------------
Chapter 504 The Soul-Crying Beast
Unlike the original story, the Myriad Sounds Sect was subdued by the Hidden Immortal Sect long ago. Therefore, Zi Ling, who was entangled with Old Demon Han in the original story, did not appear here. However, Lu Xuan still encountered a very important minor character from the original story.
That's right, he's an important minor character. This guy is arguably one of the most important minor characters in the original story. As a minor character who doesn't even deserve a name, this guy is basically one of the official cheat codes the author gave Han Laomo. Because, that person is the demonic cultivator in the original story who carries the Soul-Crying Beast.
However, that guy wasn't like the average demonic cultivator. He was a loner and didn't communicate with anyone.
After exiting the teleportation array, most of the cultivators had already been separated. Lu Xuan and Han Li appeared on a small hill. Of course, Lu Xuan was able to appear in the same place as Han Li because he had tampered with the area beforehand.
The teleportation array was supposed to be random, but it could actually be interfered with. Lu Xuan had already obtained some techniques from the Star Palace to interfere with the internal restrictions of the Void Heaven Palace. Naturally, he could tamper with it and teleport with Old Demon Han.
However, his real target wasn't Han Laomo, since the protagonist would only be needed later. His target was the demonic cultivator who brought the Soul-Crying Beast.
After they stopped, they looked around.
Just a dozen or so feet away from their small earthen mound, all was shrouded in a hazy gray, with endless gray-white mist drifting everywhere. Gusts of eerie wind blew through the mist, accompanied by faint, ghostly wails and screams that sent chills down one's spine.
One of the older men in Lu Xuan's group spoke up.
"This is the first level, the Land of Vengeful Ghosts. Actually, this first level, the Land of Vengeful Ghosts, wasn't originally difficult. But since more and more cultivators have fallen into the ghostly mist, it has become dangerous."
Because the resentment of those trapped cultivators was extremely heavy, after their deaths they transformed into powerful and vengeful spirits. They harbored intense hatred for us cultivators who ventured into the Void Heaven Palace. Upon encountering us, it was a fight to the death. This resulted in even more cultivators perishing in this trial after the Void Heaven Palace opened recently. Moreover, it was said that during the last opening of the Void Heaven Palace, a group of cultivators encountered a fully awakened Ghost King in this place of vengeance. As a result, the entire group was annihilated, with only one person escaping to heaven.
His words startled the people around him.
Among this group, the old man, Old Demon Han, the demonic cultivator, and the disguised Lu Xuan were all at the Golden Core stage. There were also two late-Foundation Establishment cultivators. However, seeing so many powerful figures present, the two elders dared not utter a single word. They simply huddled in a corner, trembling with fear, terrified of being casually killed.
"The Ghost King? This land of vengeful spirits looks quite large; it shouldn't be that easy to encounter him," Lu Xuan said. The old man quickly replied.
“I know the chances of encountering the Ghost King are slim, but it’s safer if we all stick together. Although I’m old, I don’t want to perish in the ghostly mist and become like these vengeful spirits.”
Clearly, the old man was only in the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm, while Lu Xuan was in the late-stage, and he was planning to curry favor with the powerful. Lu Xuan naturally had no objections. He was different from most cultivators. He rarely killed low-level cultivators indiscriminately. In his view, such unbridled killing only made him look like a villain and had no real purpose.
“No problem. Since this place is dangerous, it would be safer for us to go in together.”
However, before Lu Xuan could finish speaking, he saw the demonic cultivator walk into the Land of Vengeful Ghosts on his own. He didn't interact with anyone at all from beginning to end.
He simply lifted his loose robe sleeve, and a beam of green light shot out from the cuff, landing in front of him. It was a small, magical beast that resembled a monkey.
The little monkey was no more than a foot tall, and its emerald green fur shimmered faintly.
Most peculiarly, its nose was high and unusually large, taking up more than half of its face. It looked quite eerie. Han Li was only slightly surprised upon seeing it, but didn't react much. However, the old man beside him exclaimed in shock.
Lu Xuan recognized its peculiar appearance. It was none other than the infamous Soul-Crying Beast from the original story.
"This is Tihun! He actually possesses such a spirit beast! No wonder he's so arrogant!" The old man revealed a hint of shock.
"What is a Soul-Crying Beast?" Old Demon Han couldn't help but ask.
"The Soul-Crying Beast is not a naturally born spirit beast, but a peculiar creature refined by a secret sect of the demonic path, existing somewhere between a spirit beast and a demonic soul. Although this thing is not of much use in ordinary times, it has the natural ability to absorb souls and devour ghosts. No matter how powerful a demon or vengeful spirit is, once it encounters this beast, as long as it gently inhales it with its nose, it will be absorbed into its belly. In no time, it will be refined into nothingness, which is truly extraordinary."
As the old man spoke, a look of envy appeared on his face.
"But..." The old man changed the subject and sighed softly.
"But what?" Han Li asked, somewhat annoyed that the old man was being so mysterious.
"However, only those secret sects possess the method for refining this beast, and the process is extremely bloody and difficult to succeed. It is an evil method that goes against the natural order. Legend has it that whenever this beast appears in the world, it will inevitably cause great chaos in the cultivation world." The old man said, his face full of complex emotions, as he watched the black-robed man's disappearing figure.
"The appearance of this beast will throw the cultivation world into chaos?" Upon hearing this, Lu Xuan couldn't help but sneer.
"Even if this beast doesn't appear, the Chaotic Star Sea will still be in chaos when it's meant to be. Do you really think this beast brought the disaster?" Lu Xuan said with a hint of disdain.
These words caused the others' expressions to change slightly. They wanted to refute him, but ultimately realized with dismay that Lu Xuan was right.
In fact, Lu Xuan wasn't the only one who thought this way; most cultivators simply regarded the "soul-weeping" incident as a legend. It's just that, under normal circumstances, no one was as direct as Han Li was.
After all, they still harbored taboos regarding topics related to destiny and the Way of Heaven.
At this moment, the man in black robes, leading "The Crying Soul," had already ventured deep into the ghostly mist and disappeared completely. Lu Xuan thought for a moment and followed closely behind. After all, according to the original description, this Crying Soul was different. He didn't know if it had mutated during its cultivation or if the Crying Soul's original form possessed some kind of special bloodline. In any case, this Crying Soul concealed a huge secret, perhaps even involving the existence of the True Immortal Realm. Now that Lu Xuan had seen it, he naturally planned to take advantage of the situation.
However, his target wasn't the Soul-Crying Demon itself, but the demonic cultivator carrying it. Therefore, Lu Xuan followed closely behind, entering the room. This was mainly out of fear that the man might die inside without explanation.
7017k
------------
Chapter 505 Opportunity? Coincidence?
“Now that someone has cleared the way for us, let’s go,” Lu Xuan said to the others.
After speaking, he followed the man in black robes into the ghostly mist. Han Li and the old man behind him also followed. The last two Foundation Establishment cultivators thought for a moment and then reluctantly followed in. Although their cultivation levels were low, they had already come this far, and they couldn't be content without trying.
The divine sense within the ghostly mist was greatly disturbed. The man in black robes did not notice anyone following behind him, because dozens of ghostly spirits had already surrounded him.
These creatures were merely the lowest-ranking beings within the ghostly mist. He didn't even need to make a move; the Soul-Crying Beast on his shoulder suddenly inhaled, spewing out a burst of light from its nostrils, which swept forward, completely sucking dozens of ghostly spirits into its belly. Lu Xuan, following far behind, witnessed this scene and marveled at it.
This absolute restraint is clearly abnormal. Generally, restraint in the cultivation world is mutual, with varying degrees of strength. However, the Soul-Crying Demon's restraint on ghosts is perfect. Judging from its aura, this thing can only be considered a low-level demon beast.
In melee combat, a level three demonic beast could probably kill it. But against ghosts, this thing is practically a bug.
After a dozen or so vengeful spirits died, dozens more rushed forward. These creatures were even more ferocious, though still mindless. Thus, they fearlessly charged again. The result, of course, was futile. After a burst of yellow light, the vengeful spirits vanished.
The man in black robes let out a cold snort, seemingly disdainful. However, Lu Xuan behind him wore a mocking smile. He already sensed something amiss; a ghost king had appeared within the ghostly mist.