"It failed, as expected. After all, creating a human without the union of yin and yang is still very difficult."
Thousand Hands spoke as he slowly floated upwards. The twelve Golden Mask Men all turned their gaze toward John Chou.
The mass of mud, not human yet containing some human organs and body parts, was gradually swelling.
"What about those three?"
Lao Chongyuan asked, and Thousand Hands withdrew the Specter Web he had released, shaking his head.
"They've completely fused with that pile of rotten mud. Looks like they can't get out. And naturally, these things have started drawing in the local earth energy. It could collapse at any moment."
"It's really a waste of time, Xiao Pan. Sigh, I've said before, putting too much hope in certain things never ends well."
Fiona Fox said, laughing with open mockery.
The mass of mud before them had already grown to nearly a meter tall.
Mr. Brown and Lord Shenyan stared intently at the Golden Mask Men opposite them. John Chou's expression darkened. At that moment, Rufina Howard began walking forward, step by step.
"Hey, kid! Get back here—what do you think you're doing?"
Mr. Brown lunged and grabbed Rufina Howard, just as a nearly invisible surge of air crashed down from above, splitting the ground wide open. It was Zuo Quanyi's attack—his leg raised high before slamming down again.
Mr. Brown yanked Rufina Howard back and tossed her behind him, then instantly closed the distance to Zuo Quanyi, swinging both fists at him.
A thunderous boom echoed out, flattening the flowers, grass, and trees all around as Zuo Quanyi was sent flying backward.
"Why are you just standing there? Here to watch the show?"
In an instant, Mr. Brown's body twisted—three faces, six arms, each one bent and poised to strike. His face was twisted in rage, and ghostly energy erupted from every inch of him.
Mr. Oblivion and Warren Qi charged in at the same time, joining Zuo Quanyi as the three converged on Mr. Brown.
With another deafening crash, massive semi-transparent fists hammered at the three attackers. They raised their hands to defend, but Mr. Brown suddenly noticed the other Golden Mask Men had vanished.
"Infernal Fire Wall."
Lord Shenyan pressed one hand to the ground of John Chou's sealing array. Strange lights glimmered, and then a rainbow-colored wall of flame rose up, encasing John Chou and Rufina Howard inside.
"Heh, this is tricky, but we've got the numbers on our side."
Fiona Fox sneered, appearing before Lord Shenyan. She crouched low and delivered a sharp side kick to his abdomen. He spat blood and was sent flying.
"Sheng, Dominic Bixby, Adam Dale—you three figure out how to break this Infernal Fire. The rest of you, come with me. We take out Lord Shenyan first."
Lao Chongyuan shouted, and in a flash, six figures rushed after Lord Shenyan in quick succession.
"Get out of my way!"
Mr. Brown roared in fury, his six fists pounding relentlessly at Warren Qi and Mr. Oblivion. The two seemed focused only on stalling him, while Zuo Quanyi seized the moment to drive a punch into Mr. Brown's abdomen.
"Got him."
With a crash, Mr. Brown slammed into the ground, carving out a deep, gaping pit.
"Idiot! Don't just rush in!"
Warren Qi shouted as Zuo Quanyi raised his fist.
Suddenly, Shen Yanjun roared in anger, clearly unwilling, but his gaze quickly changed. His eyes became razor-sharp. As he raised his hand, his form blurred, and the image of a bearded, middle-aged man wearing an official's hat appeared over him.
With a swish, a gleaming sword appeared in Shen Yanjun's hand.
"I've heard the stories: Zhong Kui, one of the Four Great Judges of the Underworld, has been missing for ages. Never thought I'd find him here."
Lao Chongyuan spoke, and the wounds on the six golden-masked members of the Immortality Society quickly healed.
"That's enough, Ada, now's your chance."
Sheng gave the order, and Ada stood up, opened his mouth wide, and began to suck in the air. The rainbow-colored barrier of flames vanished into his body in an instant. He grinned foolishly, as if nothing had happened.
"Afu said we have to get rid of you. You're Afu's enemy."
Ada laughed dim-wittedly. Dong Bixing glared venomously at Yin Choujian.
Just then, Huangfu Ruofei suddenly rushed forward, blocking the three adversaries.
"Do you have a death wish?"
Sheng said coldly, raising a hand to stab toward Huangfu Ruofei.
"Stupid girl, get out of the way!"
Yin Choujian shouted, but just then, a figure appeared in front of Sheng and grabbed her hand—it was Pan Ming. Huangfu Ruofei's eyes widened in shock.
"You..."
Immediately, Huangfu Ruofei was swept up and moved aside.
"If you don't want to die, stay out of this. It doesn't concern you."
Huangfu Ruofei blushed, her heart racing as she looked at Pan Ming.
"Watch out behind you."
A surge of powerful ghost energy rushed in. Pan Ming immediately dropped Huangfu Ruofei, raised his fists, and with a thunderous crash, planted himself firmly in place.
"Zhuang Bo, don't!"