The Purgatory Calamity
Chapter 163 - 148: Ghost Leader, I am Pang Jian._1

Chapter 163: Chapter 148: Ghost Leader, I am Pang Jian._1

Xuan You Continent.

At the Yin Spirit Temple.

"Stay in the cave dwelling for the time being; don’t leave the Yin Spirit Temple in the coming days until this storm of rumors has passed."

The emaciated Han Zhiyuan, looking rather helpless, sighed and said, "The temple has no other choice but to pin all the blame on you and let you bear this infamy."

Dong Tianze leaned against the cold, hard rock wall with an indifferent expression, saying, "It doesn’t matter."

His reputation in the Fourth Realm was already poor.

The six major families regarded him as the Dong Family’s executioner, and in previous years within the Dong Family, he indeed did the types of deeds that couldn’t see the light of day.

But deep down, he knew he was not a true member of the Dong Family; had he not done those dark deeds of eliminating opposition for the Dong Family, he would not have been able to stand in the Dong Family.

Being cursed to his backbone was still better than dying inexplicably.

From the moment he left the Three Immortal Islands, he knew what he would face; now, he was merely accepting reality with resignation.

"The escaped individual cultivator spread the news, claiming you are the Dark Ghost Leader. This matter has already fermented in the Third Realm."

As the true leader of the Dark Ghosts, Han Zhiyuan felt guilty and said, "To clear its association, the temple has no choice but to bite the bullet and accuse you of being the leader of the Dark Ghosts."

Dong Tianze curled the corners of his mouth, "I expected as much."

"Don’t harbor resentment towards the sect; this is something that can’t be helped. Externally, we will just say that you have been imprisoned for severe interrogation," Han Zhiyuan advised sincerely, "Internally, everyone knows you are innocent; you just need not leave for the time being."

"Moreover, your identity as a Heavenly Phoenix Guard can also ensure your safety."

Han Zhiyuan paused for a moment, pondering before revealing a secret, "I heard the sect leader say that the invasion of the Filth Alien Power from the Lower Realm is because there’s a problem with the Heavenly Tribulation Pillar."

"The casting of the Heavenly Tribulation Pillar initially, the reason why the pillar could stand in the Fifth Realm, the efforts of the Heaven Phoenix were significant."

"The Heaven Phoenix has fallen for many years, and those Heavenly Tribulation Pillars showed no abnormalities; the higher-ups also believed that the Heavenly Tribulation Pillars should stand eternally in the Fifth Realm, permanently suppressing the Evil Demon Alien Race."

"No one expected that with the disintegration of the Heaven Phoenix’s remains, countless fragments scattering all around would cause abnormalities in the Heavenly Tribulation Pillar."

"As the casting and standing of the Heavenly Tribulation Pillar are closely related to the Heaven Phoenix, therefore after the pillar changed, it also must rely on the Divine Power of the Heaven Phoenix. The master you can sense has now become an extremely important link. The Pure Land and the higher-ups, regardless of everything, must diligently nurture her."

"The higher-ups are eager for her to reach the level of the Heaven Phoenix as soon as possible in order to repair the Heavenly Tribulation Pillar in the Lower Realm."

"And you, being the Divine Guard who is destined to stand behind her in the future, the various sects of the Third Realm would definitely not dare to touch you lightly."

After patting Dong Tianze on the back and offering a few words of comfort, Han Zhiyuan left the cave dwelling.

"The Master whom I swear to protect... is actually..."

Dong Tianze listened with longing in his heart.

"There are many Divine Guards competing for promotion. Ultimately, only I can stand behind the Master!"

Dong Tianze’s gaze was resolute.

He planned to venture out of the Yin Spirit Temple to hunt other Divine Guards after the situation blew over. It seemed to be the fastest way for him to break through his boundaries and enhance his strength.

"Ding ling!"

Suddenly, an unusual sound came from the Ghost Altar next to him.

Having presided over the Ghost Altar many times, Dong Tianze knew as soon as he heard the sound that a message had been transmitted from the Lower Realm by a Dark Ghost Hall Master.

With a wave of his hand, a piece of paper flew out from the Ghost Altar and landed steadily in his palm.

"The Leader, I am Pang Jian."

The first line instantly drove Dong Tianze into a rage!

Suppressing the impulse to tear the paper to shreds, he read on.

"I need various types of saplings and seeds of flowers and plants, the more, the better. You set the price. We will trade in seven days."

After reading.

Dong Tianze’s face rippled like water, veins in his forehead bulging, his pupils suddenly revealing a fierce, man-eating glare.

"Huff! Huff!"

He breathed heavily, staring intently at the line of text on the paper, struggling to calm himself for a long time.

Pang Jian actually dared to approach him for a trade!

Shaking, he took out paper and pen, gritted his teeth, and wrote a line of text, throwing it into the Ghost Altar.

The line read... "How are you not dead yet?"

Having done all this, he stared ferociously at the Ghost Altar.

For an official trade, the Ghost Altar needed a lot of preparation, but for merely transmitting a message on paper, many steps could be simplified.

Since he had managed to get the paper at the moment the message was transmitted, it meant that Pang Jian had not yet dismantled the Ghost Altar on his side, and Pang Jian would be able to see his message promptly.

Sure enough.

A moment later, the "ding ling" sound of a new message came.

Dong Tianze raised his hand immediately, drawing the new piece of paper into his palm and quickly looking down to read it.

—— Please help, Leader; I have matters to attend to. See you in seven days.

The ferocious-looking Dong Tianze took deep breaths, forcibly compelling himself to remain calm.

But in the end, he began to curse madly, "That damn Pang Jian! What do you take me for? I am the Dark Ghost Leader! Not a subordinate at your beck and call!"

The cave dwelling resounded with the sounds of banging against walls and pounding the ground in a fit of rage.

After a long, long time, Dong Tianze finally calmed down, looking at the two pieces of paper sent by Pang Jian, battling internally.

A while later, he suddenly barked out loud, "I must see what game you’re playing!"

Ignoring Han Zhiyuan’s advice, he left the cave dwelling right away and saw someone sitting quietly outside. He said, "Brother Liu, I need to purchase various types of saplings and flower and plant seeds."

As a rule, it was Liu Yan who was responsible for keeping an eye on him. Thinking he might be possessed, he said in surprise, "What do you want these for?"

"Either I’ll buy them myself, or you go and purchase them for me."

Dong Tianze spoke with a cold expression on his face.

"I’ll go then. For the time being... It’s better if you stay inside."

Unable to grasp the situation, Liu Yan left in a confused state and began to purchase all kinds of saplings and flowers extensively at the Yin Spirit Temple and the nearby trading areas.

...

In the cloud space between the Third Realm and the Fourth Realm.

A Fire Cloud Ship from the Raging Sun Sect had just passed through the thick grey Lead Clouds, arriving at high altitude in the Fourth Realm.

"Is Zhou Qingchen from Red Mountain present?"

A graceful and dignified beautiful woman, sitting on a light boat as clear as jade, looked at the approaching Fire Cloud Ship from the Raging Sun Sect and said, "Have him come out and see me."

The massive Fire Cloud Ship was now echoing emptily, with hardly anyone on it.

Xiao Pei, who had the cultivation of the Innate Realm, glanced at Zhou Qingchen, Han Duping, Su Meng, and the few others present. After hesitating for a moment, he then asked, "May I know who you are?"

"An elder from his family."

Zhou Yuane smiled faintly.

Zhou Qingchen was startled for a moment, then leapt out of the Fire Cloud Ship, overcome with joy, and headed straight for the hovering light boat.

He and Han Duping were originally traveling on a Cloud Sail to the Three Immortal Islands, where they happened to encounter a Fire Cloud Ship preparing to descend to the Lower Realm and also met Su Meng.

Through Su Meng, Zhou Qingchen learned that a terrifying disaster had broken out in the Fourth Realm. This Fire Cloud Ship had been filled with people from the Dong Family a few days ago, and now it was going back down to transport people and goods again.

Su Meng was also taking the opportunity to return to the Su Family to assess the situation.

Zhou Qingchen made a swift decision and, instead of going to the Three Immortal Islands to seek revenge on Dong Tianze, he and Han Duping decided to use the Raging Sun Sect’s Fire Cloud Ship to descend to the Lower Realm.

"Elder!"

As soon as he landed on the light boat, Zhou Qingchen bowed deeply, his head knocking loudly as he said, "I have long admired your great name! It’s thanks to your presence that the Zhou Family has been able to stand firm in the Fourth Realm and remain at the forefront!"

"You’re indeed lucky to have come out of Bagua City alive."

Zhou Yuane smiled faintly and said, "You, Dong Tianze, Qi Qingsong, the few of you who left Bagua City alive, have all proven to be exceptionally talented. Especially the late bloomer Qi Qingsong, it’s unbelievable. He returned to the Sword Tower not long ago and rapidly advanced through two realms, now possessing a Hollow Profound Realm cultivation, and was reintroduced from an outer gate disciple into the inner gate."

Zhou Qingchen was astonished: "I saw him not long ago, and he has already reached the Hollow Profound Realm?"

"And more than that, I believe he can keep the momentum going and advance to Spirit Condensation in a short time."

Zhou Yuane’s eyes showed her approval as she confided a secret, "In the Sword Tower, Qi Qingsong’s talent in his youth was exceptionally dazzling."

"But he was naturally lax, and as time went on his cultivation efforts dwindled. By the time he reached the Marrow Cleansing Realm, he had been stuck at this stage for several years, yearning to advance with the ’Unity of Heaven and Man’, yet he was unable to break through."

"After returning from Bagua City, he successfully advanced to Innate using the method he pursued. Afterwards, he became unstoppable. In just a few months, he broke through to the Hollow Profound Realm, dazzling the entire Second Realm."

Hearing this, Zhou Qingchen scratched his head sheepishly and said, "Elder, I’ve only barely reached the latter stage of the Marrow Cleansing Realm a few days ago."

"You’re not at the top, but you’re better than many."

Zhou Yuane nodded and looking at this rising star of the Zhou Family, she said reflectively, "A great calamity is approaching, and I don’t have time to descend often to look after things, so I hope a new star can emerge in the Zhou Family to help it through this calamity."

"Huh!"

A deeply red glowing orb was taken out by Zhou Yuane, flicked by her finger and embedded into Zhou Qingchen’s chest.

"The Heaven Essence Bead has followed me for many years, and today I bestow it unto you, hoping you can lead the Zhou Family out of adversity."

Having said that, Zhou Yuane waved her sleeve and sent Zhou Qingchen back to the Fire Cloud Ship.

She then rode the light boat towards the sky.

She had seen all that needed to be seen in the Fourth Realm, had a clear understanding of the situation, and now had to return to report back.

...

"Whoosh!"

A meteor releasing an extreme cold aura shot out from Pang Jian’s palm, plummeting toward the ground below.

The meteor was hauntingly beautiful, its icy light dazzling, yet it harbored a hidden lethality.

His mind stirred.

The three types of forces within this icy meteor responded to him, changing the meteor’s trajectory, allowing it to drift gracefully in the midair below.

"Star Flow Skill, Spiritual Power, starlight, and the Extreme Cold Alien Power from the Ice Pool."

Pang Jian stood at the edge of the Cloud Sail, watching the trajectory of the meteor and deeply contemplating.

Having drawn Extreme Cold Alien Power from the altar beneath Ice-rock City to create the Ice Pool, he had tried several times recently and found that it combined well with the Moon Blade, the Silver Moon Ring, and the Star Flow Skill.

The light from the full moon and the stars in the night sky, cool to the touch, seemed compatible with the Extreme Cold Power, which is why they could be used together.

He even felt that since the moon and stars both appeared in the night sky and their essences were similar, they could also be fused together and utilized to unleash even more astonishing power.

Yet, he couldn’t find the method to perfectly merge the power of the stars and the moon, at least not for the moment.

Only after the meteor, which had gradually drifted away, exhausted its force and vanished did he come back to his senses and sit back down on the deck of the Cloud Sail, taking out a Calming Pill.

"Let’s see how the Rebel Kid is doing."

He established a connection with the Dark Giant Python.

The next moment.

He could feel a gentle little hand lightly touching his forehead, caressing a small horn, revealing her heart to him with tenderness, "Hei, what should I do?"

...