Ghost King's Palace
A mountain range stretching for dozens of miles appeared as if it had been cleaved several times by a divine weapon, leaving numerous gashes. A series of mournful cries, like the wails of ghosts and wolves, echoed endlessly. A thick, eerie mist shrouded the entire mountain range, while specks of ghostly phosphorescent fire drifted about, and a chilling wind continuously surged forth from the gaping openings. This was the 'Yin Feng Valley' where the Ghost General Meng Yan resided.
Before they even got close, the eerie, ghostly aura emanating from the valley made them feel suffocated. The chilling wind was like a bone-scraping knife; though it didn't harm them, it felt as if it could cut into their skin and penetrate to their very bones. The surrounding temperature seemed to plummet to freezing, sending shivers down their spines. Their minds were also adrift, as if they could be blown away at any moment. Yue Qianchou, whose cultivation was the lowest, frowned deeply. This 'Yin Feng Valley' was already so powerful before they even got close; getting closer would surely cost him his life.
Ao Li remained calm and composed, firstly because of his high cultivation level, and secondly because he was extremely familiar with this place. He glanced at the group and smiled at Yue Qianchou, saying, "If an ordinary person came here, the yin wind would blow their soul out of their body, turning them into a walking corpse. However, it shouldn't be a big problem for you. As long as you keep your mind steady, the other unusual sensations are just illusions caused by the dense Yin Qi corroding your body, so you don't need to pay attention to them. However, this yin wind does have some destructive power, so you need to use your internal energy to resist it."
Upon hearing this, Yue Qianchou breathed a sigh of relief. It turned out that the most frightening thing, the wavering of his mind, was just an illusion. He immediately calmed himself down. Of course, he wasn't the only one who heard these words. Wu Sihai and the others, who had been looking horrified, immediately regained their composure.
The group traveled against the eerie wind. Ao Li laughed as he flew, "It is said that the Yin Feng Valley here is the place with the most concentrated Yin Qi in the entire Demon Ghost Domain. Back then, all the Ghost Kings fought for this place. Brother Meng led his army to overpower the others and thus gained possession of this treasure land."
"Isn't it said that the Nine Nether Cave is the place with the strongest Yin Qi?" Yue Qianchou asked.
Ao Li shook his head and laughed, "Levels one to eight Nether Cave are nothing special in the Demon Ghost Domain. The key is that Level Nine Nether Cave are rare. Why do you think Brother Meng fought for this place back then? It was precisely because there is a rare Level Nine Nether Cave under this 'Yin Feng Valley'. Otherwise, this 'Yin Feng Valley' would not have attracted so many heroes to fight for it back then."
"Is there Nine Nether Cave here?" Yue Qianchou's heart leaped with joy, his eyes shining as he looked into the valley. Wu Sihai and the others exchanged bewildered glances upon hearing that the legendary Nine Nether Cave existed here. Even if they had come here empty-handed, knowing about such a place would at least allow them to leave a record in their clan annals upon returning home.
The six people flew to the front of the valley and landed. Outside the canyon, which was shrouded in mist and the road ahead could not be seen, Ao Li shouted into the valley, "Big brother, big sister-in-law, look who I brought for you."
The sound echoed through the valley, and soon Meng Yan's voice came from the depths of the valley. "Oh! Have distinguished guests arrived? Welcome them!"
The shout of "Welcome guests!" was clearly an order. After it was spoken, the thick, dark fog at the valley entrance churned and rolled. A muffled sound followed, and then the fog parted, revealing a path into the valley. A group of people rushed out, banners waving on either side. A general rode forward, clasped his hands in a salute to Ao Li, and said, "Greetings, King Ao!"
The general glanced at the so-called distinguished guest, and when he saw Yue Qianchou, he paused and said, "Mr. Yue, is that you?"
This general was none other than the bearded Sai Zhang Fei from last time. Yue Qianchou smiled and cupped his hands, saying, "Thank you again for your kind farewell last time, General."
"It's good that we're all acquaintances! Stop with the chit-chat, let's go inside and talk." Ao Li clapped his hands and laughed. Wu Sihai and the others exchanged glances, once again impressed by Yue Qianchou's wide circle of friends. This guy had connections with people, demons, and ghosts alike, which was a bit unbelievable to them.
"What Prince Ao says is true." Sai Zhang Fei spurred his horse to make way, waved his hand and said, "Prince Ao, please. Mr. Yue, please." He then glanced at Wu Sihai and the others and said, "Please, everyone."
"Big brother, prepare the fine wine for me." Ao Li laughed loudly as he walked into the valley, Yue Qianchou followed with a grin.
The four old men, however, seemed somewhat reserved. They had never imagined venturing so deep into the Demon Ghost Domain, much less being greeted as honored guests by the legendary Ghost General. This experience alone was enough to earn them a place in the entire Cultivation World, a record to be envied and admired by their descendants. Thinking of this, the four men grew somewhat excited and finally relaxed, following closely behind Yue Qianchou.
The terrain descends steadily through the valley, with fluorescent stones illuminating the sides and ground. After descending about a hundred meters, the view suddenly opens up. A massive stone archway, carved into the earth, stands before you, flanked by two enormous stone-carved servants kneeling on either side, their hands resting on braziers above their heads, where flames roar.
Behind the archway lies an underground plaza, where two rows of ghostly soldiers, each wielding an axe, form a passageway leading to a palace with its doors wide open. The entire palace is adorned with carved beams and painted rafters, clearly carved directly from the mountainside, exuding an imposing aura, yet shrouded in a dim, Yin Qi atmosphere. It lacks the vibrant life of a typical earthly palace.
Ao Li strode towards the palace as if he were returning home. Yue Qianchou, following behind, looked around, admiring the extravagance of the underground palace. The four old men did the same.
The group climbed a long flight of steps in front of the palace, ascending step by step to the palace gate. Yue Qianchou was somewhat surprised to find that there was a plaque on the gate. Logically, it should have been inscribed with the name of the palace or hall, but the plaque was smooth and blank, which seemed rather strange.
Upon entering the main hall, the interior is no different from the typical palace in terms of design and furnishings, yet it exudes a profound and ancient atmosphere—in short, grand!
Before the throne high above, a general clad in golden armor, with a robust and imposing physique, leaned on his long sword, coldly surveying the crowd below. He gave those who approached a sense of superiority. Beside him stood a charming woman, smiling warmly at the assembled throng.
Wu Sihai and the others exchanged glances, feeling a little uneasy. Judging from the other party's domineering aura and his location, it was no doubt that this person was the Ghost General, who was famous throughout the Cultivation World.
The group stopped at the steps below the throne. Ao Li pointed behind him and laughed, "Big brother, look who I brought for you."
Meng Yan had naturally seen Yue Qianchou long ago. He merely nodded to him, but his gaze towards Wu Sihai and the others was unusually sharp and cold. A red and black Sha Qi emanated from his golden armor, carrying a powerful pressure that swept over the four of them. Wu Sihai and the others were greatly startled. While casting pleading glances at Yue Qianchou, they also didn't forget to use their internal energy to resist.
Yue Qianchou was both amused and exasperated. He figured Meng Yan was trying to show off his general's power in front of strangers again, but he didn't even bother to find out who these four were before trying to act tough in front of them. He'd let them know who these four old guys were backing, and then they'd be ready to act all high and mighty. But since he was the one who brought them, he couldn't just stand by and watch. So he immediately stood in front of the four men, waved his hand, and said with a wry smile, "General, please assist me for now."
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