"… How did they find our stronghold?"
"How many people are there?"
"It's too dark to see clearly."
"At least a hundred or two, perhaps as many as four or five hundred…"
"Which power are they from? The Taoist Court?"
"It doesn't look like it… They're dressed in black, their identities unclear."
"Probably some other force."
"Damn it, they're attacking us for no good reason! This is too much!"
"Are there any Foundation Establishment cultivators?"
"Seems like there are one or two…"
"Householder, what shall we do?"
...
After contemplating for a moment, Zhang Quan sneered coldly, "Do they really think our Corpse Walking Stronghold is such an easy target?"
In his eyes flashed a hint of grim darkness:
"Send the order down, awaken all the walking corpses and Iron Corpses. Since they've come, let's not let them leave. It's been a long time since our Corpse Walking Stronghold had to 'stock up,' and now's the time to bring in a batch of 'goods.'
One of the corpse cultivators hesitated:
"Householder, the few of us… controlling the Iron Corpses may be somewhat strenuous. I'm afraid…"
Zhang Quan fell silent, seemingly hesitating about something.
After a moment, he gritted his teeth and said resolutely:
"No matter, I will start the ritual now, burn incense, and pay respects to the Ancestral Master's portrait, and perform the rites with the Corpse-controlling Blood Bell!"
"Let these petty invaders become food in the bellies of the Iron Corpses!"
The few corpse cultivators were overjoyed, their expressions invigorated as they exclaimed, "Householder is wise!"
But Mo Hua was taken aback by their words.
Start the ritual? Pay respects to the Ancestral Master's portrait?
Could it be that he was going to bring out the bell?
If he brought it out, could that not be his chance to steal it?
After all, in a direct confrontation with these corpse cultivators and the fearless zombies, their side would surely suffer heavy casualties.
If he could snatch the bell, they could reduce many losses.
There was also another point that concerned Mo Hua greatly.
Pay respects to the Ancestral Master's portrait?
Who was this Ancestral Master?
And what was this portrait?
Could it be…