196: Chapter 196 The Skeleton Army, the Battle for Crystals

"Click! Click!"

The harsh sound of skeletons rubbing together surged like a tide. Hundreds upon hundreds of skeletons of varying sizes and shapes, with ghost-green ghost fire dancing in their eye sockets, exuded cold, dead, and violent auras as they crazily pounced from all directions at the group who had broken into the ruins. Some of these skeletons were several zhang tall, like ancient giant beasts, causing the ground to tremble with every step; others were slender and agile, like ghosts, weaving and leaping through the ruins with incredible speed.

"Form up! Meet the enemy!" Palace Master Xuè Wúhén's cold voice rang out, carrying unquestionable authority. The group from the Ice and Snow Divine Palace quickly changed Formation, with Palace Master Xuè Wúhén at the core, Fairy Shuiyun and Liu Qingqing supporting from the center, and two Heavenly Immortal Deacons and five Earth Immortal Disciples positioned on all sides. The Xuan Ice Formation formed instantly, its icy aura coalescing into a pale blue hemispherical ice shield that protected everyone in the center.

"Icy Sword Rain!" With a wave of her fair hand, Palace Master Xuè Wúhén condensed countless ice-blue Sword Qi out of thin air, which poured down like a torrential rain, enveloping the skeletons charging at the front.

"Sss-sss-sss—!"

The ice-blue Sword Qi was incomparably sharp, instantly piercing and freezing dozens of skeletons before shattering them into a sky full of ice shards. But more skeletons charged up, fearing no death, crazily attacking the ice shield with bone claws, bone spikes, and bone tails. The ice shield vibrated violently, emitting clicking sounds, and fine cracks appeared on its surface.

"What powerful strength! These skeletons are at least at the strength of a Late Stage Earth Immortal!" a Heavenly Immortal Deacon of the Ice and Snow Divine Palace said, horrified. He slashed his sword at the bone arm of a humanoid skeleton, but only left a shallow white mark, and the recoil made his hand go numb.

"We cannot fight them head-on! Use hit-and-run tactics! Attack their joints and the ghost fire in their eye sockets!" Fairy Shuiyun shouted sharply, her Ice Soul Sword leaving its sheath and turning into an ice-blue stream of light that precisely stabbed into the knee joint of a skeleton.

"Click!" The skeleton's knee joint shattered upon impact, and its massive body lost balance, crashing to the ground. Fairy Shuiyun's sword light flashed again, piercing into its eye socket and stirring the mass of ghost-green ghost fire to pieces. The skeleton shuddered violently, then fell apart, turning into a pile of broken bones.

"It works!" Liu Qingqing's eyes lit up, and following her Senior Sister's example, she waved her Cold Ice Silk. It wrapped around a skeleton's neck, and she tightened it violently, trying to strangle it. But the skeleton had immense strength; it grabbed the Cold Ice Silk with its bone claws and pulled violently, almost pulling Liu Qingqing away.

"Qingqing, be careful!" Fairy Shuiyun cried out, a flash of sword light severing the skeleton's bone claws. Liu Qingqing took the opportunity to retract the Cold Ice Silk, her little face pale with fright.

On the other side, the War God Temple's Bald Giant, like a humanoid Tyrannosaurus, rampaged through the skeleton army. He did not dodge or evade, letting the skeletons' bone claws and bone spikes strike his body, emitting the sound of metal clashing and sending sparks flying. And with every punch he threw, a skeleton was smashed to pieces. He laughed heartily, his Battle Intent boiling: "Satisfying! This is more like it! Come on! You piles of bones!"

The Sky Wolf Association's One-eyed Elder had flames rising, turning into fire snakes that coiled around and burned the skeletons. Flames had a restraining effect on evil objects; the skeletons made popping sounds in the fire, and their ghost fires flickered unsteadily. But for those giant skeletons at the Heavenly Immortal level, the flames only left scorched marks on them and could not cause fatal damage.

"Damn it! These bones are too hard!" the One-eyed Elder cursed, his figure flickering as he dodged a strike from a giant ape skeleton at the Early Stage Heavenly Immortal level. That giant ape skeleton was five zhang tall, its bone claws like door panels; with a single strike, the ground cracked and gravel splattered.

The Four Seas Trade Alliance's Plump Middle-aged Man offered up a golden shield to block the skeletons' attacks, while directing his subordinates to form up and release long-range spells and Talismans to bombard the skeletons. But the effect was minimal; there were simply too many skeletons, and they felt no pain, feared no death, and came wave after wave like a tide.

The Xuan Yin Sect's Black-robed Old Woman had the most bizarre methods. The black soul banner in her hand waved, and streaks of black shadows whistled out, drilling into the skeletons' eye sockets to fight for control with the ghost fire inside. Some skeletons had their ghost fire extinguished and collapsed to the ground. But for more skeletons, the ghost fire suddenly surged, devouring and tearing the black shadows to pieces. The Black-robed Old Woman's expression was gloomy; the ghost fire inside these skeletons contained a trace of a Chaos Demon God's resentment, making it difficult for her Yin spirits to fully control them.

The battle entered a white-hot state from the very beginning. The five major factions, nearly a hundred Cultivators, were locked in fierce combat with the army of thousands of skeletons upon the ruins. The light of spells, the clashing of weapons, the roars of skeletons, and the screams of Cultivators intertwined into a symphony of death. Cultivators were constantly being injured or falling, and skeletons were constantly being shattered or falling apart. Blood stained the ancient stone slabs red; bone powder permeated the grey sky.

Lin Wan did not join the melee. He stood behind the Ice and Snow Divine Palace's ice shield, his gaze sweeping across the battlefield, his expression calm. Although these skeletons were numerous, to a true powerhouse, they were nothing. He was observing, observing the movement patterns of these skeletons, observing the weaknesses of those few giant skeletons at the Heavenly Immortal level, and also observing... the trump cards of the other factions.

"Elder Xue, this cannot go on! The number of skeletons is too great, and they do not tire; our immortal essence is being depleted too rapidly!" a Deacon of the Ice and Snow Divine Palace said, his face pale and gasping for breath. He had just taken a direct hit from a skeleton, his blood and Qi churning, and he had consumed nearly thirty percent of his immortal essence.

Palace Master Xuè Wúhén's brows were tightly furrowed; how could she not know the situation was dire? Although the Xuan Ice Formation had strong defense, its consumption was also great. It had been less than an incense stick's time, and several Earth Immortal Disciples were already swaying, their immortal essence about to be exhausted. Once the Formation collapsed, facing the tide-like skeleton army, the consequences would be unimaginable.

"Fellow Daoist Lin..." Palace Master Xuè Wúhén looked at Lin Wan, her eyes carrying a plea for help. She had witnessed Lin Wan's methods and knew that he was hiding his true capabilities; perhaps he had a way to break the deadlock.

Lin Wan nodded slightly; he stepped out of the ice shield and arrived at the front of the battlefield.

"Junior Brother Lin!" "Senior Lin!" Fairy Shuiyun and Liu Qingqing exclaimed simultaneously, worry appearing in their eyes. Outside, the skeletons were like a tide; although Lin Wan's strength was formidable, he was alone, which was too dangerous.

Lin Wan did not look back; he raised his right hand and gently pressed down toward the surging skeleton army in front of him.

"Suppress!"

A single word, plain and unremarkable, yet carrying supreme majesty.

As his palm pressed down, an invisible force field suddenly spread out with him at the center. Wherever the force field passed, space seemed to solidify. Those skeletons that were crazily pouncing, as if struck by a immobilization spell, froze in place, unable to move. Even the ghost-green ghost fire in their eye sockets seemed to solidify, stopping its dancing.

Time seemed to have stopped at this moment.

On the battlefield, all sounds of fighting, clashing, and roaring came to an abrupt halt. Everyone stared in dumbstruck amazement at this scene, looking at that grey-clothed figure who, with just a light press, had immobilized hundreds of skeletons! This... what kind of Divine Ability is this?!

"This... is this Spatial Imprisonment?!" the War God Temple's Bald Giant's pupils shrank, and he exclaimed involuntarily. He cultivated Body Refining techniques and had an extremely keen sense for power and space. He felt that Lin Wan's move was not brute force, but rather it had invoked the Laws of the surrounding space, forming a temporary imprisonment Domain! This kind of method already involved the level of Laws! This was absolutely not a power that a Heavenly Immortal could master! Could it be... that this Fellow Daoist Senior Lín Fēng is a Golden Immortal powerhouse hiding his cultivation?!

Palace Master Xuè Wúhén, the One-eyed Elder, the Plump Middle-aged Man, the Black-robed Old Woman, and the others were all horrified, their gazes toward Lin Wan filled with awe and disbelief. They had originally thought that Lin Wan was at most a Late Stage Heavenly Immortal, or perhaps even a Peak Heavenly Immortal. But now it seemed that the other party's strength far exceeded their imagination! To be able to instantly imprison hundreds of skeletons that were at least Late Stage Earth Immortal, including a few that were Early Stage Heavenly Immortal, was something that at least a Peak Heavenly Immortal, or perhaps even a powerhouse who had touched the threshold of a Golden Immortal, could do!

Lin Wan's expression did not change, as if he had done a trivial thing. He flicked his fingers lightly, and several greyish streaks of Chaos Sword Qi shot out, precisely entering the eye sockets of those few giant skeletons at the Heavenly Immortal level.

"Puff, puff, puff!"

Like the light sound of bubbles bursting, the ghost-green ghost fire in the eye sockets of those giant skeletons instantly extinguished. The massive skeletal bodies collapsed with a crash, scattering across the ground, and fell silent.

"Attack their ghost fire; that is their core," Lin Wan said indifferently, and then withdrew his palm.

As he withdrew his palm, that invisible imprisonment force also dissipated. But for the skeletons that had been imprisoned, their ghost fire had been disrupted, their movements were sluggish, and their power was greatly reduced.

"Kill!" Palace Master Xuè Wúhén was the first to react; she shouted sharply, her Ice Soul Sword leaving its sheath and turning into an ice-blue rainbow that swept toward those sluggish skeletons. Wherever the sword light passed, the skeletons shattered one after another.

"Kill!" The others also woke as if from a dream, their morale greatly boosted, and they all unleashed their full power. The skeleton army had lost the core few Heavenly Immortal skeletons and, after being imprisoned by Lin Wan, its strength was greatly reduced; it immediately collapsed and was slaughtered by the group like chopping melons and vegetables.

In less than half an incense stick's time, the entire army of thousands of skeletons was wiped out. The ruins were piled with broken bones, and the air was permeated with thick Death Qi and bone powder.

Everyone was panting, still shaken. This battle, although a victory, had caused no small losses for the major factions. The Four Seas Trade Alliance had lost two Late Stage Earth Immortal guards, and three were seriously injured. The Sky Wolf Association had lost one Early Stage Heavenly Immortal Deacon, and several were lightly injured. The War God Temple had one Body Cultivator seriously injured and lost his combat capability. The Ice and Snow Divine Palace and the Xuan Yin Sect, relying on their Formations and bizarre methods, had no casualties, but they had also consumed a great deal.

Everyone's gaze involuntarily turned toward that grey-clothed figure standing with his hands behind his back, their eyes filled with awe, gratitude, and wariness. They knew that if Lin Wan had not acted just now, even if they could have repelled the skeleton army, they would surely have suffered heavy losses, or perhaps even been wiped out entirely.

"Fellow Daoist Lin, your Divine Ability is vast; I, Palace Master Xuè Wúhén, admire you." Palace Master Xuè Wúhén stepped forward, bowed deeply to Lin Wan, her tone sincere. This time, her gratitude and admiration were genuine.

"Fellow Daoist Lin, the War God Temple will keep your great kindness in our hearts!" the Bald Giant said, cupping his fists. His voice was like a booming bell, filled with boldness.

"Many thanks for Fellow Daoist Lin's assistance." The Plump Middle-aged Man from the Four Seas Trade Alliance also cupped his hands to express his thanks, his eyes flickering with a sharp light, as if he were plotting something.

The One-eyed Elder from the Sky Wolf Association's expression shifted, and in the end, he reluctantly cupped his hands without saying a word.

The Black-robed Old Woman from the Xuan Yin Sect gave Lin Wan a gloomy look, let out two strange, cackling laughs, and remained silent.

Lin Wan nodded slightly in response. His gaze remained fixed on the three crystals above the distant palace. The grey, hazy Chaos crystal, in particular, caused the Chaos Dao Seed within his body to transmit a strong sense of yearning.

"Fellow Daoist Lin, those three crystals..." Palace Master Xuè Wúhén followed Lin Wan's gaze, a flicker of intense heat flashing through her beautiful eyes, though she quickly concealed it. She knew that with Lin Wan's strength, if he wanted to compete for them, no one here could stop him. However, she was unwilling to give up; that Ice-type Origin crystal was crucial to her.

"There are three crystals, which is just right." Lin Wan withdrew his gaze, looked at everyone, and said calmly: "That Ice-type Origin crystal belongs to the Ice and Snow Divine Palace. That Fire-type Origin crystal belongs to the War God Temple. That Chaos crystal belongs to me. Does anyone have any objections?"

Lin Wan's tone was flat, yet it carried an unquestionable majesty. He did not use a tone of consultation; instead, he directly allocated them. He had the strength and the qualifications to do so.

The group looked at each other, silent for a moment. Lin Wan's distribution seemed fair, with everyone getting what they needed. The Ice and Snow Divine Palace wanted the Ice-type crystal, the War God Temple wanted the Fire-type crystal, and he himself wanted the Chaos crystal. However, the value of the Chaos crystal was clearly above that of the Ice and Fire-type Origin crystals! That was a crystal with Chaos attributes, containing the Chaos Origin; it was a supreme treasure for refining Chaos Immortal Treasures and comprehending the Chaos Dao!

"Heh heh, Fellow Daoist Lin, I'm afraid this distribution is inappropriate, right?" The One-eyed Elder of the Sky Wolf Association spoke with a sinister tone. "The Chaos crystal is an ownerless object; those who see it have a share. By what right do you get to swallow it all yourself?"

"That's right! The Chaos crystal is worth a fortune; it should be divided equally among everyone!" The Plump Middle-aged Man from the Four Seas Trade Alliance echoed, the greed in his eyes undisguised.

The Black-robed Old Woman from the Xuan Yin Sect did not speak, but green light flickered in her eyes; clearly, she was also unwilling to accept this.

The Bald Giant from the War God Temple frowned slightly; he wanted the Fire-type Origin crystal and had little interest in the Chaos crystal, but he also did not want to offend Lin Wan. He pondered for a moment and said: "Fellow Daoist Lin, the Chaos crystal is indeed precious. Do you think... it's possible to take out a portion so everyone can share in the benefits?"

Palace Master Xuè Wúhén's lips moved slightly, wanting to say something, but in the end, she remained silent. Her Ice and Snow Divine Palace was weak and isolated; being able to obtain the Ice-type Origin crystal was already an unexpected joy, and she dared not covet the Chaos crystal. Moreover, she vaguely felt that Lin Wan would not back down.

As expected, Lin Wan's gaze swept over the One-eyed Elder and the Plump Middle-aged Man, and a cold arc curled at the corners of his mouth.

"Because I was able to open the passage, because I was able to suppress the skeleton army, because I... am stronger than you." Lin Wan's voice was not loud, yet it exploded in everyone's ears like a thunderclap. "If you are not convinced, you can try."

"You!" The One-eyed Elder's face flushed red, fire burning in his eyes, but thinking of the terrifying means Lin Wan had used to effortlessly imprison hundreds of skeletons just a moment ago, he forcibly suppressed his anger, not daring to act out.

The Plump Middle-aged Man's expression also changed, and the look of wariness in his eyes intensified. Although his Four Seas Trade Alliance was wealthy, its strength was not top-tier; offending a powerhouse suspected of being at the Heavenly Immortal Peak or even a Golden Immortal was definitely not a wise move.

"Fellow Daoist Lin, please calm your anger." The Plump Middle-aged Man from the Four Seas Trade Alliance gave a dry laugh and said: "Since Fellow Daoist Lin insists, then my Four Seas Trade Alliance... will withdraw from the competition for the Chaos crystal." He weighed the pros and cons and decided to give up. It was not worth offending an unfathomable powerhouse for a Chaos crystal that he might not even be able to obtain.

"Hmph! Let's go!" The One-eyed Elder from the Sky Wolf Association glared fiercely at Lin Wan, waved his hand, and turned to leave with his subordinates, heading towards the other side of the palace, evidently intending to search for other treasures. He knew that with Lin Wan there, the Chaos crystal was out of their reach, so it was better to try his luck elsewhere.

The Black-robed Old Woman from the Xuan Yin Sect gave Lin Wan a deep look, let out two strange, cackling laughs, and also led her subordinates to silently melt into the grey mist, disappearing from sight. She acted with secrecy and clearly had other motives.

The Bald Giant from the War God Temple laughed heartily and cupped his fists to Lin Wan: "Fellow Daoist Lin is straightforward! My War God Temple only wants that Fire-type Origin crystal; the Chaos crystal belongs to Fellow Daoist Lin, I have no objections!"

"Many thanks." Lin Wan nodded, then looked at Palace Master Xuè Wúhén.

Palace Master Xuè Wúhén took a deep breath, suppressing the waves in her heart, and said solemnly: "Fellow Daoist Lin has shown kindness to my Ice and Snow Divine Palace; the Ice-type Origin crystal is already a generous gift. The Chaos crystal belongs to Fellow Daoist Lin; my Ice and Snow Divine Palace has absolutely no objections."

"Good." Lin Wan said no more. His figure flashed, turning into a grey stream of light as he darted towards the three crystals above the palace.

Palace Master Xuè Wúhén and the Bald Giant also hurriedly followed. They also needed to go and collect their own crystals.

Although the palace was dilapidated, it was still imposing. Lin Wan landed on the roof of the palace and reached out to grab the grey, hazy Chaos crystal. Just as his fingers were about to touch the crystal, a sudden change occurred!

"Buzz——!"

The Chaos crystal suddenly erupted with blinding grey light, and a terrifying suction force emanated from the crystal, instantly enveloping Lin Wan! Lin Wan felt the Chaos Immortal Energy within his body, like floodwaters bursting through a dam, uncontrollably surging towards the Chaos crystal! At the same time, a vast, ancient, and chaotic will followed the immortal essence, assaulting his Divine Soul!

"You want to attempt Possession on me?" A flash of cold light shone in Lin Wan's eyes, and he let out a cold snort. The Chaos Dao Seed within his body suddenly accelerated its rotation, and a more ancient, more vast Chaos Qi erupted from him, taking the initiative and conversely devouring the energy and will within the Chaos crystal!

"No——! How is this possible?! You... who are you?! How can you have... a Chaos Dao Seed within your body?!" A sharp, terrified, and incredulous consciousness emanated from the Chaos crystal, filled with boundless fear.

"A mere wisp of a remnant soul dares to covet my body? Refine for me!" With a thought from Lin Wan, the Chaos Dao Seed shone brilliantly, and like a millstone, it began to crush, devour, and refine the remnant soul and will within the Chaos crystal bit by bit!

"Ah——! I am unwilling! I am the Chaos Demon God—Wuyin! I..." The remnant soul let out a shrill, miserable scream, but the voice grew weaker and weaker, until it finally dissipated completely.

The light of the Chaos crystal receded, becoming docile, and it lay quietly in Lin Wan's palm. Inside the crystal, the grey, hazy Chaos Qi flowed slowly like clouds and mist, emitting an alluring dao rhyme.

"The remnant soul of the Chaos Demon God—Wuyin?" Lin Wan understood in his heart. Sure enough, this Grey Mist Zone was formed from the resentment of the Chaos Demon God Wuyin after its fall. And this Chaos crystal was the core of Wuyin, containing a wisp of its remnant soul, wanting to possess any living being that approached it to be reborn. Unfortunately, it encountered Lin Wan, who possessed the Chaos Dao Seed; instead of succeeding, it lost its life, and its remnant soul was refined, becoming a supplement for Lin Wan instead.

"Fellow Daoist Lin, are you alright?" Palace Master Xuè Wúhén and the Bald Giant arrived, and seeing Lin Wan holding the Chaos crystal with a normal expression, they both breathed a sigh of relief. They had also felt that terrifying suction and impact of will earlier and had been terrified, fearing that something might have happened to Lin Wan.

"I am fine." Lin Wan shook his head and put away the Chaos crystal. Having refined Wuyin's remnant soul, he had not only obtained the Chaos crystal but also gained some of Wuyin's memory fragments, giving him a deeper understanding of this ruin.

Palace Master Xuè Wúhén and the Bald Giant also collected the Ice-type Origin crystal and the Fire-type Origin crystal respectively, joy appearing on their faces.

"This place is not suitable for a long stay; let us leave quickly." Lin Wan sensed that even more powerful auras were awakening deep within the palace. The refinement of Wuyin's remnant soul seemed to have disturbed certain sleeping existences.

"Good!" Palace Master Xuè Wúhén and the Bald Giant nodded; they also sensed an ominous aura.

The three of them did not delay any longer, turning into streams of light and darting rapidly towards the direction they had come from. They had to leave this ruin before those existences fully awakened.

However, just as they were about to rush out of the ruin's perimeter, the grey mist ahead churned, and three figures exuding terrifying auras blocked their path.

The leader was none other than the Black-robed Old Woman from the Xuan Yin Sect. Beside her stood two other Elders wearing black robes with cold auras, whose cultivation levels had unexpectedly reached the Heavenly Immortal Middle Stage! And behind them, the grey mist condensed, forming dozens of even more powerful skeleton warriors, each possessing fluctuations of the Heavenly Immortal Early Stage!

"Ke ke ke... you three, why are you in such a rush to leave? Leave the crystals behind, and this old woman can spare your lives." The Black-robed Old Woman laughed sinisterly, the green light in her eyes flaring up as she stared at the three of them like a venomous snake.

Palace Master Xuè Wúhén and the Bald Giant's expressions changed drastically. Three Heavenly Immortal Middle Stage Cultivators and dozens of Heavenly Immortal Early Stage skeleton warriors! This Xuan Yin Sect had actually hidden such strength! They wanted to be the oriole behind the mantis stalking the cicada!

Lin Wan's gaze swept over the Black-robed Old Woman and the others, then looked at the skeleton warriors behind them, his expression calm, as if he had anticipated this long ago.

"Just by relying on you?"