Chapter 956: Chapter 956

Luo Li truly hadn't expected that Ding Fan was actually the Sect Master of the Spirit Sect.

What kind of sect was the Spirit Sect?

It was one of the three great Hidden Sects. To put it plainly, it was an extraordinary presence, standing equal to the Immortal Sect and Ghost Sect.

And Ding Fan, this young man barely over twenty years old, was the master of such a grand sect...

Even having witnessed it all firsthand, Luo Li still felt a strong sense of unreality.

Beside him, Xiao Wei was even more dumbfounded, staring blankly. Who could have guessed that the person he once wanted to challenge was actually the Spirit Sect's Sect Master? Wasn't that just asking for trouble?

"Sect Master? Has something happened?" After seeing Ding Fan, Luv Shanqi asked respectfully.

Luv Shanqi hadn't interacted with Ding Fan for long, but he understood Ding Fan's style. If it wasn't a critical moment, Ding Fan wouldn't have called them all here.

"The Spirit Sect is in danger." Ding Fan immediately relayed everything Song Jiacheng had just told him to Luv Shanqi.

"Sect Master, what should we do now?" Luv Shanqi's expression turned solemn.

If the passage between the Spirit Sect and the Mortal Realm was blocked, then wouldn't the Spirit Sect also be sealed off forever?

"I'll take you back to the Spirit Sect first. The others will follow behind and return later," Ding Fan said.

Luv Shanqi had no objection to this arrangement and prepared accordingly. The Spirit Sect disciples began heading back to the sect in succession, with Ding Fan and Luv Shanqi leading the way.

After finalizing the arrangements, Ding Fan didn't leave immediately. Instead, he walked over to Luo Li and Xiao Wei.

By now, the sibling duo was fully aware of Ding Fan's identity, and neither dared to show even the slightest disrespect.

"From the Huangshan Shi Family, junior Luo Li and my brother Xiao Wei pay respects to the Spirit Sect Sect Master!"

At that moment, Luo Li and Xiao Wei performed the Martial Artist salutation to greet Ding Fan.

Ding Fan waved his hand dismissively. "The Spirit Sect is in danger. I believe you've heard. You two should return to Huangshan now. Inform your family elders—if they can come to aid us, we would be grateful. If not, we won't hold it against them."

Although Ding Fan was in need of allies, he didn't issue a strict command for them to assist.

In this world, there's much icing on the cake but little warmth in cold times...

The Spirit Sect was in crisis, and if the Huangshan Shi Family could lend a hand, it would be great. If not, Ding Fan understood he couldn't force them.

"Sect Master, rest assured. I will do my best to convince the family to send people to assist," Luo Li said, patting her chest affirmatively.

Given the times Ding Fan had helped them before, Luo Li naturally felt compelled to return the favor.

"When this matter is over, I'll help you find your sister," Ding Fan said calmly to Luo Li.

Initially, Ding Fan had promised to take Luo Li to see Wu Die after the auction ended. But given the current situation, it wouldn't be possible right now.

Luo Li understood the urgency. She maintained her respectful salute. "Sect Master, I'll return to Huangshan now. We will meet at the Spirit Sect Mountain Gate."

Having said that, Luo Li took Xiao Wei and left swiftly.

Luo Li had already made up her mind. If the Huangshan Shi Family decided not to send help to Ding Fan, she would still personally head to the Spirit Sect Mountain Gate to meet him.

After sending off Luo Li, Ding Fan quickly settled his affairs, then departed with Luv Shanqi via Sword Control.

Time was of the essence now. The more they could save, the more hope there would be for the Spirit Sect's rescue...

Outside the Spirit Sect Mountain Gate.

Two opposing groups were locked in a tense standoff.

One side consisted of Spirit Sect members, while the other was made up of Ghost Sect disciples.

The Ghost Sect's forces were imposing, while the Spirit Sect members appeared slightly battered and weary. Between the two groups lay the bodies of seven or eight individuals.

These bodies were all clad in Spirit Sect disciple attire.

Beside the corpses, Gui Zhen stood arrogantly, glaring at the Spirit Sect members.

"I really don't understand how your Spirit Sect became a match for us Ghost Sect. Is this all you have?" Gui Zhen mocked, gripping a longsword that dripped with blood drop, his expression full of disdain.

The leader on the Spirit Sect's side was Zhang Shanlian, whose face bore a heavy and resolute look.

The Spirit Sect was indeed in dire straits. Most of their top fighters had been led by Luv Shanqi to Mount Lu. Initially, they worried that the Ghost Sect might ambush them en route, but to their shock, the Ghost Sect had chosen to attack their mountain gate instead.

Right now, the situation was particularly challenging.

The Spirit Sect couldn't retreat into their mountain gate to defend against the attackers.

Doing so would allow the Ghost Sect to seal off their connection to the Mortal Realm. Just like the Immortal Sect had been, the Spirit Sect would then be completely sealed away.

Thus, the Spirit Sect disciples had no choice but to step forward and protect the mountain gate with their own bodies and lives...

Zhang Shanlian furrowed his brows tightly.

Among the Four Elders of the Spirit Sect, Luv Shanqi was absent, Feng Shanxing was incapacitated, and Zhao Shanhe was a schemer who couldn't be relied on. It was fortunate he hadn't outright defected, but expecting him to fight against the Ghost Sect was next to impossible.

If Zhang Shanlian stepped up now...

If he won, everything could be salvaged. But if Gui Zhen cut him down directly, then the Spirit Sect would truly disband.

"You Spirit Sect folks are nothing but cowards. Can it be that my mere presence has silenced your entire sect?" Gui Zhen laughed wildly.

"Master Uncle, let me kill him!"

A Spirit Sect disciple, unable to tolerate the provocation any longer, drew his sword and charged at Gui Zhen with lightning speed.

"Heh... Then I'll send you to your death," Gui Zhen sneered, his figure flickering.

Just as the Spirit Sect disciple's longsword was about to pierce Gui Zhen's chest, Gui Zhen vanished abruptly.

The Spirit Sect disciple froze, and before he could react, a beam of sword light flashed by.

In the blink of an eye, the disciple's head was severed, and blood sprayed furiously from his neck...

Thud... his body collapsed heavily to the ground... ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵✦𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖✦𝙣𝙚𝙩

All the Spirit Sect disciples exchanged shocked looks.

In total, Gui Zhen alone had already slain eight or nine Spirit Sect disciples. His combat prowess was utterly terrifying.

"The Spirit Sect... has deceived everyone for so many years. You truly have nothing worth admiring," Gui Zhen sneered coldly.

Unable to endure it any longer, Zhang Shanlian stood up.

He knew that if this continued, morale among Spirit Sect disciples would crumble entirely. Once that happened, there would be no escaping their annihilation.

Thus, Zhang Shanlian had no choice but to decisively step forward now.

"Gui Zhen, today I will show you the Spirit Sect's strength." Zhang Shanlian held his longsword at an angle behind him, his face stern as he looked at Gui Zhen.

Gui Zhen glanced at Zhang Shanlian, still dismissive. "Zhang Shanlian... Killing ordinary Spirit Sect disciples is boring. Killing you would be more entertaining."

Zhang Shanlian's expression darkened.

Gui Zhen swung his sword, transforming into a shadow as he lunged at Zhang Shanlian.

The crowd gasped at the speed of the attack.

Zhang Shanlian's movements, however, were like a ghostly mirage, his body flickering away to a safe distance. Even his agility impressed the onlookers.

Zhang Shanlian suddenly swung his sword fiercely, accompanied by an earth-shaking roar.

The ground trembled slightly. Zhang Shanlian's sword released a powerful wave of Sword Qi that swept towards Gui Zhen.

This strike carried Zhang Shanlian's full cultivation, stirring up gravel and creating gusts so strong they made nearby disciples' faces sting.

The Ghost Sect disciples recoiled in fear.

The power of the Spirit Sect's experts was indeed formidable. A strike could easily reduce one to ashes.

In the arena, a fierce clash unfolded between two powerhouses—one a Ghost Sect elite, the other a Spirit Sect pillar.

Boom... Zhang Shanlian's slash forced Gui Zhen to evade, carving a deep crack into the ground.

Gui Zhen responded immediately, launching a counterattack with his sword. In an instant, the two were embroiled in a brutal exchange of strikes.

Despite being surrounded by disciples from both sects, utter silence hung over the battle.

This was a duel between Profound-Level combatants, a rare spectacle even among the Hidden Sects.

As the fight began, Zhang Shanlian initiated a relentless offensive, driving Gui Zhen to retreat repeatedly. Thanks to his combat experience, Gui Zhen managed to narrowly avoid being wounded.

Gui Zhen attempted various techniques to gain the upper hand.

But Zhang Shanlian's cultivation was undeniable, and attempts to ambush him were impossible.

For nearly ten minutes, the two remained locked in an even fight.

At this point, Zhang Shanlian started to grow anxious.

The Ghost Sect still had other members besides Gui Zhen. On the Spirit Sect side, however, only he and Zhao Shanhe remained.

If Zhang Shanlian were defeated, Zhao Shanhu might lead the disciples in surrender.

Zhang Shanlian knew he couldn't lose—he not only had to avoid defeat but also had to secure victory swiftly.

Winning sooner would leave him with more energy for subsequent battles against other Ghost Sect experts.

Still, Gui Zhen wasn't easily subdued. The two were equally matched, making victory far from straightforward.

Frankly, with the current cultivation levels, predicting the winner was difficult, as both sides were evenly skilled...

After some deliberation, Zhang Shanlian came up with a plan.

He began an aggressive assault on Gui Zhen.

Gui Zhen, misreading the situation, assumed Zhang Shanlian was nearing his limit and launching his final burst.

Gui Zhen continued to parry skillfully while looking for an opening in Zhang Shanlian's movements.

During this time, Zhang Shanlian's left arm appeared vulnerable.

Gui Zhen's eyes gleamed with malice.

"I'll take your left arm first..."