Chapter 121: Two Armies Face Off

As the voice faded, the various factions present turned their gaze in unison, Jiang Xiaofei also narrowing his eyes as he looked toward the source.

Large numbers of ghosts appeared in the north—it was the Heavenly Ghost Army. Their arrival was like a dark cloud blotting out half the sky, creating an oppressive atmosphere. As far as the eye could see, there were Heavenly Ghosts, at least hundreds of thousands of them, outnumbering the combined strength of all other factions present.

Many could not help but sigh. "It seems the Heavenly Ghost City has prepared thoroughly!"

"Indeed. After all, this battle concerns their very survival; if they lose, they will never rise again! But in my opinion, the Ghost Abyss City is more likely to fail. How could their mere two hundred thousand possibly contend with hundreds of thousands of Heavenly Ghosts?"

Leading the Heavenly Ghost Army were Yang Guang and Young Master Wuji. The latter, however, was dressed in purple robes, lounging on a throne with such leisure that he appeared to be nothing more than a spectator. His presence immediately drew the attention of the faction leaders, sparking hushed speculation.

"Could he be the son of the Lesser Heavenly Ghost King?"

"He doesn't look like it to me! Perhaps he is from that mysterious power."

At the mention of that mysterious power, everyone’s expression shifted. While they did not speak of it openly, they all knew in their hearts that it was an organization from beyond the realm.

Jiang Xiaofei watched Young Master Wuji, his gaze tightening as he sensed a faint aura of danger emanating from him. Seeming to notice the scrutiny, Young Master Wuji responded with a faint smile, as if to say that Jiang was beneath his notice.

Yang Guang’s eyes hardened as he spoke in a deep voice: "Since everyone is here, let us make you witnesses to how my Heavenly Ghost Army defeats the Ghost Abyss City. If you support us, I guarantee your safety. Otherwise, none of you shall leave this Abyss of Ghostly Howls alive."

The leaders remained silent, though they felt the pressure. The Heavenly Ghost City was powerful; if they consumed the Ghost Abyss, who knew who would be next? Yet, yielding was out of the question. They pinned their hopes on the Ghost Abyss City. Though it also harbored ambitions for the throne of the Underworld King, it was preferable to the Heavenly Ghost City. The previous Underworld Kings had all hailed from the Ghost Abyss Prefecture; even if they were to be ruled by them once more, the factions would accept it. But the Heavenly Ghost City had colluded with forces from beyond the realm; to let them take the throne would be to hand the Underworld over to outsiders.

Jun Yao, hearing Yang Guang’s words, retorted coldly: "You think your Heavenly Ghost City is enough to swallow my Ghost Abyss? You are far from it."

"Is that so?" Yang Guang smirked. "Today, my city will feast upon yours. If you surrender and crawl at my feet, I might spare you for the sake of your delicate beauty. Otherwise, I shall tear that alluring body to shreds."

"You are courting death." Jun Yao, both shamed and enraged, was about to strike, but Jiang Xiaofei held her back.

She frowned. "What are you doing?"

Jiang Xiaofei shook his head. "Let me handle this."

"Very well." Jun Yao nodded and stepped aside.

Jiang Xiaofei turned his cold gaze toward Yang Guang. "For those words alone, you are as good as dead."

"Hahaha!" Yang Guang laughed mockingly. "You arrogant brat, you think you can kill me? What a delusion."

"Is it?" Jiang Xiaofei’s eyes chilled. He struck his palm forward, manifesting a ghostly seal that flew toward Yang Guang. Feeling the danger, Yang Guang instinctively recoiled.

"Allow me. You are no match for him," Young Master Wuji said with a cold snort, flicking his hand to shatter the seal.

Yang Guang exhaled in relief. "Then I rely on you, Young Master Wuji!"

Wuji nodded without a word. Locking his gaze onto Jiang Xiaofei, he said, "Picking on a servant is no feat. If you want to fight, fight me. That would be a true test of skill." He paused, his eyes gleaming. "You must be the 'Flying King,' right? You possess some strength; no wonder you were able to kill my Protector Xuanyou."

Jiang Xiaofei frowned. "And who are you?"

"I am Young Master Wuji," he replied with a smile.

Upon hearing the name, the various factions were stirred, etching the name into their memories. Under the gaze of the masses, Wuji sneered at Jiang. "Though you are capable, you are not my equal. If you submit to me, perhaps I could even let you sit on the throne of the Underworld King."

"Young Master Wuji, do not listen to them! You promised the throne to me!" Yang Guang shouted in a panic, fearing his prize would be stolen.

Wuji ignored him entirely. To him, who held the title was irrelevant, so long as they served his purpose. He looked back at Jiang. "How do you answer my offer?"

Jiang Xiaofei narrowed his eyes. "Are you so confident you can defeat me?"

"It is not confidence, but absolute suppression."

Wuji sneered and waved his hand. A vast torrent of ghostly energy cascaded down toward Jiang Xiaofei like a river. Under the eyes of all, Jiang looked tiny beneath the crashing waves.

Jiang Xiaofei felt the immense pressure; a casual strike with such power confirmed his suspicion: Wuji was at least at the peak of the Dao Extreme Realm. With a sweep of his own hand, he unleashed a river of ghostly energy of his own, neutralizing the attack.

"Hahaha! Indeed, a peak Dao Extreme expert! But if you think that is enough to stand against me, you are naive. Let me show you my true power."

"Imperial Underworld Code: Netherworld Sky-Lock Domain!"

Unfazed by Jiang’s strength, Wuji laughed. As he spoke, a cage of nether energy descended from the sky, trapping Jiang Xiaofei within.

The Ghost Abyss army gasped in alarm, and Jun Yao’s face grew grave. She shouted, "Attack!"

The battlefield erupted with cries of war. Thousands of spirits surged forward like a tide to strike the Heavenly Ghost Army. Su Muhe and Meng Feixue also joined the fray.

Seeing the charge, Yang Guang roared, "Kill them all!"

Tens of thousands of Heavenly Ghosts converged, pouring their energy into a formation. Ghostly runes flickered, manifesting thousands of spectral soldiers that tore through the ranks of the Ghost Abyss forces.

Terrified, the Ghost Abyss army retreated, suffering over ten thousand casualties in a single wave. Even Protectors Su and Meng were severely battered. Panic began to spread—their greatest hope, the Flying King, was trapped. Was this battle truly lost? Despair began to settle over them.