72: Faced with renewed conflict, they strive to protect the Spirit Pearl.

The Cult Master of the Dark Holy Cult led his Cultists, rushing over with an imposing Aura. His gaze was fixed intently on the southern bright fire pearl in the old man's hand, as if it were already his. “Hand over the southern bright fire pearl, or none of you will leave alive!” He brandished the magic staff in his hand, its tip flickering with an eerie black light, echoing the sinister Aura emanating from his body.

Qiao Feng stepped forward, shielding everyone behind him, and looked firmly at the Cult Master of the Dark Holy Cult. “Cult Master of the Dark Holy Cult, you have repeatedly attempted to seize spiritual items and harm the Jianghu. Today, you will not succeed.”

The old man frowned slightly, looking at the Cult Master of the Dark Holy Cult, his tone calm but authoritative: “You evil scoundrel, to covet the southern bright fire pearl is simply wishful thinking. This pearl concerns the safety of the Jianghu; how could it fall into your hands?”

The Cult Master of the Dark Holy Cult sneered, “Hmph, old man, don't think your minor abilities can stop me. My Dark Holy Cult has plotted for the southern bright fire pearl for a long time; how could I let all my efforts go to waste?” With that, he waved his magic staff, and a black pillar of spiritual energy blasted towards the old man. Where the pillar passed, the air seemed to tear apart, emitting a piercing sound.

The old man's expression remained unchanged. He gently waved the staff in his hand, and a soft light met the black spiritual energy pillar. “Boom!” The two collided, erupting with a powerful impact. Cracks instantly appeared on the surrounding ground. The Cultists of the Dark Holy Cult were knocked off balance by the impact, but the old man stood steadily in place, his expression composed.

Seeing this, Fu Hongxue's figure flickered, charging towards the Cult Master of the Dark Holy Cult like a ghost. The long Saber in his hand gleamed with cold light, and the Saber Qi of the Bright Moon Blade of the Horizon crisscrossed, slashing towards the Cult Master of the Dark Holy Cult. The Cult Master of the Dark Holy Cult sidestepped Fu Hongxue's attack, while simultaneously commanding his Cultists to encircle and attack Fu Hongxue. In an instant, shouts of battle erupted, and Fu Hongxue was surrounded by Cultists.

West Gate Blows Snow and Ye Gucheng exchanged glances, drawing their twin Swords simultaneously, their Sword Qi like a rainbow. Their figures moved like lightning, weaving through the ranks of the Dark Holy Cult. Their Sword moves were fierce, each Sword precisely striking at the enemy's vital points. Cultists fell one after another under their Swords, but the Dark Holy Cult had a large number of people, continuously surging forward.

The Man in Black Robe formed hand Seals and chanted incantations. Ice-blue runes flew out from his body, spinning in the air as they flew towards the Cult Master of the Dark Holy Cult. The runes contained powerful spiritual energy, attempting to interfere with the Cult Master of the Dark Holy Cult's actions. Feeling the threat of the runes, the Cult Master of the Dark Holy Cult waved his magic staff, releasing black flames to try and burn the runes.

The Woman in White played her jade flute, the melody graceful and melodious. The flute's sound transformed into white light, enveloping Fu Hongxue, West Gate Blows Snow, and Ye Gucheng, granting them a defensive shield, and also creating a confusing effect on the Cultists of the Dark Holy Cult. Some Cultists' eyes became hazy, their movements slow, allowing West Gate Blows Snow and Ye Gucheng to seize the opportunity to strike them down.

Seeing the chaotic situation, the people from the Blood Demon Hall and the Nether Ghost Sect each had their own plans. Blood Demon whispered to the Sect Master of the Nether Ghost Sect, “This is an opportunity, should we take advantage of it to seize the southern bright fire pearl?” A hint of hesitation flashed in the Sect Master of the Nether Ghost Sect's eyes, “But that old man's strength is extraordinary. If we act rashly, we might not gain anything.” As the two hesitated, Qiao Feng shouted loudly, “Blood Demon, Sect Master of the Nether Ghost Sect, now is the time for us to jointly resist the Dark Holy Cult. Do not harbor distracting thoughts. It's not too late to discuss the southern bright fire pearl after we repel the Dark Holy Cult.”

Blood Demon and the Sect Master of the Nether Ghost Sect felt a chill in their hearts upon hearing Qiao Feng's words. They knew that if they rashly seized the southern bright fire pearl at this moment, they might not only fail to obtain it but also fall into a siege from all sides. Thus, they decided to temporarily put aside their distracting thoughts and fight the Dark Holy Cult alongside Qiao Feng and the others.

Blood Demon unleashed his eerie Blood Demon Cultivation Technique. With a wave of his hands, threads of blood-red spiritual energy shot towards the Cult Master of the Dark Holy Cult. The spiritual energy threads were like sharp arrows, moving at extreme speed. The Cult Master of the Dark Holy Cult waved his magic staff, blocking the blood-red spiritual energy threads, but this also distracted him.

The Sect Master of the Nether Ghost Sect waved his staff, summoning a group of powerful Ghost Spirits. The Ghost Spirits, baring their fangs and claws, charged towards the Cultists of the Dark Holy Cult, engaging them in fierce battle. The Yin Qi of the Ghost Spirits permeated the area, causing the surrounding temperature to drop sharply, and many Cultists were corroded by the Yin Qi, their bodies becoming stiff.

Taking advantage of the Cult Master of the Dark Holy Cult's distraction while blocking Blood Demon's attack, Qiao Feng unleashed the strongest move of the Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms, “Divine Dragon Swings Tail.” A gigantic golden Dragon shadow roared as it charged towards the Cult Master of the Dark Holy Cult. The Cult Master of the Dark Holy Cult felt the immense power of this strike and quickly concentrated all his strength to defend. “Boom!” The golden Dragon shadow collided with the Cult Master of the Dark Holy Cult's black spiritual energy shield, and the powerful impact forced the Cult Master of the Dark Holy Cult back several steps.

The old man nodded slightly, seeing everyone working together against the Dark Holy Cult. He waved the staff in his hand again, and an even more powerful beam of light shot towards the Cult Master of the Dark Holy Cult. The light, like a sharp blade, directly broke through the Cult Master of the Dark Holy Cult's defense and struck his body. The Cult Master of the Dark Holy Cult let out a muffled groan, spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, and his body swayed precariously.

“Cult Master!” Seeing their Cult Master injured, the Cultists of the Dark Holy Cult rushed to surround and protect him. The Cult Master of the Dark Holy Cult looked at everyone, filled with anger and hatred. He knew that his plan to seize the southern bright fire pearl had failed again. “Let's go!” he said through gritted teeth, then led his Cultists in a hasty retreat from the scene.

Everyone watched the retreating figures of the Cult Master of the Dark Holy Cult and breathed a sigh of relief. But they knew that the Dark Holy Cult would certainly not let the matter rest, and more trouble was bound to come in the future.

Qiao Feng turned to the old man and said, “Senior, thank you for helping us again. Although the Dark Holy Cult has temporarily retreated, they will surely return to seize the southern bright fire pearl. What are your plans, Senior?”

The old man looked at the southern bright fire pearl in his hand, pondered for a moment, and then said, “I will quickly find a hidden and safe place to Seal the southern bright fire pearl. During this time, I hope you all can assist me in preventing interference from the Dark Holy Cult or other evil forces.”

Everyone nodded in agreement. “Senior, rest assured, we will assist you with all our might,” Qiao Feng said.

However, just as everyone was preparing to leave with the old man, suddenly, dark clouds gathered in the sky, and a huge black lightning bolt streaked across the sky, striking directly at their location. With a loud “Boom!”, a large pit was blasted into the ground, and the powerful impact sent everyone sprawling.

“What's going on?” Everyone was startled and became vigilant. From the dark clouds, a figure slowly emerged, shrouded in black mist, its face unclear, but an extremely powerful and evil Aura emanated from its body.

“The southern bright fire pearl, it will still be mine after all,” the figure said coldly, its voice sounding as if from the Nine Nethers of Hell, sending shivers down their spines.

Who is this mysterious evil figure? Why did he appear at this moment? Can Qiao Feng and the others protect the southern bright fire pearl amidst this new crisis and assist the old man in Sealing it? The situation in the Jianghu is becoming increasingly tense, and everything awaits them to uncover the mystery...