The thin, Blood Skeleton stood silently in the center of the hall. Its bones, which were originally as smooth and warm as jade, had turned into a chilling scarlet color after absorbing the pervasive blood mist, as if they were cast from countless drops of blood. It gave people a strong visual impact and a bloody sense of oppression.
Within the skull's empty eye sockets, two faint red lights flickered like candles in the wind, indifferently watching the crowd gathered before it like ants.
Above the head of the Dou Sheng Skeleton, two scrolls emitting a soft light hovered and danced like startled birds.
These were the last two Light Scroll whose ownership had not yet been determined.
However, at this moment, under the absolute deterrent effect of the terrifying Sound Wave from the Dou Sheng Skeleton that instantly killed nearly a thousand powerful individuals, including three Dou Venerate, no one dared to rush forward to snatch food from the tiger's mouth.
Treasures are wonderful, but one must be alive to enjoy them.
As the hoarse, ancient, and seemingly Netherworld cry of "Those who trespass on the Saint's tomb shall die!" slowly descended, the expressions of all the survivors in the hall changed slightly once more, their hearts heavy with sorrow.
It seems that unless we completely defeat and resolve this strangely resurrected Dou Sheng Skeleton today, we will not be able to leave this Death Hall smoothly.
"Don't panic, everyone!"
Despite the injuries inflicted by the Sound Wave shock, Old Ghost Xing Zhaixing spoke in a deep, resonant voice, attempting to calm everyone down.
"The Dou Sheng Skeleton are merely controlled by a Soul Imprint left behind by that powerful figure before his death; it is not a true resurrection of Dou Sheng!"
"Defeating it is not impossible! But the prerequisite is that we all join forces and work together! Otherwise, if it seizes an opportunity and defeats us one by one, we are very likely to be wiped out without a single survivor!"
He reiterated the necessity of joining forces, both as a fact and in order to get everyone on his side.
"What Old Ghost Xing said is quite right." Lin Ming smiled slightly upon hearing this, but the smile made Old Ghost Xing's heart skip a beat, and he had a bad feeling.
Sure enough, Lin Ming continued slowly, "However, since you were the one who stirred up this huge trouble, the one who tied the knot must untie it. You, Old Ghost Xing, must take the lead and pave the way for everyone!"
This one sentence immediately put Old Ghost Xing Zhaixing in the eye of the storm and in the most dangerous position!
"Yes, what Sect Master Lin Ming said is indeed true."
Tang Zhen stroked his beard and nodded, a hint of approval on his face, his gaze turning to the Old Ghost Xing.
"You must take absolute responsibility for this! If you want us to join forces against it, you must take the lead and show us your sincerity!"
Other powerful figures, such as the elders of the Nether Python Clan and the Lone Dou Venerate, all nodded in agreement after a moment's thought.
They had long harbored resentment over the casualties caused by Old Ghost Xing Zhaixing's reckless actions, and now they were able to take this opportunity to retaliate a little, letting him take the fall first, which was quite satisfying.
Upon seeing this, the Old Ghost Xing's withered face twitched violently, and his expression turned extremely ugly.
He gave Lin Ming a vicious look, wishing he could tear the kid to pieces.
The latter's Soft Knife stabbed him directly into the most dangerous spot, and given the current unyielding stance, he couldn't back down and had to bite the bullet and go for it!
"What everyone said... makes a valid point."
Under the watchful eyes of many—some indifferent, some urging, some gloating— Old Ghost Xing's lips twitched, and he could only nod reluctantly. But he didn't forget to leave himself a way out, and said loudly and righteously, "However, I must also remind you all!"
"The fewer strong individuals there are, the weaker our overall strength becomes, and the more dangerous our situation becomes! Regardless of our past grievances, we are now in the same boat! If the boat capsizes, it will be bad for everyone! I will make my move later, and I hope you will all lend a helping hand in time!"
He tried to use shared interests to manipulate everyone.
"Please rest assured, Old Sir. Zhai Xing."
At this moment, Xiao Yan stepped forward, a gentle, harmless smile on his face, and said, "Of course we won't just stand by and watch you die at the hands of this Dou Sheng Skeleton. After all, one more person means one more force."
Xiao Yan's words sounded like he was trying to comfort him, but considering the current situation, the underlying meaning made Old Ghost Xing's face turn ashen, and he felt so frustrated that he almost vomited blood.
This kid, just like Lin Ming, is no good either!
"Alright, enough with the nonsense!"
The elder leading the Nether Python Clan suddenly darkened his expression and shouted coldly, his sharp eyes fixed on the Blood Skeleton.
"If you're going to make a move, do it quickly! Haven't you noticed? This Dou Sheng Skeleton seems to be absorbing the power from the surrounding blood mist to replenish itself! We can't let it continue like this!"
Upon hearing his words, everyone was startled and quickly turned their gazes toward him.
Sure enough, the crimson color on the surface of the Dou Sheng Skeleton was becoming increasingly dark, like Congealed Blood! The dense blood mist that had permeated the hall and had not yet completely dissipated was now transforming into fine streams of blood-red energy, flowing rapidly into its body like Hundred Rivers Return to Sea!
It can actually absorb the Blood Qi of the dead to restore or strengthen itself?!
This discovery sent a chill down everyone's spines. If it were allowed to absorb everything indefinitely, would its power recover to an even more terrifying level?
"Old Ghost Xing, aren't you going to make a move?! Do you want it to suck its fill of blood and then kill us all?!"
Seeing this, Lin Ming immediately shouted in a deep voice, his tone urging him on without room for argument.
Old Ghost Xing's eyes twitched wildly. He barely suppressed the urge to turn around and slap the troublemaking brat to death. He gritted his teeth and squeezed out a few words: "I know! You don't need to say anything more!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Old Ghost Xing realized that time was running out and he could no longer afford to delay! A ruthless glint flashed in his eyes, and the vast Five-Star Dou Venerate Dou Qi within him erupted without reservation!
"Buzz!"
With a single movement, it transformed into a blurry black afterimage, like lightning tearing through the night sky, carrying a breathtakingly powerful aura, and swept straight toward the Blood Skeleton standing motionless in the center of the hall!
A vast, dark Dou Qi, like an erupting volcano, surged forth from the body of the Old Ghost Xing. Its powerful force instantly dispersed and thinned the blood mist that filled the hall!
The full power unleashed by Five-Star Dou Venerate is no ordinary feat!
Seeing the astonishing power displayed by the Old Ghost Xing Zhaixing as soon as he made his move, many of the True Heart apprehensive experts were invigorated and their morale was boosted.
Perhaps, by joining forces, there really is a chance!
"Creak..."
Facing the black shadow that charged forward with immense Dou Qi and overwhelming momentum, the red light flickering in the Blood Skeleton's eyes seemed completely unmoved.
It merely clenched its jaws slightly, producing a teeth-grinding grinding sound, and then seemingly casually took a step forward. Its dark red skeletal hand, as if carved from Blood Jade, pierced through space and grabbed at the chest of the Old Ghost Xing without a trace of malice!
"Laugh!"
The skeleton's speed was beyond reason!
The moment he raised his hand, the space in front of him was torn open by an invisible force, leaving a dark mark!
The arm seemed to disregard spatial distance, piercing directly into the shattered space. When it reappeared, the sharp, knife-like Bone Finger, carrying a penetrating sharpness, approached the Old Ghost Xing!
The Blood Skeleton appeared slow, but its speed was terrifyingly fast, causing Old Ghost Xing's heart to sink, and he dared not be negligent in the slightest!
"Netherworld Ghost Fist!"
The Old Ghost Xing let out a low growl, his hand clenched into a fist, and the vast black Dou Qi within his body, like a river bursting its banks, concentrated entirely on his right fist in that instant!
Black Mist swirled around his fist, vaguely forming a hideous ghost face, and then, with his momentum, he suddenly unleashed a powerful punch! Wherever the fist passed, the space itself rippled violently!
"Bang!!!"
The Netherworld Ghost Fist, imbued with the full power of the Old Ghost Xing, clashed fiercely with the seemingly fragile dark red skull hand!
A deep, thunderous roar resounded throughout the hall! A powerful energy gust swept out like a storm!
However, the result changed the expressions of everyone who had been expecting it!
Those bones, which seemed fragile and could shatter at the slightest touch, now displayed a texture even harder and more terrifying than Ten Thousand Year Black Steel!
The Old Ghost Xing's full-force punch, powerful enough to shatter mountains, only managed to knock the Dou Sheng Skeleton back half a step! Not even a single scratch appeared on the bones!
On the other hand, Old Ghost Xing himself was shaken by the terrifying force that rebounded, containing the remnants of Dou Sheng's power. His Qi and Blood surged, his throat tasted sweet, and his body uncontrollably staggered back more than a dozen steps, each step leaving a deep footprint on the hard ground. Only then did he manage to steady himself in a slightly disheveled state, his face alternating between pale and flushed.
The difference in quality is immediately apparent!
However, this Old Ghost Xing is indeed a ruthless character. He knows that he has no way out at this moment, and the task given to him by the Soul Hall is to bring back this Dou Saint remains that contains great secrets! Therefore, he dares not slack off, nor does he dare to hold back.
Having just regained his footing, before he could even calm his churning Qi and Blood, a ruthless glint flashed in his eyes, and he moved again, like a leech clinging to a bone, fearlessly shooting out once more, clashing wildly with the Dou Sheng Skeleton that was stepping forward again, unleashing an even more intense and dangerous close-quarters battle!
The pitch-black Dou Qi and the crimson light clashed wildly, the sounds of fists and palms striking each other like a continuous drumbeat, and the energy Shockwave spread outwards, making the hall vibrate.
The Old Ghost Xing is clearly risking his life, unleashing a barrage of ruthless and cunning Soul Hall Dou Technique in an attempt to find the skeleton's weakness.
However, the Dou Sheng Skeleton was like an indestructible Blood Fortress. Its movements seemed simple and direct, but it always managed to block and neutralize the attacks of the Old Ghost Xing in the most effective and ruthless way. Moreover, the bone palm containing terrifying power would strike out from time to time, forcing the Old Ghost Xing Zhaixing into dangerous situations. He could only rely on his rich combat experience to dodge in a sorry state and was completely at a disadvantage!
Everyone could see clearly that Old Ghost Xing alone had no chance of defeating this Dou Sheng Skeleton. It was only a matter of time before he was defeated or even perished!