C785 Ghost Kings Raging Flames!

Deep beneath the earth, the skeletal figure departed from the crevice. Streams of silver brilliance, akin to water, seeped from the cracks, coalescing into a luminous moonlit circle that once again shrouded the area.

The moonlit circle radiated a divine glow, imparting a sense of cool refreshment and lucidity to the souls within its embrace. Yuan Lianyao, bathed in this radiance, along with her manifested Yin God and the summoned vibrant red lotus, found themselves being nurtured and gaining insight into profound mysteries.

This new circle differed from the earlier silver luminescence; it was missing some of the Yin Sunflower Essence, yet it seemed to contain something more. Within its bounds, innumerable soul shadows ebbed and flowed, taking on myriad shapes.

Gazing into the circle, Yuan Lianyao experienced a vision of life's tapestry—of beings living, battling, loving, and slaying, each step a march towards their inevitable end. The circle appeared to hold the enigmatic secrets of life and death.

The Luohou Ghost King's soul shadow peered at the nascent circle, sensing the core truths of the Ghost Dao within. She whispered, "Is this it?"

Yuan Lianyao, bewildered, inquired, "Who is it?"

"It is," confirmed the skeleton with a nod. After a moment's pause, it addressed Yuan Lianyao, "Stay here. I must leave to confront the Cold Abyss Ghost King and the other specters."

At these words, the ghost in the guise of a monkey stirred with excitement. "Master! The battle is finally upon us!"

"But what of Yu Yuan?" Yuan Lianyao pressed with urgency.

"He will be safe with that one's protection," the skeleton reassured, gesturing towards the shimmering circle. "I have been vigilant here, awaiting this very manifestation. Rest assured, aside from the Mingdu Ghost King, who has regained his formidable power, no other Ghost King can penetrate this circle to reach the small realm where Yu Yuan resides."

He was aware that Yu Yuan was safely cultivating within the inner sanctum of the Yin Meridian, free from unforeseen perils.

With the source of the Yin Meridian now standing guard, Yu Yuan was secure in the Horror Land, beyond reach of all but the Mingdu Ghost King, the embodiment of the source's consciousness.

Luohou was about to respond when her expression subtly shifted.

The skeleton's emerald eyes flashed with an unusual brilliance. "They've arrived with surprising haste."

All of them were Ghost Kings: Initial Spirit, Qianjie, Black Staff, and Cold Abyss. Despite their efforts to conceal their presence, White Bone and Luohou could detect them within a certain range.

Just as the Initial Spirits could discern White Bone's aura and pinpoint his exact location, White Bone and Luohou could sense the surging soul currents, whether they soared through the somber skies or burrowed beneath the earth. Some were as conspicuous as Cold Abyss, while others, like Initial Spirit, remained hidden within the "Soul Locking Diagram."

All the Ghost Kings, save for Tianzang, were converging on their location.

"When should I assist you?" Luohou inquired.

"I'll signal you when the time comes," White Bone responded.

"I'll go merge with my main body and await your message," Luohou declared, and with that, her soul shadow vanished.

"You can continue to condense your Yin God here," White Bone told Yuan Lianyao with a glance. "The Yin Qi is less potent than in the inner sanctum, yet it's still far more refined than what's outside. Moreover, the aura ring holds profound soul secrets for you to delve into with your heart."

He paused before addressing the Evil Cauldron, "This applies to you as well."

"Your guidance is appreciated, Lord White Bone," Yu Yiyi's icy voice emanated from the cauldron. "May you triumph gloriously and spare my master from having to intervene."

Yuan Lianyao was left at a loss for words.

With a whoosh, White Bone transformed into a ghostly white streak of light, swiftly exiting the subterranean chamber.

In the blink of an eye, he reappeared atop the ruins. Looking up, he saw the Black Sickle Ghost, composed of twenty-eight black sandalwood beads.

As White Bone materialized, the souls within the beads sneered, "White Bone!"

Inside the majestic palace, Cao Jiaze of the Profound Sky Sect tensed and warned, "Be careful!"

Chu Yao of the Medicine God Sect's expression darkened at the sight of White Bone.

Mo Yan, clad in purple divine armor, and Ann Ziqing, also in purple, instinctively withdrew from the vicinity of the ruins upon witnessing White Bone's arrival.

The group had gathered intelligence from the Cold Abyss, Chu Ling, and the Black Staff, learning that the White Bone had claimed kingship.

Contrary to their expectations, the newly crowned White Bone King did not remain hidden underground nor did he stand guard over Yu Yuan. Instead, he made an unexpected appearance, which was quite unlike the reports they had received.

The Ghost Kings had insisted that the White Bone was confined to a small underground territory, unable to leave.

They were merely biding their time, waiting for their true forms to arrive and join forces to vanquish the White Bone in his subterranean realm.

While the mighty Ghost Kings were still en route, the White Bone, who was supposed to be lying low, had preemptively emerged!

With a forceful stomp, the White Bone erupted from the earth and shot into the heavens.

Midair, myriad skeletal hands delicately tapped against the black sandalwood beads.

The twenty-eight beads, resembling enormous purple-black grapes, were sliced open, their insides spilling the souls of the Black Sickle Ghosts like dark, viscous juice.

White flames blazed from within the White Bone, enveloping each of the Black Sickle Ghosts' souls.

The White Bone, a blur in the sky, reappeared among the ranks of the Black Sickle Ghosts, hovering over their massive sickles.

Amidst their terrified shrieks, the White Bone clenched its fist and hammered down on the meticulously crafted giant sickle.

Clang! Clang!

Sparks flew as another portion of the Black Sickle Ghosts' souls were shattered within the sickle by the White Bone's smithing blows.

Streams of white flame penetrated the sickle, eradicating the remnants of the Black Sickle Ghosts' souls, leaving them desperate to sever their consciousness and flee, to no avail.

Astride the colossal sickle, the White Bone radiated a brilliant light that bathed everything below.

The Black Sickle Ghosts' minions, touched by this radiance, dissolved as if snow under a scorching sun.

Before the stunned onlookers, hundreds of ghostly spirits disintegrated within seconds.

"The White Bone Ghost King!"

"By the heavens, the White Bone has ascended to Ghost King!"

"The seventh Ghost King has risen in Horror Land!"

Ghosts from various domains, with no vendettas against the White Bone and merely spectators to the spectacle, erupted in astonished exclamations.

Suspended in his palace, Cao Jiaze swiftly regained his composure after the initial surprise and turned to Chu Yao, advising, "Brother Chu, when the time comes, best to refrain from getting involved."

Chu Yao gave a nod of acknowledgment. "I've got it under control."

With a resounding crash, the scythe beneath the White Bone shattered, sending fragments flying towards the fleeing minions of the Black Sickle Ghost. Their cries filled the air; those ghosts sent by the Black Sickle Ghost, once marked, met their demise.

"The Black Sickle Ghosts are no more! They didn't stand a chance against the White Bone's onslaught!"

"Who will take up the mantle of the Black Sickle Ghost now?"

Amidst the murmurs of the gathered ghosts, the White Bone, swift as a streak of white lightning, had already reached the Dark Mountain where he once cultivated, all within a few breaths.

"Those ghosts won't last much longer."

A Heavenly Ghost, observing from a distance, realized that with the White Bone's ascension to Ghost King, the fate of those who had invaded his domain alongside the Black Sickle Ghost was sealed.

Unaware of the White Bone's advancement, the ghosts still besieged his old haunt, oblivious to the change in power.

Half an hour later.

The White Bone, now ablaze with ghostly white flames, made his way back to the ruins.

The other ghosts that had followed the Black Sickle were no more.

Standing solitary amidst the dust and debris, the White Bone resembled a grim reaper, harvesting souls with his chilling presence.

His emerald eyes, icy and detached, suddenly lifted to gaze upon the palace.

Within, every Yin God from the Heavenly Source Continent shuddered with an unspoken dread, instinctively drawing nearer to Cao Jiaze.

The floating palace, a transformation of the Heaven Palace Seal, was shrouded in a vast expanse of spiritual energy.

Cao Jiaze bowed his head in respect, meeting the White Bone's gaze. He offered a fist-and-palm salute, smiling, "White Bone Lord, a moment, please. The Cold Abyss is en route."

The White Bone's gaze remained undisturbed as he responded coolly, "I'm waiting."

"Miss Ann, what's the stance of Early Period?"

Mo Yan, concealed within the Kyara Demon Blade, remained on guard as he approached Ann Ziqing. A playful soul shadow emerged from the blade, grinning, "Is Lord Early Period also on her way? When the battle commences, will Early Period take action? Will she strike immediately, or wait for the opportune moment?"

Ann Ziqing's eyes shimmered with clarity as she shook her head, "I'm not privy to Lord Chu Ling's thoughts."

"The Black Staff will collaborate with the Cold Abyss. However, the Cold Abyss must lead the charge," declared Mo Yan. "The threat posed by the White Bone is too significant. The Black Staff, the Cold Abyss, and Qianjie are in agreement: we eliminate the White Bone before we discuss anything else."

"And what of Mingdu?" Ann Ziqing huffed.

Caught off guard, Mo Yan echoed, "Mingdu?"

With a slight, mocking curve of her lips, Ann Ziqing remarked, "It appears the Black Staff isn't as close to your father as one might think. Has he not informed you that the ruler of the last era, the Mingdu Ghost King, has already made his return?"

A pallor overtook Mo Yan's complexion as he responded with a grave tone, "I'll question him immediately!"

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