C764 The Abnormality of the Mountain

Upon their reunion, Yu Yuan immediately noticed the "Cloud Cruiser" was somewhat battered.

In the Land of Terror, ghosts with sufficient power could manipulate objects.

The "Cloud Cruiser" had been left in shambles after an attack, indicating it had encountered an incredibly formidable ghost.

It was likely at the level of a Spectre.

Yu Yuan had witnessed the Golden Fiend's combat prowess in the Forgotten Ruins and was aware of his mastery in Spirit Magic. In the Land of Terror, he thrived like a fish in water.

The fact that Golden Fiend was barely clinging to life suggested their adversary was unimaginably strong.

A golden cotton ball drifted out from a hidden compartment within the ship. Upon seeing Yu Yuan, Golden Fiend quickly retrieved the yellow gourd and allowed the golden cotton to settle inside.

The golden cotton settled in the center of the gourd and silently morphed into a miniature version of Jin Xiaolie.

Jin Xiaolie, resembling a flicker of golden flame, swayed softly.

Known for his fiery temper within the Skyreach Consortium, he was surprisingly composed at that moment. He gazed at his Lunar Spirit Body, no larger than the size of a palm, and gave Yu Yuan a slight nod, saying, "Our initial intention was to seek justice for Faang Yingzi and Lin Yue."

Yu Yuan's expression soured, and he let out a cold snort.

"Hold your anger. We later discovered the truth," Jin Xiaolie said with a wry smile. "It was Faang Yingzi and Lin Yue who first wronged you. I'll make sure to clarify this once I return to the Consortium."

Yu Yuan's demeanor softened slightly after the explanation. "If it happens again, I'll still choose to kill!"

Golden Fiend, who had been looking morose since Yu Yuan's arrival, feared Jin Xiaolie might blurt out something reckless. With the tension easing, he quickly interjected, "Yu Yuan, are you planning to venture into White Bone's domain?"

"Yes," Yu Yuan confirmed with a nod.

"I'd advise against it," Golden Fiend cautioned with a furrowed brow. "As we passed through White Bone's territory, we witnessed innumerable ghosts locked in fierce battle, howling and clashing. White Bone's domain has become the most tumultuous region in the entire Land of Terror."

Jin Xiaolie also urged, "Many titled spectres have gone mad, leading their followers into the Ossuary!"

"Yu Yuan, heed our advice, don't go there!" Ma Jianjiang added.

The three remaining guests from the Skyreach Consortium unanimously advised against it, causing Yuan Lianyao, who was within the Crucible of Evil, to become unsettled. After a moment of contemplation, her eyes clouded with concern, "Yu Yuan, perhaps we should steer clear of the White Bone's affairs?"

She was well aware of the friendship between White Bone and Faang Yao.

Yet, her concern for Yu Yuan was greater. The news of the chaos in White Bone's territory, coupled with Jin Xiaolie and Golden Fiend's warnings, made her fear for Yu Yuan's safety, worried that he might recklessly enter and endanger them both.

"I must go to White Bone's territory," Yu Yuan declared, then inquired with curiosity, "What kind of ghost attacked you? In the Land of Terror, both the Ghost Kings and the renowned spectres should be welcoming you, eager to interact."

"It wasn't a ghost we recognized." Golden Fiend's face was dark, his eyes filled with bewilderment. "Yu Yuan, I strongly advise against going to White Bone's territory. In fact, you might want to consider leaving for a while. I'm quite familiar with the Land of Terror and have several powerful ghost friends, but..."

He paused, then continued, "The ghost that attacked us is one I've never even heard of, and it's exceptionally powerful! It's a complete mystery to me!"

"How powerful?" Yu Yuan asked, astonished.

"They're not quite at the level of a Ghost King, but they're definitely a spectre. Yet, I've never heard of them before; it's as if they just appeared out of thin air." Golden Fiend furrowed his brow, "An unknown ghost, attacking us so suddenly, it just doesn't sit right with me."

Jin Xiaolie and Ma Jianjiang, recalling the recent incident, both showed signs of deep unease.

"Where were you attacked?" Yu Yuan pressed on.

"The assault happened near the White Bone's territory, in the region that once belonged to Cuion, but now... it's under the control of Jiang Xingwen from the Abyssal Dawn," Ma Jianjiang answered. "However, the ghost that attacked us surely has no connection to Jiang Xingwen. After all, it was she who ultimately helped us out of our predicament."

"Without her, I'm afraid none of us would have survived."

Yu Yuan's heart stirred slightly. "Jiang Xingwen..."

Ultimately, he refrained from probing further. After a brief exchange with Jin Xiaolie and Golden Fiend, he took his leave from the Cloud Cruiser and, steering the Crucible of Evil, continued his journey toward the Ossuary.

Half an hour later.

The Altar of Rebirth within his heart, resembling blood jade, vibrated with increasing intensity.

Howls and whooshing filled the air!

Peering into the distance, he observed numerous ghosts swirling around a small Shadow Mountain, as if possessed by madness.

The ghosts circled the diminutive Shadow Mountain, which seemed to be shrinking, sinking into the ground.

"They appear to be consuming the Shadow Mountain!" Yuan Lianyao exclaimed, her face etched with incredulity. Puzzled, she shook her head and added, "The Shadow Mountain, known to gather Yin Qi from the Root of the Lunar Meridian, is traditionally where ghosts draw Yin Qi from within to refine their souls and practice cultivation. I've never heard of them actually consuming the mountain itself."

"The mountain has undergone a transformation," Yu Yuan declared gravely.

"Transformed?" Yuan Lianyao questioned, confused.

Yu Yuan didn't immediately respond, as he was deep in communication with Yu Yiyi, the cauldron spirit, within his heart.

Leveraging Yu Yiyi's knowledge of the Land of Terror and her exceptional insight into the Yin Qi of spirited bodies, he gradually learned that only certain Shadow Mountains within White Bone's territory had begun to change mysteriously.

As they traveled, other Shadow Mountains they encountered showed no signs of such anomalies.

Even Yu Yiyi couldn't clarify the exact nature of the changes, only that a portion of the Shadow Mountains in White Bone's domain had undergone a transformation.

Following this transformation, the ghosts were able to consume chunks of stone to construct their bodies.

"Look, those ghosts feasting on the Shadow Mountain have many pebbles within their spirited bodies," Yuan Lianyao observed after a moment, noticing the unusual aspect. "It seems they really have consumed the mountain and its stones."

"Pebbles, stones..."

Yu Yuan's thoughts raced back to images of White Bone using tiny pebbles as weapons, recalling numerous battles where White Bone surrounded himself with these stones, radiating brilliance.

"Could it be because of White Bone? Perhaps it's the mountains where White Bone has cultivated or refined that have spawned these anomalies. Such peculiar events occurring solely in White Bone's territory must be connected to him!"

He suddenly realized that the influx of frenzied Spectres might be due to this strange mutation!

"Could the ghosts that ambushed Jin Xiaolie be connected to this incident?"

Thought after thought surfaced in his mind.

After discussing with Yu Yiyi, they ascertained that the shrinking hill ahead posed no threat from any ghosts. Reassured, they steered the Crucible of Evil closer.

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