Cultivation of Immortality: Start by Improving Spiritual Root Qualifications

Chapter 979 Sweeping Away the Ghost Realm, Ending the Ghost Calamity!
Seeing the thunder sword rushing towards them,

Extreme unwillingness flashed in Tuosedi's eyes. At this moment, the will to survive overwhelmed everything!
"You think you can kill me? Not so easy!" Camel-haired man roared, ruthlessly forcing out five more drops of his original ghostly power!

Move forward a little,
It transformed into a giant black shield engraved with hideous ghost head reliefs, standing between him and the Xuan Ting Thunder Sword!

The shield was shrouded in eerie ghostly energy, with countless vengeful phantoms swirling and wailing around it, exuding an indestructible defensive aura. This was Emperor Tuose's trump card for saving his life!

“Boom!”

The dazzling purple lightning slammed into the black giant shield!
The lightning and ghostly energy clashed violently, producing a tearing sound that made one's teeth ache. The black shield was indeed extraordinary, actually managing to block the Xuan Ting Thunder Sword!
However, it was only an obstacle!

In less than a breath, the surface of the shield was covered with spiderweb-like cracks!
"Crack!"

With a crisp cracking sound, the black giant shield shattered and transformed back into pure ghostly energy that scattered in all directions!

The Xuan Ting Thunder Sword continued its momentum, carrying an unparalleled sharpness, and aimed straight at Emperor Tuo Se's brow!

"Do not--!"

Tuosedi was terrified and turned to flee again, but at this moment, his old strength had just been exhausted and his new strength had not yet been generated. How could he be faster than this deadly lightning sword?
A flash of purple lightning disappeared in an instant!
"Pfft!"

The Xuan Ting Thunder Sword pierced through the back of his head with unparalleled precision, exiting between his eyebrows!

Tuosedi's fleeing movements suddenly froze, his face still showing extreme fear and disbelief.

He opened his mouth, but no sound came out.

next moment--

"Boom!!!"

A violent and incomparable purple lightning suddenly erupted from his body, instantly engulfing his enormous ghostly form!
After a dozen or so breaths,

The lightning gradually dissipated.

The enormous ghostly body of Tuosedi had vanished into nothingness, as if it had never existed.

Only one bead, about the size of a fist, was suspended in mid-air.
It is crystal clear, dark and shiny, with a constant flow of ghostly energy inside, emitting extremely pure Yin energy fluctuations.

It is the primordial essence that can only be condensed by the Ghost Clan when they reach the second rank or above—the Ghost Pearl!
Zhou Xun remained calm, and gestured from afar.
Once you have it in your hands and have done all that,
He then took out a ghost pendant and a divination compass, and continued searching for the location of the next ghost cultivator at the Nascent Soul stage.

After several dozen breaths,

Zhou Xun transformed into a streak of blood-red light once more, soaring into the sky and hurtling towards the new direction indicated by the compass, disappearing into the horizon in an instant.

……

Qingluo City, one of the ten great ghost cities of the ghost realm, is the territory of the Qingluo Ghost Lord.

The entire city was built of huge, dark, ghostly stones, with eerie green flames burning eternally on both sides of the streets. Countless ghostly figures wandered and murmured throughout the city.

The biggest topic of conversation in the city right now is the attack on the human realm.

"Have you heard? Lord Blackhorn King said that after conquering the human realm, our Blackhorn tribe's territory will double!" A demon with a single horn on his head and dark blue skin grinned, revealing sharp white teeth.
"Then the children won't have to go hungry!"

Upon hearing this, a demon clan member bound in chains beside him gleamed with greed in his eyes:

"It's not just territory! Those human brats are the real delicacy. A hundred years ago, I went on a military expedition and tasted a tender-skinned boy. The flavor..."

He squinted his eyes in ecstasy, his Adam's apple bobbing.
"Tender and juicy, it's especially nourishing for the soul!"

The ghosts became more and more excited as they talked, as if they could already see themselves running rampant in the human world.

Just then, a streak of black light streaked across the sky, carrying a chilling pressure.

The black light fell into the city and transformed into a ghost about three zhang tall, with a blue face, three legs, and a bone tail trailing behind it.

"It's His Highness, the Azure Ghost Lord!" a ghost exclaimed in surprise.

Instantly, all the ghosts on the street knelt down and shouted in unison, "We pay our respects to His Highness, the Azure Ghost Lord!"

The Azure Demon Lord's face was gloomy, seemingly in a very bad mood. He waved his hand casually, his voice hoarse:
"All disciples, return to the city immediately and activate the mountain-protecting formation!"

Upon receiving the order, the ghosts, though bewildered, dared not disobey.

Soon, a massive ghostly light barrier rose up, enveloping the entire Qingluo City. Dark green ghostly patterns flowed across the barrier, emanating a reassuring aura.

Only after the great formation was fully activated did Qingluo Ghost Lord's tense expression ease slightly.

His eldest son, Prince Qingguang, quickly stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and then asked with a puzzled expression:

"Father, why did you suddenly activate the great formation? And... why didn't my younger brothers come back with you?"

The Azure Demon Lord sighed deeply, a look of regret on his face: "Your younger brothers... have all remained in the human realm."

He looked around and lowered his voice: "His Majesty the Ghost Emperor... has been defeated. All the Nascent Soul Ghost Lords have scattered and fled, and the army has probably been completely wiped out."

"What?!" King Qingguang was shocked, his three eyes widening in disbelief.
"How is this possible! Then... won't the humans invade the Ghost Realm?"

Come?"

Qingluo Ghost Lord shook his head, but his tone was somewhat uncertain: "Human cultivators are not used to the ghost realm environment, so they probably won't come here rashly."

"However... with someone like the Lord of the River of Oblivion around, my Ghost Realm's plan, which has been in the works for ten thousand years, is probably going to come to nothing."

For the next few days, Qingluo City remained on high alert, with the mountain-protecting formation activated around the clock.

The city was filled with unease, and everyone was secretly discussing the battle at the front.

However, several days passed and the area outside the city remained quiet, with no human cultivators attacking.

Qingluo Ghost Lord gradually felt relieved; it seemed that the human race indeed dared not venture deep into the Ghost Realm.

Meanwhile, millions of miles away from here,
A blinding purple bolt of lightning streaked past.

Without any attempt to conceal it, the ghostly mist dissipated wherever it passed, and thunder shook the heavens and the earth.

In the flash of lightning, a young cultivator holding a compass said, "Qingluo City is just ahead... Qingluo Ghost Lord, you're next."

This person is Zhou Xun, the Heavenly Lord of the River of Oblivion.

An hour later, a colossal city spanning thousands of miles appeared before them.

The entire city was shrouded in a thick ghostly mist. The mountain-protecting formation had been activated, and ghostly patterns flowed across the eerie green light screen, exuding a chilling aura.

Zhou Xun hovered in mid-air, his gaze calmly fixed on Qingluo City below, as if looking at an inanimate object.

He spoke calmly, yet his voice carried clearly throughout the entire city, "Azure Demon Lord, come out and face your death."

……

At this moment, the Azure Demon Lord was meditating and regulating his breathing deep in the cave, with faint black energy flowing across his pale face.

In order to escape, he had burned a large amount of his original ghostly power, and now he was at his weakest.

Suddenly, that icy voice pierced through the protective array and clearly reached his ears:

"Azure Demon Lord, come out and face your death!"

Qingluo Ghost Lord suddenly opened his eyes, his pupils contracted sharply, and all color drained from his face: "Wangchuan Heavenly Lord! He... how did he chase me all the way to the Ghost Realm? How is that possible!"

An overwhelming fear gripped his mind in an instant. He could no longer concentrate on catching his breath; he abruptly stood up, his voice trembling:

"Run! I must escape immediately!" Without hesitation, he used a secret technique, instantly reducing his ghostly aura to its lowest point, transforming his figure into an almost invisible, faint black shadow.
They sped silently toward the other side of Qingluo City, trying to escape in the chaos.

Meanwhile, the ghosts in the city were also startled and uneasy by this sudden change.

"Humans! Those are human cultivators!"

"How could he be here? This is the heart of the Ghost Realm!"

"What terrifying lightning magic... even the mountain-protecting formation is trembling!"

The ghosts discussed amongst themselves, mostly with curiosity rather than fear. They gazed up at the figure in the sky, some even showing excitement in their eyes.

"Lord Ghost King has already returned to the city. How dare this man be so arrogant? He's truly courting death!"

"To witness the Ghost Lord in action is a rare opportunity!"

In their view, Qingluo Ghost Lord was one of the Ten Ghost Lords of the Ghost Realm, and his strength was unfathomable.

Although this human cultivator possessed an astonishing aura, he was no match for Lord Ghost Lord.

No one in the Ghost Clan had ever imagined that Qingluo Ghost Lord might be defeated, let alone that the Ghost Lord they revered was currently fleeing in panic.

Zhou Xun hovered in mid-air, and seeing no response from the city, he frowned slightly: "Not here?"

He took out the compass and checked again; the pointer clearly pointed directly into the city: "It seems they've gone into hiding out of fear."

Since that's the case, he decided not to be polite anymore.

Zhou Xun flipped his hand, and the Xuan Ting Lei Sword leaped into his hand, emitting an excited buzzing sound.

"Greatsword Technique, Fall!"

He gave a soft shout, and the Xuan Ting Thunder Sword swelled in the wind, instantly transforming into a thousand-foot-long giant sword, its entire body crackling with destructive purple lightning, exuding unparalleled power.
It slashed fiercely at the protective mountain formation below!

“Boom-ka-!!!”

A deafening roar echoed in all directions!

The seemingly solid, eerie green light barrier shattered like paper before Lei Jian!

Countless ghostly energies scattered and overflowed, and powerful shockwaves, carrying rampant lightning, swept outwards in all directions!

"Do not--!"

"Run!"

The demons below then realized that disaster was imminent and scattered in terror.

But it was all too late.

Wherever the lightning struck, the demons within a hundred miles were like ice and snow under the sun, turning to ashes before they could even scream!
Zhou Xun ignored this, his spiritual blue light pupils instantly activated, scanning the entire city and locking onto the blurry black figure fleeing in panic hundreds of miles away.

"Got you!"

He pointed his finger, and the Xuan Ting Lei Sword emitted a clear and melodious sword cry, transforming into a streak of purple lightning that shot away at a speed exceeding that of lightning!

As Qingluo Ghost Lord was fleeing for his life, he felt a terrifying aura rapidly approaching from behind, making his soul tremble!
He turned around and saw that the purple lightning sword was already within reach!

There is no escape!

This thought was like ice water poured over his head, leaving him utterly desperate.

"Heavenly Lord, spare me! Spare me!" The Azure Demon Lord abruptly stopped, pleading in a shrill voice.
"I am willing to serve you as my master, my slave, and my servant, and be loyal to you for eternity! I only beg the Heavenly Emperor to spare my life!"

Zhou Xun chuckled, his voice icy: "There is one spot available for a servant, but unfortunately... you're too late."

Before the words were even finished, the purple lightning had already pierced through!

"laugh--!"

The expression on Qingluo Ghost Lord's face froze, and a small, charred hole appeared between his eyebrows.

The next moment, violent lightning erupted from his body, instantly engulfing his enormous ghostly form.

When the lightning dissipated, only a bead the size of a pigeon egg remained, completely black and radiating pure yin energy. It was a low-grade fifth-order ghost bead.

Zhou Xun reached out and put the Ghost Pearl into his pocket. Without even glancing at the terrified ordinary ghosts below, he transformed into a purple rainbow and soared into the sky, rushing towards his next target.

Ten days later, as the last shrill scream dissipated in the Ghost Realm Wasteland, the last escaped Ghost Clan Nascent Soul cultivator also perished under the Xuan Ting Thunder Sword.

Zhou Xun hovered in mid-air, counting the spoils of this chase.

Apart from the Purple Nightmare Ghost Lord who voluntarily surrendered, the remaining thirteen Ghost Clan Nascent Soul cultivators who participated in the invasion of the human realm were all executed, except for Purple Nightmare.

He also possessed an astonishing twelve fifth-tier ghost beads, including two mid-grade fifth-tier beads.
As for Tiyu's one, it had already been completely devoured by Xiaoqing.

Several days later, Zhou Xun returned to the desolate valley where he had first encountered the Purple Nightmare Ghost Lord.

From afar, he saw a purple figure waiting respectfully in the same spot. Who else could it be but the Purple Nightmare Ghost Lord?

Zhou Xun landed on the ground, a half-smile playing on his lips:

"Still here? I thought you had long since fled to distant lands."

Upon hearing this, the Purple Nightmare Ghost Lord felt a chill run down his spine, and cold sweat instantly broke out on his back.

He suppressed his fear, forced a fawning smile onto his face, and bowed, saying:
“Master is too kind. Since I have already resolved to be loyal, how could I dare to have any disloyal intentions? I will wait here for your return.”

He spoke with an extremely humble posture, completely like a servant and lackey, a stark contrast to the majestic demeanor of the Ghost King in the past.

Zhou Xun naturally didn't believe these words of loyalty. He had deliberately not taken the demon's life soul before, precisely to test it.

Now it seems that the Purple Nightmare was quite sensible.

“Very good,” Zhou Xun nodded slightly, his tone calm yet carrying an undeniable authority.
"I don't care whether you're sincere or not. You've passed my test, so I'll give you a chance."

“From now on, you will be the first Ghost Lord under my command.”

The Purple Nightmare Ghost Lord was terrified, but a sense of relief at surviving a calamity welled up within him.

He secretly rejoiced that he had resisted the temptation to escape; otherwise, he would probably have already turned into a ghost bead like Qingluo and the others.

Looking at Zhou Xun's calm smile again, he felt it was more terrifying than any fierce or menacing expression.

"To be able to follow my master is the greatest honor of my humble self!"

The Purple Nightmare Ghost Lord hurriedly pledged his loyalty, and then without hesitation forced out a wisp of his natal soul fire, which was dark purple and slowly drifted toward Zhou Xun.

Zhou Xin reached out and took out a fist-sized fourth-tier ghost bead, then infused it with the wisp of soul fire.

He then made hand seals, and streaks of lightning appeared, quickly refining the ghost bead into a palm-sized purple token engraved with mysterious runes.

The token felt cold to the touch, and one could faintly sense the fluctuations of the Purple Nightmare Ghost Lord's soul fire within it.

Zhou Xun nodded in satisfaction and put the token into his pocket:
"He declared, 'From this day forward, if anyone brings this token here, it will be as if I have come in person!'"

"Yes, I understand!"

Zhou Xun nodded and began to give instructions on the arrangements for the Ghost Realm.

(End of this chapter)