Outside the Desolate Spirit City, Ye Qin, Sun Xing, and a group of over twenty treasure-seeking cultivators were gathered beneath the city walls, deliberating on how to enter the mysterious, ancient metropolis.
A thousand miles away, at the edge of the Skeleton Mountain Range.
The Green Robe Ancestor, clad in emerald green, appeared at the foot of the mountain range. His expression was blank as he gazed upon the peaks shrouded in an endless, spectral mist, a flicker of apprehension deep within his eyes.
Beyond the Blood Mist Wasteland and over the Skeleton Mountains lay the boundless Ghost Mist—the formidable array he dreaded most. If this island truly harbored ghost cultivators, they would undoubtedly be lurking within that very mist.
Yet, he still had no definitive intelligence on the strength of the ghost cultivators inhabiting this massive island. Were they limited to Golden Core realm ghosts, or were there stronger Nascent Soul cultivators among them?
Aside from the Green Robe Ancestor, twenty cultivators from the Savage Isles, all at the late Golden Core stage, stood behind him. They remained silent, their faces etched with apprehension and solemnity.
Hovering half a foot above the Green Robe Ancestor’s right palm was an obsidian-gold artifact mirror: the Heaven-Reaching Dharma Mirror.
On this mirror, only twenty faint golden lights remained traceable, all within a radius of several hundred yards around him.
"Hmph. This Ancestor dispatched five small teams from the Savage Isles onto this island. One team plunged deep into the ghost mist ahead and was annihilated. The other four searched the Blood Mist Wasteland for a day before returning, having found absolutely nothing," the Green Robe Ancestor muttered, recalling the mission as he retrieved the Heaven-Reaching Dharma Mirror.
His sinister gaze swept over the Golden Core evil cultivators behind him, his tone sharp and cutting. "A bunch of trash! You couldn't even locate a single treasure-seeking cultivator! What use are you to this Ancestor?"
Anger.
Though the Green Robe Ancestor's words were scathing and cruel, he dared not truly vent his frustration upon these Savage Isle cultivators. This contingent of Golden Core evil cultivators comprised more than half of his effective strength. His personal disciples had already met a tragic end, and over ten other Golden Core evil cultivators were lost.
The remaining forces were needed for the main tasks: securing the ancient island, clearing the ruins, and establishing control.
The Savage Isle evil cultivators remained frozen, not daring to incur the Ancestor's wrath. Given his volatile temper, none would escape unscathed if provoked.
However, they could not remain entirely silent.
"Ancestor, this giant island’s blood mist spans ten thousand li. Sword flight is impossible. Relying solely on our wind-riding techniques to rush through, finding the whereabouts of those treasure-seeking cultivators who entered the island is incredibly difficult. Your subordinates searched a vast area of the surrounding Blood Mist Wasteland for nearly a day without success. We suspect they are no longer in the Blood Mist Wasteland," one of the evil cultivator leaders stated, forcing himself to step forward.
"Oh? You mean to say they left the Blood Mist Wasteland long ago and have already entered the ghost mist ahead?!"
A sharp light flashed in the Green Robe Ancestor's eyes as he frowned.
"Then why are you standing outside the ghost mist waiting? Go in and search! Do you need this Ancestor to explicitly command you?!"
The Green Robe Ancestor roared, murderous intent churning in his eyes.
"We dare not!" "Prepare yourselves; we depart immediately!"
The Savage Isle evil cultivators were struck with terror, transforming into over twenty streaks of green light as they charged toward the Skeleton Mountain Range.
The Green Robe Ancestor snorted coldly, only then beginning his unhurried advance toward the mountains. The dangers lurking within the ghost mist array were certainly greater than those encountered in the Blood Mist Wasteland. Despite his confidence that no ghost entity on this island could threaten his life, caution dictated that he should not lead the charge.
These Savage Isle evil cultivators would naturally serve as the vanguard—expendable cannon fodder.
"Ancestor! The Nascent Soul! Look quickly—the Nascent Soul!"
Suddenly, a Savage Isle evil cultivator cried out in alarm.
A streak of swift golden light shot out from the depths of the ghost mist, traversing hundreds of yards in a flash, moving faster than even the flying swords and magical artifacts of Golden Core cultivators.
"A Golden Core stage Nascent Soul?!"
The Green Robe Ancestor’s eyes narrowed. He waved his hand, grasping at the void. An immense, unparalleled magical power snatched the swiftly moving golden light through the air, drawing it directly into his palm.
"Ancestor, this subordinate is Wei Chouhai! I beg the Ancestor to save my life...!"
The cluster of Nascent Soul trapped in his palm writhed in agony, its voice utterly piercing.
This golden light Nascent Soul belonged to Wei Chouhai, who had escaped the siege of the treasure-seeking cultivators by self-detonating his physical body. Having only his soul escape, he possessed no power of resistance within the ghost mist, and the essence of his Nascent Soul was being rapidly depleted.
From his escape, through the Dead Spirit Lake and the Skeleton Mountain Range, to the moment he was seized in the Green Robe Ancestor's hand, the essence of his soul had plummeted to the mid-Golden Core level—a catastrophic loss. It was highly probable that his essence would be entirely exhausted before he could leave the island.
He needed to find the Green Robe Ancestor before his vital energy ran out. Only the Ancestor possessed the means to save him, conserve what little essence remained, and secure a new body for him to possess and be reborn.
Encountering the Green Robe Ancestor at this moment, he was filled with ecstatic relief, layered over the agony of the ghost mist's corrosive effects.
"Out of the five Golden Core cultivators in the squad, only your Nascent Soul escaped. Did you encounter the treasure-seeking cultivators, or the island's ghost cultivators?! Speak quickly!"
The Green Robe Ancestor gripped Wei Chouhai's Nascent Soul tightly, his expression turning stern as he demanded answers.
"It was the treasure-seeking cultivators! Twenty-three of them in total! They are currently gathered beneath a ghost city on the inner island ahead!" Wei Chouhai’s Nascent Soul shrieked hatefully.
"Twenty-three. That accounts for the majority of the treasure-seeking cultivators who entered this giant island. What are they doing gathered beneath a ghost city? Could it be the island's—" The Green Robe Ancestor gazed into the depths of the ghost mist.
"Ancestor, please save your subordinate!" Seeing that the Ancestor showed no immediate inclination to help, the Nascent Soul pleaded.
The Green Robe Ancestor glanced at the shimmering golden soul in his hand and stated coldly, "You know the laws of our Savage Isles. After such a crushing defeat and the annihilation of your entire team, I haven't even disciplined you yet. And you still expect this Ancestor to rescue you?"
The chilling tone in the Green Robe Ancestor’s words sent a wave of ice and terror through the entire Nascent Soul. Not long ago, he had been a squad leader among the Savage Isle cultivators, considered one of the Ancestor's somewhat capable subordinates. Now, he was reduced to a panicked, mid-Golden Core Nascent Soul, facing potential punishment from his superior. Everything now depended on whether the intelligence he brought back would satisfy the Ancestor.
Daring not to delay, he quickly confessed, "Ancestor, this defeat was entirely due to being ambushed by the treasure-seeking cultivators, leading to the squad’s destruction. However, this subordinate has brought back crucial intelligence! I beg the Ancestor to grant me a chance to atone for my failure."
"What intelligence? Speak!" The Green Robe Ancestor raised an eyebrow.
Seeing that the Ancestor’s interest was piqued, the soul hurriedly recounted the entire encounter: tracking the group of treasure-seekers to the walls of the Desolate Spirit City, and the realization that the city likely contained vast amounts of ancient treasures and immense wealth.
"Oh, is that so?" The Green Robe Ancestor's eyes glinted, his expression becoming strange as he weighed the veracity of Wei Chouhai's tale.
Frightened by the Ancestor's doubt, the soul quickly asserted, "Ancestor, my every word is true; I dare not conceal anything! Those treasure-seekers are all highly experienced in their craft; they can find treasure from the slightest clue. Since they are all congregated beneath the Desolate Spirit City, given their evident regard for the place and the magnificent, imposing aura of the architecture, there must be something unusual going on! Furthermore, the blue-robed cultivator—the one you have long sought to kill—is among them! It was precisely he who forced this subordinate to self-detonate!"
"Oh, that brat is there too?!" The Green Robe Ancestor’s cold expression immediately sank, finally twisting into ferocity. "He actually survived my attacks! Good, very good! With such cultivation, surviving two direct assaults from this Ancestor makes him unique."
The Green Robe Ancestor looked distressed, even bordering on furious. For someone of his status and power to fail in killing a mere mid-stage Golden Core cultivator twice severely damaged his prestige. If word spread throughout the Sea of Blood, his reputation would be utterly ruined.
"Since two attempts failed to kill him, I won't kill him now. I will capture him! I will use the most sinister methods to flay his flesh and grind his bones, extract his Nascent Soul, and burn it daily with Yin fire! I will let him live as long as he wishes to suffer!" The Green Robe Ancestor suddenly burst into manic, almost deranged laughter.
He stopped abruptly, his laughter ceasing as he stared intently at Wei Chouhai’s Nascent Soul and inquired, "Tell me, along the route and near the Desolate Spirit City, did you see any ghost cultivators?"
Seeing the Ancestor place such importance on this, the soul relaxed somewhat and truthfully replied, "Before my team entered this Skeleton Mountain Range, we encountered a few hooded Golden Core ghost cultivators, but they actively avoided us, and we did not clash. After entering the inner island, we saw no more ghost cultivators."
Having delivered this information, the soul judged the time ripe. "I have reported all the intelligence I gathered. I implore the Ancestor to show mercy, help this subordinate find a physical body for possession and rebirth, so I may continue to serve the Ancestor!"
"Very well! You show such loyalty; it is commendable under the circumstances. However, the Green Robe Ancestor has no need for failures! Remember, this is the fate awaiting anyone who performs poorly in battle!"
The Green Robe Ancestor clenched his withered right hand, and the cluster of golden light in his palm was immediately crushed by a surge of magical force, disintegrating into nothingness. He casually waved his hand, a brutal and severe malice surfacing on his face.
The dozen or so Savage Isle evil cultivators behind the Ancestor shuddered, a chill instantly rushing from their feet to the crowns of their heads.
"Move! This Ancestor needs to see what treasures are in the Desolate Spirit City that attract those treasure-seeking cultivators to gather beneath it! And that brat—let's see how long he can run!" The Green Robe Ancestor swept his gaze across the evil cultivators behind him and snorted coldly.
The Savage Isle cultivators exhibited terror. Despite their reluctance, they dared not hesitate or resist. They forced themselves to press on, shooting toward the Skeleton Mountain Range.
"Boom!"
Suddenly, dense black, spectral energy surged forth ahead.
A colossal skeleton, towering over ten zhang high, wielding a white bone broadsword nearly twenty zhang wide in one hand, its entire form encased in heavy, osseous armor, burst out from the ghost mist.
It strode forward. Its gait appeared clumsy and slow, yet in one step, it covered the hundred zhang distance to the lake surface. It leveled the massive bone sword and fixed its cold gaze upon the Green Robe Ancestor.
"Nascent Soul early stage, a Skeleton Ghost Cultivator!"
The Green Robe Ancestor frowned. A flash of green light followed as he retreated several hundred yards. Seeing the enormous skeleton clearly, he couldn't help but be startled. This terrifyingly gigantic humanoid skeleton was, in fact, a Skeleton Ghost Cultivator at the early Nascent Soul stage.