420: Xuan Wushuang

In the Ghost Demon Kingdom, within the Imperial Palace's Forbidden Ground.

The King of Hell's figure quietly appeared deep within the Imperial Palace. His arrival went unnoticed by anyone, as if he had become one with this heaven and earth.

Within the Forbidden Ground, on an ancient altar, a figure sat cross-legged. He was clad in a black robe, with a stern face, currently cultivating with his eyes closed, emanating a chilling aura of majesty.

He was none other than the legend of the Ghost Demon Kingdom—Xuan Wushuang.

"You've come."

Xuan Wushuang slowly opened his eyes, his gaze sweeping towards the King of Hell like lightning. His voice was low and calm, as if he had long anticipated the King of Hell's arrival.

"You know me?"

The King of Hell asked with some curiosity.

His figure was shrouded in a netherworld phenomenon, making his face indistinct, but the vast, abyssal aura made Xuan Wushuang's heart throb.

"I have an informant in the Myriad Ghosts Hall. Through his perspective, I learned everything that happened in the Myriad Ghosts Hall. I imagine that as a power within the Myriad Ghosts Domain, my Ghost Demon Kingdom likely won't be spared either!"

Xuan Wushuang looked at the King of Hell with a calm gaze and slowly spoke.

"Xuan Wushuang, the first generation Ghost Demon Emperor of the Ghost Demon Kingdom, truly lives up to his reputation."

The King of Hell's voice was calm and indifferent, yet carried a hint of admiration.

Then, he changed the subject.

"My Imperial Dynasty has just emerged from a long-sealed land and requires a group of retainers. The Ghost Demon Kingdom shall live if it submits to My Imperial Dynasty, and perish if it defies My Imperial Dynasty."

The King of Hell's voice was cold and authoritative, as if proclaiming an unalterable fate.

Upon hearing this, Xuan Wushuang's lips curled slightly into a smile: "Submit? I, Xuan Wushuang, have never bowed to heaven or earth, nor to demons or ghosts, believing only in myself! You expect me to submit with a single sentence? I cannot do it!"

His voice carried a hint of arrogance, clearly scoffing at the King of Hell's proposal.

The King of Hell did not get angry; instead, a flicker of admiration appeared in his eyes: "Good! At least he has more backbone than Ming Ku and Gui Zhuo."

Xuan Wushuang sneered, his Battle Intent surging in his eyes: "Since you are so confident, let me see if you are qualified to make me submit!"

Before his words finished, a monstrous Ghost Demon Qi erupted from his body. Azure flames condensed behind him into a colossal Ghost Demon phantom—a wolf-beast emanating a netherworld aura, exuding a chilling pressure.

"I will grant your wish!"

The King of Hell nodded slightly, quite pleased with this subordinate, for though he wasn't one now, that might not be the case soon.

With a wave of his hand, a spatial world instantly unfolded, engulfing both of them.

Xuan Wushuang stood in the Void Realm, his gaze sharp as he watched the King of Hell.

His body was surrounded by monstrous Ghost Demon Qi, like a wolf god emerged from the netherworld.

"Come, fight!"

Xuan Wushuang roared, his voice like thunder resonating through heaven and earth. The wolf god phantom behind him lunged at the King of Hell, its immense power covering myriad realms and pressuring all heavens, causing the world to lose its luster.

"Boom—"

The King of Hell stood his ground, gently waving his hand, unleashing a monstrous destructive force that sent the wolf god phantom flying, forcing Xuan Wushuang back hundreds of millions of miles.

"Again!"

A hint of solemnity flashed in Xuan Wushuang's eyes. He formed hand seals, and the wolf god phantom instantly solidified. It then opened its mouth and spat out an earth-shattering Dao spell.

"Crack—"

In an instant, blue radiance filled the sky, and the sun, moon, and stars spanning the heavens and earth all withered away.

The King of Hell remained calm. He took a single step, and beneath his feet, myriad realms receded, and the star rivers reversed. In an instant, he arrived beneath the blue radiance. The boundless Dao spell, upon encountering him, was like moths to a flame, dissipating into specks of blue light.

"You..."

Seeing this, Xuan Wushuang's expression changed slightly. In just two moves, he realized the King of Hell's might!

But he would not admit defeat, for he was Xuan Wushuang!

"This move is my ultimate technique. If I lose, my life and death are yours to command!"

"Wolf God Descent!"

A look of determination flashed in Xuan Wushuang's eyes. He formed hand seals, and the Ghost Demon power throughout his body surged wildly. The next moment, Xuan Wushuang merged with the wolf god behind him.

Rumble!

A colossal blue giant wolf, reaching to the heavens and standing on the earth, appeared before the King of Hell, surrounded by terrifying phenomena, as if it were invincible in the world.

"Roar—"

With a furious roar, in an instant, countless stars shattered and star rivers broke, a terrifying sight that shocked all heavens.

"Not bad! Quite interesting!"

The King of Hell smiled. Originally, Xuan Wushuang had only merged with five streams of Hongmeng Primordial Qi, but the Battle Intent he now unleashed had reached that of a Dao Lord who had merged with nine streams of Hongmeng Primordial Qi.

And he finally made his move. He formed an ancient netherworld hand seal, and the Dao Light instantly overshadowed all heavens, its terrifying power instantly covering all eternities.

"Descend!"

He raised his hand and struck, and the ancient netherworld hand seal slammed out with force.

"Roar—"

Xuan Wushuang roared, charging towards the netherworld hand seal, intending to shatter it!

"Boom—"

The two clashed, and a dazzling light instantly exploded everywhere.

"Ah!"

Suddenly, Xuan Wushuang let out a world-shaking scream. His body was shattered, and he spat out large mouthfuls of blood. The King of Hell's single strike had caused him terrifying heavy injuries.

Xuan Wushuang's face instantly turned pale, his eyes filled with disbelief.

He hadn't expected that even with his full power, he couldn't withstand a single move from the King of Hell.

"You... won."

Xuan Wushuang lowered his head, his voice tinged with bitterness and helplessness. He knew that his ability to make three moves was also due to the King of Hell giving him face and going easy on him; otherwise, the opponent could have defeated him in a single move.

The spatial world slowly dissipated, returning to the Imperial Palace's Forbidden Ground.

Xuan Wushuang's figure fell from the Void Realm, kneeling on one knee, a trace of blood spilling from the corner of his mouth. His eyes were full of fatigue, yet still held a hint of unyielding spirit.

The King of Hell's figure slowly appeared, his gaze calmly fixed on Xuan Wushuang: "You lost."

Xuan Wushuang looked up, his gaze complex as he watched the King of Hell: "Why don't you kill me?"

The King of Hell said indifferently: "Your backbone is something I admire. Submit to me, and the Ghost Demon Kingdom will still be under your command."

"I don't want my people to become Puppets. We Ghost Demons have a difficult existence, unrecognized by both races. Even those Ghost Demons with powerful talents can only end up as enforcers for the two races!"

"Therefore, I was unwilling and established this Ghost Demon Kingdom! I want Ghost Demons to form their own race, to become a powerful race that both other races dare not ignore!"

Xuan Wushuang said in a low voice, recounting his grand ambition.

"I can agree to your terms, but I must place a Restriction on your Dao Soul," the King of Hell stated. "If you wish to fulfill your grand ambition, I can help you, but your Ghost Demon race must pledge allegiance to the Imperial Dynasty!"

Xuan Wushuang was silent for a moment, then slowly stood up and knelt on one knee: "Xuan Wushuang... greets Your Majesty!"

His voice carried a hint of heartfelt conviction; he was utterly convinced by his defeat.

"Very good! You have made the right choice!"

The King of Hell said with a smile, and with a wave of his hand, he touched Xuan Wushuang's glabella, not only imprinting a rune but also healing his injuries.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Xuan Wushuang said gratefully.

The King of Hell waved his hand and said: "No need for formalities! Next, I need you to do something for me!"

"Your Majesty, what do you need me to do?" Xuan Wushuang asked.

"March south and sweep away the Netherwolf Domain's pawns embedded in the Myriad Ghosts Domain!" The King of Hell's gaze turned south.