Chapter 94: Wang Pei

Wait!

A somewhat panicked voice came from within the formation.

But Yunhe didn't care about that; having already unleashed the Xuanwu Bracelet and the Li Huo Pearl, there was no room for retreat.

Go!

He flicked his hand and pointed.

The Xuanwu Bracelet shot out at great speed, smashing fiercely into the formation.

Boom!!

With just one strike, the formation shrouded in yin qi began to totter, on the verge of collapse.

It was clear that the formation's main purpose was to gather yin qi, not defense.

Seeing this, Yunhe raised his eyebrows slightly and again cast a spell seal onto the Li Huo Pearl.

Cry!!

In an instant, the crimson Li Huo Pearl's firelight surged wildly; amidst the rising blazing flames, a bird formed entirely of fire flew out, sweeping across the sky as it crashed into the formation.

Speaking solely of its restraint against yin qi, the threat posed by the Li Huo Pearl seemed greater than that of the Xuanwu Bracelet.

Hold on!

That listless voice sounded again, extremely weak, lacking the previous 'dominance'.

Upon hearing that, Yunhe hesitated slightly, pausing his hand movements, but the fire‑wreathed Li Bird hanging in midair did not dissipate; it merely hovered, unmoving.

The Xuanwu Bracelet was not withdrawn either, humming as it hung in midair.

Seeing this, the person inside the formation obviously knew that this junior before him, though only at the early Foundation Establishment stage, was as cautious as those old monsters.

Moreover, these two spiritual artifacts were no ordinary items; although he did not recognize the bracelet, the 'Chongyang Water' woven onto it had an extremely pronounced effect in restraining yin qi.

As for the Li Huo Pearl, needless to say, it too was a top‑grade spiritual artifact for restraining yin evil.

Sigh——

With a soft sigh, the formation slowly opened a gap, revealing the hidden presence within.

Ghost cultivator?

Seeing the figure slowly emerge from the yin‑qi mist, Yunhe narrowed his eyes.

He found it strange—who would expend such effort to create a yin‑cold spot in the center where yang qi was congested?

It turned out to be a ghost cultivator.

'He should be related to the Blood Ritual side, though I don't know whether he is an enemy of the Blood Ritual or'

'Huh? Only at the seventh or eighth layer of Qi Refining?'

Although the cultivation method and level assessment of ghost cultivators differ somewhat from ordinary cultivators, the essence remains the same; based on the strength of spiritual qi and mana, one can roughly judge their cultivation level.

Yet precisely because of this, Yunhe felt greatly surprised.

Earlier, his divine sense, voice‑transmission technique, and aura all indicated that whoever was inside this formation should be a Golden Core cultivator.

Although in Yunhe's view, the opponent was likely hiding after suffering heavy injuries, or perhaps a Foundation Establishment cultivator disguising himself as a Golden Core cultivator by special means.

But he never imagined that the one hiding in the formation would actually be a ghost cultivator with only a seventh‑ or eighth‑layer Qi Refining cultivation.

But when that person's illusory face fully emerged from the yin‑qi mist, Yunhe's eyes involuntarily widened.

Wang Pei?!

This person.

He is actually the Old Ancestor of the Wang Clan, Wang Pei!

But the Wang Clan Old Ancestor Wang Pei should have joined the Blood Ritual in massacring the Zou Clan—how could he be hiding here?

'Could it be that after wiping out the Zou Clan, Wang Pei and the Blood Ritual fell out, fought each other, and the defeated Wang Clan Old Ancestor Wang Pei, like me, had no choice but to hide here?'

Seen this way, it seems quite reasonable and explains things.

After all, Yunhe did not know that the Wang Clan Old Ancestor had already been captured by the Blood Ritual's Thousand Soul Banner.

Seeing that the person who appeared was Wang Pei, Yunhe, whose nerves were already taut, clenched them even tighter; he kept his hands in the seal‑forming posture, his inner mana surging, ready to strike at any moment.

This is a bona fide Golden Core‑level ghost cultivator; even though he now shows only a seventh‑ or eighth‑layer Qi Refining cultivation, who knows what hidden trump cards he might still have.

Young friend, do you know me?

Hearing Yunhe call out his name, Wang Pei was also startled.

'He doesn't recognize me?'

This remark made Yunhe doubtful.

Logically, that day in Zou City, Wang Pei needed only a sweep of his divine sense; as a Golden Core cultivator, his divine sense could not possibly have missed him, nor could he have failed to remember him—even if he couldn't recall the name, he should at least retain some impression.

'Is he pretending? Or is his divine sense dulled from severe injury?'

But seeing Yunhe still on guard, Wang Pei regretted saying those words as soon as he spoke them.

In fact, he could say he is the Wang Clan Old Ancestor Wang Pei, or that he is not the Wang Clan Old Ancestor Wang Pei.

Because he is a split soul that Wang Pei severed from his own soul and spirit at great cost using a secret technique.

Such a split‑soul secret technique can be performed only by a ghost cultivator with a powerful ghostly body, and it comes with many restrictions.

For example, before the main body dies, the split soul has no consciousness, cannot act, and is extremely easy to annihilate.

But once the main body perishes, the split soul can awaken.

Moreover, the split soul does not inherit the main body's cultivation; it can only graft onto the consciousness and thoughts.

The Blood Ritual, in order to kill Wang Pei, had hidden many contingency plans.

Wang Pei, to escape the Blood Ritual, likewise made many preparations.

In fact, Wang Pei had not failed to guess why the Blood Ritual's Hundred Ghost Banner had long stalled in advancing to the Thousand Soul Banner; from the moment the Blood Ritual gave him that ghost cultivator technique, he had vaguely suspected it.

But he was unwilling and reluctant to give up his cultivation, so he wanted to try once more.

But just in case, I still left a backup.

It is this very soul fragment within the cave.

Once the main body dies, the soul fragment will awaken.

Relying on the memories left by the main body and the numerous preparations, the soul fragment can quickly cultivate to Foundation Establishment.

Afterwards it will hide.

With the ghost cultivator's long lifespan and extremely fast cultivation speed, it is not without opportunity to attempt Golden Core again.

And as soon as one achieves Golden Core, upon encountering the Blood Ritual again, one can, via the connection between soul fragment and main body, forcibly seize the Thousand Soul Banner—a tremendously powerful demonic magic treasure—through secret arts from the Blood Ritual's grasp.

At that time.

Holding the Thousand Soul Banner whose primary soul is one's own main body, even if one's cultivation base is inferior to the Blood Ritual, one still may not lack the strength to fight.

Moreover, when the treasure is forcibly taken, under circumstances of surprise it will inevitably inflict considerable damage on the Blood Ritual.

If the plan succeeds, he may possibly completely reverse the guest-host relationship.

Originally, everything was planned this way.

At the very beginning, things indeed went smoothly.

Wang Pei hid the soul fragment here, evading the Blood Ritual and its subordinates' search; all he needed thereafter was merely time.

To avoid unnecessary trouble, Wang Pei only set up the "Yang Absolute Formation", "Yin Condensing Formation", and "Qi Gathering Formation"—formations with relatively little disturbance and simpler arrangement.

Mainly because Wang Pei could not obtain powerful formations under the Blood Ritual's watch.

Originally that was sufficient.

Yet who could have expected that a fleeing early Foundation Establishment cultivator would likewise find this place of stagnant yang energy to avoid search.

Even more unexpected was that this person's divine sense was quite outstanding, discovering the clues on the rock wall.

One person and one soul faced each other.

The atmosphere in the cave condensed to the extreme.

Wang Pei felt the threat emanating from the Xuanwu Bracelet and the Li Fire Pearl, and gave an embarrassed smile.

"Junior Fellow, although my current cultivation base is not what it once was, I still have some resources, so—"

Before he could finish speaking, his expression changed drastically.

Because Yunhe did not listen to what he said at all, he immediately completed the hand seal, magical power surged forth, and the Xuanwu Bracelet and Li Fire Pearl moved simultaneously.

He could not determine how much truth and falsehood there were in the words of Wang Clan's elder Wang Pei.

Nor did he wish to wrangle with this old monster who habitually slaughtered entire clans to advance his own cultivation.

A several-hundred-year-old old fiend—no one can guarantee how many trump cards and backups he still possesses.

Trusting his words, one might end up being sold without even knowing it.

So, simply, kill him.

One strike to settle everything!

If we do not take advantage of the opponent's present weakness, we cannot guarantee that after he regains his Golden Core cultivation he will not come seeking revenge.

Yunhe dislikes forming grudges, and also dislikes having enemies or those who bear him grudges.

If there are.

Then let them cease to exist.

"Junior Fellow, speak properly! I know many secret matters, such as what you previously mentioned about the Blood Ritual—I know what he intends to do!"

But Yunhe paid no heed.

The Xuanwu Bracelet and Li Fire Pearl attacked in succession.

Seeing Yunhe had no intention to negotiate, the Xuanwu Bracelet and Li Fire Pearl surged forward with mighty force; Wang Pei's face instantly darkened.

His body swayed, yin energy surged, and he actually retreated several zhang in one go, distancing himself from the two spiritual artifacts.

"Do you not wish to know what the Blood Ritual has plotted for a hundred years? That is a tremendous opportunity, enough for you to reach Golden Core, even—"

Wang Pei still wanted to struggle a bit, but Yunhe remained deaf to it, merely fixing his gaze firmly on Wang Pei's soul.

"The cultivation base of Qi Refining seventh or eighth layer can actually have such speed—this Wang Clan elder absolutely cannot be spared!"

Then Yunhe gave a cold snort, said nothing more, and again cast the hand seal.

For a moment, the Xuanwu Bracelet and Li Fire Pearl's might swelled, turning into a blue light and countless flying Li birds, smashing toward the dodging Wang Pei.

At this moment Wang Pei finally understood that no matter what he said, he could not move Yunhe.

Even the extremely tempting Golden Core opportunity for a Foundation Establishment cultivator could be ignored by him; this person's disposition is truly steadfast.

Seeing the two top-grade spiritual artifacts attack again, Wang Pei, in desperation, fiercely patted his chest.

His soul suddenly swelled, countless yin energies poured into his body.

Immediately, from his swollen soul, a black seal shot out.

It actually blocked the attacks of the Xuanwu Bracelet and Li Fire Pearl!

"What is this?"

Yunhe's heart jumped, he felt greatly surprised, and could not help but look at that black seal.

It was only palm-sized, square and square, emitting black light, with unknown characters engraved below, and atop it coiled a vividly lifelike creature resembling a toad, head large, body small; whenever its mouth opened and closed, black breath exhaled.

"A treasure!"

Yunhe's expression tightened, he blurted out.

Clearly just a ghost cultivator of Qi Refining seventh or eighth layer, yet he could block the attacks of two top-grade spiritual artifacts from a Foundation Establishment cultivator, and moreover they were premium artifacts specifically targeting evil spirits—only the words "treasure" can explain everything.

"Why isn't it that beast soul banner?"

Immediately he also did not bother to inquire what this treasure was; Yunhe flipped his hand again, took out a chipped cold jade tablet from his storage bracelet.

"Soul Summoning Tablet!"

Upon seeing this jade, Wang Pei cried out in alarm, feeling even more nervous than when facing the Black Tortoise Bracelet and the Li Fire Pearl.

Although the Soul-attracting Jade barely reached low-grade quality, it is a Spiritual Artifact specifically designed to target Yin souls.

If it were Wang Pei's true body, he would naturally not fear this thing, but for Wang Pei's divided soul, which now has only a seventh or eighth layer Qi Refining Cultivation Base, this is the Spiritual Artifact most targeting him.

At the same time.

Yunhe took out three more talismans and ignited them with a shake of his hand.

Soul-attracting Talisman!

He hadn't yet learned the secret technique from the "Blood Devil True Classic," but he had stockpiled plenty of these "Soul-attracting Talismans" while practicing talisman crafting.

Wang Pei hastily made a hand sign to recall the Black Seal Magic Treasure, suspending it above his head.

From the treasure emanated a dim black light that enveloped his entire body.

This dispelled Wang Pei's palpitations from his spirit being stirred.

Seeing this, Yunhe didn't panic either; he simply kept forming seals.

He also took out two medium-grade Spirit Stones, restoring his mana while controlling the Spiritual Artifacts.

Simultaneously controlling three tier Spiritual Artifacts, especially since two of them were high-grade, his mana consumption was not small.

But he believed that Wang Pei, forcing control of a magic treasure with his Qi Refining seventh or eighth layer Cultivation Base, could not hold out much longer.

"Hmph, let's see whether you can endure or I can."

Yunhe said with a solemn face.

Before Wang Pei could even catch his breath, he heard Yunhe's words, feeling a tightness in his chest.

He squeezed out an extremely ugly smile and said:

"Junior friend, I admit defeat; please, junior friend, show mercy."

(End of Chapter)