Chapter 118: Gloomy Skies and Wailing Ghosts, Bloody Rain in the Night

A thick, putrid stench of blood and the wailing of ghosts surged upward, as if the entire Luoxian Lead Boat were being dragged into the depths of the Yellow Springs! Although the thickets of ash-black true fire covering the exterior of the leaden vessel encased the massive hull in a roaring ring of flame, countless restless spirits, fearing neither death nor the agony of their souls being scorched to ash, threw themselves forward, desperate to taste the flesh and blood of the living aboard.

In an instant, a cacophony of sounds erupted: the shrieking of ghosts, the roaring of fire, the clanging of iron, and cries of alarm. It was as if a sudden thunderstorm had descended, snapping towering trees and shattering banana leaves. The air was filled with violent, booming echoes that numbed the blood and dazed the spirit.

Under the desperate, suicidal onslaught of the subterranean ghouls, the ash-black true fire emitted by the boat proved exceptionally potent. Any mundane demon or ghost that brushed against it had its body torn apart as easily as tofu, only to be burned into wisps of ghostly smoke. Yet, like ants swarming a city wall, some slipped through the fire’s perimeter, lucky enough to board the leaden vessel.

At once, the scent of blood filled the air, and a sinister wind pressed in. Pools of crimson liquid seeped from unknown origins, staining the decks and main halls with a ghastly hue, before spreading like flies toward the scent of blood, flowing down the corridors to breach the doors of the broken cabins.

Amidst sharp cries and frantic shouts, chaos broke out within the Luoxian Lead Boat. The cultivators each employed their own methods. Some spat fire or brandished talismanic weapons, their spiritual lights striking down the invading spirits; others chanted scriptures of salvation to dissolve karmic burdens, causing the ghosts to panic and flee in terror. Some simply affixed exorcism talismans to their crowns, clouding the ghosts' senses so they would pass by, blind and deaf to their presence.

Most of those who dared to gamble their lives in the Abyssal Depths for the sake of wealth were highly confident, believing they could protect themselves in this nether realm. They each possessed a few hidden trump cards for survival. Thus, although the spirits raged within, displaying a fierce and bloodthirsty demeanor, no casualties occurred for the time being, and the situation remained manageable.

At this moment, Chen Heng’s cabin was also being eyed by a few spirits. He made no grand moves, remaining seated on his jade bed, merely summoning his Thunder-Fire Lightning Bead to hover above, its rumbling power shielding his body. Whenever a spirit, unable to restrain its violence, attempted to feast upon the cultivator before it, the bead would discharge a bolt of lightning, shattering the creature into dust in an instant.

Amidst the explosive thunder, Chen Heng watched as spirit after spirit fled in terror, not daring to approach again, and fell into deep thought. His "Dispersion of Scenery and Concealment of Form" technique was passed down from a Celestial Ancestor; as long as his cultivation was sufficient, he could simulate any aura, down to the last detail. Before this, he had altered his fetal breath signature to mimic the "Ingot Gold True Qi" of the Xuanzhen Sect, so perfectly that even the masters at the Dongxuan realm, like Hall Master Huaiwu or the demon Ouchen Yinsheng, could not discern the deception.

Most of the ghosts in the Abyssal Depths possessed incomplete intelligence, guided only by a breath of resentment to maintain their forms and hunt for blood. If he were to alter his own aura to match that of these spirits, perhaps he could deceive them as well—and walk among them openly?

However, this thought was fleeting. He was currently aboard the Luoxian Lead Boat, where eyes were everywhere; there was no need to act hastily.

The slaughter between men and ghosts continued for some time. Finally, a Qi-refiner, due to a momentary lapse, had his protective robes torn open by several ghosts. With a swift wrap and coil, they drained half of his flesh and vital essence in an instant. The cultivator let out a shrill scream, his face turning deathly pale. His once taut and smooth skin instantly sagged and softened, the light in his eyes dimmed significantly, and even his black hair turned gray and mottled. In a fit of shock and rage, he frantically surged his fetal breath, pushing his profound arts to the limit. He spat out a cloud of murky yellow smoke from his mouth and nose, breaking free from the ghosts' grip, and began to scream for help in sheer terror.

"Useless trash! Can't even handle a few ghosts? With such pathetic cultivation, did you come to the Abyssal Depths just to die?!"

In the main cabin of the Luoxian Lead Boat, the deacons operating the vessel heard the Qi-refiner's cries. Despite their utter disdain, they picked up their command tokens, gave a cold shout, and performed a unified hand seal.

A flash of profound light erupted! Shortly after, the four-foot-tall black-satin Tiger God banners standing at the four corners of the boat trembled, each shedding a Tiger God spirit essence from its surface. A thunderous roar filled the air, and with a howling wind, the four tiger spirits swept out, clearing the ghosts from the vessel in a matter of moments.