Chapter 84: Seeking to Pacify the Witch Ghost Realm!
Chapter 84: Subduing the Witch-Ghost Realm!
Witch-Ghost Secret Realm, Tingyou Sect Headquarters.
Unlike other areas of the secret realm, the Tingyou Sect's headquarters had ghostly envoys constantly clearing out witch-ghosts. Over time, they'd even built a towering city here.
Its name: the City of Unjust Deaths.
At the city's center stood a divine statue piercing the clouds.
Nearly eighty percent of the secret realm's population gathered in this City of Unjust Deaths, where every moment they could see this sky-reaching statue.
The statue's features unmistakably depicted the Tingyou Sect's founder. Below it stood a magnificent golden hall—the secluded cultivation site for the sect's eight elders. The Tingyou Sect had no sect master, venerating only their founder, so all affairs were decided collectively by these eight elders.
Normally, only one elder remained on duty while the other seven slumbered.
The Tingyou Sect's cultivation system involved feeding one's body to ghosts, drastically shortening lifespans. Without this hibernation method to prolong their lives, they'd be devoured by witch-ghosts within years.
Yet now, six elders had awakened simultaneously.
Great Elder White Impermanence sat at the head seat—youthful in appearance, tall and thin in white robes, his face perpetually wearing a sinister smile:
"The destruction of our founder's statue is no trivial matter."
"Before its destruction, the statue transmitted our founder's decree—we must spare no effort to find whoever destroyed it. That's why I've awakened you all."
His gaze then fell upon two empty seats as he frowned: "Where are Martial and Civil Judges?"
A heavily armored burly man with an ox-head hanging from one pauldron stood: "They've just returned to position. Revival still requires time."
White Impermanence nodded: "Very well. This matter isn't urgent enough to—"
Before he could finish, a black-robed Daoist stood—fierce-faced, broad and fat, his voice vicious: "Why wait for them? According to our sect's records, while outsiders have strong experts, none at our founder's level dare enter. Those weaker than him are at best our equals—like those 'Divine Martial Gate disciples' who barged in recently."
"Rather than waiting here, we should act first."
"With both Day and Night Wandering Gods returned, we can monitor the entire realm. No outsider could possibly escape our grasp."
"Elder Brother speaks truth."
The speaker was a handsome youth with a third eye who smiled: "What can some wild fox Zen outsider do against us?"
The Tingyou Sect's eight elders abandoned their original names upon promotion, instead taking the names of the red-clothed ghosts they commanded: Black and White Impermanence, Martial and Civil Judges, Ox-Head and Horse-Face, Day and Night Wandering Gods—each with unique abilities.
The three-eyed youth was 'Day Wandering God.'
His witch-ghost was the golden sun-like third eye that could observe all manifest phenomena in the realm.
Night Wandering God operated inversely—seeing all hidden things.
Together, nothing in the Witch-Ghost Secret Realm escaped their sight.
Clearly, the elders had split into two factions.
White Impermanence, Ox-Head and Horse-Face advocated caution, wanting all eight present before hunting the statue-destroyer.
Black Impermanence and the Wandering Gods believed outsiders posed no threat and they could handle it alone.
"Junior Brother is too rash."
White Impermanence shook his head, his smile unchanging: "This isn't just about losing face from the statue's destruction."
"That person relates to our grand plan."
"As you all know, this place—however comfortable—remains a cage. To live longer or reach higher realms, we must leave."
"Oh?"
Black Impermanence's eyes flashed skeptically: "You mean that person can help us leave? Impossible! Who can break the Heavenly Sword?"
At mention of the "Heavenly Sword"—the Golden Core Sword Qi hanging over the realm—the other elders showed fear. For a millennium, none dared resist this nightmare.
"Just because we can't doesn't mean outsiders can't."
White Impermanence chuckled: "Our founder long planned this. Capturing that person will let us borrow strength to break that damned Heavenly Sword."
His confident tone convinced the skeptical elders. If this was the founder's plan, they wouldn't oppose it.
Then two new auras appeared in the hall.
The empty seats now held two illusory figures—one holding a brush and book, the other a shining mirror—the final two elders.
"Martial and Civil Judges have revived!"
White Impermanence laughed heartily: "Excellent! Day and Night Wandering Gods—locate our target. Ox-Head and Horse-Face will help us reach them quickly."
The Wandering Gods nodded and activated their mystic eyes.
Then froze.
"Junior Brothers?" White Impermanence frowned: "Is the statue-destroyer exceptionally skilled at hiding?"
"No..."
The Wandering Gods looked incredulous before speaking hesitantly: "He's not hiding... He's right outside the City of Unjust Deaths!"
...........
Outside the city, Lü Yang stood holding the Myriad Spirits Banner, hands behind his back.
How could he allow others to sleep soundly beside his bed? Since he intended to make the Witch-Ghost Secret Realm his stronghold, leaving the Tingyou Sect unchecked was impossible.
Moreover, he wanted to meet the surviving elder of the Witch Ghost Path behind this sect.
"First, a greeting."
Lü Yang's mind stirred as a mirror-like halo appeared behind his head. Through the Saint's Theft's authority, he gazed down upon the city from above.
Simultaneously, every Tingyou cultivator sensed something wrong.
None understood what happened—only that their witch-ghosts suddenly went berserk, emitting indescribable wails.
Then—
"Profound Yin Form-Capturing Grand Art."
Lü Yang's finger-slash shattered the city-reflecting halo, unleashing terrifying curse power.
Crack! Crack! Crack!
Without warning, while mortals remained unaffected, every cultivator in the city clutched their necks in horror as fissures appeared.
Then blood gushed forth.
Thud!
Countless heads hitting the ground merged into one earth-shaking impact resonating throughout the city!
Instantly, countless witch-ghosts—freed from their cultivators—surged skyward before uncontrollably swarming toward Lü Yang outside the city. He unfurled the Myriad Spirits Banner, devouring hundreds—nearly a thousand—witch-ghosts in moments!
"Audacious madman!!!"
Only then did eight blood-red streaks of light erupt from the city center—the Tingyou elders emerging, eyes bulging with rage.
They cared little for their nearly annihilated sect.
But Lü Yang collecting witch-ghosts enraged them—each ghost was vital to the Tingyou Sect. This struck at their roots!
White Impermanence stepped forward: "You're the thief who destroyed our founder's statue?"
Ignoring him, Lü Yang surveyed his surroundings as if sensing something before focusing on the sky-piercing statue.
"So that's where it is."
He vanished instantly.
"What!?"
The eight elders paled, frantically searching until spotting Lü Yang seated atop the statue's head, gazing down at it with a faint smile:
"I've come as invited. Where is the senior?"