Chapter 40: The Ghostly Asura

Chapter 40: The Ghostly Asura

The appearance of the figure in black robes sent a ripple of astonishment through the crowd. Countless eyes turned toward the Ghost Shadow, filled with profound dread.

"There is no need for such panic; I am alone," the Ghost Shadow said, his hands clasped behind his back, his tone detached and natural. He cast a sidelong glance at the various factions present, knowing exactly what they feared.

In those days, the titles "Ghost Shadow Asura" and "Spear of Hell" had resonated across the entire continent. Otherwise, how could the Ghost Asura, with nothing but a single spear, have terrified the entire Shui family into surrendering a bride on her wedding day? The Ghost Shadow and the Asura had always fought side by side, inseparable.

Yet, years ago, the Asura had allowed his heart to be swayed. For the sake of a woman, he had openly defected, wishing to flee with her. However, the laws of the Demonic Sect allowed for no betrayal. Thus, the Master of the Ghost Domain Demonic Sect, Ghost Heaven, had personally struck down the very god of war he had cultivated. He had then bestowed the Spear of Hell—a weapon said to possess the power to destroy heaven and earth—upon the young master, Ghost-Fear-No-One.

"You lie!" cried a youth, pale and gasping his last breath, his body shattered by the spear in the hands of Ghost-Fear-No-One. "The Ghost Shadow and the Asura of your Demonic Sect were inseparable! If you, Young Master Shadow, are here, then the Asura cannot be far behind!"

Only those within the inner circle knew what had truly transpired in the Ghost Domain. Even Duan Liuxiang, who shared a special bond with the Asura, only knew that he had turned the Spear of Hell against his former brothers and fought the very master who had forged his cultivation. Ghost Shadow still remembered that scene vividly: the Asura, spear in hand, locked in a desperate battle with the Sect Master, their blood painting the void of the Ghost Domain.

"Heh, there is no need for that," Ghost Shadow said, ignoring the others. "For you lot, I alone am sufficient." He did not wish to revisit the pain of losing his brother years ago. The era of the Ghost Shadow Asura had passed; that glorious history could not, and would not, return.

*Hoo!*

Mu Qingfeng and the old woman from the Flower Realm both breathed a sigh of relief. If only the Ghost Shadow remained, any of them could hold their own against him. Even with the Spear of Hell, they were no longer afraid. As long as the Ghost Shadow and the Asura did not appear together, the balance of this era could be reshaped.

"Ghost Shadow," Duan Liuxiang said, her sword pointed at him, her tone heavy with interrogation despite her internal unrest, "tell me, where is the Asura?"

Ghost Shadow’s eyes grew distant. He could never forget the first time the Asura had introduced him to this girl. The Asura’s eyes had been filled entirely with her. Back then, he had not understood the Asura’s feelings, but seeing Duan Liuxiang now, he understood in an instant.

Yet, he could not allow it. His gaze shifted from cold to terrifying. With a wave of his hand, he unleashed a massive surge of elemental energy toward Duan Liuxiang, cruel and without a shred of mercy.

"If it weren't for you, the Asura would never have walked that path! If it weren't for you, would these spineless wretches dare to be so arrogant before me today? You destructive enchantress, I will slay you today and send you down to give my brother an account!"

Ghost Shadow moved with unnatural speed, appearing before Duan Liuxiang in a heartbeat and striking down with a ruthless palm.

"Liuxiang!"

Duan Liuxiang, sent flying through the air, saw him through blurred vision—the Ghost Asura.

"Asura!" she sobbed, reaching out to touch his face, but feeling only a smear of hot, crimson blood.

She coughed up blood, her consciousness fading, as a faint, ghostly voice echoed in her heart: "Liuxiang... I am so cold... so cold... the Underworld..."

*Boom!*

Before the voice could finish, a shockwave blasted Duan Liuxiang away, rendering her unconscious. Standing before her was an elderly man who, until moments ago, had been driving a dilapidated cart pulled by an old ox.

"The old cart driver?" Mo Fan gasped in disbelief. How could this world be so mad? An unassuming, lowly cart driver had just blocked a strike that made everyone else tremble.

"Old Man Demon Ox, you are interfering with my affairs!" Ghost Shadow said, his voice cold and devoid of humanity.

"She belongs to the Asura. I will not allow you to harm her." The old man exerted his strength, and a power as vast as the stars erupted, forcing Ghost Shadow back. He moved to Duan Liuxiang's side and lifted her with a look of compassion.

"Old Man Demon Ox... one of the Ten Greats of the Southern Domain," Mu Qingfeng, the old woman, and Qiu Yehong gasped. Such a high-level expert was beyond their reach.

"Old Man Demon Ox, you were once a top expert of my Demonic Race," Ghost Shadow spat. "To think you abandoned the sect for the sake of that 'Ten Greats' title, and now you stand against me for a mere girl. Do you truly think I dare not strike you?"

"You are welcome to try," the old man replied indifferently, carrying Duan Liuxiang away.

"I owe you! If it is for the Asura’s sake, then kill her! Kill her!" Ghost Shadow roared. But the old man ignored him, vanishing into the distance in a blink.

"Ah! Ghost Shadow Asura! Spear of Hell!"

With the old man gone, Ghost Shadow lost his composure. The disruption of his plans drove him into a frenzy. He wanted to unleash all the malice in his heart, forgetting the Nine-Dragon Fan and the Staircase of Ascent entirely. At his call, Ghost-Fear-No-One appeared by his side, eyes icy, holding his own spear. Back-to-back, they wielded the two halves of the split weapon. As they struck, the very heavens lost their color.

"This...?" Mo Fan’s heart hammered. Unable to bear the pressure, he spat blood, his vision blurring.

The surroundings grew desolate. Under the demand of the Spears of Hell, the flowers and trees around Panlong Mountain withered and vanished at a visible rate.

"Ah!"

Many people exploded in that instant, their bones and blood scattering to stain the earth. It was a harrowing sight. No one had expected that even without the Asura, the power of the Ghost Shadow and the Spears of Hell would remain so devastating—even if it was less than a tenth of its former strength.

The old woman flicked her fingers, drawing her sword to strike. At the same time, Mu Qingfeng turned his folding fan into a razor-sharp blade, lunging at the pair.

*Clang! Clang! Clang!*

The Nine-Dragon Fan atop Panlong Mountain vibrated, releasing a powerful force that pulled at them. After several clashes, the combatants were dragged by the mysterious power onto the bluestone slabs of the mountain. Once they stepped onto that ground, an invisible barrier sealed the battlefield, leaving those below to watch only the flickering images.

"Aunt!" Hua Youyou and the others cried out, rushing in pursuit.