Chapter 25 ：Soul Transformation Emerges

In the hazy ghost king city, Lu Yun led the six others to carefully search the city. To avoid encountering large numbers of Yin Corpse soldiers, Lu Yun used his mental waves to detect movements around them, preemptively avoiding large groups of soldiers whenever possible. This method of search saved them a lot of trouble.

Half an hour passed, and the group of seven had basically searched the entire perimeter of the ghost king city, but unfortunately found no trace of anything. Stopping in midair, Lu Yun and the others sheathed their swords and stood still, each controlling their aura as they observed the densely built structures of the inner city. Lu Yun spoke softly, "Now only the inner city remains unsearched, but the density of ghost soldiers inside is obviously three times higher than outside. If we want to search quietly, it will be very difficult. Moreover, I can feel that within the inner city, there are several extremely powerful auras, no less formidable than the Ghost Marshal Illusionary Charm in the Black River Domain."

At his words, the others' faces grew grave, clearly understanding the daunting situation. With the group's current strength, searching for a mysterious location in this otherworldly ghost king city was indeed a dangerous task. Looking towards the city, Yun Feng asked, "So what should we do now? Should we stop advancing here or retreat? It's dangerous to advance now; the enemy's forces are formidable, and we could easily find ourselves in a perilous situation. But if we don't advance, we have little time left. What do you all think we should do?"

After exchanging glances, everyone's gaze eventually focused on Lu Yun, as he was the leader of the group at this moment. Looking towards the city, Lu Yun spoke in a solemn tone, "Since we've come this far, there's no turning back now. However, to minimize resistance, we need to carefully consider our options. Yun Feng, immediately use your abilities to locate the whereabouts of Swordless Dust and the others. I want to know where they are hiding, so we can make informed decisions."

Yun Feng nodded slightly in response to Lu Yun's instructions and began using his mysterious Yin-Yang Secret Technique to search for Swordless Dust and the others. Meanwhile, Feng Yuanyang added, "Based on the information we received from the Black River Domain, we can tentatively assume that the Yin Corpse Realm also has a Ghost King, a Ghost Marshal, and three Ghost Immortals, three major generals. Among them, the Ghost King and the Ghost Marshal are particularly dominant, and we may not be able to handle them directly. Even dealing with the Ghost Immortals would be extremely difficult for us. Therefore, our task this time is incredibly arduous."

Upon hearing this, Cang Yue whispered, "This is a conservative estimate. We haven't even taken into account the Immortal Blood Reaper and the Undead Ghost Fiend. Among these experts, the ones we need to be most wary of are the Ghost King, the Ghost Marshal, the Immortal Blood Reaper, and the Undead Ghost Fiend. Currently, we may not have the strength to confront them directly. Last time in the Ghost King City of the Black River Domain, we almost couldn't make it back, and those were just experts from the Black River Domain. Once we face the experts from the entire Yin Corpse Realm, even if we manage to seize the Soul Transformation Token in the end, there might be no way out for us."

Silent, solemn, the group did not speak much at this moment. Yun Feng, now awakened, spoke, "I have located their whereabouts. They are currently hiding in a corner of the city, less than ten yards away from the Ghost Castle. They are all fully concealing their auras, which is why we couldn't sense them here. Additionally, based on my analysis, they seem to be closely observing something inside."

Lu Yun pondered for a moment before saying, "It seems they are ahead of us this time, which might be a good thing. At least we can save ourselves a lot of trouble. Yun Feng, lead everyone to approach them slowly. We also need to see what they are observing. Perhaps we can find clues to the location of the Soul Transformation Pool."

After nearly half an hour of careful maneuvering to avoid countless ghost soldiers, the group of seven finally approached a tall building. Looking at the building, they were surprised to find that it was a Ghost Castle, with a giant "king" character quietly floating on its surface, indicating that the King of the Yin Corpse Realm resided within. After exchanging glances, Lu Yun gestured for everyone to be careful, as this was clearly no ordinary place.

With a thought, Lu Yun quickly located Swordless Dust and the others, who were hiding less than ten yards away from the Ghost Castle on the roof of a nearby ghost house, observing the situation inside intently. After surveying the surroundings, Lu Yun communicated with Yun Feng, "Can you use your invisibility technique here? If so, get closer and carefully observe what's happening inside the castle."

Yun Feng nodded and silently activated his invisibility technique, approaching the Ghost Castle cautiously. Carefully approaching the castle, Yun Feng chose a secluded spot under the eaves of a nearby building, hiding himself completely while observing the situation inside.

Inside the Ghost Castle, two black figures were conversing in a spacious ghost hall. "My lord, according to the reactions of the guards in the city, intruders from the mortal realm have entered today. They have already killed many of our city guards and are currently hiding in the city. Should we thoroughly investigate this matter, or should we ignore them for now?"

"What is their purpose in coming here? That is what matters. Have you found out?"

"Their purpose in coming here, according to the information I obtained from the Black River Domain, is to find the Soul Transformation Pool and retrieve the Soul Sealing Talisman. Currently, the Blood Reaper Yan Luo is present in the Black River Domain, so no one dares to cause trouble there. That's why they shifted their focus here. I believe they want to find out the location of the Soul Transformation Pool from us to seize the opportunity."

"Heh heh, they're looking for trouble in the wrong place. This time, with the revival of the Blood Reaper Yan Luo, the Black River Domain was the first to suffer. Their next target is likely to be us and the No Soul Domain. Right now, our main enemy is the Blood Reaper Yan Luo, so we need to conserve our strength to deal with that primary enemy. As for these intr

uding cultivators from the mortal realm, what do you think we should do with them?"

"On this matter, it depends on your decision, my lord. In my opinion, since they are looking for the Soul Transformation Pool and want to retrieve the Soul Sealing Talisman, we cannot allow them to succeed. I think we should deliver a heavy blow to them at a critical moment to let them know that this place is not to be trifled with. These next ten days are crucial. Once those ten days pass, even if they find the Soul Transformation Pool, it will be of no use. What do you think, my lord?"

"Heh heh, your thinking is not bad, but unfortunately, you are not ruthless enough. You've been following me for many years in vain, you're truly foolish. The Soul Transformation Pool is located in the No Soul Domain. They won't be able to approach it so easily. Even if they manage to reach the Soul Transformation Pool, they will definitely suffer heavy losses in a confrontation with the No Soul Domain. At that time, we can step in and reap the benefits. Besides, the Soul Transformation Pool is one of the three forbidden areas of our Yin Corpse Realm. Even if no one obstructs them, there is no one who can retrieve the Soul Sealing Talisman alive from the Soul Transformation Pool. Understand?"

The conversation continued, with the two figures inside the Ghost Castle discussing their plans. Would Lu Yun and his companions be able to eavesdrop on their conversation and gain valuable information? And what dangers awaited them as they approached the Ghost Castle? The answers lay ahead, shrouded in uncertainty and peril.

"Your Majesty is wise, and I am enlightened by your teachings. Actually, even if we don't show ourselves, I'm sure those experts from the Black River Domain won't let them succeed. We don't need to take action; we just need to sit back and watch them fight. Hey, who dares to approach this king's mansion? Show yourselves!" Surprised voices suddenly emanated from the Ghost King, causing the nearby Ghost Marshal to roar angrily and shoot out of the palace.

Startled, Yun Feng wondered why he had been detected when he hadn't moved. Before he could ponder further, Lu Yun's voice echoed in his mind, instructing him to divert the Ghost Marshal's attention by heading towards Swordless Dust and the others' hiding place. With a wry smile, Yun Feng complied, realizing Lu Yun's cunning plan.

With a grin, Yun Feng halted in midair, glanced back at the approaching Ghost Marshal, then yelled and flew towards Swordless Dust and the others. A furious roar followed, and a burst of colorful light surged towards the Ghost Marshal, forcing him back several meters. Taking advantage of the distraction, Swordless Dust and his companions revealed themselves and fled. Meanwhile, Yun Feng stealthily returned to Lu Yun and the others' side.

As Yun Feng rejoined them, a silent, black sphere materialized in midair. Within it, ghostly flames flickered, casting a sinister gaze towards Lu Yun and his companions' hiding place. Lu Yun's heart trembled, realizing the Ghost King's formidable power, and quickly ordered the group to discreetly leave.

Under the dim sky, amidst the murky atmosphere, the Ghost King and Ghost Marshal stood silently in midair, watching Lu Yun and Swordless Dust's groups depart. Suddenly, the Ghost Marshal chuckled, "Your Majesty's plan is truly ingenious. I doubt they can guess our intentions."

With an eerie smile, the Ghost King replied, "With the resurrection of the Blood Reaper Yan Luo, chaos is inevitable in the Ghost Realm. Our main priority now is to conserve our strength and wait for the right moment. How we utilize the power of these cultivators from the mortal realm to eliminate our enemies is crucial. Once successful, we can unify the Ghost Realm without shedding blood and then invade the mortal realm. At that time, the whole world will be ours. As for the Soul Transformation Pool, they will never find it. Even if they do, it's hopeless. Ha ha ha."

The triumphant laughter echoed in the murky city. Their sinister tone and cunning schemes subtly drove the plot forward. Whether their plan would succeed remained uncertain, as no one could predict the outcome.

As they left the Yin Corpse Realm, Lu Yun and his companions hurried towards the No Soul Domain. Along the way, Yun Feng recounted the conversation between the Ghost King and the Ghost Marshal. Finally, he said, "From their words, it seems the Soul Transformation Pool should be in the Ghost King's city in the No Soul Domain. I believe Swordless Dust and his group also know this by now. They must be rushing there to reclaim the Soul Sealing Talisman and boast about it."

Elder Ziyang agreed, "Yun Feng makes a good point. They must have such intentions. We need to pick up the pace and ensure we reach there ahead of them for a better chance to obtain the talisman. Let's go faster." With that, Elder Ziyang increased his pace, and the group followed suit.

Lu Yun glanced at everyone and whispered, "Slow down, everyone. Let me finish. Yun Feng just relayed the conversation between the Ghost King and the Ghost Marshal. You all heard it. Whoever arrives there first will become a formidable enemy in the No Soul Domain. If we arrive first, we'll surely face powerful attacks. After exhausting our true essence against them, can we still contend with Swordless Dust's group when they suddenly appear?"

Aiden exchanged a glance with Cang Yue, both smiling lightly without speaking. However, Elder Ziyang, Yun Feng, Feng Yuanyang, and Xue Jian were puzzled, analyzing Lu Yun's implications carefully. They looked at Lu Yun, a hint of curiosity in their eyes, unable to fully understand his thoughts. Elder Ziyang asked, "Lu Yun, we understand your point, but what if Swordless Dust's group gets there first and retrieves the talisman? It would be embarrassing for us when we return to the mortal realm."

Lu Yun smiled faintly, leading the group forward steadily. "Don't worry about that. Have you forgotten that the Soul Transformation Pool is one of the three forbidden areas in the Ghost Realm? Remember how we struggled to escape when we encountered the Unyielding Ridge? I doubt just anyone can solve it. Now that we know Swordless Dust is ahead, we'll travel alongside them, like mantises stalking cicadas while the oriole lurks behind. Isn't that better?"

Yun Feng patted Lu Yun's shoulder, chuckling, "Well done, Lu Yun. You always have brilliant ideas. If Swordless Dust hears about this, he'll probably be furious. Ha ha, it's brilliant. Let's wait until they're exhausted, then we'll appear suddenly. That'll be something."

Feng Yuanyang looked at Lu Yun, his expression somewhat strange. He felt Lu Yun was different from ordinary people. Lu Yun's character was extremely unpredictable, making it hard to gauge his thoughts. At that moment, he realized Lu Yun was not just the refined gentleman he appeared to be; his inner world was complex and ever-changing. Aiden and Cang Yue also gazed at Lu Yun, a hint of contemplation in their eyes, sensing something but choosing not to speak.

Arriving at the No Soul Domain, Lu Yun and his companions stopped a hundred feet away, observing carefully. From a distance, they could see a shallow greenish-black light shrouding a city. Two layers of light, one greenish and one black, enveloped the Ghost King's city within the No Soul Domain.

Turning back, Lu Yun whispered, "In just two days, we've entered two Ghost King cities in succession. Now, only this one remains. Let's hope everyone is careful. Judging from the protective light shields outside, the No Soul Domain may be more guarded and dangerous than the previous two places. Our purpose here is clear: to reclaim the Soul Sealing Talisman. We're not here to show off; we'll use any means necessary to achieve our goal. So, let's enter together."

In a calm tone tinged with seriousness, everyone noticed that Lu Yun seemed different from his usual self at this moment. However, they couldn't quite pinpoint what exactly was different. Exchanging glances, they followed behind Lu Yun towards the mysterious Ghost King's city in the No Soul Domain.

As they approached, Lu Yun's mental waves had already detected the method to break the mysterious light barrier, so the group easily entered it. As expected, this place was different from the previous two locations. Here, the light was bright, almost like daylight in the mortal realm. However, the source of this brightness was a blood-red hue, a strange and ominous blood-red. The architectural style was also different, resembling a maze with numerous passages.

Observing the scenery, Yun Feng spoke up, "Strange, why can't we see any wandering spirits here? I remember both the Black River Domain and the Yin Corpse Domain had wandering spirits, so why not here? And why is it so bright here? It doesn't feel like the Ghost Realm at all; instead, it's more like the mortal realm."

Xu Jie whispered, "Moreover, the atmosphere here lacks that eerie feeling and instead has a strong aura of bloodshed. It feels like stepping into a bloody battlefield, unlike the Ghost Realm." Finishing her statement, she looked around and noticed everyone's strange expressions.

Aiden restrained the Purple Shadow Sword and murmured, "It's very strange; my sword has been trembling since we arrived here, as if something is about to happen. I wonder if you're experiencing the same, Cang Yue?"

"Same as you, my Howling Moon Divine Sword has been vibrating continuously, as if it wants to unsheathe itself. I've never experienced this since I obtained the sword. I don't understand why," Cang Yue said in surprise, looking at Aiden.

Sweeping his gaze over everyone, Lu Yun's face darkened as he said, "Everyone, be careful. Now I understand why the Yin Corpse Domain never dared to attack this place, and why it's called the No Soul Domain."

Seeing Lu Yun's serious expression, everyone's hearts sank, knowing that things were not good. Yun Feng asked, "Lu Yun, if you have something to say, just say it clearly. Don't leave us hanging. Why didn't the Yin Corpse Domain dare to attack this place, and why is it called the No Soul Domain?"

Glancing around, Lu Yun said solemnly, "If everyone observes carefully, you'll notice that there isn't a single trace of wandering spirits here. Additionally, the surrounding aura contains a strong bloodthirsty essence that completely masks all other scents. The name No Soul Domain suggests that no wandering spirits can be found here. The reason why the Yin Corpse Domain didn't dare to attack is precisely because of the devouring power of the bloodthirsty aura here, which can corrode the Yin Corpse Domain's ghostly soldiers' souls. Having traveled through all three Ghost King cities, I now realize that within the Black River Domain, all ghostly creatures are the most orthodox, with their eerie atmosphere being the most prominent. The Yin Corpse Domain's creatures, on the other hand, exude a sinister aura, resembling zombies in the mortal realm, with a hint of evil in their ghostly aura. As for here, although we haven't seen any ghostly creatures yet, I'm certain that this is the place with the heaviest malevolent aura and bloodthirsty essence in the entire Ghost Realm. If my deduction is correct, all the creatures here should manifest in physical form, rather than as wandering spirits."

Upon hearing this, everyone was stunned, their faces filled with shock as they looked at Lu Yun. Yun Feng couldn't understand; ghostly creatures are supposed to be wandering spirits, so why did Lu Yun say they were physical entities? It was puzzling and hard to grasp.

"Lu Yun, how can you say that the ghostly creatures here aren't wandering spirits? In our understanding, ghostly creatures are always wandering spirits and never physical entities. Are you mistaken, or is there a reason for saying this?" Yun Feng couldn't help but ask his doubts.

Without turning back, Lu Yun gazed quietly at the city ahead, simultaneously scanning for any activity with his mental waves. He replied, "Indeed, ghostly creatures are wandering spirits, that's correct. But when I say the creatures here are physical, it's in comparison to the other two Ghost King cities. The bloodthirsty aura here has a devouring effect on wandering spirits, so scattered wandering spirits cannot exist here. The creatures that appear here will manifest in physical forms to our eyes. However, to overcome the devouring effect of this bloodthirsty aura, the surviving creatures must possess formidable cultivation. In other words, among the three Ghost King cities, the creatures in the No Soul Domain may be fewer in number but undoubtedly the most powerful."

Elder Ziyang whispered, "If that's the case, we need to be even more careful in our actions. Now that everyone understands the danger here, let's find a place to hide first and then consider our next steps. It's extremely dangerous to stay here indefinitely. Let's go."

Turning back, Lu Yun glanced at Aiden and Cang Yue, whispering, "There's a very evil force at the center of the city, very strange. Your swords vibrating might be due to that aura. I haven't been able to determine what it is yet because it's shielded by a powerful energy barrier, blocking my mental waves from penetrating it. Also, I've detected the presence of Swordless Dust's group; they're heading towards the city center."

Surprised, Aiden and Cang Yue nodded slightly, not questioning why Lu Yun had gathered so much information. Meanwhile, Elder Ziyang looked at Lu Yun with a hint of doubt in his eyes, but he kept his questions to himself. Looking up at the sky, Elder Ziyang sighed silently, his eyes revealing a trace of worry. At this moment, what was he worried about? Was it about finding the Soul Transformation Pool, or something else? Perhaps, even he wasn't willing to say the result aloud.