"The Kingdom of Liang is in chaos, with no district untouched by the flames of war."

"I'm afraid our only option is to flee beyond the borders; I've heard that the neighboring [Tang Country] is still relatively peaceful."

"Lady Bei still has some strength left, perhaps she should escort the Lady and her family to seek refuge in Tang Country."

By the time the conversation reached this point, the group had already exited the wild temple.

Hearing Lady Bei's words and seeing her nearly exhausted state, the Jiang Sisters were filled with guilt.

Jiang Caiping had long regarded Lady Bei as a younger sister. Although she knew she had entrusted her entire family's lives to her, how could she bear it?

Especially since she wasn't fully aware of Lady Bei's dire situation earlier.

Now, the Jiang Sisters are considered to be in God Demon Spirit Cultivation.

Last night, they communicated deeply with the Peach Blossom God, learning more.

They all came to understand: even the divine beings who come to this realm, though they appear as Good Gods, aren't endlessly supportive without expecting anything in return. Throughout their journey, Lady Bei has expended much, yet hasn't had the leisure to properly perform rituals and offer sacrifices to the [Mother of Lightning]; it seems she has almost no usable Extraordinary Power left within her.

A few more ordeals, and Lady Bei will revert to a mortal body.

The Shi family has been loyal and righteous for the Li family, leaving Lady Bei as the last sprout. The Jiang Sisters are not ruthless heroes, unable to accept protective shelter without guilt.

Jiang Caiping hesitated for a moment, about to speak.

But just as she uttered the words "Bei," a sudden violent tremor shook the earth and mountains.

Immediately, a surge of red light flowed, illuminating the sky, and killing intent soared to the heavens.

Before anyone could react, a series of piercing shouts filled the air:

"Heaven gives life to all beings, but humans give nothing back to heaven, kill kill kill kill kill kill kill!"

"Heaven gives life to all beings, but humans give nothing back to heaven, kill kill kill kill kill kill kill!"

"Heaven gives life to all beings, but humans give nothing back to heaven, kill kill kill kill kill kill kill!"

The palpable killing intent transformed into red threads, spreading from the mountain's base.

In an instant, it blocked the only mountain path.

In their eyes, a vanguard of hundreds of the rebel army soon appeared.

Judging by their attire and appearances, it was clear these hundreds were once ordinary members of the Human Clan.

But now, they had all turned into Asura-like Evil Ghosts.

Wearing hastily crafted tattered armor, with twisted visages, and bodies flushed red, each one wielded spears and halberds, chanting the killing curse as they stormed up the mountain.

Their primary target was the long-abandoned [One-legged Temple].

However, they soon spotted fresh humans.

Instantly, blood gleamed in their eyes, their chanting of the killing curse intensified, and a blood mist formed from nothing, enveloping the entire family in an instant.

At this moment, a rather helpless reminder from Lady Bei resounded:

"This is the exclusive development method of the [Seven Slaughter Bodhisattva Army]. If one accepts what is said in the 'Seven Slaughter Bodhisattva Scripture,' that the people of this realm should be slain, they will immediately become Slaughter Ghosts under the Bodhisattva, avoiding the fate of being killed but losing themselves, merging into the rebel army."

"If not accepted, then transformation is impossible."

"With good luck, one would be captured as a human slave, taken to build Bodhisattva temples."

"With bad luck, they'd be completely slaughtered on the spot."

"We certainly cannot pass through. Ladies, quickly take Xuan'er and Qin'er and escape, Lady Bei will hold the rear."

As soon as the words fell.

Lady Bei gritted her teeth, voluntarily passing through the blood mist to face the hundreds of Slaughter Ghosts.

Within the mist, indeed she didn't change, immediately inciting the ghosts' fury. Initially moving at a normal pace, the hundreds of Evil Ghosts suddenly utilized Divine Skills akin to teleportation, surrounding Lady Bei like true ghosts in the blink of an eye.

Yet moments later, a roar of anger arose from the formation, followed by the explosion of hundreds of blazing white lightning bolts like "White Snakes," blasting the Evil Ghosts away.

To buy time, Lady Bei employed a group Divine Skill; her strategy was both clever and reasonable.

However, she hasn't gathered complete information. The Slaughter Ghosts may look alike, but each one's combat power is somewhat different.

The [Seven Slaughter Bodhisattva] they follow is an extremely fair God Demon.

To the clan under its command, there is only one way of reward.

Kill!

Whoever kills the most people receives the most and the best rewards.

Before these hundreds of Evil Ghosts ascended the mountain, they had already slaughtered the Cold County at the mountain's base.

Most of the Evil Ghosts can only be considered as Hundred People Slaughter or at most, Thousand People Slaughter.

But among them, seven or eight are genuine Thousand People Slaughters.

Shi Beiniang originally thought that her final desperate strike could kill at least half of the Evil Ghosts.

If it were her in her prime, it would indeed not be difficult.

Unfortunately, that isn't the case with her current state.

After the massive thunder explosion, about two hundred Evil Ghosts turned to ashes, more than a hundred were seriously injured.

Yet, a few Evil Ghosts, struck by lightning, only ended up with a few white marks. Then, phantoms flickered, and a total of eight Ghosts interweaved as they came to kill.

Shi Beiniang intended to counterattack, but the moment she moved, she felt her body powerless and collapsed.

No matter how devoutly she recited the "Golden Light Saint Mother Scripture" in her heart, there was no response this time.

"Even the blessing of the Lady of Lightning has its limits."

"Is Beiniang destined to die here?"

Before Shi Beiniang's thought could settle, unimaginable pain swept through her entire body.

In the next moment, the horrifying scene that left the Jiang Sisters furious and heartbroken unfolded.

Shi Beiniang, the brave female general who had protected them for so long, was being tortured:

Seven crimson chisels inscribed with "kill, kill, kill" runes pierced through Shi Beiniang's limbs and torso, pinning her like a piece of fish meat, forcibly nailing her to the ground.

At the same time, an Evil Ghost with fangs and a body full of blood markings suddenly tore off one of its ribs, spat a mouthful of foul-smelling saliva onto it, and with a flash of blood light, the rib transformed into an ominous crimson bone knife.

The Evil Ghost crouched with the knife, intending to cut off Shi Beiniang's head.

Even though Shi Beiniang's mind was strong and she suppressed the pain, refusing to scream in agony,

her voice, trembling and distorted, leaked out.

Scarlet blood gushed from her mouth.

"Milady... run!"

"Run now!"

...

Rationally speaking, the Jiang Sisters should have immediately dragged the two young ones and fled at the fastest speed.

Even Shi Beiniang, who had cultivated for twenty years in [God Demon Spirit Cultivation], was no match for these slaughtering Evil Ghosts.

How could this family have any resistance?

But at this moment, none of them could move their feet to flee.

The Crown Prince and Princess named "Li Xuan" and "Li Qing" cried out as they rushed forward to help Shi Beiniang.

Fortunately, at this time, Jiang Caiping still retained some sense and could think clearly.

In a flash, she seemed to have thought of something.

Disregarding previous reluctance, she abruptly snatched the Peach Blossom Divine Statue from her sister's arms and placed it in front of her forehead, aligning it with the delicate peach blossom mark, her face full of devotion as she recited the "Peach Blossom Immortal Scripture" fabricated by Tao Qian...

The key to this simple ritual lay not in the scripture itself,

but in what Jiang Caiping, the believer, was willing to offer as a sacrificial item, what promises to make, what price to pay for this offering?

The terrible scenes before her eyes, the spirit residing in the statue, Tao Buddha's son, could naturally see clearly, and he had some expectation of Jiang Caiping's reaction.

What he didn't expect was the price Jiang Caiping was willing to pay.

He heard her hurriedly promise to the statue:

"By the Peach Blossom God above!"

"Believer Jiang Caiping pleads for God Demons' mercy, grant me Divine Power to resolve the imminent crisis."

"If my wish is granted, Jiang Caiping is willing to offer everything, including the believer's Heart Soul, Dharma Body... and everything else."

Upon hearing these words, Tao Buddha's son was well aware that Jiang Caiping was giving up everything.

It was not just the impending death of Shi Beiniang that pushed her, but also the upheaval of heaven and this displaced life of uncertainty over the past few days that made Jiang Caiping understand that in this world, humans without the protection of God Demons are no different than pigs and dogs at others' mercy.

Just as Tao Buddha's son was about to agree,

suddenly, another delicate face approached and joined Jiang Caiping in making her promise:

"Believer Jiang Caiyun!"

"I'm also willing to offer everything!"