Chapter 830: Little Ancestor Grandma's Sweet Potato Burn
Chapter 830: Little Ancestor Grandma's Sweet Potato Burn
"Arrogant!"
The Three Armies all felt the oppression brought about by the Head Array, and Hu Ma also sensed the arrogance of the Divine Bestowed King.
His previous gesture was clearly directed at himself.
Although his aim was slightly off, the fact that he dared to point in that direction represented that the Divine Bestowed King was aware of the current struggle for the Heavenly Mandate and knew that behind the various bandit leaders were the guidance of extraordinary individuals from the Sect.
There was even one behind him.
But he showed no concern and even dared to directly dismiss them as "martial artists."
The Ten Surnames were indeed martial artists, and even though they had usurped the imperial mandate for twenty years, their surveillance of this realm and dealings with various powers were all conducted according to the rules of the martial world.
But was there really someone who dared to treat the Ten Surnames as mere martial artists? Thinking of this person's arrogance, he also thought of the boundless killing intent behind this Head Array, and he narrowed his eyes slightly.
He turned to Second Pot Head and asked, "What kind of method is this Head Array of his?"
"It's naturally the Soul Punisher."
Second Pot Head furrowed his brows. At this moment, he was facing the dark and eerie fog below, trying to light the exquisite oil lamp in front of him, but failed.
Every time he ignited a faint flame, it would flicker and extinguish.
The Wandering Ghost had entered the altar with his own life force and controlled the power of heaven and earth within the altar. Now, he couldn't even light the oil lamp, indicating that the evil in this place was so strong that it prevented him from activating the altar.
"This is just too damn ruthless!"
After the third failure, even Second Pot Head gave up, his eyes darkening as he spoke in a deep voice, "A hundred thousand heads, a hundred thousand vengeful spirits, have turned the area before Tiger Pass into an unprecedented evil land, a living hell."
Hu Ma slowly nodded and said, "Is this method of his very clever?"
Second Pot Head let out a cold laugh and said, "It's not that clever, just ruthless, venomous, and..."
"Immense!"
"..."
After a slight pause, he explained in a low voice, "Even the simplest method can become exceptionally tricky and cruel if the talisman used is fierce and large enough."
"And breaking this array isn't difficult, but it's a matter of conscience!"
"The Soul Punisher specializes in manipulating the three souls and six consciousnesses of mortals. They can torment both the living and the dead, extract a person's soul, mold it like clay into any shape they desire, or swap and alter them to stir up their wrath."
"This Head Array of his is a method of killing and creating vengeful spirits."
"When mortals die, some are peaceful, while others are filled with astonishing wrath. The Soul Punisher's expertise lies in their ability to transform ordinary souls into vengeful spirits and control them."
"They have created a hundred thousand vengeful spirits, refined their wrath, and turned them into obstacles before Tiger Pass."
"Then, how should I break this array without dispersing these hundred thousand vengeful spirits? They are all innocent civilians, and if we do that, our hands will likely never be clean again."
"..."
At this moment, the Senior Abacus beside him also spoke up in a low voice, his face showing a hint of distress, "The methods in this world are mostly crooked, and there are many sinister things, but no matter how sinister they are, it's rare to reach a level that harms the heavens and defies heavenly principles."
"Above, there is heavenly law, and below, there are ghostly commands."
"The most ingenious methods in the world do not surpass the heavens, and even the most humble people are protected by the principles of the Yin-Yang Cycle. Cultivating the Dao by borrowing the convenience of heaven and earth is already inappropriate, so one must not harm the heavens. This is why even those who cultivate the Dao in the martial world dare not use it lightly."
"Killing in the mortal realm violates criminal laws, and dispersing lonely souls and wild ghosts also diminishes blessings."
"The realm has already been damaged by the Grand Duke and is incomplete. That's why the martial world calls it Demon Heaven Ghost Earth, but even in such a realm, the most basic rules still exist."
"How can the Divine Bestowed King, who has killed and sealed the souls of a hundred thousand, creating this massive Head Array, not suffer backlash?"
"..."
"Is there even a need to say it?"
Hu Ma had already understood and spoke up at this point, "Those who commit such acts should have their deeds recorded in the Book of Karmic Debts held by the Unchanging Li Family. It's their responsibility to arrest and punish them."
"Since someone has reached this point without suffering backlash, it's only with the Unchanging Li Family's approval. Who else could have such power?"
"..."
Senior Abacus and Second Pot Head's faces turned solemn as they slowly said, "Then what about us?"
"If heaven won't punish him, I will."
Hu Ma slowly stood up, his face cold, and said, "The Ten Surnames are monsters who have usurped the authority of heaven and earth, and they shouldn't exist in this world. Governing the realm with martial principles is also wrong, but no matter how many sins the Ten Surnames have committed, they should at least pretend to have some shame."
"The Meng Family was the most brazen in their actions, and their greatest crime was usurping the power of heaven and earth. Even so, the Meng Family still tried to stay out of the public eye."
"The Unchanging Li Family has supported this dog thing, and they've completely lost their sense of shame."
"Then we don't need to hold back. He only acknowledges his own abilities and looks down on these martial artists. Let him witness the skills of the martial world!"
"To break this array, we must use the cruelest means to force the Li Family behind him to come out!"
"I want to ask the Li Family face-to-face: Do they really think they own the authority of heaven and earth and can disregard even the most basic rules?"
Second Pot Head and Senior Abacus could tell that Hu Ma was genuinely enraged. They exchanged glances, both wondering what method could be cruel enough not only to break the array but also to force the Li Family behind the Divine Bestowed King to reveal themselves?
"..."
"..."
"My Three Armies have formed an alliance, and among the hundred thousand troops, there are many extraordinary individuals, yet none can break this ghost array?"
At the same time, in the Three Armies' camp, the soldiers, forced to retreat twenty li and set up camp during the day due to the Head Array, were now arguing loudly throughout the night.
The sight of the ten thousand heads filled everyone with anger, and they were eager to break through Tiger Pass and engage the Divine Bestowed King in battle.
However, as soon as the topic of breaking the array was mentioned, the atmosphere became somewhat oppressive.
The Military Advisor of the Grain Guard Army, Iron Mouth, spoke in a deep voice, "This array is too sinister and evil. It's not a simple matter of fighting against mortals. Even if there are capable people, they might be able to capture demons and subdue ghosts, but who has the ability to capture all the ghosts in the entire underworld?"
"In normal circumstances, when encountering such a formidable array, the only option is to rely on the army's might and malevolent aura to suppress it. But this Head Array is too heavy with yin energy, and even military tactics won't easily break it."
"Perhaps the one thousand Grain Guard Army can charge into the array and withstand the wrathful qi within."
"But the Grain Guard Army is our elite force. If we lose even one soldier, I can't guarantee how many will survive if we forcefully break through this array."
"..."
Upon hearing this, everyone understood that this method was absolutely not an option.
The Grain Guard Army was their sharpest weapon, a force that dominated the battlefield. If they were to clash with the Divine Bestowed King, dying on the battlefield was their duty. However, they couldn't afford to waste them in such a sinister array.
But if they couldn't break the array, the army had already reached the pass, and as the days passed, their supplies dwindled. How long could they hold out? Some of them felt a sense of unease, repeatedly glancing outside the tent, hoping for the arrival of capable individuals to aid them. But each time they looked, they saw no one, and their anxiety grew. Could it be that even those capable individuals were stumped by this Head Array?
They had to strike while the iron was hot, for if they waited too long, the three armies would lose their morale, and the enemy might seize the opportunity to launch a counterattack.
As the three armies discussed, unable to come up with a solution, at Tiger Pass, the Divine Bestowed King had removed his armor and was in a deep slumber. His subordinates, however, were restless, standing guard on the city walls, gazing anxiously at the enemy camp.
The Divine Bestowed King led the Stupa Army, and within a few days, they had fought numerous battles, slaying over ten thousand enemies. Then, they hurried to Tiger Pass, already exhausted, with most of their troops yet to arrive.
The Head Array was set up to buy more time, at least enough for the Divine Bestowed King to rest. Now, although they saw the enemy troops retreating, they worried that there might be capable individuals among them who could break the array and launch a surprise attack.
After guarding for half the night without any movement from the enemy, they felt a moment of relief. "Could the rumors be false? Does the Grain Guard Army not have the aid of a deity, always emerging unscathed from desperate situations?"
"I don't want to think about it. I only hope that this Head Array can hold for three days, allowing our Divine Bestowed King to rest well. When the Stupa Army regroups and rests, they will be like a tiger descending from the mountain, and who can stand against us then?"
"..."
"..."
Everyone felt uneasy, their minds unsettled. At that moment, no one noticed a young lady in silk and satin, riding a horse outside the Head Array, which everyone else feared to even glance at. She seemed to be cautious of her horse getting startled, even covering its eyes and ears with black cloth and straw.
She looked left and right, and gradually, her small face changed color, and she suddenly slapped her thigh in anger, "How shameless!"
"Mrs. Lu, what's going on?"
As she fumed, a figure in a gray robe with a red lantern in hand appeared beside her. It was the Second Pot Head, who had also personally come to inspect the array.
"You're talking nonsense!"
As soon as Sweet Potato Burn saw the Second Pot Head, she became furious, "This Divine Bestowed King is truly shameless! This Head Array is my creation, and he dares to use it to block my troops?"
"What are you talking about?"
The Second Pot Head was startled, "You researched this wicked thing?"
"Yes!"
Sweet Potato Burn said, "When fighting the Five Evil Gods, I found this skill useful. Later, I studied it further and made significant improvements."
"When I was in Quzhou, I encountered fourteen sects and over a hundred Punishing Soul experts holding a Ghost Gate grand ceremony. Of course, I had to participate, and I even won first place."
"I never thought that they not only didn't give me the promised prize and the title of Quzhou Soul Punisher Little Ancestor, but they also cursed me, saying my techniques were too evil and harmed the harmony of heaven. They even wanted to kill me in the name of upholding justice."
"So I taught them a lesson, but at that time, my skills were not yet perfected, and I only managed to eliminate three sects. The Unchanging Li Family's Hall Officer brought his ghost soldiers to chase and kill me."
"Now, looking back, they cursed me then, but they've learned my techniques and are silently using them here."
"Isn't this bullying the honest?"
"..."
"You..."
As the Second Pot Head listened, he became more anxious and instinctively looked around to see if anyone was nearby, lowering his voice, "Did you... slaughter a city?"
"Not yet!"
Sweet Potato Burn said, "I've only slaughtered bandit villages and killed a group of horse thieves, adding up to a few hundred. But they inflated the numbers and claimed them as their own?"
"The copyright is mine!"
"..."
"Well, that's good... that's good..."
The Second Pot Head almost choked, and he lowered his voice, a glimmer of hope appearing in his heart, "Since you're the one who figured out this ghost technique, do you... know how to break it?"
"I don't know!"
Sweet Potato Burn shook her head, "When I researched this technique, I made sure it was unbreakable."
The Second Pot Head was speechless for a moment, "Then you..."
"I can upgrade it again!"
Sweet Potato Burn clenched her teeth, a cold smile on her face, and she looked towards Tiger Pass, shrouded in black mist, "My technique is constantly evolving. This version they're using is already outdated in my eyes."
"Since they dare to show off their skills before me, I'll have to show them that my name as Little Ancestor isn't something to be trifled with!"
"This..."
Seeing the anger in Sweet Potato Burn's expression, Second Pot Head's eyes widened slightly. Logically, hearing about a method to break the Head Array should be good news.
But why did he feel a bit anxious inside?
"Breaking their array is a good thing, but how do you plan to break this Head Array?"
At this moment, from another corner, Hu Ma and Senior Abacus, who had just finished observing the Head Array, walked over. They had already heard the conversation between Second Pot Head and Sweet Potato Burn and asked with a smile.
If it were someone else, Hu Ma would ask if this method was cruel enough, but since it was Sweet Potato Burn, there was no need to ask.
Anyway, she had already made her preparations and was ready to follow her lead.
"Let the dead turn back."
Sweet Potato Burn, seeing that Hu Ma had come to ask her, immediately puffed out her small chest and said proudly, "Every wrong has its culprit, every debt has its debtor. They have refined ten thousand Malevolent Spirits, so let them feel what it's like to be entangled by ten thousand Malevolent Spirits!"
Hu Ma and Second Pot Head listened, and in terms of cultivation, they were actually much higher than Sweet Potato Burn. But first, they were not from the Punishing Soul Sect, and second, Sweet Potato Burn's ideas in her little head were always different from others, making it hard for people to understand her.
At this moment, they vaguely understood, but it wasn't very clear, so they could only tentatively ask, "So, specifically..."
Sweet Potato Burn was delighted by the appreciation of these two seniors for her, and said proudly, "Call my five hundred Hemp Armor Army, and I'll show you right now!"
At this moment, it was a quiet time both inside and outside Tiger Pass. Separated by the Head Array, both sides were either anxious or filled with unease, but they could only endure it and get a good night's sleep, waiting for the dawn to discuss further.
However, unexpectedly, the sound of a gong suddenly rang out, chaotic and messy, immediately startling the defending generals on Tiger Pass.
Looking up, they saw that behind the dark human head array, there were faint white shadows swaying, and white banners fluttering back and forth, causing a sudden panic: "Someone is breaking the array?"
"It's the middle of the night. The other side must have a capable person. Why didn't they wait until daytime and had to rush here during the most ferocious and malicious time of the Head Array?"
"..."
On the other side, the Grain Guard Army was surprisingly delighted. The three armies' leaders, upon hearing that someone was breaking the array, led their personal guards and rushed over. From a distance, they watched as Sweet Potato Burn led five hundred Hemp Armor soldiers to the front of the Head Array.
Her Hemp Armor Army, dressed in white hemp, was extremely eye-catching in the night's firelight, like ghosts and demons.
Hu Ma didn't know what Sweet Potato Burn's intention was in training this Hemp Armor Army, but Senior Abacus, who had seen the most, explained in a low voice, "White hemp is used in the Ghost Welcoming Array."
"Living beings and ghosts clash, but with white hemp, they won't overcome spirits and gods. They can welcome and send off. Her five hundred Hemp Armor Army, dressed in white hemp and waving white flags, don't seem to have any special techniques, but rather, they seem to be guiding the Malevolent Spirits..."
"..."
Staring intently, they saw that five hundred Hemp Armor soldiers were summoned but then held back. Sweet Potato Burn, acting like an expert, raised her hand and summoned three paper figurines in front of the Head Array.
These were the three paper figurines she had bought in the capital city, using them to save her life, and they were her most powerful treasures. In front of the array, she set up an incense table, paid respects to heaven and earth, and then, with a cinnabar brush, drew eyebrows and opened the eyes of the three paper figurines.
"Swish!"
These three paper figurines were already powerful, but now, with their eyes suddenly opened in the night, they seemed to be filled with Yin Wind.
"Vengeful spirits seek revenge, and they need a human body!"
After opening their eyes, Sweet Potato Burn took a step back and personally picked up the drumstick, slowly beating the drum as she called out, "I give you these paper figurines so that you have a body to rely on. I give you these white flags so that you can see clearly in the mortal world."
"If you have grudges, seek revenge. If you have wrongs, clear them. You don't need to thank Granny, and when you get down there, remember to speak well of Granny..."
"..."
As her voice fell, the drumbeats suddenly intensified.
The three paper figurines made a loud rustling sound and flew high into the air, heading straight into the Head Array. From a distance, they looked like three white-garbed immortals descending from the sky.
Following the three paper figurines, the Hemp Armor Army waved their white flags, like hundreds of white serpents in the night, floating and drifting into the Head Array.
Boom!
A surge of Yin Energy suddenly rose, and within the Head Array, countless Vengeful Wind and Malevolent Qi gathered onto the three paper figurines, making them seem heavier and showing signs of withering on the surface.
But these three paper figurines, looking light and fluttering, managed to withstand the pressure.
In the Head Array, countless dead eyes stared blankly, looking towards anyone who rushed in from the front of the array. But with the three paper figurines blocking the way, these eyes couldn't harm the Hemp Armor Army behind. Instead, they followed the white flags in the hands of the Hemp Armor Army, gradually turning.
Bit by bit, as the Hemp Armor Army crossed the Head Array, the countless eyes also started to turn bit by bit, gradually shifting their gaze from the front of the gate to the direction of Tiger Pass.
"Not good! Someone is breaking the array!"
On Tiger Pass, when the defending generals saw the white banners surging towards them, they were so scared that they immediately started banging the gong, waking up the soldiers inside the pass who had just rested.
"Hahaha..."
Amidst the sound of the gong, outside the Head Array, Sweet Potato Burn's laughter was crisp and domineering: "Listen up, old folks of Quzhou!"
"Your little ancestor is back!"
(End of Chapter)
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