Chapter 303

Chapter 303: The Wheel of Reincarnation Calls

Supreme Emperor.

Since the beginning of Eternal Night, he had risen like a comet, illuminating the skies of the Western Desert and leaving an unparalleled mark on history as a legendary sage.

He founded the Taixu Dynasty.

He ruled over the Western Desert for three thousand years.

After Eternal Night, he became a revered figure whose legacy echoed through time.

His name was known to all martial artists across the vast world; they had heard of him, spoken of him, and revered his legend.

It was said that he did not die of old age but mysteriously vanished.

According to legend, he had crafted a ten-thousand-year development plan for the Taixu Dynasty, guiding it step by step toward becoming the most powerful force in the Western Desert—a dynasty now harboring ambitions of dominating the world.

The Taixu Dynasty was much like the Ghostly Divine Platform of the Southern Region, though it had yet to reach the same absolute dominance.

And now, as Zhang Yang looked at the towering figure, he felt an eerie similarity between the Supreme Emperor and the Ghost King, one of the founders of the Ghostly Divine Platform.

Why was that?

The sensation unsettled him.

No one could explain why the Supreme Emperor’s figure had appeared amidst the giant waves surging from the River of Death.

He loomed over them like a titan, an entity so massive and overwhelming that he seemed to be the master of the River of Death itself.

The waves he summoned crashed toward the Ghost Ship of the Buried Immortals, seeking to obliterate it.

His violent form radiated pure destruction.

In comparison, the once-mysterious and terrifying Ghost Ship of the Buried Immortals now seemed so insignificant.

However, from within the cabin of the Ghost Ship of the Buried Immortals, a radiant light suddenly burst forth, illuminating the surroundings.

Those standing on Ghost Island, as well as the skeletons, caught a vague glimpse of a figure sitting inside the cabin.

Then, with a deafening roar, the giant waves crashed down.

The Ghost Ship of the Buried Immortals was swallowed by the raging waters.

The massive figure of the Supreme Emperor vanished along with it.

Only the turbulent River of Death remained, howling in unrestrained fury.

Occasionally, beams of light shot from the water.

At times, a roar, deep and chilling echoed from the depths.

This struggle continued for a full half hour.

Gradually, the raging waters settled.

The overwhelming power dissipated.

And then, the Ghost Ship of the Buried Immortals re-emerged, unchanged.

Its cabin was once again dim and lifeless.

No one knew what had transpired within.

The River of Death lay still, concealing whatever fate had befallen the Supreme Emperor’s figure.

It was as if nothing had ever happened.

The Ghost Ship of the Buried Immortals resumed its slow, endless voyage around Ghost Island, as it always had.

Zhang Yang, Jin Zhihong, the Moon-Returning Dragon, the Blood Skeleton, the White Jade Skeleton, and the others all rose into the air, scanning the River of Death from above.

But they saw nothing.

Only the vast expanse of dark waters, rising and falling, as if mocking their futile attempts to understand.

With no answers in sight, they had no choice but to abandon their observations.

The gap in their realm levels was simply too great, it was natural that they couldn’t see through such mysteries.

Yet, deep down, everyone, skeletons included, felt an unshakable sense of unease.

Was this a battle between sages?

Or was it something beyond even that?

Was it a battle between sages or something beyond that no one could say, as it unfolded in the Abyss of the Buried Immortals, the River of Death, and Ghost Island, surrounded by corpses, the Dark Immortal Sword, and the Supreme Emperor.

All of these elements, woven together, made Zhang Yang feel as though everything was somehow connected to Eternal Night.

If the Dark Immortal Sword was truly an instrument of death, then why had the sages not perished?

The corpses were still bleeding—did that mean they were still alive?

This could only mean one thing.

The corpses were… immortals.

And then, what of the Great Terror in the Cabin? Had it truly acted to punish the ghostly figure? That didn’t seem right.

Would such an unfathomable existence truly concern itself with a mere ghostly figure?

Furthermore, if the corpses were immortals, and if the Great Terror in the Cabin was as formidable as it seemed, could it also be an immortal?

And what about the Supreme Emperor?

If everything was connected to Eternal Night, then it all made sense—

But why had the Great Terror in the Cabin intervened?

Did it not know of the Supreme Emperor?

Did it not realize that taking action would trigger unthinkable consequences?

Everything was strange.

Zhang Yang was utterly perplexed.

At that moment, apiercing scream shattered his thoughts.

Everyone whipped their heads around.

They saw the ghostly figure, formed from the evil aura of the Dark Immortal Sword, writhing in agony.

Bit by bit, his form crumbled—

Until, with a final boom, he disintegrated completely.

In the next instant, a wave of vibrant vitality surged through all the skeletons.

The death patterns etched onto their bones quietly faded away.

"I am free! The shackles of cultivation are lifted!"

The one who let out this ecstatic roar was the Blood Skeleton.

Though he seemed to rise above the other skeletons, in reality, he too had been enslaved by the ghostly figure.

The Blood Skeleton laughed madly. "He is dead! I am the master of Ghost Island! The Yin-Yang Spring is mine! All skeletons, listen well—those who respect me shall live! Those who oppose me shall die!"

He desired to become the master of Ghost Island.

For a brief moment, the skeletons stirred. Those who had realized the ghostly figure was truly dead began to make their choices.

Soon, seven or eight hundred skeletons gathered behind the Blood Skeleton.

However, two to three hundred remained hesitant.

The White Jade Skeleton spoke. "Everyone, I have a question. Is there anyone who wishes to stay here forever and never go outside?"

He scanned the gathered skeletons. No one responded. He continued, "No one? We have all lived here together. We know each other’s true feelings."

"Even if we have always known that leaving was an impossible dream, we still longed for that day to come. Why?"

"Because, no matter what, even if the River of Death destroys our bodies and wipes away our memories, we cannot forget the sunlight outside."

"Now, when true hope has finally arrived, how can you just give up?"

"The one who enslaved us is dead!"

"The force of death that limited our cultivation and bound our very existence has weakened. This means we can finally cultivate freely, grow stronger, and no longer be dependent on the Yin-Yang Spring!"

"Because our goal has always been to leave this place!"

His words stirred the crowd. More skeletons willingly stepped behind him.

In a short time, over two hundred skeletons had gathered.

The Blood Skeleton sneered. "And what realm are you in? Touching Heaven? Ridiculous! Even if a sage stood here, it wouldn’t mean he could solve the problem. Do you really think he can?"

Zhang Yang scoffed.

This skeleton feared sages, as if only sages could accomplish anything.

The White Jade Skeleton turned to Zhang Yang. "I have my doubts about Brother Zhang as well."

Zhang Yang’s lips twitched. Even he didn’t fully trust himself.

"But," the White Jade Skeleton continued, "Brother Zhang has given us hope. If the life-boosting forbidden law inscribed in the Stone Skin is stained with the blood of sages and fused with the Slaughter Sacred Thunder, power that embodies both destruction and life. What do you think will happen?"

At once, the gathered skeletons stirred again.

Another two hundred stepped behind the White Jade Skeleton.

A standoff had formed. The Blood Skeleton commanded over six hundred skeletons. The White Jade Skeleton had over four hundred. The gap remained, but it was no longer overwhelming.

"You talk a lot," the Blood Skeleton sneered, "but I see no hope in you at all. Without the Yin-Yang Spring, you will surely die!"

"I will wait right here, in front of the Yin-Yang Spring, for you to come begging me!"

With that, he led his followers away.

Zhang Yang secretly praised the Blood Skeleton for his cunning. He had recognized the shift—if he stayed behind any longer, more skeletons might join the White Jade Skeleton and choose to leave.

That would be the best outcome for them.

Seeing this, Jin Zhihong also took his people and left swiftly.

The White Jade Skeleton made no attempt to stop them. Instead, he turned to Zhang Yang.

"Brother Zhang," he said, "the Sacred Thunder was exchanged by me for the Moonlight Saint Stone. Though the value is not exactly equal, I trust Brother Zhang will keep his promise."

Then, glancing at the gathered skeletons, he added, "As for the Stone Skin…

"Those willing to contribute can bring forth their holy treasures and weapons. Let us take control of our own destinies and make a fair trade."

Immediately, more than forty skeletons stepped forward, offering their treasures.

Most were damaged, with only a few remaining intact, and none were particularly valuable to Zhang Yang.

Still, he chose to trade the Stone Skin, activating the Slaughter Sacred Thunder as the White Jade Skeleton had requested, infusing it into the Stone Skin.

Once the transaction was complete, the White Jade Skeleton made a proposal.

"Let us go to the Reincarnation Well."

The Reincarnation Well was the birthplace of all skeletons on Ghost Island and an ideal place for cultivation.

Zhang Yang and the Moon-Returning Dragon agreed without hesitation.

Together, they set off.

Upon reaching the Reincarnation Well, the skeletons—now free from the shackles of cultivation following the ghostly figure’s death—immediately began to cultivate.

For them, this was an opportunity they could not afford to waste.

Once, reaching the Touching Heaven realm had been an insurmountable barrier.

Now that the restrictions had lifted, they yearned for strength more than ever.

Thus, after arriving at the Reincarnation Well, they exchanged only a few words before immersing themselves in cultivation.

The Moon-Returning Dragon, still in the process of refining his bloodline inheritance pearl, and the handleless crescent blade, which had yet to be refined, also moved to the side to focus on his training.

Only Zhang Yang remained still.

He stood before the Reincarnation Well, gazing at its seemingly ordinary surface.

Yet, deep in his bloodline, he felt something unusual. A faint calling. It was similar to the sensation he had felt when he was summoned by the Tiny Flame that had once illuminated the Heavenly Court.