Chapter Forty-Five: Li Zhan

"Master, there's a massive influx of ghost creatures being transported to Horse Tail Star. Requesting reinforcements, requesting reinforcements," Land Walker shouted into the communication jade.

"Eh, isn't this a frequent occurrence? Weren't you all eager to monopolize these things? Why are you asking for extra manpower now?" A languid voice came through the jade.

"Master, this time the number of ghost creatures is overwhelming. They've been teleporting in continuously for over half an hour, almost matching the numbers from the great battle a thousand years ago," Land Walker replied anxiously.

"Oh, looks like the ghosts are gathering in force again. Organize your people to withstand their initial assault. I'll immediately contact others," the voice in the jade said, then faded away.

…Earth, Feiyun Peak, Changbai Mountain—

"Haha... I've finally done it. This perfect fusion of postmodern ideas and classical design could only be achieved by a genius like me. Haha... Excellent, excellent." Tang Yi laughed gleefully at the 3D model of the teleportation array he had built. He had created it by combining ancient teleportation arrays with information obtained from the universe of Heroic World. Acquiring this data nearly exposed Tang Yi's identity, for he had stolen it from Area 51, the secret American base. Of course, Tang Yi used his extraordinary memory to record everything in his mind.

"Tomorrow I can start refining it..." Just as Tang Yi thought this, his computer popped up a screen accompanied by a voice: "Attention, the express repair class begins for the first time tomorrow. Please be aware..." The voice repeated the reminder over and over.

"Damn, time really flies!" Tang Yi cursed, closed the prompt, saved what needed saving, and shut down the computer. "I'll continue after tomorrow. Haven't eaten in days, better get some food," Tang Yi said helplessly as he walked out the door.

…Horse Tail Star—

"Senior Brother, it's been ten days, yet the more we kill these ghosts, the more they appear!" Bai Dongfang said, attacking the ghost creatures before him with his flying sword while speaking to his senior brother, Li Zhan.

"Heh, isn't this great? In a whole year of guarding, we never gathered materials like we have these past few days," Li Zhan laughed as he struck down a large ghost creature, collecting the loot into his storage pouch with a wave.

"That's true, but don't you think the number of teleporting ghosts is excessive this time? The Alliance headquarters has sent reinforcements three times already, but it's still not enough! ...Damn, another large squad of ghosts is heading our way," Bai Dongfang finished off the last ghost in sight, picked up its loot, and immediately spotted new ones appearing.

"Hahaha, excellent! We're in luck today. Let’s slaughter to our heart’s content! Drink!" Li Zhan shouted, releasing a magic treasure that shot straight at a tiger-like ghost. Before it struck, Li Zhan interlocked his fingers and formed a sword gesture, reciting a spell rapidly, ending with "Shine." The treasure blazed with a myriad of seven-colored rays, enveloping the ghost. Instantly, strange cries erupted: "Squeak... Crack... Ooh, cack-cack..." The sound of loot hitting the ground soon followed, which made both Li Zhan and Bai Dongfang smile—they knew it meant the ghosts had dropped items. They rushed forward to collect their spoils. Nearby cultivators, seeing their method, followed suit, unleashing area-effect magic treasures. In an instant, morale soared among the Horse Star System cultivators, and the battlefront pushed toward the teleportation array.

Li Zhan, noticing everyone copying his tactics, felt displeased. He thought, "This will only reduce my share of the spoils. Greed knows no bounds." With his mind focused solely on gathering more materials, he unwittingly invited disaster.

"Bai, let's charge ahead; otherwise, we won't get any materials," Li Zhan said while accelerating, glancing back at Bai Dongfang.

"Senior Brother, slow down! Charging too far ahead is dangerous, and isn't it odd? Ten days now, and not a single flying ghost creature that ignores arrays has appeared," Bai Dongfang voiced his concern.

"Fortune favors the bold. If you want the best materials and equipment, you have to take risks. If you're scared, just stay back with the others. Haha..." Li Zhan laughed wildly, speeding deeper into the ghost horde. The shrill cries intensified.

"Senior Brother, be careful..." Bai Dongfang called out, but he wasn't offended; in fact, Li Zhan had always looked after him in their sect. Bai Dongfang was an orphan adopted by the sect leader, who named him after finding him at dawn when the eastern sun was just rising. Always rather solitary, most of his peers were cold toward him, except for Li Zhan, who treated him warmly. Li Zhan’s parents had died fighting ghosts, so he too was an orphan, perhaps why they shared a sense of kinship. Though Li Zhan could be blunt, Bai Dongfang understood him well—he simply spoke his mind.

"Haha... This is exhilarating!" Li Zhan wielded a peculiar blade—a Tang sword with two additional sword tips at the point. With his right hand, he slashed through ghosts, sending blood and flesh flying and loot scattering. His left hand busily stowed materials into his storage pouch. But amid his triumph, disaster crept near.

"Senior Brother, watch out..." Bai Dongfang was the first to notice the danger, shouting a warning. But it was too late. A small flying ghost silently appeared behind Li Zhan, moving with incredible speed, and in an instant pierced through his back, emerging from his chest.

"Senior Brother..." Bai Dongfang cried, watching Li Zhan’s body go limp. With a shout of "Ah..." Bai Dongfang erupted in fury, hurling a disposable magic treasure that released a thick gray fog. The ghosts, even the flying ones, scattered away from the fog. Bai Dongfang seized the chance to rush to Li Zhan's side.

"Senior Brother, are you alright? Senior Brother..." Bai Dongfang shook Li Zhan, whose chest now bore a gaping hole.