Kongcheng, its sharp claws slashing toward his throat!
Zhao Kongcheng dodged the sneak attack, his sword slicing toward the monster's head.
The Ghost-Faced King grabbed the blade, kicking Zhao Kongcheng away.
The Dutian Divine Fire flared, and Gu Tianchen swung the flame-wreathed Zhurong Halberd at the Ghost-Faced King's head.
Swish!
The monster's sharp claws pierced Gu Tianchen's heart, tearing him in half!
Zhao Kongcheng's pupils constricted, his sword trembling in his hand.
Great Xia's first divine agent… dead, just like that?!
***
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