Chapter 14: Desperate Defense
The air was thick with the stench of decay and death as the zombies closed in on the temple. The first guard, his face set in a determined grimace, hastened to create a barrier. "There are too many! Hurry up and make the barrier!" the second guard urged, his voice laced with a hint of desperation.
The first guard focused his energy, breathing deeply as he channeled his Qi into the barrier. "Stop talking nonsense!" he exclaimed, his eyes blazing with a fierce determination. "Worldly life, ignite!" he shouted, his Qi surging as his life force began to burn away.
With renewed strength, the first guard fought off the zombies with all his might. His sword sliced through the air, striking true time and again as he held off the undead horde. However, this newfound power came at a terrible cost: his life force was burning away, dwindling with each passing moment.
The first guard stood at the temple gate, single-handedly holding off the zombies. His movements were a blur of steel and Qi, his determination and courage in the face of overwhelming odds inspiring awe.
Meanwhile, the second guard sat cross-legged on the ground, his hands weaving intricate patterns as he created a seal. Flames danced around him, casting flickering shadows on the walls as he focused his energy. His eyes were closed, his brow furrowed in concentration as he worked to establish a barrier.
Ryujin, engaged in combat with a zombie, thought to himself, "I may not be able to handle Elder White Bone, but dealing with these zombies is child's play. Perhaps I can find an opportunity to break free later." He struck down the zombie with a swift swing of his sword, his movements practiced and efficient.
As Ryujin protected Si Wei with his sword, he fought off another zombie. Unbeknownst to him, a second zombie snuck past and lunged at Si Wei. She tripped and fell, and the zombie reached for her face, its eyes glowing with an unnatural hunger.
"Si Wei, be careful behind you!" Ryujin warned, but he was too late. Just as all hope seemed lost, a hat flew through the air, slicing off the zombie's hand with deadly precision. The hat had come from the first guard, who had somehow managed to throw it with unerring accuracy.
Si Wei's eyes widened in shock as she stared at the severed hand, her face pale with fear. The second guard finally succeeded in creating a seal, and a shimmering barrier erupted into existence, protecting Si Wei and the others from the undead horde.
As the first guard's life force dwindled, he thought, "Success... I didn't expect a bronze-armored demon to be this tough. As long as Si Wei is safe..." With those final words, the guard's existence faded away, his body crumbling to dust as his Qi dissipated.
The remaining zombies outside the temple surged forward, attempting to destroy the newly created barrier. They hurled themselves at the seal, their bodies piling up as they attempted to break through. The barrier held firm, but it was clear that it wouldn't last forever. The zombies would eventually break through, and when they did, Si Wei and the others would be at their mercy.
Ryujin's eyes narrowed as he gazed at the barrier, his mind racing with strategies and plans. He knew that they couldn't stay here forever, but for now, the barrier was their only hope. He steeled himself for the battles ahead, his determination and courage burning brighter than ever.
As the battle raged on, the bold guard Xing Xu found himself face to face with the formidable Elder White Bone. The air was electric with tension, the two combatants locked in a fierce stare-down. Xing Xu's determination was palpable, his eyes blazing with a fierce inner light.
Elder White Bone, sensing Xing Xu's resolve, sneered in contempt. "You think you can defeat me, mortal?" he taunted, his voice dripping with malevolence. "I am a being of unparalleled power, a creature of the undead!"
Xing Xu's response was a fierce battle cry, as he launched himself at Elder White Bone with a flurry of punches and kicks. The two combatants clashed, their movements a blur of speed and power. Xing Xu's Qi surged through his veins, imbuing him with superhuman strength and agility.
However, despite his valiant efforts, Xing Xu found himself no match for Elder White Bone's overwhelming power. The zombie's blows rained down upon him, each one landing with precision and deadliness. Xing Xu stumbled backward, his defenses weakening under the onslaught.
In a desperate bid to turn the tide of battle, Xing Xu unleashed a powerful technique, one that increased his size and strength twofold. His eyes turned a deep purple, glowing with an inner light as he charged at Elder White Bone.
"Die!" Xing Xu shouted, his voice echoing through the forest.
Elder White Bone stood still, his expression unchanging. "You want to fight me alone? You are not worthy," he said, his voice dripping with disdain.
Xing Xu's punch connected with Elder White Bone's forehead, but the zombie didn't flinch. Instead, he let out a deafening roar, the sound waves sending Xing Xu flying backward. The bold guard crashed into the trunk of a tree, blood spewing from his mouth as his internal organs were severely injured.
Elder White Bone approached Xing Xu, his eyes gleaming with a malevolent light. "This is the strength of zombies," he said, his voice dripping with pride. "What perfect creatures they are – inferior to none, not even knives and guns. They only need to feed on fresh blood to exist in this world."
Si Wei's voice pierced the air, filled with concern. "Uncle Xing!" she exclaimed.
Ryujin's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with strategies. "Silver armored corpse," he muttered to himself.
Elder White Bone turned toward the temple, his gaze falling upon the crowd of zombies and the other guard struggling to maintain the barrier. A cruel smile spread across his face. "Oh, looks like you still have plenty of energy over there," he said, his voice dripping with malice.
With his last ounce of strength, Xing Xu spoke, his voice barely above a whisper. "Hurry... miss... go... Run... from... here... please..." His vision began to fade, and with a final glance at Si Wei, he lost consciousness.
The fate of Si Wei and the others hung in the balance, as Elder White Bone's malevolent presence loomed over them. Would they be able to escape the clutches of the undead, or would they succumb to the zombie's overwhelming power? The outcome was far from certain, as the battle raged on.
The barrier, now complete, encased its occupants in a protective shield, safeguarding them from the ravenous zombies that had surrounded the temple. Ryujin's eyes gleamed with a mix of curiosity and intrigue as he pondered the nature of these creatures. "Zombies can also be considered demons, right?" he inquired, his voice directed at the system interface that existed solely within his mind.
The system interface, an ethereal presence that only Ryujin could perceive, remained silent, awaiting further instructions. Ryujin's thoughts swirled with the implications of his question, and he couldn't help but voice his astonishment aloud. "I still can't believe there are people who willingly turn themselves into demons."
Si Wei's eyes widened in alarm, her hand instinctively covering her mouth as she struggled to process the horrors unfolding before her. Ryujin's expression, however, remained resolute, his determination burning brighter with each passing moment.
As the zombies continued their relentless assault on the barrier, Ryujin's gaze swept across the temple grounds, taking in the carnage and destruction. His eyes lingered on the spot where Xing Xu had fallen, a mixture of sadness and anger simmering within him.
"Today, it's time for me to show my... sanctity," Ryujin declared, his voice filled with an unshakeable conviction. Si Wei's concern deepened, her brow furrowed in worry. "Young Master Ryujin, what are you talking about? What sanctity?"
Ryujin's response was enigmatic, his words laced with a hint of mischief. "It's nothing. What I meant to say is, thank you for the chicken and barbecue you gave me while I was hungry earlier, near the campfire. As a repayment, I'll help you deal with Elder White Bone."
Si Wei's uncertainty was palpable, her voice barely above a whisper. "Can you really do that, Young Master Ryujin?" The guard maintaining the barrier snorted in derision, his eyes rolling heavenward. "Don't listen to this guy's nonsense, he's obviously gone mad from fear."
Ryujin's gaze locked onto the guard, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. His expression was calm and collected, but a storm brewed beneath the surface, waiting to be unleashed.
The air was heavy with tension, the silence between them oppressive. The only sound was the relentless pounding of the zombies against the barrier, their moans and groans a chilling reminder of the horrors that lurked beyond the temple walls. (AN: please add to your collection/library)