Page 18

The tunnel was initially extremely narrow, and the darkness on both sides was so thick that not a sliver of light could be seen. Fortunately, a Sword Cultivator's five senses are extraordinary; even in pitch-black conditions, she could barely make out the path ahead.

As she ventured deeper, the tunnel suddenly opened up.

A few Everlight Lamps hung at both ends of the passage, resembling flowing fire in the dark night, emitting tiny specks of light. The surrounding gloom was dispelled, yet the flickering, unstable light only made the atmosphere more chilling, adding a sense of uncertainty and hidden danger.

The cramped passage abruptly widened, forming a spacious, circular cavern at its end, shaped like a swelling water droplet. In the center of the cavern stood a monster with the upper body of a human and the lower body of a spider.

That was the infamous Yinshan Ghost Mother.

Hearing the intruder's footsteps, the Ghost Mother opened her dull, lifeless eyes. As she lifted her head, a sound like grinding bones echoed through the air.

She was a massive monster. Although her upper body was that of an alluring woman, indistinguishable from a normal person, her lower half occupied nearly half the cavern, appearing eerie and bloated. Her black hair cascaded down her pale skin like writhing, jet-black water snakes; her eight long, slender spider legs were as sharp as blades, harboring a lethal poison that could kill on contact. Anyone wounded by them would be sent straight to Yama.

Not to mention, she was immensely powerful. Having absorbed the vital essence from Zhaixing Pavilion for many years, most of her wounds had already healed.

"...You?"

Unlike her charming, feminine face, the Yinshan Ghost Mother's voice was as raspy as sandpaper, sounding like an old woman nearing the end of her life: "A Sword Cultivator?"

Ning Ning made no attempt to hide the Star Trace Sword at her waist and offered a faint smile: "That is correct."

She raised her eyes to meet the monster's gaze: "I have heard that the Yinshan Ghost Mother possesses formidable power, so how did you end up reduced to stealing the vital essence of others? This Zhaixing Pavilion does not seem to have been built by you. Are you not afraid of being discovered by its true owner?"

The Ghost Mother let out a shrill, cold laugh, and the thousands of spider threads coiled throughout the cavern stirred in response: "I use the vital essence whenever I please, and I come and go from Zhaixing Pavilion as I wish. Do you really think I would fear that piece of trash at the top of the building?"

"Oh?"

Ning Ning raised an eyebrow: "You are severely injured, I fear you lack the strength to fight back, don't you?"

"What a joke! I am the true master of this building now. That enchantress thinks she has everything under control, but she doesn't realize that most of the minor demons in the pavilion have become my puppets. Once my power is fully restored, I will snatch this Zhaixing Pavilion right out of her hands."

Ning Ning's words clearly provoked the creature. Spider threads descended like a torrential downpour, hovering in mid-air: "What, a mere Sword Cultivator—do you actually intend to subdue me?"

The spider threads struck downward, each one as sharp as a needle, weaving into a dense, snow-white web that surged straight toward the young girl at the cavern entrance.

Ning Ning did not dodge—

Yet an invisible force blocked her path, repelling the aggressive web.

"The one who intends to subdue you is not me."

She curled her lips into a smile and stepped to the right, her tone taking on a hint of respect: "My Lady, you heard everything, didn't you?"

The Yinshan Ghost Mother shuddered.

In the narrow passage where the light could not reach, amidst the thick, deep darkness.

A figure dressed in a white dress slowly stepped forward. The dazzling, pure white hue was like a sword cutting through the darkness, abruptly severing the eerie and treacherous atmosphere.

Or perhaps, it only served to make the situation even more tense.

The black-haired, white-robed White Bone Lady looked like a peerless beauty, with skin like ice and bones like jade, her chest half-exposed, and her hair cascading like a long waterfall. Under the soft, warm glow of the Everlight Lamp, she looked as light and ethereal as a dream, truly like someone out of a painting.

However, when she spoke in a cold voice, the scene shifted entirely.

White Bone Lady knitted her willow-leaf brows and let out a soft sneer from her throat: "I was wondering why I haven't been able to sleep soundly lately. So, it turns out there's a wild pheasant from the mountains making a fool of itself. You think you're worthy of stealing my essence? Your little mouth sure can flap, are you just practicing how to bark like a dog here? Don't make me break your rotten legs!"

Being called out to one's face for stealing is truly not a glorious affair.

Even Yinshan Ghost Mother was stunned for a moment, before she deepened her tone: "What? Are you actually thinking of teaming up with a righteous Sword Cultivator to deal with me?"

That Sword Cultivator clearly had the intention of letting the snipe and the clam fight so that the fisherman could reap the benefits, waiting to swoop in once the two of them were exhausted from their battle.

As long as White Bone Lady wasn't a fool, she should join forces with her first to take care of that little girl.

Hmph, wanting to fight her?

No way.

Today, she would take that Sword Cultivator's head first!

While Yinshan Ghost Mother spoke with such certainty, White Bone Lady listened expressionlessly, not moving an inch.

Instead, Ning Ning chuckled softly and tore off the skin mask on her face, revealing the true appearance hidden beneath.

It was actually... a female demon from the pavilion whom she had a vague impression of, but whose name she couldn't quite recall.

The other party didn't have the aura of a puppet, but Yinshan Ghost Mother wasn't entirely sure if she had planted a puppet inside her or not.

After all, she controlled far too many demons; she couldn't remember all their names or recognize all their faces.

She had miscalculated.

So the Sword Cultivator was just a ruse, and their true goal...

Was simply to trick her into confessing the truth!

"Impossible!" Yinshan Ghost Mother said, exasperated. "You clearly had a Sword Cultivator's sword on you, and my puppet was killed by a Sword Cultivator—there is absolutely no mistake!"

"A few Sword Cultivators did indeed come to the pavilion today; who knows which one killed your demon."

Chaoyan clumsily picked up the sword, examining the patterns on it with the interest of a child: "The Sword Cultivator I served drank too much and accidentally told me that they had come this time to eradicate Yinshan Ghost Mother—come to think of it, I really should thank her, otherwise we wouldn't have known that a thief was hiding in the pavilion."

She paused and shrugged nonchalantly: "As for this sword? To make the act convincing, I specifically got her drunk and stole her blade. Otherwise, how could I have fooled your sharp eyes? Your Excellency, Yinshan Ghost Mother."

"You!"

To be led around in circles by such a low-level demon, Yinshan Ghost Mother was trembling with rage. Using all her strength, she could only squeeze out a few words: "I'll kill you!"