Chapter 1066: A Rather Nice Family

Facing this terrifying head, Xu Qing and Er Niu were utterly defenseless. Bound and forced to move forward, they had tried countless methods to break free along the way, but all their attempts had failed. Now, as they were thrown down, Er Niu noticed the head's expression and gasped, "That thing wants us to cook!"

Xu Qing also understood the head's objective. He speculated that it had observed his senior disciple's method of summoning corpses, allowing it to consume food directly without the arduous process of absorbing earth. This must have been why it had bound them earlier. As for why he was also included, he reasoned it was likely because the gray mist from his Fate Carving Knife had also played a role when his senior disciple summoned the corpses earlier.

"That's most likely it," Xu Qing said, glancing at Er Niu.

At the same time, seeing that its two "servants" hadn't started working, the massive head in the sky increased its suction, engulfing both Xu Qing and Er Niu. Under this suction, Xu Qing and Er Niu's minds jolted. Without hesitation, the gray mist from Xu Qing's Fate Carving Knife dispersed, and Er Niu also exerted himself, shouting loudly: "Awaken!"

The next instant, the graveyard trembled. Numerous graves collapsed, and corpses, responding to their summons, crawled out one after another. Immediately, they were swiftly pulled into the air by the suction and continuously swallowed by the giant head.

This process continued for about the time it takes an incense stick to burn. After Xu Qing and Er Niu's diligent work, the suction gradually dissipated, and the giant head's expression showed satisfaction. It was as if it hadn't eaten such "clean" food in a long time. After all, in the past, it had to consume a lot of mud. But now, someone was "peeling" the food for it.

However, in contrast to its comfort, Er Niu looked dejected, and Xu Qing also furrowed his brow. This passive experience made it difficult for them to control the situation's development. Before they could even think of a countermeasure, the suction resumed in the next instant. Their bodies uncontrollably returned to the giant head's side and were re-solidified there.

The giant head then whistled forward, leaving this "restaurant." Moments later, it had carried Xu Qing and Er Niu across an immense distance. When they reappeared, they were in a mountainous area. The sky was still dark, and rain continued to fall. But these "mountains," as Xu Qing and Er Niu saw with narrowed pupils, were actually even larger burial mounds. Previously, the burial mounds where they had been were boundless but of normal size. Here, however, on these mountain-like large graves, there were also countless smaller, more numerous graves.

Upon arriving here, the giant head in mid-air suddenly opened its mouth. Instead of emitting suction, it let out a low roar. This roar, like thunder, rumbled through the rain-soaked landscape in all directions. The next moment, an even more alarming sight appeared to Xu Qing and Er Niu. As the roar echoed, similar roars faintly responded from the distant horizons, not just one, but rising and falling from all directions. Then... a head slightly smaller than the one that had bound them tore through the sky at astonishing speed, heading straight for them. It appeared to be a female, and the fluctuations emanating from it were also at the Dominator level. Simultaneously, seven or eight even smaller heads, like younglings, rapidly flew in from all directions. They were much weaker, only at the Return to Void level.

Seeing all this, Xu Qing's heart sank. Er Niu trembled even more. "It's a whole family!"

Indeed, it was a family! Gathering together, they detected Xu Qing and Er Niu. One by one, they approached, their gazes fixed on them, some even opening their mouths as if to swallow. Just then, the largest head, which had brought Xu Qing and Er Niu here, let out a low growl. It seemed to be informing its mate and offspring, and then the female head and all the smaller heads instantly brightened their eyes.

Seeing this, Xu Qing and Er Niu both breathed a sigh of relief. Although resigned, they had no choice but to work diligently to provide food for this family. The "restaurant" was this entire vast grave area. Under their summons, corpses appeared one after another. They also tried to summon the entities within the large graves, but failed. At first, each member of the family emitted suction, devouring everything within range. A certain amount of grave dirt would inevitably be drawn in. But later, they simply floated in mid-air, no longer constantly emitting suction, waiting only for the corpses to crawl out before taking turns to suck them into their mouths. During this process, they would occasionally let out low growls, as if a family were chatting intimately during a meal. Watching this, Xu Qing and Er Niu felt weary. After all, continuous summoning was also a drain on their own energy. But these creatures' appetites were simply too enormous! They had already consumed several "mountains" worth of corpses—how were they still not full?

Er Niu sighed inwardly and gave Xu Qing a knowing look. Xu Qing understood immediately. Together, they channeled the gray mist into a large, mountain-sized grave. Although they couldn't summon the entity within, they had explored it earlier and believed they could stimulate it to some extent. There was a certain possibility it would awaken under this stimulation. As for what would happen after it woke, they couldn't concern themselves with that now. With their full efforts, the huge grave rumbled. Amidst the earth-shaking tremors, a gigantic hand stretched out from within the mountain-grave. The moment this massive hand appeared, the eyes of the great head in the sky suddenly gleamed. Its expression held a subtle, knowing smile, as if it understood Xu Qing and Er Niu's intentions perfectly. It showed no surprise at the appearance of this huge corpse. Instead, it and its mate charged forward and violently collided with the grave.

The massive hand seemed hesitant to move and began to retract. But the two heads, radiating ferocity, directly pursued it, crashing into the mountainside, breaking through the earth, and surging inside. Seeing this, Xu Qing and Er Niu, without hesitation, dashed at full speed, seizing this moment to make their swift escape. The smaller heads tried to block them, but clearly couldn't match their speed. So, very quickly, Xu Qing and Er Niu vanished into the distance.

They fled continuously for about the time it takes an incense stick to burn, without the slightest reduction in speed. Both remained silent, maintaining their full pace. But the next moment, a familiar pressure descended with a roar! The giant head reappeared before them. It first glanced at the graves on the ground, then looked at the two of them with that same knowing, subtle smile. Xu Qing and Er Niu halted, their scalps tingling. At the same time, the giant head's family members also whistled over, encircling them.

As their hearts pounded, Xu Qing suddenly spoke with a serious expression: "There are more corpses here!"

Er Niu also nodded rapidly, showing an ingratiating expression. "Exactly, exactly! We weren't trying to escape; we were exploring for more corpse-rich areas. This place is excellent!" Saying this, he didn't hesitate, immediately joining Xu Qing in summoning here. The next instant, the ground rumbled, and graves collapsed one after another. Indeed, a large number of corpses crawled out, becoming food and seemingly placating the family somewhat. Xu Qing and Er Niu, however, felt an even deeper sense of helplessness. They dared not harbor any other thoughts for a while, only laboring to summon.

Sometimes, intentionally trying to create an accident might not succeed, but an unintentional act often brings about the unexpected. Just now, as they summoned, fewer and fewer corpses appeared. Just when they were about to give up, a low growl suddenly emanated from underground: "Who dares disturb my cultivation!"

As the voice emerged, the ground rumbled, countless amounts of earth scattered in all directions, and a massive vortex appeared. An old man, frowning and with a sinister expression, stepped out from within this vortex. This elder was one of the arrivals from the Western Demonic Plume. And the aura he exuded clearly indicated that, like the old smoke-like entity killed by the Yun Family Patriarch, his true identity was that of a Dominator. His authority was also related to death, so after entering this Rain Realm and sensing the dense death aura, he was overjoyed. To him, this was the best place for cultivation. Thus, he had chosen a spot underground to meditate cross-legged, absorbing the surrounding aura. It was only when he felt an anomaly while absorbing that he emerged with a cold demeanor.

Xu Qing and Er Niu's expressions instantly became peculiar at this sight. As the elder's voice echoed, his own steps halted abruptly, and his face turned pale in an instant. He saw Xu Qing and Er Niu and recognized them, but he had no time to pay them any mind, because he saw the terrifying group of heads behind them. This made his heart thump. Earlier, he had not detected these terrifying entities outside while he was underground, only Xu Qing and Er Niu. Otherwise, he wouldn't have dared to come out. But now, his heart pounded, and his breathing quickened, filled with dread, because the entire family of heads had turned their gaze upon him!

This scene made Er Niu's eyes light up. He suddenly felt that their current predicament wasn't so bad after all, so he raised his chin and spoke indifferently: "Who's barking?"

The elder's heart burned with anger upon hearing this, but he could only endure it, carefully watching the giant head and attempting to retreat.

"What are you barking about?" Er Niu wouldn't let this opportunity pass. He looked down disdainfully at the Dominator below him.

The elder felt utterly humiliated. Never in his life had he been addressed in such a way. At this moment, he gritted his teeth, but there was nothing he could do. Just as he continued to try and retreat, Xu Qing narrowed his eyes and suddenly said: "Leave your storage bag."

The elder's face darkened. At the same time, the immense pressure from the giant head surged forth with a roar! Facing this pressure, the elder's mind reeled. Suppressing his indignation, he took out his storage bag and placed it aside, then retreated. Er Niu licked his lips and immediately spoke: "Leave your bracelet, your hairpins, and your sash is also a treasure! Oh, and that jade pendant hanging on you, leave that too! Your robe is also nice; take it off."

The elder's hair stood on end in fury upon hearing this, and he let out a roar. But a louder, suppressive growl emanated from the great head behind Xu Qing and Er Niu. The elder trembled with humiliation, gritted his teeth, and removed his bracelet, hairpins, belt, jade pendant, and outer robe. Then he swiftly retreated. The great head lazily glanced over, not pursuing. As for the items left behind, it didn't take them either, turning its head instead to continue eating. Xu Qing and Er Niu felt a little regretful, but their gains were significant. They quickly collected the items, and after looking at each other, a thought arose in both their minds: "This family is actually quite nice!"

Meanwhile, deep within this rain-soaked realm filled with graves, there stood an awe-inspiring mountain that pierced the clouds. This mountain was also a tomb. The mountain was silent, with only the Empress moving through the core burial chamber of the large grave within. Around her, countless corpses were turning to dust, as was the massive coffin in the center, including a terrifying entity within the coffin that hadn't even had time to revive, now eternally dissipated.

The Empress, expressionless, reached the end of this tomb palace. There, a stone gate stood. Standing before the gate, the Empress's gaze seemed to penetrate it, seeing what lay within. It was an even grander underground palace. The palace floor was covered with countless bones, piled high like a sea. In the very center, they converged to form an altar of skeletons. On the altar, a silver-glowing corpse sat cross-legged. Immortal aura permeated its body, radiating the prestige of a Great Emperor. Unfortunately, it had already fallen.

Around it floated numerous multicolored inheritance imprints, their fluctuations powerful, each imprint containing remarkable divine abilities. At the same time, lines of Dao Traces of authority flickered, imbued with terrifying power. There were also Great Emperor treasures, shining with brilliant light, resting heavily in this place. Any single item, if placed outside, would be enough to drive a Dominator insane. Especially within the cross-legged corpse's hands, there rested a black crystal. Mist swirled within it, faintly revealing the face of the Demonic Plume Great Emperor. And in all eight directions of the underground palace, there were eight massive, sealed stone gates, seemingly the eight entrances to this place. The Empress was currently standing behind one of these stone gates.

She did not immediately push open the stone gate. Instead, after gazing for a moment, a thoughtful look appeared in her eyes. "The inheritance imprints are real, the Dao Traces of authority are real, and those Great Emperor treasures are also real. As for this immortal corpse, it indeed matches the aura of Netherflame." The corpses around were also all dead from their life force being absorbed, consistent with Netherflame's secluded cultivation state. The Empress's gaze fell upon the black crystal in the withered hands of the immortal corpse. That was the life soul of this generation's Demonic Plume Great Emperor, taken by Netherflame during its powerful period. Whoever controlled it controlled the Demonic Plume Great Emperor's destiny, and it was also the item the current Demonic Plume Great Emperor most yearned to reclaim.