Boom!

Xie Bian didnt hesitate. He charged at Leopard Tail, fierce as a demon.

He swung his fist.

His fist technique was cunning. Leopard Tails pupils constricted as he instinctively shifted half a step to the left, body twisting ninety degrees. Then he straightened his back, dodging the blow.

The instant he dodged, he, too, swung his fist.

There was nowhere to hide.

Hmph.

Xie Bian didnt even consider dodging. His other hand clenched into a fist and met Leopard Tails attack head-on.

Bang!

Their fists collided. A wave of spiritual energy instantly exploded outward.

The surrounding trees cracked under the force of the mighty wave of spiritual energy and rocks and sand were lifted into the air.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The powerful blow pushed Xie Bian a full seven steps back before he finally managed to stop himself. Meanwhile, Leopard Tails eyes filled with mockery; he hadnt budged an inch.

This..

Seeing this, Xie Bians eyelids twitched violently. Was Leopard Tail really stronger than him now?

Black Impermanence, whod at the same time, now clenched his chest and fell by Xie Bians side. He looked next to Leopard Tail...

Fish Gills had thrown him a straight punch and was now smiling smugly.

Ol Fan. Xie Bian frowned.

Black Impermanence waved off his concern and said: theyre troublesome opponents.

Of course they were troublesome opponents! Leopard Tail and the others were now stronger than them. In the past, they could rely on Xie Bians might to threaten them but now even that final trump card had turned to ash.

But you ought to know, just half a year ago..

Xie Bian could have defeated all four of them singlehandedly!

What on earth happened in the past half-year to make them so strong?

Xie Bian, Fan Wujiu, did you think yourselves the strongest of the Ghost Marshalls? Truly ludicrous! Ill repeat myself once more; youd best hurry up and surrender. Who knows? We might still spare your lives. Leopard Tail laughed.

Xie Bian frowned back at him. Earlier, when all those souls went missing from the Underworld. That was your doing, wasnt it?

It was.

By now, there was no need to cover it up any longer. Given how rapidly their strength had soared, almost anyone in the Underworld wouldve made the connection to the missing evil spirits and assumed they were responsible.

Swallowing up evil souls is against the will of the heavens. Dont you fear divine retribution? roared Xie Bian, expression dark.

Leopard Tail simply narrowed his eyes and laughed, Divine retribution? Really? Youre talking divine retribution with me? Ill tell you the truth, its better not to overly revere the heavens. If you do, youll be grievously disappointed when you learn the truth. Alternatively, if I told you the heavens wanted us to cooperate with the demons would you believe me?

Do you really think Id believe that? snorted Xie Bian.

I suppose I didnt, said Leopard Tail with a calm smile. Then his smile darkened as he said, surrender. Youve oppressed the four of us all these years but in the name of our former friendship, we wont kill you. Honestly, dont resist, you cant turn this around. Do you know why those Ghost Emperors made their move? Why even the guardian deities of the Heavenly Places took action? Havent you thought it through? Is it really as simple as them consorting with demons? Do you really think thats possible?

What are you trying to say?

Its not just the Underworld. The Heavenly Court and Immortal Region arent faring any better. To send such ripples throughout all three realms simultaneously Do you think the demons alone are capable of such a thing? What kind of ability is required to make people of all three realms submit? Think about it. But then, our mission is to take you out. Dont make trouble for us. Just surrender.

When Xie Bian heard this, he was visibly astonished.

At the same time, though, Ox-head strode forth. He patted Xie Bians shoulder, startling him to his senses, then, eyes wide, snorted, now youve told us everything. We dont want to get into it now, but you seem to think victory is inevitable. That actually isnt the case.

Old Bull, youd best change that stubborn temperament of yours, snorted Leopard Tail angrily.

I cant charge it. This temperament of mine was built up over tens of thousands of years, do you really think I can just change at the drop of a hat? Ox-head snorted softly. I could tell you the same thing. Give up and come quietly. In the name of our former friendship, well spare your lives.

Spare my life? Leopard Tails face brimmed over with unspoken mockery. He even put his hands behind his ears and leaned forward, then asked inquisitively, what did you just say? I couldnt quite hear you. Would you mind repeating it for me?

The situation was already settled.

Both their subordinate ghost soldiers and the four Ghost Martials themselves were at an absolute advantage against their current opponents.

Spare their lives?

That was truly the most ridiculous thing hed heard in his life!

Ill be curious to see just how you go about sparing our lives! With that, Leopard Tails expression darkened. Countless evil spirits manifested around him, circling him and wailing piteously.

Then Ill just have to show you.

Facing Leopard Tails terrifying fury, Ox-tail simply smiled confidently, his hands rapidly forming seals. Before long, the sky shattered as thirty-six enormous coffins, each fully a thousand feet tall, cut their way the air.

When Leopard Tail saw this, he was struck dumb. A hint of fear flickered through his eyes.

Ox-head, you actually..

Xie Bian was visibly shaken as he watched the thirty-six enormous coffins. He soon found himself thinking about the early days of the Underworld. Back then, who had been the undisputed number one Ghost Martial?

Ox-head.

He wasnt number one because his personal strength was overwhelmingly powerful. Rather, it was because of the thirty-six Ghost Kings following him.

But hadnt those Ghost Kings perished ten thousand years ago?

My old brothers, Ill have to trouble you again.

Ox-head faced the coffins and bowed deeply. Then, with a wave of his right hand, the coffins opened.

The Ghost Kings walked the earth once more!

..

Youre saying someone from the God Realm is supporting you from the shadows? Black Dragon looked into Gu Lis eyes and frowned. Gu Li had just told him everything, leaving nothing out.

Thats right! If I had no help from above, do you really think a small person like myself could have commanded major powers from all three realms? That just doesn't make sense, no matter how you think about it, sighed Gu Li.

I tried to lead them with my own efforts, but that was nothing but a fantasy. I might seem grand from the outside, but in truth, Im just an errand boy. I cant even begin to compete with you, Your Excellency.

To think they had help from above!

Black Dragon couldnt help but frown. If someone from a higher realm was supporting them, anything was possible. It was just, he might have no way of getting his revenge.

Attacking Gu Li meant challenging his backer.

Although he was currently a supreme as well, who knew just how strong Gu Lis backer was?

Your Excellency Black Dragon, I know you hate me. Anyone would hate someone who stole their homeland. But what would you think if I told you that person instigated all of this?

When he heard this, Black Dragon could no longer maintain his composure.

What!? he asked solemnly.