Chapter 812 - 568: Finally Found You!
Ning City’s hour was originally the busiest hour of the day.
The streets were bustling with the sounds of people, citizens queuing at grain shops, devotees listening to teachings at the Daoist sites, and merchants selling at street corners, all weaving into an intricate tapestry of lively scenes.
But without any warning, the sky suddenly darkened.
It was as if an invisible giant hand had dragged a heavy black curtain across, and the daylight was instantly swallowed, plunging the world into gloom.
Even the wind carried a piercing chill, laced with an elusive fishy scent, quietly sweeping through every corner of the city.
The new followers of the Taishang Dao were the first to notice the anomaly, halting their tasks and looking skyward, faces filled with bewilderment and doubt.
"Why has the sky suddenly turned black? Could it be a torrential rain is coming?"
"No, look at the sky! What is that ominous thing up there?"
Someone pointed a finger toward the horizon, their tone of curiosity instantly replaced with fear.
Deep within the clouds, countless bats, entirely black with scarlet eyes emitting cold gleams, swooped down like a tide, obscuring the sky, their wings humming noisily, densely enough to completely block out the sunlight.
The stench of bloodlust spread with the wind, choking people with a suffocating chest tightness, sending chills down their spines.
"Why are there so many bats? I’ve never seen so many like this!"
Inside the county office, Bai Gongming was engrossed in writing.
On the table lay thick account books, with pen and ink neatly arranged, the ink in the inkwell still emitting faint warmth.
He wore a Profound Daoist Robe, with dense cloud patterns embroidered on the collar, a piece of jujube wood talisman tied at his waist, the term "Taishang" clearly visible, marking him as a core disciple of the Taishang Dao.
In the early days of the establishment, those of ability always rose to prominence.
He was astute and capable, having allied early, and proficient in calculations; in just a few months, he swiftly ascended to the core rank.
The commotion outside, the wing-fluttering bats, and the cries of the citizens entered his ears.
Bai Gongming’s heart stirred, he put down the wolf brush in his hand and quickly pushed the door open to step outside.
As soon as he stepped out of the county office door, a biting wind assailed him, carrying an intense stench.
He instinctively furrowed his brow and looked up at the sky.
The next moment, he was thoroughly shaken by the scene before him, as if his blood froze for an instant.
In the very center of the county plaza, five brilliant golden lights suddenly shot up to the sky, piercing the dark veil like five burning swords, straight into the clouds, even turning the clouds into dazzling gold.
Within the golden light, five sturdy figures slowly coalesced and rose, eventually transforming into five towering ten-meter tall giant Fire Gods.
Their bodies were ablaze with fierce flames, the flickering fire even distorting and deforming the air.
Scorching heat waves swept across, instantly dispersing the surrounding chill and stench, illuminating the sky over Ning City.
Those bats diving down were forced to pause their assault by the thermal waves, circling back and forth in mid-air, emitting shrill cries of fear.
Bai Gongming, being a core disciple of the Taishang Dao, had long consumed the Spiritual Rhyme Talisman Water personally brewed by the Daoist Master, greatly enhancing his Spiritual Sense, far beyond that of ordinary people.
He focused his gaze, instantly recognizing the true forms of these five giant Fire Gods.
They were none other than the five protectors who had always accompanied Daoist Master Chen Sheng!
City followers also reacted, recognizing the identity of the giants, with their initial panic immediately replaced by excitement and fervor.
Cheers and praises echoed, resonating over Ning City:
"It’s the protectors! They’re the protectors under the command of the Daoist Master!"
"This is true divinity! Truly a god descending!"
"With the protectors present, these bats certainly won’t dare act rashly!"
Followers clasped their hands together, gazes reverent and determined, with many even bowing to the ground, performing rites toward the five giant spiritual figures.
Bai Gongming looked at the five blazing giant spirits, his eyes reflecting intense yearning, his clenched fists slightly trembling.
He was now a core disciple, diligently practicing Talismanic Magic and honing his heart daily, all in hope that one day he could be like these five protectors.
In a matter of moments, the five giant Fire Gods let out a deafening roar.
The sound echoed throughout the heavens, shaking the ground subtly, with the beams and columns of the county office emitting faint rumblings.
They commanded the flames around them, rushing forth like five crimson meteors towards the bat swarm in mid-air.
As the intense flames moved through, the air sizzled from being burnt.
The bats at the forefront, upon contacting the flames, instantly crumbled into ashes, not even leaving a trace of black smoke.
The shrill cries filled the air repeatedly, but were soon drowned out by the crackling sound of burning flames.
In just a few breaths, faint light began to penetrate the dark veil.
This glimmer of light, however, lasted only a moment before a more eerie, thicker darkness completely consumed it.
Above the sky, suddenly a wave of dense, ink-like blood surged like a tsunami, swiftly enclosing and suppressing the flames of the five giant spirits.
As the blood surged, a nauseating sweet smell permeated the air.
The scent was bone-chillingly cold, akin to an invisible giant stone weighing down on the citizens of Ning City, leaving many pale-faced and weak-kneed, making even standing difficult.
Within the blood, three sinister figures slowly emerged, hovering mid-air, surrounded by a faint blood-red aura, exuding an aura both regal and ominous, eerily resonating with the pervasive blood wave.
These three individuals were extraordinarily beautiful, their skin fair as jade, their brows bearing an aloof coldness, as though nothing in this world could catch their interest.
Behind them spread massive blood-red wings, the feathers flowing with lustrous light.
Though their aura was regal like deities, it was entwined with a haunting eeriness, forming a paradoxically beautiful and unsettling contrast.