Chapter 1429: The Ninth District is Empty!
Luo Yao’s expression changed dramatically, and the Underworld Emperor, who was just about to leave, happened to witness this scene.
"Jingling Great Emperor, what's wrong?"
The Underworld Emperor asked in a deep voice, without the slightest hint of politeness. He and Luo Yao were both Great Emperors, so he naturally didn't need to show respect to Luo Yao. Furthermore, he held some grievances against Luo Yao, which made his tone even less courteous, instead giving the impression of a superior questioning a subordinate.
The Underworld Emperor's words immediately drew the attention of the others. Even Qing Shan Great Emperor, who had already opened the Ghost Gate and was preparing to leave, halted his steps, glanced at the Underworld Emperor, then fixed his gaze on Luo Yao.
Luo Yao naturally heard the impoliteness in the Underworld Emperor's tone, but at that moment, he had no mind to argue with him. His head was filled with another extremely troublesome matter!
"Yang Haoran's Ninth District is empty!"
Luo Yao’s expression was extremely grim as he spoke, but the meaning of his words left everyone present half-understanding, and for a moment, no one fully grasped it.
"Luo Yao, explain yourself clearly. What do you mean Yang Haoran's Ninth District is empty?"
"When I say 'empty,' I mean Yang Haoran's entire Ninth District has become a hollow shell. Everyone has vanished, including the ordinary residents!"
Luo Yao’s words shocked everyone present. Witnessing Lecheng transform into a sea of fire had already surprised them, but it paled in comparison to this.
"How could such a thing happen? Did the other party not only kill the Tong Continent Great Emperor, but also wipe out Yang Haoran's Ninth District completely?"
The speaker was not the Underworld Emperor, but Qing Shan Great Emperor, who had been the first to open the Ghost Gate and prepare for departure. Luo Yao’s words immediately led him to this conclusion.
Qing Shan Great Emperor was not the only one who had this thought; the vast majority of those present immediately considered this possibility. However, under their gazes, Luo Yao shook his head.
"No, there are no signs of a struggle at the scene, nor any bodies. It doesn't look like it was wiped out; rather, it seems they migrated."
Luo Yao’s words made everyone present's expressions change once more.
"Luo Yao, what in the world are you playing at!"
Jun Prefecture Great Emperor said irritably. Like the Underworld Emperor, he had quite a few grievances against Luo Yao, and just because he hadn't spoken before didn't mean he wasn't angry. Now, he finally couldn't hold back, his tone filled with a rebuke!
Luo Yao felt both angry and helpless. Angry, partly because Jun Prefecture Great Emperor had publicly rebuked him, and partly because a district under his command had turned into an empty shell. Helpless, because he himself didn't know what was going on.
Luo Yao didn't let his anger erupt. He knew he was in the wrong, and losing his temper would not only fail to solve the problem but also worsen his situation. So, he rationally suppressed his inner fury.
"I don't know what happened yet, but please calm yourselves, Three Great Emperors. I will find out soon!"
Luo Yao's expression was grim, and he spoke with a solemn face. As his words fell, Yin Qi surged in his hand, and he retrieved his Underworld Iron Tome from his spatial pocket.
...
On the other side, Yang Haoran, heavily wounded and unable to tear through space himself, asked Zhong Siyu to rip open space and take him to Phoenix Fall Mountain. Although there was a price for this, he didn't care about the minor cost. Compared to his life and ambitions, a small price was nothing at all.
Furthermore, he had already signed a contract with Zhong Siyu. From now on, they were both "on the same boat" until one of them died and the contract was dissolved. Therefore, even if he gave Zhong Siyu some benefits afterwards, it would merely be "keeping the gains within the family," so he wouldn't be at a disadvantage.
Zhong Siyu's injuries were originally lighter than Yang Haoran's. Moreover, due to her unique constitution, she had recovered to a certain extent immediately after devouring the Tong Continent Great Emperor, with an instant and dramatic effect. Therefore, tearing through space for a teleportation was merely an insignificant trifle for her.
With Zhong Siyu's help, Yang Haoran quickly arrived at Phoenix Fall Mountain. However, upon their arrival, not only was Yang Haoran dumbfounded, but Zhong Siyu was equally stunned.
There was no chaotic mess, no throngs of people as imagined. There were only dense, towering trees. Forget people, neither of them saw even a single ghost.
"Did we. . . did we come to the wrong place?"
Zhong Siyu looked at Yang Haoran, her tone uncertain as she asked. Hearing her, Yang Haoran shook his head, decisively, without even a thought.
"This is indeed Phoenix Fall Mountain; I couldn't be mistaken."
Yang Haoran gave a definite answer, which only made Zhong Siyu even more perplexed.
"If this is Phoenix Fall Mountain, where are your people? Why isn't there even a single ghost here?"
Zhong Siyu looked around, her delicate face filled with confusion. Hearing Zhong Siyu's words, Yang Haoran shook his head again.
"I don't know, but judging by the trampled vegetation here, not only did people come, but a great many of them."
Hearing Yang Haoran say this, Zhong Siyu also noticed the surrounding vegetation. Just as Yang Haoran had said, the plants had indeed been trampled by people. It wasn't just the area where they stood; everywhere their gaze reached, it was the same. From this, it was clear that many people had indeed been here before, and their numbers were astonishing.
"How strange. From the scene, it's clear many people were here, but why can't we see anyone? Did they all hide within a forbidden barrier to avoid detection? Or perhaps they figured you, the Underworld Guardian, were doomed this time, and simply abandoned you and left?"
Zhong Siyu offered her guesses, but her tone was teasing, as if deliberately trying to provoke Yang Haoran.
Yang Haoran's expression didn't change in the slightest due to Zhong Siyu's words. He was just about to respond when, at that moment, both of their gazes simultaneously turned towards a direction down the mountain. Their synchronized reaction was because, at that instant, both had sensed four energy fluctuations rapidly approaching their location from below the mountain, causing them to instinctively look towards the same area.
The two of them were currently at the mountain's peak, and the four energy fluctuations originated from the mountainside. None of the four fluctuations were particularly strong; judging by their characteristics, they were three demons and one ghost.
Sensing the four energies rapidly approaching, Yang Haoran and Zhong Siyu remained unmoving like mountains. However, neither of them relaxed their guard, as they weren't sure whether the newcomers were friends or foes. Nevertheless, in their estimation, the likelihood of them being allies was much higher.
In a mere instant, Yang Haoran and Zhong Siyu heard a whooshing sound, followed immediately by four figures stopping before them. Yang Haoran's gaze fell upon the four individuals, and a faint smile involuntarily appeared on his face.
These four were Bai Xue, Huang Sha, Bai Jiumeng, and Lu Wu, who had lost his life during the Tongyou City chaos. Under the immense resources poured into him by Yang Haoran, Lu Wu had also gained a Ghost King physique. However, Lu Wu had only just entered the Ghost King realm, and the difference between him and a late-stage Ghost King like Zhong Siyu was quite significant. As for how significant that difference was, Zhong Siyu could instantly kill Lu Wu with a casual strike—that significant!
"Greetings, Divine Emissary!"
"Greetings, Boss!"
Huang Sha, Lu Wu, and Bai Jiumeng all bowed to Yang Haoran, while Bai Xue didn't formally salute him, but her face was filled with worry and anxiety.
"Big Brother Underworld Official, why are you so severely injured?"
Bai Xue spoke with a worried expression, stepping forward to examine Yang Haoran's injuries.
Bai Xue wasn't merely putting on an act for Yang Haoran. She had left the Guardian District earlier under Old Master Wu's orders, so she didn't know that Yang Haoran's opponent was a Great Emperor from the Underworld Division.
After Old Master Wu and the others arrived at Phoenix Fall Mountain, Bai Xue immediately asked Old Master Wu about Yang Haoran's condition. To prevent Bai Xue from causing trouble at such a critical moment, Old Master Wu hadn't told her the truth, merely saying that Yang Haoran would arrive shortly and that she shouldn't worry. It was precisely because she was unaware of the true situation that her reaction was so strong upon seeing Yang Haoran so severely injured.
"Heh, it's already a blessing he even managed to keep his life. If I hadn't desperately saved him, your Big Brother Underworld Official would probably be scattered bones now, with even his soul taken away by someone else."
Zhong Siyu sneered, then spoke with a look of triumph.
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