C45 Ghostface Girl

The Nether Clan's reputation for brutality and cruelty was well-known among many races. The cruelty they had exhibited thus far was merely the tip of the iceberg.

Qiao Mao couldn't contain his anger at their actions. In his past life, anyone who knew of the Nether Clan would surely despise them and wish for their demise.

Zhang Yu inhaled deeply, his face ashen with fear. The thought of the Nether Clan slaughtering an entire city's population and invading a country was unimaginable to him.

Anyone would be terrified upon hearing such news. Zhang Yu, despite his resolve, had not been battle-tested. His fear upon hearing such news was understandable.

"Don't worry. With me here, Martial Sun City will be safe," Qiao Mao reassured him, patting Zhang Yu's shoulder. His gaze remained steady and serene.

In his previous life, Qiao Mao had been through countless wars. He had repeatedly faced despair but had always managed to survive. His demeanor was one of calmness and strength.

Qiao Mao could only feel a sense of helplessness as he watched Zhang Yu, still lost in shock. The thought of a Nether Clan invasion was hard for anyone to accept, yet it seemed inevitable.

Qiao Mao reviewed the items Zhang Yu had gathered. They consisted of ordinary Cultivation Resources and three Demonic Cores tainted by the Nether Clan. Their loot was commendable.

However, as Qiao Mao surveyed the bodies on the ground, his brow furrowed. His past life's memories told him that there should have been three Mortality Transcending Level Nine Heaven Nether Clan Martial Artists at this site. But now, he had only slain one, and the other two were nowhere to be found.

"Could my rebirth have triggered a butterfly effect that altered some events?" Qiao Mao mused, troubled by the thought. It was odd; if the Nether Clan was present, the numbers should have been accurate.

What troubled Qiao Mao most was the absence of the mysterious Ghost-face Girl who had saved him in his previous life. Her absence was his deepest regret.

"I'll find her when the opportunity arises," Qiao Mao consoled himself. Yet, in that moment, he sensed an ominous surge of murderous intent.

Qiao Mao, having fought extensively in his previous life, was particularly attuned to the presence of killing intent. Although he hadn't detected any approaching aura, he was already aware of the lurking danger.

"Down the trail behind the mountain."

Acting on his sharp instincts, Qiao Mao grabbed Zhang Yu, and together they dashed toward the path that lay behind the mountain. It wasn't long before they spotted two figures on the trail.

These individuals were in a sorry state, drenched in blood. The unmistakable aura of the Nether Clan clung to them, causing Qiao Mao's heart to race with anticipation.

"Could she be here?" With renewed urgency, Qiao Mao quickened his pace, sprinting with fervor. He intercepted the path of the two from the Nether Clan.

Both Nether Clan members possessed the cultivation of Mortality Transcending Level Nine Heaven, confirming the recollections from Qiao Mao's previous life.

Qiao Mao acted with swift decisiveness. The two Nether Clan members, already gravely wounded and teetering on the brink of death, stood no chance, especially with the lingering effects of the Spirit Explosion Pill that Qiao Mao had ingested. In a mere moment, he struck down the two Nether Clan Martial Artists, holding their heads in his grasp.

The Nether Clan Martial Artists were no more, yet Qiao Mao spared no glance for their fallen bodies. Instead, his gaze was fixed on the far end of the path, eagerly anticipating the girl's emergence.

"This young man is quite impressive. With only Mortality Transcending Level Seven Heaven cultivation, he managed to instantly dispatch these two Nether Clan Martial Artists," an astonished voice echoed from the path's end.

"That's Mr. Jing's voice," Qiao Mao realized.

Hearing this familiar voice filled Qiao Mao with elation. It was indeed Mr. Jing. His presence here all but confirmed that the Ghost-face Girl, whom Qiao Mao had long awaited, would soon make her appearance.

As expected, shortly thereafter, two figures materialized at the end of the path. One was a woman wearing a ghost mask, adorned with a single tear at the left eye that seemed poised to drop at any moment.

The corners of the Ghost-face Girl's mouth turned up in a faint smile. She appeared to be smiling, yet there was an air of mockery as if she held the whole world in contempt.

The Ghost-face Girl approached slowly, draped in a white veil, radiating an ethereal beauty.

Beside her stood a middle-aged man who possessed the remarkable ability to traverse thousands of miles in a single step. In no time at all, they were standing before Qiao Mao and Zhang Yu.

"Your two Nether Clan members are already dead," Mr. Jing said, smiling. He glanced at Qiao Mao and added, "This man is the one who killed them."

The Ghost-face Girl scrutinized Qiao Mao with a hint of surprise, but she quickly regained her composure. Indifferently, she addressed the middle-aged man, "Mr. Jing, we should be on our way."

Hearing the Ghost-face Girl was about to leave, Qiao Mao spoke up anxiously, "My name is Qiao Mao. I am a disciple of the Qiao family from Martial Sun City. I hold you in high esteem and would be honored to have you visit my home for a conversation."

After he spoke, Qiao Mao felt his cheeks flush with a burning sensation. Whether in his previous life or this one, he had never before approached a woman with such fervor.

"Though you admire our young miss, she has no time for you. But you're welcome to invite me over; I'd be happy to visit your home," the middle-aged man said, his tone light and teasing.

Qiao Mao was taken aback. Mr. Jing certainly had a sense of humor. Aware of Mr. Jing's deep cultivation, Qiao Mao knew that if Mr. Jing visited the Qiao family, they would be in a position of strength.

After a moment's thought, Qiao Mao realized that these two were pursuing the Nether Clan. Perhaps he could use the Nether Clan to persuade them to stay.

Furthermore, this might be his only opportunity to interact with the Ghost-face Girl. If he missed this chance, he might never be able to express his gratitude to both her and the middle-aged man.

"Senior, I would be grateful if you could visit my home. I have some questions about the Nether Clan I'd like to discuss with you," Qiao Mao said with respect.

"You wish to learn about the Nether Clan?" The middle-aged man expressed mild surprise. "You're familiar with them?"

"I've heard about them," Qiao Mao replied promptly, relieved that Mr. Jing seemed intrigued by the Nether Clan.

"Go on, then. Tell me what you know," the middle-aged man said, his interest piqued.

Considering the Nether Clan had not yet invaded, their existence was known to only a select few. The middle-aged man was perplexed. How could a teenager possibly have knowledge of the Nether Clan?

"From what I've gathered, the Nether Clan is likely to invade Fire Crow Country within the next six months. Moreover, they're targeting South Sun County City for their incursion. They've even covertly readied the Blood Imprisoning Nether Array," Qiao Mao shared, drawing upon the recollections from his previous life and experiences in this one.

Upon hearing these revelations, both the middle-aged man and the Ghost-face Girl were profoundly startled. They fixed their gazes on Qiao Mao with an air of bewilderment, as though they were beholding a creature of myth.

"How did you come by this information? It's nearly identical to what Mr. Jing and I have uncovered," the Ghost-face Girl finally said, her voice laden with astonishment.

She had spent over six months tracking the Nether Clan's movements to unearth this intelligence. Yet, here was this young man, effortlessly revealing what she had worked so hard to discover. The Ghost-face Girl was understandably taken aback.