Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather Chapter 1398 - 888: It’s You! (Part 2)

A dense, malevolent aura, like a thick phlegm, surged towards Yang Zhenshan's face.

"Disgusting!" Yang Zhenshan cursed, vanishing from his position in a blur.

Simultaneously, azure lightning erupted around his form, crackling and dancing, a manifestation of the Wood Divine Thunder. Even this faint luminescence was enough to ward off the contaminating blood evil aura, shielding Yang Zhenshan.

"It's you!" Mo Xuanyu exclaimed again.

"Indeed, it is I," Yang Zhenshan replied with a subtle smile.

A fierce glint returned to Mo Xuanyu's eyes, recalling the vexing memories associated with Yang Zhenshan's teleportation techniques. The downfall of the Beishi family and his own forced retreat from Black Mountain Ridge in the Sea of Spirit – all traced back to Yang Zhenshan.

He had previously investigated the architect of his setbacks at the Beishi family but had drawn a blank. Now, witnessing Yang Zhenshan employ that same technique, the events of that fateful night at the Beishi family stronghold came rushing back. It was a night of humiliation, outmaneuvered by Yang Zhenshan, resulting in the loss of his forces and the abandonment of his Black Mountain Ridge base.

Rage and resentment boiled within Mo Xuanyu, fueling a desire to rend Yang Zhenshan limb from limb. Had it not been for Yang Zhenshan's intervention, he would not be in his current predicament. His current fury, however, was perhaps premature; encountering Xuanzhen would likely ignite an even greater wrath.

"Die!" Mo Xuanyu bellowed in his rage, summoning the Ten Thousand Ghosts Banner.

An onslaught of spectral entities poured forth, filling the cavern with an unearthly wind. Yang Zhenshan's eyes blazed with azure lightning as he unleashed a Qinghua Thunder Pearl.

The pearl expanded into a barrier of thunderous light, spanning nearly an acre and dominating the chamber. The first wave of fierce, blue-faced specters dissolved upon contact with the lightning, their forms engulfed in spectral flames and sizzling into white smoke, their screams abruptly silenced.

Mo Xuanyu's pupils contracted. These were not ordinary ghosts; they were fierce souls meticulously nurtured for three years with the lifeblood of innocents, now annihilated by the Thunder Pearl's might. Even the Ten Thousand Ghosts Banner bore scorch marks.

"Thunder techniques, hmph..." he growled, a low, guttural sound. His fingers wove a complex seal, causing the banner to swell, revealing twelve armored Ghost Generals within the swirling black miasma.

Ghost Generals hold a status equivalent to cultivators at the Foundation Establishment stage. True Ghost Generals surpass Foundation Establishment cultivators in power, and Mo Xuanyu's were particularly formidable. Their armor bore the lingering marks of a Blood Curse, and their blades cleaved the air with a shrieking sound. Twelve Ghost Generals represented twelve cultivators at the Foundation Establishment level.

Yang Zhenshan wisely avoided a direct confrontation. With another flicker, he reappeared behind Mo Xuanyu.

Aware of Yang Zhenshan's mastery of teleportation, Mo Xuanyu had anticipated his reappearance and swiftly launched a chilling Soul-breaking Cone in his wake. However, he had underestimated Yang Zhenshan's intentions. This time, Yang Zhenshan wasn't aiming for physical contact.

Two methods exist for drawing individuals into the Spirit Origin Land: Yang Zhenshan's direct, forceful drag, or the utilization of the Pocket World Gate. While Yang Zhenshan possessed the ability to manipulate the Pocket World Gate, its lack of offensive capability meant it had never been deployed in combat. His objective was to forcibly transport Mo Xuanyu into the Spirit Origin Land, and lacking the opportunity for direct contact, the Pocket World Gate unexpectedly became the ideal solution.

The Pocket World Gate materialized before Yang Zhenshan, resembling an eight-foot-tall mirror. Mo Xuanyu's Soul-breaking Cone, launched moments before, passed harmlessly through the gate and into the Spirit Origin Land. Simultaneously, under Yang Zhenshan's control, the gate surged forward, enveloping Mo Xuanyu's head.

Mo Xuanyu recoiled in shock. Though unfamiliar with this mysterious object, he instinctively knew it boded no good for him. It certainly offered no benefit, as Yang Zhenshan would never provide anything favorable. Faced with the encroaching Pocket World Gate, Mo Xuanyu attempted to evade, but the maneuver occurred too swiftly. Before he could react, he was drawn into the Spirit Origin Land by the gate.

Watching Mo Xuanyu disappear, Yang Zhenshan's gaze shifted to the Ten Thousand Ghosts Banner, now faltering as its mystical energy waned. His eyes gleamed with triumph.

Withdrawing the Pocket World Gate, he left a Jade Token behind before flickering back into the Spirit Origin Land.

The cleanup of the battlefield could wait; he first needed to settle the score with Mo Xuanyu and Xuanzhen completely.

...

In the Northern Spirit Origin Land.

Amidst the mountains, Xuanzhen stood bathed in golden light, a gold crown atop his head and a Taoist robe vestment draped around him. He wielded a Seven-star Magical Sword, his posture solemn and attentive.

The current Xuanzhen was a stark contrast to his former self. Previously, he possessed a carefree disposition, his attire tidy though his actions often clumsy and bizarre.

But now, his expression was serious, radiating a murderous aura, his gaze sharp as he surveyed his surroundings.

Just then, a figure materialized within three yards of him.

Upon clearly identifying the figure, a cruel smile formed on his lips.

"Mo Xuanyu, haha, meet your demise!"

In the next instant, he began chanting a Divine Spell, the magical sword in his hand thrusting sharply towards Mo Xuanyu.

Mo Xuanyu reacted with haste, caught off guard, but managed to raise a shield to intercept Xuanzhen’s magical sword.

The luminous magical sword impacted the shield, which rapidly fractured and shattered into numerous pieces.

This brief defense allowed Mo Xuanyu a moment to recover his strength, retreating ten yards while keeping his spiritual sense firmly locked onto Xuanzhen.

"Xuanzhen, it’s you!"

Recognizing Xuanzhen sent a wave of nausea through him.

He had always believed Xuanzhen was dead. With the Evil Blood Killing Array destroyed, Xuanzhen, as one of his Ghost Soldiers, should have valiantly defended the array and the blood pool to his last breath.

Logically, Xuanzhen couldn't have escaped; thus, Mo Xuanyu had assumed he was buried along with the Evil Blood Killing Array and the Ten Thousand Ghost Blood Pool.

Yet, here he was, encountering Xuanzhen unexpectedly today!

His thoughts raced, rapidly connecting the crucial pieces of information.

The collusion from within and without, the sabotage of the array, the destruction of the blood pool!

He had previously wondered how his Evil Blood Killing Array was so easily dismantled; now, the truth dawned on him.

And with this realization, his rage erupted like an unstoppable torrent, relentlessly battering the shores of his sanity.

"It’s you, all because of you!"

He bellowed, his voice shrill, glaring venomously at Xuanzhen.

Yes, it was indeed all because of Xuanzhen.

Thanks to Xuanzhen's inside cooperation, Yang Zhenshan had easily learned of Mo Xuanyu's plans to attack the Beishi family, subsequently thwarting him.

Yang Zhenshan then leaked the information provided by Xuanzhen to the Three Sects of Lingxiu, forcing Xuanzhen to abandon Black Mountain Ridge and relocate to Lotus Heart Valley.

Finally, the pair seized the opportune moment of Mo Xuanyu's absence to utterly annihilate his Evil Blood Killing Array and Ten Thousand Ghost Blood Pool, making off with the Ten Thousand Ghost Blood Jade.

Mo Xuanyu was left isolated and alone, too afraid to even return to the Unpredictable Ghost Sect.

All of this, because of Xuanzhen!

Mo Xuanyu harbored an extreme hatred for Xuanzhen, desiring nothing more than to drink his blood, feast on his flesh, and refine his very soul.

"You deserve to die!"

His face contorted, eyes blazing, his body radiating a seething blood aura, he suddenly summoned the Soul Suppressing Lamp and hurled it at Xuanzhen.

The Soul Suppressing Lamp, as its name suggests, possesses the ability to suppress souls.

Should one be struck by the Soul Suppressing Lamp, their Divine Soul would sustain damage.

This artifact, much like the Soul-breaking Cone, specifically targets the Divine Soul and spectral entities.

Yet, Xuanzhen remained unmoved, his magical sword, now enshrouded in golden light, slashing down towards the Soul Suppressing Lamp.

In terms of both quality and quantity of mystical artifacts, Xuanzhen was at a significant disadvantage compared to Mo Xuanyu.

In terms of cultivation, Xuanzhen was also inferior to Mo Xuanyu. Although Mo Xuanyu remained at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment, his spiritual power far surpassed Xuanzhen's.

However, the Golden Light Spell served to bridge the gap in magical treasures, amplifying Xuanzhen’s magical sword to meet the Soul Suppressing Lamp head-on.

With a resounding clang, the Soul Suppressing Lamp and the magical sword collided, unleashing a surge of spiritual power that caused ripples, and the Golden Light Spell on Xuanzhen emanated waves.

Simultaneously, the Soul Suppressing Lamp was repelled, flying back to Mo Xuanyu's side.