Chapter 297

Chapter 297: The Fifth Battle – Competition

Ghost Island sprawled vast and imposing.

Contrary to expectations, the aura of decay was sparse.

Instead, a dark power fluctuation filled the air, suppressing the terrifying waters of the River of Death, preventing them from flooding the island.

This very force allowed skeletal beings to manifest as lifeforms and living humans to tread upon the island safely.

The island’s mere existence depended on numerous stringent conditions.

Zhang Yang moved cautiously through the alien landscape, his senses tingling with unease.

The oppressive atmosphere hinted at dangers even greater than those aboard the Ghost Ship of the Buried Immortals.

Instinctively, his hand moved to the handleless crescent blade at his side.

Nearby, Yue Guilong’s breath hitched.

That blade was none other than Saint Yue Shou’s holy weapon.

Having received its inheritance, Yue Guilong knew he could refine the sacred armament.

If he succeeded, its power would elevate him to the realm of Holy Bodies.

Properly harnessed, it could rend Holy Bodies like paper, much like how Yuluan once slew Saint Lie Qianlong with her Silver Dragon Holy Sword.

Such power would make Yue Guilong’s combat prowess truly fearsome, strengthening his body toward sainthood.

Zhang Yang produced three martial arts techniques on the path of a saint.

"Since we speak of transactions," he said, "I propose an exchange."

The Communication Stone from Saint Yue Shou had promised these treasures as a reward for delivering the Bloodline Inheritance Pearl to the Cold Moon Dynasty, rewards that rightfully belonged to Zhang Yang.

"What does Brother Zhang require?" Yue Guilong asked.

"Spirit Saint Stones."

Zhang Yang had long lost interest in Spirit Stones. After the Abyss of the Buried Immortals had corrupted them with decay essence, they became worthless to him.

Only Spirit Saint Stones, a purer variant, could fuel his rapid ascent.

The Ghost Ship’s trials had ignited in him a desperate ambition for higher realms.

Yue Guilong hesitated.

"I possess none," he admitted, "but the Falling Star Mountain Range holds a Spirit Saint Stone vein. If you trust my word, I will chart its location. Should another claim it first, the Cold Moon Dynasty’s honor binds me to deliver another vein twice its size."

He continued, "Additionally, I offer the Saint’s Handbook of Thunder and a Holy Bone forged over a lifetime by a Holy Beast of the Realm of Thunder—payment for the techniques and compensation for the inheritance pearl’s value."

Zhang Yang inclined his head.

The prince’s offer exceeded expectations. No small feat, considering Spirit Saint Stones held no value to those merely at the Opening the Sky Realm, let alone at the immeasurable stage.

With their bargain struck, the companions ventured deeper.

Conversation flowed more freely now. Zhang Yang revealed that he hailed from the Vast Forest, the Southern Region’s Eleventh Sacred Land, though he omitted his status as both Master of the Sacred Land and the Battle God who had reshaped southern cultivation. Modesty suited the moment.

"The stagnant waters of the Southern Region now churn with vitality, a transformation worthy of envy," Yue Guilong remarked, his gaze filled with newfound appreciation. "With your mastery of holy power martial arts techniques, you must be the Vast Forest’s chosen Son."

Zhang Yang merely offered an enigmatic smile.

There was no need for confirmation.

The Son and the Prince held equal status, further elevating Yue Guilong in the eyes of his followers, though his earlier displays of formidable power had already won their unwavering loyalty.

After journeying about a kilometer into Ghost Island, they heard murmuring voices.

The island teemed with skeletons.

Black skeletons, jade skeletons, golden skeletons, every imaginable kind crowded the eerie landscape.

Numerous skeletal vendors manned makeshift stalls, displaying holy treasures and sacred weapons. The arrival of Zhang Yang’s group sent ripples through their soul fires, causing the flames in their eye sockets to flicker with anticipation.

"More visitors have arrived."

"What might the outer world be like now?"

"Humans… were we once such beings?"

Though their past memories had vanished, a lingering longing to be human remained etched into their bones. Unlike the other denizens of the Abyss of the Buried Immortals, who thrived on slaughter and destruction, these skeletons harbored a curious kinship toward humans.

A child-sized skeleton even scampered over, eager to hear tales of sunlit realms.

Yue Guilong explained their peculiar commerce:

"They trade solely for sacred life water. Their existence differs from ours. They refine only their Bones, facing shortened lifespans and cultivation challenges akin to our immeasurable stage from the Touching Heaven realm onward. Some even reach Opening the Sky realm, but…"

He hesitated.

"Many believe Ghost Island suppresses them. Were they freed, they might surge into the immeasurable stage overnight—some even reaching Great Boundless rank."

"Yet they remain trapped. The living dead cannot shed death’s mantle unless they purge its essence entirely. Only then could they board the Ghost Ship of the Buried Immortals… but they fear the River of Death above all."

As they browsed the skeletal market, Zhang Yang noticed that most holy treasures were damaged.

Still, sixteen fractured Snow Crystal Ice pieces caught his eye.

A crystalline glass skeleton eagerly accepted two drops of sacred life water from Zhang Yang’s bottle—the same gifted to Green Sparrow Palace, which still contained over a hundred drops.

These icy fragments would greatly aid Bing Yuyan’s cultivation in frost and thunder arts.

Further acquisitions included the Frozen Sacred Mountain and the Holy Bone of the Flood Dragon, all exchanged for life-giving droplets.

Yue Guilong’s followers also prospered, for the skeletal merchants valued sacred life water above all else.

Suddenly, Yue Guilong’s voice rang out.

"Brother Zhang! Moonlight Saint Stone!"

Zhang Yang turned sharply.

A radiant lunar stone pulsed with celestial essence, its purity far surpassing that of ordinary Spirit Saint Stones.

Crucially, it regenerated spent energy under moonlight.

A single stone, condensed from a Moonlight Spirit Saint Stone vein, equaled a thousand ordinary crystals, sustaining cultivation through the Ascending to Heaven realm and beyond.

Zhang Yang considered for a moment.

"Brother Yue, I will claim only half of the Spirit Saint Stone veins."

Yue Guilong laughed.

"Take all, if you count me as a friend."

With a chuckle, Zhang Yang approached the White Jade Skeleton.

"Three drops?"

Before the vendor could nod, a sudden flash of light illuminated the market.

Yaoruoxian materialized.

Her voice rang clear:

"Fifth contest of the Nine Battles Tribulation! The Moonlight Saint Stone shall decide our fates!"

The fifth battle.

Zhang Yang quickly calculated.

Over half of the Nine Battles Tribulation had been completed, yet the Ghost Ship’s life-and-death cycle had not even reached its midpoint.

If they finished all nine battles before returning to the Falling Star Mountain Range, the victor would claim an immortal servant, while defeat would mark Yaoruoxian’s ascension.

The duel began.