Chapter 536: Skeleton King

"Mr. Corpse, can you control these skeletons?" Zhong Shan turned to Mr. Corpse.

"Controlling these skeletons is not difficult," Mr. Corpse replied.

"Control them and ensure they do not attack the Yin-Yang Hall. We must prevent any outsiders from destroying it," Zhong Shan instructed.

"Understood!" Mr. Corpse nodded.

Mr. Corpse then took to the sky, his sleeves billowing as black mist poured from them, spreading in all directions. As the black mist touched the skeletons, they immediately froze, ceasing all movement.

Mr. Corpse continued flying, dispersing the black mist to control the numerous skeletons.

Zhong Shan, Lin Xiao, and Xianxian stood in front of the Yin-Yang Hall.

Zhong Shan's priority was to ensure the absolute safety of the Yin-Yang Hall. This hall was the critical link to the living world, and it could not be compromised.

"Zhong Shan, what do you want these skeletons to do? Protect the Yin-Yang Hall?" Xianxian asked curiously.

"Protection is secondary. The primary goal is to ensure they do not attack the hall. We will eventually leave here, and the Yin-Yang Hall must remain hidden. Just as there are feng shui masters in the living world, there are similar experts here in the underworld," Zhong Shan explained.

At that moment, Mr. Corpse suddenly flew back, looking grave.

"Your Majesty!" Mr. Corpse called out.

"What is it?" Zhong Shan noticed Mr. Corpse's worried expression.

"Your Majesty, I have discovered a cocoon of death energy," Mr. Corpse said with a frown.

"Oh? Where?"

"What is a cocoon of death energy?" Xianxian asked, puzzled.

"It's in that mountain hollow, where the Yin energy is most concentrated. A cocoon of death energy might contain some treasure or a fierce entity in seclusion. It uses death energy to seal whatever is inside," Mr. Corpse explained.

"Isn't that similar to a formation or a restriction?" Xianxian asked, confused.

"No, it's different. A formation or restriction isolates the inside from the outside, whereas a cocoon of death energy doesn't. It absorbs death energy from the outside world to supply the powerful being or treasure within," Mr. Corpse clarified.

"Lin Xiao, stay here and alert us if anything happens. Let's go take a look!" Zhong Shan ordered.

"Yes!" Lin Xiao replied promptly.

Zhong Shan and Xianxian quickly followed Mr. Corpse as they flew away from the Yin-Yang Hall. It didn't take long for them to reach the mountain hollow.

The hollow seemed ordinary at first glance, with fewer skeletons around.

Zhong Shan looked at Mr. Corpse, who quickly released more black mist from his sleeve. The mist enveloped the hollow, revealing a deep, dark hole within, swirling with thick death energy. Around the hole stood a dozen skeletons clad in metal armor, seemingly guarding the entrance.

"Your Majesty, do you see those skeletons? Their bones are mostly silver, and that leader-like skeleton is golden," Mr. Corpse pointed out cautiously.

"A gold skeleton?" Zhong Shan frowned.

"Yes, gold skeletons and silver skeletons have intelligence. Silver skeletons are roughly equivalent to human Nascent Soul stage cultivators, while gold skeletons possess Emperor Extreme Realm strength. With such powerful skeletons guarding this place, whatever lies within that dark hole must be incredibly valuable or a powerful entity," Mr. Corpse said, concerned.

"Intelligence? But the gold skeleton hasn't detected us," Xianxian noted.

Mr. Corpse shook his head. "That's because the cocoon of death energy isn't fully activated. They can't sense us. The mist I released allowed us to see them."

Zhong Shan squinted, focusing on the dark hole.

"Your Majesty, what should we do? Should we open it?" Mr. Corpse swallowed nervously.

"Open it!" Zhong Shan commanded without hesitation.

He could not allow potential threats so close to the Yin-Yang Hall to remain unchecked. What exactly were these golden skeletons guarding?

Zhong Shan and Xianxian retreated to a nearby hill while Mr. Corpse prepared. He took out a wooden knife, cut his palm to draw blood, and began chanting an eerie incantation. As he flung the knife into the air, it glowed brightly, descending like a blazing sun towards the mountain hollow, dissolving the death energy and dispersing the Yin energy.

With a loud crack, the cocoon of death energy split open, revealing sixteen skeletons whose eye sockets suddenly glowed with a ghostly blue light.

"Clack!"

The skeletons, as if waking from an ancient slumber, raised their heads simultaneously, their gaze fixed on the wooden knife. They lifted their weapons, standing guard before the dark hole, facing Mr. Corpse.

Mr. Corpse smiled confidently, showing no fear of the skeletons. With a wave of his hand, a red wooden coffin appeared, standing upright on the ground.

"Boom!"

The coffin lid fell to the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust, and revealed a zombie with a talisman pasted on its forehead. The zombie was wrapped in white cloth strips, leaving only its eyes visible.

Mr. Corpse reached out, and the talisman flew into his hand. The zombie's eyes opened, releasing a powerful aura that spread in all directions.

"A Buddha corpse?" Zhong Shan immediately recognized the formidable zombie. It had been a Heavenly Extreme Realm cultivator in life, and even as an incomplete zombie, it was far beyond the Emperor Extreme Realm.

The powerful aura pressed against the sixteen skeletons. The golden skeleton stood at the forefront, undaunted despite the overwhelming pressure. However, the powerful aura still caused it to tremble.

Zhong Shan observed the skeletons closely. It was clear they were protecting the dark hole. What could be inside?

The fifteen silver skeletons, sensing danger, placed their hands on the golden skeleton. Suddenly, the blue light in their eyes transferred into the golden skeleton's body.

The golden skeleton's skull glowed even brighter, emitting a dazzling light. It shone with a golden radiance, managing to withstand the oppressive aura of the Buddha corpse. Meanwhile, the fifteen silver skeletons collapsed into piles of dust, blown away by the wind.

"How is this possible? They've sacrificed their soul flames?" Mr. Corpse exclaimed in surprise.

"The silver skeletons sacrificed themselves to empower the golden skeleton? But even so, the golden skeleton's strength shouldn't surpass Mr. Corpse's," Xianxian remarked, astonished.

Zhong Shan narrowed his eyes, sensing something amiss. The silver skeletons had intelligence, and so did the golden skeleton. Despite being outmatched by the Buddha corpse, they chose to fight to the death rather than flee.

"Your Majesty, there must be something extremely valuable or dangerous inside that hole if they're willing to sacrifice themselves," Mr. Corpse said, his voice tinged with urgency.

"Indeed. Prepare yourself, everyone. We're about to find out what they're guarding," Zhong Shan commanded, his determination unwavering.

As the tension mounted, Zhong Shan led his group closer to the dark hole, ready to confront whatever lay within.

"Mr. Corpse, quick, attack!" Zhong Shan suddenly shouted.

"Yes!" Mr. Corpse responded immediately.

The Buddha zombie burst out of the coffin, charging straight at the golden skeleton. It moved with incredible speed, reaching the golden skeleton in an instant. The golden skeleton swung its long blade at the Buddha zombie.

"Boom!"

The blade shattered, and the golden skeleton was slammed into the mountain, causing a shower of debris. Despite its formidable strength, the golden skeleton's bones remained intact. It quickly extricated itself from the rubble and stood guard in front of the black hole once more.

"Raaaaaaah!"

The skeleton let out a furious roar. The Buddha zombie struck again with a powerful blow, sending a burst of golden light through the air.

"Boom!"

The golden skeleton was sent flying again, its right arm shattering in the process. Yet, it stubbornly refused to give up. With its remaining strength, it steadied itself and suddenly charged at Mr. Corpse, clearly recognizing him as the one controlling the Buddha zombie.

However, the golden skeleton's speed could not outmatch the Buddha zombie.

"Boom!"

The golden skeleton was struck again, this time losing its right leg. The Buddha zombie was about to pursue when Zhong Shan called out.

"Stop!"

Mr. Corpse immediately commanded the Buddha zombie to return to Zhong Shan's side.

Zhong Shan's attention was drawn to the black hole. Dark energy was pouring out, not dispersing, but extending like countless tendrils in all directions.

"Your Majesty, there's a powerful entity in that black hole," Mr. Corpse said with a frown.

"The golden skeleton has intelligence. It knows it can't win, yet it refuses to leave. It's clearly buying time. There must be a powerful being down there!" Zhong Shan said, his brows furrowed.

"That is the most concentrated death energy I've ever seen," Mr. Corpse pointed to the black energy emanating from the hole.

The golden skeleton returned to the black hole, glaring in Zhong Shan's direction.

"I have a bad feeling about this! We should leave now," Xianxian said, her face showing her concern.

"No, we can't. This hole is too close to the Yin-Yang Hall. We need to understand what's going on," Zhong Shan replied firmly.

A faint slap sound came from the hole, and another skeletal hand emerged—a pitch-black skeletal hand. Another skeleton was climbing out of the hole.

"A king... a Skeleton King?" Mr. Corpse suddenly exclaimed in shock.

"A Skeleton King? What is that?" Zhong Shan immediately asked.

"Your Majesty, we need to leave immediately. A Skeleton King, how is this possible?" Mr. Corpse shouted in disbelief.

Their luck was too incredible—encountering a Skeleton King right after arriving in the underworld?

"What kind of power does a Skeleton King possess?" Zhong Shan interrupted.

"Heavenly Extreme Realm. It's at the Heavenly Extreme Realm!" Mr. Corpse quickly responded.

A Heavenly Extreme Realm Skeleton King?

As the black skeletal hand emerged, a terrifying aura exploded from the black hole. The oppressive energy turned Xianxian's face pale. Mr. Corpse summoned two more coffins, and two additional Buddha zombies emerged.

A Heavenly Extreme Realm Skeleton King? And in this desolate place? Mr. Corpse's face turned extremely grim.

"Prepare yourselves! This is going to be a tough fight," Zhong Shan ordered, his eyes fixed on the emerging skeleton.