102: Chapter 102 The Hidden Dragon Returns to the Abyss, Undercurrents Rage

"Go, bypass the main road and return to the mountain via the abandoned ancient path behind 'Sword Ridge Cliff'." Lin Ye did not hesitate and made an immediate decision.

That path was extremely secret and perilous, nearly vertical, and had long been abandoned due to sparse spiritual energy and the occasional Yin winds; only a very few of the older generation of Disciples and members of the Dark Hall knew of it.

Now that the Demonic army was pressing down, the outer patrols might have some spare capacity, but for such a forbidden place, there would surely be oversights.

"Ye Xiao, you are familiar with this path; scout ahead and clear any potential hidden sentries, but be sure to remain concealed and do not alert the enemy."

"Gui Li, you are skilled in concealment and reconnaissance; move along the flanks to investigate the distribution of the Demonic army's outer forces, Formation nodes, and the movements of the Yinkui Sect."

"Senior Brother Chu, you will accompany me; if any emergency arises, we will cover each other."

"Yes!" The three acknowledged in low voices, their eyes firm.

At this moment, although Lin Ye's cultivation had not yet recovered, the calm demeanor and decisiveness that naturally flowed from him after experiencing the Reincarnation trials and wielding the "reincarnation seal" had already made them subconsciously trust and obey him.

The night grew darker, and the stars and moon were without light, providing the best cover for stealth.

The four of them, like ghosts blending into the shadows, left the valley where they had been temporarily resting under Ye Xiao's guidance and plunged into the deeper, wild jungles of the Ten Thousand Demon Mountain Range.

They avoided all Yao Beast territories and human paths that might be monitored, choosing instead to travel through cliffs, thorny swamps, and areas filled with poisonous miasma.

Although Lin Ye lacked Qi, his control over his body and his intuition for danger far exceeded the past, and with Chu Yun's assistance, he was able to keep up.

Along the way, they encountered several scattered groups of low-level Yinkui Sect Cultivators and Demonized Yao Beasts clearly patrolling the periphery, all of whom were silently dealt with by Ye Xiao and Gui Li, their bodies properly disposed of without leaving a trace.

Two days later, late at night, they finally arrived at the foot of "Sword Ridge Cliff".

Looking up, the nearly vertical black cliff towered into the clouds, resembling a giant sword thrust upside down, steep, rugged, and devoid of vegetation.

Above the middle section of the cliff, it was shrouded year-round in grey-black "Bone-Eroding Yin Wind" that could corrode spiritual energy and Divine Soul, the howling sound resembling the wailing of ten thousand ghosts, chilling the heart.

A narrow stone staircase, almost erased by time and carved into the fissures of the cliff, wound upwards and disappeared into the Yin winds.

"This is it. From here, we go up, bypass a natural stone cave, and we can go directly to the vicinity of the 'Reflective Cliff' behind the mountain. That location is remote, the Formation monitoring is relatively weak, and there is a secret passage that leads directly to the outskirts of the Sword Tomb." Ye Xiao said in a low voice, pointing to the stone staircase that was almost integrated with the cliff.

"Let's go." Lin Ye had no superfluous words. The closer he got to the Sect, the stronger the ominous premonition and urgency in his heart became.

The four began to climb. The stone steps were slippery and covered with moss, and many parts had already collapsed, requiring them to use both hands and feet, and even rely on grappling hooks.

The Bone-Eroding Yin Wind occasionally drilled out from the cracks in the cliff, cold and bone-piercing, penetrating straight into the Divine Soul.

Even though the four had not weak cultivation (Lin Ye's Divine Soul was resilient), they still needed to concentrate to resist, and their progress was quite slow.

It took a full three hours, and when the horizon began to show a hint of fish-belly white, they finally climbed to the top of the cliff, passed through a hidden stone cave covered with vines, and stepped into the territory of the Lingyun Sword Sect's back mountain.

The familiar aura of the Sect, mixed with a faint smell of blood and a nauseating, cold, and filthy Devilish Qi, rushed towards them.

Looking around, the originally beautiful back mountain was now a mess. Many peaks had been shaved off, the trees were scorched black, and there were craters from Spell bombardments and dried, blackened bloodstains on the ground.

In the distance, in the direction of the main peak, there were faint rumbling sounds and shouts of battle; the aftermath of the collision between Spiritual Light and Devilish Qi could be clearly sensed even from a great distance.

The cruelty of war was deeply branded on this land.

"Go directly to the Sword Tomb." Lin Ye said in a deep voice.

The Sword Tomb was the core Forbidden Ground of the Sect, guarded by ancient Formations, and held secrets related to the "Gatekeeper". If Supreme Elder Tianxuan and the others were retreating, they would likely choose that place as their final line of defense or the location for the "three keys" ritual.

The four became even more careful, using their familiarity with the terrain and the stealth methods of Ye Xiao and Gui Li to move through the ruins and dense forests, avoiding some areas still emitting black smoke from Devilish Qi pollution and sporadic patrolling demonic creatures.

However, just as they approached the misty bamboo forest on the outskirts of the Sword Tomb, a sudden change occurred!

In the bamboo forest ahead, the white mist originally used for concealment and protection had now turned into a faint, unsettling grey-black!

Within the mist, distorted shadows were faintly swaying, emitting a ghostly energy that was of the same Origin as the Yinkui Sect's Cultivation Technique, but even purer and more sinister!

"Not right! The 'Lost Mist Formation' on the outskirts of the Sword Tomb has been polluted!" Ye Xiao's expression changed, "There are experts from the Yinkui Sect; they have likely already infiltrated near the Sword Tomb, or even... have already entered!"

Lin Ye's eyes narrowed. The Sword Tomb must not be lost!

"Go in and see, be careful." He said in a low voice, while secretly communicating with the "reincarnation seal" in his bosom.

This seal had a natural restraint against Yin evil ghost energy, and might help them distinguish directions in this polluted mist, or even...

The four sneaked silently into the grey-black mist. The mist not only blocked vision but also interfered with spiritual sense, and there was an even colder aura constantly trying to erode their protective spiritual light.

Ye Xiao and Gui Li's stealth capabilities were greatly affected here.

Not long after, intense fighting sounds and shouts suddenly came from ahead!

"Form the 'Three Talents Sword Formation'! Block them! Never let them break into the core of the Sword Tomb!"

It was the voice of Supreme Elder Tianxuan! But at this moment, the voice was full of fatigue, anger, and a trace of... determination?

"Hehehe... Old man Tianxuan, what is the point of a desperate struggle? The Demonic Lord's army has already broken through the last line of defense on your front mountain. This place will be the final graveyard of your Lingyun Sword Sect! Hand over the 'reincarnation seal' and the whereabouts of that little beast, Lin Han, and this seat might give you a quick death!"

A sharp, ear-piercing voice of an old man full of evil aura rang out, accompanied by bursts of ghost wailing and wolf howling.

Lin Ye and the others felt their spirits lift and quickly approached.

Passing through a bamboo forest ravaged by Sword Qi and ghost energy, the scene ahead suddenly opened up.

On the open ground at the entrance of the Sword Tomb, a tragic battle was erupting.

On one side, led by Supreme Elder Tianxuan, there were only seven or eight people, all of them injured and with weak auras—Lingyun Sword Sect Cultivators.

Among them, Lin Ye saw Elder Liu, Elder Li (the one rescued), and two unknown Elders whose cultivation had also reached the Golden Core Early Stage (perhaps hidden Cultivators or reinforcements?), as well as three Foundation Establishment Stage deacons covered in blood but still gritting their teeth to hold on.

They were backed against the ancient stone gate of the Sword Tomb, which was covered in sword marks, forming an incomplete sword Formation and resisting desperately.

On the other side, there were more than twenty people. The leader was a thin and short old man wearing a wide black robe, holding a strange snake-headed staff, with deep-set eye sockets and an aura that had impressively reached the Golden Core Late Stage—it was none other than the "Soul-Eating Old Monster", one of the four great Demonic Commanders of the Yinkui Sect mentioned in the Dark Hall's intelligence!

Behind him followed four Golden Core Early Stage Yinkui Sect Elders and more than a dozen Foundation Establishment Stage elite Disciples.

They were controlling various corpse puppets, ghosts, and poisonous insects, forming a Formation, surrounding Supreme Elder Tianxuan and the others, attacking like a tide.

Moreover, the grey-black mist was continuously emanating from the Soul-Eating Old Monster's snake-headed staff, eroding the protective barriers on the outskirts of the Sword Tomb.

On the ground, several bodies had already fallen, some belonging to Lingyun Sword Sect Disciples, others to Yinkui Sect Cultivators.

Clearly, the battle had been going on for some time, and it was extremely tragic.

The Lingyun Sword Sect side was already in danger, the sword Formation was precarious, and Supreme Elder Tianxuan had a deep wound on his chest that reached the bone, glowing with black energy, clearly poisoned or affected by an evil Spell.

"Soul-Eating! Don't even think about it!" Supreme Elder Tianxuan's beard and hair stood on end. Ignoring his injuries, he activated his life-bound Flying Sword, turning it into a dazzling galaxy-like sword light, and slashed towards the Soul-Eating Old Monster.

However, it was blocked by a thick black energy sprayed from his snake-headed staff, making a "hissing" corrosive sound, and the sword light quickly dimmed.

"Stubborn! Then all of you go die! Ten Thousand Ghosts Devouring Hearts!" The Soul-Eating Old Monster grinned hideously and slammed his snake-headed staff onto the ground.

The four Golden Core Elders behind him simultaneously pinched incantations, and countless ferocious ghost phantoms gushed out from their sleeves and banners, merging into a torrent of ghost energy, making ear-piercing shrieks, and rushing towards the last line of defense of Supreme Elder Tianxuan and the others!

Wherever it passed, the ground froze, and even the air seemed to be polluted.

Watching Supreme Elder Tianxuan and the others about to be submerged by this terrifying torrent of ghost energy!

Just at this critical moment!

"Under the reincarnation seal, all evil shall be repelled!"

A clear, calm, yet indescribably majestic voice suddenly rang out from the side and rear of the battlefield!

Immediately following, a not-so-dazzling chaotic-colored light, like the first ray of dawn of the rising sun, silently but unswervingly pierced through the grey-black mist and shone upon the surging torrent of ghost energy!

Hiss—!!!

Like a hot branding iron falling into a pile of snow!

The torrent of ghost energy, gathered from countless ferocious ghosts and resentful Souls, with overwhelming ferocity, at the moment of touching this chaotic light, seemed to encounter a natural nemesis, emitting a shrill scream that seemed to come from the very Origin of the Soul!

The ghost phantoms in the front row faded, twisted, and finally with a "poof" sound, turned into wisps of green smoke and completely dissipated at a speed visible to the naked eye!

The ghost energy behind also rolled back like a tide, shrinking and not daring to advance!

"What?!" The Soul-Eating Old Monster turned in horror, looking at the source of the light.

Four figures slowly walked out from the mist. The leader had a pale face and a somewhat thin figure, but his back was straight like a pine tree.

In the palm of his right hand, an illusory seal that was neither gold nor jade, emitting a chaotic luster and seeming to contain the life and death of the heavens, was quietly floating, exuding a supreme majesty that made all ghost-path Cultivators tremble in their Souls!

It was Lin Ye!

"Lin Han?!"

"Acting Sect Master!"

Both sides exclaimed simultaneously. Supreme Elder Tianxuan and the others were pleasantly surprised, finding life in the midst of death.

While the Soul-Eating Old Monster and the others were shocked, ecstatic, and then turned into deeper dread and greed!

"Little beast! You really came back! And with the 'reincarnation seal'! Heaven is truly helping me!" The Soul-Eating Old Monster's eyes burst with terrifying light, staring fixedly at the illusory seal in Lin Ye's palm, his face full of greed and madness, "Take him for this seat! Seize the 'reincarnation seal'! The Demonic Lord will surely reward us heavily!"

"Protect the Acting Sect Master!" Supreme Elder Tianxuan forced a breath and shouted sternly, about to rush over with Elder Liu and the others.

"Supreme Elder Tianxuan, Elders, just hold the Sword Tomb entrance!" Lin Ye raised his hand to stop them, looking calmly at the Soul-Eating Old Monster and the Yinkui Sect Cultivators behind him who were facing a great enemy yet eager to move.

"This fellow, leave it to me."

He took a step forward, facing the Soul-Eating Old Monster and his four Golden Core subordinates and over a dozen Foundation Establishment Disciples alone.

Chu Yun, Ye Xiao, and Gui Li tacitly stood on his flanks behind him, implicitly protecting him while locking onto the four Golden Core Elders.

"Arrogant!" The Soul-Eating Old Monster laughed in extreme anger, "A mere Qi Refining junior, relying on the slight power of a supreme treasure, dares to speak so brazenly? This seat wants to see how long your 'reincarnation seal' can protect you!"

"ten thousand ghost banner, come out! One Hundred Ghosts Night Walk!"

He fiercely threw the snake-headed staff in his hand into the air. The snake mouth at the top of the staff opened, spitting out a small banner as black as ink, carved with countless painful faces.

The small banner grew in the wind, instantly turning several zhang in size, flapping loudly. Thick, inseparable pitch-black ghost energy poured down like a waterfall, and countless twisted, screaming ghost shadows emerged from it.

The aura of every ghost shadow was actually not weaker than Foundation Establishment!

There was even a ghost general phantom several zhang tall, with two horns on its head, holding a steel fork, emitting a Golden Core aura, standing under the banner, its scarlet eyes locked on Lin Ye!

At the same time, the four Golden Core Elders also attacked simultaneously, either sacrificing ghost-head sabers, shaking Soul-summoning bells, or releasing corpse kings, cooperating with the terrifying momentum of the "One Hundred Ghosts Night Walk" to besiege Lin Ye from different directions!

Over a dozen Foundation Establishment Disciples also activated Magical Artifacts and released ghosts, forming an overwhelming offensive!

In an instant, ghosts cried and shook the sky, Yin winds raged, as if a nether ghost realm had descended here, wanting to completely devour Lin Ye!

Facing this terrifying siege that would make any Golden Core Cultivator change color, Lin Ye's expression remained calm. He raised his hand, and the "reincarnation seal" phantom in his palm swirled with light.

"I said,"

His voice rang out clearly amidst the sky-filling ghost wails.

"In this world, evil spirits shall be executed by Reincarnation."