The night was deep.

In Wushuang City, there was silence, a far cry from the bustling scene of the Spring Festival when the peach blossoms bloomed in their thousands.

Everyone knew that war was imminent, and unrest stirred among the city's population. Thankfully, Ye Yuqiao's Nether Soul Body had not ordered a lockdown of the city, allowing the people to leave the city to avoid the conflict.

After pacing anxiously in the courtyard, at last, Ye Yuqiao's Nether Soul Body sensed the Nether King's Heart again.

"Chen Hao, you've finally activated the Nether King's Heart!" She was overjoyed.

"Why didn't you tell me about the Ghost King sealing the gates to the Netherworld and the Samsara Path?" Chen Hao asked sharply, his tone filled with anger.

Ye Yuqiao's Nether Soul Body thrummed nervously twice before responding, "Chen Hao, it seems you're aware of the events in the mortal world. I didn't want to disturb your cultivation."

"Enough," Chen Hao interrupted, "at this point, blaming you is pointless. I know, you're worried that I would rush to Netherworld City alone in a fit of rage. I won't talk anymore; I need to hurry and continue my training."

"Chen Hao, I have something urgent to tell you," Ye Yuqiao's Nether Soul Body said hastily, "the Ghost King Battalion has already marched out. They're about to start attacking Wushuang City again."

It took a while before Chen Hao replied, "I know, but there's not much I can do to help; better to focus on my training."

"Who says you can't help?" countered Ye Yuqiao's Nether Soul Body. "You are the Yang King. You have great prestige in the eyes of the soldiers. Your presence would surely boost their morale significantly."

"I understand," said Chen Hao in a cold tone, "when I'm needed, I'll rush back in time. Hold out for a few more days, I will try to master the Nether King's Power within these days."

Hearing Chen Hao's commitment to master the Nether King's Power, Ye Yuqiao's Nether Soul Body smiled bitterly. She knew that no matter how hard Chen Hao tried, he couldn't do it by his effort alone.

"Tell my Yang Soul to be ready to defeat the Ghost King."

"Hmm!"

Chen Hao grunted in acknowledgment, then there was no further response. He activated the Nether Vision Technique with his left eye, searching for traces of ancient beasts nearby. Now, it took him less than an hour to defeat an ancient beast.

But he still felt it wasn't enough because he hadn't mastered the Nether King's Power yet. He believed he could do better.

Watching Chen Hao battle tirelessly these past days, Ye Yuqiao felt pained. She wanted to tell him the cruel truth but feared it would wound his heart and shatter his dreams.

As the weather gradually warmed, most of the snow on the grassland had melted away, bringing with it an exceptional chill, especially at night. And most of the ancient beasts that had moved south with that rare heavy snowfall were returning to the Polar Ice Land.

So after searching for a while without finding any ancient beasts, Chen Hao grew increasingly anxious.

"If you can't find them, just take a rest," Ye Yuqiao said, holding Chen Hao's hand. "You haven't had a proper rest for days."

"Yuqiao, I'm not tired, really!" Chen Hao assured her with a smile, his gaze firm.

Ye Yuqiao's hand gently caressed Chen Hao's face, her brows furrowed, "I used to love seeing you so determined, it was inspiring. But now, it hurts me to see you like this."

"Yuqiao, I truly am not tired," Chen Hao reassured as he embraced her gently, "with you by my side, I will never feel weary. The Ghost King Battalion is going to attack Wushuang City again; I don't have much time left. If we really can't find any ancient beasts later, let's head into the Polar Ice Land."

Hearing Chen Hao's words tightened Ye Yuqiao's brows. The Polar Ice Land was an extremely dangerous place, and Chen Hao's willingness to venture there was far too reckless and risky.

"Right," Chen Hao's eyes suddenly sparkled as he firmly grasped Ye Yuqiao's hand, excited, "Yuqiao, now that the Ghost King Battalion has left Netherworld City, we could go back there first, open the gates to the Netherworld, as well as the Samsara Path."

Ye Yuqiao "hmm"ed, not seeming very happy.

"Yuqiao, take me to the Netherworld City quickly," Chen Hao said, tightly holding Ye Yuqiao's hand.

After a long silence, Ye Yuqiao finally looked up at Chen Hao and said, "Chen Hao, I have thought of a way that will allow you to cultivate the Nether King's Power quickly."

Chen Hao's face showed surprise, and he opened his mouth wide, "Yuqiao, are you serious?"

"Mhm!" Ye Yuqiao slightly lowered her head, then nodded, "Really. I guarantee that you can cultivate the Nether King's Power. Do you still remember the place I told you last time that I wanted to visit the most?"

"I remember, the Wanhua Forest in the ancient region. I even promised to take you there when the time was right. Wait, are you saying that place is it?"

"Mhm!" Ye Yuqiao nodded. Just then, a cold wind blew by, making her shiver uncontrollably. She leaned into Chen Hao's embrace, with her eyes tightly shut.

"That's great!" Chen Hao said with a smile, "It happens to fulfill two wishes at once. Yuqiao, are you tired?"

"A bit cold."

Chen Hao held Ye Yuqiao even tighter.

..

..

One day passed, and the Ghost King Battalion reached the woods fifty li outside Wushuang City.

After setting up camp and resting for a night, the twenty-five thousand strong army of the Ghost King Battalion began their assault on Wushuang City.

The first battle of the siege lasted two days and one night. No victor had been decided, but casualties were enormous. The Ghost King Battalion lost over seventy thousand men, and the seven allied clans defending suffered over fifty thousand casualties.

On the second day after the battle, the Ghost King Battalion suddenly launched another large-scale assault, completely catching the seven allied families off guard.

The second battle lasted only one day, and by nightfall, the Ghost King Battalion withdrew its forces. Although the fighting was not as intense as the previous day, the casualties were nevertheless significant.

Night had fallen deep.

Ye Yuqiao's Nether Soul Body and Zhao Chong patrolled atop the city walls.

"In these two days, nearly seventy thousand of us have died or been injured, and around ninety thousand on the Ghost King Battalion's side. It seems the Ghost King has gone mad!"

"Chen Hao is the only person he currently fears. Naturally, he wants to eliminate Chen Hao at all costs. As long as Chen Hao is dead, he no longer needs to worry about any future trouble," Zhao Chong said, frowning slightly.

"It seems there's no way back," Ye Yuqiao's Nether Soul Body suddenly showed a trace of a smile, "She is going to be sacrificed soon!"

Zhao Chong's face darkened, he sighed shortly, then raised his head to gaze at the brilliant stars above: "I wonder where they are now."

At this very moment, Chen Hao and Ye Yuqiao were riding a flying horse towards the Wanhua Forest in the ancient region.

Ye Yuqiao lay in Chen Hao's arms, listening to his heartbeat.

A tear fell from her eyes, then was whisked away by the oncoming wind, shredded and scattered into the night below.

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