After teleportation, all the people arrived in a dead land.
Rocky mountains and jagged ranges stretched like a forest of stone—black, cloudy mist drifted through the desolate terrain. Vegetation had long withered, and deadly laws lingered everywhere, carried silently by the cold wind.
The three clan elders took action, releasing streams of blue soul energy.
Song Tu took out a gourd and unleashed the contained soul power of a Star Realm cultivator.
"Oh? Is this his confidence?" Elder Yang frowned but didn't say more. As the soul power gathered at a single point, space rippled slightly, and with a sudden burst of energy, an illusory spiral hole opened.
"Okay, everyone can enter now…"
As soon as the words fell, eight figures rushed forward from the crowd of disciples, followed by many others.
Song Yan was not in any hurry. Ye Kaishan used his space manipulation technique to scout the Ghost Territory.
Then, Song Yan held Ye Kaishan's hand and entered with the crowd.
"Oh? It seems the Yang Clan has many geniuses this time," Elder Luo spoke calmly.
Elder Yang showed no reaction and replied, "The Luo Clan is no different."
Song Tu sat relaxed on his chair, sipping his tea.
"Elder Song, I heard the daughter of your matriarch also awakened?" Elder Luo asked casually.
"Yes," Song Tu replied indifferently.
"Such luck… to awaken after so long. So, which elemental law does she pursue?" Elder Luo asked with curiosity.
"I don't know."
Elder Luo: (-__-)
Ghost Territory
In a hillside area, Song Yan and Ye Kaishan appeared after teleportation. Song Yan released Ye Kaishan's hand.
She checked their surroundings. A hillside? We're not far from that place, she thought with a slight smile.
Ye Kaishan continuously used his space manipulation technique to scan the territory.
After exploring, he withdrew his space power. Song Yan also knew the results through the soul link. As Dao companions, they could share thoughts, abilities— even luck and destiny.
"Did you explore the territory?" Song Yan asked.
"Yes, but this place is huge. I only scanned a small portion. But strangely, there's one area covered in white mist that I couldn't penetrate with my space power," Ye Kaishan replied with a frown.
"Yes, our final destination is that white mist," Song Yan answered calmly.
Ye Kaishan was stunned. Hey… did she forget what I said? My space power was ineffective there!
With his space sense, he could definitely say that place was like a maze—impossible to scan.
But Ye Kaishan kept those thoughts to himself. After all, she was a reborn cultivator—there was little for him to worry about.
"Okay, let's go near the Dead River."
Ye Kaishan held her hand and manipulated space. They instantly disappeared and reappeared a thousand meters away from the river.
The river stretched endlessly. The water was black and emitted extreme yin energy. Many dead creatures wandered near its banks, and even the air brushed by the river carried deadly laws within it.
The yin power from the river constantly attracted the dead. The temperature was bone-chilling.
Song Yan frowned as she stared at the river. "It's still not here."
Ye Kaishan was confused. What is she waiting for? Doesn't she want to refine the elixir?
Half an hour later, a loud bang echoed from the depths of the Dead River as ripples spread across the surface.
Many swords shot into the sky at the noise. In the glow of the red moonlight, a plump woman and a young boy appeared, floating above the river with sharp gazes.
"It's here," Song Yan said with a slight smile.
"Do you know who they are?" Ye Kaishan asked.
"They're ghost cultivators from the Ghost Sect," Song Yan replied, lips parting slightly. "There are many entry points into the Ghost Territory, so it's natural that more than just our hundred people will compete for opportunities."
"Ghost Sect, huh…" Ye Kaishan narrowed his eyes. "They're surrounded by a strange aura."
"In the red moonlight, their strength should increase by at least one level," Song Yan said calmly.
Not long after they arrived, the river began to behave strangely. The deadly laws in the air stirred restlessly, converging toward the dark water below.
The surface spiraled as extreme yin energy erupted from the vortex.
The dead creatures roared restlessly, as if eager to devour something.
A black light flashed, and the vortex expanded.
"It's coming," Song Yan said quietly.
"What's coming?" Ye Kaishan used his space manipulation to peer deeper into the spiral.
His expression changed in shock. "What a ghostly thing…"
In the center of the Dead River, a small drop of water surrounded by ancient runes floated. Hundreds of thousands of wandering souls merged into it—it was a concentrated elixir formed from the entire river.
"It's called the Pure Yin Drop. It contains nearly all the river's essence," Song Yan explained.
"Is it also used to forge the soul?" Ye Kaishan asked.
"Yes, but it's dangerous if you're not prepared."
"When that drop fully emerges, it can even attract Ghost Kings," Song Yan warned. "We must obtain it. It's one of the materials I need for Extreme Yin cultivation."
Suddenly, the Pure Yin Drop rose above the river, releasing terrifying yin energy. Ghost Sect followers rushed toward it under the orders of the plump woman and the young boy.
As they approached, their muscles stiffened, faces turned pale, and in the next instant, their souls were directly absorbed by the drop.
The young boy frowned. "Bu Ling, looks like we can't get that thing through normal means."
"Tch… these useless men can't even do a single thing." Bu Ling's brows furrowed as soul energy trembled around her.
"Let me try with my soul weapon."
"Stop. It's useless. You need at least a Saint-level item to collect it."
A seductive woman with long purple hair suddenly appeared, stepping out of the shadows.
Bu Ling frowned. "So, what now? We can't go near it—so how can we subdue it?"
"We don't need to do it ourselves," the purple-haired woman said lightly. Her eyes shifted toward the direction of Song Yan and Ye Kaishan.
"Hiss… We've been found," Ye Kaishan said with a solemn expression.
Song Yan frowned. "How did she sense us? No way a Forging Realm cultivator has such perception…" Her thoughts spun rapidly.
Wait…
Her eyes widened as realization struck. How did I miss it…? She looked solemnly at the woman.
"That woman suppressed her cultivation. She's not in the Forging Realm."
I doubt that even if we escaped from here, they would actually leave, Song Yan thought, her eyes narrowing.
Judging by their manner, they won't act immediately—so why not take advantage of that? she mused tentatively.
She grabbed Ye Kaishan's hand. "Let's go. Teleport above the lake. Since we've been discovered, there's no reason to hide anymore."
"Is it really okay for us to go there?" he thought, though he knew she wouldn't go near the Yin drop without a plan. she won't act recklessly
Ye Kaishan activated his power. Space laws surged, and they appeared above the Dead River in an instant.
The drop radiated overwhelming yin energy as the three Ghost Sect members stood opposite them.
"You must be an elder of the Ghost Sect," Song Yan said coldly.
The woman's brow twitched. "This girl…"
"Yes, I am the Seventh Outer Elder of the Ghost Sect. she exhaled softly
Since you were waiting before the drop even formed, you must know how to collect it." She stared at them playfully.
"Such good materials…" She licked her lips, eyes glinting unnervingly as she stared at the two of them.
Ye Kaishan felt a chill run down his spine. Why do I feel she's eyeing me specifically?
Seeing her gaze, Song Yan's expression turned icy. A faint killing intent flickered in her eyes.
Ye Kaishan narrowed his eyes. How can someone like her be single? Her Dao companion must be nearby.
He used his space manipulation again and sensed a man with a bow readying himself atop a mountain behind them.
Ye Kaishan immediately conveyed the message through the soul link.
Song Yan was slightly surprised. She had already sensed danger but didn't mention it earlier so as not to alert the enemy.
She had been prepared to use her soul heavenly treasure if needed, but she didn't expect Ye Kaishan to detect it too.
Don't worry. I know, Song Yan assured him through the soul link.
Though she said that, Ye Kaishan couldn't help but glance beneath him, then at the woman before him whose intimidating aura pressed down like a mountain. A wry smile tugged at his lips as a bead of sweat slid down his chin.
How could I possibly not worry?