The Ghoul Corpse, rising amidst the swirling sand, looked up at the sky. The small pores across its body slowly contracted, resembling blemishes, and in just a moment, even those spots disappeared.

The Ghoul Corpse was restored to its original state.

Within the Ghoul Corpse's vacant pupils, a murderous intent seemed to surface—a desire to pursue and eliminate the massive creature that had wounded it.

Just then, the flying sand beside the Ghoul Corpse began to pile up. As the sand settled and dispersed, a slender, enchanting figure slowly manifested.

She was a mesmerizing alien woman, her water-blue hair cascading down to her feet. Her snow-white skin was covered in strange patterned symbols. If Ji Changkong were present, he would have noticed that the markings on this woman's exposed skin bore a striking resemblance to the symbols that appeared when the Purgatory Ghost Clan chanted the Soul-Ebbing Melody.

From her forehead grew two small horns that curved back toward the nape of her neck. Her two pointed teeth pressed against her lower lip, resembling fangs. Were it not for her bewitching beauty, one might mistake her for a female ghost appearing in the mortal world at first glance.

The areas of her body not covered were clad only in dark, unknown armor. Her pair of bizarre eyes was filled with enigmatic colors. She extended one hand—a hand whose five claws alone stretched over a meter long, each nail etched with peculiar patterns.

This hand gently pressed toward the Ghoul Corpse beside her, patting it once. The Ghoul Corpse immediately quieted, crouching there, motionless.

The woman looked up at the point of light labeled "Guangchen" as it slowly disappeared. She muttered something in an alien tongue, then suddenly snatched up the Ghoul Corpse and shot up from the dead star. As she hung suspended in mid-air, her figure gradually blurred, shedding all discernible aura, stealthily diving toward the "Guangchen."

"Guangchen" finally flew out from the dead star, resuming its course through the stellar river.

The two figures aboard "Guangchen" dared not relax for a moment, cautiously continuing to extend their divine sense to probe the surroundings, fearful of any further surprises.

After a considerable time, only when "Guangchen" had put five or six other dead stars between itself and the derelict star did the two finally let out a breath of relief, slowly retracting the divine senses they had spread out.

"What in the world was that Ghoul Corpse?" Hong Mandun inhaled deeply, his voice heavy. "The 'Ice-Magnetic Ripple' you created just now had immense power. I think even if I had been below, I would have been finished by that 'Ice-Magnetic Ripple,' yet the Ghoul Corpse emerged unscathed?"

"The Ghoul Corpse is a peculiar entity formed by the Purgatory Ghost Clan gathering the yin energy of heaven and earth. Back when we were at the Yin-Si Pass in the Eastern Sea, even the Ghost Demon King dared not approach a Ghoul Corpse. If even a malevolent and cold creature like the Ghost Demon King fears the Ghoul Corpse, you can imagine how terrifying it must be..." Ji Changkong frowned, relaying his knowledge about the Ghoul Corpse.

At that moment, he suddenly remembered Ji Du (Origin Poison). Back in the Yin-Si Pass, Ji Du had forewarned him about everything concerning the Ghoul Corpse, and he had only obtained the Purgatory Ghost Clan's Soul-Ebbing Melody because Ji Du had prompted him. If Ji Du were here now, his explanation about the Ghoul Corpse would likely be far more detailed.

"It seems the Ghoul Corpse is indeed terrifying. Perhaps there are members of the Purgatory Ghost Clan behind it. According to what you say, the Ghoul Corpse must follow its master. It seems the rumors are true: the Purgatory Ghost Clan does exist behind the Hidden Demon Clan." Hong Mandun felt fortunate. "It’s a good thing we managed to leave the domain of the Hidden Demon Clan."

Ji Changkong's expression shifted; something suddenly struck him.

The second time the Ghoul Corpse manifested from the gray sand, he had attempted to cast the Soul-Calming Melody, preparing to use the Soul-Ebbing Melody against the Ghoul Corpse should it charge forward, as Ji Du claimed the Purgatory Ghost Clan's Soul-Ebbing Melody had a restraining effect on Ghoul Corpses.

However, just as he began chanting the Soul-Ebbing Melody, just as the arcane symbols of the Purgatory Ghost Clan began to form in his mind, he felt a sensation of being spied upon—as if someone were secretly observing his soul.

That feeling flashed past instantly. Just as he prepared to search intently, the Ghoul Corpse suddenly calmed, showing no intention of pursuing, and at that moment, "Guangchen" had already entered the dead star's atmosphere. When he tried to sense further, he found nothing.

Could it be that the Ghoul Corpse’s master had discovered him then and secretly observed him for a moment?

Ji Changkong pondered with a furrowed brow. If the Ghoul Corpse’s master discovered he knew the Purgatory Ghost Clan's Soul-Ebbing Melody, what would he think?

According to legend, it seemed only true members of the Purgatory Ghost Clan could utilize the Soul-Ebbing Melody. If he could use it, might he be mistaken for one of their own?

A string of thoughts raced through his mind, and Ji Changkong grew increasingly uneasy, worrying whether the Ghoul Corpse’s master was tracking him. The moment this notion surfaced, he immediately tried to open his mind to sense. After a while, Ji Changkong's face darkened! He could indeed sense some lingering presence nearby—a master lurking close by! He stood up abruptly, his very hairs seeming to stand on end. The more intently he used his psychic sense, the stronger the feeling of unease became! "I think we are in big trouble," Ji Changkong stated grimly.

"What is it?" Hong Mandun looked puzzled. "Didn't we just manage to shake off that Ghoul Corpse?"

"I estimate we didn't shake it off. The Ghoul Corpse appears to possess the ability to navigate the star sea as well. Ah, that's not the worst of it. I suspect... the Ghoul Corpse’s master has followed us."

"What?" Hong Mandun shrieked; now he was truly startled.

"Yes. If my senses are correct, the Ghoul Corpse's master should be near our 'Guangchen.' I don't know why he would follow, but it surely won't be for any good reason," Ji Changkong said with a wry smile.

"Go! Head into the war zone between the Zak Clan and the Demon Clan, and move quickly!" Hong Mandun deliberated for a moment, then decided firmly. "I'd rather cut through their battlefield than provoke the Purgatory Ghost Clan. As far as I know, the Purgatory Ghost Clan is one of the most terrifying races in the vast stellar domain, far stronger than the Zak Clan or the Hidden Demon Clan."

"Indeed. The Zak Clan and the Hidden Demon Clan don't even dare enter the Dead Star Domain, clearly indicating they aren't that powerful. Meanwhile, members of the Purgatory Ghost Clan are figures few dare to provoke even within the Dead Star Domain. If not for the Purgatory Ghost Clan's sparse population, they might rank among the top great clans in the Dead Star Domain," Ji Changkong nodded, so he hesitated no longer, pushing the speed of "Guangchen" to its absolute limit, rushing directly toward the area where the Zak and Hidden Demon Clans clashed.

Since the Purgatory Ghost Clan was pursuing them, they surely harbored ill intent. If that person is connected to the Hidden Demon Clan, once "Guangchen" entered the combat zone between the Hidden Demon Clan and the Zak Clan, they might be recognized by the Hidden Demon Clan members, in which case they could at least see their target.

At worst, since there were many Zak Clan "Guangchen" vessels in that region, their arrival in this vessel might confuse the Purgatory Ghost Clan's pursuit, perhaps allowing them to escape amidst the chaos.

It was precisely this plan that made him stop hiding and instead charge toward the most chaotic area.

In that stretch of the stellar domain, dead stars were scattered everywhere. In the void between one dead star and another, dozens of "Anchen" and "Guangchen" vessels were suspended. Among these "Anchen" and "Guangchen" ships, a "Tianchen" was even floating! That "Tianchen" was clearly piloted by the leader of the Zak Clan in this battle. The "Tianchen" stretched for a thousand meters, spewing massive tongues of fire, and from afar, it exuded a powerful, awe-inspiring presence. A wave of strange energy emanated from the "Tianchen," striking the nearby "Anchen" and "Guangchen" vessels separately.

Hidden Demon Clan masters darted between the iron ships, continuously attacking the vessels.

The Zak Clan members seemed afraid to leave their iron ships, relying solely on artifacts to repel the attacking Hidden Demon Clan experts. Once an iron ship suffered repeated impacts from the Hidden Demon Clan masters and began to fail, that ship would quickly descend onto a nearby dead star.

Only then would the Zak Clan members hidden inside the iron ship emerge, engaging the Hidden Demon Clan masters with various artifacts in hand.

This battle seemed to have dragged on for a long time. On the dead stars and in the empty expanse between them, there were countless corpses belonging to both the Zak Clan and the Hidden Demon Clan.

Most of the corpses found on the dead stars belonged to the Zak Clan, but those suspended in the void of space were predominantly from the Hidden Demon Clan.

As the battle between the two great races raged, the "Guangchen" carrying Ji Changkong and Hong Mandun suddenly burst forth from a shadowy region, plunging directly into the zone of conflict between the two races.

Beep-beep-beep-beep! As soon as "Guangchen" appeared, a frantic sound emanated from the control disc.

Ji Changkong didn't hesitate; he reached out and slammed down hard on the disc, and the sound coming from it instantly ceased.

This was a signal from the Zak Clan's "Tianchen." Since "Tianchen" was a rank higher than "Guangchen," within a certain range, the disc on the "Tianchen" could exert control over the disc on the "Guangchen." If a connection were established, the Zak Clan experts on the "Tianchen" could even commandeer this "Guangchen." This was obviously not something Ji Changkong wanted.

Therefore, the moment the disc sounded, he knew the other party considered him one of their own and was attempting to establish a link.

Once the connection was established, the Zak Clan experts on the "Tianchen" could see his appearance, and everything would be exposed. The Zak Clan member would surely realize that his "Guangchen" had an unsanctioned origin.

"Break out!" Ji Changkong snorted coldly, immersing his focus into the control disc, and suddenly launched an attack toward the charging Hidden Demon Clan experts ahead. (To be continued. To know more...)