Chapter 242: Aerial Pursuit

Just then, a strange ripple of power suddenly descended from mid-air.

From beneath Lu Bai’s feet, two ethereal green ropes materialized. Like a pair of Spiritual Snakes, they coiled up from his ankles, slithering upward.

In the blink of an eye, they had covered his entire body!

"Hm?"

Lu Bai’s expression shifted slightly.

He could clearly feel the power of his Blood Qi being significantly weakened by the Spiritual Snakes’ coils. It was as if he were frozen in place, unable to move!

The Five Emperors Gold Coin Sword, which had been slashing toward the white-robed Fierce Ghost, slowed drastically.

The white-robed Fierce Ghost’s form flickered, and it easily dodged the blow.

’This power...’

A cold glint flashed in Lu Bai’s eyes.

’It really is the Witch Race!’

’My old rivals!’

At the same time, the several ghostly figures that had been floating around the mining area abandoned their other targets and rushed toward Lu Bai.

In an instant, two Fierce Ghosts, four Great Ghosts, and three Little Ghosts swarmed him. Under his Eye of Illusion, their expressions were mournful and their gazes venomous, as if they wanted to tear Lu Bai to shreds!

Lu Bai continuously circulated his Blood Qi, seemingly trying to struggle free, but he remained trapped.

"WUUUU!"

The sound of ghostly wails and demonic howls echoed in his ears.

With so many evil spirits surrounding him at once, the ambient temperature plummeted as if he had been plunged into an ice cellar.

Lu Bai’s Blood Qi nearly froze solid.

Fortunately, having cultivated to the Blood Qi River Realm, he could still barely circulate it.

Lu Bai’s eyes flickered. He appeared helpless, but his attention was focused on the member of the Witch Race hiding in the shadows!

’Finally!’

’In the darkness to the northeast, I’ve locked onto their position!’

The two Fierce Ghosts pounced directly onto Lu Bai, continuously eroding and influencing his spirit.

Once Ghost Possession occurred and his consciousness was seized by the Fierce Ghosts, Lu Bai would become their puppet, no longer in control of his own body.

The four Great Ghosts and three Little Ghosts feared the power within Lu Bai’s Blood Qi and didn’t dare attempt possession directly. Instead, they circled him, unleashing Ghost Fire and other attacks to further weaken his Blood Qi and his spirit.

Suddenly, Lu Bai’s eyes blazed. He took a sharp, deep breath, his chest swelling, and unleashed a deafening roar!

"ROAR!"

The tiger’s roar rang out, shaking the heavens and earth, silencing all other sounds!

The Silence Shocking Secret Technique erupted!

As his Blood Qi had grown stronger, the power of the Silence Shocking Secret Technique had risen with it.

With that one roar, the three Little Ghosts were instantly shattered, their souls scattering. They transformed into three streams of Soul Light and disappeared into Lu Bai’s chest.

Even the four Great Ghosts couldn’t withstand it. They trembled violently, their ghostly forms blurring, nearly dispersed on the spot!

The two Fierce Ghosts had just begun the possession when Lu Bai’s roar blasted them off him.

Even the two ethereal green Spiritual Snakes on Lu Bai’s body nearly dissipated.

With a full-body tremor, Lu Bai shattered the two Spiritual Snakes, and his Blood Qi was restored.

RUMBLE!

His Blood Qi surged like a mighty river.

Lu Bai wielded a sword in each hand, swinging them continuously through the air.

SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!

The two Fierce Ghosts and four Great Ghosts were too close to Lu Bai. It would have been difficult to dodge even wild, random slashes.

What’s more, Lu Bai had the *Red Ming Celestial Patrol* swordsmanship.

With just a few strikes, the two Fierce Ghosts and four Great Ghosts were all slain by the Cyan Cloud Sword and the Five Emperors Gold Coin Sword.

The Ancient Mirror devoured the Soul Light.

’This trip wasn’t a waste!’

Lu Bai’s spirits soared. With no time to inspect the Ancient Mirror, his figure flashed as he charged toward the darkness in the northeast corner, shouting, "There’s someone over there!"

With the evil spirits in the mining area wiped out by Lu Bai, the Huben Army soldiers all came to their senses, their minds clearing.

"Let’s go, help him!"

Yang Xiao and Shi Yong heard Lu Bai’s call and reacted instantly. With a loud cry, they charged after him.

WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!

Before Lu Bai could get close, several streaks of green light shot up from that direction.

Three figures rose from the darkness, riding a banner-like Treasure Artifact that flickered with green runes, and fled into the distance.

"The Witch Banner! It’s the Witch Race!"

Yang Xiao and Shi Yong recognized the Treasure Artifact at a glance. Furious, they both activated their Body Techniques and gave chase.

However, after a short chase, the distance between them only grew.

The three members of the Witch Race were Flying on the Witch Banner. Their speed was naturally faster, allowing them to bypass many obstacles on the ground and ignore the terrain.

Lu Bai and the others, pursuing from below, were ultimately a bit slower.

Seeing the gap widen, Lu Bai stopped and immersed his Heart and Spirit in the Ancient Mirror.

Yang Xiao and Shi Yong caught up, breathing heavily.

"Captain Lu, let it go. Don’t pursue a desperate foe."

Although the two were unwilling, they could only watch as the three members of the Witch Race departed.

Now that the haunting at the Spiritual Ore mine was resolved, they had at least regained some face.

Lu Bai remained silent, noncommittal.

A moment later, the rest of the Huben Army soldiers also caught up.

In the darkness, Lu Bai stood motionless.

Yang Xiao and Shi Yong didn’t know what Lu Bai was thinking, assuming he was also just frustrated. Just as they were about to persuade him further, Lu Bai’s eyes snapped open!

For some reason, Yang Xiao and Shi Yong felt that Lu Bai seemed... different.

Before the two could speak, Lu Bai suddenly soared into the air. In front of everyone, he walked on the void, his speed incredibly fast. He transformed into a streak of light and shot off in the direction of the three Witches.

In the blink of an eye, he vanished into the night.

"This..."

Yang Xiao and Shi Yong were dumbfounded.

"Are my eyes playing tricks on me?"

"Did Captain Lu just... fly away?"

"That’s impossible. Flying is a skill only a True Master Martial Dao possesses. How could he do that?"

The Huben Army soldiers stood there, stunned into silence.

Yang Xiao and Shi Yong quickly came to their senses and shouted, "Don’t just stand there! After him! Don’t let Captain Lu get isolated!"

With a rallying cry, the two of them chased after Lu Bai.

-----------------

"Senior Brother Liang, what kind of technique was that man using? How is he so ferocious that even Fierce Ghosts can’t harm him?"

Aboard the Witch Banner, one of them asked, his voice still shaking with fear.

Another said, "Yeah, that roar... we were so far away, and it still made my heart pound."

On the Witch Banner, Liang Bin’s face was grim. He said slowly, "The two Treasure Artifacts in that man’s hands are too powerful. They’re specifically designed to counter Ghost Souls and other evil spirits. That Five Emperors Gold Coin Sword... even a Fierce Ghost can’t withstand it."

"I have no idea where that kid managed to gather so many Five Emperors Coins. It most likely contains a Five Emperors Mother Coin, or else the sword’s power wouldn’t be so terrifying."

The other person said, "Luckily, he’s just an Innate Martial Artist and can’t fly. With the Witch Banner’s help, Senior Brother Liang can advance or retreat at will."

Liang Bin said, "Once you cultivate your second Lifebound Gu, you’ll be able to refine a Witch Banner too."

As the three were talking, the sound of tearing fabric and rushing air came from behind them, growing closer and closer!

"Hm?"

The three of them subconsciously glanced back.

That one glance made their faces change drastically!

They saw a tall, imposing figure, wielding two swords, his eyes shining brightly. He was Flying, surging with killing intent, chasing after them with the speed of lightning!

"Hell, he... he... he can fly?!"

One of them was so scared his voice trembled.

The other couldn’t help but urge, "Senior Brother Liang, go faster! We’re about to be caught!"

Liang Bin’s expression was ugly. His eyes flickered, and a savage look appeared on his face. He suddenly reached out and shoved the two Witches beside him off the Witch Banner!

"You two burdens, get lost!"

Liang Bin cursed.

Ignoring their screams, he circulated his Blood Qi. With the weight of two fewer people on the Witch Banner, it indeed sped up a bit more!