I'm in Yellow Maple Valley, and I have one equipment slot!

Chapter 329 Only a Nascent Soul cultivator can kill you? Sorry, I'm the exception!

"It's my father! My father has come to save me!"

The towering Corpse King, imprisoned by Zhou Yuan with a restriction and imbued with the Azure Ice Flame, sensed the vast, abyss-like, tyrannical, and majestic terrifying aura emanating from the main tomb chamber below. His previously despairing eyes instantly ignited with hope, and he shouted excitedly!

In his mind, his father, King Xuan Ye, was an invincible presence in the Snow Ridge Mountains, guarding the main territory of the tomb. Unless a legendary Nascent Soul cultivator personally came, no one could shake his position!

Although the human cultivator in front of me is powerful, he is only at the late stage of the Nascent Soul realm. How could he possibly cause any trouble in the lair that my father has managed for ten thousand years?

However, when Zhou Yuan sensed the towering, almost tangible, corpse energy surging towards him, his expression remained calm and undisturbed.

He even had the leisure to glance down at the two spirit beast pouches hanging at his waist.

The two spirit beast pouches were bulging slightly, as if the spirit beasts inside had sensed something exciting and were becoming restless.

One of the two spirit beast pouches contains the "Beast Demon" obtained in the Chaotic Star Sea.

This beast is a strange creature naturally born in the Corpse Fiend Land. It feeds on corpse energy and fiend energy, and is a natural nemesis of evil things. It naturally has an instinctive desire and excitement for the aura of high-level Corpse Kings.

The other spirit beast bag contained the even rarer "Soul-Crying Beast".

This beast is extraordinary; it is an extremely rare creature in the world that feeds on various souls and spirits, possessing immense growth potential. It also has an extremely strong desire to devour powerful entities like the Corpse King, which are aggregates of souls and corpse energy.

Zhou Yuan stretched out his palm and gently patted the two spirit beast pouches. A gentle divine sense was transmitted to them, soothing the two spirit beasts inside: "Don't be impatient, your time will come."

After calming the two spirit beasts, Zhou Yuan turned his gaze back to the dark passage leading deeper into the hall.

In the passage, that terrifying aura was rapidly approaching, accompanied by heavy footsteps and the sound of chains being dragged.

Soon after, a middle-aged man dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe, wearing a flat-topped crown, with a dignified but deathly pale face, appeared a hundred feet in front of Zhou Yuan, accompanied by a monstrous aura of death.

It was none other than the Ten-Thousand-Year Corpse King—King Xuan Ye!

As soon as King Xuan Ye appeared, his gaze was like lightning, instantly locking onto Zhou Yuan, as well as the Prince Corpse King, who was imprisoned by Zhou Yuan and had an excited expression on his face.

The emerald green corpse flames in his eyes flickered, and he didn't say a single unnecessary word, not even asking about Zhou Yuan's name or origin!

"How dare you harm my son! You'll pay with your life!"

King Xuan Ye let out a deafening roar, his figure blurred, and he appeared in front of Zhou Yuan as if by teleportation. A pale, withered hand with black, sharp nails, as if forged from millennia-old cold iron, slashed down fiercely at Zhou Yuan's crown with a shrill sound that tore through the air!

The power of this claw is enough to easily tear apart the protective aura and magical treasures of an ordinary Nascent Soul cultivator!

However, Zhou Yuan was prepared. With a thought, he didn't even summon his flying sword. He simply circulated his internal energy, and an extremely condensed golden sword aura appeared out of thin air in front of him. As if it had a life of its own, it precisely met Xuan Ye Wang's fatal claw!

"clang--!!!"

A deafening clang of metal clashing, accompanied by sparks flying, suddenly exploded in the empty hall! A violent shockwave swept outwards in all directions, shattering many of the decaying coffins in the hall!

Xuan Ye Wang's claw, powerful enough to shatter gold and stone, was actually blocked by that seemingly small golden sword aura!

Not only that, but an indestructible sharp sword aura and an overwhelming force rebounded from his arm, causing several fine cracks to instantly appear on his hand, which was as strong as a magic weapon!

There were even wisps of dark red corpse energy leaking out from the cracks!

"Thump thump thump!"

King Xuan Ye was so shocked by the sword strike that he staggered back three steps before regaining his footing!

He looked down at the clear cracks on his hands, and for the first time, a look of solemnity and fear appeared in his emerald green pupils!

Although his Celestial Corpse Body had not yet reached its peak, it was already impervious to blades and spears, and unaffected by water and fire; ordinary magical treasures could hardly harm him. Unexpectedly, after a direct clash with the opponent's magical treasure, he was actually damaged!

The opponent's flying sword was far sharper than he had expected!

Moreover, from that brief exchange just now, he had clearly determined that the seemingly young human cultivator in front of him had indeed reached the late stage of the Nascent Soul realm!

Moreover, the purity of his magical power and the sharpness of his sword intent are definitely not the kind of inferior product that is forcibly improved by pills or external forces!

"Who exactly are you? Why have you broken into my royal mausoleum without cause and captured my son?!"

Suppressing his surprise and doubt, King Xuan Ye demanded an explanation in a stern voice. Although he was wary of Zhou Yuan's strength, he was not truly afraid.

He had been operating in the Snow Ridge Mountains for tens of thousands of years. The tomb was heavily fortified and filled with countless corpse soldiers. In addition, he himself possessed great supernatural powers, so even if he was no match for them, he could more than protect himself.

He firmly believed that unless a Nascent Soul cultivator personally intervened, no one could do anything to him!

Zhou Yuan remained calm, as if the exchange just now was merely a trivial interlude.

He looked at King Xuan Ye and said calmly, "King Xuan Ye, I have come here not with the intention of fighting you to the death. I only wish to make a deal with you: I will exchange your son's life for one of your Heavenly Corpse Pearls."

"The Heavenly Corpse Pearl?!" Upon hearing this, King Xuan Ye was first stunned, then his face revealed an expression of extreme anger and absurdity, and he shouted sharply, "Delusion!"

The Heavenly Corpse Pearl was his natal corpse pearl, which he had cultivated for countless years using the Heavenly Corpse Technique, condensing most of his own pure corpse energy and primordial essence!

This bead can not only store a massive amount of pure corpse energy, but also release "Gray Mist Corpse Miasma" containing deadly poison. When used in combat, it releases corpse poison that can easily corrode a cultivator's physical body and spiritual power. It is one of the most important items in one's life and one of the most important means of combat! How can it be given away so easily?

"Oh? So you don't want your son's life anymore?" Zhou Yuan wasn't angry. He merely glanced at the prince corpse king beside him, whose face had instantly fallen, his tone tinged with amusement. He wasn't some pedantic gentleman; to achieve his goals, he didn't mind using appropriate means.

"you----"

King Xuan Ye was speechless at Zhou Yuan's words. His gaze swept back and forth between Zhou Yuan and the restrained Prince Corpse King, his eyes filled with a mixture of anger and struggle.

Although he was a zombie king, cruel by nature, he did have some genuine affection for his son, who was his blood relative.

He truly couldn't bear to watch his son be tortured with restraints, or even killed on the spot.

But to give in and hand over his natal Heavenly Corpse Pearl is absolutely out of the question!

"Hmph! You think you can threaten me with my son? I'll kill you first, then I can save my son!" King Xuan Ye was, after all, a corpse king who had lived for tens of thousands of years; his will was firm, and he was decisive in his killing. He quickly made a decision—no more words with Zhou Yuan, strike first!

He suddenly opened his mouth wide, and a thick, ink-black blood essence, exuding a foul and ominous aura, spewed out from his mouth. As it was carried by the wind, it transformed into a fist-sized, twisting and writhing black rune that seemed to be composed of countless tiny runes!

The black rune flashed by, like a brand, and shot into the center of King Xuan Ye's forehead, appearing exceptionally clear!

"Buzz—!"

As the black rune was imprinted, the grayish-white corpse energy surrounding King Xuan Ye suddenly surged and boiled violently!

His bright yellow dragon robe fluttered and rustled even without wind! At the same time, a strange roar, deep and full of savage energy, came from deep within his throat, like that of a wounded beast!

"roar--!!!"

The roar seemed to possess some strange magic, instantly spreading throughout the entire underground tomb! Immediately afterward, from the various deep passages connecting the hall, came the sound of uniform, yet incredibly heavy footsteps!

"Thump! Thump! Thump!"

The footsteps grew closer and more frequent, as if a vast army was converging on the hall!

In a short while, countless figures poured in from all directions!

They were skeleton soldiers wearing tattered armor, wielding rusted weapons, and with ghostly green flames flickering in their eye sockets, as well as some stiff, bluish-gray walking corpses with exposed fangs!

They were so densely packed, like a tidal wave, that they completely surrounded the hall! At a rough glance, their numbers probably numbered in the thousands!

Most of these corpse soldiers possessed an aura equivalent to that of a Foundation Establishment cultivator. However, among them were dozens of corpse soldier leaders who were much larger, possessed significantly stronger auras, and had reached the Core Formation stage!

Such a massive army of corpse soldiers, coupled with the presence of King Xuan Ye, a corpse king at the late Nascent Soul stage, is indeed a force that can make any Nascent Soul cultivator's scalp tingle!

"The Corpse Army?" Zhou Yuan raised an eyebrow slightly, but his face still showed no fear.

He calmly reached out and gently patted the two spirit beast pouches at his waist.

"Whoosh!" "Whoosh!"

Two beams of light flew out of the spirit beast pouch, landed on the ground, and revealed their forms.

On the left is a strange little beast, only about half a zhang tall, silver-white all over, resembling a small monkey, but with a long nose. It is the Soul-Crying Beast.

Upon its appearance, seeing the dense hordes of corpse soldiers and the thick aura of death around it, it showed no fear but instead appeared unusually excited, its little nose twitching incessantly and emitting low "whimpering" sounds.

On the right is a colossal beast, dozens of feet long, covered in dark blue scales, resembling a giant lizard or crocodile, but with a ferocious head—the Beast Demon.

As soon as it appeared, its enormous size occupied almost half of the hall, exuding the fierce aura of an eighth-level demon beast.

However, when the beast felt the terrifying pressure of the late-stage Nascent Soul Corpse King emanating from King Xuan Ye in front of it, its massive body trembled slightly, a clear look of fear appeared in its eyes, and it even involuntarily took half a step back.

Although it was also a strange beast born in the Corpse Fiend Land, it was still suppressed in terms of bloodline and rank when facing a ten-thousand-year-old Corpse King like King Xuan Ye.

"If you're scared, then stand to the side!"

Seeing the beast's pathetic state, Zhou Yuan frowned slightly and scolded it unhappily.

This beast, usually so imposing as it devours corpse energy and malevolent aura, is utterly pathetic in a critical moment.

The beast shrank back even more after being scolded by Zhou Yuan, but still obediently retreated behind Zhou Yuan, not daring to step forward.

Meanwhile, the Soul-Crying Beast on the other side could no longer contain itself!

It raised its head and let out a sharp, long howl, its small body suddenly expanding! A burst of silvery-white light erupted!

In the blink of an eye, it transformed into a giant silver ape, several dozen feet tall, with a gleaming silver body, bulging muscles, and protruding fangs!

Behind the giant ape, a hideous demon totem phantom, seemingly from the deepest hell, faintly appeared, emanating a chilling aura of devouring!

"roar--!"

The silver giant ape let out a deafening roar, and two streaks of silver light shot out from its enormous nostrils! The silver light swept over the dozen or so Foundation Establishment stage corpse soldiers that were close to it, like a whale sucking in water!

"Whoosh—!"

The dozen or so corpse soldiers didn't even have time to struggle before they were sucked into the giant ape's nostrils by the silver light and vanished without a trace! As if they had never existed!

"hiss--!"

Upon seeing this scene, even King Xuan Ye couldn't help but gasp, his emerald eyes revealing unprecedented horror and fear!

"What...what is this thing?! How can it devour my corpse soldiers so easily?!"

Alarm bells rang loudly in Emperor Xuan Ye's mind!

He could sense that the silver giant ape was the natural nemesis of his kind of sinister corpses! His renowned army of corpse soldiers was like nourishment delivered to his doorstep in front of this silver giant ape; not only could they not play a role, but they would also help the ape's strength!

Just as King Xuan Ye was shaken by the appearance of the Soul-Crying Beast and his spellcasting paused, he finally completed his transformation spell!

"roar--!!!"

Another, even more ferocious roar! The crown on King Xuan Ye's head suddenly broke free and flew off, his long hair dancing wildly in the wind, instantly growing more than twice its original length, and at the same time, its color changed to a strange purplish-black!

He suddenly grabbed his arms with both hands, and his body instantly grew several feet taller! Thick green hairs, several inches long, sprouted all over his body! His fingernails also quickly grew longer and turned black, transforming into sharp, purplish-black nails, like ten daggers!

His once dignified face quickly became gaunt and sunken, his lips everted, revealing two inch-long hairs...

Sharp fangs gleaming with a cold light!

At this moment, King Xuan Ye finally abandoned his imperial disguise and revealed his true form as a ten-thousand-year-old corpse king—a terrifying corpse demon with a ferocious and dreadful appearance, covered in green fur, and with sharp fangs and claws! The corpse aura and pressure emanating from him were several levels stronger than before!

"In my tomb, apart from Nascent Soul cultivators, no one can kill me!" King Xuan Ye, having revealed his true form, seemed to have his confidence soar. He let out a deafening roar and transformed into a green shadow once again, rushing towards Zhou Yuan!

This time, his speed was extremely fast, and his claws left afterimages as he swung them, with power several times greater than before!

He was actually able to withstand the slashes from the Azure Bamboo Bee Cloud Sword that Zhou Yuan had previously unleashed, thanks to his enhanced physical body, leaving only shallow white marks on his claws!

"Interesting." Zhou Yuan watched Xuan Ye Wang pounce again, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Just now I only used half my strength, and only one flying sword. Since you believe that only a Nascent Soul cultivator can kill you—then today, I'll shatter that notion!"

Before he could finish speaking, a sharp glint flashed in Zhou Yuan's eyes!

"Great Geng Sword Formation—Activate!"

"Clang clang clang clang—!!!"

In an instant, the sword's cry pierced the sky and resounded throughout the entire underground tomb!

Seventy-two gleaming golden swords, crackling with lightning, emerged from Zhou Yuan's body like a peacock spreading its tail, instantly forming a three-dimensional sword formation covering an area of ​​dozens of feet in front of him, dazzling with golden light and crisscrossing with sword energy!

Each flying sword exudes a chilling sharpness and the majestic power of the exorcising divine thunder!

"go!"

Zhou Yuan pointed his fingers like a sword at the charging Xuan Ye King!

"Whoosh whoosh whoosh!!!"

Seventy-two golden flying swords transformed into seven thousand two golden lightning bolts tearing through the void, shooting towards King Xuan Ye like a raging storm! The sword light intertwined, forming an impenetrable net of death!

"What?!"

King Xuan Ye felt a burst of golden light before his eyes, and a terrifying sword intent that made his soul tremble completely enveloped him!

He tried to dodge, but found that he was completely blocked in all directions!

He had no choice but to grit his teeth and push his corpse energy to its limit, wildly waving his claws in an attempt to resist the terrifying sword formation!

"Clang clang clang clang clang—!!!"

The sounds of metal clashing against metal, so intense they were almost frantic, rang out like the sound of blacksmiths striking metal! Accompanied by King Xuan Ye's roars of shock and rage, and his miserable groans!

After a barrage of swords, King Xuan Ye's massive body was blasted away like a kite with a broken string, crashing heavily into the hard wall of the tomb chamber and creating a large crater!

His entire body, his once indestructible green-haired corpse, was now marred by over a dozen crisscrossing, deep sword wounds that revealed the bone! Dark red corpse blood gushed out like a small stream! He spat out a mouthful of dark red corpse blood, and his aura instantly weakened considerably!

Zhou Yuan hovered in mid-air, looking down at Xuan Ye Wang, who was struggling to slide down the wall. His tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable authority: "If I wanted to kill you, that sword formation just now would have been enough to tear you to pieces!"

He looked at King Xuan Ye, whose eyes finally showed fear, and continued, "I have come here today only for the Heavenly Corpse Pearl."

"Considering your arduous cultivation of ten thousand years, if you are willing to hand over the Heavenly Gate Pearl, I can spare your life and remove the restrictions on your prince. Otherwise—I wouldn't mind using your corpse core to feed my spirit beasts."

As he spoke, his gaze drifted to the silver giant ape beside him.

The Soul-Crying Beast immediately responded with a low growl, its huge nostrils emitting flickering silver light, looking eager to try.

Looking at Zhou Yuan's calm yet oppressive gaze, then at the silver giant ape that was eyeing him menacingly and ready to devour him at any moment, and then feeling the dozen or so deep, bone-revealing sword wounds on his body and the rampant sword energy within him—he finally came to a complete understanding of reality.

The human cultivator before him was far stronger than him, and was far beyond his ability to contend with!

If we continue to resist, we will only face death, and we might even become food for that monster!

"Very well—I—will hand it over!"

Xuan Ye lowered his head, his voice hoarse and bitter, filled with frustration and helplessness.