The Dao Mark fell into Yu Ziqing's hand, and the radiance began to spread over Yu Ziqing, guiding him back.
This required some time.
Meanwhile, outside, the situation for the three powerful individuals who came here with National Guardian Artifacts wasn't so good.
In just one encounter, merely one encounter, all three of them were injured, and all three Magical Treasures sustained massive damage.
Even though this level of Magical Treasures had the potential to recover as long as they weren't completely destroyed in one go, they were unusable in the short term.
The three remained silent. Although they knew the aura of this hungry ghost king was stronger than theirs, possibly an entire realm stronger, they didn't anticipate that even with the National Guardian Artifacts, they'd still fall into a decidedly disadvantageous position.
Now, the aura of that hungry ghost king was still increasing, growing more outrageous.
Suddenly, their expressions changed, and they each used their Dharma Method to finely sense, as if they felt the continually rising momentum of the hungry ghost king had paused.
Moreover, it seemed to have started to decline.
The seemingly irritable hungry ghost king gradually calmed down.
But now, they no longer had any sufficiently powerful Magical Treasures available, or rather, even if they did, they dared not use them.
The three exchanged distant glances, seemingly reaching a tacit understanding, quietly waiting as if planning to see again if the momentum of the hungry ghost king fell back. Should they have an opportunity, they would take action.
After waiting for two hours, the momentum of the hungry ghost king indeed declined, and the surging black oily tide began to recede.
However, these three who seemed to be preparing to take coordinated action all wore grim expressions, appearing severely injured, with not the slightest inclination to make the first move.
At that moment, from the direction of Daqian, a streak of light flew over, transforming into a disheveled, ragged Daoist.
The Daoist glanced distantly at the hungry ghost king and called out bitterly to everyone.
"For heaven's sake, stop this ruckus, haven't you had enough?"
Seeing this Daoist, the three were somewhat shocked. Who had reduced this Daoist to such a sorry state?
They thought this in their hearts but dared not ask aloud, merely offering respectful greetings.
The brawny man from Dazhen and the woman from Dali spoke simultaneously.
"Greetings, Senior Dragon Tiger."
The elder from Daqian also greeted courteously.
"I have seen Dragon Tiger Senior Brother. Senior Brother, weren't you touring the void? How did this happen..."
Dragon Tiger Daoist glanced at the hungry ghost king in the distance.
"What else could it be? It's this one here. While I was wandering in the void, I faintly sensed some peerless fierce creature awakening, so I quietly approached to take a distant look. Who knew this one would have such a temper, nearly squeezing me to death on the spot.
Then I saw this unreasonable creature tear open space and enter the wilderness.
I was already puzzled about what this one unexpectedly came here for, entering the wilderness and landing at this specific location with such a clear purpose. It made no sense, nor was it possible.
I asked around and realized it was you fools who caused this!"
The more Dragon Tiger Daoist spoke, the angrier he became. His temper flared, and he kicked the elder apart, striding forward and sending the woman in the Phoenix Robe flying with a kick as well.
The Dazhen brawny man's face turned bitter. He was never a match for this master, and now severely injured, with his Magical Treasure shattered, he couldn't possibly evade. Were he to dodge, he feared it wouldn't just be a matter of one kick.
Yet Dragon Tiger Daoist completely ignored him, pointing at the ones from Daqian and Dali and scolding them.
"Are you all fools? Are the people you teach also fools?
People were peacefully asleep there, waiting to perhaps, after long aeons, borrow this world's earth vitality and celestial light to nourish and possibly return.
Yet you, in your folly, kicked the slumbering place into the void, thinking since they hadn't awakened, they couldn't get angry?"
The elder pointed in astonishment at the distant hungry ghost king.
"Senior Brother, you say this hungry ghost king hasn't awakened yet? This is not awakened?"
"If this one were truly awake, you'd all be dead by now. I'd be dead too. Daqian, Dali, Dazhen around the wilderness would all be doomed." The Daoist spoke extraordinarily earnestly.
As they conversed, they clearly felt the aura of the hungry ghost king still declining, indeed making no significant movements anymore.
Reflecting on being beaten by the sleepwalking hungry ghost king, the trio wore somewhat complex expressions.
Thinking further, if it weren't for their people fighting here, causing that Half-blessed Jinlan Mine to fall into the void, maybe nothing would have happened now, making their hearts feel even more complicated.
"Don't provoke it any further. It has returned to its place of slumber and will soon fall asleep."
They watched as the black oily waves that warped everything began retreating without a trace, revealing the mountains.
One by one, they behaved even more honestly, not daring to use power, merely watching obediently, fearing to disturb that ill-tempered master.
As the black oily waves receded, the mine appeared once more, and all the villagers who had been hiding obediently suffered no harm.
The black oily waves receded into the earth's cave, disappearing within.
In the depths of the earth, the radiance on Yu Ziqing's body grew increasingly bright, as all the black oily waves retreated back into his body, and the flame ignited at the position of his heart slowly dimmed, the feeble Life Fire gradually growing stronger.