"A three-star Dou Zun? How is this possible?!"
The moment Hun Changqing appeared in the spatial rift, Gu Ming sensed the unrestrained aura emanating from him. Upon feeling this aura, Gu Ming's wrinkled, aged face twitched violently, his eyes filled with shock as he exclaimed in disbelief.
He knew that Hun Changqing had broken through from the peak of Dou Zong to Dou Zun right before his eyes, in just one year—a period that wouldn't even be enough for others to stabilize their realm. Yet Hun Changqing had already broken through two realms to become a three-star Dou Zun! Even a divine-grade bloodline wouldn't do this! Gu Ming even doubted if he was dreaming; this scene was beyond his comprehension, so unreal.
"It seems we really need to return to the clan to prepare."
Not only Gu Ming was flustered, but even Gu Xun'er, standing beside him, was filled with shock. After a moment, Gu Xun'er narrowed her eyes, a cold, eerie light flickering in her beautiful pupils, and looked at Hun Changqing meaningfully. She parted her lips slightly and murmured,
"It seems there are other guests. Come out, no need to hide your faces."
At the same time, Hun Changqing, who had just appeared and instantly annihilated the attack that the three Dou Zun had launched at Medusa, was about to unleash a massacre when he suddenly sensed a subtle spatial fluctuation in the void above the Underworld Palace. This made Hun Changqing's already chilling eyes even colder. Looking at the location of Gu Ming and Gu Xun'er in the void, he coldly called out.
"Miss."
Upon hearing Hun Changqing's words, Gu Ming looked at Gu Xun'er, his voice filled with apology. Gu Ming truly hadn't expected Hun Changqing to be so perceptive, able to detect the subtle fluctuation of his aura that he had inadvertently emitted due to his shock.
Gu Xun'er waved her hand at Gu Ming, not blaming him for his negligence, but instead a strange smile appeared on her lips as she softly chuckled.
"Let's go, let's go down. Since the master here has spoken, it's really inappropriate for us to remain hidden."
Hun Changqing's words immediately attracted the attention of everyone present. People from both sides looked in the direction Hun Changqing was pointing. The previously calm space in that location suddenly began to distort, rippling with spatial waves, and then two figures, one old and one young, slowly emerged from the ripples.
The old man, dressed in plain clothes, with a calm expression, followed slowly behind the young woman. The woman, with her slender figure and hands clasped behind her back, wore a long black and red robe. An unparalleled aura of majesty and dominance emanated from her, a domineering presence completely different from Lion Sky's arrogance, seemingly innate and perfectly natural. Her beauty surpassed even that of the alluring Medusa.
The moment she appeared, her icy gaze swept coldly over everyone present, making them feel as if she were a supreme ruler, capable of deciding life and death with a single word. Her gaze was devoid of any emotion; as it swept over them, everyone felt a chill run through them, as if they had fallen into an ice cave.
Finally, when that icy gaze landed on the pitch-black figure in the center of the battlefield, surrounded by boundless yin energy, it was as if that unyielding, millennia-old ice had met the world's most scorching furnace, and it gradually melted.
A barely perceptible tenderness flickered in those previously icy eyes, and a faint smile appeared on that breathtakingly beautiful, dreamlike face, leaving everyone present, men and women alike, momentarily stunned. The perfect scene before them was something they had never witnessed in their lives—except for two people, of course.
The moment Medusa saw the girl, her expression, initially one of joy and relief at Hun Changqing's appearance, froze, turning somewhat grim. She hadn't forgotten that a year ago, she had almost died at the hands of this seemingly flawless woman.
Hun Changqing narrowed his eyes as he looked at the two people. Gu Xun'er's appearance was indeed somewhat unexpected, and he was momentarily puzzled as to her intentions.
"I didn't expect that my casually constructed Netherworld Palace could attract the presence of two esteemed members of the Ancient Clan. What brings you here? The Ancient Clan is a powerful and wealthy family; surely they wouldn't even look at my humble Netherworld Palace?"
Hun Changqing coldly probed. Now that he and Xing Su were now allied, he no longer had much to fear from Gu Xun'er. Gu Xun'er was the young patriarch of the Ancient Clan, and Xing Su would soon become the young patriarch of the Soul Clan. Gu Xun'er could summon a Battle Saint, and so could Xing Su. At worst, the Battle Saints of the Soul and Ancient Clans would clash.
Moreover, it's important to understand that the Soul Clan only wants to keep a low profile, not out of fear of the Ancient Clan. The Soul Clan's foundation is far deeper than that of the Ancient Clan. However, unless absolutely necessary, Soul Changqing doesn't want to break ties with Gu Xun'er, as the consequences would be far too great. Therefore, Soul Changqing wants to probe Gu Xun'er's intentions before making any plans.
"Your Netherworld Palace is practically built on the doorstep of my Ancient Burning Sect, only a few thousand miles away. Today, with such a lively scene here, I happened to have nothing better to do, so I came to take a look and join in the fun. If I really wanted to do something, I could have made my move while that soul was being held back. How could I possibly wait for you to return? I'm afraid by the time you come back, this place will only be a ruin."
Gu Xun'er said with a strange smile, and her originally peerless, otherworldly face now showed a hint of evil and allure.
Upon hearing Gu Xun'er's words, Hun Changqing's gaze sharpened slightly, his eyes narrowing, his expression unpredictable and his thoughts unclear. A moment later, a chilling, eerie laugh erupted from the black robe atop Hun Changqing's head.
"Hehehe, since you've come to watch the show, then please just stand aside and observe. I hope this farce ends to your satisfaction."
The voice was icy and chilling, filled with a ferocious killing intent. As the voice faded, Hun Changqing slowly turned his gaze to the sky not far away, where the three Shi Tian Dou Zun were. A terrifying killing intent, accompanied by a terrifying yin energy, surged forth from Hun Changqing's body, roaring and raging across the dim sky.
"This must be the Lord of the Underworld Palace, Ghost Soul. I think there might be some misunderstanding. We've come here today..."
As Hun Changqing's aura erupted without reservation, a chilling feeling instantly rose in the hearts of Lion Sky and the other two. They felt the overwhelming killing intent locking onto them, and they could already smell the thick aura of death.
They now fully understood that although this Ghost Soul Venerable's aura was only that of a three-star Dou Zun, similar to theirs, he was not on the same level as them at all. This Ghost Soul Venerable was a true dragon crossing the river.
And now, although the two Soul Palace Venerables had managed to hold back the terrifying soul, it was more like they were being held back by the soul. Now they had to face this terrifying Ghost Soul Venerable alone, and cold sweat instantly covered their foreheads. Lion Sky hurriedly spoke, wanting to say something.
However, before Shi Tian could finish speaking, Medusa, who was being protected behind Hun Changqing, with blood still fresh at the corner of her mouth and looking somewhat disheveled, pointed at Shi Tian, who was sweating profusely, and shouted angrily at Hun Changqing with a violent rage surging in her beautiful eyes.
"You beast! Stop listening to his nonsense! Kill everyone else! I'll make this disgusting maggot suffer a fate worse than death!" Just now, when Shi Tian spoke rudely, Medusa's killing intent surged within her without ceasing. However, due to her insufficient strength, she didn't show it, focusing instead on fending off the combined attack of the three.
Now, her beast had finally returned, and the pent-up grievances and killing intent within Medusa erupted. She no longer wanted to hear Shi Tian utter a single word properly; she only wanted him to let out desperate, painful howls. Hun Changqing
nodded after hearing Medusa's words. Although he didn't know what had happened before, when he returned, he saw Chang Wei beating... well, Medusa being beaten. The formation he had set up before leaving was on the verge of collapse.
Seeing Medusa's furious expression, Hun Changqing knew that Shi Tian must have said something disgusting to her. If Hun Changqing had been even a step slower, and Shi Tian had actually shattered the formation he had set up, those disgusting words might have become a reality. For a moment, Hun Changqing felt a chill of fear. Indeed, lust was a double-edged sword; he had almost gotten himself into serious trouble because of Xingxiu.
"Don't worry, I'll capture him. Then you can choose from my hundred sets of tortures, and you can do whatever you want with this maggot, hehehe,"
Hun Changqing chuckled softly, his back to Medusa. But his voice was extremely cold, filled with soaring killing intent, and the meaning behind his words was chilling. His gaze towards Shi Tian was as if he were looking at a dead man; a cold, deathly aura emanated from his eyes, making Hun Changqing seem like the Grim Reaper himself.
"Hmph, making him dirty will only dirty my hands. You do it, I'll be watching."
Medusa raised an eyebrow after hearing Hun Changqing's words, glanced at Shi Tian with a look of disgust, and coldly snorted before speaking to Hun Changqing.
"Heh heh, whatever you say."
Hun Changqing's chilling voice fell, and he transformed into a dazzling silver light, accompanied by a howling wind and killing intent, shooting towards Shi Tian and his companions.
At this moment, Gu Xun'er, whose attention was entirely focused on Hun Changqing, saw the scene of Hun Changqing and Medusa, like a husband returning home to find his wife being bullied, the wife complaining, and the husband angrily standing up for her. The coldness in her beautiful eyes almost materialized into real frost.
Her hands clenched tightly, her teeth clenched so hard they seemed about to shatter. A chill seeped from between her teeth, accompanied by a sharp, grating sound of them grinding together, and a muffled, indistinct murmur, like a demon's whisper.
"Sure enough, I should have let you die first..."
Below, Lion Sky and the others, hearing Hun Changqing's words that sounded like a death sentence, were terrified. Sensing the overwhelming aura emanating from him, the three felt no urge to resist. Overwhelmed by fear, they hastily retreated, attempting to flee.
"Can they escape?"
Just as Lion Sky and his companions had retreated hundreds of miles in an instant, the Underworld Palace had completely disappeared from their sight, and they hadn't noticed the silver light following them. Just as they breathed a sigh of relief and were about to turn and leave this dangerous place, a chilling voice suddenly rang out behind them. This voice was like a death knell, pronouncing their demise. Instantly, the three of them began to tremble violently.
Lion Sky and his companions whirled around, simultaneously swinging their arms backward, unleashing surging streams of battle qi. However, after their battle qi shot behind them, nothing happened. Turning around and focusing their gaze, they spotted Hun Changqing's dark figure.
A strange, eerie banner hovered above the figure, continuously spewing forth thick black mist that had completely enveloped the three of them. From within the mist, an aura of yin and death seeped out, accompanied by deafening roars that sounded like the wails of countless souls, sending shivers down their spines.
This profound fear from the depths of their souls overwhelmed the two beside Lion Sky, who cried out in terror to Hun Changqing.
"Lord Ghostly Venerable… No! Lord Ghostly Venerable, it was this Lion Heaven who spoke disrespectfully to the Vice Hall Master of the Underworld Palace. We were bewitched by Lion Heaven and came to the Underworld Palace without knowing what was good for us, and we even attacked your Vice Hall Master. We beg you to see the truth!"
"You bastards!"
Upon hearing the two's cries of alarm, Lion Heaven's initial fear of Hun Changqing turned into anger towards the two men. He was about to utter a curse when he heard Hun Changqing's cold and sinister voice ring out again.
"Whether it's true or not doesn't matter anymore. Since you're already here, neither of you will leave. Don't worry, you two will both become another main soul within this banner of mine. It won't hurt much, don't worry, hehehe."
As this eerie laugh subsided, a long, slender arm, as white as mutton fat, suddenly emerged from the wide black robe. Five slender, white fingers formed a claw, grabbing Lion King's entire head. Then, Taiyin True Qi surged forth from that palm, covering Lion King's hideous face.
Instantly, the flesh on Lion King's face began to melt, streams of black liquid flowing continuously within his melting flesh. His eyes also fell out of their sockets along with the melting and decomposing flesh. A deafening, piercing wail erupted from his mouth, which was not yet completely melted away and still retained some shape.
Seeing Shi Tian fall into such a miserable and terrifying state at Hun Changqing's hands, the other two felt a sudden chill run down their spines, their hair standing on end. They hurriedly tried to escape while Hun Changqing was dealing with Shi Tian, but Hun Changqing didn't even raise his head, only letting out a sinister laugh. The two retreating figures were horrified to find themselves completely enveloped by the black mist gushing from the long banner.
They desperately tried to struggle, but as the black mist continued to seep in, they instantly felt an incredibly intense tearing sensation in their souls, followed by a searing pain, as if their entire souls were being ripped apart and being forcibly refined. An indescribable agony caused them to let out piercing, bloodcurdling screams.
For a moment, three desperate cries, seemingly enduring endless pain and torment, echoed throughout the area, lingering for a long time.