“Step aside!” The Lich, after a long, silent pause, spoke slowly.
The malevolent spirit glared at him coldly and said, “In front of the Empress’s statue, do you still have no remorse?”
The Lich’s black cloak moved slightly, as if he was greatly agitated beneath it. Yet, he never turned to look at the stone statue of the woman behind him.
“I am not wrong, it is the Empress who is wrong!” he said in a hoarse voice.
“Roar!”
The malevolent spirit erupted in a furious howl, the sound like a thunderbolt falling from the heavens, shaking the earth around them. “Beast! You shameless wretch, how dare you speak such words!”
From afar, Jin Ping’er furrowed her brows and instinctively covered her ears. Despite the distance, she could hear the spirit’s sudden roar, which seemed to be a thunderclap in her ears, causing a ringing sensation.
The Lich, with his face shrouded in black, his expression unreadable, but his voice grew increasingly desolate and anguished, “I am not wrong, I am not wrong…”
He muttered to himself, whether to the malevolent spirit, to himself, or to the stone statue behind him, it was unclear.
“Blackwood, quickly kneel before the Empress’s statue and repent, abandon your foolish desires, and we can still be brothers. Otherwise, from now on, do not blame me for being ruthless.”
The Lich’s body trembled, and he looked up, saying, “Do you still recognize me as your brother?”
“Yes!” the malevolent spirit roared. “As long as you abandon your delusions, repent before the Empress’s statue, and join me in guarding the Empress and this ancient cave, Blackwood, you will always be my brother!”
The Lich’s black cloak fluttered in the wind, hinting at the turmoil within him. However, after a moment, his body gradually calmed, and he fell silent. The malevolent spirit, his face filled with eager anticipation, now transformed into deep anger.
“Do you still not turn back?” the malevolent spirit bellowed.
The Lich’s voice, now completely calm, said, “I have no way back.”
“Roar!” The malevolent spirit let out a furious shout, and a massive sword slashed through the air, cutting past the Lich, causing sand and dust to fly and the earth to tremble.
Jin Ping’er’s face changed, realizing the power of the malevolent spirit was beyond her imagination.
Yet, the Lich showed no fear. He stared coldly at the malevolent spirit and said, “Brother…”
“Silence, I am not your brother!” the malevolent spirit growled.
The Lich responded calmly, “Even if you do not acknowledge me, I will always consider you my brother. But the Empress was indeed wrong, and now, I must complete what she left undone.”
The malevolent spirit, growing more furious, shouted, “Have you gone mad?”
The Lich took a deep breath and said, “Even if I am mad, I must do this.”
With that, he floated towards the ancient demon-restraining cave. The malevolent spirit, clearly enraged, roared and swung his massive sword at the Lich. This strike was even more powerful than the last, causing the stone walls of the cave to tremble, as if they were about to collapse.
Jin Ping’er, watching from afar, couldn’t help but worry for the Lich. However, he had already entered the cave, and his figure was obscured by the stone walls, making it impossible for her to see their battle.
Inside the cave, after the flying sand and rocks settled, the malevolent spirit continued to rage, but the Lich was nowhere to be seen.
From the depths of the dark cave, the Lich’s voice echoed, “Brother, you were a hero in life and death, but now, we are the same. Why do this…?”
The malevolent spirit roared, his howl filled with sorrow, as if his heart and lungs were burning with a fierce fire.
The ancient demon-restraining cave fell silent, and the Lich had clearly gone far.
The malevolent spirit, after a moment, slowly turned to the stone statue of the Empress, his massive white form twisting, with white vapor swirling around the statue.
“Empress…”
A low, choked sob, filled with the sorrow and weariness of another world, carried a faint sense of helplessness, echoing quietly. His figure gradually dissipated, disappearing into the dark, cold winds.
The entrance of the ancient demon-restraining cave returned to its eerie calm, as if nothing had happened. Only the stone statue of the woman remained, standing silently, while the constant cold wind continued to howl from the depths of the cave.
The sound, more mournful than ever, seemed to call out.
In the Southern part of the Central Plains, Mount Fox Qi.
Beneath the desolate mountains, the headquarters of the Ghost King Sect was hidden, with countless disciples bustling in and out.
Deep within this place, in the vast natural cave, the Ghost King stood emotionlessly on a platform, gazing at the two ancient beasts in the blood pool below.
The Kui Ox lay motionless in the blood, its eyes dull. The once-struggling Yellow Bird, now subdued by some mysterious force, lay quietly in the blood, unmoving.
The suspended Vassal Dragon Cauldron shimmered with red light, slowly rotating, casting red curtains of light that enveloped the Kui Ox and the Yellow Bird.
The strong stench of blood filled the cave.
A shadow flickered, and the enigmatic Mr. Ghost appeared, floating to the Ghost King’s side.
The Ghost King looked at him and asked, “How is it?”
Mr. Ghost, dressed similarly to the mysterious lich in Nanjiang, wore black robes and a black veil, but his voice was even more aged.
His veil moved slightly, and he nodded, saying, “It is almost done. The Kui Ox has been tamed, and the Yellow Bird will be bound within three days. The Four Beasts Blood Array is now half-complete.”
The Ghost King did not speak, only nodding slowly.
Mr. Ghost added, “Regardless of the righteous path, even half the power of the Four Beasts Blood Array is enough to wipe out the Venomous Sect and the Joyful Union Sect.”
The Ghost King glanced at him and said, “My target is the Heaven-Slaying Sword Array of the Azure Ethereal Conclave.”
Mr. Ghost fell silent.
The Ghost King turned and walked away, saying, “I will expedite the search for the other two spiritual beasts. I leave this matter in your hands.”
Mr. Ghost watched as the figure receded, his eyes flashing with an unknown light, deep in thought.
After a while, he turned, pondered silently, and sighed, then flew back down to the blood pool.
The bloody smell in the ancient cave suddenly intensified.
The Ghost King emerged from the blood-filled cave, walking with his hands behind his back, passing through a long corridor, and arrived at a crossroads. After a brief hesitation, a look of sorrow flashed across his face, and he turned right.
Along the way, he encountered many Ghost King Sect disciples, all of whom bowed respectfully. The Ghost King, however, ignored them and continued walking until he reached the end of the path, where the ice-cold stone chamber was located.
Standing at the door, his usually calm demeanor suddenly seemed much older. With a low sigh, he pushed open the stone door and entered.
A cold wave hit him, and he closed the door. The ice-cold stone chamber was small, with simple furnishings. In the center, Bi Yao lay on a cold stone slab, her face pale and devoid of any color, her hands clasped over her chest, holding the golden Bell of Bliss.
A woman sat quietly beside her, gazing at her.
The Ghost King approached, his eyes fixating on his beloved daughter’s face. His eyes twitched, and his hands, resting behind his back, clenched tightly.
Ten years, exactly ten years.
For ten years, he had hardly a day without grieving for his daughter, to the point that he deliberately reduced his visits to avoid being overwhelmed by his grief.
His only, beloved daughter…
His voice, now low and hoarse, said, “Youxia, leave me alone with Yaorao for a while.”
Youxia slowly stood up, turned, bowed slightly to the Ghost King, and left.
The Ghost King’s gaze followed her, saying nothing.
A soft thud, and the stone door opened and closed. The ice-cold stone chamber was now left with just father and daughter.
The Ghost King sat down beside Bi Yao.
“Yaorao, it has been a long time since I visited. Are you angry with me…?” His low voice echoed in the chamber, filled with profound sorrow.
Bi Yao lay there, as serene and calm as ever.
The Ghost King gazed at her beautiful face, lost in thought. “You look so much like your mother, even in temperament. Do you know, Yaorao…”
“Your mother passed away without me seeing her last, but I know she entrusted you to me. For so many years, I have feared failing you, ashamed to face your mother in the afterlife. But… but…”
The man who was feared and hated by countless people now had a trembling voice, repeating the words he had said countless times in the last ten years, “Why, why were you so foolish…”
Bi Yao remained silent, her pale face showing no pain or sorrow, instead, a faint smile lingering.
“Yaorao…” The Ghost King whispered, saying no more. He sat quietly, accompanying his only beloved daughter.
Until, suddenly, a knocking sound came from the stone door of the ice-cold chamber.
The Ghost King frowned, a flash of killing intent in his eyes. In the last ten years, no one but Ghost Li dared to disturb him when he was with his daughter. Ghost Li, in his eyes, had always been for Bi Yao, and the Ghost King had never said anything to him.
But Ghost Li was not here, and someone dared to violate the Ghost King’s taboo, a rare occurrence. The Ghost King hummed, stood up, and gently wiped away the tears from his eyes. Taking a deep breath, he turned, once again becoming the dreaded Ghost King.
He walked to the door, opened it, and stepped out.
Outside, only one person stood—Qing Long.
The Ghost King frowned. Qing Long, the former leader of the Four Holy Envoys, was his trusted and capable aide. He had always been cautious and would never dare to disturb him and Bi Yao.
It seemed something major had occurred.
The Ghost King looked at Qing Long, who said in a low voice, “We have received news from the Southern Frontier.”
The Ghost King frowned, “What is it?”
Qing Long looked at the Ghost King and said, “It seems that Ghost Li has found someone who knows the soul-restoring arts and is bringing him back.”
This was no small matter. Even the composed Ghost King showed a hint of joy, stepping forward, “Is this true?”
Qing Long nodded, thinking, the bond between father and daughter truly cannot be severed.
The Ghost King looked up, took a deep breath, and calmed his excited heart, though his hands still trembled slightly. “Who is this person, and how did Ghost Li find him?”
Qing Long replied, “He is the Great Witch of the Miao tribe in the Southern Frontier. How Ghost Li learned of his soul-restoring arts is unknown.”
The Ghost King nodded, “That doesn’t matter, as long as he can save Yaorao. If he can save Yaorao…”
“How many days have they traveled, and when will they arrive?” the Ghost King pressed.
Qing Long answered, “Ghost Li revealed this information to our spies in the South. It seems the Great Witch is severely injured and cannot fly, so they must travel on foot.”
The Ghost King was taken aback, “Severely injured, what happened?”
Qing Long explained, “He was injured in an internal conflict among the Five Tribes of the Southern Frontier. Also,” he hesitated, “it seems Ghost Li is also injured, and by the righteous faction.”
The Ghost King’s gaze sharpened, “What exactly happened?”
Qing Long shook his head, “Details are unclear. The Southern Frontier is under the control of the Fragrant Valley, and our people have difficulty infiltrating. We may need to wait for Ghost Li to return for more information. However, the Southern region is under the responsibility of Bai Hu, who conveyed this message. He mentioned…”
The Ghost King, coldly, “What did Bai Hu say?”
Qing Long, pausing, “Bai Hu mentioned that, along with Ghost Li, there is also a, a seductive fox woman.”
The Ghost King’s expression changed.
Qing Long, looking at the Ghost King, continued, “Additionally, Bai Hu noted that the monkey with Ghost Li seems different.”
The Ghost King’s eyes flashed, and after a moment, he said slowly, “The Three-Eyed Divine Ape, has it opened its divine eye?”
Qing Long remained silent.
Outside the ice-cold chamber, a sudden silence fell. The Ghost King slowly turned, his gaze fixed on the stone door. His eyes seemed to penetrate the thick stone, seeing the serene woman inside.
“Yaorao, are you watching over your father…?”
The Ghost King murmured this in his heart.
In the Ten Thousand Mountains, the ancient demon-restraining cave.
Jin Ping’er moved silently, approaching the mysterious and eerie cave entrance.
The Lich had entered a long time ago, and the malevolent spirit had vanished. The entire cave entrance was cold and silent, with only the howling wind from the cave continuing endlessly.
Gradually, Jin Ping’er approached the stone statue of the woman. She cautiously got closer, and the surroundings remained calm. When she reached within three feet of the statue, there was only the sound of the wind, no other movement.
Jin Ping’er suddenly felt as if she could hear her own heartbeat.
She steadied herself and looked around, especially at the dark, bottomless entrance of the ancient demon-restraining cave, which seemed to hide a terrifying monster, its mouth wide open, roaring ceaselessly.
Jin Ping’er’s delicate brows furrowed, sensing a powerful, sinister energy within the darkness, causing her blood to churn uncomfortably. However, her curiosity far outweighed her unease. The stone statue of the woman was a mystery, and she was determined to examine it closely.
Her gaze fell upon the statue.
What a beautiful woman she must have been! Jin Ping’er thought softly.
Her delicate eyebrows, finely arched above her eyes, her oval face with slightly hard lines. Her lips were closed, her eyes resolute, as if after countless trials, she had finally made a decision. Yet, her face and expression were unusually gentle, with a touch of sadness and sorrow.
Can millennia of wind and frost erase the beauty of a face?
Who was she, and for whom did she stand alone through the ages?
Jin Ping’er gazed silently, reaching out to touch the stone statue, unaware that behind her, the moment her hand touched the statue, white vapor began to rise, gradually forming a human shape, revealing the malevolent spirit.
Under her hand, the rough stone, marked by countless years of cold wind and rain, revealed its scars, each one a story, transmitted from the statue to her hand, and then to her heart.
Who was this woman, really?
Jin Ping’er was entranced by the stone statue, unable to pull away.
Behind her, the malevolent spirit, now fully formed, glared angrily, raising his massive sword high, and with a mighty shout, he brought it crashing down!
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage