162: Chapter 162

Chapter 162

Mu Xiufeng and Li Yunshu made eye contact and smiled awkwardly.

At this moment, he felt fear.

He didn't know what method Li Yunshu used to control the other three; the unknown was always the most terrifying.

The people behind them, half-running, were forced to stop.

"What's going on?"

"Why aren't they moving?"

"Are we fighting or not?"

A Disciple from Lanque Pavilion shouted:

"Everyone, charge together and kill these Devil Heads from the Ghost Realm."

Pfft—

Another Disciple from Lanque Pavilion behind him stabbed him through the stomach with a knife.

His Dantian was shattered, and he never imagined he would die by the hands of his own people.

Ghosts cannot Possess living people in the Yang Realm; only a Primordial Spirit can Possess others.

However, ghosts can possess bodies and control people's actions.

Hundreds of people immediately fell into chaos.

Some were hacking at each other, some were wielding knives to castrate themselves, and some female ghosts took the opportunity to absorb Yang Qi.

In just a moment, half of the hundreds of people had died.

Mu Xiufeng watched everything behind him in horror.

"What kind of sorcery did you use?"

Li Yunshu looked closely at Mu Xiufeng; he was the only one not entangled by vengeful spirits.

With his deepeye activated, Mu Xiufeng exuded a faint, majestic aura.

Once employed by the Imperial Dynasty, ordinary vengeful spirits cannot harm him.

The majestic aura around Mu Xiufeng was precisely because he was the Dragon Curtain Leader's Imperial-appointed Little Celestial Master of the Dao Sect.

"Penetrate the Earth."

Mu Xiufeng disappeared from his spot and reappeared within three meters of Li Yunshu.

The long sword in his hand thrust directly at Li Yunshu's throat.

Li Yunshu caught the tip of the sword between two fingers, and Mu Xiufeng could not advance another inch.

"Heavenly Gang Thunder."

Streaks of lightning appeared on the long sword, quickly transmitting to Li Yunshu's fingers.

"Karma Fire of the Underworld."

Karma Fire flared around Li Yunshu, and the lightning was instantly forced back.

Pfft—

Mu Xiufeng spat out blood, forced back ten meters away.

The long sword caught in Li Yunshu's hand melted by the Karma Fire and fell to the ground.

Although both were at the first level of the Earth Realm, their strength differed greatly.

The yellow paper on the ground was ignited by the Karma Fire, and the multitude of ghosts frantically scrambled for it.

Those possessed by the ghosts regained their freedom.

However, some people were forever left there, becoming part of the multitude of ghosts.

Everyone retreated, looking at Li Yunshu in horror.

Li Yunshu stood with his hands behind his back, involuntarily recalling those lines:

"Some say money makes the world go 'round, but I believe money makes the mill grind ghosts."

"With money, I can buy the heavens above, the earth below, and the air in between."

"With money, I can make the living shut up."

"With money, I can make the dead breathe."

The Ghost Realm Disciple behind Li Yunshu said, "Grandmaster, they're running."

Taking advantage of Li Yunshu's distraction, the retreating crowd stopped in their tracks.

Li Yunshu smiled, "You'd better hide obediently. If I see you again, I'm afraid I won't be in such a good mood."

"Quick, go!"

Mu Xiufeng and the others fled.

Until the Hongxiao Ruins' barrier reopened, they would all avoid Li Yunshu.

And the Cultivators on the ground who couldn't move were simply abandoned.

The Ghost Realm Disciples stepped forward, finishing off those who were lying on the ground but not quite dead.

At the same time, they began to search the dead for Cultivation resources.

Those who could enter here were more or less Disciples with some Aptitude in their respective Sects.

They naturally had some Spiritual Artifacts, Spirit Stones, and Spiritual Arts on them.

After grabbing the money, the multitude of ghosts looked eagerly at Li Yunshu again.

Ghosts are also greedy; everyone wants more of something for nothing.

Li Yunshu wasn't here to be a benevolent giver; he needed to find the Hongxiao Secret Vault.

"Next, we'll have a prize quiz. I'm looking for the Hongxiao Secret Vault. Can anyone provide a clue?"

Li Yunshu raised the yellow paper in his hand.

"The reward is a stack of yellow paper."

Upon hearing this, the multitude of ghosts immediately showed fierce expressions.

They bared their fangs and claws, stepping forward as if they would tear Li Yunshu apart if he didn't continue burning paper.

"Ding! Passive triggered: Yama."

Li Yunshu sneered inwardly.

"Indeed, one cannot burn paper indiscriminately; otherwise, without some means of self-defense, one might be entangled by vengeful spirits for life, becoming an ATM."

Behind Li Yunshu, the black Dharma Body reappeared.

The multitude of ghosts all stopped dead in their tracks, and the ghost standing at the very front quickly retreated.

Even the King of the Underworld trembled when he saw the black Dharma Body in the Yin-Yang Realm. The ghosts' reaction confirmed to Li Yunshu that this Dharma Body restrained all ghosts.

He couldn't help but sigh, "What a pity, it can only be passively triggered."

"Now, can any ghost answer my question?"

One ghost raised its hand and said:

"Regarding the Hongxiao Secret Vault, most Hongxiao Disciples have only heard of it; only a Hongxiao Elder might know its location."

Although this information was not very significant, Li Yunshu decided to burn the yellow paper for this ghost to encourage the others.

"May I know your name?"

"Hongxiao Disciple, Qi Delong."

Li Yunshu silently chanted, "Underworld Hongxiao Qi Delong receives," and lit the yellow paper in his hand.

After burning, the yellow paper transformed into a streak of light and went directly into Qi Delong's pocket.

Seeing the money, the multitude of ghosts became even more eager to answer.

"It is said that the Secret Vault is in a specially created alternate dimension."

"The Secret Vault is hidden in Hongxiao's Spirit Medicine garden."

Li Yunshu burned yellow paper for each of the two in turn.

"What they both said is correct, but the true specific location is only known to the Elder who built the Secret Vault and the Hongxiao Sect Master.

I am Hongxiao Elder Ma Bangde."

"Where are the Elder who built the Secret Vault and the Hongxiao Sect Master now?"

Ma Bangde held up two fingers and said, "That's the second question."

Someone else shouted from another direction, "The Hongxiao Sect Master's Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering on the day Hongxiao was annihilated."

"Song Kunming, you're ruining my business!" Ma Bangde cursed.

At this time, someone else shouted:

"I saw at the time that the Elder who built the Secret Vault ran in the direction of Hongxiao's medicine garden. I am Hongxiao Elder Xiang Zoutian."

Li Yunshu burned yellow paper for the three Hongxiao Elders respectively.

"The Elder who built the Secret Vault was Hongxiao's chief Artifact Refiner, named Ji Wuming. Does this information count?"

"Of course it counts."

"My name is Li Tiezhu," the ghost quickly answered.

Ma Bangde spat and said, "What chief Artifact Refiner? When Hongxiao was invaded by otherworldly Devil Gods, he was the first to run when he saw things going south. Where was his Hongxiao Cannon then?"

"What is Grandmaster doing?"

"Perhaps he's communicating with ghosts and gods. Didn't you see those hundred-odd people earlier, hacking at each other?"

"Grandmaster is too bizarre."

Seeing that the multitude of ghosts had mostly answered what they knew, Li Yunshu took out half of the remaining yellow paper from his Cosmos Sack and scattered it into the air.

With a boom, fire blazed across the sky.

That day, the Hongxiao Ruins had one less group of poor ghosts.

Li Yunshu led the Ghost Realm Disciples to Hongxiao's medicine garden.

Li Yunshu had also participated in the annihilation of Hongxiao back then, so he had some understanding of Hongxiao's terrain.

Hongxiao's medicine garden was much larger than Lanque Pavilion's Purgatory Valley.

Due to years of neglect, it had formed a forest.

The forest was full of Vicious Beasts, as well as poisonous insects and poisonous plants.

The System triggered the passive Yama, intimidating the multitude of ghosts.

But one ghost had been secretly following Li Yunshu.

After the Disciples of the various Sects left, Mu Xiufeng and the other three returned, following Li Yunshu from a distance.

The others couldn't help much; too many people would make them easily discovered.

"Brother Mu, what's the use of us following that Old Demon? Even if we find something, we can't beat him."

Mu Xiufeng handed each of the other three a Talisman.

"These are my Dao Sect's Ghost Suppressing Talismans. That Old Demon just now must have been commanding ghosts. With these, those ghosts won't be able to get close."

"Even if we can't beat him, someone else will deal with him."

"Indeed, the Hongxiao Ruins have always been controlled by the Imperial Dynasty. The Emperor will not allow the Hongxiao Cannon to fall into the hands of one Old Demon.

It must either remain buried here or be held only by the Emperor."

Li Yunshu stopped.

"Come out."

Mu Xiufeng and the other three exchanged glances.

"Did this Old Demon discover us?"

"He's definitely trying to trick us. Don't fall for it easily."

The ghost following Li Yunshu walked out.

"Junior Yu Guwei greets Senior Ling."

"Never heard of him."

Along the way, the Ghost Realm Disciples had grown accustomed to Li Yunshu's strange self-talk.

Yu Guwei smiled awkwardly: "Junior knows where Ji Wuming is."

Li Yunshu became interested: "How do you know?"

"When Hongxiao was destroyed, Junior had already died and was wandering around Hongxiao at the time."

"When Hongxiao suffered the calamity of its Sect's destruction, it was rumored that the Hongxiao Cannon could shoot down Tian Yuan Realm Cultivators. Coupled with it being his life's work, Ji Wuming would surely go for it."

Li Yunshu knew there was no free lunch in this world.

"Tell me your conditions."

"I only need a promise from Senior: if there's an opportunity in the future, you will revive me."

"Alright, this Venerable One promises you."

Li Yunshu didn't hesitate at all.

He couldn't guarantee future events, but he absolutely had to get the Hongxiao Cannon in front of him.

"Senior, please follow me."

Seeing Li Yunshu and his group continue forward, Mu Xiufeng and the other three secretly followed behind.

Along the way, when they encountered ordinary Vicious Beasts, Li Yunshu let his Disciples handle them, also as a form of tempering.

Only when they encountered Vicious Beasts that were difficult for them to deal with would Li Yunshu take action, killing with one blow.

With Li Yunshu clearing the way, Mu Xiufeng and the others progressed smoothly from behind.

After about half an hour, Yu Guwei stopped.

"Senior, Ji Wuming is in the fruit of that thousand-year-old Welwitschia Mirabilis, but there is a Vicious Beast here. Please be careful, Senior."

Li Yunshu said to the Disciples behind him, "All of you, step back a bit."

"Yes."

Welwitschia Mirabilis is a Spirit Medicine with eight broad, long leaves.

Its leaves are forty to fifty meters long, covering the surrounding land.

At the center of the Welwitschia Mirabilis is a red fruit, which has the effect of nourishing the Divine Soul.

Li Yunshu stood motionless in front of the Welwitschia Mirabilis.

At this moment, he was operating his Mental Energy to set up a teleportation Formation in the distance.

"What is this Old Demon up to?"

"That's a Welwitschia Mirabilis. There's likely a Vicious Beast guarding it."

"Let's wait and see how the Old Demon handles it."

"What's going on?"

A flash of light emanated from beneath Mu Xiufeng and the other three's feet. The light flashed and disappeared, and the four vanished from their spot.

Thump, thump.

The four were teleported above the Welwitschia Mirabilis and fell to the ground.

Li Yunshu had long discovered the four following him, and he was just waiting for this moment.

"You four, you've been following for so long. Now it's your turn to perform."

The leaves of the Welwitschia Mirabilis moved, making a "rustling" sound.

Mu Xiufeng shouted, "Quick, retreat!"

"Too late."

Yu Guwei's eyelid twitched.

A barrier Formation appeared around the Welwitschia Mirabilis, enveloping the four.

Mu Xiufeng, Yu Linglong, and Ming Daofei soared into the air, jointly attacking the barrier Formation.

It is well known that only Cultivators in the Earth Realm can fly through the air.

Nangong Chu was at the ninth level of the Xuan Ming Realm, so he couldn't fly.

At this moment, a green-striped Titan Python revealed its head from under the broad leaves of the Welwitschia Mirabilis.

"Oh no, it's an Earth Realm Beast, the Titan Python."

In the Cultivation world, Vicious Beasts are categorized into ordinary Vicious Beasts, Xuan Ming Beasts, Earth Realm Beasts, and Tian Yuan Beasts.

Even Earth Realm Cultivators try to avoid conflict with Earth Realm Beasts.

The Titan Python charged fiercely at Nangong Chu, who was standing on a Welwitschia Mirabilis leaf.

Its speed was incredibly fast; Nangong Chu could already see the saliva on its crimson forked tongue.

"Heavenly Gang Thunder."

Bang.

The Titan Python's head was struck askew by a lightning bolt, and wisps of black smoke rose from its skin.

It was completely enraged.

"First, deal with this Earth Realm Beast."

Nangong Chu alone couldn't hold on; if they were defeated one by one, none of them would escape death.

Li Yunshu stood outside the Formation, leisurely watching the fierce battle inside.

Even with a Clone, the barrier he set up would take some time for Mu Xiufeng and the other four to break through.

But the Titan Python would not give them that time.

Yu Guwei clapped and said, "Senior's methods are truly brilliant."

Inside the Formation, the Titan Python's thick, long tail swept towards Mu Xiufeng and the other two.

The three were swept to the ground.

Mu Xiufeng held his long sword and said, "Use the Harmonious Spirit Formation."

Yu Linglong, Ming Daofei, and Nangong Chu stood behind Mu Xiufeng.

A yellow light appeared beneath their feet, converging beneath Mu Xiufeng's feet.

The Harmonious Spirit Formation can gather the Spiritual Power of multiple people onto one person.

There is a limit to this; if the body cannot withstand the powerful energy, it will explode and die.

Mu Xiufeng's aura surged, and his Realm ascended to the third level of the Earth Realm.

His skin began to crack inch by inch, and trickles of blood flowed out.

"Slaughter."

A red sword light flashed, striking the Titan Python's vital point.

The Titan Python sensed the threat of this attack.

It took the sword strike with its head, and a deep gash appeared on its forehead, bleeding profusely.

Mu Xiufeng was known as "Twenty-Eight Hand Mu Xiufeng."

That's because the Dao Sect has a Sect-protecting Spiritual Art called "Thirty-Six Heavenly Gang Hands."

Mu Xiufeng had already learned twenty-eight of them, and "Slaughter" was one of the killing moves.

The Titan Python, in pain, retreated.

The four were overjoyed, and Mu Xiufeng was about to press the advantage.

But beneath the leaves of the Welwitschia Mirabilis, a tail was slowly approaching Yu Linglong and the other two.

Pfft—

The Titan Python's tail shot out like a spear.

Nangong Nan was unprepared and was impaled against the barrier wall.

His body was pierced through, and he died on the spot.