The Ghostface Sect headquarters was filled with numerous ancient buildings and stores and some stone decorations. Every now and then, red lights pulsed at random spots, making the headquarters look like a scene from hell. The entire headquarters was built in a way to make it seem like a ghost palace no ordinary person could inhabit.
Soon, Lady Shura brought Xiang Shaoyun to the largest palace. It was guarded by two massive, fierce beasts. Each of the beasts had a height of over 10 meters, a head resembling the head of a ghost, a body of a lion, and a long, thick tail. They also had numerous spikes all over their bodies and were entirely black. Strands of devilish energy were swirling around them, and they looked incredibly imposing and formidable.
When Xiang Shaoyun saw the two beasts, he exclaimed inwardly, Are these giant devil beasts?
They were not classified as demonic beasts. Rather, they were a type of devilish beast. Humans and demonic beasts both grew through absorbing energy from the sun, the moon, and the stars. Devilish beasts were different; they grew by absorbing devilish energy, making them true devils. As for these two particular beasts here, they were more than just some simple Devil Emperors.
A thick murderous intent leaked out of their eyes when the beasts saw Xiang Shaoyun. Lady Shura displayed her medal and said, "Two lord beasts, I need to bring him to the sect master for important business."
Only then did the two beasts withdraw their devilish energy. They lay down on the ground, shut their eyes, and dozed off. They might look lazy, but they would be able to immediately detect any approaching outsider.
Lady Shura then walked past the two beasts. Xiang Shaoyun did the same. But when he approached, the two beasts suddenly opened their massive, scary eyes. It gave him a fright, but he was still able to remain calm and did not jump in fear. However, he was now standing still and no longer dared to move rashly.
Lady Shura seemed to have noticed something happening, so she looked behind her. She quickly cried out in alarm, "Two lord beasts, please calm down."
She was afraid they would swallow Xiang Shaoyun alive. The devilish beast at the right side ignored Lady Shura and spoke to Xiang Shaoyun, "You have the aura of the devil race on you."
Both Xiang Shaoyun and Lady Shura were stunned. The devil race was the public enemy of the surface races. If word of this spread, Xiang Shaoyun would have the world as his enemy.
The devilish beast sniffed at the air a few more times before saying, "No, this isn't right. You have the body of a human yet possess the smell of the imperial devil clan. Are you a descendant of an ancient imperial devil clan?"
At that, a complicated look appeared in the eyes of the two beasts.
Xiang Shaoyun smiled and said, "I am a human, not a devil."
He then walked past the two beasts. They did not make things difficult for him, but a look of indignation had appeared in their eyes as they were immersed in some recollection. After passing through the two guardian beasts, they finally arrived at the Ghostface Sect's main hall.
From the front, the main hall looked like a roaring ghost face, and like everywhere else in the headquarters, it had an eerie environment. Upon entering the hall, one would find that it was incomparably expansive. Twelve towering black pillars stood tall at different positions, propping up the entire hall. Numerous abstruse runes were carved into the pillars, and they flowed with some sort of sinister-looking and chilly radiance.
Directly facing the entrance was a pitch black couch made of devil skin. Two baleful ghost pearls framed the couch on each side. This was most certainly the throne of the sect master. Lady Shura knelt down before the throne and said respectfully, "Lady Shura requests an audience with the sect master. There is an urgent matter to report."
She then took out a medal and channeled her energy into it. An indescribable power rippled out of it and formed a connection with the throne. As that happened, the 12 pillars started shining brightly as energy poured out of them and converged on the throne. Abruptly, a figure appeared.
"Lady Shura, what is so urgent that you need to see me in such a rush?" asked the tall figure.
The tall person was dressed in a cloak and was wearing a ghostface mask, hiding his real appearance. He was none other than Green Ghost, the Ghostface Sect's sect master. Why was he called the Green Ghost? Because he wore a green ghostface mask. Since no outsiders knew his real name, he had come to be known as the Green Ghost.
"Reporting to the sect master, this person is not a member of the sect yet holds the sect master's medal," said Lady Shura as she pointed at Xiang Shaoyun.
Since Lady Shura possessed a medal that she could use to have a direct audience with the sect master, it was obvious she held a high position in the sect. Right after Lady Shura said that, Xiang Shaoyun felt an intensely oppressive gaze landing on him. He felt discomfort all over his body, as if that pair of eyes had seen through him.
"Why are you not kneeling before this sect master?" Green Ghost asked.
Along with the question, a massive force pressed down on Xiang Shaoyun, nearly forcing him to his knees. The Purple Lightning Saber appeared in his hands. He stabbed it into the ground and used it to prop himself up before mustering a reply, "I...I kneel to my parents and the heavens, but not others!"
"Impudent!" Green Ghost berated.
Instantly, Xiang Shaoyun felt like a mountain was pressing down on him. He could feel his bones breaking, his body on the verge of collapsing to the ground. Green Ghost had only released a slight portion of his presence, yet a King like Xiang Shaoyun was already rendered completely helpless. If more force was used, he could be easily crushed to death.
Lady Shura stood to the side coldly, not daring to say a single word. Just as Xiang Shaoyun was about to collapse, a medal fell off him. This was the very medal he had gotten from Devouring Ghost, a medal with a ghost face on it.
When Green Ghost saw it, he immediately picked it up. His pupils shrank as he cried out in alarm, "This...where did you get this medal?"
The pressure he was emanating vanished completely, finally letting Xiang Shaoyun stand up straight again. By this point, Xiang Shaoyun was completely drenched in sweat and exhausted, as if he had just experienced a massive battle.
Green Ghost asked impatiently, "Where did you get this medal?"
The question rumbled in Xiang Shaoyun's eardrums, making him feel like they were going to explode. He raised his head, stared at Green Ghost, and replied, "I got this from Devouring Ghost."
"Audacious! You dare call my master by his name directly?" Green Ghost raged with fury and sent an energy attack flying toward Xiang Shaoyun.
Sphhlt!
Xiang Shaoyun was sent flying while coughing blood. However, it was clear Green Ghost did not intend to kill him. He merely intended to give him some serious injuries.
"I repeat. Who gave you this medal?" Green Ghost shot forward from the throne and repeated his question.
"Devouring Ghost. He told me that so long as I show this medal to the Ghostface Sect, I will be left alone," said Xiang Shaoyun firmly.
With a frown, Green Ghost studied Xiang Shaoyun's face. He suddenly shivered and said, "L-lord Xiang, it's you!"