Chapter 53: A Savior Descends from Heaven, Lingxiang Falls

Liu Xia broke through the encirclement for a while before finally reuniting with Long Qi, but the demonic creatures were numerous, and the gap they had managed to carve out was blocked again in an instant.

"It's over, it's all over. Isn't this like catching turtles in a jar?" Banxia looked at the monsters circling them, sorrow rising from her heart, and she suddenly sat down on the ground.

Among those demonic monsters, some finally lost their patience; a demonic creature with a human face and an insect body shrieked, twisted its torso, and charged forward with its blood-red maw wide open.

Although this monster was split open by a sword strike from Long Qi, the crowd of demonic creatures, seeing someone attack, seemed to have their morale boosted and charged at the group in unison with roars.

This bout of slaughter plunged Long Qi into a bitter struggle, and before long, he was struck by a demonic creature; although it was only a flesh wound, the erosion of the miasma made the pain impossible for him to ignore.

Things were not looking good on Chengkai's side either; his blade was not yet sharpened, and he still had to look after Xin Yi. Although his sword technique was elegant, he was ultimately unable to withstand the siege of the swarm of monsters.

Ever since Liu Xia had sparred with Chengkai on sword techniques, his own swordplay had become increasingly dashing; a set of Weeping Willow Sword Technique, combined with the sword techniques taught by the sect, actually made it impossible for the demonic monsters to get close to him.

But the demonic creatures charged at them wave after wave; how could mortal bodies handle such a situation? After resisting for about half an incense stick of time, the group was defeated and herded together by the demonic creatures, just like prey surrounded by a pride of lions.

Banxia was in utter despair when she suddenly remembered that Liu Xia seemed to still have two talismans on him, so she hurriedly shouted to him—that Spirit Summoning Talisman might just save their lives.

But there were too many demonic creatures, and her voice as a woman was drowned out by the sounds of fighting, failing to attract Liu Xia's attention.

Zhao Wuyang, who was lying to the side, heard it clearly; he struggled to tug at Banxia's sleeve and told her that he still had two talismans on his own person.

Upon hearing this, Banxia hurriedly searched Zhao Wuyang's body, while Zhao Wuyang blushed from her clumsy movements.

After she fished out Zhao Wuyang's two talismans, she found herself in a dilemma—generally speaking, an Edict Talisman only needs to be thrown or stuck onto an object to unleash its power, but these two were not Edict Talismans; how was she supposed to use them?

Just as Banxia was at a loss, she saw the two talismans begin to glow with a faint light, which startled her into hurriedly throwing the two talismans out.

As soon as these two Yellow Talismans hit the ground, they immediately laid out two Dharma Arrays, and a moment later, two figures were seen slowly emerging from the arrays.

It was none other than Fuyin Zhenren and Lingxiang!

And as soon as the two appeared, they immediately began to cast their witchcraft.

Fuyin Zhenren flicked his fingers to cast the Heavenly Dipper Art, and several bolts of lightning fell from thin air, scattering the demonic creatures around the group. He then used his fingers as a sword, sweeping across the surrounding monsters with an extraordinarily elegant posture, like a banished immortal.

Lingxiang also moved her hands in a flurry of gestures, using a Surging Sea Tide to trap the demonic monsters that intended to attack Chengkai and Xin Yi within a water prison.

Once the witchcraft was set, she hurriedly ordered Chengkai to move Xin Yi to her side, and with a roar of gathered Qi, she stunned the demonic creatures into standing still.

This roar also drew the attention of all the demonic creatures to this side; a monster with arms like scythes took advantage of the moment Lingxiang was casting her spell and swung its dual scythes to slash at her.

The group was focused on dealing with the monsters in front of them and did not notice this side, and by the time Zhao Wuyang discovered it, the monster was already about to swing its scythe-like arms down.

He reached out his hand and shouted, "Careful!" but Lingxiang only had time to turn her head before the scythe-arm slashed down.

In the blink of an eye, flesh and blood flew, but Lingxiang was not harmed in the slightest—Long Qi was hugging her and rolling to the side.

Just as Long Qi heard Zhao Wuyang's cry and saw that Lingxiang was about to be struck, he felt a surge of urgency; not knowing where the strength came from, he instantly rushed in front of her to block the blow.

That strike landed directly on his right arm; if he hadn't reacted in time and retreated slightly, he feared this arm would have been lost right there.

And after he saved Lingxiang, he finally ran out of strength and passed out.

Seeing that Long Qi had been struck while trying to save her, Lingxiang felt a trace of panic in her heart and hurriedly struggled to get up to check his injuries—the wound was extremely deep, but fortunately, it did not damage the tendons or bones; it was just the miasma clinging to the flesh and skin, making a "hissing" sound as if it were being seared by a branding iron.

Seeing Long Qi in this state, Liu Xia hurried forward to help, but was stopped by Lingxiang.

She ordered everyone to gather together and asked Liu Xia for the remaining two talismans, pulled out the Yellow Talisman with the "Ding" character on it, and began chanting under her breath.

After a flurry of hand gestures, Lingxiang pierced the talisman with her sword and stuck it into the ground.

At this moment, a Dharma Array suddenly unfolded around the group, and those demonic creatures that wanted to attack were blocked outside the array, unable to enter no matter what.

This sequence of movements was smooth and fluid, leaving Banxia dumbfounded; when she came to her senses, she hurriedly looked at Lingxiang with eyes full of admiration.

"What kind of Talisman Method is the Peak Master using? Why have I never seen it in the book *Talisman Theory*?"

Hearing this, Liu Xia felt cold sweat dripping from his forehead—at a time like this, she actually still had the leisure to ask about such things, completely forgetting the panic from just a moment ago.

Lingxiang was surprised to hear Banxia ask this—this girl had actually read *Talisman Theory*? But in an instant, her expression returned to normal, and she began to explain:

"*Talisman Theory* only records talismans like the Three Pure Ones Edict, while this method is the Heavenly Dipper Talisman Technique, which is not in that category."

After hearing this, Banxia suddenly understood; *Talisman Theory* was merely an introductory text for the art of talismans, and the sect possessed other, more profound talisman arts.

And just at this moment, Fuyin Zhenren made a careless mistake and was actually pierced through the body by a demonic monster.

Seeing this scene, everyone gasped deeply; just as they thought Fuyin Zhenren had been severely wounded, they saw that Lingxiang did not seem anxious at all.

"It is indeed a Substitute Talisman; that paper charm doesn't even have thirty percent of Senior Brother's cultivation."

Just as Lingxiang was speaking, the demonic creatures slashed at Fuyin Zhenren one after another, but he seemed as if nothing had happened and even turned his head to smile at Lingxiang.

"I'm afraid your power is insufficient, and the talisman you chanted could not bear my cultivation." As he said this, he seemed to be burning, and in an instant, he turned into ashes and drifted away.

Hearing him say this, Lingxiang couldn't help but grumble inwardly: He really doesn't give me any face, poking at my sore spot in front of so many people. When I go back, I must pay a visit to Qiuyun Peak.

But even though Lingxiang appeared calm and composed, she did not dare to relax in her heart.

"This Substitute Talisman is likely reaching its limit. You all should rest within the array and do not go out; I expect it will hold until the Sect Leader and the others arrive." She then said to Banxia: "I see you understand Talisman Methods. Liu Xia should have a God Summoning Talisman on him; if this array cannot hold, stick that talisman onto your body to invite a god to possess you. I believe you should be able to survive this ordeal."

As soon as she finished speaking, Lingxiang was suddenly engulfed in flames and instantly turned into ashes.

This scene was seen by Long Qi, who had just regained consciousness; his heart skipped a beat, and he felt blood surging in his stomach, instantly vomiting a mouthful of blood.

Lingxiang...

Lingxiang, she...

She is dead!