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Beneath the dimming sky, Ann Ziqing's purple divine armor shone with an unparalleled brilliance.

Adorned with patterns of purple and dark red, the armor's surface shimmered like constellations, radiating a formidable divine presence capable of dominating the heavens, shattering souls, and striking terror into the hearts of Devaputras.

In her spiritual form, Ann Ziqing stood atop a colossal skull, the Ice Thunder Mark grasped in her hand, as if a deity had descended upon the world.

Below her, the Darkness World disintegrated, ancient demons linked to the Black Sickle Ghosts wailed and condensed into specks of black light.

These specks of light retreated into the massive crescent scythe, transforming into the souls within its blade.

Without sparing a glance at the Black Sickle Ghost or acknowledging its furious roars, the maiden from the Blood God Cult, who had once served Yu Yuan as a maid, bowed and conversed with Chu Yao.

Both Ann and Chu Yao deliberately overlooked the Black Sickle Ghost.

"It's not exactly an offense," Chu Yao, manifesting as a Yin God, said with a detached air. "The Black Sickle is not a disciple of our Medicine God Sect, merely a partner in some pill transactions. He's not under my command, so your injuring him doesn't really concern me."

At these words, the Black Sickle Ghost, still in the midst of its screeching, fell abruptly silent.

Its soul, scattered among the black sandalwood beads, vanished quietly, not eager to reveal itself, feeling a sense of injustice.

It had acted on Chu Yao's behalf, detained Yuan Lianyao of the Red Devil Sect, and attempted to assassinate Yu Yuan, all at Chu Yao's behest...

Yet, why did Chu Yao instantly distance himself from her as soon as Ann Ziqing appeared?

"In this world, no one wishes to cross the Medicine God Sect," Ann Ziqing said with a charming smile, her lively eyes sparkling. "Senior Chu, Yu Yuan and I share a past, and whether he has betrayed the Boundless Land remains uncertain. I trust that as a member of the Medicine God Sect, you wouldn't concern yourself with such trivialities, correct?"

After a moment's reflection, Chu Yao nodded slightly. "Ann, today, I'll extend you this courtesy."

After he spoke, he added, "Send my regards to your father."

"Definitely!" A joyful smile spread across Ann Ziqing's lips.

"I am determined to capture the Bone Nether Ghost," declared Chu Yao, his demeanor growing solemn.

"I didn't come here to bail out the Bone Nether Ghost!" Ann Ziqing hastily interjected.

"That's reassuring."

Chu Yao's face softened, and without further ado, he took off into the distance from behind Dark Mountain, not even bothering to notify the Black Sickle Ghost.

As soon as he departed, the spirit of the Black Sickle Ghost reemerged within the black sandalwood beads.

In an instant, the string of beads and the massive crescent scythe sprang into action, seemingly intent on pursuing Chu Yao.

Whoosh!

The Evil Cauldron surged forward, racing towards the string of black sandalwood beads. Yu Yuan's face turned ashen, his once bright eyes now dull and lifeless.

"Yuan Lianyao, stay behind!"

At Yu Yuan's command, a succession of Evil Devils burst forth from the cauldron.

Once the crescent moon scythe and the black sandalwood beads joined forces, the Black Sickle Ghost within sensed something and immediately realized that Yu Yuan had nearly exhausted all his strength blocking a slash of his scythe with a sword scabbard, leaving him utterly depleted.

The Black Sickle was confident that with another strike, Yu Yuan would certainly not withstand his next onslaught.

He planned to leave the Evil Devils emerging from the cauldron to his minions.

But then...

When the Black Sickle Ghost's gaze shifted to Ann Ziqing, worry flooded him anew.

He did not fear the current state of Yu Yuan, but he dreaded Ann Ziqing, who possessed a higher level of cultivation, wielded the Ice Thunder Mark, and donned purple divine armor.

It was Ann Ziqing who had the power to inflict severe damage or even annihilate him!

Indeed, Ann Ziqing, bearer of the Ice Thunder Mark, had initially come to aid the Initial Spirit Ghost King in battle against other Ghost Kings.

Ann Ziqing was not only in the Soul Wandering Stage but was an extraordinary practitioner of it. Her divine armor was enigmatic, and the Ice Thunder Mark was a nemesis to ghostly beings.

Ann Ziqing had just demonstrated her formidable power, showing that with the Ice Thunder Mark, she could take down the fourth-ranked Ghost King!

"Ah well, it's no use. Even if I were to rescue her, she wouldn't be grateful," Ann Ziqing suddenly said, dismissively waving her hand as if shooing away flies, signaling the Black Sickle Ghost to beat it. "As for that sister from the Red Devil Sect, feel free to take out your frustrations on her. It's a fine way to blow off some steam."

Yu Yuan's expression darkened as he was about to muster his strength once more, only to be overcome by a wave of dizziness and exhaustion.

Upon closer inspection, he realized that blocking the sickle's blade light with his scabbard had nearly drained all his remaining energy.

Now, his only support was the Evil Cauldron and its demons.

But the Black Sickle Ghost also had a host of minions at his disposal...

With a heavy sigh, Yu Yuan called out, "Ann Ziqing, have him release the City Lord of Yuan."

The Black Sickle Ghost, poised to retreat with a string of beads and his dark sickle, came to a halt in the void at Yu Yuan's command.

The sight of the Ice Thunder Mark in Ann Ziqing's hand, now reduced to the size of a fist, loomed like a thundercloud over the Black Sickle Ghost. Recalling the Ice Thunder Mark's terrifying might within the Darkness World left him too shaken to dare provoke Ann Ziqing.

Thus, he obediently froze in place, not daring to make a move.

"Young Master, are you addressing me?" Ann Ziqing asked with a sly smile, her eyes brimming with mirth as she glanced at the Evil Cauldron. "Oh dear, I recall Young Master's words—they were quite hurtful. You said you never wanted to see me again, that my very presence annoyed you and gave you a headache."

Her playful tone only added to Yu Yuan's frustration.

Yet, Yu Yuan was well aware that the witch from the Blood God Cult was not to be underestimated. One wrong response, and she might just wash her hands of the situation, allowing the Black Sickle Ghost to whisk away Yuan Lianyao.

If the Black Sickle Ghost had succeeded in erasing Yuan Lianyao's soul, Yu Yuan would have been consumed by remorse for the rest of his days.

"I'm speaking to you. I expect you to let her out unharmed, without any complications," Yu Yuan stated sternly.

"Are you listening?" Ann Ziqing asked, her smile brimming with triumph as she gestured to the string of black pearls. "I'm talking to you, Black Sickle. Did you catch that?"

"What?" The Black Sickle Ghost responded, clearly confused.

"You think you deserve a spot right after the white bones? How foolish!" Ann Ziqing scoffed. "Just do as you're told and release City Lord Yuan, my sister Yuan! If anything happens to her, I'll reduce your soul to dust!"

Boom!

A sudden clap of thunder echoed from within the Ice Thunder Mark.

Whoosh!

Yuan Lianyao's Yin God burst forth from a black sandalwood bead. Startled by the thunderous roar, the Black Sickle Ghost hastily released her soul and fled without a second thought, with its entourage of ghostly spirits in tow.

"Sister Yuan, are you okay? The audacity of Black Sickle to detain you!" Ann Ziqing exclaimed, her purple divine armor glinting as she drew near. Her stunning face was etched with worry. "Forgive me for my tardiness, sister. Don't hold it against me."

Yu Yuan watched the ostentatious little witch with a mix of emotions, rubbing his temple in frustration. The spot where the scythe's blade had targeted him throbbed with a dull ache.

What was more vexing was realizing that both he and Yuan Lianyao owed their escape from peril to Ann Ziqing.

"My strength is still lacking. With one swing of my sword, I've exhausted all my power," Yu Yuan reflected ruefully. He knew well that the creatures of Horror Land might not be as formidable as their reputation suggested, but they were certainly not so weak that he could dispatch them with ease.

"Enough with the act."

Having just emerged from the Darkness World, Yuan Lianyao overheard the exchange between Ann Ziqing, Yu Yuan, and the Black Sickle. Free from her bonds, she eyed Ann Ziqing's feigned solicitude with irritation. "You've saved me this once, and I won't forget it. Rest assured, I'll repay the favor when the time comes."

"You're being too formal, Sister. Far too formal. After all the care you gave our Young Master in Darkmoon City, it's only right that I help you," Ann Ziqing said with a beaming smile, her warmth evident as she spoke. "You weren't tormented by the Black Sickle Ghost while inside, were you?"

Yuan Lianyao replied with a hint of resignation, "I'm fine."

"That's a relief. You had me so worried," Ann Ziqing said, hand on her chest.

"Yu Yuan, what about the White Bone area?" Yuan Lianyao, choosing to ignore her further, furrowed her brow and spoke softly, "I think it's best not to go back. With Chu Yao there, the odds are against us. It would be futile for you to go."

Ann Ziqing nodded in agreement, "Absolutely, absolutely."

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