Chapter 82: The Celestial Transformation Realm and the Tenfold Ghost Formation

“Oh? I see. May I ask your grandfather’s name and his cultivation level?” Han Chong helped the earlier man to his feet and inquired.

“What? Senior, are you not from Qiong Prefecture?” Mi Ling asked in surprise.

“That’s right, I hail from Yun Prefecture.”

“So it is. My grandfather’s name is Mi Tianjian. He founded the Heavenly Sword Manor and attained the Heaven Transformation realm, becoming the leader of the martial world in Qiong Prefecture. At his command, martial artists from hundreds of counties across several prefectures would rally to his side. Even the governor of Qiong Prefecture would show him respect. However, my grandfather is now well past seventy; his vitality has waned and his strength isn’t what it once was. If not for that, the Iron Shark demon commander wouldn’t be his match. Even with reinforcements, they could never have injured him!”

“Heaven Transformation realm!” Han Chong mused. When a martial artist steps into the Innate realm, they cultivate innate true energy, which can be transformed into internal force. Upon reaching the Human-Heaven realm, this true energy can circulate within the body, greatly enhancing strength. At this level, one can establish their own faction in the martial world, or enter the military as a commander. But those who reach Heaven Transformation are rare—true masters of their generation. They wield innate true energy with complete ease, achieving its ultimate transformation, able to soar through the air and kill with a breath from ten yards away—a terrifying power indeed!

Han Chong had slain many monsters in recent months. The Bloodshadow Serpent had absorbed much monster blood in secret, and he sensed his body was close to breaking into the Human-Heaven realm. He wondered what explosive power the Heaven Transformation realm might hold—perhaps it would rival that of Little Ash!

“Brother Mi Ling, since your grandfather is so esteemed, I am honored. If I can lend my aid to Heavenly Sword Manor, it would be my pleasure.”

“Thank you, Senior! Your kindness to our manor, Mi Ling will never forget!”

After a night’s rest, Han Chong tended to the wounds of the five men, restoring them to full health. The next day, they set sail deeper into Qiong Prefecture.

The urgent task was to reach Heavenly Sword Manor and resolve its crisis. Afterwards, gathering heroes to eradicate the Iron Shark Gang would be far more effective.

...

“Master Mi, your manor is situated in the midst of a great lake. Its grandeur is remarkable—truly deserving the name of the foremost manor under heaven!”

Amid endless emerald waters stood a vast island. Beyond ten yards into the island, a white-walled estate rose, with a hundred elegant pavilions scattered throughout, and several green peaks towered above, forming a majestic landscape.

“Senior flatters us. My grandfather chose this site for its beauty. I grew up amidst these mountains and waters, and find endless joy here.”

---

As their swift boat approached within twenty miles of the manor, a heavy stench of blood filled the air, and bloated, pale corpses floated by. Mi Ling and the others clenched their fists and gritted their teeth, faces twisted with hatred.

“Amitabha.” Mingzhen, seeing so many innocent deaths and suspecting restless spirits, began to chant the Amitabha Rebirth Mantra.

Golden Buddhist light radiated from him, drawing the others’ attention. None had expected the young monk by their benefactor’s side to possess such profound Buddhist skill.

Han Chong frowned deeply, yet nodded inwardly. Mingzhen had travelled with him far and wide, and as his master predicted, was becoming more worldly.

Suddenly, Han Chong’s eyes shone with black light as he surveyed the area around the manor.

Mi Ling and his companions sighed in awe. This Senior Han truly possessed mysterious and profound abilities.

Through the Netherworld Eye technique, Han Chong observed that all eight directions around Heavenly Sword Manor, the lake was filled with rising ghostly smoke, reaching over ten yards high, faintly enveloping the manor!

Could it be that countless ghosts were participating in the siege of Heavenly Sword Manor?

“Senior, what’s wrong?” Seeing the light fade from Han Chong’s eyes and his face darken, Mi Ling asked nervously.

“It seems the crisis at your manor has only just begun.”

“That can’t be. According to the Iron Shark demon, the siege began last month. Do those monsters still linger?”

Mi Ling’s words were sensible. Perhaps the monsters, unable to breach the manor, had resorted to this sinister ghostly formation. Yet the exact purpose of the formation remained unknown.

Ten more miles ahead, Han Chong leapt from the boat and sped across the water toward one of the ghostly smoke columns.

Sensing his approach, the ghostly energy surged from the lake, releasing dense black mist. Within it, hundreds of shadowy vengeful spirits rose from the water to surround Han Chong.

Leading them were ten water ghosts, each a yard tall and hideous as night fiends, their aura similar to the One-Horned Ghost King Han Chong had encountered in Silver River.

But Han Chong was no longer the young man of old. He spat out a dozen azure fireballs, which fell upon the ghosts below. Hundreds of spirits screeched, ignited by the flames, and in moments, most were burned away.

“Hey, who dares destroy the Tenfold Heavenly Ghost Formation!” A furious roar echoed from beneath the water. For miles, the surface shook as a three-yard-tall, double-headed, four-armed night fiend, wielding axes and halberds, rose from the depths!

The Tenfold Heavenly Ghost Formation! Han Chong’s heart clenched. He finally understood—the formation was meant to absorb the ghostly energy of corpses across a hundred miles, using a summoning ritual to level the manor!

---

Han Chong snorted coldly and unleashed another volley of azure fireballs at the double-headed night fiend.

The creature recoiled in shock but did not retreat. Instead, it spun its axes and halberds to deflect the fireballs, while its other two arms churned the lake, sending waves crashing toward Han Chong and the fireballs.

The violent waves were powerful enough to scatter the fireballs in an instant.

But before the night fiend could laugh in triumph, a green serpent of sword energy grew rapidly, advancing through the waves, its sharp aura intensifying. It coiled swiftly and shot toward the fiend’s body.

When the fiend raised its arms to block, the serpent coiled around them, slicing flesh from bone until only white skeleton remained, then surged toward its face.

Terrified, the night fiend stumbled into the lake, its other three arms clawing at the sword serpent.

Looking for Han Chong, it could not find him anywhere.

“Danger! Dodge quickly!” came several thunderous cries—the fierce ghosts from other formation points, sensing the disturbance, rushed to warn the four-armed night fiend.

Before it could react, a dazzling green light fell from above like a meteor from the heavens, descending too swiftly to evade.

Han Chong, sword in hand, executed the Celestial Escape Sword Technique, plunging into the lake.

With a sickening sound, the four-armed night fiend froze, a gaping hole pierced through its chest by the green sword light. Its gaze faded, and it collapsed in unwilling death.

Han Chong soared skyward, landing atop his sword in midair.

[Ding! Congratulations, host, you have slain a double-headed night fiend!]

By Han Chong’s estimation, this creature’s strength matched a Human-Heaven realm expert, though it had not reached the level of a Ghost Commander. It had simply absorbed ghostly energy to boost its power.

Ahead, seven towering ghost fiends, as tall as the slain night fiend, waded through the waves, howling fiercely, all fixing their eyes on Han Chong lest he escape.