Hei Wuchang's expression changed drastically upon seeing Ye Ling appear. His imposing aura vanished, replaced by a fawning smile as he walked towards Ye Ling.
"What are you all doing? Disperse at once!"
Hei Wuchang's stern command caused the surrounding Yin soldiers to freeze in surprise, looking at him. "Sir?"
Ignoring the shock of the other Yin soldiers, Hei Wuchang quickly approached Ye Ling. Under the astonished gaze of all the Yin soldiers, he smiled at Ye Ling and asked, "How is it that the Emperor Lord has time to visit our camp?"
Emperor Lord?
The moment Hei Wuchang uttered these words, a tidal wave of shock swept through the surroundings!
There wasn't a single Yin soldier present who hadn't heard the name Emperor Lord!
He was a legend of the Three Realms!
Ye Ling smiled at Hei Wuchang and said, "Your soldiers are quite strong, almost comparable to a hundred thousand heavenly soldiers. They must be the elite of the Underworld, right?"
Taken aback by Ye Ling's compliment, Hei Wuchang became somewhat flustered. He quickly replied, "Your Majesty jests. How can these rough specimens, unable to even deal with some poisonous miasma, compare to the heavenly soldiers?"
Ye Ling stated, "Don't be so modest. I've seen the poisonous gas in this mountain. Let alone you, even heavenly generals would be helpless against it. If I hadn't come today, your Underworld would likely have been purged anew."
Hearing Ye Ling's words, Hei Wuchang was startled at first, then his face lit up with joy. "If I understand Your Majesty correctly, are you here to help us?"
Ye Ling nodded. "It's also for my own sake. First, tell me about the specific situation of Buzhou Mountain, and then I'll devise a plan."
"Yes." Hei Wuchang respectfully bowed. "About three hours ago, a green meteor entered the Underworld and crashed into Buzhou Mountain. The entire Underworld heard the tremendous impact. King Yama immediately dispatched me and Bai Wuchang to investigate. We discovered that the foundation of Buzhou Mountain had been shattered in multiple places. At that time, the poisonous fog on the mountain path wasn't as dense, and we were able to send scouts in. However, none of the scouts sent in have returned."
Ye Ling commented, "There's no need to send any more scouts. With the current intensity of the poisonous fog, sending you in would be a futile sacrifice. How much information do you have so far?"
Hei Wuchang explained, "This poisonous fog is released by the meteorite. Additionally, there were many lonely souls and ghosts in Buzhou Mountain. Some died due to the poisonous fog, while others seem to have been strengthened by it. My troops have engaged them several times, suffering heavy casualties."
"Ah, yes!" Hei Wuchang suddenly remembered something and immediately produced a map, handing it to Ye Ling. "This map marks the locations where the foundation of Buzhou Mountain was shattered."
Ye Ling took the map and glanced at it, frowning. "Wasn't it just one meteor? Why are there so many shattered points in Buzhou Mountain?" The foundation of Buzhou Mountain was like a pillar reaching the heavens, supporting the entire mountain. Its base was deep within Buzhou Mountain. To damage the foundation, one would have to shatter all the rocks on the outer layers of Buzhou Mountain. A single meteor piercing Buzhou Mountain and damaging the foundation was already extraordinary. Now, with the foundation of Buzhou Mountain damaged everywhere, it was impossible for it to be the work of a single meteor!
Hei Wuchang said with a wry smile, "It seems the foundation of Buzhou Mountain was severed by fragments of the scattered meteorite."
"Furthermore, among the souls strengthened by the poisonous fog, there are many powerful ghost soldiers. Their battles within the mountain have also affected the fragile foundation of Buzhou Mountain."
"So that's how it is..."
Ye Ling scanned the map, his eyes deepening. He had a feeling that this green meteor was deliberately released, with some ulterior motive.
"Emperor Lord!"
At this moment, Bai Wuchang also arrived at the camp with the women. The surrounding Yin soldiers parted ways for Bai Wuchang, their spirits lifted. With Hei and Bai Wuchang bringing reinforcements, especially the renowned Emperor Lord Ye Ling from the immortal realm, the confidence and morale of the ghost soldiers present soared.
"Brother, how is the situation now?"
Ye You glanced at the poisonous fog blocked by a formation and asked Ye Ling with some concern. Earlier, from a distance, Ye You hadn't felt much, but as she approached Buzhou Mountain, she could clearly sense the terror of the poisonous fog!
"It has become even denser since I left," Bai Wuchang said, his eyes filled with growing worry as he looked at the poisonous fog on the mountain.
Ye Ling put away the map and said to Ye You, "This matter might be more complicated than we thought. Only you and I can venture into the mountain."
Su Ruoxue asked, "What about Xiao Qing and me?"
Ye Ling replied, "You two stay in the camp. Do not wander off until I return." He then said to Hei and Bai Wuchang, "I'll trouble the two of you with them."
Hei and Bai Wuchang quickly clasped their fists. "Your Majesty, rest assured. As long as we are alive, we will protect them!"
"Good."
Ye Ling quietly placed a restriction on the two women. He then added, "Without further ado, Xiao You and I will head into the mountain first."
Xu Xiaoqing called out, "Senior..."
"Hmm?" Ye Ling looked at Xu Xiaoqing.
Xu Xiaoqing opened her mouth but ultimately couldn't say anything, only managing to say, "Please be extremely careful."
Ye Ling narrowed his eyes and smiled. "Of course."
After instructing Su Ruoxue and Xu Xiaoqing, Ye Ling and Ye You passed through the formation set up by the Underworld army and ventured into Buzhou Mountain. The moment they entered Buzhou Mountain, the surrounding poisonous fog surged towards them, but it was all dispersed by Ye Ling's demonic energy.
On the mountain path, Ye Ling could see many corpses of Yin soldiers, clearly the scouts sent by Hei Wuchang. They hadn't even entered the mountain before they died in the poisonous fog.
Ye You, having identified a path through the poisonous fog, asked Ye Ling, "Brother, didn't you bring Xiao Qing to the Underworld precisely to bring her into Buzhou Mountain? Why are you suddenly leaving her at the camp outside Buzhou Mountain?"
Ye Ling explained, "I previously suspected that Xiao Qing was the key we were looking for. Moreover, it was Xiao Qing who saw the green meteor. I thought there might be something inside Buzhou Mountain that could unravel the mystery surrounding Xiao Qing."
Ye You asked, "So, Brother, you mean Xiao Qing is not the key we are looking for?"
Ye Ling shook his head. "On the contrary, I have already confirmed that Xiao Qing is the target the third party is looking for."
"Then why are you leaving Xiao Qing in the camp, Brother? If that group from the third party is comparable to the Shadow Hall, and they want to capture Xiao Qing, the Underworld army would be no match for them!"
"Even though this poisonous fog is dangerous, with your protection, Brother, Xiao Qing and Sister Ruoxue's safety can be guaranteed. Why leave Xiao Qing outside the mountain?"
Ye Ling smiled. "If possible, I want to lure out the people hidden behind the scenes."
Ye You's heart suddenly trembled. "Brother, do you mean... Xiao Qing is bait?"
"Yes," Ye Ling nodded. "I have placed my restrictions within both Xiao Qing and Ruoxue. If the other party tries to make a move on Xiao Qing, the restriction will immediately trigger, allowing me to sense it."
"No! Brother, this method is too risky! Xiao Qing and Sister Ruoxue are too weak. Even a slight mistake could lead to their demise in this scheme. I do not agree with your plan, Brother!"
Ye You said quickly, turning to go down the mountain to bring Xu Xiaoqing and Su Ruoxue back.
"Xiao You!"
Ye Ling called out to stop Ye You. "If you let Xiao Qing enter the mountain now, you'll truly fall into their trap!"
Hearing Ye Ling's words, Ye You froze.