"Ghost Sister. Come, come, let me introduce you!" Old Third Fang let out a cackling laugh, "This is the foremost figure in the East Sea, the Heart-Snatching Ancestor!"

Ghost King Tu shuddered deeply, her expression drastically changing.

She recognized all the people surrounding Old Third Fang.

She had long known of the formidable reputation of the East Sea Ancestor, though this strange man’s title was a revelation to her just that day. The Heart-Snatching Ancestor’s peculiar physique was widely known among the people of the East Sea, but the fact that Old Third Fang and his group were consorting with him, and seemed so familiar with him, astonished her.

This Heart-Snatching Ancestor possessed profound cultivation, and his claim as the foremost in the East Sea was no mere boast.

"Ancestor, this is Ghost Cultivator from our East Sea, Ghost King Tu..."

Old Third Fang turned back to report to the strange man. The Heart-Snatching Ancestor merely nodded slightly, his eyes not even opening, signaling that he had taken note.

"Ghost Sister, what brings you here today?"

That Old Third Fang flew over. He was a gaunt man, whose cultivation technique was a mystery; his body was all bone and sinew, and his face was repulsive.

Ghost King Tu was shocked internally but dared not speak the truth.

"I am merely touring the East Sea with my daughter and her friend. We passed by this place, saw you all gathered, especially the Heart-Snatching Ancestor being present, and felt a moment of curiosity!"

Old Third Fang burst into laughter, looking lecherously at the beautiful Milly, and then glanced at Feng Zikang, who stood nearby.

"Ghost Sister, is this your son-in-law? He certainly looks talented; I wonder if he’s merely an ornamental pillow?"

Ghost King Tu offered a shallow smile. "Old Third Fang, don't joke. I came to ask you: why has your group gathered here, and why have you invited the Heart-Snatching Ancestor? What is the purpose?"

Old Third Fang glanced at her. "This was originally not suitable to disclose, but since you are also one of our own from the East Sea, Ghost Sister, there’s no harm in telling you. This time, it wasn't our group that assembled; rather, the Ancestor summoned us to seize the treasure on this island."

"Oh?"

Ghost King Tu was startled. Had the news of treasure on this island gotten out again?

"How could there be any treasure on this desolate little island?"

She revealed a look of disbelief. Old Third Fang shook his head. "Sister, it’s one thing if you don’t believe us. But would the Heart-Snatching Ancestor be mistaken? He claimed to see flashes of treasure light emanating from this island, which is why he brought my brothers and me to get rich together. These past few days, we’ve been searching outside the island and have indeed seen the treasure's radiance—it is exceptionally dazzling."

Ghost King Tu was inwardly startled. When they first entered the island, it was also because they saw treasure light. Could it be that this time, others had also spotted the shimmering brilliance, causing them to gather here? How could it be such a coincidence?

Feng Zikang smiled faintly.

The Heart-Snatching Ancestor had a cunning plan. He must have discovered the treasure on the island but also realized it was fraught with mechanisms. This man was likely extremely cautious, hence his decision to bring a group of cannon fodder to help.

He observed the Heart-Snatching Ancestor closely. His cultivation had already reached the late stage of Core Condensation. In the resource-scarce East Sea, being number one was not surprising.

This place simply could not compare to the Unreturning Sea. The East Sea was barren; even if there were ancient Grotto-Heavens and Blessed Lands, they would have long been plundered by the Central Plains, which was entirely different from the Unreturning Sea, the ancestral home of the Demon Race for ten thousand years.

Feng Zikang wasn't entirely confident against a master of late Core Condensation.

He subtly signaled Ghost King Tu to take her leave first and avoid this group for the time being.

Given the situation on the island, even the late Core Condensation Heart-Snatching Ancestor might not have the ability to take the treasure and escape. Moreover, their true goal was the Nine Heavens Silt Earth. Based on Ghost King Tu's description, the Nine Heavens Silt Earth could not be entirely removed, otherwise, once the Myriad Transformation Yin Water emerged, no one could withstand it.

Ghost King Tu understood and smiled. "Old Third Fang, since you have serious business, this old woman won't disturb you. I shall withdraw three leagues. You all should focus on finding the treasure. When you get the treasure, don't forget to show it off to this old woman."

Upon hearing her words, the Heart-Snatching Ancestor suddenly opened his eyes.

"That woman, you shall stay here as well, and search for the treasure with us. If there are any benefits, the Ancestor will naturally grant you a share, do not worry!"

It was the Heart-Snatching Ancestor himself who spoke, demanding Ghost King Tu stay.

Feng Zikang was also secretly shocked, unable to fathom the Ancestor's intentions. Even if the island was hard to breach, bringing along these few cannon fodder should suffice; why must he also bring Ghost King Tu?

"This... When the Ancestor invites, how dare I refuse? It’s just that I feel too embarrassed?"

Ghost King Tu quickly declined politely, but the Heart-Snatching Ancestor seemed determined to keep her. "No matter, if the Ancestor asks you to stay, then stay."

Ghost King Tu was helpless. Turning hostile now seemed unwise. Feng Zikang pondered for a moment and signaled for her to agree.

The enemy's situation was still unclear, and rashly initiating a fight served no purpose. Furthermore, they intended to enter the island anyway; accompanying them inside was acceptable, as long as they didn't act recklessly. Since Ghost King Tu had been here before, she was quite familiar with the place; perhaps she might even gain an advantage in reverse.

Seeing Ghost King Tu agree, Old Third Fang was overjoyed. He led them over and introduced them one by one.

When the others learned that Feng Zikang was Milly's friend, they all grinned, their expressions rather strange, clearly having mistaken him for Ghost King Tu's son-in-law.

Feng Zikang could only offer a wry smile and let them misunderstand. This way, they would harbor fewer suspicions toward him.

"Ghost Sister is new here, likely unaware of what treasure this place holds. Based on the Ancestor's divination, this island contains the former residence of an elder from over a thousand years ago, holding many marvelous items. The brilliant light shining tonight must be a Spirit-Attuned Treasure!"

Old Third Fang seemed to be the leader among the rest. The Heart-Snatching Ancestor was cold-faced and reticent; it was Old Third Fang who was explaining things to Ghost King Tu.

"Oh?"

Ghost King Tu had visited this place decades ago and vaguely recalled the island's appearance. If it were someone else's cave dwelling, it might be possible, but there were too many mechanisms and grave dangers; she hadn't seen any treasure.

It was strange—back then, they also entered the island upon seeing treasure light, but many people died, and they never found the treasure's location. They didn't know if it was real or an illusion.

However, since the Heart-Snatching Ancestor said so, it probably wasn't far off.

"Then what do we need to do?"

Since they guessed it was someone's cave dwelling, why was this group blocking the sea instead of directly storming in to find the treasure? They didn't seem in a hurry.

Old Third Fang noticed her impatience and chuckled. "Ghost Sister, you are unaware. The Ancestor carefully calculated that the dangers on this island are immense. We can only enter after the exact stroke of midnight on the full moon; otherwise, the mechanisms will be overwhelming and extremely perilous..."

It turned out the Heart-Snatching Ancestor was also skilled in the Dao of Divination and Evolution. Feng Zikang became even more vigilant inwardly, keeping quiet, only moving to Milly's side and taking her small hand.

"Ah..."

Milly's face blushed slightly. She knew Feng Zikang was doing this intentionally for concealment, but the shyness on her face was impossible to hide.

Old Third Fang chuckled. "Ghost Sister, you found yourself a fine son-in-law!"

He turned towards Feng Zikang and nodded. "Young man, where is your esteemed sect from?"

Feng Zikang answered forthrightly, "I am Mou Canglang, a disciple under the White Eagle King of the Unreturning Sea."

"Oh?"

Old Third Fang was also surprised. He had heard the name of the White Eagle King of the Unreturning Sea, and vaguely, it seemed he had some connection with Ghost King Tu. There had always been rumors that Rong Li'er was the daughter of Ghost King Tu and the White Eagle King. Seeing this, it seemed to be the truth.

"Ah! Congratulations, Ghost Sister! Could it be that you've reconnected with the White Eagle King? Has my little niece recognized her ancestors?"

Ghost King Tu’s face flushed slightly. She knew Feng Zikang had done this deliberately, and she pretended to be somewhat coy. "Why bring up such matters? Young Master Mou is Old Bai's disciple, and he and my daughter are deeply fond of each other. I am merely showing him around the East Sea."

This statement was an admission. Old Third Fang, being astute, knew the White Eagle King was not to be trifled with, and he became several degrees more polite to the group.

When the Heart-Snatching Ancestor heard that this group was related to the White Eagle King of the Unreturning Sea, he also hesitated. He originally intended to recruit more people as cannon fodder, but these individuals had special status, making it difficult to let them get hurt easily.

He nodded, having made his decision.

Only one day remained until the full moon, so they rested on the sea surface. Everyone possessed cultivation above the Foundation Establishment stage, so there was no great inconvenience.

That night, Ghost King Tu and Feng Zikang conferred secretly.

"My Lord, this Heart-Snatching Ancestor is extremely strange, and his methods are said to be ruthless. Will we be in danger staying here?"

Feng Zikang nodded thoughtfully. "That is precisely what I was considering, which is why I brought up the White Eagle King's name. Please do not blame me."

Ghost King Tu’s face reddened. "My Lord, what are you saying? Our lives, my daughter's and mine, belong to you, My Lord. What harm is there in saying that?"

The White Eagle King was her deep-seated issue, but after the matter of recognition, her attitude had improved considerably. Moreover, she knew Feng Zikang's statement must have a deeper meaning.

"It is peculiar that the Heart-Snatching Ancestor invites whomever he sees," Feng Zikang tapped the table.

In general, for treasure hunting matters like this, even if one lacked the strength to go alone, one would only seek out those worthy of trust and of comparable ability to assist.

If one had the power to claim the treasure independently, why bother bringing others along?

Moreover, the Heart-Snatching Ancestor's cultivation far surpassed everyone present. Why would he play the good Samaritan, bringing along such a large entourage of burdens just to get rich?

"My Lord means that the Heart-Snatching Ancestor intends to sacrifice those present to fulfill his own treasure acquisition?"

Ghost King Tu was also a shrewd individual and grasped the crux of the matter instantly.

Feng Zikang nodded. "It must be so. That means the mechanisms on this island must have many certain-death traps, which is why the Heart-Snatching Ancestor planned this. Otherwise, with his cultivation, there would be no need to bring these burdens..."

Ghost King Tu nodded. "But Old Third Fang and the others are not fools. How could they not see through this? Yet they eagerly follow. Are they truly unafraid of death?"

"That is indeed somewhat strange," Feng Zikang shook his head, knitting his brow. "To say it's greed clouding their judgment, it shouldn't have reached this extent. I suspect there is more to this!" To know what happens next, please log onto Qidian, more chapters are available. Support the author, support genuine reading!