Twilight Boundary-Chapter 787 - 777 Eldest Young Master of the Walking Ghost Family

"Wrong."

Similarly, while the various demon people were bustling outside the city, inside Shangjing City, before the ancestral hall, the State Preceptor waited with exceptional patience, quietly anticipating Hu Ma. He was, indeed, a patient man; once he had made arrangements, he would let others proceed with their tasks.

However, this patience, which had held through the night, was ultimately disturbed by the commotion outside the city, causing him to start slightly.

"Soldiers shouldn't have arrived so quickly."

He furrowed his brows. In this world, few knew Reincarnators better than he, and among the realm's most capable individuals, perhaps only this Young Master Hu of the Hu Family could compare.

Because of this understanding, he was well aware of the Reincarnators' shortcomings. Without pressure, they acted recklessly. Though talented, they often studied Magic more for amusement than serious purpose.

As for more practical matters like seeking official positions or raising armies—tasks requiring meticulous care and allowing no errors—they were simply incapable of accomplishing them.

The previous generation of Reincarnators started a "not eating beef" movement, which was largely nonsensical, turning each participant into a Madman. While this current generation of Reincarnators had raised soldiers, the troops were arrogant and their commanders uncontrollably brutal, failing to form any real cohesive force.

Precisely because he understood and had made arrangements, he was confident that the army of the Long-winning King could not possibly bypass the Ten Surnames' trap and reach Shangjing City in such a short time.

The passage of such a large army, tens of thousands strong, was no small matter; how could it possibly avoid everyone's eyes and ears?

Even with Magic—borrowing shadow to reach the sun, appearing and disappearing mysteriously—was simple enough for an individual. But how could anyone transport an entire army thousands of miles in a single day?

And if there were such a method...

As this thought occurred to the State Preceptor, his heart gave a sudden jolt. He sharply raised his head to glance at Hu Ma.

There had indeed been instances of high-level Magic users transporting large armies. That technique belonged to the Ghost Walking Sect; with a Magic Altar established, they could alter heaven and earth, shrinking distances and concealing rivers.

Employing such dharma methods required the one setting up the altar to possess astonishing skills, capable of effectively condensing thousands of miles into mere inches. However, such profound skills had long been lost to understanding.

The enormous Mana consumption demanded by the Purple Tai Sui alone was beyond ordinary capabilities. Furthermore, the practitioner would simultaneously bear an endless burden of cause and effect. Ordinary people could not even fathom using such dharma methods, for merely contemplating them could cause their bodies to collapse under the world's backlash.

Those being transported also faced extremely high requirements.

Soldiers are not inanimate objects. Transporting them is difficult, requiring tens of thousands of troops to follow orders implicitly, doing precisely as commanded.

Even if someone mastered such a technique, where would they find individuals audacious enough to entrust their soldiers to such a venture?

Although the battle formations outside Shangjing City had only just engaged, they still posed no immediate threat to those within the city. Yet, this peculiar development made the State Preceptor increasingly uneasy the more he considered it.

Suddenly, he sensed something. His cold gaze swept across and landed on Hu Ma, who was sitting cross-legged before him, hands previously forming the Heaven and Earth Unmoving Seal. Now, Hu Ma had lowered his hands and was slowly opening his eyes.

As if awakened by the commotion outside, he turned his head to look, a slight smile playing on his lips as he remarked, "Strange."

"State Preceptor, it seems I hear someone outside who has come to fetch me?"

"..."

"You..."

Though the State Preceptor appeared outwardly calm, his heart was indescribably tense. Every passing moment had been an agonizing wait for Hu Ma to awaken.

Yet, upon suddenly seeing him awake, the State Preceptor surprisingly felt none of the anticipated joy of being able to resume the summoning of the Twelve Ghost Altars. Instead, an increasingly heavy, ominous feeling settled in his heart. He looked at Hu Ma abruptly and shouted, "What exactly have you done?"

"..."

"..."

"Kill..."

「Meanwhile, outside Shangjing City」

Er Guotou gave the command, and the soldiers and Reincarnators surged forward.

This group of Reincarnators had been blocked outside the city. Having exhausted their stratagems and unable to enter, they had grown increasingly frustrated. Now, with the army to aid them, they did not hesitate, borrowing the ferocious aura of the soldiers to launch their attacks.

In such a fierce battle formation, many Magic techniques were rendered useless. Only the Shousui men, relying on their sheer bravery and potent blood qi, could occasionally unleash a few of their trump cards.

However, many of these Reincarnators had already "crossed the bridge," so to speak, at least reaching the Non-human Realm.

Upon reaching the Non-human Realm, they gained the means to employ their Magic even amidst the chaos of an army in battle.

Consequently, various dharma methods were unleashed one after another.

The slender figure who had acted earlier stretched its arms once more, chanting incantations. Dark clouds gathered as he summoned forth Heavenly Soldiers and Generals, who surged forward with immense power.

Previously, when he had summoned the Heavenly Soldiers and Generals before the Food Protection Army's arrival, the Shangjing City Defense forces could afford to ignore them. But now, with illusions mingled with reality, charging alongside the genuine Food Protection Army, the effect was starkly different.

Dazzling golden armor flashed, and gleaming silver weapons hacked down. Who had the time to distinguish truth from illusion?

Instantly, the enemy's battle formation fell into slight disarray, allowing the Food Protection Army to gain an advantage in the initial clash.

Further back, another individual once again brandished a demon sword. Though merely a blade, it danced with vicious life in his grasp, weaving through the gaps in the enemy lines. It relentlessly targeted the commanders of the Shangjing City Defense forces, proving impossible to defend against.

Amidst the chaos, some conjured clouds and mist, while others vied for treasures, adding to the pandemonium.

"Capture the leader first!"

Amidst this chaos, some on the defending side quickly reacted. They understood that while the Shangjing City Defense had numerous soldiers, they were under strict orders to only defend the city and not to advance rashly. Naturally, this put them at a disadvantage offensively.

The presence of so many Reincarnators, with evil spirits mixed among them, created a bewildering spectacle. The Shangjing forces focused only on quickly stabilizing the situation. From their ranks, numerous skilled individuals emerged, breaking out of their own formation to counter-attack.

Their eyes were fixed on Er Guotou, recognizing him as the key figure, and they raced towards him.

One raised a hand, and a dark cord shot from their sleeve like a spirit snake, coiling towards Er Guotou.

Another produced a silver mirror from a cloth bag on his back and aimed its reflection at him.

Yet another brandished a gourd that radiated golden light, muttering incantations, intending to trap Er Guotou within it.

"Damn it..."

Facing such formidable dharma methods, Er Guotou clearly felt his heart pound with apprehension.

According to his usual habits, if he encountered even one of these skilled individuals from the Ten Families Sect, he would first strategize meticulously, gather information, perhaps even set a few traps and enlist allies, before daring to confront such a figure.

Who would have ever thought there would come a day when so many would team up to give me such... special attention?

On reflection, that thick-browed, big-eyed Old White is indeed the best at stirring up trouble...

Though he felt helpless, he could only grit his teeth. "But since this brother trusts me so much, as his elder brother, how can I possibly let him down?"

With these thoughts, standing beside the Red Lantern with one hand behind his back, a cold smile touched his lips. He intoned softly, "Heh, you dare cause me trouble while you are within my altar's influence?"

With a flick of his hand, an altar flag flew into his grasp. It spun in the air, billowing with Mana and the baleful energies of war, which clashed outwards in all directions.

No matter how sophisticated the dharma methods confronting him were, they were instantly repelled.

Seeing this, Zhao Sanyi and the others were utterly stunned. Realizing something was amiss, their eyes widened as they stared ahead. "You... you can establish such an altar? Could it be... you really are...?"

"Of course."

Er Guotou smiled at them. "I heard you were searching for Young Master Hu earlier, weren't you?"

"They say the Trick Door has sharp eyes, yet I've appeared before you so many times. How is it that you didn't recognize me?"

"..."

"..."

"Quickly, quickly..."

「At that same moment, within Shangjing City, before the old Hu Family Mansion.」

The Second Ancestor of the Qingyuan Hu Family was already seated within the altar, with a Taoist Child from the Daluo Dharma Sect standing beside it.

Instructions on what needed to be done would be given by the attendant at the altar's edge.

The trembling Second Ancestor had once been a capable figure in the Ghost Walking Sect, but his cultivation had fallen to the Entering the Mansion Realm after the family schism.

Now, seated once more within the altar, he felt Mana surging all around him, as if the entire world lay in his hands. His heart swelled with an excitement akin to living a beautiful dream—to go from being oppressed to becoming a master overnight. Even at his advanced age, he found it difficult to suppress his emotions.

Hearing the unusual commotion outside, the Taoist Child announced, "The Wang Family helped forge the Shangjing City Defense forces. Additionally, members of the Zhou, Zhao, and Li Families are assisting outside, while the Sun Family is ready to act at any moment. That should be sufficient to hold off those evil spirits."

"However, when it comes to commanding battle formations, the Ghost Walking Sect excels. Since there is a disturbance outside, please, Second Ancestor, use a banner to crush their morale first!"

"..."

"Gladly, gladly. Whatever is commanded, I shall obey without exception."

With a smile, the Second Ancestor of the Qingyuan Hu Family agreed and slowly began to raise the banner to cast his Magic.

At that very moment, however, the smile on his face suddenly froze. He was stunned.

The Taoist Child beside him frowned. "Why have you stopped?"

"The Hu..."

The terror and panic on the Second Ancestor's face were indescribable, his breath catching in his throat. "The Ghost Walking Sect... is no longer... no longer..."

Before he could finish speaking, his eyes rolled back, and he fainted.

「Meanwhile, before the ancestral hall」

Hu Ma calmly straightened his clothes. Facing the State Preceptor, he slowly said, "The Ghost Walking Sect still bears the surname Hu, but it is no longer the Hu of the Zhen Sui Hu."

As he looked at the State Preceptor now, it was as if he were gazing upon the world's greatest joke. His smile was full of mischief and delight, mingled with undisguised mockery. "Didn't you say that if any of the Hu Family returned, they wouldn't escape your grasp?"

"Such an obvious matter—how could I not know? But I did indeed have to return. If I didn't, how else could I uncover all these hidden schemes you've been orchestrating?"

"However, while I could return, the Ghost Walking Hu Family, on the other hand, did not need to."

"..."

He spoke softly, exhaling slowly as he looked earnestly at the State Preceptor. "I have entrusted the Age Suppressing Book to someone else."

"Someone trustworthy, whose skills in the Walking Ghost Path far surpass my own."

"The one who holds the Age Suppressing Book possesses the core tenets of the Walking Ghost Path. Therefore, I am no longer the Walking Ghost Family. I am merely the sword-catching hall officer of the Walking Ghost Path."

"You wanted to wait for all Ten Surnames to be assembled before holding this Dharma Sect ritual..."

"But the Ten Surnames were never going to be complete from the very beginning."

"..."

Facing Hu Ma's fierce gaze, the State Preceptor fell silent. Countless surprising and maddening thoughts surged within him, but when he tried to speak, only profound exhaustion surfaced, leaving him utterly speechless.

The Hu Family's methods were indeed ruthless, so ruthless that each time they exceeded his wildest imagination...