In the Forest of Creation, the screams grew more frequent.
Occasionally, bursts of light shot into the sky.
This signaled the activation of the distress signal jade stones.
Seeing this, Yun Roumu and others outside immediately wore serious expressions.
"What's happening? Why are so many disciples under attack at the same time?"
"Never mind the reasons, let's go see what's happening first!"
After a brief exchange, Yun Roumu, Qin Tianya, and Wu Qifa immediately rushed into the Forest of Creation.
Meanwhile, Hou Bujian smiled lightly.
He walked forward calmly, not in a hurry.
At the same time, he formed hand seals with both hands.
Above the Forest of Creation, a black dragonfly suddenly exploded, forming a black barrier that enveloped the entire forest.
Simultaneously, Wei Aoshu and Ye Yu also wore troubled expressions.
Several pitch-black ghosts emerged from the dense forest, surrounding the two of them and preparing to attack.
Instinctively, Wei Aoshu positioned herself in front of Ye Yu, raising her left hand with a sword gesture.
Her flying sword unsheathed itself automatically, standing in front of her and emitting a faint white light.
Ye Yu looked around at the spirits and ghosts, feeling perplexed.
"Weren't we supposed to encounter only spirit beasts in the Forest of Creation? How come even souls are appearing?"
Wei Aoshu frowned deeply, coldly saying, "These ghosts have been summoned here by someone. They resemble our Soul Gathering Technique from the Ten Thousand Souls Hall, but there are some differences."
"Regardless, it seems we've been targeted by someone. Stay behind me and don't move!"
Before she could finish her words, the surrounding ghosts immediately launched their attacks.
Wei Aoshu immediately used the Azure Cloud Sword Technique, her flying sword turning into a stream of light that surrounded her, blocking the ghosts' assaults.
However, these ghosts were clearly very powerful.
Even when struck by the flying sword, they didn't disperse immediately. Instead, they continued to converge towards Wei Aoshu.
Seeing the ghosts closing in, Wei Aoshu clasped her hands together, and the light from her flying sword suddenly intensified.
Then, it swiftly rose into the air, growing several times larger.
It pierced through all the ghosts at lightning speed.
Following this move, the surrounding ghosts instantly dissipated into nothingness.
Wei Aoshu's complexion turned somewhat pale, her figure swaying.
Fortunately, Ye Yu supported her in time, preventing her from falling.
Ye Yu asked softly, "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, just exhausted from crossing the limit with my technique. This place isn't safe to linger in; let's go!"
Wei Aoshu's expression became extremely grave.
She was now certain that someone had intentionally ambushed disciples of the Azure Cloud Sect here, under the guise of the Ten Thousand Souls Hall.
As undercover agents for the Ten Thousand Souls Hall, Wei Aoshu and Ye Yu would have been informed of any situation beforehand.
This sudden attack was definitely not the Ten Thousand Souls Hall's style.
"Where are you going?"
A soft, sinister voice rang out.
Wei Aoshu and Ye Yu looked up to see Hou Bujian descending slowly from above, blocking their path.
Wei Aoshu said in a low voice, "Senior Brother Hou, there are ghosts lurking here. I suspect someone is deliberately ambushing the disciples of our Azure Cloud Sect. We should send a distress signal for reinforcements."
Upon hearing this, Hou Bujian shook his head expressionlessly.
"No need for reinforcements. The goal is for all of you to die here."
Wei Aoshu and Ye Yu's faces changed greatly.
So, the one behind the attack was Hou Bujian?
Why would he do this?
If it's just to avenge his two useless cousins, Hou Wang and Hou Zhen, isn't this a bit too excessive?
After all, besides the thirty inner disciples of the Azure Cloud Sect, there's also a Saintess here.
Is Hou Bujian planning to kill the Saintess too?
Seeming to perceive the doubts in Wei Aoshu and Ye Yu's hearts, Hou Bujian said calmly, "Originally, this operation wasn't aimed at the two of you. You were just supposed to be collateral damage."
"But when I saw your names on the list, I became interested. After all, although my two cousins are foolish, they wouldn't have died so easily."
Wei Aoshu looked troubled.
So, Hou Bujian discovered something strange after all?
Wei Aoshu's thoughts raced.
Then she said in a deep voice, "That's right, I killed your two foolish cousins. It has nothing to do with Ye Yu. Let him go!"
Upon hearing this, Ye Yu looked at Wei Aoshu in surprise.
He hadn't expected this woman to be so righteous, taking all the blame upon herself.
In fact, Wei Aoshu wasn't intentionally taking blame for everything, but the situation had escalated to this point. No matter how they explained it, Hou Bujian wouldn't believe them.
Instead of both of them dying here, it was better for one person to face it alone.
Hou Bujian said calmly, "Don't be stupid. Everyone who came here today for the trial will die here. No one can escape. Accept your fate, and I'll make it less painful for you!"
The next moment, a pressure unique to the Nascent Soul stage instantly swept through the area, causing Wei Aoshu, already depleted of spiritual power, to feel utterly hopeless.
Indeed, Hou Bujian had truly reached the Nascent Soul stage. How could they possibly fight back now?
The vast difference in realms left Wei Aoshu without even the slightest will to resist.
She could only watch as Hou Bujian slowly approached.
At this moment, Ye Yu suddenly said, "Give me the sword!"
"What?"
Wei Aoshu turned incredulously to look at him.
She couldn't understand what Ye Yu intended to struggle against facing a Nascent Soul stage cultivator.
Seeing Wei Aoshu's bewildered expression, Ye Yu didn't bother explaining further.
Instead, he stepped forward, grasping the sword in front of him.
Initially, the sword resisted, trembling uncontrollably.
But as Ye Yu continued to infuse it with spiritual power, the sword quieted down.
Seeing this, Hou Bujian's deadpan expression suddenly curved into a smile.
He looked at Ye Yu with interest.
"How intriguing. Does a mere early-stage Golden Core cultivator still want to resist? Very well, I want to see what sword technique you can muster against me!"
Facing Hou Bujian's mockery, Ye Yu didn't argue back.
Instead, he closed his eyes, holding the sword horizontally in front of him, beginning to execute the Qinglian Thunder Sword Art.
In an instant, from the cloudless sky came a massive thunderous roar.
The smile on Hou Bujian's face instantly vanished.
He abruptly looked up at the sky, murmuring, "Impossible, how could you possibly know this technique? Who are you?"
Ye Yu suddenly opened his eyes wide.
With a swift sword thrust, a blue thunderbolt as thick as a dragon descended from the sky.
It shattered the barrier above the Forest of Creation without losing momentum, instantly striking Hou Bujian.
"Boom!"
After a tremendous roar, a vast and incomparable deep crater appeared in front.
Hou Bujian, a Nascent Soul stage cultivator, was instantly killed on the spot, his body reduced to nothing.
Wei Aoshu stared fixedly ahead, muttering to herself, "How could you know this technique? The Qinglian Thunder Sword Art is the supreme sword technique of the Azure Cloud Sect."
"Only the direct line of elders and the Saintess are qualified to learn it."
"Who are you?"