Chapter 116: Total Collapse

At once, under the blazing Phoenix True Fire, Xuan You was utterly incinerated without so much as a chance to resist—reduced to ashes and dust!

The fall of a supreme Daoist master.

Immediately, the entire battlefield fell silent. Both sides ceased fighting, caught between shock and elation, yet a grave atmosphere settled over the scene.

At this moment, the Flying Dog, who had been firmly holding the upper hand, nearly popped his eyes out in disbelief upon witnessing Xuan You’s annihilation by the Phoenix True Fire. Xuan You was a master at the pinnacle of Daoist cultivation. With him present, capturing Ghost Abyss had seemed effortless. Yet now, with Xuan You dead, what was there to fight for? Defeat was inevitable—indeed, total annihilation awaited them.

The realization was astonishing. During the previous assault on Ghost Abyss, they had been completely dominant. Had it not been for the ghost immortal’s sacrificial defense forcing them back, they would have seized Ghost Abyss long ago. Now, despite amassing two hundred thousand troops and a Daoist master, they were defeated. It was a bitter disappointment. Moreover, when had Ghost Abyss produced a figure like Jiang Xiaofei, capable of slaying a Daoist master?

Had they known sooner, they would have prepared more thoroughly.

Just then, Su Muhe seized the opportunity to strike.

Sensing the imminent threat, Flying Dog shuddered and hastily unleashed the ghostly energy within to defend, but his guard was lax, and Su Muhe knocked him flying.

Originally, both Su Muhe and Flying Dog were at the peak of the Transforming Heaven Realm, yet after that blow, Su Muhe was clearly grievously injured.

Seeing this, Su Muhe’s eyes turned cold as he pressed the attack.

However, at that moment, Jiang Xiaofei suddenly appeared, stepping in front of Flying Dog.

“This one will not be killed for now,” Jiang Xiaofei said. “Keep him alive. I still have use for him.”

Su Muhe nodded and immediately withdrew his strike, stepping aside.

Watching this, Jiang Xiaofei turned to Flying Dog. Just by looking at him, Jiang Xiaofei was somewhat surprised and recalled what Zhang Shen had said a few days before.

Thinking it over, he did notice that Flying Dog bore some resemblance to him, though lacking his aura.

Noticing Jiang Xiaofei’s gaze, Flying Dog showed a hint of fear.

“What do you want?” he asked.

“What do I want?” Jiang Xiaofei sneered. “Of course, I want to extract some useful information from your mouth.”

Flying Dog’s expression instantly changed.

“Don’t even think you’ll learn anything about our Heavenly Ghost City from me.”

“Heh,” Jiang Xiaofei chuckled coldly. “If you won’t speak, I’ll have to search your soul before killing you. But if you confess willingly, I might spare your life out of mercy for your looks and send you back to Heavenly Ghost City unscathed. Before that, however, I need you to deliver a message for me.”

“Are you really not going to kill me?” Flying Dog asked incredulously.

“Of course. I keep my word, and I wouldn’t lie to you.” Jiang Xiaofei’s eyes darkened. “But if you dare lie to me, I’ll take your life just the same.”

“Alright, I’ll talk.” Flying Dog breathed a sigh of relief and stammered, “Here’s the situation. Originally, our Heavenly Ghost City had no intention of attacking Ghost Abyss City. After all, Ghost Abyss has stood for tens of thousands of years. Even in decline, it’s not to be trifled with. But one day, a group of mysterious people arrived. They said if we captured Ghost Abyss City, they would help our lord dominate the Underworld.”

Jiang Xiaofei frowned. “Who are they?”

Flying Dog replied, “I don’t know. But among them is someone called Master Wuji. Our lord told me to serve him carefully—it seems he’s a person of great influence.”

“What’s their purpose in the Underworld?” Jiang Xiaofei asked.

“That, I really don’t know. Whenever the lord meets with Master Wuji, I’m sent away. Even if you kill me, I wouldn’t know. That’s all I know. You can let me go now, right?”

Jiang Xiaofei’s voice was cold. “You may leave. Tell your lord that in three days, the decisive battle will unfold at Ghost Howl Abyss. If they don’t dare come, they’re nothing but cowards.”

“I will deliver your message. Thank you for sparing my life.” Flying Dog’s eyes darkened, then he turned and fled into the void.

At this moment, the Heavenly Ghost army, still bloodied and fighting desperately, noticed Flying Dog’s retreat. Their disappointment was immense, and morale shattered. Originally numbering two hundred thousand, under the fierce assault of Ghost Abyss forces, many had died or been wounded, leaving only one hundred thousand.

Meanwhile, the Ghost Abyss army seemed to be invigorated, growing bolder with each battle, leaving the Heavenly Ghost army powerless to resist and in full rout.

“Even if Commander Flying Dog abandoned us, we must break through and find him to settle the score for our fallen brothers.”

“Charge!”

At a general’s rallying cry, a roar of battle arose. Thousands of soldiers rose up to resist, desperate to carve out a path to survival.

Yet now, fueled by Jiang Xiaofei’s slaying of a Daoist master, the Ghost Abyss army fought with the ferocity of tigers, utterly overwhelming the disheartened Heavenly Ghost troops.

Under wave after wave of ruthless attacks, the Heavenly Ghost army suffered grievous losses, dwindling from one hundred thousand to fifty thousand.

Jiang Xiaofei watched this scene with a slight sigh. The weak are inevitably culled; the strong destined to rule all. In this chaotic age, only the powerful can restore order to the world. Perhaps this is the struggle for power.

At this moment, a general within the Heavenly Ghost army looked at the fallen soldiers and urgently asked, “Brother, what do we do now? We can’t break out.”

The man’s face was resolute as he coldly declared, “We fight to the death. Even if we die, we won’t become traitors.”

“Good. I admire your spirit,” Jiang Xiaofei applauded with a smile. “The outcome is decided. Your lord can no longer protect you. If you surrender to Ghost Abyss, I guarantee your safety.”

“We are willing to surrender. We only ask for a way out.”

With Jiang Xiaofei’s words, tens of thousands of ghosts submitted. The sight uplifted the Ghost Abyss army’s spirits.

Jiang Xiaofei saw the Heavenly Ghost army kneeling in submission and nodded with satisfaction.

“Very well. From today onward, you are no longer the Heavenly Ghost army. You will be the newly recruited Bastard Ghost army of Ghost Abyss.”

He then looked to Elder Song.

“Elder Song, this Bastard Ghost army is yours to command. Do well, and it’s yours. Fail, and you’re dismissed.”

Elder Song was elated and quickly responded, “I obey, my lord. I will lead our Bastard Ghost army well.”

“Good.” Jiang Xiaofei nodded approvingly. “You may leave.”

At this moment, Su Muhe approached.

“Lord Fei, is it appropriate to name the army ‘Bastard Ghost’? It may cause discomfort.”

Jiang Xiaofei smiled. “This is a temporary name meant to humiliate Heavenly Ghost City.”

“Oh!” Su Muhe immediately understood. “Lord Fei, this is a brilliant tactic. It crushes the morale of the Heavenly Ghost army and simultaneously insults their lord.”

“Hahaha!” Jiang Xiaofei laughed heartily. “Come, let’s return to the headquarters to celebrate and discuss our next plan.”

(End of chapter)

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