Chapter 86: Last Patriarch of the Witch Ghost Path
Chapter 86: The Last Sect Master of the Witch Ghost Path
Ancestor Nether Whisper's aura continued to rise, yet Lü Yang remained composed, knowing full well their conditions were actually quite similar.
Having lost their physical bodies, only souls remained.
Their combat relied entirely on the positional enhancement granted by divine abilities—utterly invincible against weaker foes, yet revealing flaws when facing opponents of equal standing.
The current stalemate existed solely because Lü Yang himself was also compromised.
To achieve the status of [Corpse Dissolution Immortal], his body remained in a state of "death before rebirth," giving him only a slight advantage over Ancestor Nether Whisper.
But since he dared come knocking, he naturally had absolute confidence.
"Ninth Heaven Secret Demon Yin Lightning!"
Ancestor Nether Whisper's expression turned icy as he uttered the incantation, fingers forming a seal. Instantly, lightning erupted from the void—crackling bolts descending upon Lü Yang.
This time, Lü Yang didn't take it head-on. Instead, he silently activated his sword art, conjuring a sword light beneath his feet while simultaneously summoning the Blood Sun Sword Pill to flee a hundred miles away. Then, splitting another sword light, he utilized the sword-light teleportation of the "Divine Firmament Sword Control True Formula" to instantly relocate beyond the hundred-mile range.
Boom!
A deafening explosion sounded as Lü Yang watched the lightning strike the City of Unjust Deaths below, instantly obliterating entire districts and raising mountains of corpses and rivers of blood.
Yet not a single soul emerged from the carnage—all had been utterly annihilated!
"Lightning arts specialized against souls..."
Lü Yang narrowed his eyes. Lightning was inherently the purest yang and most rigid force of heaven and earth, yet extremes beget opposites—the purest yin and softest energy could also generate towering thunderbolts.
Ancestor Nether Whisper's "Ninth Heaven Secret Demon Yin Lightning" clearly belonged to this category. Having likely discerned Lü Yang's vulnerabilities, he tailored his approach, attempting to corrupt Lü Yang's soul with this lightning technique. One direct hit would likely decide the duel's outcome.
With this in mind, Lü Yang again split his sword light, scattering it in all directions.
"Sword evasion technique?"
Ancestor Nether Whisper glanced over and sneered, "The Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion's sword evasion may be among the world's fastest movements, but all divine abilities have countermeasures."
"My Witch Ghost Path clashed with the Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion several times in the past—how could we not understand this art?"
"Moreover, you don't seem proficient in swordplay—likely learned through dual cultivation plundering, no? Such petty tricks dare parade before this Protector?"
As he spoke, he pointed a finger.
Where his fingertip aimed, surging dark radiance poured forth, filling the sky—upon closer inspection, they were countless witch ghosts, matching Lü Yang's sword lights in number!
Each witch ghost closely pursued a sword light.
When Lü Yang again used sword evasion to escape the battlefield, Ancestor Nether Whisper similarly formed seals and vanished.
The next moment, as Lü Yang emerged from a sword light, the witch ghost beside it transformed, revealing Ancestor Nether Whisper's form!
Boom!
Another yin lightning bolt descended. At the critical moment, Lü Yang waved the Myriad Spirits Banner, releasing hundreds—no, thousands—of Five Thunder Talismans that soared out before simultaneously activating, forming a brilliant yang lightning that collided midair with the yin lightning.
"Talismans?"
Ancestor Nether Whisper frowned briefly before relaxing, "Troublesome, but how many can you possibly have? A drop in the bucket at best...!?"
His voice cut off abruptly.
Because in the next instant, Lü Yang fully unfurled the Myriad Spirits Banner—innumerable talismans flew forth, instantly filling most of the sky!
In his previous life, aided by the Bright Dao Jade Slip, Lü Yang had pushed both talisman arts and formations to the Qi Refining realm's limits—seventh grade. Combined with the Myriad Spirits Banner's industrial production line, he instantly deployed formations through talismans, mobilizing the hundred-mile radius's natural power.
Moreover, formation patterns lit up around the City of Unjust Deaths.
In moments, flying lights and flowing fire mingled with howling winds and rolling thunder, firmly encasing the entire city—trapping Ancestor Nether Whisper at the formation's epicenter!
"Did you truly think I came unprepared?"
Against seasoned veterans, Lü Yang always arrived fully armed.
Long before approaching the City of Unjust Deaths, he'd laid formations around it. Now activated, they erupted with heaven-shaking might.
Previously, Lü Yang had withstood peak Qi Refining cultivators at eighth-layer Qi Refining using just the Heaven-Slashing Blood River Sword Formation—formations' combat amplification was undeniable. Ancestor Nether Whisper clearly understood this, his expression shifting drastically as he immediately formed seals to escape.
"Hmph, trying to flee?"
Lü Yang flicked his sleeves, recalling the scattered sword lights.
Earlier, to track Lü Yang, Ancestor Nether Whisper had each witch ghost follow a sword light—now hoist by his own petard.
In a blink, the sword lights eradicated remaining witch ghosts outside the formation.
Without witch ghosts as mediums, Ancestor Nether Whisper couldn't teleport away, left scowling as the formation enveloped him.
Lü Yang smirked coldly, forming seals.
Instantly, the formation shifted—countless talismans vibrated as wind, thunder, water, and fire cascaded forth, engulfing Ancestor Nether Whisper.
A mere formation wouldn't faze him, but Lü Yang's positional enhancement made it lethal. When the elements dispersed, Ancestor Nether Whisper reappeared—his formerly radiant soul now visibly dimmed.
"Well, well, junior!"
Disheveled and grim-eyed, Ancestor Nether Whisper growled, "I truly wished to conceal this... but circumstances leave no choice."
Before the words faded, his aura transformed!
Seals formed as the Lord of the Dark Underworld image behind him expanded—the [Yama Palace] grew more tangible, manifesting eight additional thrones.
"Assume positions!"
Eerie demonic chants echoed as eight crimson streaks—having just fled into the distance—now returned at breakneck speed.
Within them flashed the terrified faces of the Tingyou Sect's eight elders. Lü Yang activated the formation to intercept, but they seemed to exist in another dimension—elusive and unstoppable—landing beside Ancestor Nether Whisper in an instant.
"Black and White Impermanence, Civil and Military Judges."
"Ox-Head and Horse-Face, Day and Night Wandering Gods."
With each title spoken, an elder descended upon a [Yama Palace] throne. When all eight were seated—
Boom!
Ancestor Nether Whisper transformed into the Lord of the Dark Underworld image, taking the [Yama Palace]'s central throne. Instantly, the palace underwent metamorphosis—countless ghosts roared as each assumed their role, like the true Netherworld descending upon earth—shattering Lü Yang's talisman formation in moments!
Simultaneously, a sword cry resounded from the heavens!
The thunderous sound carried overwhelming divine sense, forcing all who heard it to envision:
A cliff piercing the firmament.
Upon it sat a heroic young Daoist-robed figure, gazing northward with a ritual sword across his knees—before pointing northward in a slash:
"Witch Ghost Dao Lord—chief villain must die!"
Clang! Clang!
The vision vanished as Lü Yang saw only a razor-sharp sword light—the secret realm's Golden Core Sword Qi fully awakening!
Now Lü Yang finally understood Ancestor Nether Whisper's identity.
The last sect master of the Witch Ghost Path!