"Dare to threaten the Netherworld King, you're courting death." Ye Shikai's newly recruited members from the Underworld immediately charged forward with guns, along with the machine guns on the off-road vehicles, forming a formidable firepower. The Tang Family guards also rushed forward, and both sides instantly fell into a standoff.

"Stand back, I can fight him without your help." Ye Shikai waved his hand, signaling everyone to retreat. Tang Nie, with his pride, naturally wouldn't want to bully with numbers.

It seems destined to be a duel between the two.

"I'll kill you today." Tang Nie drew a short dagger, although Ye Shikai didn't recognize the dagger's name, its imposing aura without inner strength suggested it was indeed a famous artifact.

Tang Nie took the first move, charging forward with his dagger, while Ye Shikai raised his sword to meet him. Sparks flew from the deadly clash of blades, and after only three exchanges, both were awed by the other's strength. Despite Tang Nie's prowess, having yet to break through to Divine Separation, he was no match for Ye Shikai. Often touted as a genius, now defeated by a peer, Tang Nie's confidence was shaken.

"No wonder he's the Netherworld King, after over a dozen moves, that audacious youngster was already losing ground." Seeing Ye Shikai gaining the upper hand, those behind him cheered and encouraged Ye Shikai continuously.

Ye Shikai feigned a move to deceive Tang Nie into swinging his blade forcefully, taking advantage of the opening, he kicked fiercely, sending Tang Nie flying several meters back.

"Kid, do you still wish to fight?" Ye Shikai said coldly, during that opening, his skill could have easily pierced Tang Nie's chest with his sword, ending his life. However, Ye Shikai had no intention of killing, this was merely a lesson, not revenge.

"Damn it, come again." Tang Nie shouted, dashing forward, slashing fiercely. Ye Shikai positioned his sword horizontally, and when the weapons collided, a thunderous sound echoed. Ye Shikai took several steps back, dissipating the force, surprised by the youngster's explosive power. That slash could have been fatal, evidently, Tang Nie paid no heed to Ye Shikai's gesture of goodwill. Since that's the case, Ye Shikai decided to entertain the spoiled rich kid.

Ye Shikai unleashed the Fire Element, spewing scorching flames. Tang Nie jolted, hurriedly dodging the flames, but... his stylish hair got somewhat singed.

"What kind of treasure is this?" Tang Nie shouted.

"What a frog at the bottom of the well, you don't even know this." Ye Shikai sneered coldly, condensing a fireball in his hand and forcefully shooting it out.

"Second Master, watch out." Several guards rushed to assist Tang Nie, blocking this move. Observing this, Ye Shikai also halted his assault, the arrival of guards clearly indicating Tang Nie's submission.

"Tang Nie, even though you provoked me today, since there is no grudge between us past or present, I won't kill you. Earlier, I met your father. Follow this path, and you'll find them." Ye Shikai indicated the road ahead.

"Why should I trust you?" Tang Nie was somewhat unwilling, not content with his defeat. Yet, he realized that even if he sacrificed his life, he couldn't kill Ye Shikai.

"Your father sparred with me earlier, there's still traces of his inner strength on me, you should have noticed... right?" Ye Shikai stated calmly "Believe it or not, it's up to you."

"Second Master, right now, finding the Family Head is of utmost importance, the rest can wait. A gentleman's revenge is never too late for ten years." A trusted guard whispered in Tang Nie's ear.

"Let's go." Tang Nie glared fiercely at Ye Shikai, ultimately conceding to let the guards lead him away.

"We should leave too." Wang Qian said casually, leading her Wang Family elders along with Tang Nie, passing by Ye Shikai, exchanging a "knowing" glance. Ye Shikai did not want to cause trouble with Wang Qian here; starting conflict now would only lead to gossip.

"Finally rid of those bothersome fellows." Ye Shikai walked to Ji Qian's side, saying calmly.

"Wuyan, why are you here too?" Ye Shikai asked out of curiosity.

"Why? Both a Netherworld King and a Moon God can come, so why can't I, the esteemed Sect Leader of Huaxia's Worm Sect?" Despite Wuyan's usual sharp tongue, Ye Shikai knew she meant no harm.

"Wuyan really helped me a lot; if not for her corpse worms absorbing the death energy, I'd have already lost several subordinates." Ji Qian smiled faintly.

"Thank you." Ye Shikai nodded in acknowledgment.

"By the way, I wanted to ask, where are Chen Yuxin, the Ghost, and the Hidden Guard? Where have they gone?" Ji Qian looked at the people behind him, although loyal to Ye Shikai, their attire made it evident they were not Hidden Guards, and the Ghost and others were absent.

"It's a long story, but in short, we got separated." Ye Shikai sighed "These people are ones I've recently recruited, with them, I'm not alone."

"By the way, my father... is he alright?" Ji Qian suddenly asked.

"Don't worry, Mr. Ji and the others are not in danger." Ye Shikai nodded, expressing that Ji Qian was naturally concerned about Ji Tao. Now that he had found Ji Qian and met Wuyan, all that was left was to locate Chen Yuxin and the others.

.......................................

"Has everyone arrived?" Chen Yuxin glanced at the team behind, then at the road ahead. After finally crossing this gorge, they could move on to search for people.

"Netherworld Empress, the Hidden Guards have already passed."

"Family Head, we've crossed too." Chen Ruoya brought the guards and elders over. After everyone had crossed the gorge without ambush, Chen Yuxin breathed a sigh of relief. At this time, Nightmare Illusion Fox also led several Hidden Guards climbing down from above.

"Nightmare, what's the situation up there?" Chen Yuxin asked.

"Netherworld Empress, there are thousands of Ghost Soldiers fully armed above the gorge, but... there's no movement whatsoever." Nightmare was somewhat perplexed, were all these Ghost Soldiers... frozen?

"Don't worry too much about that, let's set off immediately to search." Chen Yuxin shook her head, from the gorge incident to now, it's been one to two hours. She initially thought Ye Shikai would wait in place, but the area was empty, with not even footprints left behind.

"Family Head, there's quite a bit of dust here but no traces at all. If husband and the Li Mansion's people had passed, there should have been footprints. Could it be... deliberately cleared by someone?" Chen Ruoya remarked.

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