Chapter 620: Reigniting the Battle Against the Ghost King

He Pingsheng thought for a moment, then took out something he wished to exchange.

What he produced were several grains of 【Ice Jade Loquat Paste】.

Two rings were placed before Nan Li.

Nan Li glanced left and right, then bowed to He Pingsheng: "Comrade Long Zhe, I'm sorry… I choose the Crown Prince Chongming's items… Truly apologetic!"

He Pingsheng smiled, waved his hand, and retrieved his items: "No problem, no need to apologize—choose what suits you."

Naturally, one chooses whoever offers the higher price; Nan Li isn't foolish, and He Pingsheng understands.

He could only blame himself for not bidding high enough.

"Everyone…" Nan Li looked at He Pingsheng: "If you have any needs, speak up—if anyone has what you require, we can arrange a trade!"

The Bone Tribe Crown Prince said: "I seek a cultivation method to refine the spirit. Does any comrade possess such a thing?"

He Pingsheng smiled.

The Bone Tribe are born from bones; strictly speaking, they aren't even part of the demon race.

They possess spiritual thought, yet their spiritual sense is nearly the weakest among peers of the same realm—the Bone Tribe Crown Prince's desire to strengthen his spiritual sense is understandable.

He Pingsheng possessed a spiritual sense cultivation method.

But… he did not take it out.

Because it was unnecessary!

"I seek a fifth-rank space-affinity Dao technique," said Bai Yuyu of the Celestial Fox Clan, scanning the group.

He Pingsheng indeed possessed a fifth-rank space Dao technique.

He had acquired it during his ascent through the Ascension Passage—gave one back to the Passage, kept the other.

Later, he had fully comprehended what he needed, yet still had much left over.

Yet he still had no intention of offering it.

Because he planned to give these to Qiao Huizhu for her comprehension.

Qiao Huizhu possesses a water-affinity Ice Spirit Root; among the Five Elements, she can only comprehend water-affinity laws—but beyond the Five Elements, Dao techniques such as space, time, creation, and reincarnation are all accessible to her.

"Everyone," He Pingsheng spoke: "I seek a sixth-rank talisman—preferably a defensive one. If none are defensive, any sixth-rank talisman will do!"

"I offer a sixth-rank, most precious elixir in exchange!"

He did not say what elixir it was.

Because it was still uncertain whether anyone even had a sixth-rank talisman!

"This…" nearly everyone shook their heads: "None!"

Nan Li said: "Comrade Long Zhe, forgive my frankness—we entered this Imperial Palace as Nascent Soul cultivators; though now we've reached Soul Transformation, how could we possess a sixth-rank talisman?"

"Even a fifth-rank would be impressive!"

"Indeed!" others chimed in.

He Pingsheng gave a bitter smile.

He possessed two sixth-rank 【Ghost King Talismans】, strengthened from 【Immortal Ghost Talismans】.

But they were offensive talismans.

If only there were a defensive talisman to give to Sister Qiao…

But since none had any, there was no point forcing the issue.

The trade session lasted half an hour—unfortunately, He Pingsheng obtained none of the items he needed.

Sometimes, there's nothing to be done.

After all, not everything can revolve around me, He Pingsheng, can it?

Such is life!

Not obtaining is the norm.

Obtaining is the exception, a stroke of fortune.

"Everyone!" He Pingsheng waved his hand, unfolding the 【Eight Treasures Boat】: "Go your own way—I'll explore the Fifth Zone to see if I can gather any heavenly treasures."

Everyone nodded.

To wander further and seek opportunities was better than wasting time, wasn't it?

Qiao Huizhu asked: "Husband… where are you going?"

"I'll go with you!"

He Pingsheng shook his head: "No… wait here. I'll just take a casual stroll."

He intended to visit the 【Imperial Fall Abyss】 and see if he could find the Ghost King.

If he found the Ghost King, with his current Soul Transformation sixth-layer cultivation base, he might just kill the bastard.

Wouldn't the 【Dragon Scale Immortal Wood】 then be within reach?

This was still dangerous, so he didn't want Qiao Huizhu to follow.

Whoosh…

He Pingsheng unfolded the Eight Treasures Boat and departed in a random direction.

Once beyond everyone's spiritual sense range, he switched to the Silver River Celestial Shuttle and sped swiftly toward the 【Imperial Fall Abyss】.

Imperial Fall Abyss, Imperial Fall Abyss!

Legend says this was where the Yinming Empress perished.

But now, He Pingsheng knew this was false.

Because the Yinming Empress had not perished—she had ascended to the Immortal Realm.

That was intriguing!

The subterranean Dragon Scale Immortal Wood was formed from the Yinming Empress's bones—then whose bones were these?

As he pondered, the Silver River Celestial Shuttle carried He Pingsheng to the abyss.

He Pingsheng retracted the shuttle!

Then plunged directly into the abyss.

"Boom… boom… boom…"

He Pingsheng unfurled his Ten Thousand Souls Banner fully, expanding it to two hundred zhang in size, deliberately creating massive disturbances within the abyss to lure the Ghost King.

Unfortunately, the Ghost King did not take the bait!

He Pingsheng knew the Ghost King could sense his presence—yet dared not emerge.

Fine!

If you won't come out, I'll find you myself.

He Pingsheng personally scoured the abyss floor, inch by inch.

Yet after nearly ten days of searching, he found nothing.

Damn it!

This ghost bastard hides well indeed!

The problem was, in this realm of yin miasma, his spiritual sense couldn't extend.

What to do?

There was a way!

He Pingsheng waved his hand and pulled out a talisman.

A black talisman.

Sixth-rank, named 【Ghost King Talisman】.

The instant he produced it, a vast aura surged outward.

Once activated, this talisman could summon a Ghost King.

Then I'll use one Ghost King to hunt down the other—how could I fail to find you?

"Comrade… comrade… comrade, stop!"

Before He Pingsheng could activate the talisman, the Ghost King, lurking in a distant quiet corner, sensed it and immediately darted out, shouting.

"I bear you no mortal enmity, and I've cultivated here in this abyss for eight thousand years—my hard-won cultivation is not to be taken lightly!"

"Must you pursue me to utter annihilation?"

When He Pingsheng had last fought him, the Ghost King was Void Refinement first-layer.

He Pingsheng was Soul Transformation first-layer.

Decades have passed—he remains Void Refinement first-layer, his combat power unchanged.

But He Pingsheng has risen from first-layer to sixth-layer.

How could the Ghost King dare fight He Pingsheng?

Was he seeking death?

He had reached Void Refinement; his consciousness was stronger than most human cultivators—he was no fool.

So the moment He Pingsheng entered the abyss, the Ghost King sensed him—but dared not show himself, only cautiously maneuvering within the dense yin miasma.

But if He Pingsheng activated the Ghost King Talisman, he would have no hiding place left.

"Hehehe…" He Pingsheng smiled: "I thought you wouldn't dare show yourself!"

"Fine. I acknowledge your hard-won cultivation—I won't harm you."

"Come out and speak."