Lu Ling Feng, carrying the Prince's order, led the Jin Wu Guards through the streets and alleys, and even ventured deep into the Ghost Market, ruthlessly sealing off all the Chang'an Red Tea shops.
It caused quite a stir for a while.
Su Wu Ming, accompanied by Fei Ji Shi, went to the Royal Estate to investigate the situation and confirmed that it was indeed the Western Region Illusion Grass.
As for Wei Ming, he received a message from Dou Cong, saying that he had found the gathering place of the undead.
Then he went to the Ghost Market alone.
Upon reaching the Ghost Market, he happened to encounter Lu Ling Feng leading a group of Jin Wu Guards, heavily sealing off the Chang'an Red Tea shops.
Everyone, regardless of buyer or seller, was thrown into prison.
Even though the Jin Wu Guard prison had many cells, it couldn't contain the endless flow of prisoners Lu Ling Feng kept sending in.
Soon, it was full, and they had no choice but to transport the prisoners to the prisons of Chang'an and Wannian Counties.
Wei Ming clicked his tongue, "Iron! He's too stubborn!"
"At this rate, within three days, Lu Ling Feng will be stripped of his position and dismissed."
Dou Cong nodded, "This Zhong Lang Jiang is indeed too reckless."
Looking at the young man in golden armor, Wei Ming shook his head slightly, "He's incredibly intelligent, but unfortunately, a bit too loyal. He's too willing to believe the Prince."
"Forget it, let him suffer a bit, then he'll understand the cruelty of power struggles."
"Let's go, lead the way."
"Please follow me, sir."
Dou Cong led the way, taking winding paths, going deeper and deeper, the air becoming increasingly damp and cold.
After reaching a depth of several hundred meters underground, the air was thin and murky. Ordinary people wouldn't be able to withstand it for long and would die from lack of oxygen.
The dark underground was devoid of any light. Fortunately, his soul power was strong, allowing him to see clearly at night, as bright as day.
Suddenly, he heard the sound of flowing water ahead.
"Sir, there is a hidden river ahead, about twenty to twenty-four feet wide. After crossing the river, we'll reach the gathering place of the undead."
"I counted roughly, there are about one hundred and three thousand four hundred soul bodies gathered, and there are also three thousand armored warriors. Judging by their attire, they seem to be the Xuan Jia Armor of the Tang Dynasty's Emperor Taizong."
"Oh? Three thousand Xuan Jia Armor undead?"
Wei Ming was instantly energized. Could these three thousand Xuan Jia Armor undead be the three thousand Xuan Jia Army that had followed Emperor Taizong?
If they were, he would be rich!
Three thousand Xuan Jia warriors, although not many, were all elite veterans, essentially ancient special forces.
Their achievements need not be mentioned. They had made great contributions following Emperor Taizong.
For example, in the famous battle at Hulao Gate, the three thousand Xuan Jia Armor broke through Dou Jian De's army of one hundred thousand.
They crossed the hidden river and reached the gathering place of the undead as Dou Cong had mentioned.
At first glance, Wei Ming was shocked.
Above the cliff ahead, there were countless ghostly figures, layered upon layer. Each translucent soul body was squeezed and overlapping, almost forming a cluster of blurred shadows, like a flickering image in a movie, creating a dense overlapping image.
All those overlapping dense shadows were dazed and confused, their expressions dull, standing still, swaying slightly, like wind blowing through trees, willows swaying in the breeze.
Roughly counting, there were indeed over one hundred thousand.
Wei Ming took a deep breath, "Conjuring and Commanding!"
He activated the Soul Conjuring Secret Technique, using the Soul-Nourishing Method to transform all one hundred thousand soul bodies into his own soul power.
The remaining few hundred soul bodies were left to Dou Cong to devour.
The blood-red health bar started moving, rising 10%, 11%... 20%.
It activated a new ability: Conjuring the Souls of the Living!
21%, 22%... 30%.
Another new skill was activated: Refining Ghost Soldiers and Yin Soldiers!
31%, 32%... 40%.
Finally, the core secret of Conjuring and Commanding was activated: The Cultivation Chapter!
It converted soul power into innate primal qi, embarking on the path of the primordial spirit, assisting in cultivation.
When it broke through to 50%, it complemented the ability of Conjuring and Commanding, providing feedback to his own soul body.
The soul body became more solid, leaving the body was just around the corner!
The master and servant took a day and a night to complete the refining process.
【Current Conjuring and Commanding Unlocked Level: 52%!】
It was just a little bit short of unlocking the next Eight Extraordinary Techniques, but it wouldn't be long.
Wei Ming was in a good mood. When he looked at Dou Cong, who was devouring souls, he found that the other's spiritual body was already incredibly solid.
It was no longer translucent, but had a physical form, although the skin was still somewhat pale, not like a normal living person.
According to the records of the Cultivation Technique Chapter, Dou Cong was now in the Yin General rank.
Ordinary soul bodies, without special means, would inevitably dissipate within seven days. It was like a foolish dream to become a Yin Soldier.
As for becoming a Yin General, it was even more difficult than ascending to heaven.
Dou Cong had only been following him for a few days, not only had he surpassed the Yin Soldier stage, but he had directly ascended to the General rank.
It could only be said that it was the time, the fate, and the providence!
Dou Cong finished devouring the souls and floated in front of Wei Ming, "Thank you, sir, for your help. Dou Cong is eternally grateful."
Wei Ming waved his hand, "How do you feel?"
"I feel great. I seem to be able to manifest a physical body at night, and I can walk freely, but I can't during the day. Sunlight would burn my soul body," Dou Cong truthfully reported.
Wei Ming nodded, "Looks like I don't need to help you reshape your body. Even following the path of the Yin and cultivating the ways of ghosts can still allow you to return to the mortal realm."
"Everything is thanks to you, sir. If you hadn't taken me in, Dou Cong would have dissipated long ago."
"Alright, let's not be so polite between us. Take me to the place where you said the three thousand Xuan Jia Armor undead are."
"Yes, sir, please follow me."
Below the cliff, there was a flat, suspended stone platform. On it, lay three thousand skeletons clad in black iron armor, each skeleton accompanied by the remains of an armored warhorse.
This was what it looked like to the naked eye, but through the Spiritual Eye, it was a completely different scene.
Three thousand Xuan Jia Armor undead, holding their broadswords, their waistbands hung with saber, riding their armored warhorse souls, lined up in formation, as if waiting for someone to give an order.
When Wei Ming and Dou Cong appeared, the three thousand Xuan Jia Armor undead turned their heads and looked at them, their fighting spirit surged, and their killing intent spread.
The murderous aura was chilling!
Three thousand soldiers, holding their broadswords high, in a charging posture.
Woo woo woo...
It was unknown when, but a bone-chilling cold wind swept through the mountain hollow.
With just one glance, Wei Ming could confirm that this formation of three thousand Xuan Jia Heavy Cavalry was the invincible army that had followed the Heavenly Strategies General, Prince Li Shi Min, in conquering the world!
But he didn't know why they were all buried here?
Wait, the Emperor of the Nine Five, building the Xuan Du Temple!?
"Dou Cong."
"Go up and see if we are currently located beneath the Xuan Du Temple."
Dou Cong flew upwards, and soon he returned to report, "Yes, sir. Directly above us is the Xuan Du Temple."
Wei Ming suddenly realized, as expected!
"This is the first generation of Xuan Jia Army, the invincible army that followed Emperor Taizong in conquering the world. After their deaths, they stayed here to guard the Dragon Veins of the Tang Dynasty for Emperor Taizong."
Xuan Du Temple was where the Dragon Pearl of the Tang Dynasty's Dragon Veins was located.
It was also because of the nourishment of the Dragon Pearl that the three thousand Xuan Jia souls remained immortal.
However, since the Wu Zhou Dynasty, the Dragon Veins had shifted, the Purple Star had changed.
The three thousand Xuan Jia Armor warriors didn't receive the nourishment of the Dragon Qi, their soul bodies gradually faded. It wouldn't be long before they completely perished, probably within a year or two.
Wei Ming took a deep breath and walked forward, bowing respectfully, "Wei Ming, a descendant of Wei Zheng of the Tang Dynasty, greets all the ancestors who fought for the country."
"Now the Dragon Veins of the Tang Dynasty have shifted eastwards, the Xuan Du Temple has collapsed, the Nine Five has changed. Therefore, your task of guarding is complete!"
The three thousand Xuan Jia Armor warriors stared intently at Wei Ming, their eyes deep and unblinking.
Wei Ming, without haste, continued, "Wei Ming is not talented, but I have some skills. I am willing to help all the soldiers leave this place and be reborn in a different way, returning to the world to continue guarding the mighty Tang Dynasty!"
"Soldiers, are you willing?"
Although the three thousand Xuan Jia Armor warriors looked cold and their eyes were dim, they had lowered their attack stance and put away their broadswords.
Without hesitation, Wei Ming activated Conjuring and Commanding and took all three thousand Xuan Jia Armor warriors under his command.
As the sky brightened, Wei Ming left the Ghost Market with a light step.
Not long after he left the Ghost Market.
Someone heard the sound of rapid horse hooves.
Thap, thap, thap...
All the merchants, commoners, and outlaws in the Ghost Market were startled.
In an instant, countless people scattered like birds and beasts, fleeing in all directions.
Even Eleven Niang, who had just opened her shop, couldn't help but feel nervous. She looked apprehensive and uncertain, "Such a commotion... there must be at least three or four thousand people, right?"
"Their steps are uniform, their sound is like a mountain collapsing, their momentum is like thunder. It must be the Tang Dynasty cavalry, and a very elite one at that!"
"Could it be that they're going to completely wipe out the Chang'an Ghost Market?"
"Wait, something's not right. This is the underground Ghost Market, the terrain is complex. What's the point of sending cavalry here?"
"Besides, why do I feel like... the sound is coming from underground?"