Once I enter the pass, great Confucian scholars will surely debate the classics for me.

Yangjiazhuang served as the stronghold of the Yang family.

All members of our clan live here; how could we not have a trump card to guard against the calamity of extermination?

The clan-protecting array is a powerful array of evil spirits that the Yang family has built over hundreds of years, generation after generation, using countless manpower, resources, and wealth. Its name is the Heavy Locking and Solidifying Realm Evil Spirit Array.

This formation is composed of four major formations: the Fiend-level Anti-Air Formation, the Fiend-level Solidification Formation, the Fiend-level Slowing Formation, and the Fiend-level Gravity Formation. These four formations constitute a super clan-protecting formation.

Every brick and piece of wood inside and outside Yangjiazhuang was a base component for array formations, crafted by the clan's Fiend-level weapon refiners and Fiend-level array masters.

From the manor walls and gates to the floor tiles, wall tiles, doors, and windows, everything is part of the formation base.

They are engraved with array inscriptions for different purposes and are uniformly covered with a layer of low-grade material for disguise.

To anyone else, it would seem unremarkable, even a bit shabby. After all, it was a powerful family with a history of hundreds of years, yet they built the manor using cheap materials meant for ordinary people. It was truly astonishingly poor.

However, once the Heavy Locking and Solidifying Evil Array is activated, a large amount of magical power containing the four evil energies flows through the array's core to every brick and piece of wood, activating the array inscriptions inside the bricks and wood.

The dormant clan-protecting formation will be awakened immediately.

In an instant, Yangjiazhuang was completely isolated from the outside world, becoming as impregnable as a fortress.

There is a no-flying formation in the sky. Any enemy of the Fiend level who tries to invade from the sky will be blocked and unable to break through the defensive shield of the no-flying formation. Even if the enemy manages to break through the no-flying formation by chance, it will be blocked.

They will then face the bloody suppression of the gravity array covering the entire Yangjiazhuang, instantly subjected to a gravity of 108 million jin, and the enemy will fall from the sky and be crushed into mincemeat.

If the enemy is still alive, their speed will drop by a hundredfold due to the constant pressure and interference from the slowing formation. Even the speed of lightning will become extremely slow.

In addition, the solidification formation connected the walls and foundation of the entire Yangjiazhuang village together, making it extremely sturdy and completely eliminating the threat of enemy attacks from underground and above ground.

In the event that the entire defensive line falls, the Yang clan can still rely on sturdy buildings to engage in street fighting with the invading enemy, delaying them and waiting for reinforcements or inflicting as many enemy casualties as possible.

Now, it's not just the surrounding ferocious zombies that are affected by the clan-suppressing formation.

Zhou Qingfeng and his group were also affected by the clan-suppressing formation.

Its speed is reduced by a hundredfold, making it impossible to fly and difficult to damage surrounding buildings to pass through.

The group could only avoid the many effects of the formation by going to the ancestral temple to obtain the array talisman.

In order to rescue their mother and retrieve the talisman, the two brothers, Yang Dalang and Yang Erlang, desperately cleared the way ahead. Dozens of servants followed on foot, carrying the coffin containing Yang Jianxin's body. Zhou Qingfeng, the old cripple, and the gravedigger were mixed in among them.

The gravedigger summoned several fierce ghosts he had raised to help him fight off the invading green-skinned zombies.

Zhou Qingfeng remained calm and composed throughout, strolling leisurely. Whenever a green-skinned zombie attacked, the old cripple would simply wave his cane, an ordinary strike that would instantly shatter the green-skinned zombie into countless pieces of flesh.

This is the source of Zhou Qingfeng's composure even when surrounded by hordes of zombies.

Zhou Qingfeng even had the leisure to release the Blood of the Devourer to capture a piece of zombie flesh in his palm for observation.

"The remains of this zombie seem to be exactly the same as those of Yang Jianxin after his resurrection. They should be from the same source. However, we don't yet know why they are spreading in Yangjiazhuang."

Upon hearing this, the gravedigger calmly replied, "Those who stole Yang Jianxin's burial goods must have been infected by Yang Jianxin during the grave robbing process, and then, without proper treatment, suddenly turned into corpses in Yang Family Village."

Zhou Qingfeng strode forward, glancing to the side: "Perhaps, but that's not important. What's important is that this unknown corpse poison is quite special, as it can rapidly evolve mortals into Fiend-level zombies."

The gravedigger swung his iron shovel, sending a green-skinned zombie that had jumped off the wall flying three zhang away: "It is indeed special. If this kind of corpse poison were introduced into the battlefield, it would be easy to create an army of 100,000 evil-level zombies."

"The corpse poison carried by naturally evolved zombies does not have such strong assimilative properties. Even if it bites a mortal and turns the mortal into a zombie, it will only be the lowest level of turbid zombie. It is unlikely that it will make the mortal leap into the evil level zombie."

"Now I'm certain that this unknown corpse poison is a research product created by a master of the art of corpse cultivation. I don't know why it was leaked out. Of course, it may have been deliberately released, with the intention of using living people for experiments."

Zhou Qingfeng paused: "Research subject?"

The gravedigger calmly said, "It's very common. Some evil forces like to use living people for experiments."

"For example, the Renxin faction sometimes uses villages as experimental sites, sometimes castles, and sometimes even a main city as an experimental site. This happens every year and is not unusual."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Qingfeng was startled and wondered if the Renxin faction was up to something.

Dead memories suddenly surged back, and the Renxin faction, which had been silent for more than ten years, was heard from others again. Moreover, based on the strange information revealed in the case of the murder of officials and rebellion, it seemed that their figures were vaguely present.

He remained calm and composed, simply keeping the matter to himself.

Whether or not it has anything to do with the Renxin faction, further investigation will surely uncover some clues.

Without concrete evidence, it would be too hasty to link the murder of an official and rebellion to the Renxin faction based solely on the gravedigger's words. Therefore, he does not intend to report the unfounded rumors for the time being.

It is only prudent to report the case after there is concrete evidence and the case has made some progress.

At this moment, a green-skinned zombie leaped out of the alley on the left. Zhou Qingfeng didn't even glance at it. The Blood of Devouring Thieves in his palm instantly spread out, enveloping the green-skinned zombie and rapidly devouring it, transforming it into his own essence and blood.

In the blink of an eye, it devoured it completely.

Since the green zombies are so hard to kill, let's not kill them.

Eat it whole; it's nourishing and won't go to waste.

"Not bad, top-quality flesh and blood sustenance." Zhou Qingfeng felt his own blood and qi suddenly increase.

As they continued their journey, Zhou Qingfeng encountered a lone green-skinned zombie and ate it without hesitation.

For him, possessing a top-tier divine power like the Great Sage of Devouring Thieves at the Fiend level, he was already invincible among his peers once he reached the Fiend-Eating Realm, because the Devouring Thief blood within his body had already greatly increased along with the great leap in his physical body.

After a short while, the group dealt with the few green-skinned zombies they encountered on the road and quickly arrived outside the ancestral hall. The dozens of Yang family servants were all close followers of the three young masters of the Yang family. All of them were at the Food Disaster Realm. Although their speed was reduced by a hundred times due to the influence of the formation, they were still faster than ordinary people.

The ancestral hall is located in a courtyard, in the center of which stands a nine-story building resembling a pagoda. At least eight hundred green-skinned zombies surround the building, and they are frantically attacking it.

The blue inscriptions on the building kept flashing, stubbornly blocking the attack of eight hundred green-skinned zombies.

Many green-skinned zombies spread their fleshy wings and took off, only to fall instantly and be crushed into a bloody pulp. However, they recovered completely in just two or three breaths and mindlessly took off again to rush towards the upper floors.

After peering over the wall for a moment, the group quietly retreated to a quiet courtyard nearby.

Yang Dalang said with a serious expression, "It seems that Mother and the surviving clansmen are trapped in the ancestral hall. I will go and lure away these zombies. Second brother, you take some people into the ancestral hall to check the situation and make sure Mother is safe and sound."

"Don't worry, I know all the intricacies of this place. These zombies can't possibly hunt me down."

"I'll come back to you after I get rid of these zombies."

Upon hearing this, Yang Erlang silently clasped his hands in a salute and said, "Take care, elder brother."

Yang Dalang patted his second brother on the shoulder: "Take care of yourself."

Then Yang Dalang turned to Zhou Qingfeng with an apologetic expression: "I'm sorry, Commander Zhou, the sudden trouble in my Yang family village has implicated you. But please rest assured, our Yang family will do our best to protect you. Please come with my second brother."

Zhou Qingfeng nodded slightly: "Young Master Yang, you flatter me."

Yang Dalang pursed his lips, said nothing more, reversed his grip on his magic sword, and rushed out of the courtyard gate, shouting towards the ancestral hall: "You scum, your grandpa is here, come and eat me if you dare!"

Upon hearing the commotion, the eight hundred green-skinned zombies instinctively turned their heads, opened their blood-red mouths, and rushed towards Yang Dalang at an inhuman speed, even under the suppression and interference of the slowing array.

If the suppression and interference were released, these monstrous zombies could reach supersonic speeds just by running.

“Awooo~~” Eight hundred green-skinned zombies rushed out of the ancestral hall one after another. As they turned around, they crashed into the walls that were flashing with blue inscriptions. The powerful impact caused a series of loud bangs. The air was compressed and burst, and sparks flew out.

Furthermore, many of the green-skinned zombies that rushed out first were rammed and twisted by the zombies that rushed out later, rolling and crawling on the ground.

In an instant, the already narrow alleyway was transformed into a dense, layered sea of ​​green corpses. The sea of ​​corpses surged like waves, one after another, roaring as it rushed toward Yang Dalang at the end of the alley.

Holding his magic sword, Yang Dalang showed no fear. As the eldest son of the Yang family, he was not lacking in courage. Even when surrounded by hundreds of evil-level zombies, he remained calm and waited in place.

Just as the sea of ​​corpses was about to reach him, Yang Dalang had already completed all the hand seals. He turned his head to look at the pile of junk in another alley, selected a broom, and silently chanted, "Teleportation!"

With a whoosh, Yang Dalang instantly teleported to the broom's position, while the broom was submerged in the sea of ​​corpses in his place.

"You bastards, Grandpa's here! You're all so stupid, come and chase me!"

"Catch me, and I'll let you eat me."

To provoke the zombies, Yang Dalang used his magic sword to cut his own palm, spitting out some blood. The green-skinned zombies in the sea of ​​corpses roared even more frantically, chasing after Yang Dalang relentlessly.

Yang Dalang sneered, "A bunch of brainless idiots, you're like dogs on a leash."

As soon as he finished speaking, Yang Dalang turned and ran, continuing to lead the zombies away, further and further away from the ancestral hall.

Upon seeing this, Zhou Qingfeng and his group quickly ran out of the courtyard. After checking that there were no traces of green-skinned zombies around, they ran towards the ancestral hall courtyard and closed the gate behind them.

Everyone waited quietly while Yang Erlang went to knock on the door of the ancestral hall.

"Mother, it's my Erlang! Open the door quickly~~~" Yang Erlang called out softly.

After a short wait, the gate of the ancestral hall slowly opened. When Madam Yang saw that it was her second son, she was overjoyed and opened the gate completely. Yang Erlang rushed in and waved to the people waiting in the courtyard.

Upon seeing this, Zhou Qingfeng, the old cripple, and the gravedigger quickly entered.

Dozens of servants carried the coffin in single file.

Once everyone had entered, Madam Yang ordered the heavy doors to be closed immediately.

Zhou Qingfeng scanned the room as soon as he entered.

From the outside, this ancestral hall resembles a nine-story pagoda, but in reality, the interior is only one story high, filled with memorial tablets. Through the dense candlelight, he could see about two hundred terrified faces.

Yang Erlang asked with concern, "Mother, are you alright?"

Madam Yang said, "I'm fine, it's just your third brother..."

Yang Erlang asked, "What's wrong with my third brother?"

Madam Yang said with a somber expression, "Sanlang is dead."

Yang Erlang's expression changed drastically: "How is that possible?"

Upon hearing this, Madam Yang could not hide her grief. She had just lost her husband and then her son. The only reason she hadn't collapsed was because she was the matriarch of the Yang family and the backbone of the clan. She couldn't fall now, otherwise the Yang family would be finished.

"After Sanlang returned, he told his mother about the robbery of her husband's grave."

"So I ordered him to find the traitor in the house overnight and clean house. So he led dozens of private soldiers to search one by one. Unexpectedly, a commoner servant in the village suddenly turned into a zombie and started killing and eating people everywhere."

"Those who died turned into zombies in the blink of an eye, and the word spread quickly, forming a zombie horde."

"Your third brother was unaware of the situation. He was investigating the traitor within the family when he heard of the commotion and rushed over with his private army. Caught off guard, he encountered the zombies and suffered heavy casualties. He could have survived, but in order to cover the clan's retreat back to the ancestral hall, he unfortunately... unfortunately, was surrounded by the zombie horde. His life palace shattered, and his body was never recovered..."

By the end, Madam Yang was choked up, covering her face with her sleeve, tears streaming down her face.

Upon hearing this, Yang Erlang felt as if his heart was being torn apart, but he still comforted his mother first: "Mother, things have come to this, don't be sad anymore. Right now, the clansmen all depend on you to take charge of the overall situation, you can't lose your composure."

Madam Yang knew that the bigger picture was more important, so she suppressed her grief and asked, "Where is your elder brother? I haven't seen him."

Yang Erlang said, "Big Brother has lured the zombie away. Don't worry, Big Brother will come and join us later."

"It's good that Dalang is alright." Madam Yang's heart finally settled down. She wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes with her sleeve, turned to look at Zhou Qingfeng who was waiting quietly to the side, and bowed: "This humble woman greets Commander Zhou."

Zhou Qingfeng reached out to help her up: "Madam Yang, there's no need for such formalities. Something unexpected has happened in the manor. Zombies are causing havoc. Your immediate priority is to quickly organize people to clean up the zombies to prevent the zombie disaster from spreading and affecting Sword Tower City."

Madam Yang looked bitter: "Commander Zhou, clearing out zombies is easier said than done. I have tried before. I have already formed two teams of Fiend Realm cultivators to go out and clear out zombies, but these zombies are too difficult to kill."

"Even when faced with swords and cut into several pieces, the remaining remains can still continue to devour people."

"The fiery flames can only cause the zombie's skin and flesh to wither and char, but cannot damage its core."

"Even if it's smashed into a pulp, a zombie can recover completely within three breaths."

"At this critical moment of life and death, I can only activate the clan's protective formation to protect the remaining clan members and temporarily trap these zombies here."

"The clansmen who were sent out to fight the evil spirits relied on the array talismans to protect themselves and were not affected by the array, so they could move freely. However, they could not kill these evil spirit zombies at all. Instead, they were trapped in the ancestral hall by these zombies. Therefore, I am willing but unable to clean up the zombies in the manor. I need to think about it carefully."

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