Mesmerizing Ghost Doctor

Chapter 5020: Returns

“Yes!” the guards responded in unison.

“Three share one sword. One focuses solely on piloting the sword flight, while the other two prepare for combat. Yi Hong, you and the others protect Mi’er and the three children in the center. I’ll lead the way. Jingwei, pilot your swords to guard the perimeter. Avoid prolonged engagements—our primary goal is to exit the forest! Is that understood?” Song Lingbo’s command rang out, his voice resonant and commanding. Instantly, the spirits of the Jingwei warriors were stirred, each preparing for battle.

“Understood!” the group responded in unison, swiftly forming ranks before soaring alongside him in the sword. They shot upward from the dense canopy, sweeping past towering trees and soaring high into the sky.

Hao’er and the others wanted to protest that they could fight and didn’t need protection, but seeing the solemn expressions on the Song family members, they held their tongues.

Learning of trouble at home, they were likely eager to return. Yet, the more anxious they were, the more likely they were to encounter further peril.

Hao’er and the others each followed one of the Song brothers. Surrounded by Jingwei guards and with Song Lingbo leading the way, they flew a distance without incident. Soon, however, a shrill cry pierced the sky.

“Vittle Spirit Bird! Everyone, beware!” a guard cried out, instantly tightening the atmosphere.

Hao’er turned to look and saw a flock of Vittle Spirit Birds flapping their wings and screeching as they flew toward them. Their numbers were so great that they appeared as a dark, oppressive mass.

Song Lingbo also spotted the massive flock of Vittle Spirit Birds. His heart sank slightly at the sheer number, but the blade in his hand shifted. Spirit energy surged as he suddenly drew a deep breath and swung his blade down with tremendous force toward the advancing Vittle Spirit Birds.

“Hah!”

A low shout erupted simultaneously with a whistling blade aura. Spirit energy currents and the blade aura coalesced into a massive, visible blade that roared through the air, slashing down at the flock of Vittle Spirit Birds.

Whoosh!

The blade’s aura sliced through the air, scattering the flock of Vittle Spirit Birds. Most veered left or right to evade the strike, but a few were caught unawares. They were cleaved clean through, letting out shrill cries as they plummeted into the forest below.

“Flutter, flutter, flutter…”

The Vittle Spirit Birds drew ever closer, their wing beats growing louder as they approached. Dispersed by that single slash, they now surged forward in a wave, closing in from all sides. Huge talons and beaks attacked simultaneously, clawing and tearing at them.

“Hah!”

“You’re asking for death!”

The Jingwei warriors roared, their swords and blades striking out at the same moment, slashing at the diving Vittle Spirit Birds.

Hao’er and the others were shielded in the center. Even as the Vittle Spirit Birds closed in to attack, they couldn’t immediately reach the group in the middle.

“Sssshhh!”

Chaotic screeches filled the air, mingled with the faint flutter of falling feathers. The Song brothers and Mi’er shielded Hao’er and the others. When the birds found their attacks blocked, some wisely soared high, then dove down from above.

“Kill them!”

Song Lingbo roared, soaring into the air. His blade swept downward, slicing a diving Vittle Spirit Bird clean out of the sky. His blade spun again, striking at the surrounding Vittle Spirit Birds.

Despite their formidable strength and combat prowess, the relentless barrage left many among them wounded. Scratches of varying sizes marred their skin—some resembling claw marks, others like gashes torn by beaks.

Hao’er and the others watched, clenching their fists tightly. Had they not been bound by Mother’s warning to conceal the existence of the ancient Sacred Beast, they would have rushed to aid their comrades in that very moment.