“After being ambushed by those ghostly creatures, even though I reacted quickly, I was only able to retrieve fewer than a thousand puppets in advance,” said a figure clad in a blood-red robe.
“My situation is even worse. Not only were several of my Ghost Kings severely injured by the puppet explosions, but the remaining Yin Soldiers were completely annihilated by Brother Liuzu’s wind-based divine abilities,” the white-haired beauty sighed lightly.
“Fellow Daoist Lan, why speak like this? Although our initial agreement was for you to refine only eight thousand ghost soldiers, the amount of refined Yin Qi you took from me far exceeded that number. You must have refined additional Yin Armor Ghosts, didn’t you? Given our current predicament, this is no time for selfishness,” Liuzu said coldly, his compound eyes flashing with an eerie light.
The white-haired beauty was momentarily stunned before an awkward expression crossed her face.
“I didn’t expect Brother Liuzu to know about this. Indeed, as a precaution, I refined an additional five hundred elite ghost soldiers. Though the number is small, each is far stronger than an ordinary Yin Armor Ghost.”
“Good. With the remaining puppets and these few hundred ghost soldiers, even if there are a few more dangerous areas ahead, we should have no trouble passing through. I know some of you may have other plans, but once we obtain the Netherworld River Divine Milk, we can each go our separate ways. Whatever you choose to do afterward is none of my concern. However, until we reach our destination, I advise against any distractions or schemes. Otherwise, don’t blame me for being ruthless.” Liuzu’s gaze swept over Mu Qing and the others, carrying an unmistakable threat.
The white-haired beauty’s expression flickered, Mu Qing remained impassive, and the two blood-robed figures exchanged a glance, their eyes flashing red. None of them responded, as if Liuzu’s words had never been spoken.
Unfazed by their reactions, Liuzu waved a hand and said, “Let’s go.” He then transformed into a streak of black light, flying in the original direction. Below, over a dozen high-level demonic creatures immediately followed, their escape lights trailing behind.
The two blood-robed figures shook their sleeves, releasing a dense swarm of black dots that, upon landing, burst into various colored lights, transforming into an array of puppets. These puppets, clearly preserved with great care, were not only intact but also exquisitely crafted.
Meanwhile, the white-haired beauty raised her hand, summoning a black leather pouch the size of a palm. With a spell, the pouch spun in midair, its opening flipping to release a gust of dark Yin wind. Amidst the swirling sand and stones, rows of black-armored ghost soldiers emerged. Their armor resembled that of the Yin Armor Ghosts, but it appeared sturdier and more refined, and the soldiers themselves were slightly taller and more menacing.
“Move out!” the beauty commanded. Surrounded by hundreds of ghost soldiers, she transformed into a rolling black mist, chasing after Liuzu. Yuan Yao and Yan Li had no choice but to leave Han Li’s side and follow reluctantly.
The puppet army also took to the skies, flying low under various spiritual lights. The Purple Blood Puppet led the formation, with the two blood-robed figures standing firmly on its shoulders.
Observing this, Mu Qing glanced indifferently at Han Li before stepping onto her golden lotus and shooting off as a streak of light.
“Fellow Daoist Han, let’s follow,” Jin Ling said with a faint smile, appearing determined to stick with him.
Han Li nodded subtly, enveloped in a cyan glow as he transformed into a green streak. The golden ape chuckled and followed as a golden light.
—
Several days later, deep within the Netherworld River region, before a stone cave in a gray-white mountain range, several ghostly creatures of varying forms stood silently. Some were shrouded in green smoke, others were faint white shadows, and a few were towering skeletal figures. Among them was the white-robed ghost woman who had once fought Han Li before fleeing. All bore injuries—missing limbs or severely weakened auras. Even the ghost woman, who had given Han Li considerable trouble, had lost an arm and part of her eerie white robe.
These ghosts appeared utterly battered. At their center stood a figure clad in blood-red armor with a masked face—a member of the Ephemera Clan’s Blood Armor Puppets. Though indistinguishable from ordinary puppets, the surrounding ghosts regarded it with a mix of reverence and fear.
The puppet stood motionless before the high-level ghosts, its faint green eyes fixed on the deep cave entrance.
After a long silence, a sigh echoed from the cave, followed by a hoarse voice: “As an envoy of the Ephemera Clan, you’ve sought me out again. Don’t you think you’ve come to the wrong person?”
Hearing this, the ghosts at the entrance tensed. The Blood Armor Puppet’s eyes flashed as it spoke respectfully: “Senior, I had no choice. The intruders who breached our realm are far stronger than anticipated—four or five of them rival our Golden Ephemera rank. All but my puppet avatars have been destroyed. Even if I’ve sent for reinforcements, the next opening of the sacred land won’t be for half a year. By then, they’ll have escaped. I implore you, for the sake of our past ties, to lend your aid!”
“Humph! My agreement with your clan was merely to linger in your sacred land, not to serve you. I’ve long since repaid my debt. You asked me to gather high-level ghosts to assist, and I reluctantly agreed. Now you demand I personally eliminate your enemies? Isn’t that pushing your luck?” The ancient voice’s displeasure shook the cavern.
“Senior Jiang, I’m unaware of your past arrangements, but dealing with these intruders would be trivial for you. If you’re unwilling to act, lending me the Five Dragon Guillotine would suffice,” the puppet replied.
“The Five Dragon Guillotine is one of my greatest treasures. Why should I lend it to you? When I entered the Netherworld, I paid your elders dearly,” the voice turned icy.
The puppet hesitated, then produced a small black vial from its armor. “Before departing, our elders gave me this vial of ‘Yin Water Essence.’ I offer it in exchange for your assistance.”
“Yin Water Essence!” The voice faltered in surprise.
“This substance takes over a hundred thousand years to form and is exceedingly rare in the Spirit Realm,” the puppet pressed confidently.
A black mist shot from the cave, snatching the vial and retreating. The puppet made no move to stop it.
“Indeed, it is Yin Water Essence. Your elders must have planned this,” the voice mused, now tinged with satisfaction.
“Then you agree?” the puppet asked eagerly.
“I agree, but my duty is to suppress the Yin Qi backlash in this space. The source here is unstable, so I cannot leave. Take the Five Dragon Guillotine instead,” the voice conceded after a pause.
“Thank you, Senior! With this treasure, I alone can match five Golden Ephemera and easily eliminate those intruders,” the puppet exclaimed joyfully.
“Then take it!”
A silver streak shot from the cave, halting before the puppet—a seemingly ordinary silver guillotine, its surface mirror-like but otherwise unremarkable.
“Senior… is this truly the Five Dragon Guillotine?” The puppet inspected it skeptically.
“Think I’d deceive you?” the voice sneered.
“Of course not, it’s just—” The puppet’s words cut off as the guillotine trembled and flew from its grasp. Hovering midair, it erupted in silver light, accompanied by five deafening dragon roars. Five colossal dragon phantoms—each a different color—materialized above it, their menacing forms awe-inspiring.
“The Five Dragon Guillotine was forged from the bones and souls of five mighty flood dragons I slew during my travels. Upon its creation, it ranked among the top treasures on the Chaos Spirit Ranking,” the voice declared proudly.
“My apologies for doubting you, Senior! Once I’ve dealt with the intruders, I’ll return this treasure immediately!” The puppet, now convinced, performed a spell, and the guillotine vanished into its sleeve as a silver streak.
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