66: Chapter 66 Thunder Talisman and Cinnabar Await the Long Night

"It really is a major event."

Inside the Funeral Shop, Lin Ye concisely recounted the intelligence regarding Heishui Town without any nonsense, getting straight to the point.

"The protectors of the Yinshan Sect have already taken root over there. Once the formation starts running, the common people within twenty li of the western suburbs will all suffer."

"That's impossible!"

Deputy Captain Chu Hongyan gasped unconsciously.

"With such a massive formation fluctuation, The Ninth Bureau's monitoring radar couldn't possibly have no reaction. The spiritual energy index over at Heishui Town is completely normal right now..."

Before her words could land, a harsh alarm suddenly sounded from the other end of the phone, followed by an operator's panicked report.

"Deputy Captain! The monitoring probe in the direction of Heishui Town in the western suburbs was just jammed by an unknown strong magnetic field! The last transmitted data shows that the underground Yin energy index there skyrocketed four hundred times over in the past ten minutes, already breaching the calamity-level red line!"

Deputy Captain Chu Hongyan drew in a sharp breath, her voice instantly carrying urgency and awe:

"Mr. Lin, the intelligence you provided is completely accurate. The Ninth Bureau will immediately initiate a Level-1 emergency response to evacuate nearby residents."

"However... that's the Grand Hundred Ghosts Night Parade Formation. Relying solely on The Ninth Bureau's current combat readiness, we can't possibly breach the core area before the formation is completely completed."

"That is why I made this call."

Lin Ye leaned slightly forward, his tone conveying a domineering disdain for all evil:

"Leave the solitary ghosts, wild spirits, and walking corpses on the outer perimeter to your Ninth Bureau personnel to suppress with heavy firepower. You only need to set up a defensive line around the factory area and not let a single fish slip through the net to harm the populace."

"As for the core formation node at the paper mill and those old monsters from the Yinshan Sect..."

Lin Ye paused, a cold murderous intent flashing in his eyes.

"I will handle them."

Silence fell on the other end of the line for a brief moment.

After a moment, Deputy Captain Chu Hongyan's voice came through, filled with unprecedented resolve:

"Understood! All Ninth Bureau field agents will be at Mr. Lin's command tonight. I will carve out a path directly to the core for you at the main entrance of the factory. We earnestly hope for Mr. Lin's... triumphant and safe return."

Hanging up the phone, Lin Ye tossed it back to Fatty Wang.

With the main strategy settled, the next step was concrete pre-battle preparation.

"Ding! Tactical strategy evaluation successful. Husband points +500. Current points: 3350."

"High-rank array-breaking talisman [Taiyi Heavenly Thunder Talisman] diagram has been infused into host's soul."

A massive and profound influx of Taoist true understanding surged into Lin Ye's mind in an instant.

The Taiyi Heavenly Thunder Talisman is the ultimate lightning technique in Taoism specifically designed to shatter large foul formations, placing extremely high demands on the caster's foundation of Yang Qi.

Without the support of a Pure Yang Dao Body, an ordinary Taoist would be backlashed by the power of thunder halfway through drawing it, shattering their heart meridian.

"Time is tight! Leng Yue, help me grind the ink."

Lin Ye strode over to the Eight Immortals table and poured that pile of top-grade levigated cinnabar into the bluestone inkstone.

Leng Yue did not hesitate in the slightest; she rolled up her sleeves, revealing lotus-root-like fair arms.

She picked up a pine-soot ink stick, added a little clean water, and ground it in the inkstone with steady, rhythmic movements.

The red cinnabar blended with the black ink, transforming under Leng Yue's extremely steady hands into a pool of deep crimson-black ink exuding a subtle, strange fragrance.

She lowered her eyes, her expression focused.

The cold fragrance of spider lilies subtly spread through the air, soothing Lin Ye's blood and qi, which were slightly restless from the impending big battle.

"Husband, the Yinshan Sect has deployed all their forces for this battle, so it will inevitably be extremely perilous. I have stabilized my Drought Demon origin over the past few days, and I will surely clear away all obstacles for you tonight."

Leng Yue comforted him softly as she ground the ink.

Lin Ye retrieved a stack of fine yellow talisman paper from his backpack.

This wasn't the off-the-shelf kind bought in stores.

He had to strictly follow the Taoist rules of "sanctifying paper," repeatedly refining it with Pure Yang True Qi to be able to bear the violent power of the Taiyi Heavenly Thunder.

"With my wife by my side, I naturally have no fear."

Lin Ye took the crimson-gold ink Leng Yue had ground, his fingertips inadvertently brushing across the back of her hand.

The touch of her cool skin completely settled Lin Ye's mind.

Without further words, he raised the brush and suspended his wrist.

"Yuqing's primal azure, true talisman pledges covenant! Taiyi decrees command, slay demons and eradicate spirits!"

Accompanied by a deep, majestic incantation, the purple-haired brush flew across the yellow talisman paper.

As the first stroke landed, a muffled thunderclap rumbled faintly in the air.

The Pure Yang Qi inside Lin Ye surged out like a bursting dam, pouring frantically through the tip of the brush.

The temperature inside the study rose abruptly.

The runes on the yellow paper seemed to come alive, flashing with dazzling blue-white electric arcs.

Fine beads of sweat covered Lin Ye's forehead, his face turning slightly pale.

Drawing such high-level talismans drained one's spirit, qi, and soul to a terrifying degree.

Leng Yue pulled out a clean silk handkerchief and stood beside Lin Ye.

Every time Lin Ye finished drawing a talisman, she meticulously wiped the sweat from his forehead, her movements as gentle as if polishing a peerless treasure.

Frost Star wasn't idle either.

The little girl sat cross-legged atop the brand-new double-door refrigerator, her eyes tightly shut.

She was exerting all her strength to refine the remaining energy of the Yin Python core inside her body.

Strands of deep blue, extremely cold frost spread outward along her body, freezing the entire refrigerator into a giant block of ice.

The small bone knife in her hand hovered in midair, continuously absorbing this pure corpse qi, the blue glow on the blade growing deeper and sharper.

"Tonight, I'm going to chop all those stinky bad guys into minced meat and turn them into shaved ice!"

The little girl snapped her eyes open, a chilling, yandere-like intent to kill bursting from her heterochromatic eyes.

Fatty Wang swallowed hard and quietly walked to the corner, pulling out that fierce, dark-red blood-stained boning knife.

He found a whetstone, sat on a small stool, and started sharpening it with heavy huffs.

"Ye-zi, my pig-butchering knife needs to taste blood tonight too! I can't keep hiding behind you guys every single time."

Fatty Wang growled through gritted teeth while sharpening his knife.

Lin Ye finished drawing the last Taiyi Heavenly Thunder Talisman and exhaled a long breath.

He carefully tucked away the five talismans radiating terrifying thunderous energy, turned to look at Fatty Wang who was sharpening his knife, and a trace of admiration flashed in his eyes.

"Fatty, your mission tonight is crucial."

Lin Ye walked over and patted his shoulder.

"Take this knife and stay alongside Deputy Captain Chu Hongyan's Ninth Bureau team. You are the only liaison familiar with our combat style, responsible for coordinating official firepower with our push rhythm. Remember, don't try to be brave and stray from the team."

Fatty Wang nodded heavily: "Rest assured, Ye-zi. Though I don't have great skills, my ability to stay alive and pass messages is top-notch."

Amidst everyone's busyness and preparations, night completely descended upon Jiangzhou City.

The wind outside had stopped, and a oppressive feeling of an impending storm filled the air.

Even the stray cats that usually scavenged in the alleys were nowhere to be found tonight, as if sensing an overwhelming deathly qi about to sweep over them.

The hour hand on the wall clock pointed steadily at nine o'clock in the evening.

There were three hours left before the Zi hour, when Yin energy would be at its peak.

Lin Ye changed into a sharp black tactical work outfit, slung the lightning-struck peach wood sword across his back, and tucked the freshly drawn talismans into his waistband.

He turned around and looked at the group ready for action.

Leng Yue was still dressed in black, looking like an Asura Queen in the dark of night.

Frost Star tucked her small bone knife into the garter strap under her skirt, her tiny hand clutching the corner of Lin Ye's clothes tightly.

Fatty Wang tucked the brightly polished boning knife into his back waist and put on a stab-proof vest.

"Wives, Fatty."

Lin Ye's gaze swept across every face, a wild and fearless smile curling at the corner of his lips.

"Tonight, we're flipping the Yinshan Sect's table and setting down the rules for the fierce ghosts of this Jiangzhou City."

The rolling shutter door of the Funeral Shop was pulled completely open with a loud rattle.

Four figures stepped into the heavy night, embarking on their journey to Heishui Town.