113: Ghost Clan Invitation

The battle ended abruptly, yet it was also within reason.

Anyone who saw three Immortal Lord-level Skeleton Warriors casually smacked into bone dust by a little girl would have to weigh whether their own bones were hard enough.

The disciples of Star Palace worked quickly, and soon the battlefield was cleaned up. The fragments of soul fire left by the three Skeleton Warriors and some special bone materials that were not completely destroyed were all good things, containing pure death energy and sturdy properties. Whether used for refining artifacts, concocting pills, for Su Yuan to research, or for Chu Xinghe to reinforce formations, they were rare treasures.

"Master, cleanup complete," Yun Qingyao reported, her gaze, however, couldn't help but glance at Lin Yingluo, who was riding on Lin Xuan's neck and curiously fiddling with a small piece of soul fire fragment, her eyes complex. The other disciples were much the same; they were grateful for their junior sister/niece's life-saving grace, yet also felt awe and a hint of unease at her terrifying strength.

"Mm," Lin Xuan nodded, carefully lifting his daughter from his neck. "Yingluo, thank you for saving everyone just now."

"No need to thank Daddy!" Lin Yingluo smiled, her eyes crescent-shaped. "Beating bad guys is fun!"

Lin Xuan didn't know whether to laugh or cry; his daughter was treating Immortal Lords like small monsters to brush. He said seriously, "Yingluo is very powerful, but next time you act, you must listen to Daddy's command, okay? Otherwise, you might accidentally injure the uncles, aunties, and your senior brothers and sisters."

"Oh, okay," Lin Yingluo nodded, seemingly understanding yet still very obedient.

Lin Xuan felt a little relieved. Although his daughter's power was outrageous, she was still obedient; he needed to guide her well.

"Master, which direction should we head in next?" Su Yuan stepped forward to ask. He was trying to analyze the energy flow patterns of the Blood Sea Domain, searching for potential treasure areas or safe paths.

Just as Lin Xuan was about to speak, his expression suddenly changed, and he sharply looked into the depths of the blood mist ahead and to the left.

Almost simultaneously, the surface of the Blood Sea Domain, which had calmed down, began to bubble again. But this time, what emerged were not monsters, but the eerie bone ship they had seen before, made of countlessSplicing white bones!

The bone ship silently parted the blood waves, slowly approaching. On the bow, the same few blurry, eerie figures of the Ghost Race still stood. But unlike before, they did not emit hostility; the leading Ghost Race member even took a slight step forward and, facing Lin Xuan and the others... cupped his hands in greeting?

A hoarse but somewhat polite voice sounded, directly entering everyone's souls: "Fellow Human Race Daoists, greetings."

The disciples immediately became alert, drawing their weapons, and the formation lights glowed again.

Lin Xuan waved his hand, signaling everyone to calm down, and stepped forward, returning the greeting neither obsequiously nor arrogantly: "Fellow Ghost Race Daoist, what is your guidance?" He was also puzzled; these ghosts had been watching coldly just now, so why were they coming over now? Was it because of Yingluo?

The leading Ghost Race member seemed to smile: "Daoist need not be nervous. Having witnessed the astonishing methods of this... junior Daoist just now, we bear no ill will. We are merely following the command of our Nether Skull Ghost King to invite you all to Skeleton Demon City for a discussion."

Nether Skull Ghost King? Skeleton Demon City?

Lin Xuan's heart stirred. It sounded like one of the local powers in the Blood Sea Domain.

"Oh? Invite us? For what purpose?" Lin Xuan didn't immediately agree, instead asking. Those not of one's race are sure to have different intentions, especially in a place like this.

The Ghost Race member seemed to have anticipated Lin Xuan's question and continued in that hoarse voice: "Daoist, do you know that this Blood Sea Domain is not an ownerless land? Nor is it only about fighting and killing?"

He paused, seemingly organizing his words: "The Blood Sea Domain is vast and boundless, roughly divided into three major regions: the outer 'Resentful Blood Sea,' which is where we are now, filled with blood fiends and resentful spirits, with the harshest environment, but also scattered with some ancient battlefield relics. The middle 'Abyss of Sunken Souls' is the resting place of countless powerful remnant souls and ancient corpses, fraught with danger, but also hiding greater opportunities, such as the core production area of 'Blood Sea Soul Crystals,' and perhaps even traces of 'Underworld Nether Lotus.' The deepest part is where the Well of Reincarnation's projection lies, an absolute forbidden zone that even Ghost KingHis Majesty does not dare to approach easily. It is said to connect to a trace of the true Underworld's origin, but also contains the mystery of transcending reincarnation."

This information was something Lin Xuan had not known before. The information given by the Immortal Emperor was also relatively brief.

"And these three major regions are also occupied by different forces," the Ghost Race member continued. "The outer region is the most chaotic, with various forces, rogue cultivators, and constant fighting. The middle 'Abyss of Sunken Souls' is mainly controlled by our Ghost Race, as well as some extremely powerful ancient blood demons and remnant soul lords. As for the deepest part... no one can truly control it."

"Our Nether Skull Ghost King is one of the several overlords who control the northwest region of the Abyss of Sunken Souls," the Ghost Race member's tone carried a hint of pride. "His Majesty sensed the energy fluctuations from that great battle just now, especially... the unique and powerful aura of power when this junior Daoist made his move. He specifically ordered us to come and invite you all to Skeleton Demon City. His Majesty said there might be a possibility of cooperation with you all."

Cooperation? Cooperate with a Ghost King?

The disciples looked at each other, all finding it somewhat incredible. The Human Race and the Ghost Race had always kept to themselves, even having many conflicts. Cooperate in this Blood Sea Domain?

Lin Xuan pondered for a moment. This was indeed an opportunity. They knew too little about the Blood Sea Domain, and blindly rushing in was extremely dangerous. If they could obtain more detailed information from a local power, or even reach some kind of cooperation, it would undoubtedly be much safer and allow them to search for opportunities more targetedly. Moreover, the other party was clearly extending an olive branch because of Yingluo's strength.

But risks also existed. Who knew what the Nether Skull Ghost King was planning? What if it was a trap?

"Master, beware of deception," Yun Qingyao transmitted. "Su Yuan, can you determine the veracity of their words?" Lin Xuan transmitted, asking. Runes flickered in Su Yuan's eyes, and he whispered, "Energy fluctuations are stable, with no obvious malicious emotions. The information about the Blood Sea Domain's division has a high match with the fragmented data I've obtained. But deeper intentions cannot be determined."

Lin Xuan had made up his mind. He looked at the Ghost Race member and said, "Thank you for Ghost KingHis Majesty's kind offer. May I ask how His Majesty wishes to cooperate? And how will our safety be guaranteed?"

The Ghost Race member seemed to smile: "It is right for Daoist to be cautious. Specific cooperation matters naturally need to be discussed in detail with His Majesty. As for safety... hehe, with this junior Daoist's strength, are you still afraid that we would set a trap? His Majesty sincerely invites you and bears absolutely no ill will. If Daoist agrees, I can make a 'Soul Vow' here. If I harbor any intention of harming you all, I will surely suffer soul fire backlash and fall into endless hell!"

A Soul Vow, for the Ghost Race, was the most solemn oath, involving their primordial soul fire.

With the other party speaking to this extent, their sincerity seemed quite genuine.

Lin Xuan thought it over repeatedly and felt that this opportunity was worth the risk. After all, with Yingluo as a trump card, even if the other party turned hostile, there would be room to maneuver.

"Good! Since that's the case, then please lead the way, fellow Daoist," Lin Xuan finally nodded in agreement.

The Ghost Race member seemed to let out a sigh of relief and immediately swore with his soul fire, a faint dark rune flashing across his brow.

"Fellow Daoists, please follow me," the Ghost Race member made a gesture of invitation, and the bone ship turned its direction, sailing towards the depths of the Blood Sea Domain.

Lin Xuan controlled the crude bone boat, leading the disciples to follow closely behind.

With the Ghost Race's bone ship leading the way, the effect seemed significant. The restless blood sea resentful spirits and monsters around, sensing the pure Ghost Race aura emanating from the bone ship, all retreated, not daring to approach. The journey became much smoother.

The disciples finally had a chance to relax a little, while remaining vigilant of their surroundings and processing the information they had just received.

The three major regions of the Blood Sea Domain, Ghost Kings, blood demons, remnant soul lords, the projection of the Well of Reincarnation... this fragment of hell was even more complex and dangerous than they had imagined.

And their arrival, as well as Lin Yingluo's astonishing performance, seemed to have attracted the attention of the true rulers of this land.

What awaited them in the Skeleton Demon City ahead? Opportunity, or another trap?