Moving like the wind, shrinking space, and so close yet worlds apart were the three stages of footwork intent. From what Devouring Ghost had said, the first two stages were comparatively easier to comprehend than the final stage, which could only be reached by those cultivating the power of wind.
For the first two stages, one could reach them through constantly improving one's comprehension of footwork intent, unlike the final stage which required the additional support of the power of wind. It was understandable as speed was the essence of footwork, as was the case for the power of wind.
"Back then when the previous master created the Overlord's Nine Nether Steps, it was as if he could reach the heavens beyond the skies with one step and reach the hell down below with another step. That was a speed where he had broken his shackles and reached the so close yet worlds apart stage. It was a speed the mind couldn't even begin to comprehend," said Devouring Ghost.
"One step to reach the heavens beyond the sky; one step to reach the hell down below," Xiang Shaoyun cried out in alarm.
The more familiar he became with the Overlord's Nine Nether Steps, the more he could sense its extraordinariness. Thus, he agreed with Devouring Ghost's appraisal.
"Since you have reached a basic mastery in your defensive technique, you can now start cultivating footwork intent without slowing your other aspects of cultivation. If you cultivate footwork intent together with the Overlord's Nine Nether Steps, your comprehension will definitely be faster. I will also be teaching you all I know," said Devouring Ghost.
He thus started sharing his experience on footwork intent with Xiang Shaoyun and did not hold anything back. He had already acknowledged Xiang Shaoyun as his former master's only successor, and Xiang Shaoyun also looked exactly the same as his previous master when he was young, earning his full devotion.
Xiang Shaoyun listened attentively, committing everything to memory. After Devouring Ghost finished his explanation, Xiang Shaoyun started using his Nether Soul Domain to visualize Devouring Ghost's earlier demonstration of footwork intent. While visualizing, he started contemplating on the experience Devouring Ghost had shared with him, trying to understand the footwork intent one step at a time as if he was spinning silk from cocoons.
Xiang Shaoyun focusing on comprehension did not slow the pace of their journey as they continued heading toward their destination. As for Du Xuanhao, he was one who had comprehended saber intent. Just from listening in, he had benefited greatly. What he had learned here would be a great help to him in the future.
In the blink of an eye, a few days passed. One day, Devouring Ghost suddenly cried out, "Slow down, I sense some emperor auras ahead of us."
Jin Wo knew that Devouring Ghost was stronger than him and would naturally have far sharper senses as a result. He immediately slowed down and started descending to the ground.
Xiang Shaoyun opened his eyes and asked, "What's going on?"
"I don't know. A few emperor auras are heading this way, and it does not seem they are only passing through. There is a possibility of conflict," judged Devouring Ghost. "But they are only some low-leveled Emperors. We don't have to be worried about them."
"Ok." Xiang Shaoyun nodded, not worried at all.
Suddenly, sounds of explosions erupted from ahead of them. The sound waves rumbled on, as if the entire world was shaking. Several different energies shot into the sky, scattering the clouds above.
When everything settled, someone could be seen flying rapidly in the direction of Xiang Shaoyun's group with a youngster in tow. Evidently, these two were the ones being pursued. The elder of the two was an old man with a cultivation level of third-stage Dragon Ascension Realm. His aura was extremely unstable, and it was clear he was in very bad shape.
"Friends, please save us!" the old man cried for help.
Although Xiang Shaoyun's group had moved out of the way, they had not intentionally hidden themselves. Surprisingly, that person was actually begging for their help.
"Piss off. Don't create trouble for us," berated Devouring Ghost unhappily.
However, the third-stage Dragon Ascension Realm old man acted as if he had heard nothing and continued flying toward them. He shouted, "Friends, please help us! We will repay you generously in the future!"
Before Devouring Ghost could say anything, someone else shouted, "This is the business of the Tai Clan. All unrelated individuals, piss off!"
Following closely behind that voice were three powerful auras. The newcomers were three powerful Dragon Ascension Realm experts. They surrounded the pair and started attacking without saying anything.
The three were rather strong, and none of them were weaker than the old man. They attacked mercilessly, aiming only for vitals. A barrage of attacks surrounded the pair, not leaving them any chance to escape.
"Young master, let's leave," Devouring Ghost said.
Xiang Shaoyun nodded. "Um. Let's go."
Xiang Shaoyun never saw himself as a hero. There was no point for him to meddle in the affairs of others. After all, he still had his own grudge to avenge. But right as they were about to leave, the Emperor suddenly broke through the siege and flew toward them. He cried out in desperation, "Save us! W-we will repay you generously!"
"Piss off if you don't want to die." Devouring Ghost was getting irritated.
He had never been someone with a good temper. If he wasn't still adapting to his new body and trying to hide his identity, he would have killed all of them long ago.
"Hehe, Dong Wu, nobody can save you today! They're just some useless bugs passing by. You really think they are capable of helping you?" said one of the pursuers with a nasty laugh.
A few more attacks flew toward the pair.
"AHHH!"
The old man blocked all the attacks before pushing away the youth.
"Grandpa Wu!" came a sorrowful shout as the youth flew away.
"Little pup, let me get my hands on you first before slaughtering Dong Wu, that old dog," said one of the pursuers with a sneer before dashing toward the youth.
Just as that person was about to reach the youth, Xiang Shaoyun suddenly said, "Devouring Ghost, Big Brother Du, help them."
"Young master?" Devouring Ghost asked in confusion.
"Not now. Save them first," said Xiang Shaoyun with an unsightly expression.
When Devouring Ghost saw Xiang Shaoyun's seriousness, he no longer delayed, and he flew out like a specter. Jin Wo also moved without hesitation and shot toward the pursuers.
Devouring Ghost was the first to arrive. Instantly, he appeared before the Emperor going after the youth. A ghostly hand swirling with black mist clawed forward as he sneered and said, "Open your eyes wide and see who's the bug."
Whoosh!
The ghostly claws looked incomparably sharp. Instantly, the ghostly hand arrived before the Emperor's chest. The Emperor did not even realize what happened before a sharp pain assaulted his chest and his blood spurted out like a fountain.
"AHHH!"
The Emperor was instantly defeated and could no longer chase after the youth. Devouring Ghost then shifted the trajectory of his ghostly hand and gently sent the falling youth toward Xiang Shaoyun. He then charged toward the other two Emperors.
"It has been so long since I last killed anyone. Let me taste some fresh blood. Du Xuanhao, leave them to me," said Devouring Ghost, radiating an intense bloodlust.
A thick black aura was swirling around him, and a stench of blood roiled out, making him seem like a sinister spirit as he charged the two remaining Emperors.