Chapter 633: Meng Yao Yin Makes Her Move!
The siege of White Paper Immortal City had fallen into an extremely tense stalemate.
Because of the appearance of the Funeral Music Phantom Performer, the South City Gate had been thrown wide open. A massive breach had appeared in what had once been an impregnable city defense, and the entire flow of the battlefield had shifted accordingly.
Without question, the struggle for the South City Gate had become the key to this offensive and defensive battle!
If the Army of Yin Soldiers seized the South City Gate and occupied a corner of White Paper Immortal City, then the Lord of the Forgotten River would almost certainly secure victory.
If, on the other hand, White Paper Immortal City counterattacked with full force and drove the Army of Yin Soldiers out within a short time, reclaiming the South City Gate, then the battle would revert to the earlier stage of siege warfare, and the fight would continue.
“We have the advantage!” Xie Sichao stood in the rear of the Army of Yin Soldiers beside Luo Si, staring intently at the battlefield around the South City Gate, his expression stirred with excitement.
The Candle of the Silent Path to Return wielded by the Funeral Music Phantom Performer had further altered the situation.
She had teleported in three Dead Bone Colossi. Although one had been strangled to death by Ning Zhuo, two of those enormous monstrosities still remained.
Their bones were thick and heavy, their defenses astonishing. They would be extremely difficult to deal with in the short term.
As for the Paper Figurine Colossus capable of threatening them, it was currently rolling upon the ground, constantly assaulted from within by two Golden Core–level Ghost Generals, caught in both internal and external peril.
The battle between Yang Three-Eyes and the Bone Tomb Daoist had entered a white-hot stage.
Unexpectedly, the Bone Tomb Daoist had gained the upper hand.
He split into countless incarnations, surrounding Yang Three-Eyes as he taunted, “Brother Yang, where is your talent? Use it.”
“I quite enjoy watching that lofty, disdainful look of yours.”
“Heh heh heh, why aren’t you using it?”
“Can’t find my true body? Or have your eyes already been drained to their limit—afraid that if you overuse them, you’ll go blind?”
Yang Three-Eyes snorted coldly and continued fighting without replying.
Warm Soft Jade and Zhou Wenyuan had been gravely injured and fallen unconscious, protected by Yang Three-Eyes from certain death.
Elsewhere, Iron Bone Zheng charged toward the Funeral Music Phantom Performer with resolute determination!
“Once comrades in arms—who would have thought we would cross blades like this!”
“Even if you are being controlled, there is no other choice.”
Iron Bone Zheng unleashed his full strength. His Iron Fan whirled about him; from the outset, he moved to kill the Funeral Music Phantom Performer outright.
The Venomous Ghost General, the Shadow Ghost General, the Wailing Ghost General, and the Rock-Wei Ghost General had already withdrawn to her side, guarding against any possible assassination.
Iron Bone Zheng’s beard and hair bristled. His muscles twisted like iron pythons as he danced the Iron Fan until it nearly became a mass of black light, blocking numerous attacks.
He closed the distance toward the Funeral Music Phantom Performer.
“Heh heh, wishful thinking!” The Venomous Ghost General was the first to intercept him.
He abruptly spread his arms, and from his seven orifices surged forth dark green poisonous miasma.
The rolling miasma writhed like a living creature. In an instant, it wove together ahead into a sticky, fetid wall of corrosive poison!
The fierce gale carried by the Iron Fan crashed into the miasma wall like falling into a deep-sea mire. Its sharp edge was eroded and worn down layer by layer.
Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle…
The Iron Fan emitted a grating sound.
Iron Bone Zheng inwardly cried out in alarm and quickly withdrew the Iron Fan. In only a few breaths, the fan surface had already been corroded into mottled patches.
His offensive was obstructed. Glancing at the unfathomable corrosive miasma wall, he forcefully suppressed the urge to crash straight through it.
In a normal duel, he would have had ample time to probe with various methods.
Once he understood the foundations of this move, he would have far greater confidence in countering it.
But now, that was absolutely impossible.
Military affairs were urgent as fire. Fleeting battle opportunities vanished in an instant. He had to give his all, yet he could not afford to be overly reckless.
Iron Bone Zheng was keenly aware that as City Guard Commander, he was one of the core pillars of White Paper Immortal City’s defense. If anything happened to him, it would have an extremely negative impact on the entire battle.
He could only retreat, attempting to bypass the miasma wall.
At that very moment, a twisted black shadow silently swept beneath his feet.
The Shadow Ghost General!
Soul-Binding Ropes.
Two ropes shot forth like two cold, slick venomous snakes lunging.
Iron Bone Zheng sensed it in time and moved to dodge.
But the Soul-Binding Ropes did not attack his true body—they struck the shadows of his legs!
Hit by the move, Iron Bone Zheng immediately felt a chill and sluggishness arise from his calves, rapidly spreading through his entire body.
It was as though he had fallen into an icy mire. His movements slowed by more than a beat.
“Damn it!” His heart sank.
After only a single exchange, he clearly recognized that these Golden Core Ghost Generals were all elite veterans of the army. Under normal circumstances, one-on-one, he could gain the upper hand.
But now, every one of them had been reinforced with Military Force Reinforcement. Their combat power had skyrocketed, just below the Nascent Soul–level.
That surpassed him.
Worse still, he had to fight one against four and break through their encirclement to strike at the Funeral Music Phantom Performer.
That was nearly impossible!
Luo Si’s face was as hard as iron as he watched the spell projection before him. In the image, Iron Bone Zheng was struggling desperately to break through layer upon layer of obstruction to slay the Funeral Music Phantom Performer.
The enemy’s defending general had fallen into a mire; the situation was highly favorable. Yet not a trace of joy appeared on Luo Si’s face.
Steady and seasoned, his attention encompassed the entire battlefield.
Suddenly, his pupils shifted slightly, looking toward a squad of ox cavalry within the army.
Sun Lingtong served as the leader of that cavalry squad. At this moment, he charged at the very front, shouting loudly, “Make way, make way! We’re going to storm into the Immortal City and win great merit!”
Sun Lingtong was anxious beyond measure.
He had seen the crisis at the South City Gate. The Paper Figurine Colossus had been mobilized. Through the life-thread connection, he knew clearly that Ning Zhuo needed help.
Thus, even though this move was somewhat out of line, he could no longer care about such matters.
Sun Lingtong did not directly charge through the South City Gate. Instead, he led his team into the winding path.
This was the route of the Dead Bone Colossi, capable of teleporting directly into the Immortal City.
Cutting in line, Sun Lingtong led his subordinates ahead of one Dead Bone Colossus and successfully entered White Paper Immortal City.
“That fellow!”
“They’re disrupting military discipline!”
“Whose subordinates are they?”
The Army of Yin Soldiers maintained strict discipline. Sun Lingtong’s action had caused considerable negative impact upon order.
Reports were immediately submitted, and some sought to hold Sun Lingtong accountable. These were presented to Luo Si.
Xie Sichao feigned nonchalance as he glanced at Luo Si.
Luo Si remained expressionless. He did not stop Sun Lingtong. Instead, he ordered: the Dead Bone Colossi were to temporarily halt entry, and the Headless Ghost Cavalry was to enter the city at full speed!
At the same time, he commanded his forces to continue their frenzied assault on the South City Gate. The Dead Bone Colossi were not to use the winding path but to continue attacking the South City Wall.
Iron Bone Zheng charged left and right, yet the four Golden Core Ghost Generals alternated their attacks, easily intercepting him.
He was even forced backward by their counterattacks.
Thus, he was pushed farther away from the Funeral Music Phantom Performer.
“Commander, the city wall is in critical danger!” The City Guard Commander’s Seal trembled slightly, transmitting pleas for aid from his subordinates.
Iron Bone Zheng nearly ground his steel teeth to pieces.
“Damn it!”
He could not break through the four Ghost Generals’ protection, and under Luo Si’s frontal pressure, he was torn between conflicting demands.
He knew the Funeral Music Phantom Performer had to be eliminated, or the situation would completely collapse. But his strength was insufficient, and he lacked time.
He had to return to hold the line. If the South City Wall fell and the Army of Yin Soldiers launched a full-scale offensive, then the strategic value of the winding path teleportation would vanish—there would be no need for teleportation with such a vast assault space for large numbers of Yin soldiers to advance simultaneously!
“Iron Bone Zheng, go guard the South Wall!” At the critical moment, a white paper figure flew through the air.
Iron Bone Zheng’s face lit up with excitement. “City Lord!”
The arrival was not the City Lord’s True Body, but her Paper Avatar.
The situation at the South City Gate was extremely perilous. The Paper Avatar had no choice but to personally suppress it.
The moment she moved, it triggered a fierce reaction.
“Look! The City Lord’s Avatar has moved!”
“Lord Luo Si, I request battle!”
“Let me fight! Kill that woman, and White Paper Immortal City’s morale will plummet—perhaps even force out her True Body!”
Inside Luo Si’s command tent, emotions surged.
Yet Luo Si remained utterly calm. All requests for battle were denied. He continued sending in more Headless Ghost Cavalry.
Many generals were indignant.
The Headless Ghost Cavalry passed through the winding path and set foot in White Paper Immortal City!
They moved in groups like packs of sharks, attacking everywhere, wreaking havoc at will.
The City Lord’s Paper Avatar snorted coldly. Her white gown spun without wind. The dark talismans densely covering its hem lit up one after another, sending out layers of frost-white ripples visible to the naked eye.
In the next instant, the frigid aura transformed into massive waves of ice that swept outward in all directions. The ground was instantly covered in pallid ice crystals.
Over a hundred ghost cavalry were directly frozen within the ice crystals, sealed on the spot.
Her long hair danced, its tips flashing with countless chilling glints.
Chi chi chi chi…
Dense, light sounds like torrential rain striking plantain leaves merged into a humming note of annihilation.
The glints shot forth, instantly piercing through the Headless Ghost Cavalry and the Skeletal Warhorses beneath them, toppling them all to the ground.
In a single moment, a swath of the battlefield was cleared.
Seeing this scene, the generals beside Luo Si changed expressions. The excitement, bloodlust, and resentment from being denied battle all faded rapidly.
Some cast furtive glances at Luo Si. He still sat unmoving, his face indifferent.
The City Lord’s Paper Avatar felt a wave of frustration.
Though her results were formidable, the Headless Ghost Cavalry surged like a tide—no matter how many she killed, just as many filled in.
“We must first eliminate the winding path—kill Xiao Le!” Her gaze locked onto the Funeral Music Phantom Performer.
The latter stood motionless, expression numb, holding the Candle of the Silent Path to Return.
The four Golden Core Ghost Generals at her side braced as if facing a great enemy.
Clearly, the City Lord’s Avatar’s combat power far exceeded Iron Bone Zheng’s and had to be treated with utmost caution.
“We’re here!”
“Kill them all!”
“Xiao Ma, I’m here, I’m here!!”
Qing Chi’s shout rang out at that moment.
Charging in right behind her was the fully established Qing Jiao Army.
When the South City Gate had fallen into crisis, Qing Chi had received Iron Bone Zheng’s mobilization order.
He had ordered her to immediately lead the Qing Jiao Army into battle!
She had long been impatient. At once she commanded the entire army to mount up, rapidly assembling before pouncing out like tigers.
Midway, she saw the Paper Figurine Colossus unleashing its might and instantly cried out in her heart, “Xiao Ma—she must be controlling the colossus!”
Whether for public duty or private feelings, Qing Chi’s battle intent burned like blazing fire.
She took the lead, charging at the very front, her entire body wreathed in azure flames, her momentum unparalleled.
Close behind her followed her father, the Golden Core–level Qing Yan. At this moment, he raised a war banner high.
It was a Bone Blade Battle Banner. At the tip of the pole burned a cluster of green fire. The banner itself was so thin it was nearly transparent, like dead skin, with the two large characters “Qing Jiao” emblazoned upon it.
It was a military weapon.
Aside from this, the entire Qing Jiao Army was mounted on Black Blood Paper Horses—also military weapons.
The warhorses were tall and gaunt. Within their chests burned a fist-sized pale green ghost flame. Their eyes were pitch-black voids, empty and lifeless.
The Qing Jiao Army wore armor. Some wielded Crescent Moon Great Blades, others gripped Sky-Rending Long Spears.
Bang, bang, bang…
The two cavalry forces collided on the plaza behind the South City Gate.
With Qing Chi as the arrowhead, their might was terrifying, smashing through the enemy cavalry’s formation. The following Qing Jiao Army soldiers were high in morale, fearless of death, directly crushing the Headless Ghost Cavalry.
The Qing Jiao Army was fully equipped with military weapons—luxurious equipment aside, the key was that they had charged from afar, gaining tremendous momentum.
In contrast, the Headless Ghost Cavalry had only just teleported through the winding path. They had not traveled far enough to build up charging force.
Upon collision, the Headless Ghost Cavalry were sent sprawling.
“Good!” Seeing this, the City Lord’s Paper Avatar felt greatly gratified.
With just this exchange, she felt her investment in the Qing Jiao Army had been worthwhile.
She focused fully and charged toward the Funeral Music Phantom Performer!
The Venomous Ghost General repeated his old trick, spewing forth another dark green miasma wall.
The Paper Avatar released frost-white ripples that directly froze the miasma wall into countless dark green ice crystals, which fell to the ground with rustling sounds.
A layer of frost also formed upon the Venomous Ghost General’s body.
Alarmed, he retreated rapidly.
The Shadow Ghost General lurked within the ground’s shadows and hurled out Soul-Binding Ropes at the Paper Avatar’s shadow.
With a ripping sound, the ropes exploded into plumes of black smoke.
The Shadow Ghost General let out a shrill scream, his figure twisting as he fled in embarrassment.
The Wailing Ghost General shook his bone flute violently, releasing a piercing sound attack.
The Paper Avatar remained expressionless. The sound attack vanished like a mud ox entering the sea—utterly ineffective.
The Rock-Wei Ghost General blocked her path. Massive and fierce, he crossed his arms and smashed down at her.
Only at this moment was the Paper Avatar’s advance finally checked.
But soon, as she continued her assault, the Rock-Wei Ghost General staggered backward, shouting repeatedly, “Help! Quickly, help!”
The Paper Avatar’s combat power was overwhelming, forcing the four Golden Core Ghost Generals into a sorry state.
“The situation’s wrong!”
“We must reinforce them!!”
“Luo Si, what are you hesitating for?”
Inside the command tent, the generals could no longer sit still and once again requested battle.
Among them, the Vanguard General was the most resolute and spoke most fiercely.
Luo Si looked deeply at him, then swept his gaze around the tent. He waved a hand. “If you wish to go, then go. I will not stop you.”
“Count yourself sensible!” The Vanguard General had backing and had never respected Luo Si. He knew the latter had merely been arranged to take the blame.
Inside the Paper Figurine Colossus.
Buddhist Physician·Meng Yao Yin surveyed the surroundings before fixing her gaze upon Ning Zhuo. “Xiao Zhuo, you actually came here.”
“You are only at the Foundation Establishment Stage, yet you came to White Paper Immortal City?”
“Mother! You’ve finally awakened.” Ning Zhuo’s eyes reddened, overwhelmed with emotion. “I found this place by accident. I also know about your arrangements. This time, I will do my utmost to destroy the Lord of the Forgotten River’s schemes!”
“Good child. You’ve grown.” Buddhist Physician·Meng Yao Yin extended her hand and gently stroked Ning Zhuo’s head.
“Hahaha, this is the core!” The Long Axe Ghost General shattered the formation space and charged in.
The Scarlet Ghost General followed close behind.
The Long Axe Ghost General spotted Ning Zhuo and was instantly overjoyed. “The one controlling the colossus is merely a trifling Foundation Establishment junior—die!”
“Hm?” The long-handled scythe in Buddhist Physician·Meng Yao Yin’s hand moved slightly.
The Long Axe Ghost General’s head fell to the ground.
Slain!