Chapter 218: The Blood Array

Mount Huqiu, the headquarters of the Ghost King Sect.

On his journey, Guili felt as if his mind was blank, save for the mysterious and indistinct figure of a woman that lingered in his sight. Yet, he knew clearly, or so he thought, that it must be an illusion.

Or was it not?

In a daze, he found himself already back in his stone chamber, the door open, revealing the chaos inside—remnants of the inexplicable battle with the Ghost King.

Staring at the disarray, he remained silent for a long while before slowly entering. Amidst the broken furniture, he found a relatively intact chair and sat down, lost in thought.

Little Hui Gray scampered over, still seemingly in a melancholic mood. Without a word, the monkey climbed onto Guili’s shoulder, also falling into a trance.

Perhaps it was still worrying about Taotie!

The man and the monkey sat in silence for a long time, making no sound, the stone chamber abnormally oppressive. Finally, Guili stirred, reaching out to gently pull Little Hui Gray from his shoulder, bringing it to his face.

Little Hui Gray blinked its three eyes, gazing at Guili.

Guili whispered, “Little Hui Gray, what should I do?”

The monkey remained silent, only staring back.

Guili seemed unconcerned with a response, muttering to himself, “This path, how am I supposed to walk it…”

Unbeknownst to them, deep within Mount Huqiu, in the most hidden and sinister place, a colossal blood pool emitted a strong, eerie stench. This strange entity, concealed in the forgotten corners of the world, quietly began to sprout.

Naturally, the only two aware of this were the Ghost King and Mister Ghost.

In the immense blood pool, the enormous bodies of the spirit beasts were still imprisoned. Apart from Kui Niu and Yellow Bird, there were now two additional figures: the struggling but ultimately helpless Taotie, and a monstrous creature with a dragon-like head, its body even larger than Kui Niu’s, partially submerged in the blood, suggesting it was the legendary Chimera, Zhulong.

Kui Niu and Yellow Bird, having been trapped for a long time, were on the brink of death, their spirits waning. Zhulong, too, seemed listless, devoid of life, except for the recently captured Taotie, which still possessed ample energy, occasionally roaring in anger, creating ripples in the blood pool, clearly furious.

However, there seemed to be an exceptionally strange force in the blood pool, not only imprisoning the other three creatures but also preventing Taotie from escaping, despite its struggles. Additionally, above the blood pool, a new and bizarre phenomenon had emerged.

The ancient and mysterious artifact, the Fulong Tripod, hovered in the air, five zhang above the blood pool. From the four ancient feet of the tripod, beams of pale purple and red light shone down, illuminating the four beasts. From afar, one could clearly see that these beams of light were forcibly drawing the abundant spiritual energy from the beasts, channeling it into the tripod itself.

As the Fulong Tripod absorbed the nearly endless spiritual energy, its once rustic and obscure appearance began to change. The entire tripod was enveloped in a rising, auspicious aura, its original color gradually fading, replaced by a warm, jade-like translucence.

At a glance, one might mistake it for a sacred artifact from the heavens, utterly incongruous with the blood-drenched pool below.

Yet, beneath this heavenly appearance, there was still an anomaly: the enigmatic pattern inscribed on the tripod, the images of the four beasts flickering, the giant cauldron’s text slowly changing colors, while the grim visage at the top of the pattern, crimson as blood, seemed to greedily absorb the power, almost coming to life.

On a high platform away from the blood pool, the Ghost King and Mister Ghost stood side by side.

Mister Ghost, dressed in black, appeared as if shrouded in darkness, his form barely discernible even when facing him.

He spoke in a low voice, “Indeed, the inscription on the Fulong Tripod is true. With the Four Spirits gathered, the primordial chaos will split. Now, the ‘Four Spirits Blood Array’ is complete. We need only wait for forty-nine days until the Fulong Tripod absorbs all the spiritual energy, and the chaotic power will be sufficient to reshape the heavens and earth, reopening the ‘Asura Gate.’ Then, you, the Sect Leader, will wield unparalleled divine power, with no rivals.”

The Ghost King’s face flushed, his eyes glowing with a strange light, fixated on the Fulong Tripod. He could hardly contain his excitement, and suddenly, he threw back his head and laughed wildly.

His laughter was loud and audacious, filled with arrogance and defiance, as if he had already conquered the world. However, his wild laughter abruptly ceased, and he frowned, clutching his chest, his face turning pale.

But soon, a golden glow flashed across his face, and he quickly returned to normal.

Mister Ghost, watching his every move, was slightly surprised. “Who did you battle with? Who could have such profound cultivation?”

The Ghost King took a deep breath, his expression returning to normal. After a moment, he opened his eyes, a cold gleam flashing through. “The ‘Great Vajra Prajna’ and ‘Taiji Xuanqing Dao’… indeed, they are rare and extraordinary techniques. Though not as sharp as our Demon Sect’s arts, their sustained power is truly formidable.”

Mister Ghost furrowed his brow, a glint in his eye. “Was it him? Why did you engage him in combat…?”

Pausing, he continued, “Could it be because of Taotie?”

The Ghost King snorted, avoiding the question. “This boy’s progress is astonishingly fast. In the future, he may become a dangerous threat.”

Mister Ghost gave the Ghost King a deep look, then shifted his gaze, speaking slowly, “Our current priority is the Four Spirits Blood Array. All else can be avoided.”

The Ghost King nodded slightly. “You are right. I know the stakes. You can rest assured.”

Mister Ghost pondered for a moment. “However, with Guili’s unfathomable cultivation and the increasing absorption of spiritual energy by the Four Spirits Blood Array, the bloody anomalies will be hard to conceal. His presence here adds uncertainty. To avoid any mishap, you should find an excuse to send him away.”

The Ghost King fell silent for a moment. “You are right.” He then turned, his hands clasped behind his back, and slowly left the blood pool.

As the Ghost King’s figure faded, Mister Ghost turned and looked down at the platform.

Taotie, which had been struggling moments ago, now lay motionless in the blood pool, gasping for breath, seemingly overwhelmed by the dual force of the blood pool and the Fulong Tripod’s light.

Mister Ghost, under his black veil, let out a cold, emotionless laugh.

“Ha… the Asura Gate, indeed…”

Footsteps echoed outside the stone door, quick and urgent. Clearly, someone was running, hurriedly.

Soon, a figure appeared outside Guili’s chamber, kneeling and shouting, “Deputy Sect Leader, the Ghost King requests your presence.”

The voice was loud, reverberating in the stone chamber, but there was no response.

The messenger hesitated, not daring to look up. Guili, known for his ruthlessness, was rarely approached by ordinary sect members, let alone treated rudely.

The messenger, emboldened, called out again, but still received no response. Looking up, he saw a chaotic scene, but no sign of Guili or the monkey.

Sighing, he shook his head and ran off.

Meanwhile, Guili was walking through the long, dimly lit passage of the Ghost King Sect, Little Hui Gray perched quietly on his shoulder. Though he couldn’t see the end, he knew the passage led to the Ghost King’s residence.

“No matter what, I can’t just sit idle, right, Little Hui Gray?”

He muttered to himself, the monkey lost in thought, oblivious to his words.

Guili smiled faintly, the smile quickly fading. “Time and again, hope appears, only to vanish at the last moment. But as long as Biyao lies there, I can’t give up. I know what you’re worried about, don’t worry. Once I find a way to heal Biyao, I’ll get your friend back.”

Little Hui Gray’s ears perked up, and it chattered. Guili smiled, but the smile soon disappeared.

He stood at the entrance to the Ghost King’s chamber.

Behind the heavy stone door, a familiar voice echoed. The Ghost King, seated on a chair, thoughts of his daughter fleeting through his mind, was caught in a complex whirlwind of emotions.

The door creaked open, revealing Guili.

“You came,” the Ghost King said flatly.

“Yes,” Guili replied, his voice equally flat.

Both men fell silent, as if nothing had happened between them.

After a moment, Guili said, “There’s something I need to tell you.”

“Go ahead.”

Guili stated, “You’ve returned here with the sect, and I’ve brought Taotie. If there’s nothing else, I’d like to go out again to find a way to save Biyao.”

The Ghost King’s brow furrowed, and he glanced at Guili. Suddenly, footsteps echoed outside, and a messenger rushed in, pausing when he saw the conversation.

The Ghost King waved dismissively, and the messenger bowed and retreated. The Ghost King’s gaze returned to Guili, who stood calmly, the only one in the sect who seemed fearless before him.

Is this the man my daughter loves?

“Go,” the Ghost King’s voice carried a hint of weariness.

Guili nodded silently, and the recent battle, though unacknowledged, had further distanced them.

Turning to leave, he paused at the threshold, feeling a strange, eerie presence, as if submerged in a abyss of blood, struggling to breathe, the stench overwhelming and deafening.

His face changed!

But the presence vanished, and the chamber returned to normal.

The Ghost King’s voice broke the silence, “What is it?”

Guili, back still turned, stood for a moment, then replied, “Nothing.”

He walked away, the stone door closing behind him. Just as it shut, he spun around, his eyes gleaming, staring deeply at the closed door, his gaze intense and confused.

Inside the chamber, the Ghost King, expressionless, watched the door, lost in thought, but finally shook his head and walked to another part of the chamber, pressing a spot on the wall. A secret passage opened, the stench of blood emanating from within.

The Ghost King, expressionless, entered, the wall sealing behind him.

In a remote part of the Central Plains, far from the Southern Region but closer to Qingyun Mountain, an uninhabited mountain range lay, with a river flowing through it.

According to geographical records, this unnamed mountain range was part of the vast Qingyun Mountains, and the river, a tributary of the one near River Yang. Yet, far from the spiritual essence of Qingyun, this place was home to only wild beasts, with no trace of celestial energy.

Today, however, the silence was shattered.

Two figures streaked across the sky, one black, the other shining, both moving with lightning speed. The black figure dodged and weaved, but the shining figure, with its own formidable abilities, relentlessly pursued, gradually closing in.

Suddenly, the black figure, realizing it couldn’t escape, halted mid-flight, and turned, its hand pointing five times.

Five dark flames appeared, with grotesque skulls, rushing towards the pursuer.

The shining figure stopped, focused, and revealed a crystal, double-tipped weapon, the Nine Cold Ice Needle, once feared even by the Nine-Tailed Fox.

The flames, upon contact, dissipated, and the black and gray mists gradually faded.

“Nine Cold Ice Needle… truly a formidable treasure,” the black figure, the Witches’ Cultivator, remarked, neither angry nor impressed.

Opposite him stood Elder Shangguan Ce, the second-in-command of the Southern Region’s Burning Incense Valley, wielding the Nine Cold Ice Needle.

Shangguan Ce chuckled, “To receive your praise, Witches’ Cultivator, is indeed rare.”

The Witches’ Cultivator, who had escaped the Ancient Demon Cave in the Southern Region, was now in a chase with Shangguan Ce.

“Why, old friend, must you hound me?” the Witches’ Cultivator asked, his tone soft.

Shangguan Ce replied, “My goal is simple. Our Valley Master wishes to speak with you. Please come to the Burning Incense Valley.”

The Witches’ Cultivator shook his head, “Your Valley Master is too cunning. I, though immortal, cannot match him. And you seek our witch secrets, do you not?”

Shangguan Ce huffed, “Yes, but we mean no harm. We are better than the beast demons.”

The Witches’ Cultivator sighed, “I know not the secret of the Heavenly Fire. Old friend, for our long friendship, let me be.”

Shangguan Ce shook his head, “I have no choice.”

Raising the Nine Cold Ice Needle, he advanced, but the Witches’ Cultivator remained still, seemingly resigned.

“Old friend, the world is vast and unpredictable. I wish to see the land again, just one last request. Will you not grant me this?”

Shangguan Ce, unmoved, advanced, but suddenly, he noticed the Witches’ Cultivator’s shadowless, wavering form.

Shangguan Ce lunged, but the Witches’ Cultivator, using an illusion, transformed into black smoke, escaping.

Fuming, Shangguan Ce leaped into the air, chasing the fleeing shadow northward.