"Withered Bone, considering we share the same lineage, this Venerable One does not wish to take your life," the Patriarch of Ten Thousand Ghosts hovered in the air above the Ghost King Boat, his imposing aura carrying his voice across the entirety of Withered Bone Peak. "As long as you hand over that Baili Yun who dared to injure my disciple."

"Ten Thousand Ghosts, you push things too far!" The face of the Patriarch of Withered Bone, resembling that of a walking corpse, cycled rapidly between shades of red and black, and his imposing presence surged once more. With a sweep of his hands, a bizarre beast-bone whip, several zhang long, materialized in his grasp. As the whip cracked out, its length instantly multiplied by tens, then hundreds of times. It snaked through the air like a pale, skeletal flood dragon, its aura terrifying.

The bone dragon swept toward the peak-grade Ninth Level Ghost General who had just been preparing to swoop in to gain an advantage. The phantom dragon head opened its maw, revealing rows of sinister teeth, clearly intending to devour the Ninth Level Ghost General whole and avenge the deep insult.

The Patriarch of Ten Thousand Ghosts knew well that this was one of the Withered Bone Old Demon's signature magical artifacts: the Dragon Bone Whip, which had secured countless heroic victories for Withered Bone in the past. This whip was a set with his matching shield, the Dragon Bone Shield. The primary material for both was the nearly complete skeleton of a flood dragon, which Withered Bone had discovered over a hundred years ago while searching an ancient ruin with companions. For the sake of this flood dragon bone, Withered Bone had engaged in fierce conflict with several close sworn brothers who were also Patriarchs of Evil Sects, leading to their falling out.

However, in Withered Bone's view, the betrayal was entirely worthwhile. After exhausting the majority of his fortune, combined with the flood dragon skeleton, he had finally refined this whip and shield—both rare, superior-grade magical artifacts. This also allowed Withered Bone to gain a significant edge in battles against cultivators of the same level.

A superior-grade artifact naturally unleashed extraordinary power. Even a peak-grade Ninth Level Ghost General, once entangled and swallowed by it, would suffer severe injuries if not outright death. But the Spirit Artifact, the Styx Diagram, was momentarily occupied protecting the Fourth Level Ghost General, and then diverted to intercept the swift and fierce Dragon Bone Whip. The constant shifting between defense and offense made it impossible to react in time. Ten Thousand Ghosts realized his miscalculation; his expression shifted, and he immediately summoned another object, launching it forth.

That object appeared to be a razor-sharp flying wheel composed of several curved blades. As it was hurled, it spun at incredible speed, and amidst its whistling sound, it became enveloped in a ball of crimson flame that burned increasingly intensely. As the flames danced, they were both alluringly gorgeous and deeply bizarre.

"A mere Purgatory Treasure Wheel, let's see how you withstand my Dragon Bone Whip!" The Patriarch of Withered Bone roared with maniacal laughter. The shadow of the whip expanded further, and the manifested bone dragon’s might surged.

Though the Dragon Bone Whip was powerful, the peak-grade Ninth Level Ghost General was certainly no pushover. Resembling an ultimate general summoned from the Netherworld Abyss, its form momentarily swelled, and its twin halberds merged, cleaving out a massive crescent-shaped swath of radiance that met the bone dragon’s head with extraordinary momentum.

Boom! A violent explosion echoed. Under the precise and calculated manipulation of the Patriarch of Ten Thousand Ghosts, the Purgatory Treasure Wheel and the twin halberds of the peak-grade Ghost General collided with the dragon’s head almost simultaneously. Such immense force meeting created shockwaves that surged outward in tides in all directions. The spectral dark mist, conjured by the Netherworld Grand Art, seemed to be swept entirely clear.

Even Lei Dong, who was not close by, leaning against the railing of the Ghost King Boat watching with avid interest, was thrown backward as the boat pitched from the violent air fluctuations. Fortunately, he was no longer the novice he once was; he tapped his foot and unleashed the Ghost Shadow Evasion technique. In mid-air, he flickered phantom-like repeatedly, his form constantly drifting to dissipate the force from the residual waves. Although unharmed, he was utterly horrified within. A duel between Golden Core Patriarchs was indeed beyond his current comprehension. In this exchange of offense and defense, although it didn't achieve the terror of shattering heaven and earth, it was devastatingly destructive. Any bystander watching might very well be implicated.

Even the peak-grade Ghost General could not fully withstand the direct impact of such power; its solidified form recoiled backward. The mid-grade magical artifact, the Purgatory Treasure Wheel, also had its flames completely extinguished, and faint, minuscule cracks could be seen tracing its black, gleaming surface.

After recalling his two Ghost Generals and four Ghost Guards, and retrieving the Purgatory Treasure Wheel, the face of the Patriarch of Ten Thousand Ghosts also showed considerable discomfort. After all, this mid-grade magical artifact was an exceedingly rare treasure that he had obtained at a great cost. Artifacts usable by masters on the Golden Core Dao, even low-grade ones, required substantial amounts of rare materials to forge and were incredibly valuable—let alone a mid-grade artifact. He inwardly cursed the Withered Bone Old Demon for being so tough and resilient despite his age.

However, Withered Bone was no better off. Under the combined force of the Purgatory Treasure Wheel and the peak-grade Ghost General, the Dragon Bone Whip, which he considered his lifeblood, had also sustained numerous fine cracks, causing him extreme heartache. Superior-grade artifacts like this, especially those refined from flood dragon bone, were incredibly difficult to source materials for. Once damaged, they required countless time and effort to nurture and repair. He was even more shocked by the formidable power of the Ten Thousand Ghosts Old Demon; despite being only at the fourth layer of the Golden Core stage, he was in no way inferior to Withered Bone, who stood at the sixth layer. If they truly fought to the death, Withered Bone was confident he had fallbacks and would not be defeated, but winning against Ten Thousand Ghosts was absolutely impossible.

Knowing that continuing the fight would likely result in mutual ruin, Withered Bone suppressed his anger and stated solemnly, "Old Demon Ten Thousand Ghosts, handing over Baili Yun for you to dispose of as you wish is absolutely impossible. But you know as well as I do that if we keep fighting, neither of us will gain an advantage. Although your Styx Diagram is a defensive Spirit Artifact, I have lived for over three hundred and eighty years; how could I lack some extraordinary means? I may not be able to destroy your Ninth Level Ghost General, but extinguishing your Fourth Level Ghost General is certainly achievable."

The Patriarch of Ten Thousand Ghosts, having agitated the situation for quite some time, judged that he had made his point. Naturally, his attitude remained firmly defiant as he snorted, "Withered Bone, according to you, my disciple was merely injured? If you don't give me an explanation today, I will spare no expense to dismantle your Withered Bone Peak."

"Ten Thousand Ghosts, don't push too hard! Your disciple was only injured, not dead. Furthermore, my disciple, Baili Yun, is still unconscious after using the Blood Evasion technique. If I don't get a clear account, how can I possibly explain it to you?"

"Gentlemen, gentlemen, please calm your tempers first." A black mist mixed with a gale swept through the sky. In the blink of an eye, a tall, cloaked old man appeared before the two Patriarchs—it was Elder Tu, who had mediated the conflict between the Ghost Fiend and the Patriarch of Ten Thousand Ghosts two years prior. Retaining his look of benevolent amicability, like a kindly neighbor, he immediately began playing the peacemaker with hearty laughter. "You are both Golden Core Patriarchs of the same sect; why wound your fellowship over some trivial matter?"

"Greetings, Elder Tu," the Patriarch of Ten Thousand Ghosts and Withered Bone replied in unison, their expressions instantly turning serious and respectful. In truth, they both knew that despite Elder Tu's current demeanor of a benevolent elder, in his youth, he was a world-renowned demonic figure in the cultivation world. It was rumored that he had slain no fewer than ten Patriarch-level figures. Because of this, even the arrogant Patriarch of Ten Thousand Ghosts held Elder Tu in great reverence.

It must be said that the Patriarch of Ten Thousand Ghosts was sometimes quite cunning. He appeared to rush over in a blaze of anger to cause trouble, but halfway there, he had already used a communication talisman to notify his closest confidant. He had also secretly instructed that confidant to relay the news of the disturbance to Elder Tu. His true intention was never to forcibly demand the surrender of Baili Yun for punishment, but rather, following Lei Dong's plan, to muddle the situation until no one could sort it out. Of course, if Withered Bone had genuinely backed down and surrendered Baili Yun, that would have been the best outcome. Unfortunately, that was impossible.

"Gather your subordinates first," Elder Tu said, observing their murderous stances. He chuckled. "You are both Patriarchs in your own right; why are you still throwing tantrums like children, ready to fight at the drop of a hat?"

"Elder Tu, you have arrived at the perfect moment." The Patriarch of Ten Thousand Ghosts swiftly recalled his various spectral minions and magical artifacts, his face clouded with indignant sorrow. "You must deliver justice for me."

"Ten Thousand Ghosts, don't rush. Tell me what happened; Tu will certainly handle this impartially," Elder Tu quickly soothed.

"Lei Dong, you experienced this firsthand. Come and explain the matter to Elder Tu," the Patriarch of Ten Thousand Ghosts said, looking down at Lei Dong, who was pale and dramatically feigning terror on the Ghost King Boat. He couldn't help but inwardly curse the boy for his acting skills. But aloud, he comforted him, "Don't worry. With Elder Tu here, that Withered Bone old thief won't dare silence you."

... (P: This week's ambition is to try and break into the front page of the Weekly Recommendation list—that is, the top fifteen spots. I know this is difficult, extremely difficult. Which of the top fifteen Great Gods is easy to deal with? Snatching food from the tiger's mouth is no simple task. But difficulty does not mean impossibility. Because I have you all, the confidence and strength you bring me. We are not many; only eleven thousand people. Compared to those with collections numbering fifty or sixty thousand, or even four or five hundred thousand, we are few. But I firmly believe we can do it. Because we cultivators of the Demonic Path value acting as we please and defying the heavens. If we can defy Heaven, what is a mere Weekly Recommendation List? However, my strength and confidence come from you, from every reader brother and sister who enjoys The Great Demon Head. Every brother and sister who loves The Great Demon Head, don't you wish to witness, to participate in a miracle? Come on! I have nineteen votes; added to yours, we can surely succeed. Perhaps some might say that although they like The Great Demon Head, they wish to support another author. In this regard, your humble author begs you to spare one vote for me. Just your small vote can give me immense encouragement. Thank you. One vote—I only ask for one vote. As long as every brother and sister who reads my message logs in, clicks, and casts a vote for me, I will create a miracle with all of you. The miracle of a new author, with only eleven thousand collections, surging onto the Weekly Recommendation List. I hope everyone can use one member click, one recommendation ticket, to kick me straight up to the clouds so I can see the scenery up there, and then loudly tell all readers that there is a book called The Great Demon Head that is rising!!!! With deep thanks, roar, howl!!!!!!!!!!!! Awoo! Awoo~~~~~~~~ Grant me strength, I am Rao Ming~ )