Li Ye quietly left the city with Zhiruo and Yan Yuchen to gather herbs for an antidote. Wei Chenghao's army had tightly surrounded Qingyang City, and nearly all the guards inside had been poisoned and were unable to fight. At this moment, the only ones who could freely enter and exit were powerful individuals like Li Ye.
Zhiruo finally formulated an effective antidote, but the stock of herbs in the city was running low. With no other choice, Li Ye decided to personally venture out to collect the herbs, bringing Zhiruo and Yan Yuchen along to ensure their safety. Just as they left, Shen Jiuniang and Liu Zhang's spies relayed the news to Wei Chenghao.
Upon receiving the news, Wei Chenghao sneered and immediately ordered his troops to launch a surprise attack. The guards inside the city were almost powerless to resist; Wei Chenghao's soldiers surged in like a tide, beginning a brutal massacre. Blood flowed like rivers in Qingyang City, and wails filled the air.
"Kill them all, leave not a single one!" Wei Chenghao coldly commanded, his eyes glinting with a savage light.
His soldiers charged into homes, shops, and streets like feral wolves, killing anyone they saw and destroying everything in their path. Innocent common people fled in terror, but their efforts were in vain. The streets, courtyards, and houses were littered with slaughtered bodies. Those once peaceful places had turned into hell on earth.
Wei Chenghao rode through this scene of human purgatory, reveling in the cries of the people as he closed his eyes and said, "What a wonderful sound! Since you in Qingyang City are no longer under Lord Liu Zhang's control, I will help you completely depart from this world. How kind of me."
After Zhang Tianba and Wang Meng were captured, Wei Chenghao mercilessly beheaded them and hung their heads high at the city gate. Those bloody heads became a symbol of Wei Chenghao's victory and brutality against Li Ye and all the citizens of the city.
Li Ye, along with Zhiruo and Yan Yuchen, faced numerous dangers but finally gathered enough herbs and returned to Qingyang City filled with hope. However, as they approached the city gate, the sight before them left them speechless in shock.
"This... this is..." Yan Yuchen covered her mouth as tears streamed down her face.
Zhiruo tightly grasped Li Ye's hand, trembling all over. "How could... how could this happen..."
Li Ye's eyes turned red as he gazed at the heads of Zhang Tianba and Wang Meng hanging high at the city gate; rage burned fiercely within him. He gritted his teeth, nearly grinding them to dust.
Entering the city, they were met with a scene of corpses, pools of blood, and debris that filled their hearts with pain and anger. Those innocent people who once lived here had now become cold bodies. In their eyes remained a lingering desire for life and hope for the future.
Li Ye felt as if his heart was pierced by a thousand arrows. He looked up to the sky and roared, his voice hoarse, "Wei Chenghao! I will not rest until you are dead!"
The evil spirit remained silent in his consciousness for a long time before finally sighing, "Li Ye, revenge is inevitable, but we need greater power."
Li Ye nodded, his gaze sharp as a blade. "Yes, evil spirit, united we shall make Wei Chenghao and Liu Zhang pay for their blood debts."
At that moment, Yan Yuchen and Zhiruo also made their decision. They tightened their grips on their swords and stood beside Li Ye, resolutely saying, "Brother Ye, we will stand with you and face this battle of revenge together."
Li Ye grasped their hands, determination shining in his eyes. "Alright, together we will seek justice for the innocent people of Qingyang City!"
At this moment, Wei Chenghao had already led his army to retreat swiftly. He understood Li Ye's strength and dared not confront him directly. He needed to return to report to Liu Zhang and prepare for the next scheme.
Even the evil spirit was alarmed by the scene before him. He forcibly controlled Li Ye's body and sighed, "Kid! I know you can't bear to devour the flesh and blood of this city yourself, especially with friends like Wang Meng who have worked alongside you for so long. Let me handle this villain! I believe they would willingly become your strength to help you take revenge!"
The evil spirit's expression was unusually serious as he occupied Li Ye's body and entered the city to perform a ritual chant. This was a higher-level Nine Nether Spirit Control Technique that Li Ye had not yet mastered. The evil spirit's voice was deep and solemn as he recited:
"Nine Nether Underworld, all spirits return to source,
Blood and flesh essence, honor your wishes,
With my life, I offer all beings,
Merge my flesh and blood, assist my ascension!"
As the evil spirit recited the incantation, the flesh and blood throughout the city began to slowly coalesce, forming strands of pure energy that resembled countless crimson threads, gradually merging into Li Ye's body. Each strand of energy carried the resentment and despair of the deceased, ultimately transforming into surging power that flowed into Li Ye's flesh and veins.
Li Ye watched in shock, his heart filled with complex emotions. On one hand, he felt an impulse to stop the evil spirit, believing such methods were too cruel and disrespectful. On the other hand, he understood that the evil spirit was right; this was indeed the best solution at present. The people of the city had already become corpses; even if he did not consume their energy, they would merely turn to dust and return to the world. By consuming it and enhancing his strength, he could seek vengeance for them!
When the last strand of energy merged into Li Ye's body, he felt an unprecedented power surging within him. This power not only enhanced his cultivation but also brought with it the grievances and determination of the city's citizens.
Li Ye clenched his fists, feeling the abundant power within him, and quickly sat cross-legged to convert this energy. He silently vowed to those deceased citizens and comrades: "I will avenge you. Wei Chenghao and Liu Zhang will pay for this!"
The evil spirit retreated back into Li Ye's consciousness, looking pale; clearly, this secret technique had consumed a significant amount of its strength. It looked at Li Ye and said in a low voice, "Kid, remember that this power is their wish and their hope. Do not let them down."
Li Ye nodded, his eyes shining with determination. He knew that there was no turning back on his path; he could only grow stronger to protect everything he cherished.
At this moment, Zhiruo and Yan Yuchen rushed over. Seeing Li Ye's transformation and sensing his aura becoming deeper and more powerful, they did not ask questions but silently stood by his side, offering him unspoken support and strength.
Liu Fei and Specter stood guard nearby while Zhiruo and Yan Yuchen remained close to Li Ye.
Taking a deep breath, Li Ye fixed his determined gaze on the distance: "Wei Chenghao, Liu Zhang, your end is near. Wait for me; I will personally reclaim the blood debt of Qingyang City!"
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