Chapter 761: War Begins
Chapter 761: War Begins
Chapter 761: War Begins
The closer you get to the extreme limits of the western regions, the higher the temperature becomes. Even the night sky cannot hide the continuous volcanoes with their blazing flames reaching the sky. From a distance, it looks like a massive, raging furnace.
This scorching heat evaporated the moisture and cracked the earth.
For hundreds of miles in all directions, there was not a trace of vegetation, and even demons and ghosts were hard to find, except for a few who thrived on flames and high temperatures and dared to roam the farthest reaches of the Flame Mountains.
Ssss~
A fire snake, draped in flames and over a hundred feet long, was flicking its tongue. This was a demonic beast that has reached the Seventh Calamity Cycle of power.
It seems to have sensed something and raised its massive snake head to survey its surroundings, but found nothing amiss.
After casting a wary glance towards the depths of the Flame Mountains, the giant serpent turned its body and swam away, distancing itself from the sea of flames.
At the same time, in the shadows, a faint human voice could be heard.
“This fire snake’s instincts are quite sharp; it almost detected our presence.”“How could a demonic beast that can survive in such an environment be ordinary? If not for Lord An Mingzhi’s concealment technique, we surely would have been discovered.”
In the shadows cast by the fiery glow, two hazy human figures could be seen in an area about several dozen feet wide.
They were brave and skilled soldiers from Prince Chu’s army, who had advanced to the Third Realm after the world changed thanks to the abundant resources at their disposal.
They have now been assigned the dangerous task of guarding one of the entrances to the extreme borders of the Western Regions.
“Even though we’re on the outskirts of the volcano, this heat is still unbearable, as if it can penetrate the flesh and reach straight to the soul.”
“My Invincible Divine Martial Body has reached great mastery, and I can barely withstand this scorching heat.”
“I’ve heard that the Commander of the Demon Slaying Department tried to venture into the depths of the volcano, but failed to make any progress. There seems to be something unusual about this flame.”
“That suspicious figure has come to the western regions and is heading for this place, perhaps in search of something in the depths of the volcano.”
“But I’m curious, what kind of existence could make someone as powerful as the Commander so cautious?”
“We, who are below the Third Realm, cannot intervene, and even if we discover the intruder’s trail, we cannot risk alarming them. Instead, we must hide our presence and look for an opportunity to signal for help.”
As the two were conversing, neither of them noticed the distortion in the void behind them.
Suddenly, Ghost Buddha dressed in a monk’s robe and a straw hat appeared out of thin air.
“What’s that smell?” one of them sniffed the dry, scorching air, and a foul, pungent odor suddenly emerged.
“Perhaps it’s the stench of decaying corpses,” a hoarse, mocking laughter rang out.
The two men were startled, quickly turning around, but in the blink of an eye, two large, bony hands appeared and clamped down on their faces.
Before they could even cry out, a cracking sound was heard, and their heads were twisted into a tangled mess, with blood and brain matter spilling to the ground.
Rotten flesh and blood were pulsating on the Ghost Buddha’s arms, as if alive.
The bodies of the dead quickly withered, leaving behind only empty husks in a matter of moments.
“No wonder I haven’t encountered any easy prey along the way – it seems they were all hiding here.” The Ghost Buddha let out a sinister grin, no longer concealing its presence as it strode towards the depths of the volcano.
Even though it had obtained all the information from the memories of the two it had devoured, it had no intention of avoiding them.
After all, to the Ghost Buddha, those from the broken realm were nothing more than food.
Meanwhile, on the other side, An Mingzhi, one of the three great divine generals of the Western Regions, turned his head towards the southeast, and frowned.
An Mingzhi’s concealment technique can not only conceal the aura of others, but it can also feed the aura back to him. The moment the two soldiers from Prince Chu’s army died, he felt the abnormality.
“So they’ve arrived,” he murmured to himself and then his whole body became alert.
Although the surroundings were ablaze with flames, causing the shadows underfoot to be quite small, but within a moment the darkness soon spread out like a surging tide.
At the same time, the hidden individuals around the volcano became aware of the shifting shadows beneath their feet. These shadows converged into an arrow, all pointing in the same direction – the outer edges of the Flame Mountains.
Fu Ruoyun’s brows furrowed, and her right fist clenched tightly. “Over there.”
“Elder Sister,” Mo Sanyi called out upon seeing the dark shadows.
Bai Wudi twisted her neck and let out a light shout, “On my turf, daring to kill the demons under my watch? No matter what that thing is, I’ll skin it alive today!”
“Lord An has sent a message.”
“The enemy has arrived.”
“Let’s go!”
Whoosh!
The sound of the wind being sliced through instantly echoed.
Ghost Buddha was strolling leisurely amidst the scorching flames, but as it ventured deeper, it seemed to have discovered something. “Don’t you find this flame somewhat familiar?”
The large eyeball in its palm opened, and it carefully sensed the surroundings. “Of course it’s familiar, I suffered a lot under this flame.”
“Are you talking about him? No wonder its trace disappeared in the Immortal Realm – it has been hiding here all along.”
The eyeball rotated, and it then said, “There is a powerful aura rapidly approaching this place.”
“I know.”
As the words left its mouth, a giant shadow hand descended from the sky.
Boom!
A tremendous impact resounded.
The earth split open, and the resulting shockwaves blew the surrounding flames outward.
This was the Hundred Ghost Dao Lineage’s Puppet Shadow Technique!
An Mingzhi floated above the flames like a night wind, and his first strike was not the end. He once again mobilized the Netherworld Qi and Yin Qi within him.
Suddenly, countless massive black coffins formed in midair, and they came crashing down towards the fractured earth with tremendous force.
The terrifying shockwaves were relentless, seeming capable of even extinguishing the unquenchable flames around them.
The arriving members of the Demon Slaying Department and the soldiers from Prince Chu’s army were all amazed, “Lord An is truly remarkable – he was able to suppress the enemy with just a single exchange!”
“No, something’s wrong!” An Mingzhi’s brow suddenly furrowed.
Almost as he spoke, he raised his right hand, and layers of shadow flow walls instantly rose up, shielding the group in front of him.
However, a long, snake-like hand struck with lightning speed, effortlessly piercing through the renowned defensive shadow flow walls, and then impaling several people!
Boom!
A crimson mist exploded and instantly evaporated in the scorching air.
This sudden turn of events left the surviving few stunned, frozen in their tracks.
The long, bony hand, with its exposed bone and decaying flesh, was pulsating with flesh, devouring the bodies of those who had just died. And then, it struck out again!
Numerous bone spikes shot out, targeting the remaining survivors.
Those people were still in a daze, how could they react?
Of course, even if they had been prepared, they would have been utterly helpless in the face of such overwhelming power.
Just as they were on the brink of disaster, two figures suddenly appeared, one to the left and one to the right, and with a powerful punch and palm strike, they managed to deflect the incoming bone spikes!
The long hand retracted and returned to the ground.
Ghost Buddha turned his head slightly, glanced at the cracked bone arm, and said in a nonchalant tone, “You’re right, those who have transcended in this realm seem to be under the protection of the Heavenly Dao, their strength surpassing even the gods and demons of the Immortal Realm.”
“It’s Commander Fu and Bai Wudi!” the crowd exclaimed with joy.
An Mingzhi flashed to Fu Ruoyun’s side and spoke in a deep voice, “The Heavenly Tower National Teacher is correct – those beyond the Third Realm are simply unable to intervene in this battle.”
“The enemy’s strength is far beyond our estimation, and even the typical Third Realm cultivators will not be able to play a significant role.”
Fu Ruoyun glanced at the smoldering remains of the clothes, her expression deeply grave.
She looked towards the Ghost Buddha and asked in a low voice, “Who are you, and why have you come here?”
The Ghost Buddha removed the straw hat from its head, revealing its three heads.
Upon seeing its true form, the crowd shuddered, their hearts filled with terror.
The ghastly, decaying appearance, with visible white bones, sent chills down their spines.
“What’s the point of talking to it so much?!” Bai Wudi, with her volatile temper, couldn’t wait.
Before Fu Ruoyun could ask further questions, she let out a furious roar and charged forward.
“Vulgar beast!” Fu Ruoyun cursed.
Of course, she didn’t really want to get information from the enemy, she just wanted to delay them. She was waiting for reinforcements!
But before the plan could be implemented, it was disrupted by this foolish tiger.
“Commander, what should we do?” An Mingzhi asked from the side.
Fu Ruoyun took a deep breath, suppressing the anger in her heart. “Engage!”
As a cultivator of the Transcendence Realm, the foolish tiger could not be allowed to fail. Helping her fight was the only option.
Powerful shockwaves instantly swept across the area.
“From here on, we’ll have to rely on ourselves.” Qin Feng stopped and spoke.
The surrounding area was barren mountains and withered rocks, with temperatures as scorching as a sauna. The horses were restless and unwilling to advance further.
If one were to reach out and touch the ground, it would be as hot as asphalt on a summer day!
The group dismounted their horses, gazing towards the raging flames that lit up the dark night.
“Beyond the extreme borders of the Western Regions lie the continuous volcanoes. Only by traversing those volcanic lands can one reach the westernmost edge. However, even someone as powerful as Commander Fu was unable to venture too deeply and had to turn back – there is something peculiar about those flames,” Gong Cang explained.
At that moment, a surge of shockwaves came rushing towards them, making their clothes flap noisily.
Liu Jianli parted her crimson lips, “Someone is fighting.”
“That thing has arrived.” Qin Feng’s expression darkened, for he was referring to the Ghost Buddha.
Shen Li spoke, “We cannot risk delay, we must hurry.”
As soon as he finished, Shen Li spread his hands and gently clasped them together. Primordial Immortal Qi surged out of his body and enveloped everyone in it.
In moments, the ground beneath their feet emitted a white glow, and the surrounding scenery changed dramatically.
Qin Feng realized it was the Immortal Technique of Spatial Transportation. Suddenly, someone shouted, “Stop!”
Turning to the source of the voice, it was Commander Fu. The commander’s expression was one of bewilderment as she looked at them.
What kind of expression is this? You didn’t expect me to come to the rescue?
Haha, you’re looking down a little bit, aren’t you?
Qin Feng raised his brow slightly, then noticed the members of the Demon Slaying Department and the other soldiers surrounding them in the air, their gazes tense and guarded.
‘I can’t help but feel that something is off. By the way, where are the Senior Brother and the wives? Why aren’t they by my side?’
About a hundred yards ahead, Qin Feng could see the figures of Shen Li’s group. He noticed that the two wives had looks of surprise on their faces, and Shen Li also seemed taken aback.
“So it was you.” A familiar voice sounded from behind.
Qin Feng stiffened, then cautiously turned around. About ten yards away stood the decaying form of the Ghost Buddha and a foul stench wafting from him.
The creature raised its palm, and a large red-glowing eye appeared, distorting the void around it.
That was the same eye he had seen in the Ninefold Prison. But how had it shrunk so much? Ah, it must have been behind my escape from Senior Brother’s Spatial Transportation.
Qin Feng swallowed a mouthful of saliva and didn’t dare to act rashly. All he could say was: “What a coincidence.”
Damn, this thing is truly tenacious. I have to find a way to escape back. Qin Feng was on full alert, and the energy in his body was surging crazily.
Ghost Buddha spoke, “Your clone left behind earlier was destroyed. Was it that insignificant ant’s doing?”
The Big eyeball replied, “Of course, he doesn’t have that level of power, he just has a strange way of connecting to the Netherworld, and then the Ghost Lord took action and erased my clone.”
“This person seems to harbor some secret. Devour him and search his memories.”
Fuck, you’re serious about this. Qin Feng didn’t hesitate, mobilizing his spiritual energy to flee towards his allies.
But how could his speed compare to the Ghost Buddha’s?
The rotting hand shot out like a snake, the distance between them vanishing in an instant!
Just as the ghostly hand was about to reach Qin Feng’s neck, a coffin suddenly descended from the sky, slamming the hand into the ground.
“Grandmaster!” Qin Feng turned his head, filled with excitement.
“Retreat.”
“Got it!” Qin Feng sprinted back to his two wives and then turned his gaze to the battlefield.
The emaciated hands of the Patriarch pressed down on the massive coffin, and the intricate patterns on the surface began to glow.
Sizzle!
Wisps of white smoke arose.
“Hmm?” Ghost Buddha hummed, and then suddenly used his strength to pull back the ghostly hand. To everyone’s surprise, what happened next was unexpected.
The ghostly hand that could not be shattered by Fu Ruoyun and Bai Wudi’s various techniques was now beginning to crumble into dust under the weight of the coffin. And it could not be restored.
The black markings spread up the ghostly hand like venomous snakes, turning everything they touched into powder.
Ghost Buddha saw this, he made an immediate decision. The bones on his arm protruded like sharp blades, cutting off the ghost hand directly, and the erosion stopped abruptly.
“What kind of Dao is this? It’s a bit weird.” Ghost Buddha said in a deep voice.
The big eyeball detached from its palm, floated in the air and then stared intently at the Patriarch: “My guess is indeed correct. The master of the laws of life and death in this world has the means to kill us, just like the Farshore Flower. “
Hearing this, Qin Feng was both shocked and delighted. No wonder the Heavenly Tower National Teacher had sent his senior brother to seek out the Patriarch. It turns out that the Dao of Life and Death must be the ultimate technique against these bizarre creatures!
“This old man is the master of the Dao of Life and Death. Since he poses a threat to us, we should kill him.”
As the words left its mouth, the Ghost Buddha struck its own abdomen with one hand, and a black mist began billowing out from the Buddha head in the center, spreading outward at an unmatched speed.
“Patriarch, be careful!” Qin Feng shouted loudly, and the others also braced themselves.
Though the black mist was moving rapidly, the people present were not weak. Evading it would not be a difficult task, even if they could not directly confront it.
However, the unexpected happened – a beam of red light shot out from the eyeball’s pupil, distorting the void.
In the blink of an eye, the black mist had enveloped everyone!
“Aaaahhh!!!” Agonizing screams erupted all around.
Among those touched by the black mist, the weaker ones saw their flesh and blood decay at a visible pace.
Even the mighty Commander Fu and Bai Wudi had black spots appearing on their skin.
Glancing at the two wives, Qin Feng saw the black markings rapidly spreading across their pristine white skin.
In contrast, Shen Li seemed to be affected to a much lesser degree.
As for Qin Feng himself, he was almost completely unaffected!
Puzzled, Qin Feng activated his Dual Pupil Ability to observe, and soon realized, “This black mist seems to be some kind of plague?”