C17 Withered Bone Elder

The vast expanse of Wuuha City was eerily deserted, its intricate streets hauntingly empty as if it were a ghost town.

"Senior Sister Tian, why do I feel that Wuuha City is permeated with a chilling Yin Qi?" Zhang Chen shuddered suddenly, a sense of foreboding gripping him. At his level of the Master Stage, he shouldn't be shivering without cause.

"The Yin Fiend here hasn't dissipated after death; it appears that everyone in Wuuha City must have perished!" Tian Yuling said, her brows furrowed as she remained alert to the slightest movement around them.

Zhang Chen's skin crawled at her words. The capital of the Jinhan Principality, with its hundreds of thousands of inhabitants, all dead?

"It must be the work of a Devil Cultivator who has slaughtered the living to practice their Devil Skill. Guard me while I use my technique to pinpoint their location."

Tian Yuling sat down, legs crossed, and formed a seal with her hands. A wisp of pale blue Genuine Energy danced at her fingertips. She bit her tongue, spraying Blood Essence onto the Genuine Energy, which surged and seemed to be searching for something.

In recent days, Zhang Chen had immersed himself in the Firmament Record, broadening his understanding of various cultivation concepts. He recognized Tian Yuling's method: using Genuine Energy as a medium and her own Blood Essence as a guide to locate the densest concentration of Yin Fiend, thereby determining the Devil Cultivator's exact whereabouts.

Watching Tian Yuling's meticulous technique, Zhang Chen was on high alert.

The individual capable of wiping out the entirety of Wuuha City was not only exceedingly brutal but also possessed a formidable level of cultivation, at least at the Peak of the Energy Master Stage.

This realization weighed heavily on Zhang Chen's heart. Even at the Peak of the Energy Master Stage, neither he nor Tian Yuling might be a match for such a foe, especially considering the adversary was a Devil Cultivator. Together, they might still struggle to come out on top.

"Let's head to the palace in Wuuha City and see for ourselves!"

While Zhang Chen was deep in thought, Tian Yuling had completed her search and was preparing to make haste toward the palace in Wuuha City. "Senior Sister Tian, I fear it's imprudent for us to just head over like this. This individual is at least at the Peak of the Energy Master Stage, and a practitioner of the Devil Dao. If we approach rashly, we're likely to suffer greatly."

Yet, upon hearing Zhang Chen's concerns, Tian Yuling shook her head with gravity. "I'm well aware of the risks. However, the convergence of the Yin Fiend indicates that his Devil Skill is at a crucial juncture of development, leaving him vulnerable. If we don't seize this chance to strike a deadly blow, countless lives could be imperiled once his Devil Skill reaches fruition."

Tian Yuling's assessment was accurate. They were tens of thousands of miles from the Ten-thousand Elephants Palace, and it was too late to influence its high-ranking officials. "You've progressed rapidly in your cultivation, but you lack real combat experience. This is an excellent opportunity for you to gain some," she advised.

As Zhang Chen was about to respond, the voice of the Young Man In White echoed in his mind. Encouraged by the Artifact Spirit of the Universe Diagram, Zhang Chen resolved to follow Tian Yuling to the palace of the Jinhan Principality.

"By the way, I still don't know your name," Zhang Chen inquired inwardly during their journey, realizing he still didn't know the Young Man In White's name.

"Just call me 'Pan'," came the reply.

'Pan'? Just one word? Zhang Chen mused silently as he hurried after Tian Yuling, drawing closer to the palace. The palace grounds were eerily deserted, a stark indication that Wuuha was truly a ghost city. The sense of dread intensified as they neared the palace, which seemed shrouded in a vast cloud of darkness, devoid of any light.

"Senior Sister Tian, who could be so malevolent as to use the lives of hundreds of thousands to cultivate their Devil Skill?" Zhang Chen asked, aghast at the thought.

"If I'm not mistaken, this must be the work of the Withered Bone Elder, who is ranked 97th on the Merits and Virtues Stone's Mission Ranking for practicing the Yin Fiend Corpse Scripture! It's no surprise our previous mission failed. It appears he has already killed the target!"

Upon mentioning the Withered Bone Elder, Tian Yuling's face turned sour. Although she was at the Energy Master Stage, her Genuine Energy wasn't fully cultivated, while the Withered Bone Elder had long been at the Peak of the Energy Master Stage. He had ventured to the remote Jinhan Principality to slaughter and gather Yin Fiend Power, clearly aiming to advance his cultivation of the Yin Fiend Corpse Scripture and break through to the next realm.

"The Withered Bone Elder is undoubtedly trying to infuse his body with Yin Fiend to forge an Unbreakable Diamond body and ascend to the Diamond Stage!"

"What? A Diamond Stage expert?" Zhang Chen was visibly shaken by Tian Yuling's revelation, the urge to flee nearly overwhelming him.

The Diamond Stage was formidable: a body as tough as iron, impervious to blades and resistant to the elements. Even if one were to strike such a person, they might not leave a scratch.

Tian Yuling, noticing Zhang Chen's hesitation, reassured him, "Don't worry. When the Yin Fiend enters his body, that's when he's most vulnerable. If we time it right, we can land a deadly strike and stand a good chance of defeating him. We cannot allow him to reach the Diamond Stage; if he does, we're both doomed."

"Scared, are you?" she asked, turning to face Zhang Chen when he remained silent.

"The path of cultivation is fraught with peril. Without the will to brave the thorns and face the dangers head-on, no amount of talent will lead to success. If fear has taken hold, then go. Should I fail to return, report back to our sect so my father can seek vengeance on my behalf."

Despite being a woman, Tian Yuling faced the situation without a trace of fear, her resolve unwavering. In contrast, Zhang Chen felt utterly ashamed of his own trepidation.

"Senior Sister Tian has been kind to me. How could I cower and abandon you? We'll face this together. My abilities may be limited, but I'll assist in any way I can, even though I'm afraid I won't be of much help."

Had it been anyone else, Zhang Chen might have indeed walked away, but not with Tian Yuling. She was the first to treat him with genuine kindness, and for that, he couldn't just leave her behind.

"Talent and bravery in one! If you survive today, you're destined for great things!" Tian Yuling, after watching Zhang Chen intently for a while, couldn't help but nod in admiration.

Wuwuwu...

Suddenly, a chilling wind howled through the open gates of the palace, sounding eerily like the wails of countless tormented souls. Even cultivators like Zhang Chen and Tian Yuling felt a shiver run down their spines.

Then, they saw a sinister green light burst forth from the heart of the palace, piercing the sky and mingling with the dark clouds above. As the green glow bathed the palace, Zhang Chen was horrified to discover it was already a charnel house, piled high with skeletons.

In that instant, the decaying, foul-smelling corpses began to rise, one after another, shambling towards the green light that soared heavenward.

"Yin Fiend Profound Fire! It must be the work of the Withered Bone Elder!"