Song Wanníng paused, holding her umbrella, a trace of darkness flickering in her cold, clear eyes.
In the Spirit Realm, she would have stood no chance.
But…
Now in the Underworld, she might have a shot at victory.
If she truly could not prevail, she could always retreat.
"Senior, you have already obtained a Rebirth Flower. Why contend with a junior? Sometimes, excessive greed is never a good thing." A faint, icy smile curved on Song Wanníng's lips. Her calm, composed demeanor even amused the Mahayana cultivator.
"Such a little one, yet with a bold mouth. You are the first to dare compete with me, Liao."
He considered Song Wanníng a naïve child and lost any desire to toy with her.
Suddenly, his brows darkened. With a wave of his hand, a massive blade several meters long appeared. The great sword radiated a terrifying aura, saturated with killing intent, a testament to countless lives taken.
Having let Song Wanníng escape last time, he could not afford the same mistake again. He struck with a deadly move, intending to kill her in one blow.
Yet Song Wanníng abruptly closed her red umbrella, and as the tip spun, a red long sword appeared in her hand.
Clang—
The sword vibrated, and in the next instant, it surged toward the Mahayana cultivator.
This time, Song Wanníng did not use a shred of spiritual energy. She relied solely on the might of her Primordial Soul.
Previously, her Primordial Soul power had been immense. After consulting with the Valley Master, she had learned how ghost cultivators could manifest soul power into form. Though not yet fully skilled, she executed it flawlessly.
The sharp aura of the sword clashed with the giant blade, shaking the entire tower violently upon impact.
"Ah—"
Evil souls in the boiling oil screamed in terror, unable to maintain their forms, flailing desperately.
The hot, bubbling oil spilled everywhere on the ground.
"What on earth are you?"
The Mahayana cultivator had expected an easy kill but now found himself evenly matched. The two weapons hovered midair, locked in stalemate.
The sword seemed to possess a spirit, its aura far from ordinary.
Impossible.
Song Wanníng's cultivation was clearly Out-of-Body. He could not be mistaken.
Nor was she hiding her power.
How could this be?
For the first time, the Mahayana cultivator was stunned and angry.
"No wonder you dared compete with me, hm."
His gaze sharpened. "Young one, overconfidence only brings disaster!"
His authority could not be challenged. Song Wanníng could only end as a defeated subordinate.
A smirk curved Song Wanníng's lips. Her eyes did not show fear, only excitement.
"I want to see the power of the legendary Mahayana cultivator!"
With that, both struck again. Blades and sword radiated sharpness, shaking the tower violently.
The Mahayana cultivator waved his hand, summoning a Mountain and Water Seal.
"Go—"
The seal transformed into towering mountains and rushing waters, pressing mercilessly toward Song Wanníng. To outsiders, it was a mere seal. To Song Wanníng, it was an unattainable mountain and a waterfall of tremendous force.
The momentum was unstoppable.
Song Wanníng stepped back slightly, forming a space talisman from Yin energy.
"Go!"
With a soft command, the talisman met the Mountain and Water Seal.
The Mahayana cultivator frowned, puzzled by the technique. The seal was absorbed by the talisman and vanished! He was shocked. If not for the magical artifact's feedback, he might have believed the seal destroyed.
Even so, he was in awe.
"You can create void talismans? What exactly are you in the Underworld?"
He had never associated Song Wanníng with humans. Which human exuded such Yin energy? And all attacks were Yin energy?
Impossible.
This must be an ancient ghost cultivator, far too formidable. The Mahayana cultivator finally shed his disdain, his expression turning cautious. He had not expected such a change in so short a time.
"It does not matter who I am. I need a Rebirth Flower. If you are willing to step aside, we can negotiate."
Song Wanníng's eyes turned cool. Rebirth Flowers were available to all. If he wished to negotiate, there was no need for more bloodshed.
"Hmph, you wishful thinker!"
The Mahayana cultivator snorted, a cold gleam in his eyes as if looking at a corpse.
"You are indeed uncanny and abnormal. But take a crooked path, and you only court your own destruction!"
He also desired the Rebirth Flower and would not yield to Song Wanníng.
In the cultivation world, the strong take first.
"Very well. Since negotiation fails, I will see the extent of your power!"
Song Wanníng's expression darkened. Her hands formed rapid hand seals. A bolt of lightning surged, piercing her sword.
Boom—
The sword, charged with lightning, vibrated violently, directing its infinite force at the great blade. Her thought moved again. A space-time talisman appeared, attacking the Mahayana cultivator.
Furious, he made his right hand grow thick and long, slamming the ground. Stone blades erupted from the earth in waves, surging toward Song Wanníng.
Embedded seeds sprouted rapidly. Vines spun, attempting to ensnare her.
In less than a minute, they had exchanged more than ten strikes.
The King Yama entered the ninth layer, facing a sword beam. He swiped it away, surveying the chaos, his anger blazing. His arrival also forced Song Wanníng and the Mahayana cultivator back several steps. Both gripped their artifacts, wary of this sudden third presence.
Was this person here for the Rebirth Flower as well?
Song Wanníng and the Mahayana cultivator shifted slightly toward the flower. Their eyes met, sparking tension. Neither would yield.
"Who are you?"
The Mahayana cultivator demanded, cursing his luck.
Rebirth Flowers were rare but seldom concerned ghost cultivators.
Yet now, complications arose.
"I am who I am."
The King Yama laughed with irritation.
Especially in the Eighteen Layers of Hell, their battle had shaken the ground, frightening the evil souls nearly into revolt.
And they had the audacity to ask him who he was?