Chapter 527: Chapter 20: Ghost King (Part 2)
Secondly,
Though using the Five Ghosts’ Pouch to achieve the position of Ghost King is desirable, it also means losing the possibility for further advancement.
The Five Ghosts’ Pouch heritage only reaches the Ghost King Realm, and once ascended, progression completely halts.
The Celestial Ghost Realm, a stage above, cannot be attained no matter what.
In other words,
the upper limit is locked!
Thirdly.
Fang Zheng has other options; whether it’s Master Jiuyuan’s heritage or the Elemental Thunder Skill, their potential surpasses the Five Ghosts’ Pouch.
Since there are better choices available, there’s no need to follow a dead-end path.
"Command!"
With a spell’s guidance, the suppressed Five Ghosts’ Pouch immediately begins to erupt, and the five ghosts inside roar in joyful anticipation.
Driven by instinct, they start to act.
"Woo..."
Plumes of ghostly smoke spill out from the Five Ghosts’ Pouch, as fierce ghosts emerge one after another, letting out piercing skyward howls.
Due to the array, the ghostly cries do not spread outward, yet still make the quiet room quake incessantly, showing their power.
The Five Ghosts appear!
At this moment, the Five Ghosts, aside from being wrapped in dark smoke and having a ferocious appearance, are indistinguishable from ordinary people.
Moreover, their strength easily crushes average Flawless Martial Artists.
When the Five Ghosts take action together, even a Great Mage can be easily torn apart.
"Boom!"
"Thud!"
"..."
The Five Ghosts’ Pouch glows brightly.
The engraved runes inside blaze with light, and then transform into countless threads that merge into the bodies of the Five Ghosts.
"Screech!"
The Five Ghosts howl sharply, their bodies coiled, ten ghost claws intertwining to form a swiftly rotating vortex.
In an instant, the field is filled with ghostly shadows, the cries are unceasing.
"Swish!"
Suddenly.
Countless ghostly shadows converge inward, the Five Ghosts’ Pouch contracts simultaneously, and a bizarre ball woven from ghostly energy appears on the scene.
Fang Zheng lowers his brow, chanting under his breath, casting spiritual formulas one after another into the bizarre ball.
Time,
slowly passes.
Unknown how long has passed.
Fang Zheng’s face turns sallow, his hair whitens, his Essence Qi dwindles, and his actions grow more sluggish.
"Crack..."
"Crack!"
The strange sound surfaces on the exterior of the bizarre ball, even a slight crack appears, expanding at a visible speed.
An immense and terrifying aura gushes forth.
It’s done!
Fang Zheng’s eyes shine brightly.
He knows now is the critical moment; he hurriedly retrieves a prepared Elixir and stuffs it into his mouth whole.
The medicinal strength floods his body, and his weakened Essence Qi is forcibly revived.
"Poof!"
A pitch-black ghost claw reaches out from inside the bizarre ball, gently moves a little, and slowly fractures the ball shell.
The ghost claw is pitch-black.
Not the usual black, but a kind of void sensation that presents itself after devouring surrounding brightness.
Slowly.
Another arm reaches out.
A terrifying aura emerges bit by bit from within the bizarre ball.
This aura is so powerful that merely instinctively radiating it outwards causes the array enveloping the place to constantly pulsate.
Fang Zheng possesses six Ruler Gang Qi, his physical body far surpasses his peers, yet still feels his body stiffen.
He can determine.
If that arm were to press on his body, he might lose half his life instantly.
Even he feels this way, others might be even less able to withstand it.
"Crackling..."
The shell of the bizarre ball completely shatters, a pitch-black, void silhouette emerges from within, slowly stretching.
With its movements, it seems even this space is being pushed open.
Ghost King!
Is this the Ghost King?
A being more formidable than ordinary Martial Sect, standing beside it already renders one unbearable.
"Buddhist Shrine!"
"Appear!"
Fang Zheng’s eyes snap open, the nearby Buddhist Shrine suddenly enlarges, emitting profound light to cover the Ghost King, and abruptly pulls it in.
Hmm?
The newborn Ghost King is without consciousness, only instinctually struggles, raising a hand to press into the void, causing the profound light of the Buddhist Shrine to stall.
However, Fang Zheng had prepared for this, chanting continuously, making the Ghost King’s movements falter.
Within the Ghost King, a strand of his Divine Split resides.
Utilizing this strand of Divine Split suffices to influence the Ghost King to a certain extent.
"Swish!"
The profound light turns, already enveloping the Ghost King within the Buddhist Shrine.
"Thunder Fire!"
"Appear!"
Fang Zheng moved his fingers slightly, and the various Spirit Talismans drawn in the field simultaneously lit up, successive bursts of Thunder Fire appearing.
The Thunder Fire enveloped the Buddhist Shrine, and began to slowly undergo refinement.
Controlling the Ghost King is not out of reach.
For Master Jiuyuan, who has already attained the level of a Rogue Immortal, although not easy, it is not troublesome either.
Simply extinguish the original consciousness of the Ghost King and instill one’s own will into it.
To Fang Zheng,
it is too demanding, like a child wielding a hundred-pound hammer, unable to swing it at all.
Luckily,
he possesses the insight of Master Jiuyuan, and furthermore, has the Buddhist Shrine that can suppress Underworld Soul Ghosts, making it possible to attempt refinement.
After all, the nascent Ghost King has not yet developed a true consciousness, taking this opportunity to let the Divine Split thoroughly control it.
Of course.
This requires Fang Zheng to be strong enough, otherwise he might face backlash, and he must refine it every now and then, suppressing the instinctive consciousness of the Ghost King.
This is why, prior to the ritual, he uses the Moon God Jade for deduction, ensuring no deviation occurs.
And if successful in refinement.
It’s equivalent to him having the power of a Master in a short time.
While refining the Ghost King, Fang Zheng took out items he acquired from ’Brother Miao’ and ’Xiao Gu’.
Xiao Gu came from the White Bone Sect, apart from that strange mirror that can stabilize a person, also had a Lifebound Magical Artifact known as the White Bone Pearl.
The White Bone Sect has a tradition of ritual refining Lifebound Magical Artifacts, choosing from White Bone Pearl, White Bone Whip, and White Bone Banner.
The White Bone Pearl is hidden at the back of the head, with numerous Fierce Ghosts howling inside, all souls killed by Xiao Gu.
When this treasure is perfected, it can transform into a White Bone Demon God, allowing the cultivator’s consciousness to detach from the flesh and survive.
Its divine power is boundless, its might unparalleled.
The White Bone Whip is hidden in the spine, capable of incorporating demon bones, ultimately achieving the wonders of transformation, with entry and exit prowess to the Netherworld.
The White Bone Banner is located at the heart, able to summon and capture souls.
It is said.
Cultivators of the White Bone Sect, who practice the same Lifebound Magical Artifact, must refine the artifacts of fellow sect members if they wish to advance.
White Bone Sect disciples traveling together typically choose different Lifebound Magical Artifacts for ritual refinement.
For instance, the woman’s Lifebound Magical Artifact is the White Bone Whip, while Xiao Gu’s is the White Bone Pearl, precisely to avoid mutual slaughter.
Even killing fellow sect disciples seems common, growing up in such an environment twists one’s nature.
Yet compared to the White Bone Pearl, Fang Zheng undoubtedly values the Qiankun Bag acquired from Brother Miao more.
This is the Qiankun Bag!
Even some Martial Sects and Masters lack such an item.
"Huh!"
With a slight shake.
The Qiankun Bag, White Bone Pearl, and Body-Stabilizing Mirror were all thrown into the Thunder Fire by him, anyway, one item or several items, might as well refine them all together.
Thunder Fire surged.
The quiet room was pitch black, focused on the ritual refinement of the Magical Artifacts and the Ghost King, Fang Zheng paid no mind to the passage of time.
No one knew how long it had been.
"Huh!"
With a crisp sound, the foreign energy in the Spirit Calming Pearl was thoroughly refined by Thunder Fire, becoming ownerless.
Not long after.
The White Bone Pearl also transformed into a spinning white bone pearl, with the Underworld Souls inside burned away by Thunder Fire, revealing a hint of sanctity.
Much later.
"Bang!"
The Qiankun Bag trembled lightly, then was drawn into Fang Zheng’s hand.
As True Qi flowed into it, the sealed opening of the bag instantly opened, revealing a space three square feet in size.
The space was not large, but it was packed full, though most of it was related to Gu Poison.
"Eh?"
"Water-Imbibed Flood Dragon Pearl!"
Fang Zheng’s eyes sparkled as he reached for an object.
This was a pearl the size of a dragon’s eye, with an inner fluctuation akin to flowing water, revealing ripples with a gentle sway.
This item can also be used to refine the Three Treasures Pill.
"Great!"
Fang Zheng praised lightly, then shook his head:
"It seems Linghu An and his companions indeed gained something by going to the East Sea, albeit encountering the Five Poison and White Bone Sect members."
"Given the nature of these two sects’ disciples, the chance of survival is extremely slim, only through aligning with An Tao could one survive."
"Alas!"
With a soft sigh, he slowly put away the pearl.
With this item, two types for the Three Treasures Pill are already acquired, only needing the third to proceed with refinement.
And for the third,
The memory of Master Jiuyuan holds its clues, and someone has already been dispatched to inquire, yet to return.
After steadying his mind, Fang Zheng continued looking at the Buddhist Shrine.
"Buzz..."
The Buddhist Shrine trembled slightly, the struggle within by the Ghost King grew weaker, and Fang Zheng could clearly perceive the Ghost King’s presence.
It seemed...
With a single thought, he could control it at will, as if it were an external limb of his body.
Just as the arm directs!
However, the Ghost King’s power is too terrifying, ensuring everything is flawless before relaxing.
Time passed.
One day.
"Out!"
Fang Zheng shouted softly, a dark shadow leapt from the Buddhist Shrine, gently landing in front of him.
"Hmm."
"Let’s test its quality first!"
