Chapter 71 Gu Yu's Family 2

Gu Yu Feiyue looked at Yu Yuwu with disdain, scoffing as if mocking her overestimation of her abilities: "Without Han Zhou's power, you'll all end up annihilated if you step into this formation."

Even she, the caster, dared not enter this Soul-Devouring Array, for once activated, it would devour everything around it.

"Heh, you really underestimate my determination." Yu Yuwu activated the spiritual power around her, putting a protective array on each sword and blade. This array was taught to her by Han Zhou.

After confirming that Yu Yuwu and the group of sword spirits had all entered, Gu Yu Feiyue shrugged nonchalantly and left. Staying any longer would have meant her spiritual power was being drained by the Soul-Devouring Array. Meanwhile, the Gu Yu family they were in had long been abandoned; Gu Yu Feiyue led the remaining members to a new clan territory.

Within the formation stood several puppets, their auras far stronger than those outside—these were crafted by Gu Yu Feiyue using forbidden techniques. The puppets had vacant eyes, and their bodies were shrouded in black energy originating from the same source as the formation.

The moment they stepped into the formation, the strange patterns beneath their feet glowed faintly, and the puppets, as if activated, charged towards them. Dozens more monsters formed from resentment slowly rose from the formation, blocking all paths leading to the statue of the evil god.

The spiritual energy shield of Yu Yuwu alone was not enough to resist the invasion of the Soul Devouring Array. The terrifying power of the Soul Devouring Array was tearing apart the spirits of the swords and the soul of Yu Yuwu.

"Ahhh—!"

Several short swordsmen immediately collapsed to the ground, their heads throbbing with pain. Ichigo Hitofuri, enduring the excruciating pain, rushed to his younger brothers' side.

"Disorder, retreat!"

The little tiger from Gokotai was also pinned to the ground, unable to move. Yagen, enduring the pain of his spirit being torn apart, went to Ran Toushirou's side and helped him up: "Are you alright?"

"N-nothing," Ran Toushirou stammered, his forehead covered in fine beads of sweat, clearly not as fine as he claimed.

Yu Yuwu's face was ashen white; as a Saniwa, the Soul-Devouring Array had the greatest impact on her. It wasn't just the excruciating pain in her head; it felt as if every bone in her body was being repeatedly crushed. She bit her lower lip so hard it drew blood, trying to stay conscious.

Looking at the evil god statue in the center that was constantly draining their power, a resolute flame ignited in her heart. She didn't know the outcome of doing this, but if she didn't do it, the outcome certainly wouldn't be what he wanted!

Yu Yuwu's voice was a little hoarse. She had just swallowed the blood that was about to rise in her throat, and her tone was firm: "I will force my way through! Yagen, you... seize the opportunity!"

Before she finished speaking, Yu Yuwu suddenly clasped her hands together, and a dazzling golden light erupted from her body! Pure, powerful spiritual energy, imbued with a strong belief in protection, surged down like a tsunami!

"roar--!"

The vengeful spirits and puppets were drawn by this pure spiritual energy and swarmed toward Yu Yuwu!

Seeing this, the swords disregarded their pain. The Saniwa had already cleared a path for them; how could they, as swords, sit idly by and await their doom!

"Protect Lady Yugiri!"

Even as their spirits felt like they were being torn to pieces, even as each swing threatened to shatter them, they did not stop. All the sword spirits unleashed astonishing willpower. They roared, channeling their remaining strength into their blades, forming the last and most solid line of defense, standing firmly before Yu Yuwu and colliding with the surging enemy!

Swords clashed, and spiritual light scattered. Every second felt like an eternity; every moment was filled with the muffled groans of swords in pain, the increasing number of wounds, and the dimming of spiritual light.

Yu Yuwu observed all of this, but her actions did not falter. Golden light gathered in her hand, gradually condensing into a massive spear of light, its tip pointing directly at the evil god statue at the center of the formation!

"I must—!" With all her might, Yu Yuwu hurled the light spear. "To bring Lord Hanzhou home!!!"

The golden light tore through the pervasive evil aura, pierced through the vengeful spirits that tried to block it, and with unstoppable force, accurately struck the statue of the evil god!

Boom! ...

A tremendous explosion resounded, seemingly shattering Yu Yuwu's eardrums. The evil god statue trembled violently, cracks appearing on its surface, and even the Soul-Devouring Array's operation faltered!

"Now!" Yagen shouted hoarsely.

The opportunity was fleeting; a resolute glint flashed in the eyes of the swordsmen, and they charged recklessly toward the cracked statue...

"Charge—!" Yagen Toushirou's voice was hoarse, yet filled with unwavering resolve. He was the first to charge forward, his short sword flashing coldly in his hand. The initial, unbearable pain seemed to have become familiar now, and the blade pointed directly at—the central statue of the evil god.

"Cover Yagen!" Ichigo Hitofuri swung his main body, stopping a puppet attempting to intercept Yagen. His elegant swordsmanship was now reduced to pure slaughter. However, the Soul-Devouring Array's influence caused him to pause, and the puppet's blade narrowly grazed the hem of her clothing.

"Ichigo Ni!"

Gokotai and Ran Toushirou immediately stepped forward to help Ichigo Hitofuri share the firepower.

On the other side, Namazuo and Honebami moved like intertwined whirlwinds, their perfect teamwork as the wakizashi twins was on full display. Namazuo, completely oblivious to the exaggerated dark color on his left arm, laughed loudly, trying to attract the vengeful spirits' attention: "Come, come, look here!"

Honebami, like a ghost, slays all the vengeful spirits that try to harm Namazuo.

The Soul-Devouring Array's devouring power remained formidable; with each swing of the blade, it felt as if a portion of the spirit was being sliced ​​away; every step forward felt like struggling in a viscous swamp. Gokotai's face was deathly pale, and I almost had to stop my attacks. Seeing this, Hirano and Maeda immediately shielded him, and we struggled forward.

"I can't...stop..." Akita Toushirou gasped, his small body trembling slightly from the pain. "For my lord..."

After unleashing that attack that nearly exhausted all her strength, Yu Yuwu knelt on one knee, panting heavily. Her spiritual energy was almost completely drained in an instant, and the golden light around her dimmed, but she still forced herself to raise her head, staring intently at the battle ahead.

Yagen had already reached the vicinity of the statue, but several powerful puppets and vengeful spirits blocked his way. When Yuu-giri saw that Yagen was entangled and unable to break through, she gritted her teeth and a trace of unwillingness flashed in her eyes.

"No...it's still a little short..." Yu Yuwu looked at her blood-stained hands, then looked up at the swords that, despite their immense pain, had not given up.

She remembered Han Zhou's gentle smile and the kindness of her in saving her life.

"Lord Hanzhou..." Yu Yuwu murmured softly, the last trace of hesitation in her eyes disappearing. The remaining spiritual energy within her body was insufficient to support her in drawing the array; then she would use her blood!

She bit her fingertip, drawing a magic array on the ground from memory. It was an array Han Zhou had taught them, but one he didn't want them to use—an array that sacrificed lifespan for power.

The instant the formation was completed, the previously depleted spiritual energy was instantly replenished. She immediately deployed the formation, and a huge, magnificent golden formation covered the Soul Devouring Array. The spiritual energy transformed into warm rain, falling on the swords and blades—the purest, healing, and strengthening blessing.

The moment the rain fell on their bodies, all the swords felt the pain of their spirits being torn apart was greatly relieved, and their almost depleted power surged again as if injected with a clear spring!

"Lord Miyazaki!" Kashuu Kiyomitsu, who was nearby, immediately stepped forward to help Miyazaki, who was about to fall to the ground.

"The rest... I'm leaving it to you." As she finished speaking, Yu Yuwu closed her eyes weakly.

"Aaaaaahhhhhh—!" The pharmaceutical researcher roared like a wild beast, his eyes flashing with astonishing light and killing intent. Like an arrow released from its bow, he instantly broke through the obstacle in front of him!

All the anger and sorrow transformed into a power that tore through the darkness. The swords wiped out the remaining vengeful spirits and puppets. Yagen, gripping his main body, plunged it fiercely into the largest crack in the statue!

"Smash it!"

Immediately afterwards, Ichigo Hitofuri, Hirano Toushirou, Maeda Toushirou, Gokotai... all the swords that could still move plunged their blades into the evil god statue!

Crack... Crack... Boom!

Under the impact of countless forces, the statue of the evil god finally succumbed to the pressure and exploded completely amidst a piercing cracking sound, turning into a sky full of black dust.

The light of the Soul-Devouring Array went out instantly, and for a moment only the heavy breathing of the swords and blades remained.

"Finally...it's finished!" Yagen stumbled.

"Yagen!" Namazuo immediately stepped forward to help him, completely forgetting the horrifying wound on his left arm, a smile on his face. "Don't collapse before our lord returns home!"

Just as the swords relaxed, a faint black light, seemingly possessing its own life, silently disappeared into the ground from the dissipating black dust.