C10 The Five Great Forces of Ghost Street

Within the Huangfu Family.

"Senior Huangfu, what do you think of the strategy I've proposed?" A strikingly enchanting woman entered the premises of the Huangfu Family at that moment. She was Bai Ling'er, the current head of the Bai Family.

Rumor had it that Bai Ling'er practiced a cultivation technique that harnessed Yang energy to fortify her Yin. In just a few years, she advanced from the First Layer to the peak of the Ninth Layer of the Origin Purging Stage. Her romantic entanglements were numerous, and she had secured her position as the Bai Family patriarch through dubious means.

Upon hearing Bai Ling'er's voice, Huangfu Jie's tone grew serious. The woman might not have been particularly powerful, but she was incredibly cunning. With her aiding Huangfu Xihua, the downfall of the other eight major families seemed imminent.

"Your plan is sound. Proceed with it. In the future, you should coordinate with Xihua on any matters. But remember this: if you ever entertain the notion of betraying our Huangfu Family, I can erase your existence in an instant. And it wouldn't matter if there were one or ten Bai Families; they are all inconsequential to me."

At Huangfu Jie's stern warning, Bai Ling'er quickly responded with a beaming smile, "Senior Huangfu, how could you even suggest that? I would never dream of acting against the Huangfu Family..."

"That's reassuring to hear." Pleased with Bai Ling'er's apparent prudence, Huangfu Jie's spirits lifted, and she made her way to the secret chamber.

Huangfu Jie refrained from confronting Lin Yunchen today due to her grave injuries, which prevented her from unleashing her full power. Moreover, the presence of the vigilant Lin Yi by her side dissuaded her from making a move against Yunchen.

As Huangfu Jie departed, Bai Ling'er turned to leave the Huangfu estate. A captivating smile played on her lips, and she whispered under her breath, "Huangfu Jie, you're nothing but a decrepit old woman. Once I, Bai Ling'er, have absorbed the Yang energy of ten thousand more men, you'll be the least of my worries. Even a King Level master will grovel at my feet, begging to kiss my toes, hahaha..."

Lin Yunchen left the Lin family and inquired with a few passersby about the whereabouts of Ghost Street. He discovered that his route would take him past the Moo family's territory, and he decided to drop by and see the young girl who had lost her innocence for his sake.

Upon reaching the Moo family's entrance, Lin Yunchen addressed the two guards, "I'm here to see your young miss. Could you please inform her of my arrival?"

The guards scrutinized Lin Yunchen before responding promptly, "Oh, it's Young Master Chen. The master mentioned that you don't need an announcement. You're welcome to enter the Moo family's grounds anytime."

Hearing Moo Xuan's instructions, Lin Yunchen gave a wry smile and rubbed his head, then confidently made his way inside.

Inside, Lin Yunchen observed numerous Moo family disciples practicing their martial arts in the family's own training arena. His attention was soon captured by a delicate silhouette.

"There she is." Spotting Moo Qiubai in the midst of the arena, Lin Yunchen strode toward her.

"Who are you? This is the Moo family's training field, not someplace any random person can wander into," a burly figure interjected before Lin Yunchen could reach Qiubai.

Lin Yunchen gave the man a once-over—dark-skinned, towering, yet only at the Seventh Layer of the Pulse Condensation Stage.

Resting his right hand on the man's shoulder, Lin Yunchen offered a slight smile, "I'd watch your language. I'm certainly not just any random person."

The next moment, Lin Yunchen retracted his hand, leaving the man's arm dislocated.

"Qiubai," Lin Yunchen greeted, approaching her with a smile.

At the sound of her name, Moo Qiubai spun around to find Lin Yunchen standing a short distance away. "Yunchen!" she cried out in surprise.

The man with the dislocated arm, realizing the gravity of his mistake upon hearing his young mistress utter Lin Yunchen's name, was relieved that Lin Yunchen seemed not to hold a grudge.

"Yunchen, what brings you here today? Shouldn't you be busy with your cultivation?" Moo Qiubai gazed at Lin Yunchen, her eyes gleaming with a moonlike radiance, her expression endearingly sweet.

Lin Yunchen gently patted Moo Qiubai's little head and smiled, "How about Yunchen takes Qiubai out for some fun today?"

"Yay, yay! Yunchen, take Qiubai out to play, but I must let Father know first..." Moo Qiubai's excitement made her leap with joy upon hearing Lin Yunchen's offer, but then she remembered something important.

"Off you go, just be safe, and make sure to return early," Moo Xuan suddenly appeared on the martial arts field, watching Lin Yunchen and Moo Qiubai with a gentle voice.

Upon hearing her father's words, Moo Qiubai rushed to his side and planted a big kiss on his stubbly cheek. "Thank you, Father!"

Lin Yunchen, witnessing the affectionate exchange, let a smile grace his face. "Shaikh Moo, I'll take Qiubai with me then."

Moo Xuan gave a slight nod in response to Lin Yunchen's words. "Hmm, would you like some escorts? I can assign two Half Step Origin Purging Stage masters to accompany you."

Lin Yunchen chuckled at Moo Xuan's offer. "Shaikh Moo, do you doubt my abilities as a guard?"

Moo Xuan, hearing Lin Yunchen's response, seemed to envision a figure from a legend, the undefeated hero of the Border City.

Lin Yunchen then led Moo Qiubai away from the Moo family compound, heading towards a shadowy destination.

"Yunchen, where are you taking Qiubai? Is it somewhere fun?" Moo Qiubai was bubbling with happiness, as sweet as if she had just tasted honey.

Lin Yunchen shook his head gently at her question and whispered, "The place we're going next is somewhere you've never been. Qiubai, you'll need to stay quiet and avoid careless chatter, or it could be dangerous. But don't worry, Yunchen will keep you safe. Trust me."

Moo Qiubai, listening intently to Lin Yunchen, nodded her head obediently, and together they made their way to the entrance of Ghost Street.

"Respectfully reporting to the Patriarch, Young Master Chen has taken the Eldest Miss towards the entrance of Ghost Street." Although Moo Xuan had not ordered explicit protection for Lin Yunchen and Moo Qiubai, he had instructed a clan member skilled in stealth to tail them. Once the follower confirmed their destination, he returned to report.

Moo Xuan slowly lifted his gaze to the heavens, pondering, "The time has come for Qiubai to witness the true essence of the cultivation world. Lin Yunchen, Qiubai is now in your hands..."

Where shadows loom, the wicked converge; a sanctuary of slaughter, Ghost Street reigns supreme!

Every city harbors its own shadows, and such places become havens for the vile. Here, you can act as you please, and if you possess the power, not even public murder will draw interference. This place is none other than Ghost Street.

Nestled at the crossroads of east and west, a narrow alley snakes its way to the entrance of Ghost Street.

Ghost Street is far more than a mere thoroughfare; it's akin to an underground city, a hidden counterpart to the city above.

Within the city, ten prominent families hold sway, while Ghost Street is ruled by five formidable powers: Herbal Hall, Shadow Tower, Heavenly Gold Auction House, Omniscience Pavilion, and the Platform of Life and Death.

Herbal Hall, true to its name, deals in a myriad of celestial treasures and is one of Lin Yunchen's destinations in Ghost Street.

Shadow Tower, founded by assassins for assassins, offers its lethal services for a price—if you have enough Elemental Crystals, your target is as good as dead.

Heavenly Gold Auction House caters to the needs of cultivators, trading in everything from divine artifacts to martial arts scrolls, provided you have the requisite Elemental Crystals.

Omniscience Pavilion is where secrets are traded for a price, a place to learn whatever you wish to know.

The Platform of Life and Death serves as a macabre form of entertainment, where the number of daily deaths is a grim tally unknown, and it marks Lin Yunchen's first stop within Ghost Street.

"Qiubai, come here. Put on this mask and drape this cloak over your shoulders." In that moment, Lin Yunchen and Moo Qiubai stood at the threshold of Ghost Street, a step away from plunging into its enigmatic depths.

Moo Qiubai accepted the black cloak and vibrantly patterned mask that Lin Yunchen had casually purchased from a stall. She quickly draped the cloak over her shoulders, enveloping herself completely, and then secured the colorful mask over her face, concealing her delicate features except for her bright, twinkling eyes and a small mouth as red as a cherry.

After ensuring Qiubai was ready, Lin Yunchen donned a blood-red mask and channeled his Origin Energy throughout his body. In an instant, a black cloak enveloped him from head to toe.

"This invisible cloak is quite impressive. It looks like I won't have to worry about it tearing in battle anymore." Indeed, the cloak Lin Yunchen wore wasn't just any ordinary cloak; it was the invisible cloak, renowned for its durability.

"Qiubai, let's head out." Lin Yunchen took Qiubai's hand firmly in his and strode into the entrance of Ghost Street. Within seconds, they had crossed into the territory of Ghost Street, arriving in a border city that was a stark contrast to their own—a realm rife with bloodshed and ruthlessness.

"Step right up, don't pass by..."

"Gentlemen, have a look at this freshly harvested, top-quality Blood Ginseng. It's sure to boost your strength tremendously..."

The street was alive with the calls of vendors, resembling a bustling marketplace.

Suddenly, a streak of blood-red flashed before Qiubai's eyes. She turned to trace its origin and nearly let out a gasp.

"Qiubai, no need to scream. This is the true face of the cultivation world..." Lin Yunchen had preemptively covered her mouth, preventing any sound from escaping.

"What are you staring at? You two must be new here," remarked a man gnawing on an arm, as he noticed Qiubai and Yunchen cloaked in black. He rose to his feet and approached them.

As the man reached out to remove Qiubai's mask, Lin Yunchen reacted swiftly, striking the man's arm with a powerful punch.

The next moment, the man's arm detached from his body, severed by Lin Yunchen's single, forceful blow.

Lin Yunchen gave the man a look and said sternly, "Scram if you value your life!" Before his words even faded, the man, clutching the arm Lin Yunchen had broken, fled in a panic.

Turning to Moo Qiubai, Lin Yunchen's demeanor softened as he reassured, "Qiubai, rest easy. Brother Yunchen will always be here to protect you, no matter how formidable the enemy."