C728 All Spirits Gather!!

In the desolate expanse of Horror Land, a snow-white fox raced through the biting cold wind, making a beeline for the domain of the White Bone Ghost. Ann Ziqing's Yin God was concealed within the purple divine armor, casually conversing as she followed the minions of the "Initial Spirit Ghost King."

As they journeyed, formidable specters occasionally emerged from the towering peaks of the Dark Mountains. When confronted, the white fox simply declared, "I serve under Master Initial Spirit!" Upon hearing the allegiance to the "Initial Spirit Ghost King," any ghost dwelling in the Dark Mountains would immediately recognize the authority, hollering back, "Send my regards to Master Initial Spirit!"

Despite the distance from the heart of Horror Land, these mighty ghosts still paid their respects to the "Initial Spirit Ghost King," a testament to the high esteem in which he was held among the spectral denizens.

Inside her purple armor, Ann Ziqing's demeanor was relaxed, nodding now and then in quiet satisfaction. She inwardly rejoiced at the Blood God Cult's alliance with the "Initial Spirit Ghost King." Without it, even wielding the Ice Thunder Mark, her passage through Horror Land would not have been so untroubled.

Merely by accompanying a retainer of the "Initial Spirit Ghost King," she had avoided any hostile encounters with the mountain ghosts. The name of the "Initial Spirit Ghost King" was indeed a powerful talisman.

After some time, a majestic silver-white peak came into view, radiating a holy presence akin to a snow-capped mountain under the gloomy firmament. "That is the White Bone Nether Ghost's place of cultivation," the white fox informed Ann Ziqing, pausing before the silver Dark Mountain. It whispered, "This White Bone Nether Ghost is no ordinary spirit. Our lord holds it in high regard, believing it has the potential to ascend as a new Ghost King, just as he did."

Filled with a newfound reverence, Ann Ziqing recalled the formidable reputation of the Initial Spirit Ghost King that Ann Wen had briefed her on before venturing into Horror Land. Now, she had seen firsthand the awe his name inspired among the countless souls and specters.

Convinced of the White Bone Nether Ghost's exceptional nature, as even the fearsome "Initial Spirit Ghost King" had acknowledged its uniqueness, she too believed this ghost possessed extraordinary qualities.

"White Bone Lord! I am a follower of the Initial Spirit Ghost King, come to offer my respects to you."

The white fox abruptly unleashed a wave of soul-sound, raising its paw in a formal bow. "We seek a human practitioner within the domain of the White Bone Lord. His name is Yu Yuan. He arrived on a dark cauldron and was last seen at Liu Linzhi's Yin Mountain of the Heavenly Ghost, but now..." The white fox called out.

Ann Ziqing's eyebrows knitted together as her bright eyes flashed with specks of blood-red light.

Despite her Yin God form, the presence of her purple divine armor allowed her to harness a trace of her Qi and blood power. This slight use of power gave her Yin God soul body an illusion of flesh and blood.

"Stop shouting. There's not a soul or ghost in sight," she whispered.

"Ah!?" The white fox yelped in disbelief. "How can that be?"

It was odd that not a single ghost remained at the Dark Mountain, where the White Bone Ghost practiced his cultivation.

"I sense it," Ann Ziqing stated with conviction. "Something has befallen the White Bone Lord on his own turf. The skirmishes among the ghosts have been unusually frequent of late. It's possible that the White Bone Lord was overthrown and silently eradicated by a mightier ghost."

"That can't be, it just can't," the white fox protested, shaking its head. "The Lord once said that the White Bone Ghost is unique. Unless a Ghost King of your stature intervenes, no other ghost can best the White Bone Ghost."

"I'll search for him myself."

Doubt crept into Ann Ziqing's mind. Her soul consciousness shifted, and a droplet of crimson blood emerged at the chest of her purple armor. The blood, not exposed to the air, vanished in an instant, transforming into strands of deep red lightning that infused the armor's embedded array.

The purple armor burst into dazzling light.

Ann Ziqing's eyes turned a deep crimson as she briefly connected with the Artifact Soul of the armor and declared, "From now on, you follow my lead."

"Oh, right, of course," the white fox agreed, nodding vigorously.

...

Lu Yinqin of the Filthy Spirit Sect dissipated her Yin God into vibrant tendrils of mist that scattered in every direction.

"Melt Soul and Refine Shadow!"

Above the fiery red lotus throne, the magma fire pit conjured by Yuan Lianyao's Yin God swelled suddenly, casting a net wide enough to ensnare a whole region.

Every wisp of mist, transformed by Lu Yinqin's Yin God, was instantaneously devoured by the seething magma fire pit.

The magma fire pool, a manifestation of Yuan Lianyao's Yin God, flickered with tiny sparks of fire that persistently infiltrated Lu Yujin's Yin God from the depths.

Wisps of mist coalesced, reforming Lu Yujin who, within the fiery basin, wailed for mercy.

"Sister Yuan, we're all disciples from sects on Quietus Continent. Why must you take such extreme measures? Our Filthy Spirit Sect has never been at odds with your Red Devil Sect. Killing me will only complicate things for you once you leave here!"

"I give you my word!"

"I vow it!"

"I will seal my lips about what you and Yu Yuan witnessed. I, Lu Yujin, will not breathe a word of it to anyone! Sister Yuan, I implore you, show leniency and spare me!"

Lu Yujin's pleas echoed tragically within the confines of the magma pool.

Yuan Lianyao remained unmoved.

Yu Yuan, engrossed in the scene, was jolted when a streak of blade light surged from the earth beneath him.

As the blade light emerged, his soul whirled, disoriented by the malevolent thoughts of myriad specters piercing his Consciousness Little World, leaving him reeling, unable to discern his bearings.

Caught off guard, he failed to mount a defense.

Slash!

The dark demonic light shrouding his true form was cleaved by the blade light, allowing a piercingly cold wind to assail him once more.

The next moment, the latent power of the beast skin, a gift from Chen Liangquan, ignited.

Enveloped in a hazy blood light, it clung to him fiercely.

As the cruel wind howled into the Evil Cauldron, the beast skin, etched with an enigmatic array, began to slowly disintegrate.

Yet, in that fleeting moment, the cauldron soul rallied its strength, conjuring a protective shroud of dark demonic light.

The light stood like a shield, though the beast skin had already disintegrated, reduced to ashes as if consumed by fire.

The Kyara Demon Blade, familiar to him, pointed skyward beneath the Evil Cauldron, poised for another assault.

Unexpectedly, the Kyara Demon Blade was not within the flamboyant sedan.

At that moment, Mo Yan's Yin God emerged languidly from the sedan, irritably addressing the Ash Dowager Ghost, "Step aside, don't stand in my way."

The thirteenth-ranked Ash Dowager Ghost was visibly irritated, yet she restrained herself from lashing out due to Mo Yan's status.

She had the audacity to falsely accuse and kill that scholar, proclaiming her disdain for all human cultivators. Even in her ghostly form, her animosity persisted.

But in Mo Yan's presence, her confidence waned.

She dutifully made room, allowing Mo Yan's Yin God to take the most prominent and comfortable spot in the palanquin.

"You really do have nine lives, surviving all that." Mo Yan lounged at the front of the palanquin, his Yin God legs swinging casually. He seemed oblivious to the White Bone Nether Ghost unleashing the White Bone Saint Spirit Art and decimating the Ash Dowager Ghost's minions. "I even stashed the Kyara Demon Blade underground, separating it from the Yin God and the Devil Blade to shift your focus."

Mo Yan expressed his disappointment, "That garment you're wearing is quite peculiar, somehow shielding you from the bone-chilling winds of Horror Land."

With a whoosh, the Evil Cauldron ascended to evade another fierce strike from the recharged Kyara Demon Blade.

After a silent exchange with the cauldron soul, Yu Yuan discreetly summoned the sword sheath from the Mustard Seed Bracelet, gripping it firmly.

As his spiritual sense connected with the sheath, he caught sight of the blood-colored jade pendant Ann Ziqing had given him. It twinkled within the bracelet's tiny space, emitting a soft, blood-red glow.

He paused, a sudden hunch taking hold — Ann Ziqing had pinpointed his location.

He had an inkling that Ann Ziqing was hastening towards him with all speed.

Yet, he felt no sense of anticipation.

After all, his recent encounters with Ann Ziqing had been riddled with her schemes, nearly costing him his life.

"White Bone Lord! You..."

Just then, the Babel Chamber of Commerce's Roam Ship floated by, carrying Lin Yue, Faang Yingzi, and Ma Jianjiang. They watched the grand spectacle unfold before them, unsure of how to react.

The Roam Ship had earlier visited the silver mountain peak but found neither the White Bone Nether Ghost nor the soul ghost responsible for receiving supplies.

Lin Yue, left with no other choice, began scouring the domain of the White Bone Nether Ghost.

That search led him here.

And here, he witnessed a clash between two formidable Nether Ghosts, along with Yu Yuan, Yuan Lianyao, and Mo Yan from the Devil Palace.

Lu Yuchin, who had earlier departed the Roam Ship and vanished without a trace, was now engulfed by the magma pool that Yuan Lianyao had conjured. Her Yin God flickered within the fiery pool, ragged and torn.

It was clear that Lu Yuchin's Yin God was on the brink of being melted away, its existence hanging by a thread.

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