The Nameless District: Chapter Twenty-One - A Secret Conversation

The elder of the Fierce Ghost Sect swept up Zhou Xuanhong, transforming into a wisp of black smoke that vanished into the depths of the Wind Cave, leaving behind three Foundation Establishment disciples of the Fierce Ghost Sect and the three bewildered companions of Yi Xia, who were now uncertain about their fate.

Yi Xia could never have imagined things would turn out this way. He deeply regretted coming to Lingbei Village, but was even more desperate to understand why Zhou Xuanhong—who should have been well within his grasp—could still remain unflinching even in the face of a Fierce Ghost Sect Golden Core elder. Could it be that everything over the past two days had been nothing but a façade?

Deep within the Wind Cave, the elder brought Zhou Xuanhong to a stone chamber. Its furnishings were sparse and chilling—a few mangled corpses lay scattered in the corners, not a single intact part remained on their bodies, their eyes half-missing, yet one could still sense the despair and resentment that lingered from their last moments.

"I am the Grand Elder of the Fierce Ghost Sect, known as the Black Ghost Daoist. Now, state your purpose."

Zhou Xuanhong glanced at the black fingerprints pressed into his neck by the Black Ghost Daoist, swallowed an antidote pill, and replied with a smile, "Senior Black Ghost, surely you already know my intentions. Our goals are the same."

The Black Ghost Daoist sat cross-legged on a yellow-brown cushion—upon closer inspection, it was made from human skin. He produced an oddly shaped teapot, set a low table, and poured Zhou Xuanhong a cup of blood-red, unidentified liquid.

Zhou Xuanhong smiled faintly, accepted the cup but did not drink. Instead, he had three bloodthirsty insects consume it. A moment later, all three insects perished instantly.

He then poured out the blood-red liquid from his cup. "Enough with the tricks, Senior. If you trust me, the Fierce Ghost Sect will supplant the Formative Sect. If you do not, I am right here—whether I live or die is yours to decide."

A harsh, grating laugh escaped the Black Ghost Daoist as he waved his hand, casting aside his black cloak to reveal a kindly face beneath, though his voice remained piercing.

"Boy, as a disciple of Xuan Qizi, why would you wish to destroy the Formative Sect? If the sect falls, do you think you’ll keep your status and honor?"

Zhou Xuanhong pointed to the True Inheritance token on the table and laughed heartily. "True Inheritance? It’s just a tool. He is eager for my death. Should I die, my lover in the Extreme Yin Corpse Sect will suppress the Grand Elder’s lineage. If he truly saw me as a disciple, would I be here discussing the destruction of the Formative Sect with you?"

At the mention of the "Extreme Yin Corpse Sect," the Black Ghost Daoist’s eyelid twitched. "I recently heard the Extreme Yin Corpse Sect produced a prodigy with a red-grade affinity. Are you referring to her?"

Zhou Xuanhong sneered. "Precisely. Since both the Sect Leader’s and the Grand Elder’s factions want me dead, I might as well play the game to the end. They want my death? Fine, then let them all perish!"

Seeing the madness in Zhou Xuanhong’s eyes, the Black Ghost Daoist laughed maniacally. "Excellent! I had intended to use that corpse-dissolving water to control you, but since you and I are of one mind, let us work from within and without, and let the Formative Sect suffer utter annihilation—not even a spirit beast will survive."

Zhou Xuanhong sat cross-legged opposite the Black Ghost Daoist and shook his head. "The Formative Sect has over a dozen Golden Core elders, and even two Nascent Souls. I need to know your sect’s strength."

The Black Ghost Daoist sipped from the corpse-dissolving water without issue and replied coolly, "That is not necessary for you to know. We are certainly not the Formative Sect’s match. But do not forget, their internal factions are at each other's throats. My presence here means war is upon us."

Zhou Xuanhong shook his head. "It was the Grand Elder who joined hands with you, wasn’t it? Being used as another’s blade not only wears you down, but you’re likely to be discarded as well."

The Black Ghost Daoist chuckled. "You need not worry about that. What you have considered, so have I. You are still an outsider. If you are willing to drink the corpse-dissolving water willingly, I will naturally be open with you."

Zhou Xuanhong matched his tone with a smile. "And how many options do you really have? One: aid the Grand Elder, succeed in his usurpation, and gain only paltry rewards. Two: should a fourth party intervene, after eliminating both factions, you too will be purged. Three: betray and ally with the Sect Leader’s faction, which still yields you nothing but scraps. In every scenario, the Fierce Ghost Sect faces annihilation at the slightest misstep. You are gambling everything!

"Let’s start with the first: do you truly understand the Grand Elder? He is a ruthless man, an outsider who now rivals the main branch. Once the Sect Leader’s faction falls, he will turn on you. For the second: if I am right, the Yin Corpse Sect and other powers will intervene—being the largest power within ten thousand miles, how could they stand idly by? As fellow evil sects, should both factions of the Formative Sect fall and your sect is but a shell, they might let you share in the spoils, but more likely, they will swallow the Fierce Ghost Sect whole, incorporating your cultivation system and becoming a force surpassing the Formative Sect. As for the third, I need not elaborate—the risks are greater still, and you would not be foolish enough to contact my master."

The Black Ghost Daoist fell silent, deep in thought for a long time before speaking. "You are correct. Our sect has already been destroyed, with tacit approval from the Extreme Yin Corpse Sect. So this plan is a gamble—if we fail, we will forever be reduced to a chicken-scratch sect, never to rise again. But hearing you, perhaps there is another way."

The world of cultivation is one where the strong rule, embodying the laws of nature to the extreme. Zhou Xuanhong had demonstrated his value—precisely what the Fierce Ghost Sect needed. The Black Ghost Daoist even switched from "this seat" to "this old man," proof that Zhou Xuanhong’s words had sparked hope.

Zhou Xuanhong nodded confidently. "Without me, you’d have to scheme cautiously with the major powers, snatch a few crumbs. But with me, you can seize the Formative Sect in one stroke, take the lion’s share, and need not fear being robbed."

"You? You’re but an eighth-level Qi Refinement cultivator. What can you do? I could crush you with a finger."

Zhou Xuanhong’s expression remained calm. "May I ask, Senior, your current cultivation?"

A brief surge of pressure emanated from the Black Ghost Daoist. "Late-stage Golden Core, ninth level, former Grand Elder of the Fierce Ghost Sect."

Zhou Xuanhong understood. He wondered why Xuan Qizi could recognize his real cultivation while both were late Golden Core. He recalled that Xuan Qizi mentioned a Supreme Elder had gone after Old Ghost of the Corpse Mountain—perhaps the Supreme Elder had told him, which explained everything.

"Ninth-level Golden Core is impressive, but you underestimate me. I am not at the eighth level of Qi Refinement, but at Foundation Establishment."

With that, Zhou Xuanhong released the concealment effect of his necklace, revealing his true cultivation.

The Black Ghost Daoist scoffed. "First level of Foundation Establishment, just broken through. What use is that? Still an ant—cannon fodder on the battlefield."

Zhou Xuanhong shook his head. "You still don’t understand my point."

The Black Ghost Daoist frowned. "What do you mean?"

Zhou Xuanhong pointed to himself. "Your sect is weak, destroyed, and in dire need of blood and soul power from cultivators. There is a fourth-tier grand formation here. If I lure a contingent of the Formative Sect’s strongest here, you can trap and slaughter them. Whether for strength or resources, your power will grow immensely.

"You never had this chance because it was impossibl