Chapter 16: Jiang Xiaofei Takes Action

The disappearance of the Taiyi Sword Formation struck Ye Yijian and his companions like a thunderbolt. That formation was an ancient sword array—though its mysteries remained beyond their grasp, with the combined strength of all thirteen, its power was sufficient to obliterate even millennia-old demons. Yet the Ghost King had unraveled it so easily; did that not mean his cultivation had reached a truly terrifying level?

At that moment, the disciples of Mount Mao were ashen-faced. They had believed that, with the sect master leading the charge, the Ghost King would be defeated and their grievance avenged. But now it was clear their master was no match for him.

Their disappointment deepened, for even the combined strength of the elders and the deployment of the Taiyi Sword Formation had failed to halt the Ghost King. As orphans, they had sought refuge in Mount Mao, hoping for a place of protection—a home. But now, with the Ghost King invading and the sect leaders powerless to resist, their hearts were shaken, and the pride they once felt as disciples of Mount Mao vanished.

Was there truly no one who could stand against the Ghost King?

“Ye Yijian, your greatest reliance—the Taiyi Sword Formation—has been destroyed. Prepare to meet your end!”

Under the anxious gaze of the disciples, the Ghost King let out a chilling laugh. The Soul-Devouring Hand erupted, unleashing a vast torrent of ghostly energy, as if bringing forth a world of darkness to engulf Ye Yijian and his companions. That darkness soon enveloped all the disciples as well.

Clearly, the Ghost King intended to annihilate them all.

“Ghost King, even if I perish and my Dao collapses, I will never allow you to harm my disciples!” Ye Yijian’s face was resolute. He strode forward, determined to use his own body to shield them from the Soul-Devouring Hand.

The elders, inspired by Ye Yijian’s determination, stepped forward as well, faces set with resolve, joining him to resist the deadly attack.

“Like a mantis trying to stop a chariot—you dare oppose my Soul-Devouring Hand? Foolishly overestimating yourselves. Since you wish for death, I shall grant your wish.” The Ghost King’s voice was icy as his jade-like hand moved, releasing a tremendous force from the Soul-Devouring Hand.

Under that force, Ye Yijian and his companions could not help but spit blood, yet they clenched their teeth, desperately resisting the crushing power.

With each expenditure of their spiritual energy, their faces grew paler, the strain immense. But there was no retreat. Especially now, they could not falter. If they did, the disciples would lose all faith, and the ancestors of Mount Mao would surely be furious enough to strike them down.

That scene moved the disciples to tears. Though their sect master and uncles were strict and harsh at times, it was only for their own good, to urge them to cultivate diligently.

Now, regret gnawed at them. Had they worked harder at their cultivation, perhaps they would not be so helpless.

Their lives belonged to Mount Mao. Had the sect not taken them in, they might have starved in the streets. They could not simply sit and wait for death.

“Fellow disciples, though we cannot aid the sect master, we can still fight the denizens of the Ghost Realm!”

“Yes, our senior brother is right. We’ll fight them—even if we die, we’ll die with dignity. We cannot let them set foot inside our gates!”

With Ye Qiuchen’s rallying cry, the disciples shouted in unison, their courage in the face of death stirring Jiang Xiaofei, who stood at the front of the Ghost Realm’s ranks. He sighed softly, “Why do you persist? You know you’re no match for the Ghost Realm, yet you jump into the fire. Should you not cherish your lives for the sake of your parents who raised you?”

“Parents? We lost our parents long ago. If you’re a Ghost Realm envoy, you’ll be disappointed. Since you’re not one of them, I, Ye Qiuchen, won’t kill you, but if you insist on standing in our way, don’t blame me for being ruthless.”

As Ye Qiuchen spoke, a man in black robes stepped forward and respectfully asked Jiang Xiaofei, “Master Fei, this brat insulted you. Shall I kill him for you?”

“No need. Stand down.” Jiang Xiaofei waved his hand. Though Ye Qiuchen’s words left him speechless, he could not simply watch these brave young men march to their deaths.

He then sneered at Ye Qiuchen, “I admire your courage, but in my eyes, it’s nothing more than the recklessness of the ignorant.”

“How dare you look down on us, disciples of Mount Mao!” Ye Qiuchen’s face burned with anger, and the disciples behind him were equally incensed—a blatant provocation, as if they were beneath notice.

A young man stepped forward and addressed Ye Qiuchen, “Senior brother, don’t waste words with him. He’s just stalling for time until the Ghost King is free.”

Hearing this, a cold gleam appeared in Ye Qiuchen’s eyes as he stared at Jiang Xiaofei. “I tried to reason with you, but since you ignore my goodwill, I’ll kill you myself.”

“Then come at me. If you can defeat me, I’ll ask the Ghost King to spare all of you.” Jiang Xiaofan replied calmly, his body suffused with a vast ghostly aura, his presence no less intimidating than the Ghost King’s.

His display stunned the disciples—how could a mere human possess the ghostly energy of a thousand years? Was he even human? He was a terrifying monster.

Ordinary people, exposed to even a trace of ghostly energy, would fall gravely ill, their lives ruined. But Jiang Xiaofei was unharmed, wielding the energy with ease.

The members of the Ghost Realm watched with smug expressions. Though they were surprised by Master Fei’s aura, they knew he was the Ghost King’s brother-in-law, so such power was not unthinkable.

With Master Fei taking action, they expected the Mount Mao disciples to be obliterated, though they could not fathom Jiang Xiaofei’s true intentions.

Ye Qiuchen’s face was grim—he had never imagined this seemingly ordinary youth would possess the ghostly energy of a millennium.

Though shocked, he was not afraid. “So you have the ghostly energy of a thousand years—so what? Alone, you cannot withstand us. Let’s attack together.”

Jiang Xiaofei replied coldly, “No need for the others. I alone am enough.”

“Arrogant fool!” Ye Qiuchen barked, leading the disciples in a charge against Jiang Xiaofei.

Facing their assault, Jiang Xiaofei sighed and waved his right hand. An immense river of ghostly energy surged forth, sweeping over the disciples.

When the torrent struck, a great number of disciples fell instantly. Only Ye Qiuchen remained standing. He stared at his brothers and sisters, unharmed despite being knocked down by the ghostly energy, and was stunned. He realized Jiang Xiaofei had held back—otherwise, with that blow, even if they survived, the ghostly energy would have tormented them horribly, especially since it was the energy of a thousand years.