The Purgatory Calamity

As soon as Hong Tai's words fell, the cultivators from the Dark Ghost immediately pressed in on everyone.

Learning that the newcomers belonged to the Dark Ghost, the members of the three families scattered around the Black Water Pool became frantic. They immediately racked their brains for strategies, contemplating how to break the situation.

"Han, I'm afraid we'll have to split up and flee."

Zhou Qingchen's face grew grim as he saw the pursuers slowly close in, no longer displaying the earlier ease and comfort.

He had just learned from Han Duping that this leader named Hong Tai actually possessed the cultivation of the Marrow Cleansing Realm.

In the Fourth Realm, the Marrow Cleansing Realm represented the pinnacle of the pyramid of strength. Although he would reach the Marrow Cleansing Realm sooner or later, he was currently only at the level of the Meridians Channeling Realm.

Since the other party had fathomed their strengths through Zhang Heng and still dared to lead people here for the siege, they must be fully confident.

"Hmm, I have it in mind," Han Duping's gaze flickered.

"Thud! Thud!"

Pang Jian suddenly sprinted, dashing towards the fallen warhorses.

The Dragon Pattern Spear that Zhou Qingchen had given him, which felt rough to the touch, along with his long blade and bow and arrows, were all on the horses at that moment.

Knowing nothing of the Dark Ghost and unable to discern the cultivation realm of the pursuers, his only option was to quickly grab his own preferred weapons to prepare for the impending bloody battle.

"Everyone!"

Zhou Qingchen suddenly raised his voice and declared as if making an oath, "Don't worry about me, just escape from this place by any means possible."

"I, Zhou Qingchen, hereby promise to you all that as long as I live to leave this place, I will not proceed to the Red Mountain in the Upper Realm to cultivate until I have killed every Dark Ghost member present here today!"

The people loyal to the Zhou Family felt their spirits shake upon hearing this, as if their morale was bolstered.

"Kill these filthy rats from the gutter!"

"Just the indecent Dark Ghost, what's there to fear!"

The cultivators of the Zhou Family clenched their weapons tightly, and then valiantly charged toward the Dark Ghost members without fear of death.

Outside Black Water Pool, the area opened up like a fan, and only the section that tapered inward was where everyone presently stood.

Under Hong Tai's orders, the Dark Ghost members almost filled up the outward space. It was inevitable that the group would come into contact with the assailing Dark Ghosts if they attempted to break through.

Very soon, the servants loyal to the Zhou Family clashed with the Dark Ghosts' members, and the battle erupted instantaneously.

Having just grabbed his bow, long blade, and taking hold of the Dragon Pattern Spear, Pang Jian lifted his head to see the blood battle begin.

"Pang Jian, my young friend, I too am in a position where I can barely protect myself and am afraid I can't look after you." Zhou Qingchen, from a distance, looked at the deeply furrowed Pang Jian and sighed, "What I can do is attract as much of the fiercest firepower onto myself as possible. Everyone, take care. I hope we have the chance to meet again!"

After dropping those words, he burst forth like a cheetah.

Seven deep-red beams shot explosively from the Heart Protection Mirror on his chest, resembling ferocious, bloodthirsty dragons, instantly blasting several encircling Dark Ghost members to death on the spot.

The bones of those killed Dark Ghost members smashed to pieces, turning them into heaps of mangled flesh.

Zhou Qingchen's fierce and domineering nature immediately deterred the Dark Ghost assailants, those who had not reached the Meridians Channeling Realm were retreating as if avoiding a plague, hastily making way.

Zhou Qingchen laughed boisterously as he charged through the piles of shattered, bloody flesh, storming through as if entering an uninhabited domain.

"I knew this kid would be the most troublesome,"

Hong Tai, who had long anticipated this, squinted at the Heart Protection Mirror revealed by Zhou Qingchen, and greedily chuckled, "It seems like it's a treasure bestowed by the Red Mountain. Not bad at all!"

"Hiss! Hiss!"

The python he was riding immediately slithered towards Zhou Qingchen, crushing countless plants along its path.

Wherever the python passed, the forest seemed to be plowed open, creating a rugged path in the ground several feet deep.

Zhou Qingchen, who drew most of the Dark Ghost members' attention and even led away their leader Hong Tai just by himself, carried the main force of the Dark Ghost on his shoulders, boosting the morale of the others.

Amidst the chaos, Ning Yao also arrived at the dead chestnut warhorse, kicking it over to reveal its underside.

At this moment, she couldn't care less about the bloodstains on the pouch full of spirit stones as she snatched it up and slung it onto her back.

"Uncle Yuanshan, we must hurry and leave!"

She didn't even glance at Pang Jian standing by her side, but, together with Ning Yuanshan, made for the side furthest from Zhou Qingchen to break through.

That was precisely where the Dark Ghost's defenses were weakest.

As for Pang Jian, in her eyes, he was already a dead man, destined not to escape the Dark Ghost's assault.

"Your money's returned to you. From now on, I have no obligation to do anything for your Ning Family," Pang Jian said as he took a sack of broken silver from the bottom of the bamboo basket and tossed it towards Ning Yao without checking if she wanted it.

Ning Yao was deaf to it, not looking back.

Her focus and attention were on Zhang Heng, who blocked the way. Her eyes bore a fierce glint as she angrily shouted, "Zhang Heng, the Ning Family has been good to you, and yet you betray us!"

Been good to me?"

Zhang Heng, riding one of the warhorses he led away, watched Ning Yao and her rapid approach with a cold laugh, "In your eyes, all those not named Ning that serve you are just expendable cannon fodder. You, the young lady of the Ning Family, when have you ever looked at me properly?"

His eyes gradually revealed a sinister intent as he stared at Ning Yao's spirited face, gulping as if swallowing hard.

"You have great merit to your name, so later we'll let this little lass properly look up to you... from beneath your hips."

In that seemingly defenseless area, a voice full of mockery echoed from the depths of a tree with dense foliage, "Elder Hong has already promised to let you have your way with the little lass first."