Chapter 73: Sweeping All Before Them

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The Corpse had already anticipated the Bureau of Underworld Rites’ stubbornness. Fixing its gaze on Bai Wanming, it took a step forward, its oppressive aura condensing into a tangible force that bore down upon him.

Bai Wanming’s supernatural abilities were primarily supportive, and he had yet to achieve his true form. Under such pressure, he was utterly unable to move.

“Sir, what will you do?” The Corpse’s voice was cold. “Will you choose to perish here with this avatar of mine, or cede half the population of Hangdu to me?”

It turned its gaze to Magistrate Zhao. The latter, after a long struggle, finally gave a difficult nod. Once he made his choice, it was as though he aged a dozen years in an instant.

Having achieved its goal, the Corpse let out a hideous laugh. It stamped the ground with its right foot, and the formation enveloping Hangdu began to shift.

Starting from the southern part of the city, a dividing line split the town in two. On one side, the wind and dust grew ever fiercer, the earth began to crack, and the ground’s formation lines turned blood red. On the other, the sandstorm gradually abated.

The county office was situated in the former half—now the site of a blood sacrifice.

With a chilling expression, the Corpse glanced at Bai Wanming. “Don’t say I never gave you a chance. As long as you leave the bounds of the formation, you might manage to cling to life.”

It extended its withered right hand and slashed downward. Another coffin rose from the ground, sealing Magistrate Zhao inside. With a powerful kick, the Corpse sent the coffin hurtling out of the formation’s range.

Wen Meng’s gaze was vacant, his consciousness already clouded. The destruction of his life-bonded ghostly artifact had done him more than physical harm; his body itself was beginning to deteriorate.

Freed from the crushing aura, Bai Wanming did not choose to flee, but to fight.

He first released a torrent of vines to shield Wen Meng, then transformed himself into a towering tree giant ten meters tall.

Standing in the county office courtyard, Bai Wanming bent over, glaring down at the Corpse.

“A true form? Not quite,” the Corpse remarked after scrutinizing him, sounding almost disappointed.

Bai Wanming did not respond. His abilities were rather ordinary; even in this pseudo-true form, he posed no real threat to the foe before him.

But his aim was clear. Yu Jun and the others were hurrying over—if he could just delay the Corpse, there was a sliver of hope.

With all his might, Bai Wanming threw a punch—his fist, half a meter wide, crashed down toward the Corpse. Yet the latter did not even bother to dodge, standing motionless.

The moment the vines touched the Corpse, they snapped apart, and it had not retreated even a step.

The Corpse issued a bizarre laugh, seized the vines with both hands, and with a savage yank tore Bai Wanming’s tree form in two.

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Bai Wanming tumbled to the ground, his face flushing red as he nearly failed to suppress a mouthful of blood.

“How is this possible…”

Never had he imagined the gap between them was so vast. He couldn’t withstand even a single blow, let alone buy time.

“Die.”

The Corpse laughed, swinging its fist heavily at Bai Wanming’s head. In the instant before impact, a flash of golden light streaked past—the punch struck only empty air.

The flicker of gold coalesced into a figure: Zhou Bai. Seeing Bai Wanming on the brink of death, Zhou Bai instantly used his curse-killing art to pull him away from danger.

“Interesting.” The Corpse’s murky eyes examined Zhou Bai. Its true body was far beyond anything a mere avatar could match, and it saw at a glance that Zhou Bai was exceptional. Besides the human path ability he had just used, his body was brimming with yin energy—evidence of an awakened ghost path power. And within him, something else seemed to be hidden.

“I find you fascinating. Once I kill you, I’ll add your corpse to my collection.”

A trace of excitement twisted the Corpse’s stiff face as he fixed his gaze on Zhou Bai, like a predator discovering new prey.

While he spoke, Yu Jun arrived. She had already assumed her true form. The moment she saw the Corpse, she launched her attack.

Bestial claws slashed downward, demonic energy surging as the air rang with the sound of rending.

Yet the Corpse’s response was as calm as ever—it simply raised its right arm to block. As the claws fell, several long gashes appeared on its arm.

The Corpse’s left hand then shifted from a fist to a palm, striking directly at Yu Jun’s chest. There was a cracking of bone—her ribs caved in as she was forced out of her true form and sent flying.

“Are you alright?” Zhou Bai asked gravely, catching her with a curse-killing art.

“I’m fine.” Yu Jun tried to suppress her internal injuries, but her organs had already begun to bleed, and she couldn’t help but spit out a mouthful of blood.

Bai Wanming had recovered and immediately sent out vines, attempting to heal Yu Jun, but she waved him away.

Yu Jun’s demonic energy surged all over, the sound of bones shifting echoing from within her body as, gritting her teeth, she forced her ribs back into place with sheer power.

Though it was only a temporary fix, at least her mobility would not be further impaired for now.

“Ha! Don’t tell me you take me for a true form weakling?” the Corpse sneered.

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As if sensing something, the Corpse’s ragged throat emitted an unearthly sound.

“Did you know? In just the time it takes for half a stick of incense to burn, half of Hangdu will be sacrificed in blood. Why do you not kneel and beg me for your lives?”

Despite the overwhelming foe, Yu Jun showed no intention of retreat. In a low voice, she said, “Zhou Bai, Bai Wanming—you two should leave. There’s no need for you to die here with me.”

But before either could reply, Yu Jun roared and transformed back into her true form, leaping at the Corpse.

Her action infuriated him. For the first time, the Corpse moved, advancing to meet her.

“A grain of rice dares vie with the full moon.”

The Corpse struck at her with a punch, the force of the blow enveloping everything around.

The two collided, sending a blast of wind and sand swirling into the air.

“Forgive me, but I’m standing my ground,” Yu Jun said, trembling, blood pouring uncontrollably from her mouth.

“Pathetic,” the Corpse spat, furious as he launched attack after attack. At first, Yu Jun managed to fight back, but soon she could only defend, her injuries rapidly worsening.

Zhou Bai did not flee. He sensed the sandstorm within the formation growing ever more violent, searching for a chance to turn the tide.

After all, his curse-killing art had not yet reached its limit—if all else failed, he could try to escape from afar.

At that moment, Bai Wanming’s demonic power surged, his form growing increasingly unstable.

Zhou Bai turned to look at him, only to hear Bai Wanming murmur, “You should go. I know you’ve awakened more than one supernatural power—your potential far surpasses mine.”

“What are you planning?” Zhou Bai asked in surprise. Even he could not intervene in this battle—what hope did Bai Wanming have?

“I know there’s a shortcut to achieving true form. I want to try.”