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The iron gate opens, A gust of frigid air burst from the widening entrance, swirling past them like icy fingers. Kent instinctively stepped in front of Nima, his body tensing.
The mist inside the gate thickened, then parted. And some ghost stepped out. Spectral figures wrapped in faded cloaks, their bodies barely solid. But there was something different about these ones.
They weren’t mindless like skeleton ghosts. Their eyes glowed. A deep, pulsing blue light shines within their skulls, and the moment they saw Kent and Nima, a low, raspy whisper echoed through the air.
"New blood… finally."
Kent clenched his fists. "You know, I really hate it when creepy things talk in unison."
The figures didn’t attack, at least not yet. They watched. Their eyes flicked from Kent to Nima, lingering on her for a moment longer before one of them stepped forward.
Unlike the others, this one wore armor. Rusted, cracked, and ancient, but still intact. It was holding a sword in his hands.
System, use appraisal.
[Ding! Demonic soul: ’Fifty’ level D Demonic sect disciple.]
[Ding! Demonic soul: One Elite disciple Cultivation Level C]
[Description: Trapped for Thousands of years. Most of the Cultivation lost. Trying to regain their cultivation with human sacrifice/blood. Status: weak and recovering.]
"So, the sword holding one is an elite disciple. They want human sacrifice. They think we are easy targets. Bunch of fools."
It spoke to Nima ’elite disciple’. "You do not belong here." Its voice was deep, weighted with centuries. "Yet you stand before the Gate of the Forsaken." (soul language.)
"Why can’t I understand what this sword holder disciple is saying? Hey system, translate everything for me. I want to know what this skeleton is talking about."
[Ding! Translating the soul language. Good news host. It will be a low cost ’SP’ translation. Because the host has a bloodline connection with the Soulbinder Nima.]
Nima straightened, her own dark aura pulsing around her. She replies to the elite disciple "We didn’t come here willingly. We were forcefully pulled here. Show us the way. We will leave."
"Few do," the elite disciple said. "And fewer leave. Give you blood for our freedom."
Kent exhaled through his nose. "Yeah, figured that part out. So, what’s the deal? You guys just hang around, waiting for unlucky travelers to drop in? Or did you forcefully pull us?"
The source of this c𝓸ntent is freewebnøvel.coɱ.
The elite disciple tilted its head. This place is a threshold. A broken space between life and death in a prison. We were trapped here for a long time.
"Few months ago we started to feel spiritual energy again. It took a toll on us to open this prison. We need blood sacrifice to break this prison. Give us your life."
Nima frowned. "what? You Want to Kill people? First tell me, who prisoned you here?"
The elite disciple turned its glowing eyes toward her." We are prisoned By the one who built the gate."
A deep, inhuman voice spoke.
"Stop your chit-chat. Finish them. Don’t waste my time you foolish disciples."
A ripple passed through the other demonic souls. The very air seemed to tighten, like the world itself was reacting to the words.
And then—"You have come far…" The pocket dimension shook. Kent’s breath caught as something massive moved beyond the gate. A presence—one that felt too large, too ancient that belonged here.
The demonic souls immediately dropped to one knee and the elite disciple followed too.
Nima’s fingers curled at her sides. "…Kent."
"Yeah?"
"My black hole is reacting to the voice. I can feel this one’s soul is very strong."
Before Kent could answer. The mist parted further. And something stepped through.
At first, it was just shadows. A towering silhouette, shifting like liquid darkness, its form never quite solidifying.
Then—eyes..Four of them like spider eyes. Glowing, spiraling, blinking in and out of existence across its shifting body. A massive, clawed hand emerged next.
Kent swallowed. Okay, This is bad. It looks like we are in a tough situation. This guy has very strong spiritual fluctuations.
System use appraisal.
[Ding! Cost 500 thousand SP.] [Yes/No]
Damn it, I can’t waste SP. This must be a Level-B. After losing the cultivation If he is now this strong. How strong he was in his peak form. System, open the shop. Kent quickly buys three Cultivation fruits and puts them inside his mouth.
GLUP!
The creature spoken, its voice a mix of echoes and whispers. "You are not meant for this place… yet here you stand."
Nima gritted her teeth. " Didn’t I already answer that question? We didn’t ask to be here. Are a stupid Boss? Didn’t you hear what I said?"
The thing laughed. A low, bone-rattling sound that sent shivers through the air. Girl, You are fearless. I heard everything. "That does not matter. Only one thing matters…"
Nima says, tell us how can we leave? I will give a chance to be my third servant. You are strong. I will help you to change your ugly look. You know I had a ugly servant but now it looks very decent and cute.
It raised a massive claw saying "you want me, the demonic Sect ’sect leader’ to be a servant of a little kid?" " Do you know who you are talking to? Prove your worth if you want to be my master or die."
Kent sighed. "Yeah, I really should’ve seen this coming. Nima can’t you just keep quiet. Why are you acting like you are some big shot cultivator?" One Day, this girl will be the reason for my death.
[Ding! Congratulations host for leveling up. Cultivation: Level-D (middle)]
[Soul Slasher dagger power increasing. Please wait. The dagger is unavailable for now.]
My weapon went out of commission when I needed it most... system you screw me over. Why am I always getting into this kind of situation?
The moment the demonic leader moved, the entire realm reacted. The swirling sky turned black. The ruins trembled. The demonic souls watching from the sidelines vanished, retreating into the mist as the ground beneath Kent’s feet cracked.
Then—A shockwave. Rocks crumble on the grounds. Old structures were shaking like they were put on a vibrating machine.
The leader swung its massive arm. The very air around them split from the force, sending a wave of destruction straight at them.
Kent’s instincts kicked in. He grabbed Nima and jumped. Please, Next time keep your mouth shut.
The blast tore through the ground where they’d been standing, reducing it to dust.
Kent landed hard, skidding back. His pulse pounded. This thing is fast.
Nima was already moving, weaving spiritual energy in the air. Dark energy gathered around her.
"I’ll slow it down," she said. "You hit it big brother." My soul binder powers are the perfect nemesis of him. Then she says, you ugly ghost, My big brother will show you who’s the boss. Once I capture you, I will make you clean the ’poop’ toilet.
Kent grinned. "Damn it Nima, you are taking big again. I am not sure if I can beat him or not." I can feel this guy’s cultivation is at least Level-B right now. Nima, be careful. Don’t do anything dangerous.
Nima released her soul chains. A wave of black chains erupted from the ground, lashing toward the creature. They wrapped around its arms, its torso, its legs—tightening, holding.
For a second, it stilled. Kent didn’t hesitate. He lunged forward, clocking his fist with with Flames. Right hand with Hellfire and left hand with Frost flame. He wanted to see which fire is best to deal more damage.
Kent punched the demonic leader with Frost fire first. The impact cracked the air itself.
The leader reeled, stumbling backward as Kent’s fist connected with its solid body. Kent could see some ice around the leader’s chest. For a brief moment, the swirling shadows around it wavered, revealing something solid beneath frozen in ice.
But then—The chains shattered. And it countered with the massive clawed hand slammed into Kent, sending him flying. He crashed into the ruins’ stone walls, stone shattering around him.
Pain exploded through his body. He gritted his teeth, forcing himself up. This doesn’t feel like a Level-B cultivator full power. What’s going on?
This thing wasn’t that strong. It… it’s—"Incomplete."
The word echoed through his mind. Kent’s eyes narrowed. It wasn’t fully formed. Its power seemed to distribute among the other demonic ghosts. Which meant—I had a chance to defeat it. But I have to do it quickly.
He wiped the blood from his lip and cracked his knuckles. "Alright, big guy. Let’s see who breaks first. It’s time for you to taste my hellfire."
The leader charged. And the battle truly began.
Kent barely had time to react as the demonic leader charging at him, its massive claw cutting through the air like a guillotine. He twisted his body, barely dodging as the force of the strike shattered the ground beneath him.
Damn, this thing is fast.