yīn qì rú mò ， cóng nà jiǔ dào guāng zhù zhī zhōng ， yǐn yǐn chuán lái lì guǐ de sī - hǒu 。
阴气如墨，从那九道光柱之中，隐隐传来厉鬼的嘶-吼。
Darkness like ink permeated from the nine luminous columns, with a faint howl of a厉 ghost echoing through.
zhù chí fǎ zhèn de xiū shì ， měi rén shǒu lǐ ná zhe yí miàn hēi sè de xiǎo qí ， qīng qīng yáo huàng bù yǐ ， zhè xiē rén wú yī bú shì yuán yīng xiū shì ， rán ér cǐ shí cǐ 31， měi gè rén de liǎn sè què cāng bái dé yǔ sǐ rén chà bu duō ， nà shì fǎ lì tòu zhī de yuán gù 。
住持法阵的修士，每人手里拿着一面黑色的小旗，轻轻摇晃不已，这些人无一不是元婴修士，然而此时此31，每个人的脸色却苍白得与死人差不多，那是法力透支的缘故。
The monks maintaining the central array each held a small black flag in their hands, gently shaking them. None were anything but Core Formation cultivators, yet at this moment, their faces were as pale as corpses due to the exhaustion of their essence energy.
rán ér tā men yǐ gù bù dé ， zhǐ xiāo dǎ tōng qián wǎng wú dìng hé de tōng lù ， jiù suàn lì xià le gōng ， děng qǔ dào xiū luó shén xuè yǐ hòu ， zì rán huì yǒu yī fèn hǎo chù 。
然而他们已顾不得，只消打通前往无定河的通路，就算立下了功，等取到修罗神血以后，自然会有一份好处。
However, they could not afford to wait any longer; just by opening the path to the Indeterminate River, they would earn their merit. Once they obtained the Deva Blood, there would naturally be rewards for them.
àn zhào lǎo zǔ de shuō fǎ ， jìn jiē dà xiū shì bù zài huà xià ， zhè yàng de yòu huò bǎi zài yǎn qián ， shǎ guā cái huì bù nǔ lì a ！
按照老祖的说法，进阶大修士不在话下，这样的诱惑摆在眼前，傻瓜才会不努力啊！
As per the old ancestor's words, advancing to Great Sage was no big deal. Such temptation before one’s eyes—any fool wouldn't try!
suī rán zhù chí fǎ zhèn de xiū shì gòng yǒu jiǔ rén zhī duō ， dàn qí zhōng què yǐ xuè luó tóng zi wéi zhǔ ， yòu guò le jǐ xī de gōng fu ， tā sà rán zhēng kāi yǎn móu ， gāo gāo tái qǐ shuāng shǒu 。
虽然住持法阵的修士共有九人之多，但其中却以血罗童子为主，又过了几息的功夫，他飒然睁开眼眸，高高抬起双手。
Although there were nine monks maintaining the central array, the main figure was Blood Red Child. After a few more moments, he opened his eyes and raised his hands high.
jiàn tā bǎi chū zhè ge dòng zuò ， qí yú jǐ míng xiū shì fǎng fú dé dào le zhǐ lìng shì de ， gè zì yī dào fǎ jué dǎ chū ， shǒu zhōng de zhèn qí xú xú piāo fú ， fēn bié mò rù le páng biān de yī gēn guāng zhù 。
见他摆出这个动作，其余几名修士仿佛得到了指令似的，各自一道法诀打出，手中的阵旗徐徐漂浮，分别没入了旁边的一根光柱。
Seeing this gesture, the other cultivators seemed to receive a command as they each cast a spell, their flags floating up and entering one of the luminous columns.
gèng jiā sì nüè de yīn fēng ， jǐ gēn guāng zhù fēn bié bào zhǎng qǐ lái ， zú zú kuò dà le yī líng 「 bìng qiě cóng guāng zhù de biǎo miàn ， fú xiàn chū tiào yuè de diàn hú 。 chī chī zhī shēng bù jué yú ěr duǒ ……
更加肆虐的阴风，几根光柱分别暴涨起来，足足扩大了一囹「并且从光柱的表面，浮现出跳跃的电弧。嗤嗤之声不绝于耳朵……
The howling wind grew even stronger, the luminous columns expanding significantly, doubling in size. Electric arcs danced on the surface of the columns, crackling incessantly...
gèng jiā guǐ yì de shì qíng shēng le ， zhǐ jiàn nà luó pán xíng zhuàng jù shí de biǎo miàn ， fú xiàn chū le yī zhāng zhēng níng de guǐ liǎn 。
更加诡异的事情生了，只见那罗盘形状巨石的表面，浮现出了一张狰狞的鬼脸。
Something even more eerie happened; a grotesque ghost face appeared on the surface of the compass-shaped stone.
bù jǐn qīng dú liáo yá ， ér qiě yǎn jīng yǒu liù duì zhī duō ， lǐ miàn hóng máng sì shè ， yī gǔ xuè xīng de qì wèi mí sàn kāi le 。
不仅青毒獠牙，而且眼睛有六对之多，里面红芒四射，一股血腥的气味弥散开了。
Not only did it have sharp fangs and tusks, but it had six pairs of eyes that glowed with red light, spreading an aura of bloodiness.
rán ér xuè luó tóng zi de liǎn shàng què mǎn shì xǐ sè ， shēn chū bái jí bān de gē bó ， zài yāo jiān yī zhāi ， jiāng yí gè líng guǐ dài jì le qǐ lái 。
然而血罗童子的脸上却满是喜色，伸出白藉般的胳膊，在腰间一摘，将一个灵鬼袋祭了起来。
Blood Red Child's face was filled with joy. He stretched out his pale arm, reaching into his waistband to summon a spirit ghost bag.
suí hòu shēn shǒu yī fú ， yī dào jiàn guāng fēi lüè ér chū ， cī lā shēng zhōng ， yǐ jiāng líng guǐ dài sī pò ， méng méng de guǐ wù zhī zhōng ， jǐ gè ē nuó duō zī de shēn yǐng chū xiàn le 。
随后伸手一拂，一道剑光飞掠而出，刺啦声中，已将灵鬼袋撕破，蒙蒙的鬼雾之中，几个婀娜多姿的身影出现了。
With a wave of his hand, a sword of light shot forth, slicing through the bag and tearing it open. In the misty ghostly atmosphere, several graceful figures appeared.
quán bù shì èr shí shàng xià de miào líng shào nǚ ， róng mào qīng xiù měi lì ， bù guò què méi yǒu shēn tǐ ， tā men de qíng kuàng yǔ yuè ér xiāng sì ， dōu shì níng dān qī de yīn hún guǐ nǚ 。
全部是二十上下的妙龄少女，容貌清秀美丽，不过却没有身体，她们的情况与月儿相似，都是凝丹期的阴魂鬼女。
All were young women in their twenties, with clear and beautiful faces, but without bodies. They resembled Moonlight, being Core Formation stage ghost spirits.
àn lǐ shuō ， xiū wèi yǐ suàn bù dī ， kě xī miàn duì yuán yīng qī lǎo guài wù ， nǎ lǐ yǒu huán shǒu zhī lì ， bèi luó jiā zhuā lái ， dàng zuò xuè jì zhī wù ， mù dì jiù shì yòng tā men de hún pò ， jiāng qián wǎng wú dìng hé de dào lù dǎ tōng 。
按理说，修为已算不低，可惜面对元婴期老怪物，哪里有还手之力，被罗家抓来，当作血祭之物，目的就是用她们的魂魄，将前往无定河的道路打通。
Though their cultivation was not low, facing a Core Formation cultivator, they had no chance to fight back. Captured by the Luo family, they served as blood sacrifices to open the path to the Indeterminate River.
duì yú zì jǐ de mìng yùn ， guǐ nǚ suī bù qīng chǔ ， dàn jiàn dào yǎn qián zhè kě pà guǐ yì de yí mù ， yě xià dé liǎn bái rú zhǐ le ， fēn fēn jiān jiào ， sì sàn ér táo 。
对于自己的命运，鬼女虽不清楚，但见到眼前这可怕诡异的一幕，也吓得脸白如纸了，纷纷尖叫，四散而逃。
The fate of these ghost women was unclear, but seeing this terrifying and eerie scene, they screamed in fear, scattering in all directions.
kě xī zhè yàng de nǔ lì bù guò shì tú láo ér yǐ ， zhōu wéi yǒu nà me duō yuán yīng qī lǎo guài huán shì zài cè ， shèn zhì bāo kuò lí hé qī de luó jiā lǎo zǔ ， rú guǒ què qū qū jǐ míng níng dān qī guǐ nǚ táo tuō ， tā men gān cuì qù shì sú mǎi kuài dòu fǔ ， rén rén yī tóu zhuàng sǐ dé le 。
可惜这样的努力不过是徒劳而已，周围有那么多元婴期老怪环视在侧，甚至包括离合期的罗家老祖，如果却区区几名凝丹期鬼女逃脱，他们干脆去世俗买块豆腐，人人一头撞死得了。
However, such efforts were futile. With so many Core Formation cultivators surrounding them, including the Luo family's old ancestor at the Separation stage, if just a few Core Formation ghost women managed to escape, they might as well buy tofu and end their lives.
“ xiǎng pǎo ？”
“想跑？”
"Want to run?"
xuè luó tóng zi de xiǎo liǎn shàng lù chū zhēng níng zhī sè ：“ hé bì ne ， nà yàng zhǐ huì duō chī kǔ tóu ， luò zài běn zūn shǒu zhōng ，$$； men hái shì guāi guāi de bèi chī hǎo le 。 suí hòu tā yòu shǒu tái qǐ ， yún dàn fēng qīng de xiàng qián diǎn qù 。
血罗童子的小脸上露出狰狞之色：“何必呢，那样只会多吃苦头，落在本尊手中，$$；们还是乖乖的被吃好了。随后他右手抬起，云淡风清的向前点去。
Blood Red Child's small face twisted into a grotesque expression: "Why bother? It will only make things worse. In my hands, you'll be eaten obediently." He raised his right hand, pointing it forward.
líng guāng yī shǎn ， yī zhī huī bái sè de jù shǒu fú xiàn ， jiāng yī míng guǐ nǚ zhuā zài zhǎng lǐ ， xiàng nà luó pán shàng de guǐ liǎn dì qù 。
灵光一闪，一只灰白色的巨手浮现，将一名鬼女抓在掌里，像那罗盘上的鬼脸递去。
A ghostly hand materialized in the air, grabbing one of the ghost women and passing her to the ghost face on the compass stone.
guǐ liǎn suī rán zhēng níng ， dàn cǐ kè què míng xiǎn lù chū xīng fèn de biǎo qíng ， dà kǒu yī zhāng ， cóng zuǐ bā zhōng fēi chū yī dào xuè máng ， chán zhù nà guǐ nǚ de liǔ yāo ， jiāng tā lā huí zuǐ lǐ ， gē bēng gē bēng de yī zhèn luàn jué 。 bié kàn nǚ guǐ nǎi shì wú xíng zhī wù ， gǔ chī hún pò què chī dé jīn jīn yǒu wèi de 。
鬼脸虽然狰狞，但此刻却明显露出兴奋的表情，大口一张，从嘴巴中飞出一道血芒，缠住那鬼女的柳腰，将她拉回嘴里，咯嘣咯嘣的一阵乱嚼。别看女鬼乃是无形之物，牯吃魂魄却吃得津津有味的。
Despite its grotesque appearance, the ghost face now showed excitement as it opened its mouth, spewing a blood ray that wrapped around the woman's waist, pulling her back into its mouth. It chewed loudly, enjoying the soul essence despite being an incorporeal entity.
jiàn dào zhè kě pà de yí mù ， qí yú de guǐ nǚ xià dé xīn dǎn jù liè le ， pīn mìng de xiǎng yào táo zǒu ， kě bēi āi de xiàn ， nà jiǔ dào hēi sè de guāng zhù ， gāng hǎo wéi chéng le yī jù dà de yuán 「 tā men xiǎng yào lí kāi ， gēn běn jiù shì tiān fāng yè tán 。
见到这可怕的一幕，其余的鬼女吓得心胆俱裂了，拼命的想要逃走，可悲哀的现，那九道黑色的光柱，刚好围成了一巨大的圆「她们想要离开，根本就是天方夜谭。
Seeing this terrifying scene, the other ghost women were terrified to their core, desperately trying to escape, but in vain. The nine black luminous columns formed a large circle, making it impossible for them to leave.
jīng jiào ， kǒng jù ， dōu yú shì wú bǔ ， xiū xiān jiè ruò ròu qiáng shí ， néng gòu jué dìng zì jǐ mìng yùn de ， zhǐ yǒu shí lì ， jǐ míng níng dān qī guǐ nǚ luò zài yī huī yuán yīng qī lǎo guài wù de shǒu lǐ ， zì rán méi yǒu sī háo huán shǒu zhī lì ， bèi yī yī zhuā zhù ， bù guò jǐ xī de gōng fu ， jiù quán bù biàn chéng le guǐ liǎn de shí wù 。
惊叫，恐惧，都于事无补，修仙界弱肉强食，能够决定自己命运的，只有实力，几名凝丹期鬼女落在一珲元婴期老怪物的手里，自然没有丝毫还手之力，被一一抓住，不过几息的功夫，就全部变成了鬼脸的食物。
Their screams and fear were useless; in the cultivation world, survival of the fittest applied. Only strength could decide one's fate. The Core Formation ghost women, caught by a Core Formation cultivator, had no chance to fight back. Within moments, they all became food for the ghost face.
xuè jì wán chéng le ， xuè luó tóng shàng zi de liǎn shàng mǎn shì xǐ sè ， yī dào fǎ jué xiàng qián dǎ chū ， shuāng shǒu huī wǔ ， kǒu zhōng de zhòu yǔ yán cí gǔ piáo ， suí hòu shēn chū shǒu lái ， píng kōng zài qián miàn huà le yí gè fú 。 nà fú yuē yǒu quán tou dà xiǎo ， kàn shàng qù shí fēn guǐ yì ， yíng fēng yī shǎn ， mò rù le guǐ liǎn de é tóu 。：！11……r……
血祭完成了，血罗童上子的脸上满是喜色，一道法诀向前打出，双手挥舞，口中的咒语言辞古朴，随后伸出手来，凭空在前面画了一个苻。那苻约有拳头大小，看上去十分诡异，迎风一闪，没入了鬼脸的额头。：！11……r……
The blood sacrifice was completed, Blood Red Child's face filled with joy. He cast a spell forward and waved his hands while reciting ancient incantations. Then he extended his hand and drew an invisible talisman in front of him. The talisman was about the size of a fist, appearing very strange. It fluttered as it entered the ghost face's forehead.
nà guǐ liǎn de dé yì mǎn zú ， zài qǐng kè jiān yī sǎo ér kōng ， shèng xià de zhǐ shì tòng kǔ ， suí hòu miàn róng niǔ qū ， zuǐ bā què yuè zhāng yuè dà ， suí hòu sì zhōu de kōng qì yī piàn mó hú ， jìng rán biàn chéng le yī dào zhí jìng zhàng xǔ de kōng jiān liè fèng 。“ tài hǎo le ， jiù shì zhè ge ！”
那鬼脸的得意满足，在顷刻间一扫而空，剩下的只是痛苦，随后面容扭曲，嘴巴却越张越大，随后四周的空气一片模糊，竟然变成了一道直径丈许的空间裂缝。“太好了，就是这个！”
The ghost face's satisfaction quickly vanished; instead, only pain remained. Its face twisted, its mouth opening wider. Surrounding air blurred into a space crack several feet in diameter.
bié shuō qí tā de xiū xiān zhě ， biàn shì luó jiā lǎo zǔ ， liǎn shàng yě lù chū le xǐ bù zì jīn zhī sè ， rán ér huà yīn wèi luò ， què yǒu yī qíng tiān pī lì bān de jù xiǎng chuán rù ěr duǒ 。 suǒ wèi wú qiǎo bù chéng shū ， piān piān biàn zài zhè zuì guān jiàn de shí kè ， nà fù hé zhī èr zhī gōng pò 。
别说其他的修仙者，便是罗家老祖，脸上也露出了喜不自禁之色，然而话音未落，却有一晴天霹雳般的巨响传入耳朵。所谓无巧不成书，偏偏便在这最关键的时刻，那复合之佴枝攻破。
"Great! Just what I needed!"
lìng rén zhàn lì de líng yā chōng tiān ér qǐ ， jiǔ tóu lǎo zǔ nǎi shì lí hé qī ， shèng xià de yī rén yī yāo ， yě dōu shì yuán yīng hòu qī de xiū xiān zhě ， ér qiě yǐ tā men de xiū wèi shén tōng ， jí biàn zài dà xiū shì zhōng ， yě shì pái míng qián liè de gāo shǒu 。 sān míng lǎo guài wù de líng yā lián zài yì qǐ ， nà gǎn jué jiǎn zhí ràng rén zhì xī 。“ kě wù ！” luó jiā lǎo zǔ yòu jīng yòu nù ， nǎ pà shāo wǎn yì diǎn jiù hǎo le 。
令人战栗的灵压冲天而起，九头老祖乃是离合期，剩下的一人一妖，也都是元婴后期的修仙者，而且以他们的修为神通，即便在大修士中，也是排名前列的高手。三名老怪物的灵压连在一起，那感觉简直让人窒息。“可恶！”罗家老祖又惊又怒，哪怕稍晚一点就好了。
Not just other cultivators but even the Luo family's old ancestor couldn't help showing excitement. But before he could finish his sentence, a thunderous sound echoed through the air.
suǒ wèi chā zhī háo lí ， miù yǐ qiān lǐ ， bù guò cǐ shí cǐ kè ， yù mèn yě méi yǒu yòng chǔ ， zhè lǎo jiā huǒ ， yě shì shā fá jué duàn de rén wù ：“ nǐ men kuài zǒu ， lǎo fū huì jiāng tā men sān rén dǎng zhù 。
所谓差之毫厘，谬以千里，不过此时此刻，郁闷也没有用处，这老家伙，也是杀伐决断的人物：“你们快走，老夫会将他们三人挡住。
Just as it was crucial, that composite branch broke down. The terrifying spiritual pressure rose to the heavens.
shuō wán xiù páo yī fú ， zhōu wéi nà rú hǎi cháo nù tāo bān de yīn qì ， jiù bèi tā yǐ ** lì ， níng jù zài le zì jǐ de shǒu lǐ ， suí hòu jiān tóu yī dǒu ， nà yīn qì jū rán biàn huà wèi le yī tóu gǔ lóng ， zhǎng yú bǎi zhàng ， biàn shì huǒ jiāo wáng de běn tǐ yǔ gǔ xiāng bǐ ， yě bù guò xiǎo wū jiàn dà wū ér yǐ 。
说完袖袍一拂，周围那如海潮怒涛般的阴气，就被他以**力，凝聚在了自己的手里，随后肩头一抖，那阴气居然变化为了一头骨龙，长逾百丈，便是火蛟王的本体与牯相比，也不过小巫见大巫而已。
The nine heads were at the Separation stage, and the remaining one cultivator and one monster were all late-stage Core Formation cultivators. With their power, they ranked among the top experts even in the Great Sage realm. Their combined spiritual pressure was suffocating.
dāng rán ， xiū xiān zhě shí lì rú hé ， bú shì kàn tǐ jī dà xiǎo de ， guān jiàn zài yú ， zhè zhǒng wēi lì jù dà de fǎ shù ， tā jǔ zhòng ruò qīng jiù shī zhǎn chū lái le 。
当然，修仙者实力如何，不是看体积大小的，关键在于，这种威力巨大的法术，他举重若轻就施展出来了。
"Damn it!" the Luo family's old ancestor was both angry and alarmed. If only he had acted a bit earlier...
kào de jiù shì néng gòu lì yòng zhōu wéi de tiān dì yuán qì ， zhè yì diǎn ， yě shì lí hé qī yǔ yuán yīng qī xiū shì jiān zuì dà de chā jù 。
靠的就是能够利用周围的天地元气，这一点，也是离合期与元婴期修士间最大的差距。
A tiny error could lead to a huge mistake. But now, there was no use feeling depressed. This old man was decisive: "Quickly go; I'll hold them off."
rú guǒ jǐn jǐn shì huǒ jiāo wáng yǔ qīng lián jū shì ， zhè yàng de shén tōng zì rán néng jiāng liǎng rén dǎng zhù ， kě jiǔ tóu lǎo zǔ lái dào cǐ chù ， zì rán bú shì wèi le kàn rè nào shén me 。 zhǐ jiàn zhè lǎo guài wù yě shì shuāng shǒu tái qǐ ， yī dào gū jué dǎ le chū qù ， tiān dì yuán qì tóng yàng zài tā zhōu wéi jù jí ， suí hòu zhuǎn huà wèi xiōng yǒng péng pài de yāo lì 。
如果仅仅是火蛟王与青莲居士，这样的神通自然能将两人挡住，可九头老祖来到此处，自然不是为了看热闹什么。只见这老怪物也是双手抬起，一道沽诀打了出去，天地元气同样在他周围聚集，随后转化为汹涌澎湃的妖力。
With a wave of his sleeve, the sea of dark energy surrounding them condensed into his hands. He shook his shoulder, and the dark energy transformed into a skeletal dragon over a hundred feet long. Even compared to Fire Serpent King's true form, it was insignificant.
qīng huī sè de yāo wù zhōng ， yī jù dà de cán chóng rú rú ér dòng ， méi cuò ， què shí shì cán 「 zhǐ bù guò tǐ jī bǐ nà gǔ lóng hái dà shàng yī líng 。
青灰色的妖雾中，一巨大的蚕虫蠕蠕而动，没错，确实是蚕「只不过体积比那骨龙还大上一囹。
Of course, a cultivator’s strength wasn't measured by size; what mattered was that he could effortlessly summon such powerful spells using surrounding cosmic energy. This was the biggest difference between Separation and Core Formation stage cultivators.
kǒu qì yī zhāng ， pēn chū qīng huī sè de yāo huǒ 。
口器一张，喷出青灰色的妖火。
If just Fire Serpent King and Green Lotus Hermit were here, their abilities would have easily blocked them. But with nine heads present, they weren't there to watch; this old monster raised his hands as well, gathering cosmic energy around him, which transformed into surging demonic power.
jiàn luó jiā de lǎo guài wù bèi jiǔ tóu lǎo zǔ dǎng zhù ， huǒ jiāo wáng yǔ qīng lián jū shì duì shì yī yǎn ， hún shēn líng máng dà qǐ ， rào le yí gè tú xiàng liǎng cè fēi jī 。
见罗家的老怪物被九头老祖挡住，火蛟王与青莲居士对视一眼，浑身灵芒大起，绕了一个图像两侧飞击。
A giant silvery-gray worm crawled in the grayish-black fog. Yes, it was a worm, but its size surpassed that of the skeletal dragon.
luó jiā lǎo zǔ qǐ huì ràng tā men rú yì ：“ xiǎo bèi ， yǒu lǎo fū zài cǐ ， xiū xiǎng cóng wǒ zhè biān guò qù ， zhǎo sǐ ！” suí hòu xiù páo yī dǒu ， liǎng bǐng hēi sè de duǎn jiàn fēi lüè ér chū 。
罗家老祖岂会让他们如意：“小辈，有老夫在此，休想从我这边过去，找死！”随后袖袍一抖，两柄黑色的短剑飞掠而出。
Its mouth opened, spewing out greenish-black demon flames.
huǒ jiāo wáng yǔ qīng lián jū shì wú nài ， zhǐ dé tíng le xià lái ， zhè yī rén yī yāo fàng dào bié chù ， zǒu liǎo bù qǐ de bà zhǔ ， dàn miàn duì lí hé qī lǎo guài wù ， què sī háo yě bù gǎn dài màn de 。
火蛟王与青莲居士无奈，只得停了下来，这一人一妖放到别处，走了不起的霸主，但面对离合期老怪物，却丝毫也不敢怠慢的。
Seeing the Luo family's old monster blocked by Nine-Headed Old Monarch, Fire Serpent King and Green Lotus Hermit exchanged glances, their essence energy flaring up as they circled around to attack from both sides.
How could the Luo family's old ancestor let them get through: "Youngsters, with me here, you can't pass; it’s suicide!" He waved his sleeve, and two black short swords flew out.
Fire Serpent King and Green Lotus Hermit had no choice but to stop. Placed in another situation, they might have been formidable dominions, but facing a Separation stage old monster, they couldn’t afford any complacency.
Darkness like ink permeated from the nine luminous columns, with a faint howl of a厉 ghost echoing through.
The monks maintaining the central array each held a small black flag in their hands, gently shaking them. None were anything but Core Formation cultivators, yet at this moment, their faces were as pale as corpses due to the exhaustion of their essence energy.
However, they could not afford to wait any longer; just by opening the path to the Indeterminate River, they would earn their merit. Once they obtained the Deva Blood, there would naturally be rewards for them.
As per the old ancestor's words, advancing to Great Sage was no big deal. Such temptation before one’s eyes—any fool wouldn't try!
Although there were nine monks maintaining the central array, the main figure was Blood Red Child. After a few more moments, he opened his eyes and raised his hands high.
Seeing this gesture, the other cultivators seemed to receive a command as they each cast a spell, their flags floating up and entering one of the luminous columns.
The howling wind grew even stronger, the luminous columns expanding significantly, doubling in size. Electric arcs danced on the surface of the columns, crackling incessantly...
Something even more eerie happened; a grotesque ghost face appeared on the surface of the compass-shaped stone.
Not only did it have sharp fangs and tusks, but it had six pairs of eyes that glowed with red light, spreading an aura of bloodiness.
Blood Red Child's face was filled with joy. He stretched out his pale arm, reaching into his waistband to summon a spirit ghost bag.
With a wave of his hand, a sword of light shot forth, slicing through the bag and tearing it open. In the misty ghostly atmosphere, several graceful figures appeared.
All were young women in their twenties, with clear and beautiful faces, but without bodies. They resembled Moonlight, being Core Formation stage ghost spirits.
Though their cultivation was not low, facing a Core Formation cultivator, they had no chance to fight back. Captured by the Luo family, they served as blood sacrifices to open the path to the Indeterminate River.
The fate of these ghost women was unclear, but seeing this terrifying and eerie scene, they screamed in fear, scattering in all directions.
However, such efforts were futile. With so many Core Formation cultivators surrounding them, including the Luo family's old ancestor at the Separation stage, if just a few Core Formation ghost women managed to escape, they might as well buy tofu and end their lives.
"Want to run?"
Blood Red Child's small face twisted into a grotesque expression: "Why bother? It will only make things worse. In my hands, you'll be eaten obediently." He raised his right hand, pointing it forward.
A ghostly hand materialized in the air, grabbing one of the ghost women and passing her to the ghost face on the compass stone.
Despite its grotesque appearance, the ghost face now showed excitement as it opened its mouth, spewing a blood ray that wrapped around the woman's waist, pulling her back into its mouth. It chewed loudly, enjoying the soul essence despite being an incorporeal entity.
Seeing this terrifying scene, the other ghost women were terrified to their core, desperately trying to escape, but in vain. The nine black luminous columns formed a large circle, making it impossible for them to leave.
Their screams and fear were useless; in the cultivation world, survival of the fittest applied. Only strength could decide one's fate. The Core Formation ghost women, caught by a Core Formation cultivator, had no chance to fight back. Within moments, they all became food for the ghost face.
The blood sacrifice was completed, Blood Red Child's face filled with joy. He cast a spell forward and waved his hands while reciting ancient incantations. Then he extended his hand and drew an invisible talisman in front of him. The talisman was about the size of a fist, appearing very strange. It fluttered as it entered the ghost face's forehead.
The ghost face's satisfaction quickly vanished; instead, only pain remained. Its face twisted, its mouth opening wider. Surrounding air blurred into a space crack several feet in diameter.
"Great! Just what I needed!"
Not just other cultivators but even the Luo family's old ancestor couldn't help showing excitement. But before he could finish his sentence, a thunderous sound echoed through the air.
Just as it was crucial, that composite branch broke down. The terrifying spiritual pressure rose to the heavens.
The nine heads were at the Separation stage, and the remaining one cultivator and one monster were all late-stage Core Formation cultivators. With their power, they ranked among the top experts even in the Great Sage realm. Their combined spiritual pressure was suffocating.
"Damn it!" the Luo family's old ancestor was both angry and alarmed. If only he had acted a bit earlier...
A tiny error could lead to a huge mistake. But now, there was no use feeling depressed. This old man was decisive: "Quickly go; I'll hold them off."
With a wave of his sleeve, the sea of dark energy surrounding them condensed into his hands. He shook his shoulder, and the dark energy transformed into a skeletal dragon over a hundred feet long. Even compared to Fire Serpent King's true form, it was insignificant.
Of course, a cultivator’s strength wasn't measured by size; what mattered was that he could effortlessly summon such powerful spells using surrounding cosmic energy. This was the biggest difference between Separation and Core Formation stage cultivators.
If just Fire Serpent King and Green Lotus Hermit were here, their abilities would have easily blocked them. But with nine heads present, they weren't there to watch; this old monster raised his hands as well, gathering cosmic energy around him, which transformed into surging demonic power.
A giant silvery-gray worm crawled in the grayish-black fog. Yes, it was a worm, but its size surpassed that of the skeletal dragon.
Its mouth opened, spewing out greenish-black demon flames.
Seeing the Luo family's old monster blocked by Nine-Headed Old Monarch, Fire Serpent King and Green Lotus Hermit exchanged glances, their essence energy flaring up as they circled around to attack from both sides.
How could the Luo family's old ancestor let them get through: "Youngsters, with me here, you can't pass; it’s suicide!" He waved his sleeve, and two black short swords flew out.
Fire Serpent King and Green Lotus Hermit had no choice but to stop. Placed in another situation, they might have been formidable dominions, but facing a Separation stage old monster, they couldn’t afford any complacency.