The Ascension of Contracted Spirits

Chapter 852 - 343: Abyss of the Red Dust, Clan Yinma

"Abyss of the Red Dust, Clan Yinma, the Joker Emperor..."

Ye Hanjun muttered silently, his gaze vacant.

These ten words, each one dripping with blood, each one heart-rending.

The clan history recorded it very clearly, in the late Ancient Era, Clan Yinma dominated the Ghost Lamp Abyss.

Their crown rank was called the ’Life’s Fool King,’ who squandered life, playing with existence, most fickle in joy and anger.

The Fetus of Divine Enthronement that accompanied the Life’s Fool King day and night was called the ’Joker Emperor,’ born of the devil race, a thorough deity of the devil.

They treated the Ghost Lamp Abyss as a playground, wantonly trampling upon the dignity of beings, becoming the "Terror Rulers."

Yet, by the end of the Ancient Era, Ye Shura ascended to the crown rank.

The first thing he did after reaching Great Completion was to challenge the Life’s Fool King one-on-one.

The former master of the Ghost Lamp couldn’t defend his dignity and, to the astonishment of all tribes, he fell into decay and died.

But the first generation Joker Emperor barely survived, taking what remained of Clan Yinma and escaping the Ghost Lamp, disappearing without a trace.

"Back then—if only the progenitor had eradicated them completely!"

Ye Xien clutched tightly to the hilt of the Blood-Drinking Savage Knife, his breathing slightly hurried, expressing the turmoil inside:

"Our progenitor walked an invincible path all his life, adhering to the way of slaughter, burying countless powerful tribes of the Ancient Era."

"But he personally admitted that by killing the Life’s Fool King and letting the Joker Emperor escape, he inadvertently laid a hidden danger for the clan, which one day might require his descendants to bear the consequences..."

"Brother Xien, that’s not appropriate to say."

Ye Aobai ground his snow-white teeth, said with rising murderous intent:

"As descendants, we have already enjoyed the bloodline advantages granted by our ancestors. To aspire for perfection is to be greedy."

"Since the situation cannot be reversed, we can only rise to the challenge, aiming to rebuild after destruction and be reborn in blood."

"Alas."

Ye Mo sighed and said:

"Shedding the ’junior’ title, just beginning to step into the upper echelons of our clan."

"With such limited time and such an urgent crisis, what can we do?"

"Holy Progenitor."

Ye Qiyu, as if oblivious to his clansmen’s conversation, had eyes for nothing else but Ye Ying, and calmly asked:

"Abyss of the Red Dust, has there been a new divine enthronement?"

"If it’s just the Joker Emperor, with the foundation of the Ye Clan, and us seated in the main stronghold, how dare they invade?"

Ye Ying shook his head, not answering directly, but laid open the wounds of history:

"At the end of the Ancient Era, the remnants of Clan Yinma and the first generation Joker Emperor were like rats crossing the street, fleeing everywhere."

"Available intelligence shows that they ultimately escaped to the Abyss of the Red Dust, where Clan Fenquan, who were the lords of the Red Dust at the time, helped them by concealing their names and they struggled along, barely surviving."

"At the beginning of the Near Ancient Era, the first generation Joker Emperor met his end, and the remaining forces of Clan Yinma weakened, nearly facing extinction countless times."

"But they endured humiliation and heavy burdens to eventually survive."

"By the mid-period of the Near Ancient Era, as the crown rank of Clan Fenquan passed away, they continued to bear patiently."

"Late in the Near Ancient Era, the last guardian spirit of Clan Fenquan, the ’Rouge Goddess,’ perished. Not long after, the second generation Joker Emperor proclaimed godhood, subdued the chaotic Abyss of the Red Dust with his own strength, and thus became the new lord of the Red Dust."

"This time, they learned well from the near-disaster of their previous downfall."

"If he put forth his full effort, the second generation Joker Emperor might have been able to annihilate the old forces of Clan Fenquan."

"But he chose peaceful development, granting Clan Fenquan the status of the second-ranking tyrant of the Abyss of the Red Dust, sharing resources and co-ruling the entire abyss."

"Even to the extent that... fearing the foundation left by the Ye Clan’s founder, the second generation Joker Emperor survived the Broken Era Calamity and even made it to the second epoch of the New Era, preparing thoroughly before deciding to make a move."

"I have a premonition that what he wants is not victory but a resounding revenge victory that aims to completely annihilate the Ye Clan before he rests..."

"Pah!"

Upon the throne, the split soul of Ye Qianmo scoffed and said:

"Does he really aspire to rule over both abysses?"

"A mere Fetus of God Sealing, becoming the lord of one abyss, is already the limit."

"The heart of man is never satisfied, like a snake trying to swallow an elephant. If he faces the consequences of his own actions, the Ye Clan would be only too glad to witness that day."

"Let’s consider the worst possibility."

On another throne, Ye Shu with a face full of concern said:

"The enemies of the Ye Clan are not only in the Abyss of the Red Dust, not only Clan Yinma, not only the Joker Emperor."

"Once the war flames ignite the Ghost Lamp, they will surely join forces to ensure absolute victory."

"Yet, to this day, aside from the Joker Emperor, we have no confirmation on which Crown Ranks or Fetus of God Sealings are willing to act at any cost."

"They haven’t shown themselves yet; that’s the most troublesome part."

"The unknown means uncertainty, the very root of fear. If we cannot solve it, if we cannot respond, the people of Without-Sun City will be in a state of panic—the sudden appearance of the Lightning Eye today has undoubtedly confirmed this outcome."

The words of Ye Shu cast the throne room back into silence.

As a few heavy sighs rose, several old Holy Beasts said in a pot-valiant tone, volunteering:

"We don’t have much life left, and we’re not adept at facing enemies head-on."

"Lock away our soul memories and smuggle into the Red Dust, try to steal some intelligence.

"No way!"

Another Holy Beast in the prime of life immediately interjected:

"The sanctified souls that smuggled into the Abyss of the Red Dust, only one has returned to date."

"And in the late Near Ancient Era, those Holy Clans that seemingly defected from our clan, but in fact only infiltrated the Red Dust to gather intelligence, either died out naturally or were swept away, and never proved useful."

"Clearly, this second generation Joker Emperor, compared to the first, exudes less arrogance, more caution."