Like a Tiger Growing Wings, He Becomes a Biao! Scheming Against the Ghost Lord

Before communicating with the Starfall Yin Spring Ghost Lord upon arriving at the Yin Ghost Mountain Range, Chen Dengming first needed to learn about the current situation Below the Yin Spring from the Fierce Ghost Zhu Xun.

Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated.

He estimated that, given the greed of the Starfall Yin Spring Ghost Lord, he would certainly not agree to Zhu Xun's suggestion of a 50/50 split, and would most likely ask for an exorbitant amount.

Under these circumstances, only by personally negotiating with the Starfall Yin Spring Ghost Lord can he secure more benefits for Zhu Xun.

The better Zhu Xun fares in the Below the Yin Spring, the more he will need Zhu Xun in the future.

If Zhu Xun could secure a place in the Below the Yin Spring and become the Yin Spring Ghost Lord, possessing a Yin Spring as the entrance connecting the Human World and the underworld, then he could be considered a king ruling his own territory, truly standing on the stage, and able to correspond with both worlds.

Human Heart Hall, Chen Dengming quickly established a mental connection with the Fierce Ghost Zhu Xun.

As expected, the Starfall Yin Spring Ghost Lord did not agree to cooperate.

"That old devil Xingluo wants 90% of it in one go. He's counting on me to do his odd jobs."

Brother Chen, I have a bold idea now. I wonder how likely it is to succeed if we implement it?

"A bold idea?" Chen Dengming was taken aback.

Old Zhu is doing well; he even has ideas and plans now. His mental recovery is quite impressive.

"What are your thoughts? Tell me."

Zhu Xun immediately sent a telepathic message, "Brother Chen, why don't we just go along with the plan and agree to Starfall Old Ghost's request?"

Once he leaves Ghost City, lacking the advantages of Yin Spring and Yin Soil, he'll just be an ordinary Nascent Soul Perfection cultivator at the peak of his cultivation. Let's just go all the way.

While he's fighting the Yin Nether Ghost King, let's wipe them both out in one fell swoop. That way, Yinming Ghost City will be ours, and Starfall Ghost City will also be ours."

"?"

Chen Dengming was stunned, taken aback by Old Zhu's audacious idea.

Others are like snakes trying to swallow elephants, but Old Zhu is like a fish trying to swallow a giant fish – insatiable!

They actually wanted to devour both the Yin Nether Ghost King and the Starfall Yin Spring Ghost Lord at the same time.

This isn't just being bold; it's being incredibly reckless.

However, what Old Zhu said wasn't entirely unreasonable.

If the Starfall Yin Spring Ghost Lord leaves Ghost City, his strength will indeed be greatly reduced.

At the very least, their ability to survive and protect themselves will be weakened by the loss of Yin Spring and Yin Soil.

"How's it going, Brother Chen?"

Chen Dengming pondered for a moment, then sent a telepathic message: "This is indeed an opportunity. I think I understand what you mean. You want the Starfall Yin Spring Ghost Lord and the Yin Nether Ghost King to fight to the death, and then we can take advantage of the situation and reap the benefits."

But have you considered that those old foxes won't give us that kind of opportunity?

Moreover, even if you succeed, with your current strength, it would be difficult to simultaneously take over two ghost cities, Xingluo and Yinming, even if you are completely without connections.

At that time, other ghost kings, or even Ghost Lord, will come to attack you under various pretexts."

Zhu Xun said solemnly, "Brother Chen is indeed Brother Chen; he pointed out the problem right away."

However, I have recently discussed and agreed upon these matters with my two wives, and have even taken matters into my own hands and put them into practice.

Please forgive me, Brother Chen. The opportunity was fleeting, and I couldn't contact you, so I had to seize it.

Chen Dengming frowned. "What did you do?"

"I'm slow-witted, so it was mainly my two wives who advised and guided me, teaching me to befriend distant states while attacking nearby ones."

Lately, I have gained the trust of the Yin Nether Ghost King, who has indicated that the Starfall Yin Spring Ghost Lord has coveted his power and Ghost City and is about to attack.

The Yin Nether Ghost King now deeply hates the Starfall Yin Spring Ghost Lord. He has promised that after the deed is done, I will share the Starfall Ghost City with him.

Goodness!

Chen Dengming was already somewhat stunned by what he heard.

Unexpectedly, after acquiring two Ghost Bride, Old Zhu became even more powerful, like a tiger with wings.

The deficiencies in intelligence and personality were gradually made up for by the two Ghost Bride.

Now they've actually turned the tables on him, secretly colluding with the Yin Nether Ghost King to launch a counterattack against the Starfall Yin Spring Ghost Lord.

Do all ghosts unknowingly become cunning?

Zhu Xun added, "Of course, Brother Chen, you and I both know that these verbal agreements don't count, but the main point is that the Yin Nether Ghost King has agreed to join forces to deal with Starfall Yin Spring Ghost Lord."

By the way, I was recently invited into the Netherworld Ghost Palace, where I took the opportunity to find the soul fragment of the Array Spirit Senior, who turned out to be just a gardener in the Ghost King's Palace.

To avoid being exposed, I haven't yet acknowledged her as my confidante, lest the Yin Nether Ghost King seize this opportunity to blackmail me.

"We found the other soul of the Little Array Spirit within the Ghost King's Palace?" Chen Dengming asked with some delight.

This is truly an unexpected delight.

Although Zhu Xun spoke casually, one could imagine him entering the Netherworld alone, which was like attending a trap, extremely dangerous.

Now that Zhu Xun is safe, it means that the talks with the Yin Nether Ghost King are almost over.

Further communication between the human and the ghost gradually put Chen Dengming at ease.

With two Ghost Bride offering advice, Old Zhu was already considered both brave and resourceful, and their performance had exceeded his expectations.

According to his plan, the Starfall Yin Spring Ghost Lord would join forces with him to attack the Yin Nether Ghost King.

At the most crucial moment of the attack, Zhu Xun turn against his own side and severely Starfall Yin Spring Ghost Lord, helping Yin Nether Ghost King to kill him.

As for why the Yin Nether Ghost King believed in and was willing to cooperate with Zhu Xun, it's easy to understand: it was driven by enormous profits and past grudges.

The Yin Nether Ghost King, who was already Nascent Soul Late Stage Ghost King long ago, is now rumored to have reached the peak of the Nascent Soul Perfection, but this has not been officially announced due to various reasons.

A Ghost King whose strength has reached this level must consider how to obtain more Yin Soil or even Yin Spring. In this way, even if he cannot advance to the Spirit Transformation and dominate the world, calling himself the Yin Spring Ghost Lord.

Therefore, it's impossible that the Yin Nether Ghost King hadn't considered taking the Yin Spring from the Starfall Yin Spring Ghost Lord, but he simply hadn't had the opportunity.

If the Starfall Yin Spring Ghost Lord really comes out of the city to attack, it will be tantamount to attacking him with his hands tied.

This was undoubtedly the best opportunity for the Yin Nether Ghost King, one he couldn't afford to miss.

Secondly, two tigers cannot share one mountain.

Even adult lions on the grasslands are driven away by the lion king.

For Starfall Yin Spring Ghost Lord, Yin Nether Ghost King is also a great threat.

Even though he has never announced whether he has broken through to the Nascent Soul Perfection over the years, this threat cannot be eliminated by actively concealing it.

The Yin Nether Ghost King was well aware of this.

Rather than waiting to be killed, it's better to join forces with Zhu Xun an attack to seize an opportunity.

Given Zhu Xun's strength, the Yin Nether Ghost King was confident that he wouldn't be unable to subdue him.

This cooperative relationship can achieve good results without being considered a case of using one enemy to devour another.

"The Yin Nether Ghost King is also taking a risk, gambling that Zhu Xun won't turn the tables and cooperate with Xingluo to annihilate him."

If you win the bet, you get half a ghost town or even a ghost spring.

Even if he loses the bet, he's probably confident he can walk away unscathed, since in his mind, Old Zhu isn't the biggest threat.

After a while, Chen Dengming mentally withdrew from the Human Heart Hall, ending his communication with Zhu Xun.

The Underworld Ghost Lord wasn't stupid; he was most likely certain that Zhu Xun would choose to cooperate with him and wouldn't betray him.

After all, for both of them, the Starfall Yin Spring Ghost Lord is the greatest threat and also the one who benefits the most.

The threat eliminated and the benefits gained from defeating the Starfall Yin Spring Ghost Lord are far greater than those gained from a fight between two weaker individuals.

Next, Chen Dengming needs to make the final decision on whether to proceed with the plan.

Zhu Xun had already handed over all the initiative to him; if he didn't agree, Zhu Xun wouldn't have implemented this rather risky plan.

Because no one can be sure how much strength the Starfall Yin Spring Ghost Lord actually possesses, or whether he can kill this Ghost Lord who left the Ghost City.

If we cannot kill this Ghost Lord, it will be like trying to kill a snake but failing and suffering harm instead.

Buzz--

In the towering and precipitous Yin Ghost Mountain Range, Chen Dengming's figure materialized, appearing on a cliff that looked as if it had been cleaved in half by a giant axe.

His gaze swept down upon the distant, mist-shrouded cliffs.

On one side is a bottomless, empty valley, and on the other side are sheer cliffs, barren of any vegetation. The Yin Cave is located on the opposite cliffside.

"Given Xingluo's strength Below the Yin Spring, I fear that even with my mental strength assisting Old Zhu, I wouldn't be able to annihilate him easily; at best, I could only manage to hold him off."

It mainly depends on the power of the Yin Nether Ghost King. To increase the success rate, the only option is for me to go down personally, or..."

Chen Dengming made a firm decision.

To increase the success rate of defeating the Starfall Yin Spring Ghost Lord, he would have to personally enter the Yin Spring.

But that's impossible; it's too dangerous.

The saying goes, "A dragon stranded in shallow waters is teased by shrimp."

Going to the Below the Yin Spring in person is a desperate gamble.

They are easily cut off from their way back, making it difficult to return to the Human World. Moreover, once the living enter the Below the Yin Spring, they will be continuously deprived of their Life Force.

It is unwise to put oneself in a dangerous situation for the sake of some benefit.

Aside from the option of the main deity personally entering the Below the Yin Spring, the only other solution is to send Incense Clone to the Below the Yin Spring.

The Incense Clone has now reached the strength of the Nascent Soul Early Stage.

If they were in the ocean, with their two Heart of the Ocean comparable to water-based artifacts, ordinary Nascent Soul Late Stage might not be a match for them.

Below the Yin Spring, though there is no sea, there is the Styx River, whose volume even surpasses that of the sea.

With the Incense Clone residing in the River Styx, there's a high chance of success if it coordinates with the Starfall Yin Spring Ghost Lord to launch a surprise attack at a crucial moment.

Even if the Incense Clone fails to succeed, it can still help Zhu Xun escape unscathed.

Even if the path back to the Human World is blocked, at that time, it will only mean that my clone stays down there for a few more years, which can be considered as me staying down there to help Zhu Xun expand his territory and influence.

Chen Dengming then carefully examined many details.

Once the plan was confirmed, he immediately made contact with the Incense Clone and summoned it without hesitation.

At the same time, he flew towards the Yin Cave on the mountainside ahead.

In the Western Regions, outside a small city comprised of tens of thousands of mortals and hundreds of cultivators, a vast lake lies quietly.

The shimmering lake water rippled gently, splashing and whispering among the pebbles near the shore.

On the lakeside, hundreds of cultivators and even more mortals gathered to worship a magnificent but indistinctly shaped celestial statue, devoutly chanting the names of "Holy Spirit Immortal Lord" and "Holy Spirit Immortal Envoy."

Faint wisps of Incense and Faith gradually gathered around the statue and on the lake surface.

The lake seemed to be enveloped in a layer of ethereal light, its surface rippling, causing the lotus leaves on its surface to sway gently, as if the swaying had entered the depths of everyone's hearts, bringing peace.

"My lord!"

Deep at the bottom of the lake, a Blue Giant more than three zhang tall suddenly opened its cold eyes, its gaze seemingly shimmering with golden scales, melting the lake water.

A vast and majestic aura emanated from the bottom of the lake, and the powerful influence of Incense and Faith quickly spread throughout.

"The great Holy Spirit has appeared!"

"Greetings, Celestial Envoy!"

Numerous cultivators and mortals alike prostrated themselves in worship.

The lake water rippled with silvery waves like fish scales, and the enormous figure of the Incense Clone avatar, its entire body shrouded in a hazy blue light, emerged from the depths of the lake, quickly bursting out of the water and stirring up the mercury-like surface.

In an instant, the Incense Clone, over three zhang tall, soared into the sky with overwhelming momentum, leaving behind only a sacred decree that echoed in the minds of the devout Incense Believer.

"Continue to help down-on-his-luck monks and devout mortals, and spread the glory of the Holy Spirit."

Many Incense Believer received the imperial edict immediately bowed respectfully to receive the command.

Over the past two decades, the Holy Spirit Fairy Society has developed rapidly in the four regions.

Initially, under Chen Dengming's instructions, many Incense Believer entered the war-torn northwest regions to provide medical care and support, and to expand the Incense Believer.

As the number of Incense Believer increased, the Holy Spirit Society was established, and pilgrimage sites were set up in various regions for Incense Believer to gather.

Today, the Incense Believer in the Holy Spirit has reached hundreds of thousands, including tens of thousands of monks.

The Incense and Faith power of the Incense Clone also increased dramatically, more than tenfold, which greatly benefited its combat power and cultivation speed.

At this moment, upon receiving a summons from Chen Dengming, the true form of the incense offering, the Incense Clone immediately fled far away, heading straight for the Yin Ghost Mountain Range.

Along the way, he transformed into water vapor and sped away, yet his Law Power remained undiminished. The two Heart of the Ocean constantly absorbed the water Spiritual Qi in the air, helping him replenish his lost Law Power, resulting in an astonishing rate of energy recovery.

At the same time.

Before the Yin Cave the Yin Ghost Mountain Range, powerful mental energy surged within the Yin Cave, like a storm of the mind.

After some debate, Chen Dengming and Starfall Yin Spring Ghost Lord still made exorbitant demands and refused to lower their standards for cooperation.

"Longevity Sect Leader, the Yin Nether Ghost King claims to be in the Nascent Soul Late Stage, but in reality, he is deliberately doing this because he is afraid of my conquest. It is very likely that he is now at the peak of the Nascent Soul Perfection stage."

If it were that easy to kill him, I would have done it long ago.

"If we're going to take action now, I need at least 90% of the profits from your operation, plus the goods for your next transaction. I need to specify the goods; otherwise, there's no point in discussing it!"

"Starfall, you're refusing to listen to reason, so don't blame me for being ruthless."

Chen Dengming stood at the entrance of the Yin Cave, two eerie lights rising in his eyes, and he shook his head inwardly.

He then stopped talking and feigned agreement, saying, "Fine, Xingluo, I can grant your request, but you must also agree to a few of my conditions."

"Okay, okay."

Below the Yin Spring, within the Starfall Ghost City, the Starfall Yin Spring Ghost Lord, enveloped in swirling ghostly mist, let out a sinister laugh.

This Longevity Sect Leader is indeed difficult to deal with.

No matter how powerful one is in the Human World, when dealing with matters in the Below the Yin Spring, one must abide by its rules.

As long as he holds firm and doesn't budge, the other party will have no choice but to give in. At most, they might make some more demands to recoup their losses, and he can continue to bargain.

"Longevity Sect Leader, tell me your conditions. I'm willing to listen, but I may not agree to all of them."

"I need to send a few friends down there. Secondly, I need thirty vats of the Water of the Underworld River and the whereabouts of the Shore Flower."

Chen Dengming stated three requirements in a row.

He didn't directly state his true purpose—to send the Incense Clone down—but instead mixed it up with other requests to avoid arousing suspicion from the Starfall Yin Spring Ghost Lord.

"What has become of the Shore Flower lily?"

Starfall Yin Spring Ghost Lord was startled and somewhat suspicious.

Could it be that this Longevity Sect Leader knows he possesses a Shore Flower?

"Such a secret matter is unknown even to my closest confidants and many of my concubines. It's impossible that the Longevity Sect Leader, who is far away in the Human World, would know about it. Could he be testing me?"

While pondering this, Starfall Yin Spring Ghost Lord's attention was momentarily drawn to the 'Shore Flower,' causing him to neglect the other two requests.

What, send a few people down, or send out dozens more vats of the Water of the Underworld River?

For him, this was nothing more than a simple favor; what kind of request was that?

This Longevity Sect Leader couldn't possibly be unaware of this.

So, did this Longevity Sect Leader deliberately make three demands, using the first two ordinary ones to conceal his true intention for the third?

Despite his suspicions, the Starfall Yin Spring Ghost Lord cautiously transmitted his thoughts.

"Of your three requests, the first two are easy to agree to; I can grant them."

But this Shore Flower is truly a treasure of the River Styx, something that can only be encountered by chance and is extremely rare. It may take many years for even one to grow. I, too, desire to obtain it.

Therefore, I cannot grant you a clue to such a treasure."

"I never expected you to agree to this request. The Shore Flower, it's said, can Connecting to Heaven, a rare treasure, after all, something you can only encounter by chance..."

Chen Dengming smiled inwardly.

He sought out the Shore Flower after consulting ancient texts, guessing that this flower might help him comprehend the fifth Dao Intent of the Human Heart Hall and solve the difficulty of connecting with the Mental Strength.

However, it is indeed very difficult to find clues about this flower.

He had already achieved his goal by mixing the Incense Clone with the other clones and taking them all down together.

Sooner or later, Xingluo will regret agreeing to his request, and may even pay the price with his life.

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