Early morning in Netherworld City.

The great snow continued, and just like the forests, mountains, and rivers outside the city, Netherworld City was also shrouded in a vast expanse of white.

Chen Hao had entered the city less than three days ago and had suddenly disappeared along with the undead warriors. While the people of Netherworld City were still avidly discussing this matter, a troop braved the snow and wind, entering the city from the southern gate of Netherworld City.

The Ghost King had returned, leading an army of over one hundred thousand. Instantly, this news spread throughout the entire Netherworld City, plunging the ancient city into chaos. In the eyes of most people in the Netherworld, the Ghost King was the incarnation of a terrifying demon.

People began to blame and complain about this heavy snow. If it weren't for the delay caused by it, they could have left Netherworld City when Chen Hao disappeared yesterday. Now that the Ghost King Battalion had returned, escaping the city was harder than reaching the heavens.

Not long after, the Ghost King Battalion's guards climbed up the city walls and closed all the gates; meanwhile, the Ghost King went to the eastern courtyard beside the Nether King Palace with King Wumeng and King Qingyu.

"It would have been better if this snow had come a few days earlier," the Ghost King sighed as he took off his gloves, "perhaps by now Qian Feng and the five major families would have started fighting over Netherworld City."

Having said that, he sat down on a chair, continuously rubbing his hands over the stove on the side table, and then said with a laugh, "Indeed, it is warmer inside Netherworld City!"

King Wumeng and King Qingyu grunted in agreement, then sat down on chairs and picked up the steaming hot cups of tea beside them. After taking a sip, a very comfortable expression appeared on both of their faces.

"The Dark Law King isn't as comfortable as we are," the Ghost King said, "He should be approaching Dark Wind Hills by now."

King Wumeng put down his teacup and nodded, "He should be in Dark Wind Hills by now, but Qian Feng already led his forces north to escape yesterday."

"He didn't actually flee," the Ghost King said thoughtfully, "He is waiting, waiting for the reaction and response from the five major families. With such heavy snow, he shouldn't wait too long. Once the deadline passes, he will take his people back to Wind Shelter Valley or Dayang Mountains, and their alliance will have failed. They'll have completely missed their chance, and I will not give them another!"

"So what is the Dark Law King going to do next?"

"Of course, to keep chasing Qian Feng, not giving him any chance to breathe, until he's driven back to Wind Shelter Valley!" the Ghost King replied confidently.

"What if Qian Feng and his men escape towards Sunset Pass?"

A flash of light suddenly shone in the Ghost King's eyes, "That would mean either they have already formed an alliance or Qian Feng has lost his mind."

..

..

Night fell.

After traveling for two days and one night, Qian Feng ordered all his people to rest for the night in the nearby wooded mountains.

After lighting a bonfire and drinking a bowl of thick soup, Qian Feng draped a cloak over himself, took a spyglass, and rode his flying horse to hover at a certain height in the sky.

First, he took out the spyglass to check the west to see if there was any return message from Sunset Pass; then, he looked south to observe the position of the one hundred thousand-strong Ghost King's army pursuing them from behind.

"Ah!" Qian Feng sighed, putting down the spyglass.

"This Nether Soul Body of the Fourth Generation Underworld King is truly stubborn and tough!" he muttered to himself, "Had I known, I would have given her a one-day ultimatum!"

According to his estimate, the Ghost King's army behind them could catch up by tomorrow night at the latest.

Currently, he had three options: the first was to continue north into the cold high mountain ranges or the extensive river wetlands;

the second was to head east toward the middle reaches of the Hong River Basin, where he could choose to battle the Ghost King's army or cross the river and return to Wind Shelter Valley;

the third was to head west toward the allied forces of the five major clans at Sunset Pass, arriving on the last day of the three-day deadline. If the five clans agreed to form an alliance, they could immediately join forces to counterattack the Ghost King's army.

Qian Feng quickly ruled out the third option. He reasoned that the five clans might refuse to ally or take advantage of their lack of retreat to propose harsh conditions. He wouldn't make the foolish mistake of handing over initiative to others.

After careful consideration, to put some pressure on the five clans' camp, Qian Feng ultimately decided to head east toward the middle stream of the Hong River Basin and then ride a flying horse back to the ground.

"Clan Leader Qian!" As soon as Qian Feng dismounted, Lin Huashan approached him.

"Huashan, your timing is perfect, I just have something to ask you," Qian Feng said, looking at Lin Huashan. "Where do you think Chen Hao and the Yang Soul's Nether King are right now?"

"That is exactly the question I wanted to ask you," Lin Huashan said with a wry smile, "they certainly won't be going to Sunset Pass to seek refuge with Yuqiao, who has become a Nether Soul Body."

"It would be great if they were in our camp!"

..

..

The next morning dawned.

The snow was still falling.

At first light, Qian Feng ordered the army to proceed eastward. At that moment, the hundred-thousand-strong army led by the Dark Law King was only a little over two hundred li away from them.

A few hours later, this news reached the ears of Ye Yuqiao's Nether Soul Body at Sunset Pass.

"Is Qian Feng planning to retreat to Wind Shelter Valley?" Ye Yuqiao's Nether Soul Body was getting anxious. "This cunning old fox, he's pressuring me into making concessions!"

For both Qian Feng and her, without the other, neither could pose a threat to the Ghost King's battalion. Their only way out was to form an alliance, but as Qian Feng was unwilling to agree to the terms proposed by Ye Yuqiao's Nether Soul Body, the alliance had been delayed.

Everyone was waiting for the other to make concessions!

"The Ghost King's troops have been chasing them relentlessly!" Zhao Chong said, frowning, "They will reach the Hong River Basin by tomorrow morning. If they haven't received your reply by then, they really might retreat to Wind Shelter Valley to avoid battle with the Ghost King's army. Once that happens, there will be no chance for an alliance later, and the Ghost King, wanting to eliminate Chen Hao, will launch a full-scale assault against us. With just our forces…"

"I understand the stakes, no need to remind me!" Ye Yuqiao's Nether Soul Body interrupted Zhao Chong, "But today is only the second day of the three-day deadline. If Qian Feng still refuses to compromise by tomorrow, then I will!"

Zhao Chong let out a helpless sigh, "Is it worth it, for him?"

"It's worth it!" Ye Yuqiao said defiantly.

"I'll repeat what I've said before, even if everything goes as you wish, you still won't be able to replace her!" Zhao Chong said, "As an outsider, I advise you to let go of this illusion sooner rather than later!"

"How can I know if I don't try?" Ye Yuqiao's Nether Soul Body persisted, "Do you know where Chen Hao and she are now?"

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.