C842 Dual Demons
"The White Bone King is on the brink of becoming a deity among ghosts!"
The news Cao Jiaze brought stirred a commotion among the cultivators assembled here.
"The victor is the White Bone King?!"
"Inconceivable, utterly inconceivable! Just a year ago, White Bone was merely the third-ranked Ghost King. How did he manage to outmatch Black Staff, Cold Abyss, and the returning Mingdu in such a short time to emerge as the sole contender for the Ghost King's throne?"
"Tianzang, the most ancient of Ghost Kings with formidable backing, is no match for White Bone?"
"Could it be that we've all underestimated White Bone?"
"..."
The buzz of animated discussions filled the air.
Those present, hailing from every corner of the Heavenly Source and Quietus Continents, were deeply invested in this development, understanding the far-reaching implications of a Ghost God's emergence from Horror Land.
It could potentially sway the balance of power in the vast Boundless Land for years to come.
The three great upper sects, led by the Profound Sky Sect, had meticulously laid their plans. They entrusted the highly capable Cao Jiaze with the Aura Altar and the Heaven Palace Seal, sending him into Horror Land to covertly broker a deal with the Mingdu Ghost King.
This underscored the immense value the upper sects placed on Horror Land.
With Cao Jiaze's undefeated track record, how could Mingdu possibly lose with his endorsement?
The crowd was abuzz, bombarding Cao Jiaze with questions.
Cao Jiaze, ever patient, addressed his master Han Qi and several elder cultivators, tirelessly sharing his observations and speculations.
Over at the Red Devil Sect.
Faang Yao's face was etched with astonishment as he stroked his chin, gazing into the murky sea of clouds. "I'm well-acquainted with White Bone, yet I never imagined he could overpower the vilest of ghosts and ascend as the prime contender among the gods and spirits."
His fellow Red Devil Sect disciples marveled at White Bone's extraordinary fortune.
It was rumored that the sect's rapport with White Bone was thanks to Faang Yao, who had once lent White Bone a hand. However, their bond was not of the deepest, unbreakable kind.
Faang Yao's understanding of White Bone, it turned out, was not as profound as one might assume.
Upon hearing the startling news that White Bone had emerged as the sole contender for the ghosts and gods in Horror Land, Faang Yao was incredulous. He reassured Yuan Lianyao, "Don't fret, little Yuan. With White Bone as the victor, Yu Yuan is safe. And you, steer clear of Horror Land. Return to the Red Devil Sect and make a concerted effort to reach the Soul Wandering Stage."
"I'll venture into Horror Land on your behalf," Hou Tianzhao offered with a hearty laugh. "White Bone has ties with Lord Faang, so he's likely to show us some courtesy. And Yu Yuan and I share a bond of life and death; he wouldn't dream of harming me."
"If you're set on going, then go," Faang Yao consented.
He continued to gently urge Yuan Lianyao to avoid rash actions and to focus on enhancing her strength, promising a future reunion with Yu Yuan.
Convinced, Yuan Lianyao acquiesced.
Elsewhere, atop a protruding stone platform on the mountainside of a secluded grey-brown range, lush trees thrived.
The Initial Spirit Ghost King, keeper of the Mindlock Diagram, sat opposite Ann Ziqing of the Blood God Cult.
At that moment, Ann Ziqing's Yin God had returned to her body, her purple divine armor gleaming in the sunlight with an intimidating brilliance.
"It's beyond belief," the Initial Spirit Ghost King remarked, having witnessed the events in Horror Land through the Mindlock Diagram. "Even my former master fell to Tian Zang, yet it's White Bone who ultimately triumphed."
Ann Ziqing, too, had observed White Bone's emergence from the radiant galaxy via the Mindlock Diagram.
As White Bone appeared, the Heavenly Secrets were obscured, rendering the Mindlock Diagram incapable of capturing further images.
This signified that White Bone's power now eclipsed all, rendering even peer Ghost Kings powerless to peer through his veil, despite their extraordinary Soul Artifacts.
Suddenly, a middle-aged man in a striking red robe materialized on the stone platform. His skin was so pale that his veins were starkly visible. With his handsome features, he wore a jade-adorned robe, a Blood Jade Universe Ring on his finger, and Blood Snake earrings dangling from his ears.
The man exuded an eerie aura, his eyebrows long and slender, his phoenix-shaped eyes flashing with a subtle blood-red light.
"Bai Gu, it was I who first alerted you," the man said, his voice as pleasant as a spring breeze. "And when Mingdu appeared, I was the one who prevented you from collaborating with him. Without my repeated warnings, you might have recklessly trusted Mingdu and struck at Bai Gu."
"Father," Ann Ziqing rolled her eyes, "so it was you who held back Initial Spirit all along."
"Old An, I'm grateful for your foresight. But could you explain why you've taken such a particular interest in White Bone?" The Initial Spirit Ghost King huffed, "You're right, I overlooked him when he first emerged as a ghost in Horror Land."
"Your warning made me take notice. After observing him in secret, I realized he was indeed extraordinary."
"Later, when we descended into the fissure together, I learned he was Youling. But what of it? A thousand years ago, Youling was no stronger than Mingdu's prince, with no clear advantage. I can't fathom why you consistently thwarted my attempts to confront White Bone."
Ann Wen was brimming with silent complaints.
He and Ann Wen were old friends, and he had always valued the Blood God Cult leader's counsel.
He was acutely aware of how fearsome Ann Wen could become when enraged.
Ann Wen had been a formidable figure when he first rose to prominence in the Blood God Cult centuries ago, a name that struck terror in the hearts of many. No one dared to cross him.
Having once lost control while practicing the cult's extreme secret techniques, Ann Wen had been stained with much bloodshed.
Yet, he had always managed to survive and ascend step by step to his current position as the cult's leader, at the pinnacle of the Unrestrained Stage, ready to break through to the Primordial Spirit Stage at any moment.
Chu Ling believed that Ann Wen had at least a seventy percent chance of success in reaching the Primordial Spirit Stage.
"Because I've always known he would be the ultimate victor," Ann Wen said with a casual smile. "If he can't make it, then Mingdu and Tianzang stand even less of a chance."
At these words, both Chu Ling and Ann Ziqing looked at him, their expressions a mix of surprise and puzzlement.
"In this life, the only person I, Ann Wen, acknowledge, how could he possibly lose?" Ann Wen said with a wide grin, radiating sheer joy. "Seven hundred years ago, we were notorious as the Evil Duo. He was a shade more malevolent than I, daring to kill Zhu Zhenqiang and even defy the Devil Palace. That's why he ran into trouble shortly after advancing to the Primordial Spirit Stage."
"Ah!"
Chu Ling and Ann Ziqing's faces turned pale, their voices rising in shock.
They didn't need Ann Wen to name the person he acknowledged; they already knew he was referring to Yu Xi, the Evil King of the Fiend Sect.
"Now that everything's settled, there's no point in secrecy," Ann Wen said, nodding in affirmation of their guess. "It won't be long before he proudly reveals to the world that he, Yu Xi, is the Evil King! Even Zhu Zhenqiang, knowing his true identity, is now powerless against him."
"The Evil King!" The Initial Spirit Ghost King was thoroughly impressed.
Ann Ziqing shot him a fierce look. "You old trickster, always scheming in silence, keeping me needlessly worried."
"What's there to worry about?" Ann Wen said with a light chuckle. "With Chu Ling watching over you in the open and an Evil King swiftly rising in the shadows, who could possibly manipulate you in Horror Land? Are you fretting over Yu Yuan? Since the day I realized that kid had potential, I've kept the Evil King updated on his progress."
"The Evil King never left Horror Land; he's been aware of Yu Yuan's exceptional lineage all along."
"Therefore, the moment Yu Yuan set foot in Horror Land and the Evil King learned of it, he would surely find a way to bring Yu Yuan over to his side, to fight alongside him."
"What's there for you to worry about?"
Ann Wen teased with a playful smile.
Ann Ziqing pouted, remaining silent, her frustration brewing internally.
"Speaking of which, what's your take on the man I chose for you?" Ann Wen asked with a suggestive raise of his eyebrows.
"Looking at you just irritates me!"
Ann Ziqing huffed, transforming into a purple streak as she soared towards the Blood God Cult.
The news that the White Bone King was on the verge of his ascension spread like wildfire.
The practitioners who had converged near Horror Land dispersed once the outcome became clear and the dust had settled.
Conversely, the specters that had previously fled, upon realizing the White Bone King had triumphed and the fate of Horror Land was sealed, began to return from all corners, flocking back to the site.
Meanwhile, a host of Earth Demons, Yin Gods, and even Devaputras stealthily made their way into Horror Land.
They awaited the emergence of the White Bone King, eager to draw near and pledge their allegiance to this unparalleled sovereign of the ghostly realm.
