The Vermilion Bird Bow required an immense amount of Vermilion Bird Flames to fire a single arrow. Qin Xi could only mobilize a tiny portion of the flames stored within the Yang Spirit Pearl, enough for at most one shot. Now that the arrow had been loosed, his spiritual energy was insufficient to unleash his full combat power. If any more powerful Ghost Cultivators arrived, the four of them would be in grave danger.
Given the circumstances, it was better to take temporary shelter within the White Tiger Sacrificial Temple and plan their next move.
Once the decision was made, Mo Tiange ordered the puppet to lead the way. Although the puppet lacked the secret arts and lifebound magical treasures of a Nascent Soul cultivator, it was impervious to injury, immune to all control techniques, and now wielded the Fusheng Sword, making it not much weaker. Most importantly, even if the puppet was damaged, it could simply be repaired, unlike a real cultivator who, upon reaching the Nascent Soul stage, would need decades of recuperation from a serious injury.
As for the Fusheng Sword, after the demonic energy was purged by the Spirit-Cleansing Water, even its impurities had been removed. When summoned, it produced continuous sounds of wind and thunder, undoubtedly a top-grade magical treasure. Before Fuyaozi departed, he had also given Mo Tiange the incantation for refining the Fusheng Sword. If it could be fully refined, it would become another sharp killing weapon.
Having the puppet wield the Fusheng Sword was merely a stopgap measure. The Fusheng Sword was a thunder-attribute flying sword; only when paired with thunder techniques could it unleash its full combat power. For an inanimate object like the puppet, which lacked a dantian and divine sense, pure martial power treasures were most suitable. However, such treasures were only fit for martial cultivators, whose numbers were extremely few, with even fewer at high levels. Finding a pure martial power treasure with decent potency was harder than acquiring a top-tier magical treasure.
This matter would have to wait until later, when she could participate more in Nascent Soul cultivator trade gatherings and exchange treasures.
With the puppet leading the way, Qin Xi followed closely behind. Mo Tiange and Nie Wushang were in the middle, while Jing Xingzhi brought up the rear.
After the other three had moved ahead, Jing Xingzhi looked at the Ghost Cultivators, a mischievous grin appearing on his face. He retrieved an object from his Qiankun Ring and hurled it fiercely toward the Ghost Cultivators.
"Pfft!" Upon release, the object transformed into an extremely faint smoke in the air. This smoke seemed sentient, splitting into over a dozen strands that coiled toward the Ghost Cultivators.
Caught off guard, the Ghost Cultivators were approached by the smoke before they could react. Suddenly, several thunderous booms echoed as lightning crisscrossed, immobilizing the Ghost Cultivators in place.
"Let's go!" Seeing the Ghost Cultivators had been hit, Jing Xingzhi hurriedly caught up with the others.
Mo Tiange glanced back in surprise. She knew of something called Heavenly Thunder Beads, which sealed lightning using beast spirits; when thrown, they possessed immense power. However, such items were difficult to craft, and after reaching Core Formation, there were ways to counter them, so they weren't widespread.
The object Jing Xingzhi had thrown resembled a Heavenly Thunder Bead but was far more sophisticated. Not only did it use smoke to obstruct vision, but it could also automatically approach its targets. More importantly, it had an immobilizing effect. In a battle, throwing out one of these could easily catch an opponent off guard. She would have to ask him later where he got this thing.
The Ghost Cultivators remained immobilized for about ten breaths. For Nascent Soul cultivators, this time was more than enough. Even though they couldn't fly at extreme speeds within the mountain hollow, by employing their movement arts, the four could leave the Ghost Cultivators far behind.
Moments later, the Ghost Cultivators caught up. Having no physical form, their speed was incredibly fast, surpassing even the most skilled human cultivators in movement arts.
Seeing this, Jing Xingzhi took another object from his Qiankun Ring and tossed it out.
The Ghost Cultivators halted, each throwing out ghostly artifacts, preparing to defend.
However, the object merely drifted down lightly without exploding at all.
The Ghost Cultivators were stunned. Wensi, enraged, raised the book scroll in his hand. Black characters flew out from between the pages, pressing toward the group.
Jing Xingzhi swung his flying sword, countless sword rays forming a protective shield that blocked the black characters.
This continued for half a quarter-hour. The four took turns making their moves until finally, they saw the entrance to the sacrificial temple.
The closer they got to the temple, the more pronounced the Breath of the White Tiger became. The Ghost Cultivators' speed gradually slowed, and some even showed signs of confusion and unease.
Seeing this, the four knew their gamble had paid off—the Ghost Cultivators truly did not dare enter the White Tiger Sacrificial Temple.
As they ventured deeper, the Ghost Cultivators eventually came to a complete stop.
One Ghost Cultivator asked fearfully, "Elder Wensi, should we still go in?"
Wensi glared angrily at the retreating backs of the four, finally gritting his teeth. "Return and report to the Ghost Venerable!"
"But," another Ghost Cultivator said tremblingly, "we failed to capture or kill them. Won't the Ghost Venerable punish us?"
Wensi's dull eyes turned toward him, coldly stating, "Do you still expect the Ghost Venerable to let this go?"
The dozen or so Ghost Cultivators lowered their heads in silence.
Wensi said, "This place is filled with the Breath of the White Tiger. If we enter, we will be scorched. Think for yourselves: which is harder to endure—the agony of being scorched, or the Ghost Venerable's punishment?"
"..." Hearing Wensi's words, the Ghost Cultivators fell silent. Several showed expressions of fear on their faces.
Ghost Cultivators practiced cultivation without the concept of spiritual roots and faced fewer bottlenecks because they relied solely on soul power. The price they paid was being far more fragile than humans or demon beasts. Once a soul was scorched, the terrifying sensation was unbearable even for those who had formed Ghost Infants. Moreover, if a ghost soul was scorched, their cultivation would suffer greatly, possibly even regressing. Yet, accepting the Ghost Venerable's punishment was equally agonizing.
After a long while, Wensi sighed lightly, a sorrowful expression appearing on his pale face. "Let's go back. Even if we endure the pain of being scorched, we might not necessarily be able to eliminate them. It's better to accept the Ghost Venerable's punishment with resignation."
Finally, a Ghost Cultivator responded, "Yes, Elder."
"They've all left," Jing Xingzhi said.
The four of them had already reached the plaza where the White Tiger was located. The Breath of the White Tiger here was extremely intense. Not daring to get too close, they sat down leaning against the stone wall to meditate and recover.
"They really are afraid of the Breath of the White Tiger," Qin Xi said, opening his eyes.
"They don't dare come in, and we don't dare go out," Jing Xingzhi sighed mournfully. "Are we going to seclude ourselves here for decades, absorbing the Breath of the White Tiger, before we can leave?"
Qin Xi shook his head. "Why go to such lengths? Although we can't get out, we can call for reinforcements."
"Are you going to send a message to your ancestor?"
Qin Xi smiled slightly, glancing at him. "Are you jealous?"
Jing Xingzhi rolled his eyes. "Yes, I'm dying of jealousy. You have someone to call for help." Unlike him, who had always relied on himself—not only now that he had left the Ancient Sword Sect, but even back when he was still with them.
Despite his complaints, Jing Xingzhi's expression showed no self-pity, clearly indicating he had overcome such mental barriers.
Qin Xi then said seriously, "There are so many Ghost Cultivators here that this can no longer be taken lightly. Even if we get out, we must notify the Immortal Alliance to prepare, lest the Ghost Cultivators emerge and throw the Tianji Realm into chaos."
"You mean..." Jing Xingzhi pondered thoughtfully.
"Although the Immortal Alliance is fighting on two fronts, it should still be able to mobilize over a dozen Nascent Soul cultivators."
This was a grand gesture! Jing Xingzhi inwardly marveled. Calling upon over a dozen Nascent Soul cultivators for rescue was something he wouldn't have dared imagine before; it was good enough if no one took advantage of their predicament. However, this was also a fortunate coincidence. Only with the establishment of the Tianji Immortal Alliance could so many Nascent Soul cultivators be gathered.
"Over a dozen—do you think that's enough?" Jing Xingzhi had another concern; there were quite a few Ghost Cultivators.
"If the team includes a late-Nascent Soul cultivator, it should be sufficient," Qin Xi said. "Besides, there are already tools designed to counter ghostly entities. They just weren't emphasized before because there were no Ghost Cultivators in the Tianji Realm. Now that they know Ghost Cultivators are here, it'll be much easier to handle."
Considering that the Ghost Cultivators' strength wasn't particularly impressive, Jing Xingzhi nodded. "It seems you plan to invite your ancestor to come personally."
Qin Xi gazed at the White Tiger in the center of the plaza, his tone meaningful. "We can't just let others take advantage for free."
Jing Xingzhi understood his meaning and chuckled.
"Before that, let's first refine a portion of the Breath of the White Tiger." Once the other Nascent Soul cultivators arrived, the White Tiger Sacrificial Temple would no longer be a secret. By then, the temple would belong to the Immortal Alliance, and it wouldn't be so easy for them to absorb the Breath of the White Tiger.
Jing Xingzhi nodded. The Breath of the White Tiger was a great opportunity. How could they let others take it for free? Of course, they should seize the benefits first before worrying about the rest. After all, those Ghost Cultivators didn't dare come in.
However, thinking about the impending meeting with those Nascent Soul cultivators, a shadow of gloom crossed his face. What if there were people from the Ancient Sword Sect among them...
"What's wrong?" Mo Tiange's voice sounded beside him.
Jing Xingzhi turned to see she was speaking to Nie Wushang. At this moment, Nie Wushang's eyes were tightly shut, her face pale.
Hearing Mo Tiange's voice, Nie Wushang opened her eyes. "This Breath of the White Tiger..."
Mo Tiange was startled, suddenly remembering that the breath of divine beasts could suppress demonic energy, and Nie Wushang practiced demonic arts...
"I... I'll go outside," Nie Wushang stood up. "If I stay here any longer, I'll get injured even if I wasn't before."
"Wait," Mo Tiange stopped her. "If the Breath of the White Tiger weakens, it will lose its restraining effect on those Ghost Cultivators. Moreover, your master is outside. What if you run into him alone?"
Nie Wushang smiled bitterly. "What else can I do? If I stay here, I can't resist the Breath of the White Tiger."
Mo Tiange thought for a moment, then took out a set of formation disks. "This Concealing Spirit Formation of mine isn't some ordinary goods. It should be able to isolate the Breath of the White Tiger."
Nie Wushang was half-convinced, half-doubting. "The Breath of the White Tiger is so domineering..."
"We won't know until we try," Mo Tiange smiled, stood up, walked a few steps away, and laid out the formation disks one by one, embedding spirit stones. "Alright, go in."
Nie Wushang walked into the formation and sat down cross-legged.
"How is it?"
Nie Wushang focused for a moment, then said joyfully, "It really is isolated!"
"Then you don't have to leave."
"Mm." Nie Wushang looked at her gratefully.
Mo Tiange smiled slightly and returned to sit cross-legged.
"She trusts you that much?" Qin Xi's voice transmission sounded in her ear.
Mo Tiange turned to see him looking at her.
Just now, when Mo Tiange set up the formation, Nie Wushang had walked into it without hesitation, not even testing it first.
Casually entering another person's formation was a major taboo for cultivators. A slight misstep could put one's life in another's hands. How could someone like Nie Wushang not know such common sense?
"I can trust her the same way," Mo Tiange transmitted back. "Do you remember? We once entrusted our lives to each other."
Back in Yunzhong, when they were tricked by Mei Feng into the Labyrinth Cavern to feed the Primordial Demon, Nie Wushang had once placed her life in Mo Tiange's hands. She didn't believe such a moment could be faked.
"Alright," Qin Xi nodded. "I trust you, so I trust her too."
Mo Tiange smiled and was about to say something when she suddenly frowned, sensing something amiss.
Qin Xi's expression changed, and he spoke aloud, "Someone's coming!"