This barrier is the same protective barrier that Qiqi set up when she first arrived.
To prevent any malicious people from intruding when she's gone one day.
Everyone's expression changed drastically.
Huo Yuwei immediately picked up Qiqi, "Xiao Jiu, you and the two Taoist priests stay here and continue to study the plan to break the formation. I'll go take a look!"
Huo Yusen caught up with him, "Big brother, we'll go with you."
Yun Songzi and Qingyin nodded and followed.
The group rushed out the door and saw ripples spreading across the protective barrier above the manor, as if something invisible was impacting it.
Outside the barrier, a thin layer of black mist had appeared at some unknown time.
Within the black mist, countless distorted human figures could be vaguely seen, emitting mournful howls.
"They're vengeful spirits!" Yun Songzi chased after them, his expression grave. "And there are quite a few of them. It seems that the old man not only wants to capture Qiqi, but also wants to give us a warning."
Huo Yuwei handed Qiqi to Huo Yusen, "Take Qiqi back inside and lock the doors and windows. No one is allowed to come out without my permission!"
"Big brother!" Qiqi cried out anxiously, "Qiqi can help..."
"This time, I'll listen to my elder brother." Huo Yuwei patted her head. "Do you remember what you promised? You can't use your spiritual power until you're healed."
Qiqi pouted, unable to refute.
Huo Yusen carried Qiqi back into the house, while Qingyin and Yun Songzi stood beside Huo Yuwei, ready to fight.
The black fog grew thicker and thicker, and the howls of the vengeful spirits grew closer and closer.
The light from the protective barrier began to dim.
Just then, the sound of a car engine came from afar.
Several black SUVs sped over and came to an abrupt stop at the entrance of the manor.
The car door opened, and Lin Wei jumped out with more than a dozen members of a special department, each holding a specially made magical artifact.
"Young Master Huo, we're too late!" Lin Wei shouted. "The association received a warning that the Huo family manor might be under attack, so we rushed over immediately!"
Huo Yuwei breathed a sigh of relief, "You've come at the perfect time!"
Lin Wei looked at the black mist in the sky, her eyes turning cold. "As expected of the Netherworld Sect's methods. All team members, prepare to purify the formation!"
The members of the special department quickly dispersed, took their positions, and raised the ritual implements in their hands.
Golden light shot out from the magical artifact, weaving into a large net in the air and enveloping the black mist.
The vengeful spirit that touched the golden net immediately let out a scream and vanished into blue smoke.
But from within the black fog, a hoarse voice rang out.
"It's no use, this is just the beginning. On the night the seven stars align, when my lord descends, that little girl is destined to be my lord's sacrifice." The voice faded into the distance, and the black mist gradually dissipated.
The manor returned to peace, but a shadow fell over everyone's heart.
That old man was more difficult to deal with than they had imagined.
His determination to set his sights on Qiqi was more resolute than they had imagined.
Huo Yuwei clenched his fists and looked into the room.
Qiqi was leaning against the window, looking outside with worry.
He knew that the next seven days would be a tough battle.
He must protect Qiqi at all costs.
***
Following the attack, the Huo family manor was placed on high alert.
At Lin Wei's suggestion, the special department dispatched an elite team to be stationed permanently outside the Huo family compound.
At the same time, in conjunction with the Xuanmen Association, they set up a three-layered protective array around the manor.
Yun Songzi and Qingyin also stayed at the Huo family's residence for the time being.
On the one hand, they assisted Huo Yusen in perfecting the plan to break the Nine Nether Soul Locking Array, and on the other hand, they helped to strengthen the manor's defenses.
In the living room, after hearing the whole story, Old Madam Huo held Qiqi's little hand with a solemn expression.
"What exactly is this Netherworld Palace?" she asked Lin Wei. "I've never heard of this organization before."
Lin Wei gestured to her team members to bring up the data projector and explained in a deep voice, "We're not entirely sure either, but according to our investigation, the Netherworld Palace is a cult that has only become active in the last twenty years. They worship a so-called 'Netherworld Demon King,' who is said to be able to communicate with the yin and yang realms and control life and death. This organization operates in secrecy, and its existence is only rumored within the Xuanmen (Taoist) circle; it's almost impossible to find any trace of them in ordinary society."
Several blurry photos were displayed on the projector, all showing scenes of people in black robes holding ceremonies.
One of the images vaguely shows the back of an old man holding a skull cane.
"This old man, whom we call the 'Netherworld Venerable,' is the third most important figure in the Netherworld Palace. The skull cane in his hand is called the 'Hundred Resentment Bone Staff,' which is said to be made from the skulls of one hundred people who died violent deaths. It can control vengeful spirits and see into people's hearts."
Upon hearing this, Qiqi unconsciously shrank into Huo Yuwei's arms.
Huo Yuwei patted her back gently and asked in a deep voice, "What is their purpose? Why do they want to capture Qiqi?"
Lin Wei pulled up another document. "According to the intelligence we have, the Netherworld Palace has been searching for people with 'pure Yin bodies' and 'pure Yang bodies' as sacrifices. Pure Yin bodies are mostly women, and they are sacrificed during special celestial phenomena such as lunar eclipses or the alignment of the seven stars. It is said that this can open the Yin-Yang passage and allow the Netherworld Demon King to descend to the mortal world."
She looked at Qiqi and said in a serious tone, "Although Fellow Daoist Qiqi is young, she is born with a connection to Yin and Yang and her spiritual power is pure. She is very likely the 'pure Yin body' they are looking for."
Huo Yusen frowned, his fingers swiping rapidly across the tablet to retrieve astronomical data.
"According to the observatory's prediction, a seven-planet alignment will indeed occur in seven days, around midnight, and will last for about an hour."
“That’s what they call the ‘Night of the Seven Stars Alignment’.” Yun Songzi stroked his white beard. “It seems that the Netherworld Palace planned to hold a sacrificial ceremony at that time, and Master Qingyangzi and the others were probably trapped because of that.”
Qingyin added, "Moreover, judging from what Qiqi sensed just now, those captured children are likely to be used as auxiliary sacrifices. The rituals of the Netherworld Palace require a large amount of blood from young boys and girls as a catalyst."
"They can forget about it!" Old Madam Huo slammed her hand on the table, rarely showing such anger. "As long as the Huo family exists, no one will be able to lay a finger on Qiqi!"
Qiqi lifted her head from Huo Yuwei's arms. Although there was still some fear in her big eyes, there was more determination than fear.
"Grandma Huo, Qiqi isn't afraid. But Qiqi can't just hide here. Grandpa Qingyangzi and those children need Qiqi to save them."
“Qiqi is right.” Huo Yusen put down his tablet and looked at everyone. “We need a plan that can ensure Qiqi’s safety while also rescuing Daoist Qingyangzi and the children.”
Lin Wei nodded, "The association has already mobilized manpower and is preparing to go to Miao territory. But since the Netherworld Palace dared to directly attack the Huo family, it means they are determined to succeed this time. We will split into two groups: one team will go to Eagle Beak Cliff in Miao to rescue people and break the formation, while the other team will stay behind at the Huo family to protect Qiqi."
“No,” Huo Yuwei suddenly said, “Qiqi must come with us to Miao territory.”
"Big brother?" Huo Yusen asked in surprise.
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