Chapter 541: Shen Ran Phoenix Lady's Scheme

Li Qiye paid no mind to Long Zun Tian’s words. He smiled and said, “If you want to teach me a lesson, I’m ready anytime. I can accept that there’s always someone better. As for the claim that many Great Sect Ancestors want to kill me here…”

At this, Li Qiye let out a scornful laugh. “So what about Great Sect Ancestors? Even if Great Sect Ancestors want to kill me here, I’ll just slaughter them all. Those who block my path shall be killed without mercy!”

These words instantly provoked countless sects and lineages, offending the entire Ghost Race. But this wasn’t the first time Li Qiye had offended the Ghost Race.

For a time, many important figures from the Great Teaching Territories stared coldly at Li Qiye. Although no one made a move, their intentions couldn’t have been clearer: sooner or later, they would eliminate this arrogant human.

“Young man, there’s nothing wrong with arrogance, but some words, once spoken, cannot be taken back. You can’t just say whatever you please.” At this moment, an ethereal voice sounded, and no one knew who had spoken.

But these words struck like thunder, sending a chill through the hearts of many. This was undoubtedly a Great Sect Ancestor.

This time, many Great Sect Ancestors had emerged from seclusion to come to the First Evil Tomb. Li Qiye’s provocation had naturally displeased some of the hidden Great Sect Ancestors.

For the time being, however, no Great Sect Ancestor directly moved to teach Li Qiye a lesson. These old foxes were cunning with age; none of them wanted to be the first to jump out and make an enemy of the Qianli River.

Li Qiye just smiled at the ethereal voice and said, “I always take responsibility for what I say. Whether you are from the Ghost Race or any other, anyone who blocks my path will be killed without mercy!”

“Hmph, as if you could enter this pool even if no one was stopping you,” Saint Child Ji Que sneered coldly.

Li Qiye glanced at Saint Child Ji Que and said, “What, not convinced? If I get in, shouldn’t your Ghost Race leave?”

“This pool doesn’t belong to you! On what grounds should our Ghost Race leave?” Li Qiye’s words immediately drew dissatisfaction from many. A Ghost Race Leader spoke grimly.

Li Qiye said nonchalantly, “I don’t know if this pool is mine or not. What I do know is that if I go in and get some treasure, your Ghost Race will definitely ambush me and try to steal it, just like you ambushed the Qianli River. Does your Ghost Race dare claim you wouldn’t stoop to such sneaky business?”

“So, are you saying, Li Qiye, that you want to settle things with our entire Ghost Race once and for all?” the Shen Ran Phoenix Lady said slowly.

Li Qiye glanced at the Shen Ran Phoenix Lady and smiled. “Shen Ran Phoenix Lady, I know you’re digging a pit for me to jump into, trying to drag the entire Ghost Race in to be my enemy, right? Fine. As you wish. Since it’s come to this, why not settle things sooner rather than later? Your Ghost Race can’t stand the sight of my Human Race, and I can’t stand the sight of you Ghosts. What have you got? I’m ready for it!”

Li Qiye’s words made everyone look at each other in dismay. Even the cultivators present who weren’t from the Ghost Race were dumbfounded. ‘This is too arrogant! Challenging the entire Ghost Race by himself? A person like that has to be crazy.’

However, after some careful thought, some of the older-generation cultivators from other races felt it made sense. In the battle outside the Snow Shadow Ghost Clan, Li Qiye had slaughtered tens of thousands of Ghost Race experts in one go. This had already made the relationship between him and the Ghost Race irreconcilable.

Moreover, it was clear that Li Qiye would become an obstacle for the Three Heroes of the Netherworld in the future. In a future competition for the Celestial Mandate, the Ghost Race would absolutely not tolerate Li Qiye. A battle between the two sides was inevitable.

From the perspective of the cultivators from other races, if Li Qiye wanted to avoid being constantly challenged by the Ghost Race for a long time to come, the most direct method was to keep killing until his enemies trembled in fear. This wasn’t just about establishing a domineering reputation or testing his Dao Practice; it was about paving the road for his future!

In the eyes of some important figures from the Great Teaching Territories of other races, sweeping through the Ghost Race while they were not yet united wasn’t a bad opportunity. The prerequisite, however, was having sufficient strength.

Therefore, seeing Li Qiye provoke the entire Ghost Race, it wasn’t just the Ghost Race who glared at him coldly; the Great Teaching Territories of the other races also adopted a wait-and-see attitude.

Everyone knew that the relationship between Li Qiye and the Ghost Race was irreconcilable. A battle between Li Qiye and the Three Heroes of the Netherworld was inevitable, and it was likely that the backers behind the Three Heroes would not simply sit by and do nothing.

Of course, in response to Li Qiye’s provocation, geniuses like the Ghost Insect Demon Child and Saint Child Ji Que glared at him, their eyes revealing their killing intent.

Geniuses like the Ghost Insect Demon Child and Saint Child Ji Que already held animosity towards Li Qiye; they had become enemies long before this. What’s more, they harbored the ambition to slaughter him.

If they could kill Li Qiye, it would cement their prestige. Li Qiye would become a stepping stone on their path to becoming an Immortal Emperor.

Unlike last time, the Ghost Insect Demon Child and Saint Child Ji Que were now brimming with ambition. One could see from their expressions that they were determined to strike and kill Li Qiye.

It was no surprise that the Ghost Insect Demon Child and Saint Child Ji Que had such ambitions. Moreover, this time, they possessed the Killer Lanthanum and were confident they could kill Li Qiye.

In response to Li Qiye’s words, the Shen Ran Phoenix Lady smiled, a smile that could topple kingdoms. This outcome was exactly what she wanted. She spoke slowly, “Li Qiye, you were the one who said it. I am just a humble woman and dare not claim to represent the entire Ghost Race. However, if you provoke the Ghost Race, I will be the first one who cannot stand by. Even if I, a mere woman, am overestimating my own strength, I will not allow a human ant like you to challenge the supreme authority of the Ghost Race!”

“Impressive. A woman no less capable than any man.” Li Qiye clapped and laughed. He naturally understood the Shen Ran Phoenix Lady’s intentions but was simply too lazy to expose them.

Lan Yunzhu just smiled. She could, of course, see through the Shen Ran Phoenix Lady’s schemes. However, she understood that Li Qiye wouldn’t pay these tricks any mind at all. He was completely fearless!

Although geniuses like the Ghost Insect Demon Child had the wild ambition of killing Li Qiye and using him as a stepping stone, the majority of the older generation remained relatively calm.

Although Li Qiye and their Ghost Race were irreconcilably hostile, at least for now, he had no direct conflict of interest with most of the Great Teaching Territories.

Those old and cunning great characters all knew that the Shen Ran Phoenix Lady was doing this to pave the way for the Emperor’s Throne. Anyone could see that Li Qiye would become a major threat to the Emperor’s Throne in the future, and as his wife, the Shen Ran Phoenix Lady wanted to use others to eradicate Li Qiye and clear the path for her husband.

“There has been too much fighting and killing lately. All this carnage is getting a little tiresome.” The Shen Ran Phoenix Lady seemed not to have heard Li Qiye’s praise. With her graceful bearing, she said, “Since you, Li Qiye, have challenged our Ghost Race, we can’t just cower and refuse to fight. How about a more civilized contest? Let’s take this pool before us. Li Qiye, if you can go deeper into this pool than any of us from the Ghost Race, then, while I can’t claim to represent the entire race, I can at least say the Wan Gu Royal Family and many other Ghost clans will no longer give you trouble.”

“Of course, if you lose to the Ghost Race, you must hand over the Key of the First Evil Tomb in your possession. Whoever defeats you gets the key!” The Shen Ran Phoenix Lady threw out a temptation that was difficult for anyone to refuse, adding, “The opportunity from the Celestial Tomb should remain with our Ghost Race, wouldn’t you all agree!”

Originally, aside from ambitious people like Saint Child Ji Que, the other Ghost Race members weren’t necessarily willing to be used as pawns by the Shen Ran Phoenix Lady. Everyone had witnessed the battle outside the Snow Shadow Ghost Clan, and being her pawn would definitely not lead to a good end. However, the Shen Ran Phoenix Lady’s latest words had stoked the nerves of every Ghost Race member.

“I heard that while the opportunity from the Celestial Tomb can be exchanged for one treasure, if you’re lucky, you might get a peerless opportunity. The rewards would be no less than obtaining the entire nest of the Vajra Carp.” The Shen Ran Phoenix Lady said this nonchalantly. “For such an opportunity, no matter what, I, too, must challenge you, Li Qiye!”

The Shen Ran Phoenix Lady’s words instantly made everyone’s hearts pound with excitement! Everyone couldn’t help but exchange glances.

“Such deep scheming, such formidable methods.” Lan Yunzhu couldn’t help but sigh with emotion as she observed the Shen Ran Phoenix Lady’s tactics. This move was too brilliant; it pushed Li Qiye to the forefront of the storm. Now, it was likely that everyone wanted a chance to challenge him.

“Is it true?” Upon hearing the Shen Ran Phoenix Lady’s words, even the members of the younger generation present couldn’t help but ask their elders.

Everyone knew that there was a Celestial Tomb in the Earth Realm. It was said that fighting one’s way into the Celestial Tomb and coming out alive would grant a great opportunity. However, not everyone dared to try; even Great Sect Ancestors would hesitate, let alone the younger generation. But now, the Emperor’s Throne had charged into the Celestial Tomb!

“It’s true.” An important figure from a Great Sect answered his junior, “With the Key of the First Evil Tomb, you can exchange it for an opportunity at the Celestial Tomb. Whether the opportunity is great or small depends on one’s luck. In short, it can be exchanged for an opportunity.”

Before this, especially after the battle outside the Snow Shadow Ghost Clan, many people had coveted the Key of the First Evil Tomb that Li Qiye possessed. Many later gave up, but now that the Shen Ran Phoenix Lady had brought it up again, it once again stoked everyone’s greed.

At this moment, everyone held their breath, their eyes fixed on Li Qiye. They all knew that the Key of the First Evil Tomb was in his possession.

Li Qiye merely sneered at the Shen Ran Phoenix Lady’s scheme. She was trying by any means necessary to eradicate him. This challenge was just the fuse; her true goal was to make the entire Ghost Race his enemy.

“Li Qiye, do you dare to accept our Ghost Race’s challenge?” the Shen Ran Phoenix Lady asked slowly.

Although the Shen Ran Phoenix Lady did not represent the entire Ghost Race, the expressions on the faces of many people present showed that they were practically drooling over the Key of the First Evil Tomb that Li Qiye possessed.

“In a challenge like this, Li Qiye isn’t necessarily at a disadvantage,” even the Bishui Empress couldn’t help but comment. “How deep one can go into the pool doesn’t depend on the strength of one’s Dao Practice, but on whether one can see through its nature. Although it’s said that ‘one step is one world,’ its essence is still that of a pool. If one can comprehend its profound mysteries, there is still much that can be achieved. On the contrary, the higher one’s Dao Practice, the greater the restrictions!”