Chapter 734: Ghost Soldiers and Nether Generals

The three strong men sighed softly. "This place is quite peculiar," one of them said. "Since you are outsiders, I advise you not to be overly curious or try to inquire about anything. Everyone you encounter here is fundamentally different from people on the outside continents, and we have never belonged to the Myriad Worlds."

Politely, all three strong men extended their hands, gesturing for Xu Yang and his companions to leave.

If the man hadn't spoken that way, Xu Yang and his two companions might have actually conceded. However, the more they expressed their exclusion of outsiders, the more it indicated they were deliberately concealing something crucial.

"Indeed, I don't detect the aura of the Myriad Worlds on you," Xu Yang stated. "However, given your presence within the Celestial River of Watch, it's impossible that you are contaminated. We'll soon find out if you harbor any secrets."

The moment Xu Yang finished speaking, countless dazzling sword energies materialized around him from all directions within the void. Each one resembled a divine weapon poised to strike, capable of obliterating any target under his command at a moment's notice.

"Judging by this, it seems you intend to attack us?"

Xu Yang simply chuckled, remaining silent. While he didn't strike anyone down immediately, such overt intimidation was enough to ensure no one would compromise easily.

"Think what you will," Xu Yang continued, "but though we are outsiders, we are determined to proceed. It's one thing not to offer us proper hospitality, but to try to send us away without a word? That is simply unacceptable."

The lead strong man exchanged a glance with the person beside him. The two men behind him promptly retreated, leaving only the leader, whose eyes instantly grew colder, clearly preparing for a fight.

"Since you're eager for a spar, I don't mind indulging you."

The young strong man's previously bright and unassuming aura abruptly transformed. He appeared as if possessed by a demon god, radiating an incredibly dense black energy that coiled around him in layers. Within moments, guided by his spiritual power, a tangible demonic entity materialized behind him.

"Ghost Soldiers, array!"

The young strong man attacked decisively. With a slight motion of his palm, he began to deploy an attack, and countless gray-black demonic figures rapidly emerged under his control, completely ensnaring Xu Yang and his companions within an immense formation of ghost soldiers.

"Underworld General, suppress the soul!"

The strong man executed another move. The demonic entity behind him suddenly swelled under his command. Its previously indistinct outline sharpened, becoming remarkably clear, like a vivid spirit. In the hand of this colossal demon, a scythe gleamed with a transparent luster.

"This is... the aura of primal power!"

Once the spectral entity, dubbed the Underworld General, had fully formed, Xiao Hua and the Empress simultaneously uttered the words "primal power."

This display seemed to once again expand Xu Yang's understanding of the limits of primal power.

"I once believed primal power was simply the development of one's inherent attributes, fundamentally focused on strengthening one's own various aspects," Xu Yang mused aloud. "Now, it appears the scope and evolution of primal power have already reached a fully developed systemic stage. It's simply that you individuals are exceptionally skilled at concealment; before you act, it's impossible to discern the primal power within you."

The strong man before him smiled noncommittally. "As I've already stated," he began, "this is not a place for people from your Myriad Worlds to freely investigate or analyze. Previously, some who called themselves gods ventured rashly into the Celestial River of Watch, only to meet a grim end. We, the inhabitants of this land, never initiate contact with your outside world, but we also refuse to be provoked or tested."

"However, since you insist on engaging, we will certainly not cower and refuse to fight."

Xu Yang merely flicked his fingers symbolically, and a few of the countless sword energies hovering in the void around him shot forward.

He had no intention of easily overwhelming his opponent; in fact, Xu Yang was somewhat concerned his sword principles might accidentally harm them. He merely wished to gather as much information as possible regarding the domain of primal power, not to suppress them.

But when the two sword energies truly struck the strong man, Xu Yang finally realized he had genuinely underestimated this group.

"This strong man's power seems far greater than that of the so-called renowned masters from the Five Great Dynasties outside!" Xiao Hua observed.

This was Xiao Hua's observation. The feedback from the two sword energies Xu Yang launched, when they struck the strong man, indicated that such an intensity was negligible to his opponent.

Yet, sword energies of comparable intensity from Xu Yang, when unleashed in the outside world, could effortlessly subdue most users of primal power.

"It seems there are indeed greater secrets regarding primal power hidden here," Xu Yang murmured. "Otherwise, with such power, you would have surely considered leaving this place."

Xu Yang murmured softly, then, without further hesitation, began to gradually amplify his suppressive power.

More and more sharp sword energies began to lock onto the strong man, while simultaneously, the ghost soldiers and Underworld General he had summoned also activated under his mental command.

Xiao Hua and Isis positioned themselves on either side behind Xu Yang, beginning to counter the formation attacks from the ghost soldiers and Underworld General. Meanwhile, Xu Yang, relying on his immensely powerful swordsmanship, continued to engage the strong man in the void. Yet, from start to finish, Xu Yang never unleashed his most potent ultimate techniques; he was merely probing his opponent, aiming to encounter as many fluctuations of primal power as possible to discern its underlying principles.

Regrettably, even after hundreds of rounds of combat with the strong man, Xu Yang couldn't discern any patterns. It seemed this potential, bursting forth from within the body, truly defied any discernible rules.

According to the power system of the Myriad Worlds, mastering the laws allows one to perceive all the mysteries of heaven and earth. However, after clashing with those who wield primal power, Xu Yang discovered that their strength originated entirely from within their bodies, making it impossible to assess or control through the established rules of the Myriad Worlds.

Since their power was contained within themselves, changes in the surrounding environmental laws had no impact on their primal power release system.

Without the ability to discern the patterns of their power fluctuations, it was impossible to gain a deep understanding of primal power itself.

"If you believe continuing this fight is productive, I don't mind seeing it through," the strong man said. "I can sense that the three of you harbor no ill will towards the people here, but persisting in this probing will yield no results."