After Han Ruyan revealed her identity, each of the elders felt an array of discomfort in their bodies, the ghost dwelling within them trembling in fear, as if seeing an emperor and wanting to submit.

These Secret Realm elders deeply sensed Han Ruyan's power, yet still couldn't discern her exact grade.

Only Lu Jingshi, a strong figure of the Taoist Platform Realm, had any suspicions, as the Eighth Grade Fierce Ghost inside him, the Earth Evil Ghost, was now trembling uncontrollably, something never happened before.

Thus, seeing Han Ruyan, Lu Jingshi seemed to understand something and said in shock and uncertainty, "Wait a minute, this Yin Qi, Ninth Grade?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the scene was instantly in an uproar.

"What, Ninth Grade Fierce Ghost, how is that possible?"

"Sect Master, what are you talking about?"

"Ninth Grade Fierce Ghost, that's impossible."

The elders of the Heavenly Soul Sect were in shock; a Ninth Grade Fierce Ghost was already considered a legendary existence within the Heavenly Soul Sect.

Even Lu Jingshi, the Sect Master, possessed a most potent fierce ghost, merely an Eighth Grade Fierce Ghost Earth Evil Ghost, lacking too much to the Ninth Grade, seeing no hope of advancement in this lifetime.

"Sect Master Lu, this is my wife, the Ghost Bride. As you see, she is of the Ninth Grade."

Su Jie introduced, affirming Lu Jingshi's suspicion.

Han Ruyan did not speak, merely standing behind Su Jie, her long black hair fluttering in the wind, the blood-colored wedding dress moving without wind, coldly elegant and noble, her gaze alone causing the Heavenly Soul Sect elders' bodies to tense, the ghosts within some silencing to a dead stop, and others even directly detaching from their hosts, bowing, and kneeling before Han Ruyan, making moves to submit.

This is the power of the Ghost Empress; after ascending to Ninth Grade, Han Ruyan viewed any ghost as mere small fry, a Ninth Grade Fierce Ghost even of the same level couldn't stand firm before Han Ruyan, let alone these ghosts below Ninth Grade, as if a grandson seeing a grandfather, too frightened to move.

"Indeed, a Ninth Grade Fierce Ghost, truly Ninth Grade Fierce Ghost, no wonder Guan Chao Pavilion was wiped out."

Lu Jingshi's mouth opened wide, feeling both excitement and a touch of fear inside.

Ninth Grade Fierce Ghosts are the kind of ghosts that generations of Sect Masters of the Heavenly Soul Sect have aspired to, yet the difficulty in cultivating such level fierce ghosts is extremely high, needing the accumulation of an unfathomable amount of Fear Energy.

Over the centuries, no one in the Heavenly Soul Sect managed to cultivate a Ninth Grade Fierce Ghost; it's reduced to nothing more than a legend within the Heavenly Soul Sect.

Lu Jingshi couldn't figure out for the life of him how Su Jie had managed to cultivate such a Ninth Grade Fierce Ghost, especially a Ghost Bride like this, undefeated at the same level, requiring far more Fear Energy than ghosts of the same level.

Knowing the rarity and power of Ninth Grade Fierce Ghosts, Lu Jingshi suddenly realized and finally understood why Guan Chao Pavilion fell so effortlessly, as a single Ninth Grade Fierce Ghost is sufficient to turn the tide of battle.

"Sect Master Lu, my purpose here today is for my wife; after ascending to Ninth Grade, which path to take, I ask Sect Master Lu for guidance."

Su Jie waved his hand, knowing that after Han Ruyan ascended to Ninth Grade, there are definitely higher realms, but how to cultivate or refine, Su Jie had no clue, yet the Heavenly Soul Sect surely had relevant records.

"This..."

Lu Jingshi moved his lips and finally began to speak: "Sect Master Su, since you've asked, although this is an undisclosed secret of our Heavenly Soul Sect, for the generations-spanning friendship between our sects, I will not hold back."

While speaking, Lu Jingshi patted the storage bag at his waist and took out a jade scroll from it, handing it to Su Jie.

"This contains the insights and understandings of our ancestors regarding Ninth Grade Fierce Ghosts. It's just that we descendants can't carry forward the glory of the previous ancestors, as it's been several hundred years without cultivating a Ninth Grade Fierce Ghost.

Thus, this jade scroll holds little use for our Heavenly Soul Sect, better it be given to Sect Master Su for efficacy, to revive the splendor of our 'Nine Nether Ghost Cultivation Technique.'"

It must be said, Lu Jingshi was very discerning, or rather, cautious. Only hesitating for a few seconds, he offered this jade scroll, a secret regarded as the topmost within his sect.

"Sect Master, this is against the rules."

A Heavenly Soul Sect elder couldn't help but speak out that such a jade scroll is the fundamental teaching handed down through generations in the Heavenly Soul Sect, how could it be given to an outsider like Su Jie?

"Circumstances dictate actions, my word is the rule."

Lu Jingshi turned back, glaring harshly at the dissenting elder, an expression of frustration.

This fellow didn't get it; Su Jie isn't just anybody—not to exaggerate, but merely the Ninth Grade Ghost Bride could annihilate the Heavenly Soul Sect entirely.

If they don't agree now, wouldn't that mean forcing Su Jie to destroy the Heavenly Soul Sect to retrieve the jade scroll? Either way, it would just entail putting in a bit more effort.

Lu Jingshi had no doubt Su Jie could do such a thing; remembering the recent destruction of Guan Chao Pavilion, Lu Jingshi dared not gamble on Su Jie's conscience.

Moreover, Demon Cultivators, there is no such thing as conscience.

The majority of elders present understood this, all remaining silent, acquiescing to Lu Jingshi's actions.

Su Jie looked at the jade scroll handed to him and asked, "Sect Master Lu, does it trouble you?"

"This jade scroll following Sect Master Su is its honor, how could it trouble me?"

Lu Jingshi licked his old face, this demeanor making many Heavenly Soul Sect elders feel somewhat ashamed, as this flattery was excessively sycophantic, lacking any dignity of a Demon Sect Master.

"This being the case, wonderful indeed."

Su Jie let out a soft chuckle, contentedly accepting it.

Originally Su Jie thought it would take a bit more means, but didn't expect Lu Jingshi to be so agreeable, sparing Su Jie from a bloodshed, considering the long-standing cooperation with the Heavenly Soul Sect, a massacre would harm the reputation if spread.

"Sect Master Su, do you have any other instructions?"

"No need, today's matters are resolved, I won't intrude further upon Sect Master Lu. However, remember the meeting three days from now, where we will have a thorough discussion about establishing Ghost Ridge Palace's Outer Office and the Heavenly Soul Sect branch."

Su Jie patted Lu Jingshi on the shoulder, then departed gracefully with Han Ruyan.

Lu Jingshi's body was rigid, for he heard Su Jie's last words, what was inevitable didn't end up dodged.

"Sect Master, what did Su Jie mean by that sentence about Ghost Ridge Palace branch..."

After Su Jie had left, the Heavenly Soul Sect elders collectively breathed a sigh of relief, the psychological pressure from Han Ruyan was too immense, in case of conflict, their ghosts simply couldn't oppose Han Ruyan, maybe even being controlled and devoured by her was possible.

"You still don't understand? The other side has targeted our Heavenly Soul Sect, intending to swallow us up."

Lu Jingshi gave a bitter smile, directly revealing this point.

Two tigers cannot co-exist on one mountain, Ghost Ridge Palace now dominating Qingzhou, with the presence of their Heavenly Soul Sect, such an uncontrolled demon path, if he were Su Jie, he wouldn't allow Heavenly Soul Sect to freely run under his nose, but would choose to bring it under control.

The Heavenly Soul Sect elders present, upon hearing this, most remained silent, only a few unable to see the situation clearly, became furious.

"No, our Heavenly Soul Sect has a legacy of a thousand years, integrating into Ghost Ridge Palace is unacceptable."

"Ghost Ridge Palace is discarding us after use, we helped them in sect wars, don't they have a conscience?"

"Su Jie, this devil, has no conscience at all for thinking to annex our Heavenly Soul Sect."

The few who understood this were silent, but those who still didn't comprehend the situation started to vent angrily once Su Jie was no longer present.

"Now isn't the time for formalities, my word is the rule."

Lu Jingshi turned back and glared furiously at the rebuffing elder, with an expression of "disappointed parent".

This guy still doesn't get it, who Su Jie is. It's no exaggeration to say, just a Ninth Grade Ghost Bride is enough to wipe out the whole Heavenly Soul Sect.

Now, if we don't agree, wouldn't that mean we'd be allowing Su Jie to destroy the Heavenly Soul Sect and then take out the jade scroll afterwards? It wouldn't make any difference, only more effort taken.

Lu Jingshi had no doubt Su Jie could do such a thing; the recent downfall of Guan Chao Pavilion was still fresh in mind, how could Lu Jingshi dare to gamble on Su Jie's conscience.

Besides, with demon cultivators, is there such thing as a conscience?

Most elders present understood this point, and they all fell silent, tacitly approving of Lu Jingshi's action.

Su Jie, looking at the jade scroll brought to him, asked, "Sect Master Lu, is this causing you difficulty?"

"It is an honor for this jade scroll to follow Sect Master Su, how could that be difficult?"

Lu Jingshi, with a fawning demeanor, replied, causing many Heavenly Soul Sect elders to feel a sense of shame, as the flattery was excessively obsequious, devoid of any respect for the dignity of a Demon Sect Leader.

"Well, that is splendid."

Su Jie chuckled softly twice, contentedly accepting it.

Originally, Su Jie thought some effort would be necessary, but didn't expect Lu Jingshi to comply so easily, sparing him the trouble. Such an action was impressive.

"Sect Master Su, is there anything else you wish to instruct me on?"

"With this jade scroll accompanying Sect Master Su, it is its honor, how could it be troublesome?"

In the end, Lu Jingshi spoke, "Sect Master Su, for the sake of maintaining friendly relations between our two sects, I won't be stingy."

Amidst speaking, Lu Jingshi tapped the storage bag at his waist, retrieved a jade scroll, and handed it to Su Jie.

"This contains insights and understanding of our ancestors on the Ninth Grade Fierce Ghost, but we, later generations, are incompetent, unable to inherit the glory of our predecessors, and have not cultivated a Ninth Grade Fierce Ghost for hundreds of years.

Therefore, this jade scroll remains here with us, holding minimal value to the Heavenly Soul Sect. It's better to hand it over to Su Sect Master and see the revival of our 'Nine Nether Ghost Cultivation Technique' with it."

You must admit, Lu Jingshi was very understanding of the times, or perhaps simply acted in self-preservation, handing over this most secretly cherished jade scroll just after hesitating for a few seconds.

"Sect Master, this is against the rules."

A Heavenly Soul Sect elder couldn't help himself. Such a jade scroll is the core scripture passed down through the generations in the Heavenly Soul Sect, how can it be given to an outsider like Su Jie?

"Circumstances have changed, my word is the rule now."

Lu Jingshi turned back, glaring harshly at the dissenting elder, exuding visible disappointment.

This person doesn't understand the situation, Su Jie, given the Ninth Grade Ghost Bride alone, from the Heavenly Soul Sect could obliterate them entirely.

Refusing now would only leave the option for Su Jie to destroy the Heavenly Soul Sect and then take the jade scroll; it would just take a bit more effort.

Lu Jingshi had no doubt that Su Jie would do such a thing, having recently witnessed the downfall of Guan Chao Pavilion, Lu Jingshi dared not wager on Su Jie's conscience.

Besides, demon cultivators, there is no such thing as a conscience for them.

The majority of the elders present understood this point, all kept silent, accepting Lu Jingshi's action without objection.

Su Jie looked at the jade scroll handed to him and asked, "Sect Master Lu, is it not difficult for you?"

"Following Sect Master Su is the honor of this jade scroll, how could it be difficult?"

Lu Jingshi licked his old lips, a behavior that made many Heavenly Soul Sect elders feel a bit ashamed, as such sycophantic flattery lacked any dignity of a Demon Sect Master.

"In that case, it is very good indeed."

Su Jie chuckled softly, satisfied as he accepted it.

Originally, Su Jie thought it would require some means, but did not expect Lu Jingshi to agree so readily, sparing Su Jie the trouble, lest he have to destroy the Heavenly Soul Sect to retrieve the jade scroll, which would be more effort in any case.

"Sect Master Su, do you have any further instructions?"

"This jade scroll following Sect Master Su is its honor, how would it be troublesome?"

Lu Jingshi, wearing a fawning face, made many of the Heavenly Soul Sect elders feel somewhat embarrassed, as such flattery was indeed excessively obsequious, losing the dignity of a Demon Sect Master entirely.

"As such, it is truly excellent."

Su Jie chuckled softly twice, fully satisfied as he accepted it.

Initially, Su Jie thought some effort would be needed, but did not expect Lu Jingshi to be so compliant, sparing Su Jie the trouble of having to destroy the Heavenly Soul Sect to retrieve the jade scroll, a little more effort would have been for naught.

"Sect Master Lu, is there anything else you need?"

"Moreover, taking this jade scroll from Sect Master Su is an honor, how could it be difficult?"

Lu Jingshi, with a fawning demeanor, made many of the Heavenly Soul Sect elders feel somewhat embarrassed.

This bootlicking was simply too servile, lacking any of the dignity a Demon Sect Master should have.

"Thus, very well."

Su Jie chuckled a couple of times, collecting it with satisfaction.

Originally, Su Jie thought some means or effort would be necessary, but didn't expect Lu Jingshi to be so understanding and save Su Jie the difficulty of bloodying the Heavenly Soul Sect to extract the jade scroll.

"Sect Master Su, is there anything else you would like to instruct?"

Su Jie glanced at the offered jade scroll and asked, "Sect Master Lu, is it not a burden for you?"

"This jade scroll being entrusted to Sect Master Su's care is a privilege in itself, so how could it be a trouble?"

Lu Jingshi, with a sycophantically agreeable demeanor, made many of the Heavenly Soul Sect elders feel a certain shame over his flattery, thinking it too fawning with no semblance of the dignity expected from a Demon Sect Master.

"Such is indeed delightful."

Su Jie chuckled softly twice, accepting the jade scroll with satisfaction.

Originally, Su Jie thought it might have required some effort to persuade, but didn't expect Lu Jingshi to be so accommodating, sparing him the trouble and avoiding unnecessary conflict with the destruction of the Heavenly Soul Sect in the process.

"Sect Master Su, is there anything else you require?"

"To guard this jade scroll with Sect Master Su is an honor for it, how could it be any trouble?"

The obsequious flattery had made several Heavenly Soul Sect elders feel a bit ashamed, lacking the dignity awaited from a Demon Sect Master.

"In that case, it is indeed wonderful."

Su Jie chuckled lightly a couple of times, satisfied as he accepted it.

Initially, Su Jie thought he might need to resort to some methods to persuade him, but he didn't expect Lu Jingshi to be so willing, saving Su Jie the trouble of having to eradicate the Heavenly Soul Sect to obtain the jade scroll.

"Sect Master Su, is there anything else you need instructed?"

"No, all is satisfied, today's affairs are settled. However, I would like to request that your Heavenly Soul Sect discuss the establishment of an outer institute of Ghost Ridge Palace so we can talk further."

Su Jie patted Lu Jingshi on the shoulder, then departed gracefully with Han Ruyan.

Lu Jingshi's entire body tensed, for he had heard Su Jie's final words and realized that the inevitable was still impending.

"Ah, the day will come."

The Heavenly Soul Sect elder let out a long sigh, thinking about being carved up by Ghost Ridge Palace in three days left his heart uneasy.

"However, I am not the only one to suffer; those righteous sects in Qingzhou are probably more anxious than I am."

The sole consolation for Lu Jingshi was those righteous sects in Qingzhou, who would likely bear the brunt of Ghost Ridge Palace's blade even more intensely, for sided with Guan Chao Pavilion earlier.

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