cǐ bù yuǎn chù de yī zuò xiǎo shān xià ， líng luàn de sàn luò zhe bù shǎo gé lóu ， rán jū zhù de dì fāng xiāng bǐ ， què xiǎn de shí fēn jiǎn lòu ， dà bù fèn dōu shì jiù jìn qǔ tǔ ， rán hòu shī yǐ shí huà zhī shù ， lín shí dā jiàn qǐ lái de 。 pào _ shū _ ba _ zhōng _ wén _ wǎng
此不远处的一座小山下，凌乱的散落着不少阁楼，然居住的地方相比，却显得十分简陋，大部分都是就近取土，然后施以石化之术，临时搭建起来的。泡_书_吧_中_文_网
Not far from this small hill, scattered pavilions were haphazardly placed. In contrast to the residences, they appeared rather shabby and crude, mostly constructed by using nearby soil and then applying petrification techniques.
yóu yú zuì jìn yòu kāi shǐ shēng nà kě pà de guài shì ， fēn tán lǐ rén xīn huáng huáng ， liǎng wèi shī zǔ yǐ jīng xià le yán lìng ， bù dé wài chū ， dàn jí shǐ shì jù zài yì qǐ ， rén men yě sī háo gǎn jué bú dào ān quán zhī yì 。
由于最近又开始生那可怕的怪事，分坛里人心惶惶，两位师祖已经下了严令，不得外出，但即使是聚在一起，人们也丝毫感觉不到安全之意。
Due to the recent resurgence of terrifying incidents, the sect hall was filled with unease. The two senior masters had issued strict orders prohibiting anyone from leaving. Even when gathered together, people felt no sense of security at all.
yú shì zài zhòng rén jū zhù de shí wū zhōu wéi ， gè zhǒng gè yàng de hù zhào jìn zhì ， wǔ huā bā mén ， lìng rén yǎn huā liáo luàn ， kě xī ， jiū jìng yǒu jǐ fēn yòng tú ， shuí yě shuō bù qīng chǔ 。
于是在众人居住的石屋周围，各种各样的护罩禁制，五花八门，令人眼花缭乱，可惜，究竟有几分用途，谁也说不清楚。
Thus, various protective barriers and restrictions were set up around the stone houses where everyone resided, creating a dazzling array that left one dizzy. Unfortunately, it was unclear how effective these measures truly were.
cǐ shí ， zài kào jìn xiǎo hú de mǒu jiān shí wū lǐ ， liǎng wèi nián qīng de nǚ zǐ zhèng zài pán xī dǎ zuò 。
此时，在靠近小湖的某间石屋里，两位年轻的女子正在盘膝打坐。
In one of the nearby stone houses, two young women were seated cross-legged in meditation.
fáng jiān lǐ fēi cháng ān jìng ， yǐn yǐn néng tīng jiàn wài miàn chóng zhì míng jiào de shēng yīn ， hěn kuài ， guò qù le bàn gè shí chén 。
房间里非常安静，隐隐能听见外面虫豸鸣叫的声音，很快，过去了半个时辰。
The room was quiet, with faint insect sounds audible from outside. Half an hour passed before both women exhaled and opened their eyes.
liǎng nǚ tóng shí shū le kǒu qì ， zhēng kāi shuāng móu 。
两女同时舒了口气，睁开双眸。
"Senior Sister, the effects of this middle-grade pill are truly incredible; I've already advanced to the late stage of Flexible Spirit Period in just two months," said the girl on the left, a plump-faced teenager around seventeen or eighteen years old. Her appearance was not extraordinary but charming nonetheless.
“ shī jiě ， zhè zhōng pǐn dān de xiào lì ， zhēn shì bù kě sī yì ， cái duǎn duǎn de liǎng gè yuè ， wǒ jū rán jiù bù rù le líng dòng hòu qī 。” shuō huà de shì zuǒ cè nà é dàn liǎn de shào nǚ ， dà yuē shí qī bā suì nián jì ， róng yán suī fēi jué sè ， què yě kě ài tǎo xǐ 。
“师姐，这中品丹的效力，真是不可思议，才短短的两个月，我居然就步入了灵动后期。”说话的是左侧那鹅蛋脸的少女，大约十七八岁年纪，容颜虽非绝色，却也可爱讨喜。
"Yes, it's not just the pills—Lord Young Master’s cultivation techniques are far more powerful than those taught by our sect. Our progress over these past two months has been truly breathtaking," said Lu Ying'er, smoothing her hair and speaking with a sense of reflection. She had already reached the peak of the Flexible Spirit Period; she only needed to refine her mana further before attempting Foundation Establishment.
“ shì a ， bù zhǐ dān yào ， shào yé gěi wǒ men de gōng fǎ ， wēi lì yǔ yǐ qián mén zhōng chuán shòu de ， yě bù kě tóng rì ér yǔ ， zhè liǎng gè yuè wǒ men xiū wèi de zēng zhǎng sù dù ， zhēn kě shuō shì yī rì qiān lǐ 。” lù yíng ér lǐ le lǐ xiù ， yǒu xiē gǎn kǎi de kāi kǒu le ， cǐ shí tā yǐ shì líng dòng qī de dǐng fēng ， zhǐ xū yào jiāng fǎ lì cuì liàn dé gèng jiā jīng chún yì diǎn ， jiù kě yǐ cháng shì zhù jī 。
“是啊，不止丹药，少爷给我们的功法，威力与以前门中传授的，也不可同日而语，这两个月我们修为的增长速度，真可说是一日千里。”陆盈儿理了理秀，有些感慨的开口了，此时她已是灵动期的顶峰，只需要将法力淬炼得更加精纯一点，就可以尝试筑基。
Recalling the past, it seemed like a dream, and Lin Xuan was even more grateful for his help.
huí wǎng shì ， rú mèng rú huàn ， duì yú lín xuān ， gèng shì duō le yī fèn gǎn jī
回往事，如梦如幻，对于林轩，更是多了一份感激
"But I still don't understand why Lord Young Master, with such power, would befriend us two little girls," said Liu Xin, sounding puzzled.
“ kě wǒ hái shì bù dǒng ， yǐ shào yé de shēn fèn xiū wèi ， wèi hé huì lā lǒng wǒ men liǎng gè xiǎo yā tou 。” liú xīn yǒu diǎn kùn huò de kāi kǒu 。
“可我还是不懂，以少爷的身份修为，为何会拉拢我们两个小丫头。”刘芯有点困惑的开口。
"Indeed, I’m not sure either. But judging by his expression, he will likely entrust important tasks to us in the future. For now, we should focus on enhancing our cultivation."
“ zhè …… wǒ yě bù qīng chǔ 。 dàn kàn shào yé dì biǎo qíng 。 yǐ hòu yīng gāi yǒu shì jiāo yǔ wǒ men qù zuò 。 zǒng ér yán zhī 。 xiān tí gāo xiū wèi jiù hǎo le 。”
“这……我也不清楚。但看少爷地表情。以后应该有事交予我们去做。总而言之。先提高修为就好了。”
After Lu Ying'er spoke, she continued her efforts. Lord Young Master had once advised that while pills could greatly assist one's progress, hard work was essential for a long journey on the path of immortals.
lù yíng ér shuō wán 。 jì xù yòng gōng 。 shào yé céng jīng dīng zhǔ 。 dān yào suī rán kě yǐ qǐ hěn dà zuò yòng 。 dàn xiǎng yào zài xiān dào shàng zǒu yuǎn 。 nǔ lì cái shì bì bù kě shǎo 。
陆盈儿说完。继续用功。少爷曾经叮嘱。丹药虽然可以起很大作用。但想要在仙道上走远。努力才是必不可少。
With such opportunities before them, they must seize them tightly.
yǎn qián jì rán yǒu le jī yuán 。 zì rán yào láo láo zhuā zhù 。
眼前既然有了机缘。自然要牢牢抓住。
The stone house fell silent again.
shí wū zài cì ān jìng le xià lái 。
石屋再次安静了下来。
However, not long after, a muffled sound came from outside. The two women were startled and opened their eyes simultaneously. Liu Xin's face showed signs of alarm: "Senior Sister..."
rán ér mò guò duō jiǔ 。 wū wài tū rán chuán lái yī shēng mèn xiǎng 。 liǎng nǚ yī jīng 。 tóng shí zhēng kāi shuāng móu 。 liú xīn dì liǎn shàng shǎn guò yī sī jīng huāng zhī sè ：“ shī jiě ……”
然而没过多久。屋外突然传来一声闷响。两女一惊。同时睁开双眸。刘芯地脸上闪过一丝惊慌之色：“师姐……”
"Shh!"
“ xū ！”
“嘘！”
Lu Ying'er was much more composed. She flicked her left hand, and a silver-shimmering talisman slid into her palm.
lù yíng ér zé yào zhèn dìng dé duō ， zuǒ shǒu yī dǒu ， yī zhāng yín guāng shǎn shǎn de fú yǐ cóng yī xiù huá luò dào le zhǎng xīn zhī zhōng 。
陆盈儿则要镇定得多，左手一抖，一张银光闪闪的符已从衣袖滑落到了掌心之中。
Almost at the same time, the stone door silently cracked open, allowing a cloud of black mist to enter and coalesce into a demonic cloud with a diameter of about ten feet.
jī hū tóng yī shí jiān ， shí mén wú shēng wú xī de liè kāi le yī dào fèng xì ， yī tuán hēi qì cóng wài miàn zuān le jìn lái ， jù jí chéng yī duǒ zhí jìng zhàng xǔ de mó yún 。
几乎同一时间，石门无声无息的裂开了一道缝隙，一团黑气从外面钻了进来，聚集成一朵直径丈许的魔云。
Seeing this, Lu Ying'er raised an eyebrow without hesitation. She waved her slender hand, and the silver talisman ignited on its own, transforming into a half-circular blue light shield that protected them both.
jiàn dào cǐ jǐng ， lù yíng ér xiù méi yī tiāo ， sī háo bù zài yóu yù dì yáng qǐ le xiān zhǎng ， nà yín sè fú wú fēng zì rán ， huà wèi le yí bàn yuán xíng de lán sè guāng zhào ， jiāng liǎng nǚ hù zài le lǐ miàn 。
见到此景，陆盈儿秀眉一挑，丝毫不再犹豫地扬起了纤掌，那银色符无风自燃，化为了一半圆形的蓝色光罩，将两女护在了里面。
"Ah?"
“ yí ？”
“咦？”
A surprised hiss came from within the demonic cloud. The cloud churned violently, enveloping the protective barrier with fierce, sinister winds...
mó yún zhōng chuán lái yī jīng yà de hēng shēng ， suí hòu yī zhèn fān yǒng ， jiā zá zhe zhèn zhèn lì xiào yīn fēng ， jiāng hù zhào bāo guǒ ……
魔云中传来一惊讶的哼声，随后一阵翻涌，夹杂着阵阵厉啸阴风，将护罩包裹……
But the barrier was incredibly sturdy; upon contact, the demonic cloud was repelled and could not harm them in any way.
kě nà hù zhào jìng jiān gù yǐ jí ， mó yún yī jiē chù ， jū rán bèi fǎn tán le huí qù ， gēn běn wú fǎ shāng jí fēn háo 。
可那护罩竟坚固以极，魔云一接触，居然被反弹了回去，根本无法伤及分毫。
This caused a series of angry roars from within the demonic cloud. Liu Xin and Lu Ying'er breathed a sigh of relief, greatly grateful to Lord Young Master. With their intelligence, they easily deduced that this creature was the culprit behind the bloodshed at the sect hall.
zhè ràng mó yún zhōng chuán lái zhèn zhèn nǎo nù de jù hǒu ， liú xīn hé lù yíng ér zé sōng le kǒu qì ， duì shào yé gèng shì dà wèi gǎn jī ， yǐ liǎng nǚ de cōng míng ， nǎ lǐ hái cāi bú dào yǎn qián zhè dōng xī jiù shì zài fēn tán zhōng xiān qǐ xīng fēng xuè yǔ de zuì kuí yuán xiōng 。
这让魔云中传来阵阵恼怒的巨吼，刘芯和陆盈儿则松了口气，对少爷更是大为感激，以两女的聪明，哪里还猜不到眼前这东西就是在分坛中掀起腥风血雨的罪魁元凶。
However, their hearts raced again in an instant.
bù guò xià yī kè ， liǎng nǚ de xīn yòu zài cì tí dào le sǎng zi yǎn 。
不过下一刻，两女的心又再次提到了嗓子眼。
After swirling and trembling for a while, the demonic cloud condensed into a terrifying monster about ten feet tall, with a green face and sharp fangs, trailing a long tail. It looked like a fearsome ghost.
nà mó yún xuán zhuǎn chàn dǒu yī zhèn zhī hòu ， jū rán níng jù huà xíng ， biàn chéng le yī kě bù de guài wù ， gāo yuē zhàng xǔ ， qīng miàn liáo yá ， bèi hòu hái tuō zhe yī tiáo cháng cháng dì wěi ba ， kàn shàng qù ， jiù xiàng lì guǐ yī yàng 。
那魔云旋转颤抖一阵之后，居然凝聚化形，变成了一可怖的怪物，高约丈许，青面獠牙，背后还拖着一条长长地尾巴，看上去，就像厉鬼一样。
This was actually the avatar of Blood Demon Sovereign; his main body had not recovered yet and could not leave the ancient cave, but he could send out avatars to devour cultivators' essence blood.
ér zhè dōng xī ， zhèng shì xuè mó zūn de fēn shēn kuǐ lěi ， tā běn tǐ shàng wèi huī fù ， wú fǎ lí kāi nà gǔ dòng xué ， bù guò què kě yǐ pài chū fēn shēn lái tūn shì xiū shì de jīng xuè 。
而这东西，正是血魔尊的分身傀儡，他本体尚未恢复，无法离开那古洞穴，不过却可以派出分身来吞噬修士的精血。
Unluckily for him, this avatar found two girls.
wú qiǎo bù qiǎo ， zhèng hǎo zhǎo shàng le liǎng gè yā tou 。
无巧不巧，正好找上了两个丫头。
Although convenient, the avatar's intelligence had not been awakened. Otherwise, seeing a mere Flexible Spirit Period cultivator using a grade-D spirit talisman would have raised suspicions.
bù guò zhè fēn shēn suī rán fāng biàn ， líng zhì què méi yǒu kāi qǐ ， fǒu zé kàn jiàn qū qū yí gè líng dòng qī xiū shì ， jū rán néng ná chū dì jiē líng fú zhè me dōng xī ， kěn dìng yí xīn dà qǐ 。
不过这分身虽然方便，灵智却没有开启，否则看见区区一个灵动期修士，居然能拿出地阶灵符这么东西，肯定疑心大起。
But at that moment, it ignored all else and opened its bloody maw, spewing out something dark.
rán hòu cǐ kè ， què bù guǎn nà me xǔ duō ， zhāng kāi xuè pén dà kǒu ， yī hēi hū hū de shì wù cóng lǐ miàn pēn tǔ ér chū 。
然后此刻，却不管那么许多，张开血盆大口，一黑乎乎的事物从里面喷吐而出。
This thing let out a shrill howl; it was two forked heads of a ghost, fiercely piercing the protective barrier.
nà dōng xī chū jiān ruì le lì xiào ， què shì yī shuāng tóu guǐ chā ， xiàng zhe hù zhào hěn hěn de cì xià 。
那东西出尖锐了厉啸，却是一双头鬼叉，像着护罩狠狠的刺下。
The girls were terrified but could do nothing. They did not know what this monster was, but their demonic essence cultivation was only at the early Condensation Core stage. With such weak power, they couldn’t even hope to fight back.
liǎng nǚ xīn zhōng hài pà ， què wú fǎ kě shī ， zhè yǎn qián dì guài wù bù zhī dào shì shén me dōng xī ， kě shēn shàng de mó qì xiū wèi ， què zhī bǐ níng dān chū qī de xiū shì ， yǐ tā liǎ zhè diǎn shí lì ， jí shǐ xiǎng yào pīn mìng ， yě bú shì duì fāng dì yī hé zhī dí 。
两女心中害怕，却无法可施，这眼前地怪物不知道是什么东西，可身上的魔气修为，却之比凝丹初期的修士，以她俩这点实力，即使想要拼命，也不是对方地一合之敌。
Though helpless, they could only wait for reinforcements.
suī rán wú nài ， dàn yě zhǐ hǎo kū shǒu dài yuán 。
虽然无奈，但也只好枯守待援。
Fortunately, the grade-D spirit talisman given by Lord Young Master was no ordinary item. Under the frenzied attacks of the forked heads, although its color gradually faded, it managed to hold on.
hǎo zài shào yé suǒ cì yǔ de dì jiē líng fú ， shí fēi fán pǐn ， zài nà guǐ chā de kuáng cì luàn zhǎn xià ， suī rán yán sè zhú jiàn biàn dàn ， dàn zǒng suàn shì jiān chí le xià lái 。
好在少爷所赐予的地阶灵符，实非凡品，在那鬼叉的狂刺乱斩下，虽然颜色逐渐变淡，但总算是坚持了下来。
This greatly agitated the avatar, who growled incessantly. Suddenly, it made a hand gesture and recalled the forked heads. However, the ferocious light in its eyes did not diminish but grew even more menacing.
zhè ràng fēn shén kuǐ lěi dà gǎn bào zào ， kǒu zhōng nù hǒu lián lián ， tū rán yī qiā jué ， zhào huí le guǐ chā ， rán ér yǎn zhōng de xiōng guāng ， bù jǐn méi yǒu shōu liǎn ， biàn dé gèng jiā dì shè rén le qǐ lái 。
这让分神傀儡大感暴躁，口中怒吼连连，突然一掐诀，召回了鬼叉，然而眼中的凶光，不仅没有收敛，变得更加地摄人了起来。
Lu Ying'er and Liu Xin exchanged glances, both inwardly calling for trouble. With such a huge disparity in strength, they had no choice.
lù yíng ér hé liú xīn duì shì yī yǎn ， xīn zhōng dōu àn jiào bù hǎo ， kě shí lì xiāng chà xuán shū ， què yě wú fǎ kě xiǎng 。
陆盈儿和刘芯对视一眼，心中都暗叫不好，可实力相差悬殊，却也无法可想。
The avatar sneered, extending its two dark ghost claws to dance wildly before it while emitting demonic energy mixed with bloodlight.
nà kuǐ lěi yī shēng lěng xiào ， shēn chū liǎng zhǐ yǒu hēi de guǐ zhǎo ， zài xiōng qián yī zhèn luàn wǔ ， tóng shí kǒu zhōng mó qì tūn tǔ ， hùn hé zhe xuè guāng ， jiāng nà guǐ chā bāo guǒ 。
那傀儡一声冷笑，伸出两只黝黑的鬼爪，在胸前一阵乱舞，同时口中魔气吞吐，混合着血光，将那鬼叉包裹。
Under the girls' shocked gazes, this treasure began to change; not only did it grow and stretch to ten feet, but at the end of each forked head, a skull about the size of a fist appeared.
zài liǎng nǚ jīng è de mù guāng xià ， cǐ bǎo kāi shǐ shēng biàn huà ， bù jǐn zhǎng dà shēn cháng dào le zhàng xǔ ， ér qiě zài chā wěi ， chū xiàn le yī quán tou dà xiǎo de kū lóu 。
在两女惊愕的目光下，此宝开始生变化，不仅长大伸长到了丈许，而且在叉尾，出现了一拳头大小的骷髅。
This skull had horns like those of a goat on its top, and although its eyes were hollow, they glowed with green ghostlight.
cǐ kū lóu de tóu dǐng ， hái shēng yǒu shān yáng yī yàng de jī jiǎo ， shuāng mù suī rán kōng dòng ， què rán shāo zhe bì sè dì guǐ huǒ 。
此骷髅的头顶，还生有山羊一样的犄角，双目虽然空洞，却燃烧着碧色地鬼火。
A terrifying demonic aura filled the air, suffocating one's breath.
jīng rén de mó qì pū tiān gài dì ， lìng rén zhì xī 。
惊人的魔气铺天盖地，令人窒息。
The avatar’s mouth curled into a cruel smile as it pointed a finger. The forked heads were about to descend.
fēn shén kuǐ lěi dì zuǐ jiǎo biān lù chū cán kù de xiào róng ， qū zhǐ yì diǎn ， nà guǐ tóu mó chā jiù yào hū xiào ér xià 。
分神傀儡地嘴角边露出残酷的笑容，屈指一点，那鬼头魔叉就要呼啸而下。
But just then, light flashed from another side of the room. A beautiful and charming young woman appeared in mid-air. Seeing the shocking dark cloud, she showed no fear but instead leaped eagerly. She rubbed her hands together and took out a small black flag.
rán ér jiù zài zhè shí ， fáng jiān dì lìng yī cè guāng máng yī shǎn ， yī wèi jiāo měi kě rén de shào nǚ píng kōng chū xiàn ， jiàn dào fáng jiān lǐ nà jīng rén dì yīn qì mó yún ， tā yǒu sī háo wèi jù ， fǎn ér yuè yuè yù shì ， shuāng shǒu yī cuō ， qǔ chū yī hēi sè de xiǎo fān lái 。
然而就在这时，房间地另一侧光芒一闪，一位娇美可人的少女凭空出现，见到房间里那惊人地阴气魔云，她有丝毫畏惧，反而跃跃欲试，双手一搓，取出一黑色的小幡来。
This flag looked unremarkable, but with a gentle wave, it underwent a surprising transformation, emitting countless dark mists and spirits that far surpassed the avatar's abilities.
nà fān qí kàn shàng qù háo bù qǐ yǎn ， kě shào nǚ qīng qīng yī huī ， què shēng le jīng rén de biàn yì ， cóng lǐ miàn yě mào chū wú shù de yīn wù guǐ qì ， qí jīng chún chéng dù ， yuǎn fēi qū qū kuǐ lěi huà shēn de shén tōng kě bǐ 。
那幡旗看上去毫不起眼，可少女轻轻一挥，却生了惊人的变异，从里面也冒出无数的阴雾鬼气，其精纯程度，远非区区傀儡化身的神通可比。
"Quickly!"
“ jí ！”
“疾！”
Moon’s hands moved like butterflies, forming several hand seals. A green light shot forth.
yuè ér shuāng shǒu rú chuān huā hú dié bān de biàn huàn le jǐ gè fǎ yìn ， yī dào qīng sè de líng guāng dǎ le shàng qù 。
月儿双手如穿花蝴蝶般的变换了几个法印，一道青色的灵光打了上去。
The ghost mists instantly condensed into shape, flying out to form several black serpents over seven feet long, viciously wrapping around the avatar and forked heads.
nà xiē guǐ wù dùn shí níng jù huà xíng ， cóng lǐ miàn xiān hòu fēi chū shù tóu shēn cháng qī bā zhàng de wū hēi jù mǎng ， è hěn hěn de chán xiàng kuǐ lěi yǔ guǐ chā 。
那些鬼雾顿时凝聚化形，从里面先后飞出数头身长七八丈的乌黑巨蟒，恶狠狠的缠像傀儡与鬼叉。
Suddenly, even though the avatar's intelligence was not awakened, it showed signs of panic as its eyes flashed with ferocity. It waved its hands wildly, producing a series of whistling sounds. Green claw shadows appeared before him.
shì tū rán ， fēn shén kuǐ lěi suī rán líng zhì wèi kāi què yě liǎn sè dà biàn ， yǎn zhōng xiōng máng yī shǎn ， shuāng shǒu kuáng wǔ ， dùn shí chī chī de pò kōng zhī shēng bù tíng chuán rù ěr biān ， tā de shēn qián ， chū xiàn le shù zhī jǐn de lǜ sè zhǎo yǐng 。
事突然，分神傀儡虽然灵智未开却也脸色大变，眼中凶芒一闪，双手狂舞，顿时嗤嗤的破空之声不停传入耳边，他的身前，出现了数之尽的绿色爪影。
The scene was extremely impressive, but Moon remained indifferent, her lips curling into a mischievous smirk. She waved her hand again, forming an unusual seal.
shēng shì jí qí jīng rén ， rán ér yuè ér shú shì wú dǔ ， zuǐ jiǎo biān fǎn ér lù chū yī sī tiáo pí de jī cháo zhī sè ， xiān zhǎng huī wǔ ， zài cì biàn huàn chū le yí gè qí tè de fǎ yìn lái le 。
声势极其惊人，然而月儿熟视无睹，嘴角边反而露出一丝调皮的讥嘲之色，纤掌挥舞，再次变幻出了一个奇特的法印来了。
Bang!
pēng ！
嘭！
Before the black serpents could touch the claw shadows, they exploded on their own, turning into countless threads that wrapped around the avatar and forked heads!
Not far from this small hill, scattered pavilions were haphazardly placed. In contrast to the residences, they appeared rather shabby and crude, mostly constructed by using nearby soil and then applying petrification techniques.
Due to the recent resurgence of terrifying incidents, the sect hall was filled with unease. The two senior masters had issued strict orders prohibiting anyone from leaving. Even when gathered together, people felt no sense of security at all.
Thus, various protective barriers and restrictions were set up around the stone houses where everyone resided, creating a dazzling array that left one dizzy. Unfortunately, it was unclear how effective these measures truly were.
In one of the nearby stone houses, two young women were seated cross-legged in meditation.
The room was quiet, with faint insect sounds audible from outside. Half an hour passed before both women exhaled and opened their eyes.
"Senior Sister, the effects of this middle-grade pill are truly incredible; I've already advanced to the late stage of Flexible Spirit Period in just two months," said the girl on the left, a plump-faced teenager around seventeen or eighteen years old. Her appearance was not extraordinary but charming nonetheless.
"Yes, it's not just the pills—Lord Young Master’s cultivation techniques are far more powerful than those taught by our sect. Our progress over these past two months has been truly breathtaking," said Lu Ying'er, smoothing her hair and speaking with a sense of reflection. She had already reached the peak of the Flexible Spirit Period; she only needed to refine her mana further before attempting Foundation Establishment.
Recalling the past, it seemed like a dream, and Lin Xuan was even more grateful for his help.
"But I still don't understand why Lord Young Master, with such power, would befriend us two little girls," said Liu Xin, sounding puzzled.
"Indeed, I’m not sure either. But judging by his expression, he will likely entrust important tasks to us in the future. For now, we should focus on enhancing our cultivation."
After Lu Ying'er spoke, she continued her efforts. Lord Young Master had once advised that while pills could greatly assist one's progress, hard work was essential for a long journey on the path of immortals.
With such opportunities before them, they must seize them tightly.
The stone house fell silent again.
However, not long after, a muffled sound came from outside. The two women were startled and opened their eyes simultaneously. Liu Xin's face showed signs of alarm: "Senior Sister..."
"Shh!"
Lu Ying'er was much more composed. She flicked her left hand, and a silver-shimmering talisman slid into her palm.
Almost at the same time, the stone door silently cracked open, allowing a cloud of black mist to enter and coalesce into a demonic cloud with a diameter of about ten feet.
Seeing this, Lu Ying'er raised an eyebrow without hesitation. She waved her slender hand, and the silver talisman ignited on its own, transforming into a half-circular blue light shield that protected them both.
"Ah?"
A surprised hiss came from within the demonic cloud. The cloud churned violently, enveloping the protective barrier with fierce, sinister winds...
But the barrier was incredibly sturdy; upon contact, the demonic cloud was repelled and could not harm them in any way.
This caused a series of angry roars from within the demonic cloud. Liu Xin and Lu Ying'er breathed a sigh of relief, greatly grateful to Lord Young Master. With their intelligence, they easily deduced that this creature was the culprit behind the bloodshed at the sect hall.
However, their hearts raced again in an instant.
After swirling and trembling for a while, the demonic cloud condensed into a terrifying monster about ten feet tall, with a green face and sharp fangs, trailing a long tail. It looked like a fearsome ghost.
This was actually the avatar of Blood Demon Sovereign; his main body had not recovered yet and could not leave the ancient cave, but he could send out avatars to devour cultivators' essence blood.
Unluckily for him, this avatar found two girls.
Although convenient, the avatar's intelligence had not been awakened. Otherwise, seeing a mere Flexible Spirit Period cultivator using a grade-D spirit talisman would have raised suspicions.
But at that moment, it ignored all else and opened its bloody maw, spewing out something dark.
This thing let out a shrill howl; it was two forked heads of a ghost, fiercely piercing the protective barrier.
The girls were terrified but could do nothing. They did not know what this monster was, but their demonic essence cultivation was only at the early Condensation Core stage. With such weak power, they couldn’t even hope to fight back.
Though helpless, they could only wait for reinforcements.
Fortunately, the grade-D spirit talisman given by Lord Young Master was no ordinary item. Under the frenzied attacks of the forked heads, although its color gradually faded, it managed to hold on.
This greatly agitated the avatar, who growled incessantly. Suddenly, it made a hand gesture and recalled the forked heads. However, the ferocious light in its eyes did not diminish but grew even more menacing.
Lu Ying'er and Liu Xin exchanged glances, both inwardly calling for trouble. With such a huge disparity in strength, they had no choice.
The avatar sneered, extending its two dark ghost claws to dance wildly before it while emitting demonic energy mixed with bloodlight.
Under the girls' shocked gazes, this treasure began to change; not only did it grow and stretch to ten feet, but at the end of each forked head, a skull about the size of a fist appeared.
This skull had horns like those of a goat on its top, and although its eyes were hollow, they glowed with green ghostlight.
A terrifying demonic aura filled the air, suffocating one's breath.
The avatar’s mouth curled into a cruel smile as it pointed a finger. The forked heads were about to descend.
But just then, light flashed from another side of the room. A beautiful and charming young woman appeared in mid-air. Seeing the shocking dark cloud, she showed no fear but instead leaped eagerly. She rubbed her hands together and took out a small black flag.
This flag looked unremarkable, but with a gentle wave, it underwent a surprising transformation, emitting countless dark mists and spirits that far surpassed the avatar's abilities.
"Quickly!"
Moon’s hands moved like butterflies, forming several hand seals. A green light shot forth.
The ghost mists instantly condensed into shape, flying out to form several black serpents over seven feet long, viciously wrapping around the avatar and forked heads.
Suddenly, even though the avatar's intelligence was not awakened, it showed signs of panic as its eyes flashed with ferocity. It waved its hands wildly, producing a series of whistling sounds. Green claw shadows appeared before him.
The scene was extremely impressive, but Moon remained indifferent, her lips curling into a mischievous smirk. She waved her hand again, forming an unusual seal.
Bang!
Before the black serpents could touch the claw shadows, they exploded on their own, turning into countless threads that wrapped around the avatar and forked heads!