Outside was a storm, and the well was a sealed place. They wouldn't have time to dig their way out, let alone succeed if they tried. The mountains and stones here could withstand the storm's assault, indicating they were no ordinary rocks.
"When soldiers come, block them; when water comes, cover it. Master, why should we fear them? We'll kill them if they come," Ning Beichen said fiercely.
Chen Xingyun was not as ferocious as Ning Beichen, but he patted Ning Beichen's shoulder in agreement.
"They're here. I sense them. So many, so frightening."
A Pang shrunk back into a corner, trembling. Ning Beichen and Chen Xingyun exchanged glances. They had never seen something so afraid of death. Yet, if it was afraid of death, it had repeatedly tried to ambush them. It seemed to think they were easy targets. So, it wasn't afraid of death, but rather a spineless coward that preyed on the weak.
"Master, I'll go ahead of you."
Ning Beichen stepped forward, the bronze ancient sword floating beside him. The sight was somewhat comical, as the bronze sword was significantly taller than his soul. He had no choice but to face the danger head-on, as he couldn't see these soul fiends without his soul body, even if he lacked confidence.
Soon, waves of black mist surged in. This time, Ning Beichen and Chen Xingyun had learned from experience. They knew the black mist could corrode their souls, so they dared not approach it. However, the space was so limited that they had no way to evade, so they could only fight.
"They're coming! Kill!"
Ning Beichen saw the soul fiends emerge from the black mist and immediately controlled the bronze ancient sword with his will, attacking them. The bronze ancient sword did not disappoint Ning Beichen; it could indeed restrain these soul fiends. However, their numbers were overwhelming, and each one was ferociously powerful. Ning Beichen alone found it difficult to resist, and his soul body soon began to feel strained.
Chen Xingyun was also attacking, but without the bronze ancient sword, he found it extremely difficult to deal with the soul fiends. More importantly, he couldn't use his own weapons, or they would be corroded by the black mist, significantly reducing his attack power.
"This won't do, Master. There are too many of these soul fiends. We need to find a solution," Ning Beichen said to his Master, Chen Xingyun.
"What idea do you have?" Chen Xingyun asked.
Not only Ning Beichen but even he himself felt the strain. If this continued, neither master nor disciple could hold on for much longer before perishing.
"Master, I need to use my physical body to unleash my ultimate move, but I can't see. You be my eyes, tell me the positions of the soul fiends, and I'll attack." Ning Beichen told his master.
"Alright," Chen Xingyun immediately agreed and moved to stand in front of Ning Beichen, preventing the soul fiends from approaching him.
Ning Beichen no longer hesitated. His soul body returned to his physical body, and a surge of power filled him, making him feel better than ever. His soul body was too fragile to face these soul fiends, who had likely existed for countless years, and he had little chance of victory.
Upon returning to his physical body, Ning Beichen instantly felt revitalized, as if even his breathing had become stronger.
"Master, the position."
Ning Beichen held the bronze ancient sword and activated his Prajna Golden Body, transforming into a living Vajra Buddha.
"Nine o'clock in your left."
Chen Xingyun informed Ning Beichen.
"Received."
Ning Beichen swung the bronze ancient sword towards the nine o'clock direction with a powerful slash. Black sword light shot straight into the black mist, followed by screams from within.
"Ning Beichen, it's effective! Continue! Two o'clock in your right-hand direction." Chen Xingyun shouted excitedly.
"Received!"
Ning Beichen immediately drew his sword towards the two o'clock direction. Without Chen Xingyun's guidance, Ning Beichen, in his physical state, would have seen nothing but a bone-chilling danger, no black mist, no soul fiends.
Ning Beichen's sword strike elicited screams from the black mist, indicating he had hit his mark.
"Master, that's it!"
Ning Beichen's consecutive successes made him excited. With Ning Beichen's attacks, the soul fiends were held back in the well's passageway, temporarily unable to advance further, allowing Ning Beichen and Chen Xingyun to breathe a sigh of relief.
"Master, there are too many of these soul fiends. They're like maniacs, treating us like Tang Monk's flesh," Ning Beichen said, flexing his slightly numb arm.
"Indeed. Can you still hold on, my disciple?" Chen Xingyun asked.
"Master, how can a man say he can't? We must be able to!" Ning Beichen replied loudly.
"Here they come again. This time, six o'clock." Chen Xingyun called out.
"Received."
Ning Beichen executed a powerful downward strike, heading towards the six o'clock direction, killing another soul fiend.
"Twelve o'clock..."
"One o'clock..."
"Eight o'clock..."
Chen Xingyun continued to call out directions, and Ning Beichen continued to swing his sword. Eventually, Chen Xingyun lost count of how many times he had shouted, and Ning Beichen was unsure how many swords he had drawn. Finally, the number of soul fiends in the well's passageway gradually decreased, and Ning Beichen and Chen Xingyun's space to maneuver expanded.
"Disciple, the soul fiends haven't appeared for now. Let's rest a bit," Chen Xingyun said, his voice hoarse.
"Okay."
Ning Beichen was also exhausted. It was then that he truly understood the brutality and helplessness of the battlefield. No matter how strong a warrior was, they had no advantage on the battlefield. With so many enemies, even if they stood still to be cut down, one could be tired to death. This was Ning Beichen's current situation.
"I wonder how many of these soul fiends there are?" Ning Beichen asked, leaning on the bronze ancient sword, breathing heavily.
"Thank you, Beichen. It's all my fault as a master; I'm useless and can't help. I'm just a burden to you," Chen Xingyun said with some guilt.
"Master, I forbid you to say that. What's our relationship that we need to be so polite? If it were you in my place, you would do the same," Ning Beichen said, giving Chen Xingyun an annoyed look.
"Alright, I won't say it. You should rest quickly. The next attack will likely be even fiercer," Chen Xingyun said, deeply moved, addressing his disciple Ning Beichen.
Ning Beichen nodded and began to rest where he was. His master was right; the next attack would likely be more ferocious, and he needed to recover his strength as quickly as possible.
"Useless, useless..."
Just then, Ning Beichen and Chen Xingyun heard an unpleasant and disheartening voice.
"Fatty, shut up! If you speak again, I'll eat you."
Ning Beichen was already on the verge of collapse from exhaustion. This creature wasn't helping at all and only spouted discouraging words all day.
At Ning Beichen's reprimand, the enormous soul body dared not speak further.