Three more months passed, and a loud noise echoed through the Ghost Hall, drawing many gazes.
As the sound reverberated, dark energy continuously enveloped the Ghost Hall, creating a chilling spectacle.
"It seems he has broken through the seal!"
Shen Batian frowned, his eyes filled with gravity. "This is truly a great calamity!"
"Since we cannot avoid it, we can only face it!"
Clan Leader Ye shrugged. "Let's just hope they can become Battle Saints quickly; perhaps there's still a sliver of hope!"
As they conversed, the entire mountain range was already permeated with dark energy. Within this dark energy, countless figures moved, none of whom were ordinary.
"Such a powerful aura!"
The experts of the Shen and Ye clans were shocked. While they knew the Ghost Hall Master was immensely powerful, capable of ruling the entire world, they never imagined his aura could reach such a peak.
Many experts from the Shen and Ye clans found themselves struggling to breathe, with only Shen Batian and Clan Leader Ye remaining unaffected.
"Is this the power of the Five Ancient Clans?"
A cold laugh rang out, and a figure in black emerged. However, no one could see his face, only feel his terrifying aura.
"Ghost Hall Master!"
Shen Batian's expression turned icy. "I didn't expect you to truly break free from the seal!"
"Ridiculous!"
The Ghost Hall Master sneered. "I have waited for a thousand years. How can mere mortals like you possibly stop me!"
"Evil has never triumphed over righteousness since ancient times!"
Clan Leader Ye retorted coldly. "Even if you can live until now, you will ultimately fall. This is your destiny, and you cannot change it!"
"Destiny is what I believe in the least!"
The Ghost Hall Master stated coldly. "If you are willing to surrender to the Ghost Hall, I might spare your lives. Otherwise, it's a path to death!"
At these words, Clan Leader Ye and Shen Batian burst into laughter, completely unfazed, as if all of this were as insignificant as a feather in their eyes.
"We, the Five Ancient Clans, were born to eliminate the Ghost Hall. For you to ask us to surrender is nothing short of a daydream!"
Clan Leader Ye declared directly. "It would be better to simply make a move and let us witness how powerful you are after a thousand years of dormancy!"
With that, Clan Leader Ye and Shen Batian exchanged a glance and immediately attacked, stepping towards the Ghost Hall Master with immense power.
They understood very well that some matters were not as simple as they appeared. With the Ghost Hall Master's emergence, they had to act, or how could they protect the ancient clans?
"Ignorant fools!"
The Ghost Hall Master chuckled and simultaneously unleashed a formidable aura. With just a single burst of energy, Shen Batian and Clan Leader Ye were sent flying backward, their expressions growing grave.
*Pfft...*
Shen Batian spat out a mouthful of blood. "I truly never imagined he possessed such strength!"
"Are you alright?"
Clan Leader Ye frowned, also surprised by how things had escalated.
"I'm fine!"
Shen Batian shook his head. "But it seems we might truly perish here this time!"
"If that is the case, then let us fight!"
Clan Leader Ye smiled lightly, ready to face death.
Shen Batian also managed a smile, his body rising to its feet once more.
"Seeking death!"
The Ghost Hall Master's expression was indifferent. With his current strength, he did not even consider the Five Ancient Clans worthy of his attention.
If the Five Ancient Clans wished to court disaster like moths to a flame, he would not stop them.
"Ancient clan disciples, heed my command!"
Clan Leader Ye stood tall. "We will fight the Ghost Hall to the death!"
The disciples of the ancient clans nodded in unison, their resolve unwavering. As members of the ancient clans, dealing with the Ghost Hall was their duty.
Meanwhile, in Dragon Capital, while it was protected by the power of national fortune, many other cities had been engulfed by dark energy, resembling the end of the world and instilling dread.
"The Ghost Hall Master has appeared!"
The Great Elder frowned, his expression serious. He understood all too well what this signified.
"The Shen clan's location has the densest dark energy. It seems the Ghost Hall Master went there!"
The Third Elder spoke. "If the Ghost Hall occupies it, the people within Dragon Capital will likely suffer untold calamities!"
"I hope the Lord and the others can return safely!"
The Great Elder's eyes held a solemnity bordering on despair. They could clearly sense that the Ghost Hall's power was too immense for them to resist.
Even with the Five Ancient Clans, it was still not enough.
Within the Shen clan, numerous disciples joined the fray with unwavering courage. Clan Leader Ye and Shen Batian exchanged a look and once again took to the sky.
The Ghost Hall Master stood to the side, a sinister smile on his face. "You are no match for me. Why waste your time!"
As his words fell, the Ghost Hall Master transformed into a beam of light, instantly piercing through both their bodies without the slightest resistance.
"Clan Leader!"
The elders were horrified and filled with rage. The leaders of the Five Ancient Clans were immensely powerful, yet they seemed so insignificant before the Ghost Hall Master.
"A bunch of ants daring to compete with the bright moon!"
The Ghost Hall Master sneered. Through his dark robes, no one could discern his face.
"We swear to defend the ancient clans to our last breath!"
The elders were indignant and unleashed their powerful auras, but before the Ghost Hall Master, they appeared utterly vulnerable.
After a fierce battle, many of the ancient clan's experts met their demise, filled with unwillingness.
The Ghost Hall Master, however, acted with impunity. After dealing with the Five Ancient Clans, he proceeded to annihilate all other ancient forces.
He demanded submission, and those who refused were naturally eliminated.
"Reporting to the Hall Master, all factions have been subdued!"
A figure in black bowed, then added, "Only Dragon Capital of the Dragon Dynasty still has many personnel!"
"Why were they not annihilated?"
The Ghost Hall Master's expression was cold, laced with dissatisfaction.
"We are powerless to open the gates of Dragon Capital!"
The man in black quickly replied. "It seems the Hall Master will need to go personally!"
"What a bunch of useless trash!"
As the Ghost Hall Master's words ended, a surge of Netherflame erupted, and the man in black perished on the spot.
Within the Ghost Hall, everyone was filled with terror, never having imagined the Ghost Hall Master to be so fearsome.
Meanwhile, in a secret realm, Ye Shisan's heart ached, and he suddenly opened his eyes, his entire being bloodshot.
"What's wrong?"
Lu Fan asked. "Why are you like this?"
"Something has happened. The ancient clans must have met with disaster!"
Ye Shisan exclaimed. "We have been in the secret realm for a year. Great events must have occurred!"
Shen Yayin also opened her eyes. "The ancient clans have been wiped out! It must be so!"
"So quickly?"
Lu Fan's expression shifted. They had already reached the Battle Saint realm, but they knew that becoming a Battle Saint alone was not enough to defeat the Ghost Hall Master. Thus, they had intended to stay longer in the secret realm, never expecting the Ghost Hall to have already made its move.