The elder descended rapidly within the cave, finally landing in a void of chaotic matter, surrounded by darkness.
He searched urgently, when suddenly, he saw a ball of ethereal blue fire floating towards him. The fire seemed to know he was coming and led the way.
The elder hurried to follow, and suddenly, the ethereal fire slowly descended, drifting beside a corpse.
He stepped forward and felt for a faint pulse. Then, looking at her blood-stained clothes and trousers, he could imagine the brutal suffering she had endured.
For a moment, he felt regret for not arriving sooner.
But thinking that he could save her now, he couldn't help but feel joy, and he whispered.
"Ghost King, you don't need to worry, I'm here."
After speaking, he took out the Life and Death Talisman from his怀, and without hesitation, placed the Life Talisman on the person before him and the Death Talisman on himself.
In an instant, a golden light flashed, and the world spun. Their bodies flickered and intertwined within the golden light, and a strange suction force exchanged their injuries and health.
As the golden light dissipated, two corpses slowly fell to the ground.
I felt as if I had come from a very, very distant place, and suddenly saw a point of light. Following the light, I was able to open my eyes.
Looking around hazily, I had no idea where I was.
I staggered to my feet, feeling refreshed, my mind clear, and my body light without any pain.
As I joyfully stretched my limbs, I suddenly heard rapid panting beside my ear. Turning around, I saw an old man with white hair lying on the ground.
I was immediately confused, not knowing who the person was.
I cautiously walked forward to help him up, and upon closer inspection, it was the village chief of Luoshui Village. How could he be here?
He slowly opened his eyes, saw me, and gradually revealed a smile. His hands trembled as he attempted to form a cupped-hand salute.
I heard him say, barely clinging to life, his words broken.
"The... the twenty... twenty-eighth generation... Elder... Li Gengmian, pays... pays respects to the Ghost King."
"What!"
I was greatly shocked. I never expected him to be an elder of the Ghost Clan, but how had he become like this?
He continued.
"We... we, the Ghost, Ghost Clan rely on... rely on you, Ghost... Ghost King... you must... must live well.
For... for us, use your... your abilities... now you can completely... escape."
After speaking, he spat out a mouthful of blood and fell into my arms, closing his eyes forever.
Looking at this stranger before me, my thoughts were in turmoil. I wanted to know everything about him, but I couldn't find out anything.
Only now did I realize he was an elder of the Ghost Clan, someone close to the Myriad Ghost King.
But why was he here? Why was he here?
I vaguely recalled that I was severely injured and near death, but now I was healthy, without any pain.
Could it be that he, he had saved me!
I looked at him in astonishment, my eyes filled with confusion, and asked the Myriad Ghost King.
"What happened to the Ghost Clan? Why did they sacrifice their lives to save you? Why?"
There was no answer, no response. The surroundings were so silent that only my own voice could be heard.
I didn't understand why the Myriad Ghost King didn't answer. Did he want me to find the answers myself, to see the true Ghost Clan?
In a daze, I recalled that my original promise to the Myriad Ghost King to possess me was only to defeat Liu Xiang and fulfill my vow.
Now, I had inexplicably become someone else's hope. I felt a moment of confusion.
Carrying the old man in a daze, I stomped my feet in confusion and flew upwards, crashing straight into something unknown in my bewilderment.
Reaching out to touch, it felt like a giant, invisible wall above my head blocked my path.
The confused feeling instantly turned into anger, and I smashed towards this invisible barrier. One punch, two punches, but they had no effect whatsoever.
At this moment, a voice suddenly sounded from behind me.
"This is useless."
Turning around, I saw an old man dressed in white, with white hair and a faintly visible white beard.
"Who are you?" httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
I asked.
The old man smiled slightly and replied.
"I am merely a wisp of a soul in this Wuji Abyss."
"A soul?"
"Yes, you are from outside, aren't you? I want to ask, how is the Xuanyuan Kingdom now?"
"Xuanyuan Kingdom?"
I was a little confused, but then I remembered hearing this name and knew some of its story. However, I replied with confusion.
"Didn't the Xuanyuan Kingdom perish long ago?"
"Perished?"
He was a little surprised, but still said calmly.
"It seems it couldn't escape such a fate."
I could tell he had some connection to the Xuanyuan Kingdom, but I cautiously asked him again.
"Who exactly are you?"
He replied unhurriedly.
"I was originally the astrologer of the Xuanyuan Kingdom."
"The astrologer of the Xuanyuan Kingdom? But how are you here?"
I was somewhat confused. I had heard that the Xuanyuan Kingdom had existed thousands of years ago, yet this person before me claimed to be its astrologer.
Could it be that the Four Cities sent people to guard me?
However, he didn't pay attention to my suspicion and began to recount the untold past.
"It was a time of peace, yet I divined a bad omen amidst the harmony. However, I paid it no mind.
This was because our Xuanyuan Kingdom had been peaceful for thousands of years before that.
However, circumstances change. The enemy leader who had long coveted our kingdom sent many spies into our country. On our grand celebration day, they captured the Crown Prince.
Afterward, I was imprisoned in this very cage."
"Then where is he?"
If what he said was true, why wasn't that person here?
He said.
"To save him, I was captured willingly. Like the person on you, I jumped into this well to exchange places with him."
So, the elder had indeed come to save me. But was it worth it for him to do this? For someone of unknown origin.
"What happened next?"
I continued to press.
He went on to say.
"I don't know what happened after that. I thought it would be a time of national prosperity and eternal peace, but in the end, the country was still destroyed.
It seems that no matter who it is, they cannot escape the torrent of time. There are always some people, some stories that will forever remain in time."
He was right, there are always some people, some stories that will forever remain in time.
And this person, though not bad, was a pitiable one. I asked again.
"Sir, how long have you been here?"
He sighed slightly and said vaguely.
"I can't remember."
It seemed he had been in this cave for thousands of years. However, I thought he should know how to get out, so I asked.
"Sir, do you know how to escape?"
He said.
"To get out, you must let go of your obsessions, let go of the person you carry."
He pointed at the elder.
I looked back and shook my head slightly.
"No, I can't. He died saving me, I must take him out."
The old man smiled slightly.
"You are indeed a person of loyalty and righteousness. I sense a demonic aura about you, smelling like the Ghost Clan."
I was startled. I didn't expect him to be able to smell the aura of the Myriad Ghost King. However, I wouldn't easily reveal the Myriad Ghost King's identity unless it was absolutely necessary.
So I said.
"Sir, you are correct, I am indeed a member of the Ghost Clan.
However, I was born late, and I am not clear about many things regarding the Ghost Clan.
Sir, you should know something. Could you tell me what exactly happened to the Ghost Clan?"
He sighed slightly and began to recount what he had seen and heard.
"Speaking of the Ghost Clan, ten thousand years ago, they were merely a dominant force. At that time, people considered them a great clan comparable to the Divine Clan.
Who would have thought that after the great war ten thousand years ago, the Ghost Clan became known as demons.
Since the death of the second Demon King, Mo Yeduo, the Ghost Clan also declined.
Over the years, the Ghost Clan has been a target of universal condemnation and has been driven and hunted by several factions.
I imagine they are now fragmented and living a life of displacement."
"So that's how it is."
Because of injustice, they had to resist. Because they wanted a life of equality, they waited bitterly.
And the Myriad Ghost King was their hope, so naturally, I also became their hope.
Seeing my hesitation, the old man finally said.
"Go ahead, I will help take care of this friend of yours."
I was overjoyed and full of gratitude.
"Thank you, sir."
He waved his hand, took away the corpse, and disappeared into the chaos with it.
I then leaped out, unhindered, and directly out of the Wuji Abyss.
Everyone was grieving when suddenly they saw a figure jump out of the dry well.
When they landed, they saw it was Liu Muye, covered in bloodstains and with a pale complexion.
Yan Wushuang felt guilty and stepped forward to apologize.
"Muye, I'm sorry. In that battle, the two of us allowed you to fight dozens of experts alone. It was truly unrighteous.
We are sorry to you, and we hope you can forgive us."
Xue Gucheng also lowered his head and apologized.
"I'm sorry."
This was not something everyone could handle. It was rare to see someone who, despite being an adversary, could set aside their pride to ask for my forgiveness.
I laughed heartily, filled with gratitude, and patted them both.
"I am already grateful that you came to save me, how could I blame you?
However, an elder died because of me, and my heart is already filled with immense sorrow."
Everyone knew that person was the elder, but they were also suspicious of the Ghost King's true identity.
The warrior Xingyue, who had not yet reacted, said recklessly.
"Hey, why is it a little girl? Didn't we come to save the Ghost King?
Little girl, have you seen a Ghost King with strong demonic power?"
I was amused by him. Xue Ruyi crossed her arms and asked him as if watching a show.
"Can't you tell? She is the Myriad Ghost King."
He looked incredulous, unable to see any skill in me, or how I resembled the Ghost King.
After looking carefully, he still didn't quite believe it.
As for me, the life I had been saved by the elder had decided that I would no longer be the ordinary Liu Muye, but would become the Myriad Ghost King of righteousness in my heart.
I smiled slightly and said seriously.
"That's right, I am the Myriad Ghost King."
Upon hearing this, everyone, except for the Xue Dao Shuang Guai, knelt on one knee and shouted.
"We pay respects to the Ghost King."
I thought that from now on, I would be the true Myriad Ghost King, but I didn't know if I could still keep the name Liu Muye.
I slowly raised my hand and said.
"Everyone, rise."
Only then did everyone get up. Looking at the people before me, whom I didn't know, I asked.
"Can someone introduce me to everyone and tell me who they are?"
At this moment, Yan Wushuang volunteered.
"I'll introduce you."
Saying that, she walked to the front of everyone and introduced them one by one.
"This is Thirteenth Mother. I heard you've met before."
Thirteenth Mother said proactively.
"I wonder if the Ghost King remembers me, the old woman from beneath Mount Wanxue."
When she said that, I immediately remembered and was surprised.
"So it was you!"
Thirteenth Mother smiled shyly.
"Yes, it was me. I just used some illusion techniques."
Yan Wushuang continued her introduction.
"These two are Xingyue and Shuiliuyun from Beifeng Mountain."
The two of them cupped their hands in salute at the same time.
"Greetings, Ghost King."
"These two are Tian Lishi and Gao Xuewei from Dongzi Mountain."
The two also cupped their hands.
"Greetings, Ghost King."
I nodded slightly and continued to listen to her introduction.
"These two are Huajian and Canyu from Nanqi Mountain."
The two also cupped their hands.
"Greetings, Ghost King."
"These two are Mo Jianli and Xue Ruyi from Ximen Mountain. Xue Ruyi is quite capable.
She can transform into all sorts of people without being detected."
Hearing this, I stepped forward and patted their shoulders.
"Good, you are all capable people."
Thirteenth Mother pulled someone from behind and said to me.
"Ghost King, this is the nephew of the elder who saved you, named Lin'er. The elder appointed him as the twenty-ninth generation elder before he left."
I looked closely and saw a handsome and delicate youth with tearful eyes. I knew he had just lost a relative and was still in pain.
I slowly stepped forward and hugged him.
"Don't worry, I will take good care of you on behalf of the elder."
He calmed down slightly and took out a brocade pouch from his怀, handing it to me.
"My uncle gave this to me before. He instructed me to give it to the Ghost King when she came out. The Ghost King can open it and take a look."
I took the brocade pouch and took out a slip of paper. On it was written.
"Go east into Black Mountain."
"Black Mountain."
I murmured. What kind of place was that?
Thirteenth Mother overheard me. She knew a little about that place and said.
"Black Mountain is the territory of the Black Old Monster. It is sparsely populated, a good place to go."
I pondered for a moment and decided.
"Alright, let's go to Black Mountain."
Xue Gucheng hesitated for a moment, but couldn't help but speak.
"We won't be going with you. I promised the elder that we would leave after rescuing Muye."
They were suddenly leaving, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of panic.
"Where are you going?"
"I promised Liu Shinian's uncle that I would save him?"
"Save Liu Shinian?"
Liu Shinian, he couldn't be that kind of person. I still believed him.
"Precisely."
A doubt suddenly arose in my heart, and I quickly asked.
"Where is Liu Shinian?"
"I've inquired, he is imprisoned in Beishendu."
Imprisoned? As expected, what Jin Yulan said that day was all lies. Liu Shinian, he truly wanted to take me away.
However, fate is cruel. If only I had met him earlier, how much better it would have been, and I wouldn't have ended up in this situation.
But it's fine, some things are destined, and no one can decide them.