"Fellow Daoist, do not underestimate that evil spirit! It may appear weak, but it is extremely dangerous!"
Elder Huang glanced at Luo Tian, seemingly seeing through his thoughts, and couldn't help but caution him.
"Everyone, be quiet! Stop disturbing my master's spellcasting!"
A young man suddenly barked.
This man was no older than twenty, yet Elder Huang dared not retort. After all, he was the disciple of the Soul Master.
On the ceremonial platform, the Soul Master, Elder Su, lit a bundle of yellow spirit money.
Whoosh!
Green flames surged around, accompanied by eerie cries and wails. In an instant, hundreds of soul shadows gathered above Elder Su's head.
"Soul Suppression Spike, manifest!"
Elder Su shouted in a deep voice.
Clang!
A one-foot-long Soul Suppression Spike appeared, floating in mid-air and exuding a chilling aura.
"Is that... a materialized soul force?"
"Incredible! Who would have thought such a master existed in this world!"
The disciples of Diming Sect were filled with awe and shock, their faces reflecting their astonishment.
Only Luo Tian shook his head slightly, as though unimpressed.
Elder Huang explained softly, "Fellow Daoist, it's normal for you not to understand; you are not a soul cultivator. Materializing soul force is extraordinarily difficult, achievable only by true experts."
Luo Tian remained silent, smiling faintly as he thought to himself: I came here only to retrieve the thousand-year stalactite—why bother debating?
Meanwhile, Elder Su continued casting his spell, controlling the Soul Suppression Spike to attack the evil spirit.
"Attack!"
With a furious shout, the spike hurtled toward the evil spirit, unleashing a deafening sound.
"Awooo—"
The evil spirit let out a piercing wail as it clashed head-on with the Soul Suppression Spike.
Clang!
A thunderous crash reverberated, shaking the very soul. Some younger disciples, their cultivation insufficient, fainted on the spot, frothing at the mouth.
"Such a powerful soul force..."
Elder Huang's heart trembled. He instinctively glanced at Luo Tian, only to find him calm and composed, as though strolling through a garden.
"Such composure," Elder Huang muttered in admiration.
Elder Su continued to channel the Soul Suppression Spike, forcing the evil spirit to retreat step by step.
"Excellent! Master, just a little more! Destroy that vile spirit!"
Elder Su's disciple cheered excitedly.
The Diming Sect members collectively exhaled in relief, as though victory was within their grasp.
However, Luo Tian's brows furrowed slightly.
"Elder Huang, you should ask Elder Su to stop; otherwise, he might lose his life," Luo Tian said calmly.
"Hm?" Elder Huang froze.
Elder Su had the upper hand—why would Luo Tian claim his life was at risk?
"You insolent fool! How dare you insult my master? Do you have a death wish?"
Elder Su's disciple roared in fury.
"Fellow Daoist, mind your words," Elder Huang cautioned in a low voice, sensing something amiss. "Elder Su is a Soul Master, and the power of his Soul Suppression Spike is undeniable. Best apologize quickly before this escalates."
Luo Tian sighed softly, then said, "The Soul Suppression Spike indeed restrains evil spirits, but Elder Su's spike is not genuine."
"What?" Elder Huang was stunned.
Luo Tian gestured toward the surrounding flames and the swirling soul shadows near Elder Su, explaining, "His soul force is insufficient to create a genuine Soul Suppression Spike. He had to rely on a formation, burning wandering spirits to forcibly condense it."
"But the spike's foundation is unstable and lacks durability. If he can defeat the evil spirit within three strikes, he will leave unscathed. But if it drags on past five strikes, his odds drop to fifty percent."
"And now, after ten strikes, his soul force is depleted. Defeat is inevitable."
Elder Huang was speechless, Luo Tian's analysis clear and irrefutable.
Elder Su's disciple, though growing uneasy, stubbornly retorted, "Nonsense! You know nothing of soul arts, yet dare to spout such baseless claims?"
Luo Tian turned to him, his gaze icy. "This is the second time you've insulted me. Say one more word, and I'll take your life."
Facing Luo Tian's piercing stare, the disciple felt as though plunged into an icy abyss, cold sweat pouring down his back. He dared not doubt that Luo Tian would make good on his threat.
"Hmph!" The disciple bit his tongue and stepped back in silence.
Suddenly, someone cried out, "Look!"
All eyes turned toward the Soul Suppression Spike, which was now faltering, retreating again and again, on the verge of collapse.
"What's happening? It was dominating just a moment ago..."
"The Soul Suppression Spike is weakening!"
The realization spread like wildfire.
"Look at Elder Su!" someone exclaimed.
On the platform, the green flames surrounding Elder Su dimmed, revealing their original grayish-white hue. Elder Su himself was swaying, barely able to stand.
Finally—
Thud!
Elder Su spat a mouthful of blood, extinguishing the flames around him.
Whoosh!
The Soul Suppression Spike disintegrated into nothingness.
Elder Su had lost.
The Diming Sect disciples looked at one another in silence, the atmosphere heavy with despair.
Only the evil spirit in the air let out a piercing howl, a cry of victory and mockery.
"Not even Elder Su could do it?"
"Is there anyone stronger than him in Ye Feng Nation?"
"Diming Sect might have no choice but to abandon our ancestral grounds..."
Despair painted their faces, and even Elder Huang seemed resigned. He sighed deeply and turned to Luo Tian. "Fellow Daoist, as you can see, the evil spirit remains. Retrieving the thousand-year stalactite is impossible now."
Luo Tian's eyes flickered briefly. Then he asked, "So, if the evil spirit is dealt with, you'll hand over the stalactite, correct?"
Elder Huang was taken aback but nodded. "Yes, but as you can see, even Elder Su couldn't handle it. What could you possibly..."
Before he could finish, Luo Tian smiled faintly and said, "Very well, it's settled. Prepare the stalactite—I'll take care of the evil spirit."
"What?"
The Diming Sect disciples were dumbfounded.
He intended to deal with the evil spirit that even Elder Su couldn't handle?
Elder Su raised his head, his expression a mixture of shock and ridicule. "Boy, which family are you from? Such arrogance! Even I, the greatest Soul Master in Ye Feng Nation, couldn't subdue that spirit—what makes you think you can?"
Luo Tian smiled faintly. "Because you're incompetent."
Elder Su's face darkened, anger surging within him. The greatest Soul Master, humiliated like this?
"Good, very good! This is the first time someone's dared to call me incompetent. Diming Sect, is this how you treat your guests?" Elder Su sneered, wiping the blood from his lips. He glared at Luo Tian mockingly. "Fine! Show me how you, a mere braggart, plan to handle this evil spirit!"
Unperturbed, Luo Tian replied calmly, "Soul Suppression Spike, was it? Let's see how it's really done."
As he spoke, he formed seals with a single hand, his movements fluid and elegant.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
In an instant, four Soul Suppression Spikes materialized above him, radiating brilliant light and an overwhelming aura.