The threat from the Hungry Ghost Path (Part one)
Strange Stone Mountain is a very large mountain, but Strange Stone Mountain size lies not in its height, but in its length. It spans hundreds of miles in circumference, with the highest point only a few hundred meters high. From a distance, Strange Stone Mountain looks more like a high Plains than a mountain, except that it is entirely made of stone.
Since it's called Strange Stone Mountain, it naturally gets its name from the many strange and unusual stones on the mountain. Some stones resemble human faces, showing expressions of pain, ferocity, or malevolence; others look like Guimei Wangliang; and still others are of various other shapes, such as four-armed humans, headless Asura, and wolves and tigers...
Therefore, this Strange Stone Mountain is rarely visited by people, and the strange and scary rocks give people a feeling of unease.
However, although the Strange Stone Mountain is usually gloomy and deserted, it was bustling with activity today. Moreover, everyone who came was a highly accomplished cultivator. Streaks of light streaked through the air like a meteor shower; each of them was a Deity Transformation stage Cultivator, Artifact Flight...
The Imperial Clan of the Great Tang Dynasty announced to the world that the Mysterious Yin Jade Mine was being mined on this Strange Stone Mountain. Such a grand occasion naturally attracted many people to come and watch.
Of course, those who came to watch were all well aware that this was a clash between the Imperial Clan and the Ghost King Sect. They knew exactly what the Imperial Clan was planning, but they also wanted to see how capable the current Imperial Clan of the Great Tang Dynasty was, and what their attitude and determination were.
The Great Tang Dynasty, as an established large state, had twelve Large Sect within its borders, three more than the Great Qin Empire. Its National Fortune were declining, and with so many Large Sect, it's no wonder that these Large Sect were more inclined to obey orders than summons from the Imperial Clan.
The outcome of today's conflict between the Imperial Clan and the Ghost King Sect will significantly impact the future balance of power within the country.
Representatives from almost all twelve Large Sect arrived, with countless Cultivator gathering at Strange Stone Mountain, patiently awaiting the arrival of the Imperial Clan. Of course, among the Twelve Sects, the Ghost King Sect had the largest number of representatives.
However, looking at the Ghost King Sect members, there were only three Void Realm and a few dozen Deity Transformation Stage disciples. Seeing this, many Human Heart secretly wondered, with the Imperial Clan army attacking, why did the Ghost King Sect only have so few people? What were they up to?
"They're here..." Regardless of what the Ghost King Sect was planning, soon, someone shouted from the Strange Stone Mountain.
A black line appeared on the horizon, then rapidly enlarged, revealing a hundred Warships flying majestically from the sky. Each ship resembled an ancient, ferocious Fierce Beast. The sheer number of Warships was visually striking and awe-inspiring.
"As expected of the Imperial Clan, only the Imperial Clan could field such a lineup so easily..." Many Cultivator murmured as they looked at the formation of a hundred Warships.
Many forces could field such a lineup, but each force has its own territory and needs strong individuals to guard it. Where would they find so many spare personnel? However, the Great Tang Dynasty's Imperial Clan could.
The fleet stopped, and the Crown Prince, led by five Void Realm powerhouse Guard, landed. Zhuge Xiang followed beside him. His status was sufficient, but his cultivation level was still quite far from the Void Returning Stage.
"The discovery of this Mysterious Yin Jade Mine at Strange Stone Mountain is truly a matter of Heaven's will. Today's ceremony is to invite you all to bear witness..." After landing, the Crown Prince took the seat of honor and addressed all the Cultivator on Strange Stone Mountain. His refined demeanor inspired no dislike in anyone.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty!" The Crown Prince's words had barely faded when representatives of countless forces on Strange Stone Mountain shouted in unison. Regardless of the circumstances, these forces, at least on the surface, were absolutely obedient to the Great Tang Dynasty's Imperial Clan.
"Congratulations, Your Highness..." Under everyone's gaze, the three Void Returning Stage powerhouses from the Ghost King Sect also spoke up loudly, showing no sign of objection.
The Ghost King Sect's attitude is baffling. Judging from their appearance, are they afraid to contend with the Imperial Clan? If so, then wouldn't their trip have been in vain?
Many factions secretly shook their heads in disappointment. The Ghost King Sect had acted so aggressively before, even challenging the Imperial Clan. Did they really back down now that the Imperial Clan had actually made a move?
But thinking about it, it makes sense. After all, they are the Imperial Clan, the foundation of the nation. How could a Sect possibly contend with them? The Ghost King Sect's reaction is only natural.
However, in contrast to the disappointment of these forces, the Crown Prince was slightly taken aback upon hearing the congratulations from the Ghost King Sect, and then delighted. It seemed that their Ghost King Sect had indeed backed down in the face of difficulties? This was good, as it saved them from a bloody battle and war.
Standing beside the Crown Prince, Zhuge Xiang raised an eyebrow slightly, looking at the Ghost King Sect members with some surprise. What was wrong with these guys? They dared to challenge him before, but they failed him at the crucial moment? Why take on a job you're not qualified for? Wouldn't this cause the Ghost King Sect to lose face completely?
"However, while congratulations Your Highness, our Ghost King Sect has something to say, though we wonder if we should?" Regardless of what the others thought, after congratulating the Crown Prince, an old man with a sinister gaze, the leader of the Ghost King Sect, spoke up.
"Please speak," the Crown Prince said, his expression slightly changing. Even if he tried to stop him, he believed the other party would speak anyway, so he decided to let him speak frankly.
The others looked towards the Ghost King Sect. Had they truly not given up?
"Under the whole heaven, all land belongs to the king; on the shores of the earth, all people are subjects of the king. This Mysterious Yin Jade Mine naturally belongs to the Imperial Clan. However, this Mysterious Yin Jade Mine has indescribable benefits for us Ghost Cultivator. Therefore, some of our Ghost King Sect members went deep into it to investigate and discovered an astonishing secret," the old man with sinister eyes began, first uttering a series of high-sounding words to express his loyalty to the Imperial Clan, before finally getting to the point.
"What kind of secret is it?" the Crown Prince asked, following the words of the Yinzhi Old Man.
He secretly rolled his eyes. This Crown Prince was a gentleman, but Zhuge Xiang did not approve of his behavior at all.
This Ghost King Sect is clearly looking for trouble. Should we treat them like gentlemen? If it were Zhuge Xiang himself, when he said he didn't know if he should say something, Zhuge Xiang would have directly shut him down with one sentence. "Don't say it."
"This Mysterious Yin Jade Mine is extremely beneficial to Cultivator with Yin attribute, and even to living beings. Therefore, it has attracted the attention of many Fierce Spirit and ghosts. There are tens of thousands of Fierce Spirit and ghosts under this Strange Stone Mountain. I believe Your Highness is aware of this," the Yinzhi Old Man said eloquently.
"Indeed," the Crown Prince nodded slightly, patiently waiting for the other party to finish speaking.
"That's right. The Ghost King Sect's cultivation principle is to control Fierce Spirit and ghosts in the world. My understanding of Evil Ghost is not something I boast about. I believe that within the dynasty, no Sect dares to claim that it can compare with the Ghost King Sect."
After saying this with a smug expression, the sinister old man finally spoke, "But this Strange Stone Mountain, although it can attract fierce Fierce Spirit, shouldn't have so many. I thought this matter was unusual, so I went deep inside to investigate, only to discover a terrible secret."
This sinister old man had been talking about a secret for so long without getting to the point, but he knew how to stir up the atmosphere. Once the atmosphere was built up, he figured that if he didn't continue, people would get impatient. So he finally spoke, uttering a piece of news that shocked everyone present.
"Deep within this Strange Stone Mountain lies a Gate of Hell, leading directly to the Hungry Ghost Path. Drawn by the Mysterious Yin Jade Mine, endless streams of Hungry Ghost surge forth from this Hungry Ghost Path."
"Hiss, the Gate of Hell? Leading directly to the Hungry Ghost Path?" The news from this Yinzhi Old Man truly shocked everyone present. Even experts at the Void Returning Stage gasped in astonishment.
The Three Realms and Six Paths are like the Asura Path Realm and the Hungry Ghost Realm. The Hungry Ghost Path Realm is also one of the Six Paths, but the Asura Path is the destination of those with a strong Battle Will to fight, while the Hungry Ghost Path is the destination of ghosts who are bloodthirsty.
Billions of Hungry Ghost form their own world. If there truly is a Gate of Hell within this Mysterious Yin Jade Mine, leading directly to the realm of Hungry Ghost Path, then the endless invasion of this Cultivation World by Hungry Ghost would be an absolutely terrifying thing.
"Is this true?" The Crown Prince's expression suddenly changed. He stared intently at the sinister old man from the Ghost King Sect and asked in a deep voice, "The Gate of the Hungry Ghost Path connects to this Cultivation World. This matter is not just a matter for the Great Tang Dynasty; it is enough to affect the entire Cultivation World."
"Indeed, I swear on my life that what I said is absolutely true. I have already informed the Sect Master about this matter. At this moment, within Strange Stone Mountain, eighteen elders of my Ghost King Sect at the Void Returning Stage are working together to suppress it. They are only able to barely suppress this Gate of Hell, but they are unable to close it. They can only barely keep the Gate of Hell from expanding further," the Yinzhi Old Man said, nodding.
The Crown Prince's face showed urgency, clearly frightened by the Gate of Hell that led directly to the realm of Hungry Ghost Path. But soon, the Crown Prince's expression turned grim.
It took eighteen Void Returning Stage cultivators from the Ghost King Sect working together to barely suppress them? Could I possibly get them to leave? Could I get them to relinquish the Mysterious Yin Jade Mine so the Imperial Clan could mine it with peace of mind?
"Hiss, what a grand gesture, what impressive methods!" As the Yinzhi Old Man finished speaking, many Cultivator present exclaimed inwardly, truly frightened by the methods of the Ghost King Sect.
Anyone with eyes can see that this so-called Gate of Hell must have been opened by the Ghost King Sect. As he said, no one understands ghosts and such better than the Ghost King Sect. Who can guarantee that they don't have the ability to open a door directly connecting the Hungry Ghost Path and the Cultivation World?
Now, the Imperial Clan faces a dilemma. If they forcibly seize the Mysterious Yin Jade Mine, the Gate of Hell and the endless Fierce Spirit will be a major headache for them. But if they give up, they will have been utterly defeated without even making a move. Where will that leave their Imperial Clan? (To be continued...)