Chapter 390: Wicked Old Woman, Infant Spirit, Ancient Formation
Slap!
The young boy clutched in Lin Tianlu’s hand exploded, scattering into shadows.
Lin Tianlu glanced at it, then calmly picked up the mangled metal ball and flicked it with his finger.
With a surge of force, the metal ball shot through the air, piercing the earth.
“Aaaaaah!”
A scream suddenly echoed.
The young boy, his body twisted and broken, emerged from the dust cloud, his shoulder pierced by the metal ball, severely injured.
A single strike had incapacitated him!
“So that’s how it is.” Lin Tianlu’s gaze sharpened, and he mused: “His body is filled with a chilling death energy, almost like a corpse. A ‘vengeful ghost’ born from the fusion of numerous stillborn fetuses.”
“Kill… kill… kill, kill, kill!” The young boy’s previous innocence was gone, his eyes crimson, his face contorted ferociously as he stood up: “I’ll kill you!”
“Grandson! Get back!”
The ugly old woman in the distance shouted urgently, a crimson light erupting from her fingertips.
“Hundred Fallen Souls, Bewitching Formation!”
The red light surged forward, its vast and powerful aura seemingly encompassing even the distant carriage.
“…”
But Lin Tianlu remained calm, raising his hand and effortlessly blocking the incoming attack!
Streams of light scattered and dissipated from between his fingers, his body unmoving, only the surrounding area shaken by the impact, dust and debris flying.
The ugly old woman clapped her hands together and growled: “Although I’m not a Savage Realm great demon, this barrier is enough to trap you, Lin Tianlu, for a quarter of an hour!”
—Weng! (A humming sound)
At the same time, a strange formation suddenly activated around them, the scenery changing drastically.
Lin Tianlu’s eyes narrowed slightly as he observed his surroundings, pondering inwardly.
It wasn’t a Soul Origin Heart Realm, but something similar, constructed from external vengeful spirits and Yin energy.
The old woman had fused the resentful souls of all the women she had killed over the years, refining them into this formation!
Then, countless sharp blades seemed to rise from the ground, the cries and screams of babies echoing around him, a ghostly mist swirling, a chilling and sinister aura filling the air, as if he had entered a mass grave, surrounded by mangled corpses.
“Join us… in death—”
A large number of corpses, their deaths gruesome, rose unsteadily from pools of blood, their faces disfigured and unrecognizable, their wails, cries, and screams like a soul-stirring demonic chant, assaulting his mind and soul from all directions.
But Lin Tianlu’s expression remained calm.
Facing the approaching corpses, he couldn’t help but sigh softly, bowing respectfully: “Ladies, I hope you can forget the pain and despair of this life and be reborn into a happy and peaceful one, free from such cruel treatment.”
The female corpses paused slightly, their broken faces, with exposed bones, even more grotesque: “No… we can’t…”
“Don’t worry, I’ll help you escape from this suffering.”
Lin Tianlu stepped forward and gently took the severed hand of one of the women.
Then, a gentle and warm, emerald green light emanated from his palm, spreading like a mist, quickly enveloping the entire barrier.
“Ah… ah…”
The corpse whose hand he held trembled and let out a soft cry.
The next moment, her decaying flesh and bones rapidly disintegrated, as if melting, revealing her true face, that of a relatively young peasant woman.
As she came back to her senses, tears welled up in her eyes, her expression a mix of joy and sorrow.
And the surrounding corpses also transformed, one after another, into young women with different appearances.
Feeling the warmth surrounding them, the women wept silently, trembling as they knelt down: “Thank you… benefactor…”
Lin Tianlu looked around silently, his heart filled with emotion.
These women had all been killed by that evil woman while giving birth. They hadn’t even had the chance to enjoy motherhood, a truly tragic fate.
They had once had happy families, loving husbands, and caring parents… But all of that was gone now.
And all he could do was help them find peace.
“Ladies, please rest in peace.”
As a gentle light shone down, a peaceful expression appeared on their faces, their figures becoming translucent, until they turned into wisps of green smoke and dissipated.
…
The ugly old woman gasped and grinned sinisterly again:
“It worked!”
Although this barrier couldn’t completely defeat this powerful being, it was enough to trap him for a while.
And during this time, she had another target.
The carriage!
The ugly old woman shouted urgently: “Grandson, go and drag those women out of the carriage!”
Lin Tianlu was truly as powerful as the rumors said, the only way to deal with him was to take hostages!
And even if the women in the carriage also possessed some cultivation, they couldn’t possibly be that strong. Moreover, with her grandson’s abilities, he could easily subdue these women!
“Alright! Great!”
The young boy struggled to get up from the ground, barely managing to reattach his severed arm.
The anger and madness in his eyes faded, replaced by a look of excitement and joy, staring at the distant carriage with bright eyes.
“Perfect! So many beautiful Big Sisters, such perfect bodies… They must be mine!”
He grinned and stomped on the ground, dozens of identical phantoms instantly appearing and rushing towards the carriage.
“All of them… all of them will become my mothers!”
“—Tsk!”
On the driver’s seat, Bai Xin’s face darkened slightly as she saw the strange boy charging towards them, and she raised her hand, about to cast a spell to defend.
But Mao Ruoyu gently placed her hand on Bai Xin’s arm and whispered: “Don’t worry.”
“But that boy—”
“My husband can handle it.”
Mao Ruoyu’s expression was serious, her gaze cold, as she glanced at the approaching children like a wave.
She could see the death energy and resentment within this boy, a vengeful spirit born from the fusion of stillborn fetuses, a pitiful being. But he had already fallen into the demonic path, harming countless innocent women, such a demon wasn’t worthy of pity or sympathy.
—Crack!
Suddenly, a large hand tore through the barrier and grabbed the boy’s shoulder, stopping him in his tracks.
“Uh?”
The boy was stunned and looked back in a daze to see Lin Tianlu emerging from the shattered barrier.
“Who… allowed you to leave?”
Lin Tianlu’s voice was indifferent as he casually lifted the boy into the air and slammed him onto the ground, the force of the impact creating a crater and sending sparks flying, a wave of energy erupting.
“Gah?!” The boy’s eyes widened as he lay twisted and broken in the crater, the dozens of phantoms around him also dissipating.
“Grandson!”
The ugly old woman in the distance screamed, wanting to rush over and rescue him.
However—
“A vengeful spirit formed from the resentment of stillborn fetuses, it needs to be taught a lesson.”
Lin Tianlu clenched his right hand and bent down, placing his palm on the boy’s forehead.
Boom!
A powerful surge of spiritual energy erupted, and the boy screamed in pain, his body twisting and convulsing uncontrollably, as if countless black and red resentments were being forcibly expelled and purified from within. In the blink of an eye, his entire being was cleansed by the torrent of spiritual energy!
“Aaaaaaaaah!”
A spiritual light seemed to be erupting from his seven orifices, his body rising into the air, his limbs flailing as he wailed and screamed, his entire body gradually melting— “You committed countless evil deeds and harmed innocent lives. Now that your soul is purified, you should reincarnate.”
Lin Tianlu released his hand, his expression calm: “In your next life, may you not encounter such evil relatives who would twist you into such a monstrous being.”
“…”
The boy didn’t respond.
Or rather, he had been completely annihilated by the torrent of spiritual energy, his remnants scattering with the wind.
“Ah—”
The ugly old woman, arriving too late, looked at where the boy had disappeared and stumbled slightly, murmuring blankly: “My grandson…”
“—Now, it’s your turn.”
Lin Tianlu suddenly turned around, his gaze cold and indifferent: “You are the true culprit, the source of all this evil.”
“Jealous of young and beautiful women, you started killing indiscriminately. Wanting a grandson, you harmed countless pregnant women, refining the souls of their stillborn children, and then ‘nurturing’ them, turning what should have been innocent children into ruthless killing machines.”
He walked towards the old woman step by step, his expression grim: “Using a child’s innocent mind to utter the most vicious words and commit the most heinous crimes, you’ve truly taught him well, old woman, so well that… you deserve to die!!”
The ugly old woman stumbled backward, her face contorted, and she hissed: “What I do is none of your… none of your business, outsider! We demons and ghosts—”
“You’re not worthy of being called a demon or ghost.”
Lin Tianlu’s expression was indifferent as he raised his right hand: “You’re just… scum.”
Saying this, he waved his sleeve.
Like a sword slashing down, a sharp metallic clang echoed through the sky, a dazzling sword light illuminating the night, its world-shattering power splitting the earth, until the ugly old woman, who had been about to cast a spell to resist, was crushed into dust.
Everything settled.
…
“…”
After a while, Lin Tianlu dusted himself off and returned to the carriage.
Bai Xin stared blankly at the dissipating sword light, speechless, a hint of fear in her eyes as she swallowed hard.
Although she had already known that Lin Tianlu’s cultivation was terrifying, seeing his power firsthand…
If she had defied him back in Changling, her fate might have been no different from this ugly old woman’s.
“Miss, you should snap out of it.”
Lin Tianlu smiled and waved his hand before her: “Are you feeling sad about the death of that child demon?”
Bai Xin quickly came back to her senses, blinking her beautiful eyes, and then gave him a slightly resentful look: “He was just trying to cut open my belly with a dagger a moment ago, I don’t feel any pity for him.”
She glanced at where the boy had disappeared and said indifferently: “Seeing such a monstrous infant spirit, I think it’s a good thing I didn’t get involved with men.”
Lin Tianlu couldn’t help but chuckle awkwardly.
How could this woman have such a strange thought?
But thinking about it, it was indeed quite terrifying.
To have a young boy cheerfully waving a weapon, saying he wanted to crawl into your belly and be born from you, what woman could remain calm?
“However, thank you.” Bai Xin pursed her lips slightly and said: “You saved me from those two troublesome opponents, Master Lin.”
Lin Tianlu smiled and said gently: “I didn’t do it specifically to help you, such bloodthirsty villains, I naturally wouldn’t let them go. But—”
His expression turned serious as he glanced back at the town:
“Can you tell us what happened in this town, Miss?”
“…There’s a faction in Qingfeng County called the Biluo Manor.”
Bai Xin whispered: “They run restaurants and inns during the day, but they are actually an organization of assassins and spies, operating between various factions and towns and counties. Although they aren’t widely known, they do have some influence in this area. And recently, it seems they have become ambitious, trying to overthrow the Luo Xing’s control over Qingfeng County and take over, bringing the surrounding area under their rule.”
Lin Tianlu nodded slightly.
Her words were consistent with what that ugly old woman had said.
“But the Biluo Manor has a close connection with the Ji Red Workshop, they have ulterior motives.” Bai Xin bit her lip lightly: “During the battle, I sensed something strange about this place and paid close attention, but it seemed like I overlooked something…”
Hum—!
Suddenly, a strange and powerful fluctuation erupted from within the White Jade Tower, like a massive wave, sweeping through the area within ten miles.
“Hiss!”
Meixia tossed her head, seemingly uneasy, pawing the ground with her hooves.
And Hua Shuya inside the carriage instinctively touched the sword at her waist, standing up and looking into the distance with surprise and uncertainty: “This aura…”
Such a powerful and terrifying Yin energy!
Even from miles away, it was still unsettling.
Bai Xin’s eyes widened, clearly not expecting this sudden change.
“This Biluo Manor truly has grand ambitions.”
A lazy chuckle echoed softly.
Lin Tianlu looked sideways and saw Yun Yue gracefully landing on the ground, waving her sleeve and saying: “I just captured two spies who were observing from afar. After interrogating them, I learned that this Biluo Manor seems to have an ancestral formation that requires a large amount of conflicting Yin energy as a ‘key’ to activate some ancient ritual.”
“Ancient ritual?”
“Those two spies, although trusted members, didn’t know the details.”
Yun Yue looked towards the distant city, where a torrent of Yin energy was rising into the sky, and mused: “But judging by this, this ancient ritual must be quite powerful, giving the mistress of Biluo Manor the confidence to challenge the Luo Xing.”
As soon as she finished speaking, as if sensing something, she frowned slightly, raised her hand, and gently pointed forward.
With a ripple, an invisible barrier enveloped them and the carriage.
“This formation is quite strange, even from miles away, I can feel its pull.” Yun Yue’s expression turned serious: “If we don’t block it, this Bai Xin girl might be drained of her Yin energy, unable to resist.”
Lin Tianlu frowned and said in a low voice: “Then we can’t delay any longer.
Yue’er, you stay here and don’t approach them. I’ll go and stop this ritual.”
“Wait!”
Bai Xin quickly stood up: “I’ll go with you.”
“You?”
“That bitch betrayed me and tried to eliminate me as well.” Bai Xin took a deep breath, her face grim: “I have to confront her.”
Lin Tianlu pondered briefly and nodded: “Don’t be reckless.”
Bai Xin curled her lip: “I know. I won’t be a burden.”
“Then let’s go.”
Lin Tianlu took her arm.
Before Bai Xin could react, she felt a powerful force pulling her forward, her vision blurring, the wind whistling in her ears, as she was carried away at an incredible speed.
In an instant, the White Jade Tower, shrouded in a torrent of Yin energy, appeared before them.
…
The White Jade Tower collapsed with a loud crash.
Dust and smoke filled the air.
The demons, ghosts, and practitioners who had been fighting fiercely were now sprawled on the ground, their faces pale, gasping for breath, looking at the strange ripples spreading from the center of the ruins with shock and disbelief.
“What… what just happened?!”
The man in fine clothes tried to stand up several times, but quickly felt his Yin energy draining away, as if leaking from his body. He looked around and saw the two old men also lying on the ground, unable to get up.
“Hehe~ Envoy Jin, you’ve always enjoyed such a high status, is this your first time experiencing such humiliation?”
A soft chuckle echoed.
The man in fine clothes looked up in surprise and uncertainty to see the seductive woman gracefully walking towards them from the ruins.
She smiled and touched her chest, saying seductively: “Just now, Envoy Jin, you broke through the defenses of my guards and almost pierced my heart. It’s a pity… you were a step too slow.”
“What… what did you do—”
The man’s face was incredibly grim: “Since when did the Nine Revolutions Yellow Springs Formation have such power?!”
“You’ve investigated quite thoroughly, Envoy Jin, to even know about this formation. You must have made thorough preparations, that’s why you came so confidently.”
The seductive woman chuckled and beckoned, and two of her subordinates quickly approached, presenting a long sword with respect.
She casually took the sword and chuckled: “But do you really think that only your Luo Xing possesses such power? Is our Biluo Manor truly just an insignificant and unknown faction?”
The man’s expression changed drastically, sensing danger, and he struggled to stand up.
“Our Biluo Manor has been under your Luo Xing’s ‘care’ for a thousand years, it’s time for us to rise up!”
The seductive woman pointed her sword at the man on the ground and grinned: “Using the soul of a Luo Xing envoy as a sacrifice is quite fitting, don’t you think?”
“Wai—”
Pfft!
A flash of sword light, and the man’s face was frozen in an expression of shock and terror.
The sword had pierced through his head, deeply embedded in the ground.
At the same time, the surrounding attendants also drew their weapons and attacked the demons, ghosts, and practitioners lying on the ground, unable to resist. In an instant, the previously fierce battle was over.
A maid quietly approached and bowed: “Master, the targets have been eliminated, the sacrifices are ready, should we—”
“Activate the formation.”
The seductive woman chuckled softly and casually tossed the sword aside.
“Tens of thousands of souls in Qingfeng County, the Human Soul Repository, and the Yin energy and souls of these demons and ghosts here, they are the perfect ‘keys.’ Even if the Luo Xing Crimson Beast awakens, we can defeat it.”
“Yes!” The maid nodded seriously, then waved her hand: “Activate the formation!”
Boom!
A torrent of Yin energy, like a pillar of light, erupted into the sky, piercing through the night, forming a swirling vortex of clouds and mist above.
Amidst the thunder and lightning, a massive and profound formation, more than ten zhang wide, unfolded in mid-air, containing thousands of years of wisdom, shimmering with a strange light.
“How beautiful…”
The seductive woman looked up at the formation, an ecstatic and joyful smile on her face.
If this profound secret technique from ancient times succeeded, she could summon the “Fifth Realm,” which had been sealed for thousands of years.
And as the contractor, she would obtain unparalleled cultivation, even becoming the ruler of the Fifth Realm, according to the ancient contract, making the name of Biluo Manor resound throughout the world!
She would no longer have to bow and scrape before the Luo Xing, or play nice with the Ji Red Workshop, she would be the true overlord, claiming victory in this power struggle within the demon and ghost world!
“—Come!”
The seductive woman spread her arms joyfully, feeling the endless stream of Yin energy surging within her, and laughed loudly: “Let us transcend all beings and achieve great things!”
Crack!!
A streak of light suddenly descended from the sky, crashing into the formation, sending cracks spreading through its surface before it instantly shattered into countless pieces.
Thump
Lin Tianlu, holding the slightly dizzy Bai Xin, landed steadily on the ground, dusting off his clothes, and sighed softly: “We made it just in time.”
He looked back at the collapsed formation with a subtle expression.
Had he accidentally broken something important?
But he didn’t dwell on it. Seeing that the young woman beside him was still slightly dizzy, he quickly turned to the front and said seriously: “Are you the mastermind behind this chaos?”
“…”
But his words were met with silence, the ruined area, wreathed in green smoke, seemingly frozen.
The surrounding attendants and the woman all stood motionless, their eyes blank and lifeless, as if they were statues, staring blankly at the collapsed formation, speechless.
“Uh——”
Lin Tianlu twitched the corner of his eye awkwardly, looking back at the sky above.
Could it be that… he had accidentally broken something very important?
