By chance, Ye Ling encountered Ye Qingyan. He no longer bothered to follow Wuying and the sixth-rank evil spirit into the city, completely concealing his presence and aura as he flew into the city from above.
Contrary to its exterior appearance, this city, styled after the Ming Dynasty, was largely mechanized within, with concrete and steel used as building materials.
This city had not been built for seventy years; it was a modern structure draped in Ming Dynasty aesthetics.
Ye Ling scanned the city with his divine soul. It housed nearly a thousand cultivators and tens of thousands of evil spirits, with not a single ordinary person.
Meanwhile, Ye Qingyan, dressed as a palace maid, was queuing behind a dozen women of first and second-rank cultivation, entering the palace ahead.
"What is she doing?"
Seeing Ye Qingyan, a dignified eighth-rank Sword Immortal, acting as a palace maid, Ye Ling was curious. He landed behind her and transmitted his voice, "What are you doing?"
Ye Qingyan, who had been calm, was startled by Ye Ling's voice suddenly appearing in her mind, nearly twisting her ankle and falling.
"Ye Ling?"
Ye Qingyan steadied herself and looked suspiciously behind her, but seeing no one, she asked, "Where are you?"
"I'm right behind you, don't mind me."
Hearing Ye Ling's words, Ye Qingyan suppressed her shock, resumed her guise as a palace maid, and followed the others, transmitting to Ye Ling, "Why are you here?"
Ye Ling replied, "I was going to attend the True Unity Sect's Heavenly Master Ordination Assembly. Coincidentally, I encountered two individuals causing trouble at the airport and followed them here."
"I thought after we parted last time, we wouldn't see each other for quite some time, but I didn't expect to meet again after just a few days."
"Does this count as fate?"
Ye Qingyan retorted, "If you hadn't said anything, I would have thought you couldn't bear to leave me and were tracking me."
Ye Ling's mouth twitched. He hadn't expected Ye Qingyan to be so playful. However, he didn't engage in banter with her and returned to the main topic, "Speaking of which, how did you find this place?"
"From your appearance, it seems you're investigating something."
Ye Qingyan replied, "Didn't you ask me to help investigate a female corpse last time? After I left you that day, my first stop was Miao Territory, where I encountered a village being harassed by evil spirits."
"I intended to eliminate the evil spirits and save the villagers, but I discovered that the portrait of the goddess possessed by the evil spirit bore some resemblance to your female corpse."
"Every village in that place offered a maiden to the evil spirit annually, so I disguised myself as a sacrifice and was eventually brought here by the evil spirit."
"You're saying this place is also connected to that Pure Yin Yuan Corpse?"
"What a coincidence?"
Hearing Ye Qingyan's words, Ye Ling was also surprised. He hadn't expected to find any information about the Pure Yin Yuan Corpse in this place!
"I also find this matter too coincidental; there might be a trap involved. However, since we've both come this far, we can't give up halfway."
"This is your matter, after all. What are your plans now? I'll follow your lead."
Ye Qingyan hadn't expected to meet Ye Ling here. But since they had, she decided to cooperate with Ye Ling and act according to his instructions.
Even now, Ye Qingyan hadn't fully grasped Ye Ling's identity, but she had witnessed his strength.
Moreover, she vaguely felt that what she had seen was merely the tip of the iceberg.
She knew in her heart that Ye Ling's power was capable of surpassing this world, even exceeding the Red Dust Pavilion!
In fact, Ye Qingyan had been somewhat apprehensive investigating the Pure Yin Yuan Corpse alone underground.
After all, an organization capable of building such a large city underground, above lava, was undoubtedly a top-tier force in China, and its strength was far beyond what Ye Qingyan alone could contend with.
She might even die here!
However, now that Ye Ling had arrived, her safety was assured, and the stone that had been weighing on her heart was finally lifted, making her feel much more relaxed.
"Proceed with your original plan. I'm also following someone. After I finish investigating my matters, I'll come back to discuss the situation with you."
"In my perception, the Heavenly Net Ghost King is hidden within this city, and its strength is also eighth-rank. As for whether there are any hidden ninth-rank Red Dust Immortals, it's still unclear. The spiritual energy here is complex, and if those fellows intend to conceal themselves, I won't be able to detect them."
"Therefore, unless absolutely necessary, do not act rashly."
Ye Ling cautioned Ye Qingyan, "However, if it comes to a point where action is required, contact me through the communication jade I gave you, and I will arrive immediately."
"Alright! I'll head in first then. Let's split up!" Ye Qingyan nodded and followed the group of palace maids into the palace.
Ye Ling stopped where he was, watching Ye Qingyan enter the palace ahead before turning his attention to the rear.
There, Wuying had entered the city from outside.
He was now walking towards them with the sixth-rank evil spirit, accompanied by a person wearing a black and white mask.
However, Wuying and the sixth-rank evil spirit did not enter the palace but headed towards the side.
Seeing this, Ye Ling silently followed Wuying, quietly observing the surroundings.
Ye Ling followed the masked man around to the back of the palace and discovered that the architectural style of the latter half of the city had drastically changed!
Behind the palace stood a medieval, Western European-style castle!
The overall environment here had also become exceptionally dark, with gargoyle statues flanking the entrance, their faces incredibly ferocious.
"What kind of hodgepodge style is this, mixing Eastern and Western elements, with a bunch of mechanical punk facilities inside? I really want to smash this incongruous architecture."
Looking at the European castle in front and the Chinese palace behind, Ye Ling couldn't help but complain in his heart, the demonic energy surging within him almost uncontrollable.
"Gentlemen, you may report here. The Duke is currently busy and has no time to see you."
The masked man stopped at the entrance of the castle and turned to Wuying and the sixth-rank evil spirit.
Following this, a gargoyle at the castle entrance came to life, leaping from its stone pillar and landing in front of Wuying.
Wuying was accustomed to this procedure. He respectfully bowed to the masked man and then recounted to the gargoyle everything that had happened: how he had killed Zhuge Yexun, obtained the Marquisate's Qimen techniques, and encountered Ye Ling at the airport.
When Wuying reached the part where he believed he had fallen into a dormant state due to excessive consumption, he was suddenly interrupted by the gargoyle.
"Incorrect."
The gargoyle suddenly spoke, its voice low, "The details you've provided contain contradictions."