Chapter 339: The Rise of the Ghost Manor

Chapter 339: The Rise of the Ghost Manor

Among the crowd stood 128 young noblewomen, each meticulously selected from prominent families and sects across the land. Some were daughters of family heads, others granddaughters of sect elders—all Heaven's Proud Daughters vying to become Sword Attendants to the Ghost Manor Manor Lord, hoping to secure special favor for their families and sects.

The Sword Attendants serving the Manor Lord wielded immense authority. Take, for instance, Situ Fengwu of the Situ Family, now the sole Sword Attendant by the Manor Lord's side, overseeing the Ghost Manor's Mystic Armory Hall. Her status rivaled that of a hall master, lofty and unattainable.

"Whoosh!"

A sharp whistling sound pierced the air above the Training Ground, causing the flames within the copper pillars at the edges to flicker violently.

The Ghost Envoy's gaze snapped toward the night sky, her slender brows furrowing slightly. A meter-long arc of profound light shimmered around the Battle Sword in her hand. "Who dares trespass into Haitang Manor under the cover of night?"

"Ghost Envoy, your Manor Lord has returned."

Ning Xiaochuan descended from the sky, clad in white robes and wearing a golden mask, riding the wind with effortless grace. Behind him followed Mu Honglai, his aura thick with the imposing presence of a Martial Venerable.

The Ghost Envoy immediately sheathed her sword, her beautiful eyes lighting up with joy as she dropped to one knee. "Greetings, Manor Lord."

The black-clothed young women in the Training Ground were seeing the legendary "Young Master Chuan" for the first time. For a moment, they stood frozen before hastily kneeling in unison, their voices ringing with reverence. "Greetings, Manor Lord."

Ning Xiaochuan's eyes swept across the Training Ground, and his heart skipped a beat. Every one of them was a stunning beauty, and none lacked cultivation prowess. Some possessed looks that could topple cities and kingdoms.

"Rise," he said. "Ghost Envoy, what is this? Training assassins?"

The Ghost Envoy was none other than Meng Ying, once the top Gold Medal Assassin of the Dark Emperor City. Naturally, Ning Xiaochuan assumed she was training killers for the Ghost Manor.

Meng Ying replied, "In the year since the Manor Lord left, the Ghost Manor has forcefully subdued all 217 Border Markets surrounding the Imperial City. Over 560 families and 745 sects have sworn allegiance, becoming our outer forces. Of course, most are small to mid-sized factions. The major families and sects have the backing of Imperial City Marquises, making them harder to subdue. It will take more time to deal with them."

"These 128 Heaven's Proud Daughters are the most elite young talents handpicked from these families and sects. I intend to select three more Sword Attendants from among them to join Situ Fengwu, forming a quartet to serve the Manor Lord. The rest will be trained as assassins to establish the Ghost Manor's Assassin Hall."

Meng Ying could clearly sense that Ning Xiaochuan had changed drastically since his return. Even standing before him now, she felt an overwhelming pressure. Thus, she dared not act as boldly as before, her demeanor far more respectful.

Ning Xiaochuan nodded and said, "I do have many matters to attend to upon my return, and I indeed need a few capable individuals by my side. Very well, let me personally select three Sword Attendants."

His sharp gaze swept across the Training Ground, scrutinizing each of the young noblewomen present. "Prepare yourselves. Those who become my Sword Attendants will not be treated unfairly."

All the Heaven's Proud Daughters in the area tensed up. The Manor Lord of the Ghost Manor was personally selecting Sword Attendants. To be chosen would mean soaring to new heights, gaining the privilege to serve by the side of this overlord of the unorthodox path.

Ning Xiaochuan's eyes gleamed with intensity as a formidable Martial Venerable aura surged forth, enveloping the Training Ground.

"Ah—"

A large group of black-clothed young women were sent flying by the invisible Martial Venerable pressure, crashing to the ground. Some fainted, while others coughed up blood from severe injuries.

Only eight black-clothed young women managed to withstand the pressure, retreating a few steps before steadying themselves with great difficulty.

Among them, a 17-18-year-old young woman stood out as the strongest. A spherical shield of Protective Qi enveloped her body, allowing her to hold her ground without retreating a single step under Ning Xiaochuan's overwhelming Martial Venerable pressure.

As time passed, the remaining seven black-clothed young women collapsed one after another, leaving only that one young woman still standing in the Training Ground. Though she staggered backward, it was clear she was on the verge of collapse.

Ning Xiaochuan withdrew his Martial Venerable aura and fixed his gaze on the 17-18-year-old young woman. "What is your name?"

She was tall and slender, with exceptionally long legs. Even in her black martial robe, her exquisite figure was evident. She knelt on one knee, her black hair cascading to the ground, and said, "Huo Shiyin of the Huo Family from Qianmu Ji, paying respects to the Manor Lord."

Subsequently, Ning Xiaochuan selected two other outstanding young women: Chen Jiuxuan and Ye Yuetian.

Both Chen Jiuxuan and Ye Yuetian were only 16 years old, with cultivation levels at the First Level of the Divine Body Realm. Huo Shiyin, however, had already reached the Seventh Level of the Divine Body Realm.

Given their ages, their cultivation achievements were remarkable, and their physiques were robust. With sufficient resources, their progress would undoubtedly skyrocket.

The black-clothed young women who were not chosen felt profound disappointment, envying Huo Shiyin and the other two. From this moment onward, their status would soar to new heights.

With a flick of his sleeve, Ning Xiaochuan sent forth a radiant Nine-Colored Divine Light, which landed in the hands of the remaining black-clothed young women. "This is Nine-Colored Profound Water—each of you receives a drop. Train diligently. Serve the Ghost Manor well, and you will not lack rewards in the future. Huo Shiyin, Chen Jiuxuan, Ye Yuetian, the three of you, go now and summon the Left and Right Guardian Kings and the Five Hall Masters to the Council Hall to meet with me."

"Your servants obey," the three beautiful Sword Attendants knelt, their faces alight with joy. They knew they had earned the privilege to listen to the high-level discussions of the Ghost Manor—a symbol of their newfound status.

The remaining black-clothed young women, each having received a drop of Nine-Colored Profound Water, were ecstatic. A single drop was equivalent to a pure mystic stone—proof that the Manor Lord's generosity was truly extraordinary.

Of course, some of them felt a pang of melancholy in their hearts. If even they could obtain treasures like the Nine-Colored Profound Water, wouldn’t the cultivation resources available to the three Sword Attendants—Huo Shiyin and the others—be even more abundant?

Ghost Manor, Council Hall.

The two Guardian Kings and the Five Hall Masters arrived one after another.

Left Guardian King, Lin Sanzhi.

Right Guardian King, Murong Hua.

Hall Master of the Law Enforcement Hall, Han Fu.

As for the remaining four Hall Masters, Ning Xiaochuan was not familiar with them.

The four Hall Masters were all dressed in black robes, wearing ghost masks, standing in a row and kneeling on one knee.

"Deputy Hall Master of the Mystic Armory Hall, Chang Shuzi."

"Deputy Hall Master of the Assassin Hall, Zhang Zhaolong."

"Hall Master of the Flying Eagle Hall, Wan Xue."

"Hall Master of the Golden Jade Hall, Yu Manlou."

The five halls established by the Ghost Manor each held unique significance.

The Law Enforcement Hall maintained internal order; the Mystic Armory Hall managed weapons and war steeds; the Assassin Hall targeted Martial Path experts; the Flying Eagle Hall formed the intelligence network of the Ghost Manor; and the Golden Jade Hall amassed wealth for the manor.

Beneath the five halls were the Eighteen Ghost Battalions.

However, the Eighteen Ghost Battalions had only been recently formed and had yet to reach full scale, so the eighteen Ghost Knight Captains did not attend the council meeting.

Ning Xiaochuan swept his gaze over the assembled crowd and declared, "First, I announce one matter. Starting today, there will be four Sword Attendants by my side: Situ Fengwu, Huo Shiyin, Chen Jiuxuan, and Ye Yuetian. Any orders I issue will be relayed through them. I have taken one character from each of their names to collectively refer to the four Sword Attendants as 'Phoenix Sound Nine Heavens.'"

"We obey the Manor Lord's will," the crowd responded in unison.

"The second matter," Ning Xiaochuan said, glancing slightly at Mu Honglai.

Mu Honglai immediately knelt before Ning Xiaochuan. "Greetings, Manor Lord."

Ning Xiaochuan announced, "I appoint Meng Ying as the 'First Ghost Envoy,' and this one-armed venerable shall be the 'Second Ghost Envoy' of the Ghost Manor."

"May I ask, Manor Lord, who exactly is this person? How can he assume the role of Second Ghost Envoy?" Han Fu, Hall Master of the Law Enforcement Hall, voiced his skepticism.

Ning Xiaochuan replied, "Han Fu, your Martial Path cultivation has already reached the Eighth Level of the Transcendent Realm, hasn’t it?"

Han Fu straightened his chest slightly. "This subordinate is capable of defeating experts at the Ninth Level of the Transcendent Realm."

"Excellent! Then try exchanging blows with the Second Ghost Envoy. If you can withstand a single strike from him, I will reward you with a Seventh-Grade Mystic Artifact," Ning Xiaochuan said.

"Is that true?" Han Fu, brimming with confidence in his own strength, rubbed his fists and rose from his chair.

"Absolutely," Ning Xiaochuan replied with a faint smile.

"Boom!"

The moment Ning Xiaochuan's words fell, Han Fu was kicked squarely in the chest, sent flying backward, crashing through the Council Hall's doors, and tumbling to the ground.

The Second Ghost Envoy remained kneeling at the center of the hall, as if he had never moved at all. His speed was so astonishing it left everyone dumbfounded.

Among those present, aside from Ning Xiaochuan, the one with the highest cultivation was Lin Sanzhi. He alone sensed that extraordinary power, his lips twitching slightly as he murmured, "The power of a Martial Venerable."

Everyone in the Council Hall was stunned—the Ghost Manor had gained another Martial Venerable.

It must be known that even a powerful faction like the Jian Pavilion Marquis House only has two Martial Venerables.

But now, with the addition of Young Master Chuan, the Ghost Manor already boasts three Martial Venerables, firmly stepping into the ranks of top-tier forces.

Mu Honglai also wore a ghost mask and gray robes. None knew his true identity, only that Young Master Chuan had gained another Martial Venerable by his side—the Second Ghost Envoy.

Han Fu clutched his bloodied chest as he returned to the Council Hall, trembling as he stared at the Second Ghost Envoy, a surge of fear rising in his heart.

Ning Xiaochuan smiled and said, "Han Fu, since you serve under this Manor Lord, I will never treat you unfairly. This Great Earth Solemnity Pill is yours. Train diligently and strive to add another Martial Venerable to the Ghost Manor."

With a flick of his sleeve, Ning Xiaochuan sent a Mystic Wood Box into Han Fu’s hands.