"Clang, clang, clang!"
It sounded like striking wind chimes with a mask. Though the sound was close to shattering, even with the ultimate support of the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda and her own terrifying amplification, Tang Sui could not break through the defense of the opponent's feather armor.
After a ten-second or so prolonged engagement, Tang Sui withdrew her masks and retreated more than ten meters back, retracting her Clear Sky Hammer as well.
But the soul skill effect of the Golden Hook Douluo was more than just defense.
As she spun at high speed and the fiery feathers, blooming and fluttering like fireworks, drifted out, the falling Peng feathers, upon touching other objects or people, transformed into raging embers. Whether human or object, they were engulfed in a sea of fire the moment they were touched.
"Ah—!"
"Be careful!"
"Sizzle—"
The tragic screams of the sect disciples continued to erupt. One after another, living souls turned into charred corpses in the flames, or were mercilessly pierced by the blades of the black-clothed attackers, perishing miserably on this scorched earth.
Ning Fengzhi, who took in the surrounding battlefield at a glance, was heartbroken.
Standing beside her father, Ning Rongrong's eyes welled up with tears. With red eyes, she watched as her once smiling clansmen lost their lives one by one. She covered her mouth with one hand, holding back the urge to cry, and gritted her teeth, circulating her soul power to assist her companions.
Now was not the time for despair!
In the night sky, explosions continued, like stars hanging in the firmament, flickering, any moment the light of someone's life could be extinguished in the next second, never to shine again.
Seeing Chen Xin fighting three opponents alone, Ning Fengzhi took a deep breath, gathered his energy, and fired a bolt from his Zhuge Crossbow, taking the lives of two or three black-clothed attackers. At the same time, he injected soul power into his voice and shouted, "Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School disciples, heed my command, gather!"
The sect disciples, who had previously formed small formations, trembled all over. Their gazes sharpened as they began to maintain their formations, firing silent sleeve darts or equipped Zhuge Crossbows from their wrists, while converging towards Ning Fengzhi's position.
One after another, companions blocking the outer perimeter fell. The disciples who finally entered the protection range of Gu Rong's Bone Domain did so almost by stepping on the scorching blood and corpses of their comrades.
Ma Hongjun struggled against the countless flying soul masters in the air, coordinating with Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing, who had activated their Martial Soul Fusion skill, the Netherworld White Tiger. Only then did they not collapse, barely managing to complete the cover mission.
"Tang Sui, switch!"
Catching sight of the disciples retreating, Gu Rong looked up and shouted towards Tang Sui, who was barely managing to hold off the Golden Hook Douluo.
Tang Sui's eyes flashed. The moment the Golden Hook Douluo's Peng feathers struck, a deep spatial black hole suddenly rippled behind her, sucking her in, causing the opponent to miss.
In her place emerged Gu Rong from the opened spatial gate.
Golden Hook Douluo: "!"
A temporary switch!
"Gu Rong, you are too dishonorable!" I was about to find that girl's weakness and overpower her!
Golden Hook Douluo was resentful. Her soul power was only level 91, but Gu Rong's soul power was already level 95.
Between level 95 and 95+, each level was a qualitative leap and a chasm.
Although her soul power had been depleted in the fight with that dead girl, and Gu Rong had also consumed much soul power, she was still unsure if she could deal with a level 95 Super Douluo!
Gu Rong smiled hypocritically, his eyes cold. Although his tone was still jovial, there was not a trace of warmth in it: "As if your Spirit Hall's four against one is fair."
"Second Soul Skill, Benevolent Countenance!"
Tang Sui, who had taken the opportunity to cast her second soul skill on Chen Xin while fighting the Golden Hook Douluo, was now standing beside Ning Fengzhi. Just as they had temporarily planned during the day, Tang Sui, having calculated the cooldown time, immediately cast a soul skill on Gu Rong to restore soul power.
Ning Fengzhi, who had been within the protection range of Gu Rong's fourth soul skill, Bone Prison, had a cold glint in his eyes. As the giant, sharp bones surrounding them dissipated with Gu Rong's departure, he looked at the Spirit Hall soul masters who had them completely surrounded and said solemnly, "It's time."
Tang Sui nodded. Seeing the black-clothed figures swarming towards them, she loosened her left hand, and the Clear Sky Hammer vanished into her palm. Simultaneously, the Ape Mask around her paused and flew upwards.
"Buzz—!"
Demonic power was continuously injected, and the golden patterns on the cylindrical black mask seemed to come alive, emitting a brilliant glow.
"Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School disciples, close your eyes!"
Ning Fengzhi shouted.
Even facing the threat of death, they still trusted their Sect Master and all closed their eyes.
Ning Rongrong hesitated for a moment before closing her eyes.
Ma Hongjun and the other two also closed their eyes.
Under the gaze of the Spirit Hall assassins, the Ape Mask, which had risen above Tang Sui's head, suddenly expanded, becoming a giant mask over ten meters tall. Its two crimson round eyes lit up, and an invisible Nightmare Force spread out, instantly magnifying the darkness and fear in the hearts of those who gazed upon it. Those with low spiritual power, low soul power levels, or wavering wills were immediately frozen in place, losing all ability to act.
Of course, there were also some clever individuals in the back who, upon hearing Ning Fengzhi's shout, also closed their eyes.
But the consequence of closing their eyes was that they could not even open them, their minds went blank, and the deep darkness, like a cold tide, suffocated them. They forgot to even breathe, suffocating themselves.
'So stupid, haha.'
The Ape Mask let out a contemptuous laugh.
Tang Sui's lips also curved slightly.
Because Ning Fengzhi's reminder was also a feint.
Even if the disciples did not close their eyes, with her spiritual power and demonic power sufficient, the Ape Mask's lock was precise to each individual. If the opponent closed their eyes, they would temporarily lose their sight. In such a chaotic battlefield, hearing alone would make it difficult to pinpoint the real enemy and the direction of assassination.
But she hadn't told Ning Fengzhi and the others beforehand.
Because sometimes, to deceive the enemy, one must first deceive their own people.
And her objective—
Taking advantage of the moment the Ape Mask spread its fear and stunned many black-clothed attackers, dark shadows surged out from the ground beneath Tang Sui's feet, clawing and expanding their territory.
"Whoosh, whoosh!"
Some of the black shadows, like folded curtains, instantly enveloped them, forming a semi-transparent black energy shield that tightly protected Ning Fengzhi and the others.
Other black shadows, using the scorched earth as camouflage, instantly hollowed out the ground beneath the feet of the black-clothed attackers, causing them to fall like dumplings, dropping unprepared into another dark world.
Twin Domains, open!
---Aside---
Mo Li is going hiking with her family today. No extra update today. If she returns early tomorrow, she will continue updating. If not, it will be the day after tomorrow. She's too tired from hiking all day today, and that was only the front mountain.
Old Dad: Hiking is the right way to travel during National Day. This year's National Day goal is to climb the entire mountain!
Mo, the athletic failure, Li: ...So jealous.