Volume 13, Chapter 851 – Displaying Might

Upon hearing that voice, the malevolent spirits ahead instinctively parted to the sides. Although Princess Qinxin had only awakened less than ten years ago and most had never seen her in person, her name—as the fifth-ranked source of Yin energy among the Ten Great perilous zones—was already known throughout the realm.

“Wasn’t it said that she was struck by lightning? How does she still dare to show herself?”

“Yeah, she was suppressed by Heavenly Tribulation. Even if she survived, she must’ve been gravely injured. To reveal herself now before everyone’s eyes, doesn’t she fear becoming the prey upon the chopping board?”

“Well, this is getting interesting. I’d like to see whether that Dragon Clan’s Funeral Estate’s source of evil spirits will yield its place or not.”

“That depends on how much strength Princess Qinxin still has left. If she really suffered a heavy blow, then before long, the Dragon Clan’s Funeral Estate might squeeze her out of the ranks of the Ten perilous zones altogether.”

The spirits’ excitement grew. Everyone knew a fine spectacle was about to unfold.

Though Qi Huang was a living person, she didn’t flinch before the tens of thousands of malevolent spirits. She walked forward with composure toward the great round table at the center. Her Divine Sense had already reached the level of a Kinship-grade Immortal… an existence that could command respect even in the Immortal Realm, let alone among mortal cultivators. Moreover, with the concealment of the Boundless Demonic Hair, she merely appeared to be alive; not a wisp of Yang energy leaked from her body.

“Is that Princess Qinxin? Why does she look like a living person?”

“Right! Isn’t she supposed to be a ghost? Even if she condensed a physical form, she shouldn’t look this lifelike!”

“But she doesn’t have any trace of Yang energy, she can’t be alive.”

“Who cares whether she’s alive or not? Look at the Soul Mark between her brows, this isn’t her main body but a subordinate soul. Now that’s intriguing.”

“Could it be like the rumors say? Her main body was heavily injured by the Heavenly Tribulation, so she sent a lesser soul instead?”

“Who knows? I heard Princess Qinxin’s true strength is at the mid stage of the Demonic Realm. That’s only slightly stronger than the Dragon Clan’s Funeral Estate’s Yin source. If she’s sending a subordinate soul, she probably doesn’t even qualify to sit today.”

The spirits erupted into a clamor again, gossiping about the mark on Qi Huang’s forehead.

Qi Huang reached the front of the great round table and swept her gaze around. The sources of evil from each perilous zone entered her sight. Among them, the one clad in armor radiating the fiercest aura, a skeletal figure, was clearly the master of this Sea of Withered Bones.

“Princess Qinxin, welcome, welcome! I am the master of the Sea of Withered Bones, Zheng Mo,” he greeted politely, standing to show courtesy. As host, he had to display manners, though the other sources of Yin energy stayed glued to their chairs, not even granting Qi Huang a proper look.

“Marshal Zheng, is it? Is this how you treat guests? Where is my chair?”

Qi Huang’s tone was icy and imperious; as a ‘princess,’ she owed no courtesy to a marshal.

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“Your Highness, please forgive me. I did prepare a seat for you, but you were late. So, I allowed Brother Long of the Dragon Clan’s Funeral Estate to take it. If you wish to sit, perhaps you can discuss it with him.”

Zheng Mo replied smoothly. Being a skeleton, his expression couldn’t be read.

“This fellow is too vile! The dignified Sea of Withered Bones doesn’t even have a chair? He’s clearly stirring up trouble!”

From within the storage ring, Ye Xiuxin’s furious voice came through via Soul Resonance.

“It’s more than just troublemaking,” Qi Huang replied. “He, and likely everyone here, just wants to test my strength.”

“What a bunch of sly old foxes,” Ye Xiuxin muttered helplessly, then asked, “Can you handle it? If not, just stand aside. As long as they don’t see my main body, they won’t dare act rashly.”

“Heh, stand aside? Do I look like one of those lackeys to you?”

Qi Huang chuckled.

Seeing her silent, the Dragon Clan’s Funeral Estate’s Yin source assumed she was frightened, his face showing disdain.

Qi Huang’s gaze finally landed on the one who had taken her seat, a late-stage Golden Corpse, quite powerful, perhaps only a level or two weaker than Ye Xiuxin at her peak. No wonder he dared to “occupy the nest”.

“And you are?”

Qi Huang decided to start with courtesy before resorting to force.

“I am Long Yufeng, master of the Dragon Clan’s Funeral Estate,” the evil source replied indifferently, his tone dismissive.

“Brother Long, you heard Marshal Zheng just now. That seat was prepared for me. Would you mind moving aside?”

Her voice was calm, even polite.

“No. That seat isn’t for you. It’s for those with real strength. If you want to sit, prove yourself and make me leave.”

Long Yufeng picked up a goblet of fresh blood and took a leisurely sip, not sparing her a glance. His arrogance came from seeing that she was only a subordinate soul.

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“How dare you speak that way to Her Highness!”

Jian Yiren could bear it no longer and stepped forward, shouting in anger.

“Apologies, but among ghosts, power is everything. There are no princesses or commoners here, only the strong and the weak. The strong sit; the weak stand, like those lackeys.”

Long Yufeng glanced toward the spirits standing nearby.

Those lesser spirits were displeased, yet none dared to speak.

“Brother Long speaks truly,” another spirit chimed in. “When alive, one’s noble status means nothing to us ghosts. Only strength brings benefit. Strength is what makes our kind thrive.”

“Your Highness, if you wish to sit, call forth your Life Soul. With just a subordinate soul, I fear you’re not qualified for the table.”

“Your Highness, where is your Life Soul? Could it be, as rumor says, it was severely wounded by Heavenly Tribulation?”

The seven other sources of Yin energy joined in mockery, their tones dripping with sarcasm.

“You seem quite confident in your strength,” Qi Huang smiled faintly.

“Confident enough,” Long Yufeng sneered. “I’ll pay you a visit someday, then you’ll know for yourself.”

“What does that mean?”

“Can’t you tell? He’s sure Princess Qinxin was gravely injured by the Tribulation, and plans to annex her tomb.”

“What a bold appetite! The Princess Tomb ranks fifth among the perilous zones of Kaiyuan Planet!”

“Not necessarily. He might just be provoking others to attack first and test her strength, then swoop in afterward to reap the rewards.”

“Also possible.”

The surrounding spirits murmured analytical whispers again.

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“Pay me a visit someday? There’s no need to wait. Why not let me see right now how capable you really are?”

Qi Huang had no patience for their games. She released a mere ten-thousandth of her Divine Sense, and it surged forth like an invisible tide, crushing down on Long Yufeng without warning.

BOOM!

With a deafening explosion, the chair beneath Long Yufeng shattered instantly. His entire body was forced to the ground, cracks spreading outward from beneath him like spiderwebs, shaking the earth itself.

“Ah!”

The surrounding spirits recoiled in terror, retreating frantically.

Even the sources of Yin energy at the round table reflexively stood, fearful of being caught in the blast. Only Zheng Mo remained seated, though the hatred burning in his empty sockets flickered violently.

“So this is the source of your confidence?”

Qi Huang’s voice dripped with ridicule from above.

Long Yufeng writhed in humiliation, pinned under her Divine Sense. No matter how he struggled, he couldn’t break free. The cracking of his bones was sharp and continuous, and dark blood oozed from his mouth.

Jian Yiren and the other maids looked at Qi Huang with undisguised awe and delight. They had never imagined that this “impostor” would be even stronger than their true mistress.

Inside the storage ring, Ye Xiuxin remained silent. She wasn’t sure whether her decision to let such a powerful being impersonate her was wise or disastrous. For now, it was impossible to tell.

“How is this possible? Even a doppelgänger this strong?”

“Weren’t the rumors saying her main body was only slightly stronger than Long Yufeng? Slightly?”

“Among us, only Marshal Zheng could crush him this easily!”

Cold sweat trickled down several sources of Yin energy’ foreheads.

“Release our leader!”

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Long Yufeng’s underlings roared and charged forward.

“Get lost!”

Qi Huang swept out her Divine Sense again. The underlings flew back like scattered leaves.

“As you said yourself, strength determines who sits. The weak can only stand with the lackeys. So, stand over there quietly.”

She flicked her hand, flinging Long Yufeng aside like a torn sack. His bones shattered, organs ruptured, and though undead, he couldn’t rise for a long time.

With another thought, a luxurious jade chair engraved with phoenix patterns appeared before the round table. Qi Huang gracefully smoothed her skirt, sat down, and said, “Now, shall we talk properly?”

The six remaining sources of Yin energy wore expressions of dread; none dared sit first.

“Heh… of course… of course… everyone, sit,” Zheng Mo said awkwardly, forcing a laugh.

The six finally steadied their nerves and sat cautiously.

“This time, I’ve invited everyone here to the Sea of Withered Bones for a reason,” Zheng Mo began. “As written in my invitations, the Lingxi Sect has summoned an Immortal. In just one month, she eradicated the top two perilous zones of Kaiyuan Planet. It won’t be long before she comes for us. If we don’t unite, she’ll destroy us one by one.”

He finally got to the main topic.

“Marshal Zheng is right. We must join forces. If we act alone, none of us stand a chance.”

Another spirit source agreed, and the others nodded.

“Heh…”

Qi Huang couldn’t help but laugh.

“May I ask, Your Highness, what you find amusing?” Zheng Mo frowned slightly.

“Because your plan is laughable,” Qi Huang said coldly. “Even if you all unite, it’s nothing but eggs striking a rock.”