“Rest assured, I have already made all preparations. Tens of millions of ghost soldiers have infiltrated the predetermined positions. It’s a pity that the opposing side is also situated in a primary interface that cannot be transformed; otherwise, we could have counter-invaded their realm directly through their entry point into this world.
Now, resolving things through a battle of the strong is just as well. After all, apart from this minor world, there is no significant conflict of interest between them and us.” The last figure, short in stature, replied in a voice as sharp and high-pitched as an infant’s.
“Through our soul-searching of captured beings, we’ve learned that the opposing side seems to reside in a completely isolated cluster of minor interfaces, long severed from the Immortal Realm. If not for a coincidental tremor that linked this minor world to two primary interfaces, we would never have come into contact with them. Consequently, their cultivation system has likely remained largely unchanged since ancient times, preserving some rare techniques and secret arts that are seldom seen in other interface clusters today. This is also one of the reasons why Lord Mingxiong dispatched all five of us at once. On one hand, he hopes we can overpower them and claim this minor world for ourselves. On the other, he expects us to gain some insights from this battle, given that these opponents differ from our past enemies. Haven’t you noticed? Among the ten of us, we five have been stuck at bottlenecks for years, unable to advance further in strength.” The shadow with the gloomy voice spoke unhurriedly.
“Now that you mention it, it really is the case. Lord Mingxiong is truly thoughtful. Hehe, an ancient cultivation system—that’s indeed rare. I hope they won’t disappoint me.” The tall shadow’s eyes gleamed with interest upon hearing this.
“Very well. Since no one has further questions, we’ll conclude here for today. Everyone, go back and rest well. Tomorrow, we’ll begin sending envoys to make contact with the opposing side and start setting up the agreed-upon restrictions at the duel sites.” The shadow with the gloomy voice made the final decision.
The other shadows nodded in agreement.
Thus, early the next morning, atop the five mountains along the boundary, armored warriors and sinister ghostly creatures shrouded in black mist appeared, each occupying a peak and busying themselves with preparations.
After a full half-day, the formation masters from both sides completed their setups and, with remarkable coordination, immediately swapped positions to inspect each other’s work.
Several hours later, the formation masters withdrew from the peaks, leaving only a few guards stationed there, remaining vigilant.
Another day later, when Han Li emerged from his quarters and entered the temporary fortress’s main hall, he finally met the renowned top-tier powerhouse of the Blood Sky Continent—”Blood Fiend.” The man appeared unremarkable, a middle-aged figure clad in a gray robe, his hair tied with a crystalline blood-red band, a short beard adorning his chin.
Yet, as Han Li’s gaze swept over him, he could clearly sense the terrifying aura of bloodlust concealed within the man’s body, sending a chill down his spine.
Before Han Li could exchange words with this newly arrived powerhouse, Bi Ying summoned him, and together they exited the hall, flying straight into a floating “island” high in the sky.
Moments later, the massive artifact carried them forward.
Soon, the island halted in the air, merely ten miles away from the five mountains.
Han Li and the other four figures then flickered into view atop the island, silently observing the opposite side.
From the black mist on the other side of the boundary, a thunderous roar erupted as a colossal mountain of bones soared out, flashing several times before coming to a stop near the peaks.
With a *whoosh*, a surge of black mist rose from the summit of the bone mountain, within which indistinct figures of varying heights flickered.
Bi Ying’s pupils contracted as he glanced at the sky, then stood in place with a darkened expression, saying nothing.
Han Li and the others also scrutinized the black mist across the way, yet none revealed the slightest hint of surprise.
After waiting for the time it takes to finish a meal, the white sun hanging in the sky suddenly dimmed by a third.
At that moment, the armored warriors and ghostly creatures stationed near the peaks dispersed as agreed, swiftly retreating to their respective sides.
Seeing this, Bi Ying finally stirred, clasping his fists toward the others and declaring:
“Fellow Daoists, the time has come. Regardless of victory or defeat, the rewards I promised will not be reduced by even a fraction.”
“With Brother Bi’s word, that’s enough.” Blood Fiend smiled faintly, then transformed into a streak of crimson light, shooting toward one of the mountains.
“The item I desire—have you prepared it?”
“Rest assured, Brother Lei. It has long been found, awaiting your claim.”
Upon hearing Bi Ying’s personal assurance, the silver-armored man surnamed Lei burst into laughter. With a thunderous rumble beneath his feet, a cloud of lightning materialized out of thin air, lifting him as he drifted forward.
Wen Xinfeng, with a charming smile, tossed the small beast in her hand. It rolled midair, transforming into a massive silver marten with fleshy wings.
With a slight flap of its wings, the beast shot forth as a streak of silver light, circling once before carrying Wen Xinfeng on its back and darting into the distance.
Han Li, with a faint smile, gave Bi Ying a slight bow before striding forward.
In a blur, he vanished from his original spot, only to reappear a hundred zhang away. A few more steps brought him directly above the second mountain on the left.
Seeing that the others had all set off, deliberately or otherwise leaving the central peak to him, Bi Ying let out a self-deprecating chuckle. His sleeves billowed as he lunged forward, soaring toward the peak like a giant bird.
Almost simultaneously, from the black mist on the opposing island, a thunderous boom split the mist into five rolling masses, each surging toward a mountain.
As Han Li’s feet touched the summit of his peak, a mass of black mist descended with a howl.
*Boom!*
The entire mountain trembled slightly as an exceptionally tall shadow emerged from the swirling black mist within a massive crater.
Han Li narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing the figure before him, his heart stirring slightly.
The towering shadow seemed draped in a veil of darkness, its true form obscured save for a vague outline. Only the pair of enormous curved horns atop its head and limbs far longer than a human’s were discernible. Its crimson eyes brimmed with boundless savagery, evoking the terror of facing a primordial beast.
“Boy, you’ve chosen well in picking me, the Fierce Ghost King, as your opponent. Soon, this king will grant you a painless death.” The towering shadow glared at Han Li, its hands clenching as it let out a sinister laugh.
“Fierce Ghost King? How amusing. If your strength matches your arrogance, I look forward to seeing you try.” Han Li yawned, utterly unfazed.
At that moment, the surroundings of the mountain buzzed as over a hundred beams of light erupted from the ground in two concentric circles. After a blurry shimmer, they coalesced into two immense five-colored barriers, sealing the entire peak beneath them.
Han Li’s gaze swept the area, finding that his spiritual sense rebounded upon contact with the barriers, severing all connection to the outside world. The happenings on adjacent peaks were now completely obscured.
It seemed these restrictions were designed to ensure both sides focused solely on their own battles, preventing interference from other skirmishes.
As Han Li pondered this, the towering shadow across from him glanced at the barriers overhead and let out a low growl.
A monstrous aura erupted from its body, materializing into a black hurricane that surged skyward.
When the hurricane split apart and dissipated, the shadow’s true form was finally revealed.
It was a massive ghostly creature—ten feet tall, with the head of an ox and the body of a man. Its ashen skin was clad in spiked black armor, and it wielded a blood-red spiked club of unknown material. A gleaming brass ring adorned its nose as it glared at Han Li with murderous intent.
“Fascinating. A possession-refined fiend’s body, tempered post-capture. It seems you, Fierce Ghost King, have great confidence in this fleshly vessel.” Han Li chuckled lightly upon seeing its form.
“Whether I do or not, you’ll find out soon enough.” The Fierce Ghost King roared with laughter, swinging its blood-red weapon in a blur, smashing the air toward Han Li several times in rapid succession.
*Boom!*
Deafening explosions erupted above Han Li as several phantom images of the spiked club, each the size of a pavilion, materialized and crashed downward.
Before they even landed, the sheer force they carried swept down like a gale.
Han Li didn’t even glance upward. His arm blurred as a golden fist shot from his sleeve, casually flicking upward. A golden fist-shadow soared into the sky, colliding violently with the descending force.
*Kaboom!*
A shockwave of white air and golden light intertwined, and both the phantom clubs and the golden fist-shadow shattered simultaneously.
“Oh? Your physical strength isn’t bad either.” The Fierce Ghost King’s pupils contracted slightly, the trace of disdain in its eyes fading.
Though it had barely exerted a fraction of its true power, Han Li’s effortless response suggested he, too, had held back.
This minor surprise gave the notoriously brutal Fierce Ghost King pause.
But Han Li wasted no time. With a mere grasp at the air, a flash of cyan light materialized a shimmering green sword in his hand. A flick of his wrist sent countless green threads bursting forth from his stance, filling the sky as they shot toward his opponent.
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