The person hiding in the bushes couldn't believe it, he had actually appeared!

Everyone saw correctly, that man was definitely King Wanfa. Everyone had thought King Wanfa had gone to Polar Ice Land to look for the Ghost King who was cultivating there, but a few days ago, the Ghost King had unexpectedly returned from his retreat. Only then did people realize King Wanfa's journey to the Polar Ice Land wasn't to find the Ghost King, but for some other purpose.

Since King Wanfa had been in the Polar Ice Land for as long as a month, most people thought he had died there, his bones lost to the ice. Especially more than twenty days prior, on that night, a mysterious bird had flown into the Polar Ice Land, its mocking and scornful cries awakening an ancient beast that had been slumbering there for ages. The roars that never ceased, the glaciers collapsing, and the earth-shaking tumult of that scene were still vivid in their minds.

Unexpectedly, after that terrifying night and the long month that followed, King Wanfa was still alive.

He just walked out of the Polar Ice Land with a steady gait, looking exactly the same as when he had entered it.

In an instant, the skies above the grasslands were filled with more than a dozen Wuji birds. They carried the message that King Wanfa had walked out of the Polar Ice Land alive, flying to various parts of the Netherworld. Some headed to the nearby Dayang Mountains; some to Wind Shelter Valley, and some returned to Netherworld City.

Watching one Wuji bird after another disappear into the misty sky ahead, King Wanfa's face revealed a trace of a cold smile. He already knew of the Ghost King's return, it was the Ghost King who had notified him to come back.

A few hours later, those Wuji birds reached their destinations, and the news that King Wanfa had returned alive from the Polar Ice Land spread throughout the entire Netherworld. Most were shocked beyond belief, as to them, King Wanfa's survival signified that his strength was even greater than they had imagined.

Just how strong was he? No one knew.

Just like no one knew the true breadth of the Polar Ice Land, or how terrifying the ancient beasts within were.

The only certainty was that King Wanfa was terribly powerful.

The Ghost King had ended his retreat, and on the night of his return, the omen of a new Nether King had vanished; now, his mightiest warrior, King Wanfa, had returned. With one event after another occurring in quick succession over just a few days, it was hard not to speculate that the Ghost King would still reign over the Netherworld.

This greatly boosted the morale of the Ghost King's legions; while their gain was the other side's loss, the allied forces of the Qian Li Clan in the eastern Wind Shelter Valley and the tripartite alliance of the Wu, Zheng, and Wang Families in the northeastern Dayang Mountains became dispirited.

Upon the Dayang Mountains, the chieftain of the Wu Family, Wu Kun, was vexed upon hearing of King Wanfa's return from the Polar Ice Land. He regretted not keeping his composure three days ago and had chosen to stay behind in Netherworld City with Zhao Chong. Compared with the easily defended Wind Shelter Valley, the Dayang Mountains did not inspire much confidence; should the Ghost King's legions launch a major attack, the allied forces of the three families might not withstand for long.

And Wang Yun, the clan leader of the Wang family, also felt a twinge of regret.

If the three families hoped to survive now, their only option was to seek an alliance in Wind Shelter Valley. In other words, they would have to beseech Qian Feng, or be at his mercy to issue commands.

Therefore, Zhao Chong's decision not to leave Netherworld City a few days ago was entirely correct, especially after King Wanfa had returned alive.

..

..

Within the Eighteen Levels of Hell.

In front of the Gate of the Nether King.

Heavy footsteps, slow, hesitant.

The Ghost King hadn't wanted to come here, but in the end, he still did.

This Gate of the Nether King, he was all too familiar with it. Back when the Ancestor of the Nether King appointed him to oversee Hell, he was charged with guarding this gate of the Netherworld and containing its secrets.

However, he later found himself imprisoned within the Gate of the Nether King twice, each term lasting over ten thousand years.

Hence, he harbored some fear of this place in his heart and truly did not wish to draw near.

Yet three days after his retreat ended, he still couldn't help but come.

To visit some people.

The visages of those people were etched onto the Gate of the Nether King, their Yin Souls sealing this door that hid numerous secrets.

They were all the past four Generations of the Nether King.

Apart from the Fourth Generation Nether King Yuqiao, the other three generations of Nether Kings had rather extraordinary relationships with the Ghost King. The Ancestor of the Nether King called him 'son', the Second Generation Nether King called him 'brother' as close as one's own flesh and blood, and the Third Generation Nether King had been calling him 'uncle' since his birth.

However, these three people eventually severed ties with him and became irreconcilable enemies.

Towards these three Nether Kings, the Ghost King harbored as much hatred as longing in his heart. It was a complex emotion that sometimes even he struggled to control.

"Stepfather, Feng Yie, nephew, I am here!" the Ghost King shouted towards the Gate of the Nether King, his voice somewhat hoarse and carrying a chilling bitterness.

His hand lightly touched the Gate of the Nether King, feeling its icy temperature, memories of the past surfacing in his mind, warmth swirling in his chest.

Yet, that stoic face of his was still lacking in hatred.

He felt intense hatred.

After lingering for a while, the Ghost King eventually left the Eighteen Levels of Hell.

At that moment, a beautiful face emerged from the Purgatory Fire Pool in front of the Gate of the Nether King. She had almost burst forth in her anger, unable to restrain herself from fighting the Ghost King to the death, but in the end, she managed to contain it.

She was waiting for Chen Hao.

According to her calculations, it wouldn't be many days before Chen Hao would descend into the Netherworld.

Their plan, along with Zhao Chong, would truly commence then.

..

..

Not long after the Ghost King returned to the Nether King Palace from Hell, the Dark Law King also returned from the mortal world.

He had scoured the entire mortal world for days but had failed to find the whereabouts of Chen Hao and his party.

"Ghost King, I am incompetent!" The Dark Law King respectfully bowed to the Ghost King. "I have been unable to locate Chen Hao."

"Oh?" the Ghost King murmured with a deep expression, "If he can't be found, then continue the search, we will find him eventually. Tell me, at most, how long will it take to find the boy?"

Without a second thought, the Dark Law King replied, "Half a month! I shall turn the mortal world upside down. Half a month should be sufficient."

"Very well, I'll give you half a month," the Ghost King said with a cold laugh. Then he walked toward the back courtyard of the Nether King Palace, the Dark Law King following behind.

After staring intently at the wall inside the courtyard for a while, the Ghost King suddenly exclaimed, "I remember, years ago, there was an ancient locust tree that had lived for tens of thousands of years."

"Indeed, that tree was known as the Ancient Locust of the Palace, containing a great amount of ancient Yin Qi," replied the Dark Law King. "However, it was burned down by the Fourth Generation Underworld King several decades ago."

Upon hearing this, a flash passed through the Ghost King's eyes as he sighed, "It's such a pity it was burned down. This Fourth Generation Nether King is truly willful."

In a trance, a blurry face emerged in the mind of the Ghost King. The only time he had ever seen the Fourth Generation Nether King Yuqiao was eighteen years ago when he and the eight Dharma Kings escaped through the Netherworld City gate.

If Yuqiao hadn't been in a rush to seal the Gate of the Nether King, it would have been difficult for him and the eight Dharma Kings to escape from under her watchful eyes.

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