Chapter 33

Xue Ming saw the yin energy gathering in the sky, like the birth of a dark cloud. The gray mist seemed ready to release countless icy raindrops with a squeeze. The wind’s wailing grew louder, turning from mournful to piercing screams. The red formation on the ground spun rapidly, emitting eerie and dazzling light. Instinctively, she stepped back, tripping over something and falling.

Suddenly, the yin energy in the air surged towards Xue Ming like a breaking dam. Alarmed, she shouted, “Nie Xiaoqian!”

Nie Xiaoqian leaped forward, her long white sleeves forming a circle around Xue Ming, intending to provide temporary protection. However, the yin energy scattered like stars, continuously entering Xue Ming’s body from all directions.

In an instant, Xue Ming felt like she had been plunged into a giant icebox. The cold sensation spread from her limbs to her heart. Her body began to shiver uncontrollably as if each bone was covered in frost. Instinctively, she curled up, her teeth chattering.

Seeing Xue Ming’s face turn pale instantly, Nie Xiaoqian was startled. She opened her mouth wide and began to inhale deeply, trying to absorb the yin energy into her body to alleviate Xue Ming’s burden.

Just as Xue Ming felt she was about to be entirely engulfed by the frost, a warmth suddenly emanated from her dantian. Initially faint, this warmth gradually spread as her breathing became more labored. It felt like a heating pad slowly activating on her abdomen, the warmth intensifying and spreading throughout her body.

This warmth quickly brought Xue Ming back from the brink of freezing, soothing every meridian in her body and dispelling the unbearable cold. She hurriedly got up from the ground, feeling a burning sensation on her back, as if she had been sunbathing under a scorching sun all afternoon.

Xue Ming yelped, “Nie Xiaoqian, check if my back is on fire! It’s burning me!”

Nie Xiaoqian shook her head and touched Xue Ming’s back, “There’s nothing unusual.”

Xue Ming scratched her back a few times. Despite the continuous influx of yin energy, the warmth inside her neutralized the discomfort, and she felt a power gathering within her. Nie Xiaoqian, envious, tried to absorb some of the yin energy herself.

Suddenly, a loud explosion erupted. The ground’s rubble flew up like waves, the sound deafening Xue Ming. Amidst the clamor, she saw a golden sword descend from the sky, piercing the building’s center. In the ensuing dust and light, the building split in two, and the corpses hanging from it disintegrated into dust under the golden glow.

The yin energy dispersed, and Xue Ming suddenly felt much lighter. At the same time, Hundred Crow emerged from the dust, his shirt tattered and his face marked with long scratches. A deep wound ran from his shoulder blade to his ribs, evidence of a fierce battle.

In contrast, Yan Yuhe still looked elegant, though his sword was now embedded in the building, giving Hundred Crow a chance to escape. Despite being disadvantaged, Hundred Crow laughed maniacally, praising the intense fight. He then slammed his body to the ground, causing it to collapse and creating a chasm that separated Xue Ming and Yan Yuhe, rapidly widening.

Xue Ming had to hold onto Nie Xiaoqian to stay upright amidst the violent shaking. Seeing Yan Yuhe getting farther away, she panicked and shouted, “Yan Yuhe—!”

Before she could finish, the ground beneath her feet gave way as if a giant mouth was opening to swallow her. At the last moment, Lu Man appeared out of nowhere, pounced on her, and took her rolling several meters away.

Xue Ming scrambled to her feet, only to see a mountain peak rising from the crack, quickly blocking her view. In her last glimpse, she saw Yan Yuhe staring at her, trying to reach her but being intercepted by Hundred Crow with his sharp claws.

Immediately, the surrounding landscape began to change. The flat land, once filled with luxurious palaces for the banquet, transformed into uneven mountains and dense wild grass. The ground beneath Xue Ming’s feet rose, and her view suddenly expanded. Everything happened right before her eyes, but each change in the terrain was so sudden that it felt like magic. One moment, she saw towering mountains; the next was endless terraces and then wild, grassy hills. In just a few blinks, the chaotic battlefield, along with Yan Yuhe, Hundred Crow, Bai Duo, and Liu Li, had all vanished.

Xue Ming stood in the misty mountains, stunned. It was like a grand illusion as if she had been transported miles away without realizing it. The setting sun hung in the western sky, painting the clouds and the world in shades of orange. In the distance, she saw layers of terraces, with wild grass and lush trees growing on the mountainside. A cool breeze blew, making her shiver.

“What is going on?” Xue Ming anxiously asked Lu Man, grabbing her.

Lu Man brushed off the non-existent dust on her body and said, “Hundred Crow is a mountain ghost with the ability to control the terrain. He changed the landscape to separate us.”

Xue Ming was amazed, “He has such power? He and Jiang Xuanming seem to be working together. This must be to separate Yan Yuhe from me and help Jiang Xuanming seize a body.”

Lu Man nodded in agreement and added, “Don’t worry, you have something that conceals your aura. They won’t find you easily. Besides, Hundred Crow might not escape from Yan Chixia.”

She handed Xue Ming a brocade pouch, which Xue Ming had given her to hold during the banquet to avoid drawing attention.

Xue Ming thanked her and tied it around her waist, wondering what was concealing her aura. Just then, she heard a crane’s call.

Turning, she saw Jiang Xing flying towards her, seemingly very happy. It circled her several times and nuzzled her leg. Xue Ming was delighted to see Jiang Xing and wondered if Yan Yuhe was nearby. While looking around, she stroked Jiang Xing’s head but saw no sign of him.

Seeing this, Lu Man suddenly asked, “Could it be that Yan Chixia has feelings for you?”

The question caught Xue Ming off guard, making her heart race. She instinctively denied, “What? That’s impossible!”

“But you’re still alive,” Lu Man said.

Xue Ming wiped her sweat, “What are you saying? Should I be dead?”

Lu Man shook her head, “Your body is special. If it fell into Yan Chixia’s hands, even if your soul wasn’t complete, he would choose to destroy your body first. But you were unharmed whether it was before or this time when he captured you.”

“That means he’s a good person,” Xue Ming said. “He knew I was innocent, so he won’t kill me. Besides, he already destroyed the Extreme Yin Body and transferred a lot of yang energy to me.”

Lu Man shook her head, “Given how quickly your body consumes yang energy, it’s definitely not enough. In a few days, the yang energy will be completely depleted. Once your soul fully merges, it will be difficult to kill you.”

Xue Ming was puzzled, “Do you really want me dead?”

Lu Man replied sincerely, “Of course not. I hope you will ultimately occupy the body and become the main soul. I’ve been cultivating as a ghost for much longer than as a human. I don’t want the next Ghost Emperor to be a bloodthirsty tyrant.”

Xue Ming was confused and asked, “The next Ghost Emperor? Didn’t you say the four Ghost Kings are competing for the position? Why do you think Jiang Ruoming will be the next one?”

“It’s not an assumption; I’m nominating you,” Lu Man said.

“Why?” Xue Ming asked, recalling that Jiang Xuanming indeed had some connection with Lu Man. It was strange, considering they didn’t seem to share the same ideals. She asked, “Didn’t you say you disagree with her evil deeds? Why are you nominating her?”

Though they were face-to-face, it felt like they were having separate conversations. Lu Man explained, “Because you are the bloodline of the former Ghost Emperor and a mortal woman. You have many supporters among the former emperors, enough to compete with the other Ghost Kings. Moreover, although you were originally difficult to reform, now that you have separated your good soul, you are much better than the other Ghost Kings. That’s why I think you are the most suitable.”

Xue Ming was stunned, “…”

She was utterly shocked, never expecting Jiang Xuanming to have such an identity!

No wonder she was so terrifyingly ruthless at such a young age, killing without hesitation. It turns out she has half the bloodline of the Ghost Emperor. This half-human, half-ghost being is indeed a scourge on the world. Perhaps she never considered mortals as her kin, making her evil deeds seem normal. This explains her previous actions. Jiang Ruoming would never give up this Extreme Yin Body that was born from the union of a human and a ghost. She wants to use this body to claim the throne of the Ghost Emperor, which is why she always says, “I will come back,” to express her unwavering determination.

Xue Ming thought momentarily and gently advised, “Little Golden Immortal, think carefully about why Yan Chixia came to the Ghost Realm. He killed the previous Ghost Emperor, so how could he allow a new Ghost Emperor to be born under his watch?”

“Times have changed,” Lu Man stepped forward, massaging Xue Ming’s shoulders with an ambiguous smile. “If Yan Chixia has feelings for you, that’s a different story. The Ghost Realm is chaotic, and the disorder will only increase without a leader. A ruler is needed to maintain order.”

Xue Ming thought: No way, I don’t want to do it. She only wanted to live a normal life under the sun. Managing these ghosts, who were unpredictable and often violent, was a nightmare. She’d rather hang herself than take on that responsibility. With a forced smile, she said, “Who can guess Yan Yuhe’s thoughts? I’ve only known him briefly, so don’t make wild guesses.”

“Not necessarily,” Lu Man said, glancing at Jiang Xing. The crane stood obediently by Xue Ming’s side, its long neck nuzzling her leg affectionately, its round eyes darting around.

“High-level spirit pets have their own intelligence, but their habits often reflect their master’s preferences,” Lu Man explained. “Cranes are usually aloof and noble, but this one clearly shows its affection. It’s hard to say its master does not influence it.”

Xue Ming felt her heart race at Lu Man’s words. Confusedly she thought: But Yan Yuhe hadn’t shown his feelings clearly. Unable to understand it, she waved her hand flusteredly, “Stop saying such things, stop saying such things.”