73: Mysterious Shadow, Crisis Escalates

Facing this sudden Mysterious Figure, everyone quickly set up a defensive formation.

The old man frowned, his eyes revealing vigilance and solemnity as he gripped his cane tightly, shielding the southern bright fire pearl behind him.

"Who are you? Why do you want to seize the southern bright fire pearl and attempt to disrupt the peace of the Jianghu?" The old man's voice was steady and powerful, echoing in the air.

The Mysterious Figure, shrouded in black mist, let out an eerie, cold laugh. "Hmph, old man, mind your own business. The southern bright fire pearl is the key to my great cause, and no one shall stop me."

With that, it flashed forward like black lightning, charging toward the old man with such speed that people could barely react.

Qiao Feng did not hesitate to unleash the Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms, the golden palm prints blasting toward the Mysterious Figure like cannonballs.

"If you want to take the southern bright fire pearl, you must get past me first!" Qiao Feng's voice was firm and resonant, and the palm prints, carrying a powerful Aura, collided with the Mysterious Figure's black mist, erupting in a dazzling light.

However, the Mysterious Figure seemed completely unharmed and continued to close in on the old man.

Fu Hongxue swung his long saber, the Saber Qi of the "Bright Moon Blade of the Horizon" crisscrossing as it slashed toward the Mysterious Figure.

The Saber Qi was like a black crescent moon, carrying a biting murderous intent.

The Mysterious Figure dodged to the side, easily avoiding Fu Hongxue's attack, and simultaneously flicked its hand, sending a streak of black spiritual energy whipping toward Fu Hongxue.

Fu Hongxue hurriedly blocked with his long saber; with a "clang," the powerful impact left his arm numb.

West Gate Blows Snow and Ye Gucheng combined their swords, executing a joint sword technique.

Their figures intertwined, and Sword Qi crisscrossed like a silver bolt of lightning shooting toward the Mysterious Figure.

The Mysterious Figure snorted coldly and quickly formed hand Seals. A layer of black shield appeared before it. The Sword Qi from West Gate Blows Snow and Ye Gucheng struck the shield, producing a series of crisp "ding" sounds, but the shield did not move at all.

The Man in Black Robe formed hand Seals, chanting under its breath.

Icy blue runes flew from its body, spinning in the air to form a massive icy blue magic circle that descended upon the Mysterious Figure.

Sensing the threat of the magic circle, the black mist on the Mysterious Figure suddenly expanded, blocking the icy blue magic circle.

The Woman in White played her jade flute, the melody melodious and winding, transforming into a white light that enveloped everyone.

The light not only bestowed a defensive shield upon everyone but also attempted to interfere with the Mysterious Figure's movements.

However, the evil Aura on the Mysterious Figure was too powerful, and the effect of the flute music was not significant.

The members of the Blood Demon Hall and the Nether Ghost Sect also joined the battle.

The Blood Demon unleashed the eerie Blood Demon Cultivation Technique, waving its hands to send streaks of blood-red spiritual energy threads shooting toward the Mysterious Figure.

The spiritual energy threads were like sharp arrows, moving at extreme speed.

The Mysterious Figure snorted in disdain and flicked its hand, causing the blood-red spiritual energy threads to be swallowed by the black mist.

The Sect Master of the Nether Ghost Sect waved its staff, summoning a group of powerful Ghost Spirits.

The Ghost Spirits bared their fangs and brandished their claws as they charged at the Mysterious Figure, engaging it in a fierce battle.

The Yin Qi of the Ghost Spirits permeated the area, causing the surrounding temperature to plummet.

The Mysterious Figure was not afraid at all; the black mist on its body collided with the Yin Qi of the Ghost Spirits, emitting bursts of eerie shrieks.

Seeing that everyone was locked in a bitter struggle with the Mysterious Figure, the old man knew he could no longer stand by and watch.

He carefully put away the southern bright fire pearl, then gripped his cane with both hands and chanted a spell.

The tip of the cane flashed with a dazzling light, and a powerful force surged from the old man, rushing toward the Mysterious Figure.

Sensing this powerful force, the Mysterious Figure's expression changed slightly, and it concentrated all its strength to resist.

With a loud "boom," the powerful impact caused huge cracks to appear on the surrounding ground, sending dust flying.

The Mysterious Figure was pushed back a few steps by the old man's attack, but it quickly steadied itself.

"Old man, you have some skill. However, I am determined to obtain the southern bright fire pearl."

A fierce light flashed in the Mysterious Figure's eyes as it launched another attack.

This time, the black mist on its body became even denser, as if it wanted to dye the entire sky black.

The Mysterious Figure raised its hands high and chanted.

Dark clouds in the sky gathered rapidly, forming a massive black vortex.

Black lightning surged continuously from the vortex, striking down toward everyone.

"Careful!" Qiao Feng shouted, and everyone hurriedly unleashed their defensive measures.

Qiao Feng executed the defensive method of the Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms, with a layer of golden light appearing around his body; Fu Hongxue held his long saber horizontally in front of him, thick black Saber Qi swirling around the blade; West Gate Blows Snow and Ye Gucheng formed a barrier with their Sword Qi; the Man in Black Robe once again deployed icy blue runes to form a defensive shield; the Woman in White played a more intense tune on her jade flute, the white light tightly wrapping around everyone; the members of the Blood Demon Hall and the Nether Ghost Sect also used their respective Cultivation Techniques to resist the attacks of the black lightning.

The black lightning continuously struck their defenses, producing deafening roars.

Their defenses were tottering under the attack of the black lightning.

"This won't work; we must find a way to fight back!" Qiao Feng shouted.

Just then, the Mysterious Figure suddenly stopped attacking. It looked at everyone with an eerie smile on its face.

"Hmph, do you think you can resist my attacks like this? This is only the beginning."

With that, it flashed and vanished from everyone's sight.

Everyone vigilantly looked around, not daring to relax in the slightest.

"Where did it go?" Ye Gucheng asked.

"I don't know, but it certainly won't give up easily. We cannot let our guard down," Qiao Feng said.

The old man frowned slightly, having sensed the strength and eeriness of the Mysterious Figure.

"This person's strength is extraordinary, and the evil Aura on it is extremely intense. We must find the place to Seal the southern bright fire pearl as soon as possible to prevent it from attacking again."

However, what everyone did not know was that the Mysterious Figure had not truly left.

It was hiding in the shadows, observing their every move.

It was waiting for the best opportunity to strike again and seize the southern bright fire pearl.

Moreover, it seemed it was hiding an even greater conspiracy.

Can Qiao Feng and the others successfully find the place to Seal the southern bright fire pearl under the secret surveillance of the Mysterious Figure?

When will the Mysterious Figure launch its next attack?

What kind of conspiracy is hidden behind it?

The situation in the Jianghu is becoming increasingly intricate, and everything awaits them to uncover the truth...