Chapter 144: Rescuing the Ghost King

That scene struck fear into the hearts of all the Maoshan disciples watching. After all, Ye Yijian was a master of the Celestial Transformation Realm and their sect leader. Yet, unexpectedly, Jiang Xiaofei had truly slain their leader—instantly.

Could Jiang Xiaofei not fear Maoshan’s retaliation? Or did he truly possess a fearless resolve?

They could not fathom where Jiang Xiaofei’s confidence came from. Killing the Maoshan leader was tantamount to declaring open war on the sect. At that point, not only would Maoshan retaliate fiercely, but the wrath of the sect’s founding ancestors would surely descend.

At this moment, Ye Qingzi was also shaken by Jiang Xiaofei’s actions, especially by the Phoenix True Fire, which instilled genuine fear in him. Though the flames did not touch him, he could still feel their terrifying burning power—power that might incinerate even those at the pinnacle of the Dao.

Wisely, he understood that Jiang Xiaofei was no longer someone he could contend with.

Though reluctant to accept this truth, his only option was to first contain Jiang Xiaofei. Otherwise, if Jiang Xiaofei continued his slaughter unchecked before the ancestors emerged from seclusion, all Maoshan disciples would be wiped out.

With this in mind, he hurried to the side of the Ghost King, his gaze darkening as he threatened, "If you kill another of Maoshan’s disciples, I will kill the Ghost King."

“Do you dare?” Jiang Xiaofei’s anger flared instantly.

At that moment, Jun Yao’s face was etched with anxiety. "Let go of my sister, and everything can be settled."

“Still the wise Ghost Immortal,” Ye Qingzi smiled slyly upon hearing Jun Yao’s words. “I have no conditions, only this: if you agree to be mine, I will release the Ghost King and promise you endless happiness.”

“You must be dreaming,” Jun Yao snapped, furious and humiliated. She cared deeply for the Ghost King’s life, but to exchange her body for her sister’s freedom was unthinkable—especially as she was Jiang Xiaofei’s woman now; she could not marry another.

Jiang Xiaofei’s face twisted with rage, surprised that Ye Qingzi would make such a demand. This crossed his bottom line.

As the saying went, the dragon’s reverse scale was a fatal weakness—touch it, and death was certain.

He was no exception. Even if it meant offending all of Maoshan, he would show no mercy. If he could not even protect his woman, what kind of man would he be?

His expression hardened coldly. “If you wish to die, I shall grant your wish.”

Sensing the murderous intent radiating from Jiang Xiaofei, Ye Qingzi became fearful. He immediately gripped the Ghost King’s neck tightly and warned coldly, “If you dare take one step forward, I will snap her neck. You won’t be able to save her, and you will regret it for life.”

“Do you dare?” Jiang Xiaofei’s fury burned like a wildfire; his eyes blazed with rage.

Ye Qingzi showed no fear, instead sneering, “Do you think I wouldn’t dare?”

With those words, he tightened his grip on the Ghost King, daring Jiang Xiaofei to advance.

The Ghost King’s face contorted in pain under the pressure. Already tormented by the Binding Soul Chain, she could barely endure Ye Qingzi’s torment. Yet her eyes shone with unyielding defiance.

Seeing this, Jiang Xiaofei shouted urgently, “Release the Ghost King!”

“Hahaha!” Ye Qingzi sneered coldly. “You want me to release her? I refuse. What can you do to me?”

“That’s when I’ll kill you,” Jiang Xiaofei’s eyes darkened.

Ye Qingzi laughed scornfully, “If you want to kill me, then do it quickly. But I don’t think you dare. Haha.”

“Do you think I have no way to deal with you?” Jiang Xiaofei’s anger surged. His gaze sharpened, and with a sudden motion, he grabbed several elder Taoists below and dragged them into the void, warning coldly, “If you dare harm the Ghost King even slightly, I will kill your disciples.”

“Do you dare?” Ye Qingzi’s face changed instantly.

Jiang Xiaofei retorted fiercely, “Do you think I wouldn’t?”

With a powerful motion, Jiang Xiaofei exerted force, eliciting agonized screams from the elder Taoists: “Senior Brother, save us! We don’t want to die!”

Ye Qingzi’s face grew anxious as he pleaded, “Release my disciples!”

“Release the Ghost King first, and I’ll release your disciples,” Jiang Xiaofei declared coldly.

“Dream on,” Ye Qingzi snapped furiously.

“Then I’ll kill all your disciples,” Jiang Xiaofei said grimly. Seeing Ye Qingzi unmoved, he clapped his hands sharply. Under the burning Phoenix True Fire, the elder Taoists turned to ash.

The sight left the Maoshan disciples trembling with horror; this was the work of a bloodthirsty fiend, intolerable to witness.

Ye Qingzi was furious beyond measure. He had thought Jiang Xiaofei was bluffing but now saw all his disciples slain. He raged, “Don’t think killing my disciples will make me release the Ghost King. Such actions only hasten her death.”

“Do you dare?” Jiang Xiaofei’s fury erupted anew as he stepped forward with overwhelming might.

Under this pressure, not only did the Maoshan disciples tremble in fear, but Ye Qingzi himself felt crushed. Jiang Xiaofei was like a god of the heavens, his overwhelming aura weighing down on him, making him shiver.

Instinctively, Ye Qingzi clung tighter to the Ghost King. To him, she was the last hope—so long as Jiang Xiaofei held her, he dared not kill him.

Jiang Xiaofei could sense Ye Qingzi’s thoughts but believed it naive to think the Ghost King could be used as leverage. If he was to act, it would be decisive. He had his own means to rescue the Ghost King from Ye Qingzi’s grasp.

He then signaled to the Corpse King.

The Corpse King, sensing Jiang Xiaofei’s gaze, nodded slightly and strode toward Ye Qingzi. A powerful momentum accompanied his approach, as if to press down upon Ye Qingzi.

Feeling the threat, Ye Qingzi asked, “What do you intend?”

The Corpse King sneered, “What else? To kill you.”

Ye Qingzi’s face paled. “Are you not afraid I’ll kill the Ghost King?”

The Corpse King sneered again. “Afraid? Of course.”

Ye Qingzi’s confidence surged. “Then retreat quickly.”

“Hahaha,” the Corpse King laughed coldly. “Retreat? You must be dreaming. Since I dared to approach, I have my ways.”

“What ways?” Ye Qingzi’s expression turned grave as he tightened his hold on the Ghost King.

The Corpse King smiled. “Have you heard of the art called Shift and Exchange?”

“What?” Ye Qingzi was shocked but quickly composed himself. “Impossible. Spatial techniques have long been lost since ancient times. How could you possibly master one?”

“Hahaha,” the Corpse King laughed scornfully. “When I roamed the heavens and earth, I once fought Emperor Kong Wuhen and learned a few tricks. Didn’t expect to use them today.”

“What?” Ye Qingzi’s face was filled with astonishment.

At that moment, the Corpse King suddenly cast the Shift and Exchange technique, swapping places with the Ghost King in the blink of an eye. The speed was so swift that even Jiang Xiaofei could not see how the exchange happened.

Ye Qingzi was stunned, and by the time he reacted, the Ghost King was already beside Jiang Xiaofei, while the Corpse King now stood where the Ghost King had been.

Filled with rage and shock, Ye Qingzi roared, “Even if I die, you will not leave Maoshan alive!”

“Oh?” Jiang Xiaofei frowned.

At that moment, Ye Qingzi’s expression turned resolute as his body began to rupture. It was clear he intended to self-destruct.

Jiang Xiaofei sneered, “So you plan to self-destruct? But you think you’re worthy to die with me? You don’t have that qualification.”

“What did you say?” Ye Qingzi’s face changed drastically.

Just then, the Corpse King acted. His demonic power surged, shattering the Binding Soul Chain. Then with a heavy clap, his immense demonic energy enveloped Ye Qingzi’s body, preventing him from self-destructing.

Ye Qingzi was terrified. To detonate as a Dao Peak Master, only another supreme Dao Peak Master could suppress him like this. This confirmed the Corpse King’s formidable strength.

Despair filled Ye Qingzi’s heart.

The Maoshan disciples were equally shaken and fearful. Their ancestor had fallen—who then could stand against Jiang Xiaofei? They felt hopeless and filled with resentment toward Jiang Xiaofei. If not for him, Maoshan would not be in such ruin.

Yet Jiang Xiaofei’s power forbade them from moving forward.

Jiang Xiaofei sensed their hatred and fear but paid it no mind. With a sweeping motion, the radiant Phoenix True Fire surged forth, enveloping Ye Qingzi.

Under the blazing flames, Ye Qingzi turned to ashes.

The Maoshan disciples gasped in shock. With their ancestor dead, who else could challenge Jiang Xiaofei?

At that moment, the Corpse King grinned wickedly. “Shall we kill the rest of these Maoshan disciples as well?”

“Forget it,” Jiang Xiaofei shook his head. Although Maoshan had provoked him first, he would not harm the disciples further. The Ghost King had been saved; it was time to leave. He knew the danger of lingering—every moment increased the risk, and he did not want to invite trouble.

With that, he waved his hand, gathering Jun Yao and the Ghost King, soaring into the sky.

The Corpse King hurried to follow.

Suddenly, a cold voice cut through the air.

“You’ve killed so many of Maoshan’s disciples and still think you can leave alive? That’s pure delusion.”

(End of chapter)