Chapter 36: Comeback

The dark night appeared particularly terrifying. Unlike the serene nights of the human world where gentle breezes rustled through willow trees in tranquil silence, the night in the Ghost Domain was different. Here, chilling winds swept through, carrying with them a sinister atmosphere. The unsettling aspect was the wailing of angry ghosts, intermittently echoing through the wind, and the lingering cries of lost souls haunting the night sky.

Quietly standing atop a hill, under the darkened sky, Lu Yun was lost in thought. The cold breeze tousled his light blue garments, fluttering around him like a ghostly apparition, as he gazed alone at the sky. Reflecting on his journey through the Ghost Domain, Lu Yun pondered over what had transpired.

From encountering the Undead Bloodfiend and the Interstice Ghost, to being swallowed by the Lock-Soul Well in the Black River Domain, experiencing a transformation due to the corrupting Bloodfiend Qi, and then meeting Yan Luo's resurrection in the Ghost King City, acquiring the miraculous Jade Wall at a critical moment, to the fierce battle at the Soul Transformation Pool, where he not only advanced his Mental Energy Wave frequency but also learned the immensely powerful Nine Transformation Unbounded from the Ghost Emperor. These were all unexpected events for Lu Yun.

However, along with these gains, this journey through the Ghost Domain was fraught with danger. Countless brushes with death forced Lu Yun to reveal the deeply concealed techniques he possessed. At this moment, he understood that his secrets could hardly remain hidden much longer. Currently, only the Ghost General, Phantom Enchantment, knew about his possession of the Bloodfiend Qi. Once this information leaked, he would have to face the consequences. How he would confront everyone and the world with this revelation, he was still unsure.

Perhaps, it was time to leave! His life was fated to never linger in Yi Garden for long. This return should also mark his departure. Came silently, leave silently, like the clouds in the sky, drifting gently. With a faint sigh, drifting quietly in the night, he pondered over the memories of this journey. When everything is said and done, would anyone remember the Ghost Domain when they looked back? Quietly glancing back, he watched another figure in the distance gazing at the sky. With a wistful expression, Purple Sun True Man couldn't help but shake his head lightly. Approaching the end, unraveling the mysteries gradually. When everything is revealed, perhaps there will be too many surprises to accept, too many changes to worry about.

Three days, three days in the Ghost Domain passed quietly. As everyone adjusted their state to the optimum, Yun Feng finally fulfilled everyone's expectations and figured out the method to break through the Heavenly River Array. Looking at everyone, Lu Yun spoke up: "Now that we have learned how to enter the Soul Transformation Pool, the most crucial thing is how to approach it and secure it. Only then can we have time to retrieve the Sealing Soul Talisman. Approaching the Soul Transformation Pool may be easy, but guarding it will be quite difficult. I believe everyone is well aware of this. But no matter how difficult it may be, we must proceed. This is our purpose here, a matter that concerns the safety of the entire human world. Even if we have to risk everything, we must complete this mission. Now, everyone get ready. We are setting off immediately!"

Looking quietly at everyone, Lu Yun's eyes revealed a hint of encouragement as he turned and rose on his sword. Behind him, the others felt a heavy mood, as if they were walking into a storm. Glancing at each other, they nodded simultaneously, rising on their swords with Lu Yun.

After traversing a long distance, the group approached the vicinity of the Asura Forest. The journey had been peaceful so far, giving an eerie sense of calm before the storm. Coming to a halt about three miles from the Asura Forest, Lu Yun pondered for a moment before speaking: "Yun Feng, carefully detect if there are any ghostly creatures nearby."

Casting a puzzled glance at Lu Yun, Yun Feng gently acknowledged and then began using his Yin-Yang Secret Technique to sense any movements in the surroundings. Since entering the Ghost Domain, Yun Feng had engaged in several battles and sustained injuries, causing all the power of the Scorpion Bead and Pill to meld into his body, resulting in a considerable increase in his strength compared to his time in the human world. However, due to the formidable experts in the Ghost Domain, he had yet to fully experience this improvement.

Watching Yun Feng close his eyes, Blue Moon softly asked Lu Yun, "Lu Yun, once we enter, if we find that the enemy forces are too strong, should we charge in directly or wait for an opportunity? With eleven of us now, although our strength is not weak, if several formidable experts are present, we might lose a lot of manpower before even reaching the Soul Transformation Pool. Regardless, we must succeed at any cost, right? We cannot afford to lose."

"Indeed, we cannot afford to lose. Each loss means the sacrifice of a person. That kind of price is truly unacceptable. I don't know why, but at this moment, even Jue Wuchen and Liu Xinghun, who were always full of confidence, are silent. They seem like entirely different people. Perhaps, the environment can change many things, not just one's character." Looking at Blue Moon and the others, Lu Yun couldn't help but feel a sense of pain in his heart. It seemed he didn't want to see sadness in her eyes. With a slight smile, Lu Yun spoke, "Alright, let's not dwell on these thoughts. Let's talk about something else. How is Yun Feng's progress in calculations? It's been two days now, and if he can't come up with anything by tomorrow, we'll be running out of time. Looking at his handsome smile, Blue Moon also showed a faint smile and softly said, "Don't worry. Yun Feng said he has already figured out most of it, so I believe he'll be able to come up with the solution tomorrow. Also, I heard from Feng Shi Xiong that this time, the Ghost Day happens to be our last day limit. Even if Yun Feng's calculations are wrong, we still have one final chance. That's good. We still have at least two chances. If we return this time, I'm afraid no one will ever want to enter the Ghost Domain again. It's too dangerous here. Human world is better, with its beautiful scenery, picturesque mountains and rivers, watching the sunrise in the morning, and witnessing the sunset in the evening. Everything is carefree there. One day, when we travel together hand in hand in the human world, then, will you still remember the Ghost Domain of the past?" Looking quietly at Blue Moon, Lu Yun gently asked.

Gazing up at the night sky, Blue Moon's eyes revealed a hint of yearning as she softly spoke, "Truly, when that day comes, I might forget many things, but I will never forget the unforgettable sweetness in the Ghost Domain. That vow, I have already engraved it into my heart, never to be forgotten for this lifetime. Quietly grasping Blue Moon's jade hand, Lu Yun glanced at her, then shifted his gaze to the sky above. The gentle breeze carried Lu Yun's heartfelt words, floating in the night sky

. Regardless of how this life unfolds, your figure will forever be engraved in my heart. Even if the mountains are without ridges, and the rivers run dry, even if the heavens and earth merge, this heart will not extinguish! Should gods obstruct me, I will destroy gods; should immortals block my path, I will slay immortals; should demons and monsters hinder me, I will annihilate them all! With a tremble, Blue Moon looked into his eyes, a teardrop shimmering at the bottom of her eyes. Gently shifting her gaze away, she looked at the sky and said, "For this lifetime, this affection will not wane! Across the three realms and seven worlds, our hearts are intertwined. In the night breeze, two vows floated in the air, intertwining with each other, drifting slowly into the distance. Who is blessing them from afar? Who is smiling in the wind? Who is looking back in the rain?

Quietly gazing at the intertwined figures, a hint of blessing and sigh echoed in their hearts. Turning back indifferently, looking at another figure gazing at the sky in the distance, True Man Zi Yang couldn't help but shake his head lightly. Slowly approaching the end, gradually unraveling the mysteries. When everything is revealed, perhaps there will be too many surprises to accept, too many changes to worry about.

Three days passed silently in the Ghost Domain. As everyone adjusted their states to their best conditions, Yun Feng finally fulfilled everyone's expectations and figured out the method to break through the Heavenly River Array. Looking at everyone, Lu Yun spoke up, "Now that we have learned how to enter the Soul Transformation Pool, the most crucial thing is how to approach it and secure it. Only then can we have time to retrieve the Sealing Soul Talisman. Approaching the Soul Transformation Pool may be easy, but guarding it will be quite difficult. I believe everyone is well aware of this. But no matter how difficult it may be, we must proceed. This is our purpose here, a matter that concerns the safety of the entire human world. Even if we have to risk everything, we must complete this mission. Now, everyone get ready. We are setting off immediately!"

Looking quietly at everyone, Lu Yun's eyes revealed a hint of encouragement as he turned and rose on his sword. Behind him, the others felt a heavy mood, as if they were walking into a storm. Glancing at each other, they nodded simultaneously, rising on their swords with Lu Yun.

After traversing a long distance, the group approached the vicinity of the Asura Forest. The journey had been peaceful so far, giving an eerie sense of calm before the storm. Coming to a halt about three miles from the Asura Forest, Lu Yun pondered for a moment before speaking: "Yun Feng, carefully detect if there are any ghostly creatures nearby."

Casting a puzzled glance at Lu Yun, Yun Feng gently acknowledged and then began using his Yin-Yang Secret Technique to sense any movements in the surroundings. Since entering the Ghost Domain, Yun Feng had engaged in several battles and sustained injuries, causing all the power of the Scorpion Bead and Pill to meld into his body, resulting in a considerable increase in his strength compared to his time in the human world. However, due to the formidable experts in the Ghost Domain, he had yet to fully experience this improvement.

Watching Yun Feng close his eyes, Blue Moon softly asked Lu Yun, "Lu Yun, once we enter, if we find that the enemy forces are too strong, should we charge in directly or wait for an opportunity? With eleven of us now, although our strength is not weak, if several formidable experts are present, we might lose a lot of manpower before even reaching the Soul Transformation Pool. Regardless, we must succeed at any cost, right? We cannot afford to lose."

"Indeed, we cannot afford to lose. Each loss means the sacrifice of a person. That kind of price is truly unacceptable. I don't know why, but at this moment, even Jue Wuchen and Liu Xinghun, who were always full of confidence, are silent. They seem like entirely different people. Perhaps, the environment can change many things, not just one's character." Looking at Blue Moon and the others, Lu Yun couldn't help but feel a sense of pain in his heart. It seemed he didn't want to see sadness in her eyes. With a slight smile, Lu Yun spoke, "Alright, let's not dwell on these thoughts. Let's talk about something else. How is Yun Feng's progress in calculations? It's been two days now, and if he can't come up with anything by tomorrow, we'll be running out of time. Looking at his handsome smile, Blue Moon also showed a faint smile and softly said, "Don't worry. Yun Feng said he has already figured out most of it, so I believe he'll be able to come up with the solution tomorrow. Also, I heard from Feng Shi Xiong that this time, the Ghost Day happens to be our last day limit. Even if Yun Feng's calculations are wrong, we still have one final chance. That's good. We still have at least two chances. If we return this time, I'm afraid no one will ever want to enter the Ghost Domain again. It's too dangerous here. Human world is better, with its beautiful scenery, picturesque mountains and rivers, watching the sunrise in the morning, and witnessing the sunset in the evening. Everything is carefree there. One day, when we travel together hand in hand in the human world, then, will you still remember the Ghost Domain of the past?" Looking quietly at Blue Moon, Lu Yun gently asked.

Gazing up at the night sky, Blue Moon's eyes revealed a hint of yearning as she softly spoke, "Truly, when that day comes, I might forget many things, but I will never forget the unforgettable sweetness in the Ghost Domain. That vow, I have already engraved it into my heart, never to be forgotten for this lifetime. Quietly grasping Blue Moon's jade hand, Lu Yun glanced at her, then shifted his gaze to the sky above. The gentle breeze carried Lu Yun's heartfelt words, floating in the night sky. Regardless of how this life unfolds, your figure will forever be engraved in my heart. Even if the mountains are without ridges, and the rivers run dry, even if the heavens and earth merge, this heart will not extinguish! Should gods obstruct me, I will destroy gods; should immortals block my path, I will slay immortals; should demons and monsters hinder me, I will annihilate them all! With a tremble, Blue Moon looked into his eyes, a teardrop shimmering at the bottom of her eyes. Gently shifting her gaze away, she looked at the sky and said, "For this lifetime, this affection will not wane! Across the three realms and seven worlds, our hearts are intertwined. In the night breeze, two vows floated in the air, intertwining with each other, drifting slowly into the distance. Who is blessing them from afar? Who is smiling in the wind? Who is looking back in the rain?

Quietly gazing at the intertwined figures, a hint of blessing and sigh echoed in their hearts. Turning back indifferently, looking at another figure gazing at the sky in the distance, True Man Zi Yang couldn't help but shake

 his head lightly. Slowly approaching the end, gradually unraveling the mysteries. When everything is revealed, perhaps there will be too many surprises to accept, too many changes to worry about.

Gazing softly at the sky, Lu Yun whispered, "For now, we still have time, so if the enemy's forces are too strong and there's no chance of getting close, then we should immediately give up and wait for the next opportunity. But if there's even a glimmer of hope, we must give it our all, because many things are beyond our control, and all we can do is take the risk. The enemies we are most worried about right now are just a few. Besides the two Ghost Kings and three Ghost Generals, Bloodthirsty Undead, Abyssal Ghost Shura, and Bloodthirsty Yama are also extremely formidable characters. As for those Ghost Immortals, with our current strength, dealing with them shouldn't be too difficult. So, this time, the main thing is to see how many experts the other side has. If four out of the eight experts I mentioned earlier are present, then we'll have almost no hope and will have to give up." Hearing this, everyone nodded slightly, indicating their agreement with Lu Yun's assessment.

"Yun Feng is awake, let's quickly ask if he has discovered anything," Xu Jie reminded everyone eagerly as Yun Feng opened his eyes.

Seeing everyone's eyes fixed on him, Yun Feng chuckled and said, "Don't look at me like that, I have thin skin and blush easily, hehe. Stop fooling around and tell me if there's any news." Although his tone was cold, Lu Yun's eyes held a hint of amusement, perhaps he was also somewhat pleased by Yun Feng's cheerfulness.

Glancing at everyone, Yun Feng continued, "Hey, look at all of you, moping around with no confidence at all. If that's the case, what's the point of going? We might as well go back. Although I joke, at least I won't give up. How about you? Have you all lost your confidence? Don't forget, we came here for the peace of the human realm, for the countless people who rely on us. For peace, for tranquility, we must bravely move forward. Let's all pull ourselves together and fight valiantly for the peace of the world, for the honor of our sects." His encouraging words stirred the hearts of the people, and in an instant, they seemed to forget their fear and danger, feeling a surge of courage, a courage for the fate of the world. Looking at Yun Feng, Lu Yun gently patted his shoulder and said, "Thank you for your words, they have given everyone courage. Now, after you tell us what you've found, we'll move forward immediately. With unity, we can achieve victory." Looking into Lu Yun's eyes, Yun Feng showed a hint of relief and said softly, "Okay, I'll leave it to you. Meeting you in this lifetime, Lu Yun, has brought me great joy. No matter what changes may come in the future, you will always be my best friend. Let's focus on the task at hand now. I carefully investigated and indeed found traces of ghostly creatures lurking around the forest, albeit very concealed. Based on my observations, it's highly likely that it's either Bloodthirsty Undead or Abyssal Ghost Shura, but I can't be entirely sure." With a light sigh, the group appeared astonished. True Man Zi Yang looked around and asked, "What do we do now? If one of those high-level enemies is lurking outside, and more high-level enemies are inside, won't we be caught in a difficult situation?" Lu Yun fell silent, pondering the question carefully. Then he looked at everyone and said softly, "Master's words make sense. We must try our best not to lose a single soldier. As many as go, as many as return. Now, I want to ask everyone's opinion. Once we approach the Soul Transformation Pool, who is willing to enter and retrieve the Sealing Soul Talisman? This task is undoubtedly dangerous, and I believe everyone understands the risks involved. We must be prepared mentally." After speaking, he scanned the faces of the group, curious about their thoughts.

Glancing at Liu Xinghun, Sword Dust's eyes flashed with determination as he spoke, "I'm willing to go. I believe as long as the Sealing Soul Talisman is there, I can retrieve it." Everyone looked at him, then quickly shifted their gaze to Lu Yun, waiting for his response. Lu Yun looked at everyone and then focused on Sword Dust, saying, "In that case, you won't need to worry about anything when the time comes. Leave any obstacles to us. As for us, for the sake of caution, once we stabilize the situation, I will follow up and assist you in retrieving the Sealing Soul Talisman as soon as possible, so that we can return to the human realm sooner. Now, this matter is settled. Let's go. Everyone, remember to stay focused. This battle is of great importance, not only for our lives but also for many others." With that, he led the group forward.

Entering the Asura Forest was surprisingly easy, with Lu Yun leading the way cautiously towards the Soul Transformation Pool. Arriving near the pool, the group carefully assessed the situation. Surprisingly, there were no high-level experts from the Black River present this time, only high-level experts from the Yin Corpses. At the edge of the pool, the Yin Corpse Ghost King and Ghost Generals, accompanied by four high-level experts and seven Ghost Immortals, were guarding the pool tightly, making it impossible to approach.

Turning his gaze, Lu Yun transmitted his voice to the group, saying, "The enemies here are very powerful, but we still have a glimmer of hope. After giving it some thought, I've decided to take a risk. For the sake of caution, I plan to launch a surprise attack on the Yin Corpse Ghost King while Yun Feng uses the Yin-Yang Sword Technique to destroy three Ghost Immortals. That's our only chance to drive them away and hold our ground. Now, all ten of you must advance simultaneously, showing complete desperation to attract the attention of the Yin Corpse Ghost King so that I can launch a sudden attack with the Five Thunder Heavenly Judgement. Get ready now, and when I give the signal, strike! "Ten figures, accompanied by the whistling of swords, shot straight towards the numerous enemies at the edge of the Soul Transformation Pool. Ao Xue and Cang Yue joined forces, their Twin Swords transforming into a dragon and a phoenix, exuding a domineering aura as they attacked the Yin Corpse Ghost King. Meanwhile, Sword Dust's Heavenly Spirit Divine Sword shimmered with a sacred and colorful light as it aimed directly at the fierce Ghost General. The remaining members each unleashed their full power, surrounded by a myriad of colorful lights, rushing towards the Ghost Immortals and Ghost Creatures.

In mid-air, Yun Feng, hidden by the distraction caused by the others, formed hand seals in front of his chest and unleashed the full power of the Yin-Yang Sword Technique. Amidst the sinister laughter of the Yin Corpses, Yun Feng suddenly roared, shouting, "Heaven and earth, Yin and Yang, the three realms and five elements, obey my command! Yin-Yang Sword Technique, obliterate the ghosts and exterminate the immortals! Sever, shatter, destroy, annihilate!" With a thunderous roar

, the air surged, filled with an incredibly powerful force. Above Yun Feng's head, a beam of light broke through the sky, and a sword shimmering with red and green colors, adorned with countless runes and dazzling brilliance, transformed into a giant sword nearly ten feet long. With the Yin-Yang Sword Technique in action, the red and green light split into two unstoppable swords, appearing above the heads of the four Ghost Immortals, trapping them completely.

The Yin-Yang Sword Technique, with its unparalleled power, could control and destroy the souls of ghosts and creatures, making it the bane of all ghosts. At this moment, the four Ghost Immortals roared in anger, their bodies rapidly shifting in an attempt to escape the attack range of the Yin-Yang Sword Technique, but each attempt was forcefully repelled by the overwhelming power of the swords. On the side, the Yin Corpse Ghost King, seeing this, couldn't help but erupt in rage, roaring incessantly in an attempt to break free from Ao Xue and Cang Yue's attacks and move towards Yun Feng.

In the midst of the battle, Ao Xue and Cang Yue exerted all their strength to block the enemy, their combined swordsmanship doubling in power, completely trapping the Ghost King and preventing it from escaping. Just then, both women heard Lu Yun's voice in their minds: "Don't obstruct too much, let it go attack Yun Feng, so I can launch a surprise attack and restrain it. The two women immediately understood and subtly relaxed their obstruction to give the Ghost King a chance to break free.

With all their might, the Ghost King pushed the two women away and roared in frustration, "Dammit! It's the lost Yin-Yang Technique from a thousand years ago. I can't let you live!" In a flash, the Ghost King appeared above Yun Feng's head, casting a black aura towards him.

In mid-air, Yun Feng hesitated, about to dodge, when Lu Yun's voice sounded in his ears. Determined, Yun Feng ignored the Ghost King and continued to focus on using the Yin-Yang Sword Technique to subdue the four Ghost Immortals. Seeing its subordinates severely injured under the Yin-Yang Sword Technique, the Ghost King couldn't contain its anger. With a loud roar, it exerted even more force, pressing down with both hands.

However, as its attack drew near Yun Feng, a strange and terrifying mental force launched a deadly assault on its nervous system at a frequency of hundreds of thousands of times per second. In the next moment, amid its screams, Lu Yun appeared above its head, palms radiating two lightning balls. With a sinister smile, Lu Yun said in a chilling voice, "Yin Corpse Ghost King, we meet again. Let's see how my Thunder God Technique fares against you. Remember what happened to the Soulless Ghost King under this technique? Today might be the same for you." With a clap of his hands, the lightning balls merged into a large sphere, enveloping the Ghost King. Simultaneously, celestial thunderbolts descended, relentlessly bombarding the sphere, filling the sky with thunderous might.

Inside the sphere, the Ghost King roared in fear, its black aura trembling intensely under the Thunder God Technique. Desperately seeking an escape, it realized there was no chance. Lu Yun had created a closed space of lightning, rapidly shrinking with each thunderous strike.

Sensing imminent danger, the Ghost King's green eyes glared with hatred and evil. With a wave of its hand, a black flag appeared above its head, concealing it within. In the sphere of lightning, the flag emitted a dazzling light, resisting the thunderous onslaught. Nine ghostly figures formed a circle around the flag, emitting a black light beam that clashed with the celestial thunder.

Meanwhile, as Yun Feng single-handedly dealt with the four Ghost Immortals, the rest of the group, though less pressured, still struggled. Ao Xue, Cang Yue, Liu Xinghun, and Feng Yuanyang confronted the Ghost Domain experts, while Bi Tian and Du Li each handled a Ghost Immortal. True Man Zi Yang moved between Xu Jie and Du Li, assisting as needed. Sword Dust, following Yun Feng's plan, began to approach the Soul Transformation Pool, eventually breaking through the mysterious barrier and getting closer.

Observing the situation, Lu Yun felt a mixture of relief and frustration. Despite their success in driving away the enemies, he knew they might return. Gathering everyone, he discussed fortifying their position. Seeking suggestions for a defensive formation, he turned to Yun Feng and True Man Zi Yang, acknowledging their expertise in formations and swordsmanship, respectively.

Yun Feng, despite his lower cultivation, revealed his knowledge of formations acquired during his youth. Meanwhile, True Man Zi Yang suggested utilizing the Nine Palace Sword Formation of the Tianjian Academy, known for its defensive capabilities.

Lu Yun approved their plans and assigned tasks accordingly. While Yun Feng set up the formation, Lu Yun and Sword Dust would focus on retrieving the Sealing Soul Talisman. With the group ready, they began their coordinated actions, determined to defend their position against any future attacks.