Alliance

The Strange Ghost can transform other creatures into their own kind in hundreds of ways, depending on different races, levels of cultivation, physical constitutions, and even personalities.

To ensure secrecy, some Strange Ghost transform into beings whose timelines are measured in years, allowing the victims to become ensnared without ever noticing their abnormality over a long period.

From awareness to body.

Some forms of Strange Ghost transformation are simple and brutal, directly infusing the target with a massive "life force" that they cannot resist, allowing it to multiply and proliferate within the target's body.

From body to consciousness.

Xu Yuan's transformation belongs to the latter category.

Forcibly transforming it from a superior position.

His low cultivation level made it impossible for him to resist the transformation of his body by the life source in the first place, but fortunately, the existence of the Ink Serpent Demon Crystal allowed him to temporarily retain his human intelligence.

But Strange Ghost is still Strange Ghost.

Each time he uses the Strange Ghost's body to heal himself, each time he transforms his life force into usable Source Qi, and even each time he uses the Black Death Fungal Armor, the process of becoming Strange Ghost, from body to consciousness, is accelerated.

When a critical point is reached, the struggle between one's own consciousness and the instincts of the Strange Ghost will plunge consciousness into a state of chaos.

Of course, this confrontation was just a formality.

Because the transformation into Strange Ghost is irreversible.

Ten thousand years ago, in a great era when the Source Qi surged and countless talents emerged, not a single person was able to overcome the instincts of the Strange Ghost at that stage.

However, although no one has the instinct to defeat the Strange Ghost, many cultivators chose to let their friends kill them at this final moment.

The chaos of consciousness means that those transformed at this point in time will hardly resist, making this the most vulnerable time for Strange Ghost.

But it's different when there's external guidance.

The sudden explosion beside his ears made Xu Yuan's consciousness snap back to reality, and a glimmer of clarity appeared in his scarlet eyes.

Luo Xiran.

Why is Luo Xiran's voice here?

As fellow Strange Ghost, why couldn't he sense her?

The moment human consciousness took over his body, many thoughts quickly surfaced in Xu Yuan's mind, but these thoughts were immediately suppressed when he saw the Barbarian King in front of him, and his eyes showed a hint of surprise and uncertainty.

Wasn't this Barbarian King just half-dead a moment ago?

Why has the atmosphere suddenly become so eerie?

In the blink of an eye,

An endless crimson Abyssal Rift had already spread from all directions, enveloping the entire cavern. Luo Xiran's voice rang in Xu Yuan's ears once more:

"Xu Changtian, what are you standing there for? Can't you see he's about to break through! I'm borrowing your Abyssal Rift skillfully; kill him now!"

Xu Yuan felt his mind go blank.

Barbarian King, Breakthrough?

No, this plot is wrong.

As a transmigrator, shouldn't he logically break through and comprehend the Heaven Gate Sword Intent during battle, first slaying the Barbarian King, and then Luo Xiran?

Also, what realm is it again after breaking through from a half-saint?

"."

Upon sensing the blood mist Abyssal Rift that seemed to connect them like blood, Xu Yuan immediately knew that he could once again use Luo Xiran's Abyssal Rift to unleash his Charm God Dao Domain.

Before his thoughts could be sorted out, Xu Yuan's body had already moved. He took a step back, his boots drawing an arc on the ground, and blood ink immediately appeared on the Clear Speech Sword.

At the same time, ethereal music filled the air, and countless alluring female figures began to appear and disappear in the blood mist.

The Charm God Dao Domain has already quietly unfolded.

The enchanting intent contained within will cause the person to see different visions depending on the individual being affected.

The next moment,

The Clear Speech Sword in Xu Yuan's hand drew a beautiful, ink-splashed arc in the air, slashing towards Chi Feng's neck.

"Buzz--"

Amidst the resounding sword clash, Chi Feng simply stood still, watching the sword strike come hurtling towards him. Pure Source Qi formed a shield around him, making him appear like a celestial being!

However, the anticipated collision did not occur.

Because Xu Yuan didn't have the Blood Ink Sword Technique, but instead used the Void-Stepping Slash.

He ran away.

"." Luo Xiran.

"." Chi Feng.

Seeing the Blood-robed Man disappear, the Barbarian King made no attempt to pursue him, instead sitting cross-legged at the bottom of the cave.

His cultivation level had already reached the peak of the half-saint realm, and under normal circumstances, he could break through in another year or two.

The fact that we were able to break through the life-or-death situation ahead of schedule was both an unexpected turn of events and fortuitous opportunity amidst the crisis.

Since it was fortuitous opportunity, he had to seize it.

Because those who regard him as a god are still waiting for him in their desperate situation.

On the other hand, with the help of the Charm God Dao Domain unleashed by Abyssal Rift, the Void-Stepping Slash traveled nearly twice the distance of the usual attack.

With a flash, Xu Yuan disappeared into the cave, rushing towards Li Qingyan and Bai Muxi's location without looking back.

At this moment, the passageways of the Blood Demon Cave are filled with the Abyssal Rift belonging to the Strange Ghost.

Abyssal Rift replenished his Source Qi, Xu Yuan, in his Strange Ghost form, thrived within it, using the energy-intensive Void-Stepping Slash to travel quickly.

The blood-red figure fled several miles away in an instant.

"Xu Changtian, what are you doing?!"

As Xu Yuan ran frantically, Luo Xiran's furious voice rang in his ears again. "Go back! Kill him!!"

Upon hearing this voice, Xu Yuan didn't hesitate:

"Shut up, stop making noise."

"."

Luo Xiran, catching her breath in anger, said earnestly, "Changtian, he hasn't broken through to the Saint realm yet. If we don't kill him now, we'll all die once he completes his breakthrough."

"."

Upon hearing this, Xu Yuan remained silent.

Through this brief conversation, he discovered that the sound of Luo Xiran's voice resonating within him did not originate from the Abyssal Rift, but rather from the crimson Fungal Armor that had completely merged into his body.

Blood God Stone Pendant

No wonder Luo Xiran was able to accurately sense the location of the person wearing the Black Death Fungal Armor; it turns out it was through another Blood God Stone Pendant.

There is also a Blood God Stone Pendant in the Blood Nest of the Dead Silence Underground Palace in Cangyuan, which is why Xu Yuan wanted it when he saw the blood-colored jade pendant on Bai Muxi.

Thinking of this, and considering the effects of the Blood God Stone Pendant in Little White's hand, Xu Yuan suddenly understood some things.

This Dead Silence Underground Palace, after successfully developing an antidote for the Strange Ghost, was actually still attempting...

"Hey, did you hear what I said?! That guy."

"If you want to go, go yourself!"

Interrupted from his thoughts, Xu Yuan replied irritably, "Don't even think about using me as a pawn."

Luo Xiran's voice was urgent. As a former saint, she knew very well the difference between Mortal Shedding and a saint:

"Xu Changtian, do you have a death wish?! I will help you temporarily regain consciousness."

"Come on, you're the one who seduced me, and you're the one who woke me up."

Xu Yuan interrupted Luo Xiran's words through gritted teeth once again, "Even if I can kill Chi Feng when I go back, I'll only end up as a Strange Ghost after the battle."

"Down and out?"

Luo Xiran scoffed at the term. "After all this time, haven't you realized how great our race is? Immortal, eternal life, infinite time, and a shared life force."

"Yes, humans are far inferior to you Strange Ghost, but why were you all wiped out ten thousand years ago?"

"." Luo Xiran.

"Alright."

Xu Yuan chuckled, having already located Princess Baotou and Little White through Luo Xiran's Blood Mist Abyssal Rift: "Luo Xiran, let's cut to the chase."

"Enough with the nonsense?"

Luo Xiran took a deep breath, her cold and beautiful voice turning sharp as she shouted, "That guy is about to break through to the Saint realm! Do you know how big the gap is between a Saint and Mortal Shedding?!"

"Have no idea."

"Xu Changtian, you..." Luo Xiran gasped for breath.

Don't be angry.

Xu Yuan's voice softened slightly, tinged with amusement. "Although I don't know exactly how strong he is, I do know that he's the reason we have a basis for cooperation, isn't he?"

"You want to cooperate again?"

Luo Xiran's voice was somewhat wary; she had just overheard the conversation between this guy and that big guy.

Protectors of the Way.

Holy Son

Not a single word he said to her before was true.

"I admit I lied to you before, but you also know that we were forced to do so at the time; if we didn't lie to you, we would die."

Xu Yuan chuckled, seemingly guessing what the other was thinking, and quickly said:

"The situation is different now. You and I both want to get out of this Underground Palace, while Chi Feng wants to break through to the Saint realm in the midst of battle. Whether we look at the enemy's strength or our respective goals, the foundation for our cooperation is now very solid."

Luo Xiran chuckled softly upon hearing this:

"Since that's the case, why don't I cooperate with your 'protector'? He seems to want to participate as well."

Xu Yuan seemed completely unconcerned about the threat, and laughed:

"In a world of three powers, the weak cooperate. For the strong to cooperate to destroy the weak is suicidal. You shouldn't be that stupid. Besides, apart from me, none of you know how to get out of here in a short time."

Upon hearing this, Luo Xiran seemed to understand Xu Yuan's plan, her cold and beautiful voice chilling to the bone:

"So, you deliberately let that Barbarian Tribe who was about to break through go?"

Xu Yuan did not deny it:

"Ha, that's how you interpret it. Hurry up and make a choice: cooperate, or die together?"

Silence followed.

Luo Xiran the other end did not answer immediately.

Seeing this, Xu Yuan focused his attention on the pure energy that was gradually spreading within the cave behind him.

Through Luo Xiran's Abyssal Rift, he could now sense the Barbarian King's aura, an aura capable of destroying everything.

With the help of Luo Xiran, the Strange Ghost Queen, Xu Yuan was somewhat confident that he could kill the Barbarian King before he broke through, but this was not in his best interest at all.

If he fights another battle, losing means death, and even if he wins, given his current progress in his Strange Ghost transformation, he will most likely be completely transformed into Strange Ghost, both in his consciousness and physical body, after the battle.

Although they had the Blood God Stone Pendant, which controlled consciousness, as a backup plan, no one knew the extent to which the Blood God Stone could control someone who had completely turned into Strange Ghost.

This option is too risky. It would be better to retreat first and use the Barbarian King's saintly power to force Luo Xiran to cooperate.

Only in this way can he keep as much of the variables as possible under his control!

Deep within the Dead Silence Underground Palace Blood Nest.

Blood mist swirled, fungal carpets grew rampant, and countless Strange Ghost lay dormant silently on the ground.

On a huge altar, a woman sat cross-legged in the center.

Luo Xiran tightly clutched a jade pendant similar to the Blood God Stone on Little White's chest. Sensing that the guy showed no sign of turning back, she let out a long breath, her cold and beautiful voice echoing in the vast and desolate cave:

How do you want to cooperate?

"You've finally figured it out, that's great."

Upon hearing this, Xu Yuan was overjoyed, but his voice remained calm and unhurried. "First, I need to immediately pave a path to the Blood Nest for me."

"Can."

Luo Xiran spoke calmly, her scarlet eyes slightly opened as she scanned the altar downwards, a wave of energy belonging to the Strange Ghost spreading outwards.

A series of rustling sounds immediately rang out from the huge cavern below, as a dozen Origin Beginning Strange Ghost, led by a Mortal Shedding Strange Ghost, began digging towards a certain spot.

Xu Yuan sighed inwardly. It seemed that the foundation for cooperation still required an insurmountable common enemy.

"Secondly, when we arrive at the Blood Nest, I need you to provide me with a Demon Crystal immediately."

"Demon Crystal?"

"Both Mortal Shedding and Origin Beginning Demon Crystal are acceptable."

"Does what I mean mean it's useful?"

Luo Xiran said with a hint of sarcasm, "The transformation into Strange Ghost being is irreversible. Even if you continue to delay it for a while using Demon Crystal, you will eventually become one of my kind. However, since you insist, I can grant your request."

Having said that, Luo Xiran, who was sitting cross-legged in the center of the altar, suddenly raised one hand and pointed it at a hairless giant tiger that was crawling on the ground below.

Brush!

Her slender, raised hand suddenly extended and transformed into a fleshy tendril that pierced directly into the head of the terrifyingly powerful tiger.

"Roar!!"

Seemingly sensing impending death, the terrifying, hairless giant tiger let out a low growl, but it was unable to move due to the suppression of its bloodline.

With a stirring motion, the fleshy whiskers inserted into the giant tiger's head began to devour the tiger's flesh and blood, continuously transporting it towards Luo Xiran on the altar through these whiskers.

"Gurgle. Gurgle."

The silence was broken only by the eerie, consuming sound.

In a short while, the giant tiger's enormous body had withered and turned into a mass of flesh stuck to the stone floor tiles.

"Whoosh."

As the fleshy tendrils retracted and transformed back into a palm, a jet-black crystal appeared at Luo Xiran's fingertip. Through the Blood God Stone Pendant, she spoke to Xu Yuan:

"I have already prepared the Demon Crystal for you, so what can you offer me in return?"

Xu Yuan chuckled softly as he ran:

"I told you from the beginning that I could take you out of here."

Luo Xiran frowned slightly:

"Go out? Then what about the Chi Feng Barbarian Tribe?"

Xu Yuan grinned:

"As long as he can get out, his life or death doesn't matter. There are plenty of people out there who can deal with him."

Is that so?

Luo Xiran murmured thoughtfully, then whispered, "I have already provided what you needed. Could you please tell me how to leave? That way, I can..."

"Are you stupid or am I stupid?" Xu Yuan interrupted her, laughing, "I'll cast the spell as soon as I get to the Blood Nest."

"."

Luo Xiran silent for a moment, then let out a long sigh, as if resigned to her fate, and whispered, "You'd better hurry. Judging from that Barbarian Tribe's aura, he will break through in at least half an hour. Our Abyssal Rift won't interfere much with a saint's Will Soul."

Xu Yuan chuckled upon hearing this:

"Half an hour? That's enough. As long as your judgment is correct, we won't die."

There will be another chapter in a while.

Pay the debt before 12:15.