For any other human, the ghostrune territory was a deadly place. Even King Realm experts could hardly survive a trip to this place. However, Xiang Shaoyun dared to enter the ghostrune heartland even though he was not a Skysoar Realm cultivator yet.
If anyone found out about this feat, they would be stunned. In truth, the reason Xiang Shaoyun dared to do it was because of the Nether Dragon Soul Headband and the White Tiger Wings he had. He also had Devouring Ghost's protection.
No matter how strong Xiang Shaoyun was, he alone would not be able to face tens of thousands of ghostrunes. Death would be his only fate if he attempted that. But with Devouring Ghost around, he was guaranteed to be able to penetrate the ghostrune territory unmolested.
The moment Xiang Shaoyun arrived at the homeland of the ghostrunes, he was surrounded. However, none of the ghostrunes attacked. They merely glared at him and scolded him endlessly. He could not understand their language, but it was obvious enough that none of them welcomed him. Since the ghostrunes were not attacking, he did not attack either. He waited curiously to see what they were going to do.
"Human, you intrude upon our territory and kill our people. You think none of us can do anything to you?" an aged voice rang out in his head, arriving through soul transmission.
The ghostrunes then stepped aside, making way for an old and massive ghostrune king. Numerous ghostrunes cried out in surprise when they saw the newly arrived ghostrune king; their eyes immediately filled with reverence. This ghostrune king was none other than the patriarch of the ghostrunes.
"Of course not. Your people were the ones to attack first. I was merely forced to defend myself," said Xiang Shaoyun with a shrug.
"Hmph. There are no good people among the humans. I don't care why you're here, but leave right now. Otherwise, we will do everything we can to kill you," demanded the ghostrune patriarch coldly.
"Sure, I can leave. Give me a soul raising stone, and I will leave immediately," said Xiang Shaoyun.
"We don't have it. Leave," said the patriarch.
"Yes, I can leave, after you give me a soul raising stone," said Xiang Shaoyun.
"Since you want to die, I will grant your wish. Kids, slaughter him!" commanded the patriarch.
At his command, thousands of ghostrunes swarmed Xiang Shaoyun. They no longer feared death and seemed intent to kill Xiang Shaoyun regardless of the cost. Not even a King Realm expert could remain fearless in face of so many ghostrunes. At this moment, Devouring Ghost finally acted.
"Hmph. Just some puny ghostrunes dare to act recklessly before me? Die!" Devouring Ghost snorted coldly and sent a wave of incorporeal soul power gushing out of Xiang Shaoyun's head.
The soul power formed an incorporeal palm that crashed down at the swarm of ghostrunes like a massive mountain. It was a soul attack, and although the ghostrunes had decent soul power, they were nothing compared to Devouring Ghost. Ghostrunes dropped one after another, dying in large numbers. As Devouring Ghost unleashed his soul power, a dreadful soul pressure appeared, causing intense fear in the hearts of the ghostrunes.
"What a terrifying soul power!" the ghostrune patriarch cried out timidly.
He no longer had the same cold and indifferent expression on his face. His heart was gripped by anxiousness, and he was fearful that the newly appeared soul power would attack him as well. Ghostrunes were innately sensitive to soul power. Thus, they were completely helpless against those with stronger soul power than them.
"Hand over the soul raising stone if you don't want your race to go extinct," demanded Xiang Shaoyun coldly.
"Young master, there is no need to be courteous toward these bugs. Just let me kill all of them," said Devouring Ghost.
For any other humans in the area, these ghostrunes were extremely difficult opponents. Yet here was someone calling them bugs. If news of this spread, it would stun countless people.
"Forget it. It is bad karma to exterminate an entire race. Just focus on getting a soul raising stone," said Xiang Shaoyun with a shake of his head.
Devouring Ghost did not say anything to that. He continued putting pressure on the ghostrunes, forcing them to lie down with their face on the ground. Faced with the prospect of race extinction, the patriarch was forced to concede.
Soon, a soul raising stone was taken out. Xiang Shaoyun looked at the soul raising stone with a burning gaze. It looked like an ordinary stone with a darker shade of black. Numerous complicated markings could be seen on it, and it emanated an odd aura that gave Xiang Shaoyun's soul an intense sense of comfort. It was as if this stone had the most intimate relationship with his soul. Slowly, nourished by the aura the stone was emanating, his soul power started to grow.
The growth was substantial, giving him a feeling that if he could keep this stone for a period of time, his soul power would easily grow stronger. He impatiently took the soul raising stone into his hand. Meanwhile, a pained expression covered the ghostrune patriarch's face, as if something most precious to his race had been taken.
Xiang Shaoyun felt somewhat guilty seeing the expression, so he said, "I won't take this for free. Here, consider this soul spring water as my payment for the stone."
He then filled up a bottle with soul spring water and handed it to the ghostrune patriarch.
The patriarch cried out in alarm and said, "So much soul spring water...y-you're really giving it to us?"
"Of course. Take it," said Xiang Shaoyun with a solemn nod.
The ghostrune patriarch accepted the bottle, his expression much better now.
Just as Xiang Shaoyun was about to leave, Devouring Ghost said, "Young master, you are still too weak. Why don't you take a few ghostrune kings with you? You can have them as your guard. Although their combat prowess is weak, their soul attacks are unique. With them, nobody below the Emperor Realm can hope to touch you. And if you can help them become ghostrune emperors, they will be even more helpful to you in the future."
Xiang Shaoyun was moved by the proposition. If he could really bring a few ghostrune kings out, he would no longer need to fear the threat of King Realm cultivators.
"But I doubt others will spare them after I bring them out," said Xiang Shaoyun.
"Haha, you worry too much. Ghostrunes are the same as demonic beasts. Anyone capable of taming one will naturally be eligible to receive a tame ghostrune's help. Anyone with a problem with that is merely jealous of you," said Devouring Ghost. "If you are afraid that the ghostrunes will be a target of other humans when you take them out, you can find a place for them to stay and only summon them when you need them to do battle."