1473

Chapter 1473 – Ghostly Steps

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As Xiao Moxian rushed into the entrance without using any true essence at all, the other martial artists nearly gasped in shock!

The reason that the dragon clan girl didn't use true essence to pass through the entrance was that she cultivated dual body and energy as well as her Divine Lord realm cultivation.

But, Xiao Moxian's cultivation was only at the late Divine Transformation realm. The difference was far too great. Moreover, this black-clothed girl seemed unlikely to be a martial artist who had reached large success of body transformation, yet she still wasn't using any true essence at all?

In a spark of light, Xiao Moxian had already broken through the entrance. The entrance dazzled with a golden light, overflowing with the chaotic powers of thunder, flame, wind blades, and even space and time, everything weaving together into a web of death.

Xiao Moxian didn't even use her Phoenix Trueform as she rushed into this web.

Ca!

With a light sound, Xiao Moxian's body was struck by a bolt of thunder.

The watching martial artists' pupils shrank. Without any time to respond, they saw Xiao Moxian's figure vanish, leaving nothing behind but an afterimage.

This terrifying speed didn't surprise Lin Ming and Monster Prince Duyu, however, the other martial artists felt their eyes widen in astonishment even as disbelief colored their faces. It was hard to imagine that this terrifyingly fast Xiao Moxian was only a Divine Transformation realm martial artist.

In the web of chaotic energies, Xiao Moxian erratically drifted about, leaving behind a series of afterimages in her wake. She was like an enchanting spirit of the night, dancing through the skies and leaving a trail of ethereal smoke, freely travelling through the web of energies that was nearly impossible to avoid. When people thought that Xiao Moxian had nowhere left to dodge and she was about to be struck, she used an inconceivably fast movement technique to pass through gaps within the barrage of energies. Finally, those attacks of chaotic energies only struck her afterimages!

"How terrifying!"

"How is she doing that!?"

Just looking at that dense web of attacks, no one believed that someone could simply use a movement technique to dodge everything and pass through the entrance to the inner ridge. This was simply incredible!

Among the many martial artists watching, there were some who saw how Xiao Moxian was dodging. For instance, Fatty Zhou and the dragon clan youth.

Although the chaotic energies at the entrance look crowded, the truth is that energy attacks come in waves and there is a brief gap between these waves that lasts for less than an instant. That black-clothed girl can see through these gaps and pass through them!"

The dragon clan youth slowly said. But, this explanation was even more shocking.

Although this approach seemed simple it was nearly impossible to accomplish. It needed an incomparably horrifying level of observation and calculating ability. Every moment, one had to include countless variables to figure out where to dodge. Just a single mistake would mean one would be struck by the chaotic energies!

Woosh!

Xiao Moxian passed through the inner ridge entrance and steadily landed down without using any true essence, as she had said before. Moreover, the chaotic energies hadn't even touched her clothing!

As the dragon clan girl saw Xiao Moxian land, her complexion became ugly. Compared to Xiao Moxian's light and sprightly movements, her using her bodily defensive capabilities and high grade spirit artifact vestment to withstand the barrage of chaotic energies seemed clumsy and oafish.

Moreover, she had to admit that she was inferior to Xiao Moxian in movement techniques.

As Xiao Moxian looked at the dragon clan girl's complexion, she smirked. This was exactly the effect she wanted.

"Is that girl really at the Divine Transformation realm?"

"In terms of movements I am not even capable of a tenth of what she can do!"

"Perhaps she has some particular talent in terms of movement, but what she did just now needs not only power, but also talent in observation and instantly calculating the situation. Her perception must be terrifying!"

Many martial artists didn't know that Xiao Moxian was the descendant of a true God Beast. If they knew, they would be so surprised that their chins would hit the floor. After all, she was a proud beauty that even the heavens would be jealous of.

In fact, Xiao Moxian wasn't just talented in movement. She was strong in all aspects, and her movement abilities were only a part of her strength.

Beside Lin Ming, Fatty Zhou traced his chin, secretly dumbfounded. He originally thought that out of all the guests here, the dragon siblings and short black-cloaked youth were already extremely talented, but he never imagined that there would be someone so bizarre. It was no wonder that this Divine Transformation realm girl would be so brave as to enter God Burying Ridge.

After Xiao Moxian passed the entrance, everyone turned to look at Lin Ming and Monster Prince Duyu.

These two people had come together with Xiao Moxian and were also at the Divine Transformation realm. Just how strong were they?

After being looked upon by so many people, Monster Prince Duyu's complexion was extremely poor. In his innermost heart he didn't want to go into the inner ridge, but at this time it wouldn't be safe for him to return alone either. His only choice was to steel his mind and continue forwards.

"What shit luck." Monster Prince Duyu calmly thought to himself. He revolved his true essence to the limit and directly impacted towards the entrance.

Ka ka ka!

Thunder and flames crashed onto his body. It wasn't easy for him to withstand such a fierce destructive power. In fact, it was somewhat straining.

When Xiao Moxian was at the middle Divine Transformation realm, her strength already far surpassed Monster Prince Duyu's. Now that she had stepped into the late Divine Transformation realm, the difference between her and Monster Prince Duyu increased even more.

Hu – !

Monster Prince Duyu also steadily landed on the floor. From start to finish his performance was satisfactory.

"It looks like these three people are all unrivalled monstrous geniuses, and that black-clothed girl should be the most magnificent of them all. Even so, it's incredible if just a single one of these monstrous geniuses were to appear, so why would three of them show up together?" Fatty Zh Zhou breathed out a sigh of relief. He could feel that this black-clothed girl's movements and talent already surpassed the scope of his understanding.

"This little brother, it seems you'll be able to easily pass too…"

Fatty Zhou smiled at Lin Ming. From just the aura emanating from Lin Ming's body, he could feel that Lin Ming was also a dual body and energy cultivator and his foundation was shockingly solid. It was hard to imagine how strong he was.

Lin Ming nodded. Then, he activated his movement techniques and rushed towards the entrance to the inner ridge.

In terms of speed, Lin Ming had the Gate of Wonder and high attainments in the Thunder Laws, allowing him to surpass Xiao Moxian in this aspect. In terms of perception, Lin Ming was on par with Xiao Moxian. For him to pass through the entrance like Xiao Moxian had done wouldn't be a problem at all.

However, Lin Ming had no need to do that. Using true essence to protect his body was the simplest and easiest method.

The power of thunder and fire wrapped around Lin Ming, creating a barrier around him. This power just happened to counterbalance the chaotic energies – no more, no less, just right.

After several breaths of time, Lin Ming passed through the entrance.

"This youth isn't simple either. But he doesn't seem to be as amazing as that black-clothed girl."

Many people secretly speculated. Of course, it was hard to see just how much strength Lin Ming was holding back by him passing through the entrance.

"It looks like we can't regard these three as ordinary late Divine Transformation realm martial artists. Although that young man didn't have some startling performance when he passed through the entrance, his skill in controlling energy was sublime. He didn't waste a single speck of energy at all. It's clear that he has high achievements in the Laws."

As Fatty Zhou thought this he protected his body with true essence and passed through the entrance.

Behind him the others began to follow one at a time. Some passed through with ease and some didn't.

"You're quite skilled. Allow me to introduce myself. I am called Dragon Cloud and this is my little sister Dragon Moon." As the dragon clan youth arrived beside Lin Ming, he turned towards him and spoke with a smile.

Chapter 1474 – Curse

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The talented and the strong always attracted the attention of others. When Dragon Cloud saw the strength of Lin Ming's group he immediately wanted to become friends with them. Lin Ming and Monster Prince Duyu weren't too startling in their performance, but Xiao Moxian was stunning.

"My name is Lin Lanjian." Lin Ming said, introducing himself.

"My name is Ji Xian'er." Xiao Moxian giggled. As opposed to Lin Ming who had given a fake name, Xiao Moxian had given her true name.

The surname of Empyrean Demondawn's direct lineage was Ji. Xiao Moxian's birth name was Ji Xian'er.

Xiao Moxian's name that she usually referred to herself as was one that was conferred to her in a smelting trial. Xiao Moxian – the Little Demon Fairy.

Fatty Zhou was extremely careful as he led the group forwards into the inner ridge. He pulled out the compass and constantly adjusted direction using divinations arts. His speed was even slower than when they were walking through the outer ridge.

Even so, no one complained.

As they continued to walk forwards, Lin Ming was silent. He looked all around him, using his sense to probe the inner ridge's dao field.

In the legends, God Burying Ridge's dao field was left behind by the Asura Road Master and had evolved through billions of years of time. As Lin Ming investigated his surroundings, he could faintly feel a deep and boundless aura. This aura gathered into vague lines of the Great Dao that slowly flowed through the world like streams of stars.

"These Great Dao lines…"

Lin Ming's thoughts stirred. He could feel that the Great Dao lines were somewhat familiar, however, he couldn't immediately recall where he had seen them before.

"Could this be… the jade pendant's map!"

Lin Ming's mind shook. He seeped his divine sense into his spatial ring and began to verify the lines within the emperor jade's map with what he could sense around him. Finally, he was able to confirm that this map within the jade pendant was a chart of God Burying Ridge's dao field!

In other words, the Asura Road Master had once carved the entire chart of God Burying Ridge's dao field into this jade pendant!

As Lin Ming realized this, he shuddered. If so, then this emperor jade was far too valuable.

With the entire dao field chart of God Burying Ridge, let alone the value it had in exploring this land, just the Concepts, Laws, and all sorts of principles within the dao field itself were more than enough for Lin Ming to gain massive insights.

As Lin Ming continued forwards with Fatty Zhou, he simultaneously verified the emperor jade map's lines with the dao field around him.

Seeing the map was one thing and personally experiencing it for himself was another. Now that Lin Ming was able to verify this dao field with what he knew, the previously mysterious and impossibly profound emperor jade was actually able to allow Lin Ming to discover all sorts of deep and mystical principles.

Every two hours, Lin Ming would gain new comprehensions. To branch out a part of his concentration and divine sense to meditate on the emperor jade was extremely dangerous in God Burying Ridge. Although Lin Ming practiced the Divine Dream Law and his sense was formidable, even he wasn't an exception.

However, sharpening one's axe wouldn't delay the process of cutting wood; preparing himself for this area would be far more beneficial. This also allowed Lin Ming to understand the essence of God Burying Ridge. This was something that Fatty Zhou couldn't compare with. Although Fatty Zhou could guide one into God Burying Ridge, this was due to the sum of countless predecessors who had traded their lives for more experiences. The master passed their knowledge to their apprentice and this knowledge continued all the way until now.

Although these experiences were easy to use, they couldn't explain just why God Burying Ridge was the way it was.

Everyone continued forwards slowly and calmly. Then, at this time, a gray tornado appeared in the skies. Wind howled and the faint moans of ghosts wafted in the air.

These ghostly beings were formed from all sorts of energy fields that had existed here for billions of years. They could be called bizarre and incomprehensible. Even a Holy Lord would feel dread facing these existences.

"Ignore them. As long as they don't take the initiative to attack us then we don't need to bother with them. I will use this Heaven Net Compass to shield the vitality of the 11 of us. These ghosts do not have eyes nor do they have divine sense; they only have an instinct to devour life. As long as they don't smell the life coming from us they will not find us."

As Fatty Zhou spoke, many array symbols began to spin around them, sticking onto everyone and wrapping around them.

This was only a light force field with some runes. This thin barrier blocked out the ghosts that could rush towards them at any moment, wanting to steal their lives.

Wu ! Wu ! Wu !

Fierce winds swept up and the cries of ghosts became increasingly loud. Then, from within the tornado, the figure of a ghost king that was several dozen feet tall appeared.

This ghost king's body had already substantialized, and it had the facial features of a person. Two soul flames flickered within its hollow eyes; it was clearly intelligent.

This intelligence was gathered from the ghost king swallowing the souls of numerous martial artists. By eating up the wisdom of living beings, this ghost king had eventually evolved its own form of a soul.

Ghost king!"

Fatty Zhou frowned, a dignified look on his face. From the time he entered God Burying Ridge, Fatty Zhou had always been extremely careful and slow in his pace, but he had also been smiling the entire time. This was the first time he showed such a grim expression.

"Is the situation very bad?" Some people asked with a true essence sound transmission.

Fatty Zhou nodded. "Yes. If this fellow discovers us then some of us will certainly die."

The force field that Fatty Zhou laid down was not invincible. If these ghosts were powerful enough, they could see through his force field. At that time, all of them would be in danger. This ghost king was extremely difficult to deal with and it was likely that several of them would die in the ensuing battle. But, the most terrifying part was that the echoes of their battle would likely attract other evil beings over here. Once that occurred, their losses would be astronomical.

Everyone maintained full vigilance. Every single martial artist here was an extraordinary individual amongst their level. As they grew up to this point they had encountered many brutal battles. Facing such a grim scene, all of them appeared solemn but not panicked at all.

Luckily, the force field that Fatty Zhou laid down was extremely stable, locking down the life force of everyone here and not revealing the smallest trace. The ghost king didn't notice their existence at all.

The black winds faded; the ghost king seemed as if it would leave soon.

Everyone began to secretly breathe a sigh of relief. Not facing a life or death battle was the best possible outcome.

The further the ghost king went, the more relieved Fatty Zhou became. The moment he was about to tell everyone to begin moving out once more, a sudden change occurred!

A mysterious and invisible strength emerged from the air, smashing into Fatty Zhou's force field and causing it to wildly shake as if it would shatter at any moment.

After that strike just now, the ghost king that had been leaving stopped in its tracks as if it had sensed something.

"What is happening!?"

A half-step Holy Lord trial challenger asked, his complexion darkening.

Fatty Zhou's complexion was grim and unsure.

Bang!

With another strike, the force field became even weaker. Fatty Zhou's palms began to drip beads of sweat. He had confirmed a terrifying fact, and that was that someone was attacking them!

Not the evil beings of God Burying Ridge, but other people!

"What is happening!" Some other people also discovered that something was wrong.

"Curse technique… this is a curse attack that we God Burying Ridge guides use! Someone is using a secret curse technique to attack us!"

A God Burying Ridge guide was an extremely special occupation in Heavendevil City that had an incalculably long inheritance. Masters passed their knowledge to their apprentices and their apprentices passed their knowledge to their students.

This included all sorts of secret techniques, including divination, feng shui, array formations, curse arts, and so on.

Since long ago, the God Burying Ridge guides would compete with each other. They competed for customers, and for the reason of stealing away their rivals' knowledge and inheritance, they would even kill them. They could use all sorts of secret arts to interfere with the other party's abilities. In particular, this was true for when the other party was under attack by the evil beings of God Burying Ridge. Using secret techniques at this time was the most vicious and ruthless method!

"Curse!? What kind of curse!?"

Fatty Zhou's words aroused unease in everyone. Curse techniques were extremely mysterious and almost impossible to guard against. As long as this other party had locked onto their soul aura they could attack from afar. Even among the common mortals there were sorcerers that could harm people by stabbing a little straw man figure of someone, much less martial artists.

Normally, using curse arts against martial artists of a similar level didn't have much effect. But, the crucial point was that this curse attack that struck Fatty Zhou at this moment was the straw that would crush the camel's back.

"This curse technique… could it be the Spiders?"

As Fatty Zhou realized this his complexion became extremely ugly. Amongst the God Burying Ridge guides, the Spider Brothers were a notorious duo. They were infamous for murdering others to steal their possessions, and it was unknown how many fellow guides had died under their hands. Even their own customers might be killed by them!

"Spiders?" Lin Ming had never heard this name before. Now that they were being attacked he naturally associated this with Imperial Prince Naqi. Could this be his doing?

Thinking back on it, he did leave some flaws behind in his methods. It was possible that Naqi had chased him all the way to God Burying Ridge.

The main point was that Lin Ming never expected he would meet Naqi at Heavendevil City to begin with. And now that he realized this, there was no time to make up for these mistakes.

Bang!

Fatty Zhou's force field shook again, as if it were about to shatter.

As for the ghost king, it had also discovered that there was something strange here. It opened its mouth and let out a deep and ghastly roar.