Chapter 112: Seeds of Conspiracy, A Glimpse of the Netherworld
A streak of silver light shot up from the ground, leaving a faint trail in the night sky.
A surge of Yin energy erupted like a spring, sweeping across Jianggai County like a cold night wind.
Shang Yan hurried out of the academy. Seeing this strange phenomenon, his expression changed drastically.
Someone was casting a large-scale Yin technique within the county?!
The Path of the Netherworld was about to begin, and it required days of meticulous preparation. No unforeseen circumstances or oversights were allowed – this unspoken rule was understood even by lone ghosts and rogue practitioners.
The ghosts and ghost practitioners who had arrived early in Jianggai County wouldn’t dare to disrupt the balance of Yin energy at such a crucial time!
But now, even from half a mile away, Shang Yan could sense the intense Yin energy.
If this technique was malicious, it could even affect the academy!
His expression turned grim.
“Han’er, protect the academy. I’ll be back soon!”
He shouted hurriedly and dashed away.
“Grandpa!?”
Shang Han cried out in alarm. By the time she ran out of the room, Shang Yan was already gone.
…
“What happened?!”
“Why is the Yin energy suddenly going berserk… Did the Path of the Netherworld ritual begin early?!”
“This is strange. I’ve participated in the Path of the Netherworld before, but it was completely different from this!”
Inside the restaurant, many ghosts stood up abruptly, staring at the strange sight outside with astonishment.
They were both shocked and confused by this sudden turn of events.
Who would be so bold as to disrupt the Path of the Netherworld ritual?
Not to mention the possible retaliation from other factions, the Luo Xing members responsible for this area would be furious.
After a moment of silence, some ghosts quietly retreated, planning to stay at the edge of the county to avoid trouble.
Others remained seated, watching the flickering lights in the distance with interest.
They wouldn’t dare to approach and investigate.
If powerful factions were clashing, getting involved would only lead to trouble. It was better to just observe from afar.
But some with higher cultivation frowned.
Ordinary ghosts might not be able to sense it, but they could feel…
The scale of this Yin technique was incredible, its power terrifying. Even the Yin energy within a radius of several miles was trembling.
Such a celestial phenomenon was definitely extraordinary!
They waited and watched, not daring to act rashly.
…
“You’re actually… interfering with the Path of the Netherworld ritual?”
Yang Chanzhen’s face was filled with surprise.
The scale of this Yin technique was enough to disrupt the ritual.
If left unchecked, the consequences would be unpredictable!
Qiu Fei leaned against the table seductively, a mischievous smile on her face. “My Lingluo Valley is at odds with the Luo Xing. What’s wrong with disrupting their ritual?”
“The Luo Xing will hunt you down for this.”
Yang Chanzhen’s expression gradually calmed down. “If a Luo Xing Soultaker arrives, you’ll be forced to flee.”
“Hee hee~ You’re right, Azure Lady. With my meager skills, if I encounter a renowned Luo Xing Soultaker, I’ll have to run for my life.”
Qiu Fei chuckled softly, her eyes gleaming with a strange light. “That’s why I prepared this technique.”
“What are you—”
Yang Chanzhen froze, her body suddenly stiffening.
Silver threads had silently wrapped around her, binding her tightly in a somewhat suggestive manner, crisscrossing and knotting, accentuating her curves.
At the same time, Qiu Fei dashed forward with a seductive smile. Her fingertips trembled, and Yin energy condensed into a brand, aimed at her exposed, fair chest.
Snap!
Both the silver threads and the brand shattered, dissipating into smoke.
Qiu Fei raised an eyebrow and gracefully retreated.
“As expected of the Azure Lady of Wen Mountain. Such petty tricks can’t affect you.”
“What was the meaning of that?” Yang Chanzhen’s face was cold, her azure hair fluttering behind her without any wind.
“I just wanted to… Eh?”
But Qiu Fei suddenly looked surprised. “It’s not you?”
Yang Chanzhen frowned slightly, sensing that the situation was becoming even more unusual. It seemed that this woman was plotting something.
“I thought you would be the most valuable ‘prey’ here, but it seems someone else has surpassed you.”
Qiu Fei shook her head, as if in regret, then clasped her hands behind her back and chuckled. “In that case, there’s no need for me to waste any more time on you.”
Yang Chanzhen remained silent, her eyes flickering.
Seeing her sullen expression, Qiu Fei tapped her forehead with feigned disappointment. “What a pity. I thought the extraordinary Azure Lady of Wen Mountain would see through the truth.
But it seems you’re no different from other ordinary ghosts. You’ve truly disappointed me.”
Yang Chanzhen’s eyes flickered.
At that moment, a strange fluctuation swept through the air outside, making her turn around in shock.
The beam of light grew brighter, reaching dozens of feet high.
At the same time, dark clouds gathered in the sky, lightning flashing within them. An oppressive aura descended, enveloping Jianggai County!
Now, upon closer inspection, this aura was completely different from ordinary Yin techniques!
An unbelievable thought crossed her mind.
Yang Chanzhen’s expression changed drastically. “You… you actually used the Lingluo Secret Art here?! What are you trying to—”
“It’s too late.”
Qiu Fei spread her arms and chuckled. “The technique has been fully activated. No one in Jianggai County can escape now!”
Hum!
Black mist surged from the beam of light, swirling like dark clouds!
Yang Chanzhen’s pupils constricted, and she looked around the second floor. Two ghost practitioners had vanished without a trace.
As if they had evaporated into thin air!
Not only on the second floor, but throughout the restaurant, many ghosts were disappearing!
“—The Path of the Netherworld?”
Qiu Fei laughed mockingly. “Enjoy the grand ritual I’ve prepared for you. It will be an unforgettable experience for everyone.”
As soon as she finished speaking, the black mist swirled into the sky like a tornado, and thunder roared!
Qiu Fei’s face lit up with delight, and she looked up, laughing triumphantly. “The heavens have shifted, the Netherworld is emerging. It seems the master of the black mist is also impatient.
Even if a Luo Xing Soultaker arrives now, they won’t be able to salvage this situation!”
Her laughter gradually subsided, and she glanced meaningfully in the direction Yang Chanzhen had disappeared.
“Foolish woman, you still think you can stop this?”
“When the great demon is reborn, you’ll be the first sacrifice!”
…
Meanwhile, a deserted and empty mansion was now filled with swirling black mist.
The surrounding plants had withered and turned black, crumbling into ashes. Cracks spread across the ground.
Shang Yan, his figure slightly hunched, walked slowly into the courtyard, his face grim as he formed hand seals and struck out with his palm. “Shadow Seal, Suppress!”
Black light scattered, interweaving to form a character that pressed down from the sky, crashing into the towering black mist.
Crack—
The character shattered instantly!
Shang Yan’s expression changed drastically. He felt a terrifying pressure crushing him, his fingers cracking.
He desperately channeled his Yin energy, using the techniques he had honed for decades to resist.
“Pfft!”
He only managed to hold on for a moment before being thrown back several feet. His handkerchief flew off, his hair disheveled as he stumbled and knelt on the ground.
The wind howled, and thunder roared.
Shang Yan looked up in shock and saw a black blade forming in the mist, aimed at his forehead!
An azure sleeve swept past, erasing the deadly attack.
A figure, like a wisp of mist, appeared before him, her azure robes and hair fluttering in the wind, revealing her identity.
Shang Yan was stunned for a moment, then smiled wryly and bowed. “Thank you for saving me, Miss Yang.”
“Our agreement still stands. I can’t let you die here.”
“I’m ashamed. I’m powerless against this villain’s technique…”
“That’s not true.”
Yang Chanzhen looked up at the strange phenomenon, her expression grave. “It’s normal that you can’t dispel this technique, Mr. Shang.”
“Why?”
“This technique is just a trigger. Once activated, even if it’s interrupted, it won’t make a difference. It’s like a prelude, and the true power behind it—”
Yang Chanzhen said in a deep voice, “Is the Netherworld, sealed away hundreds of years ago.”
Shang Yan was stunned for a moment, then his face turned pale with horror!
…
As the beam of light appeared, a chilling wind swept through the air.
Lin Tianlu stood in front of the restaurant, looking at the black mist surging in the distance, his face filled with surprise.
“What… is that?”
Could this be the Path of the Netherworld ritual that those ghosts were talking about?
But they said it wouldn’t officially begin for another two or three days. Why was it starting now?
As he pondered, a strange aura suddenly appeared.
Lin Tianlu frowned and looked up, seeing a giant shadowy hand descending from the sky.
“A Yin technique? But it feels different.”
With a flick of his sleeve, the giant hand shattered.
“Hmm?”
But his expression suddenly changed, and he turned around abruptly, looking back at the restaurant.
—Mao Ruoyu was gone!
“Madam?!”
He quickly dashed back into the restaurant and looked around, but there was no one there.
It wasn’t a ghost who had taken her.
It was… this strange technique.
Lin Tianlu’s face turned cold, his gaze sharp as he looked at the swirling black mist in the distance.
“Was it you?”
He stomped on the ground, his body turning into a streak of light, and charged towards the black mist!