29: Chapter 29 Today is your death day

"Hold on!" Daoist Wangchuan shouted. His hands formed a seal, and a golden barrier rose, barely blocking the first wave of attacks.

The Witch took the opportunity to rush out, her blue flame transforming into a giant python that swept through the enemy lines, forcing several Men in Black back. In the chaos, she turned and shouted, "Qing Luo, go!"

Qing Luo pulled Bi Luo along while Moyue led the way, and the three of them quickly broke through toward Bright Moon Mountain.

"Stop them!" the Leader of the Men in Black roared.

Two Dark Prison Disciples immediately gave chase, but they were struck by talismans thrown by Daoist Wangchuan and fell to the ground in pain.

The battle grew increasingly fierce. The Witch's blue flame clashed with the Leader of the Men in Black's soul mirror, sending sparks flying everywhere. Daoist Wangchuan faced the remaining enemies alone; his Taoist robe was torn in several places, and blood dripped down his arm.

"You are no match for us," the Leader of the Men in Black sneered. "Today is the day you die!"

The Witch was struck in the shoulder by a black light. She cried out in pain and stumbled back. Daoist Wangchuan's situation was even worse; he was surrounded by three Dark Prison Disciples, his life hanging by a thread.

"Junior Sister, cover me!" Daoist Wangchuan suddenly shouted.

The Witch understood and her blue flame surged, forming a wall of fire. Daoist Wangchuan took the opportunity to pull a yellowed talisman from his robe, bit his finger, and drew a complex pattern on it.

"Trying to use a forbidden technique?" the Leader of the Men in Black sneered. "Too late!"

He raised the soul mirror, and a beam of black light shot straight at Daoist Wangchuan. The Witch blocked the front, taking the hit head-on. She spat out blood but still protected Daoist Wangchuan behind her with everything she had.

"It's done!" Daoist Wangchuan shouted. The talisman ignited with golden flames and transformed into countless golden butterflies that flew in all directions.

Wherever the golden butterflies passed, the Dark Prison Disciples fell one after another, screaming in agony. The Leader of the Men in Black was shocked and hurriedly raised his soul mirror for defense, only to see that the butterflies did not attack him, but instead formed a massive character for 'Lure' in the air.

"Soul-Luring Technique!" The face of the Leader of the Men in Black changed drastically. "You're insane!"

Daoist Wangchuan sneered, "One must be mad to truly live."

In an instant, the sky and earth changed color, and a powerful suction force emerged from the 'Lure' character, sweeping the surrounding Dark Prison Disciples into it like a hurricane.

"Go!" Daoist Wangchuan grabbed the Witch and took advantage of the chaos to break through.

The Leader of the Men in Black roared and tried to pursue them, but he was hindered by the increasingly strong suction and could only watch helplessly as the two escaped.

Halfway up the mountain, Qing Luo and Bi Luo met the arriving Daoist Wangchuan and the Witch.

"Are you all right?" Qing Luo asked worriedly, her heart tightening at the sight of their injuries.

"We won't die," the Witch forced a smile. "What about you?"

Moyue let out a cry as if in response. Bi Luo leaned weakly against Qing Luo: "I can still walk."

"We can't stop," Daoist Wangchuan said solemnly. "The Soul-Luring Technique can only trap them temporarily. We must reach the summit as quickly as possible."

The four continued to climb. Bright Moon Mountain became increasingly steep, filled with jagged rocks, but fortunately, Moyue seemed familiar with the place and could always find the safest path.

"This mountain... something is wrong," the Witch frowned. "The higher the cultivation, the more difficult it is to climb."

Daoist Wangchuan nodded. "This is Chu Yang's handiwork. Bright Moon Mountain has a restriction; the more powerful a person is, the stronger the suppression they face."

This explained why the injured Bi Luo and Qing Luo, whose cultivation was shallow, were able to move freely. Moyue was even hopping and jumping along without any hindrance.

"What a cunning fellow," the Witch smiled bitterly. "I knew he'd set this kind of trap."

Finally, the four reached a platform, with only one last stretch of steep stone steps remaining before the summit.

"We've arrived!" Daoist Wangchuan sighed in relief.

Just then, a sneer came from behind: "Did you think you could lose us that easily?"

The Leader of the Men in Black had caught up at some point, followed by the remaining Dark Prison Disciples, all with hideous expressions.

"You go up first," Daoist Wangchuan stood in front. "I will hold the rear."

The Witch clenched her fists. "I'll stay with you."

"No," Daoist Wangchuan shook his head. "Bi Luo needs your care, and Qing Luo needs your protection. Besides..." He glanced at his trembling hand, "I still have one last move."

Tears welled in the Witch's eyes; knowing she couldn't persuade him, she could only nod heavily. "Be careful."

"Oh, you," Daoist Wangchuan smiled. "Still a crybaby just like when you were little."

The Witch wiped away her tears and quickly led Qing Luo and Bi Luo up the mountain. Moyue hesitated for a moment but did not follow, staying by Daoist Wangchuan's side instead.

"Even a beast knows that this old man is no pushover," Daoist Wangchuan patted Moyue and turned to the Men in Black. "Come, let us settle this!"

At the summit platform, a massive bright moon was reflected in a central pool. A tea set was laid out on a stone table by the pool, as if someone had just been enjoying tea there.

"This is..." Qing Luo felt a sense of familiarity. "The place from my dreams."

The Witch led the two around the pool to a stone wall. Complex patterns were carved into the wall, with a small groove in the center.

"This should be the entrance," the Witch studied the patterns, "but it needs a key to open."

Qing Luo remembered the key from her dream and was about to say something when a loud bang came from down the mountain, followed by Daoist Wangchuan's scream.

"Master!" Bi Luo cried out.

The Witch's face changed drastically. "They're coming up!"

Sure enough, before long, the Leader of the Men in Black appeared on the platform with several subordinates. Holding the soul mirror, he wore a triumphant smile. "Finally, the prey has nowhere left to run."

"Where is Daoist Wangchuan?" the Witch asked sharply.

The Leader of the Men in Black sneered, "That old geezer has been sent into the cycle of reincarnation by me. Don't expect to see him again in this lifetime."

Fury burned in the Witch's eyes. "I'm going to kill you!"

Just as she was about to rush forward, Bi Luo pulled her back. "Don't fall for it. Master won't be defeated that easily."

The Leader of the Men in Black was dismissive. "Don't believe me? Then look at this!"

He held up an item—a blood-stained jade pendant, the very one Daoist Wangchuan always wore.

Bi Luo turned deathly pale, the Witch clenched her fists, and Qing Luo was at a loss.

At that moment, Moyue suddenly leaped out from behind, carrying a small golden object in its mouth, and jumped in front of Qing Luo.

"This is..." Qing Luo took it—a small golden key!

The Leader of the Men in Black was shocked. "Stop her!"

The Witch leaped up, her blue flame cascading like a waterfall to block the Dark Prison Disciples' advance. Bi Luo forced her weak body to perform hand seals and chant incantations, buying time for Qing Luo.

The key glowed in Qing Luo's hand, fitting perfectly into the groove on the stone wall. She inserted and turned it without hesitation.

The sound of a mechanism turning rang out, and the stone wall slowly opened, revealing the space inside.

"Get inside!" the Witch shouted, still locked in combat with the Leader of the Men in Black.

Qing Luo looked back. "What about you?"

"We'll be right behind you," Bi Luo gave her a push. "Quick!"

Qing Luo was reluctant, but she knew that hesitating now would make everyone's efforts go to waste. She picked up Moyue and gritted her teeth as she stepped through the door. The stone door closed quickly behind her, cutting off the sounds of battle from the outside world.