God of Pets

A ghostly forest surrounds the Imperial Mausoleum, with wandering Yellow Spring Shadow Soldiers everywhere.

A few hundred meters away from the mausoleum, on a large tree, Ximen Ding and Jiang Tianqing, wearing color-changing jackets, hid among the branches, observing the situation on the mausoleum side.

"Captain, why did just the two of us come? Why not bring more people? Maybe later they won't make it, but we'll still have a chance to take over the Millennium Ghost Emperor," Ximen Ding whispered, pressing his voice down.

"Take over what? We snuck in privately. If we really move to kill the Secret Spirit here, we'll get discovered and thrown out," Jiang Tianqing replied.

"Then what are we here for? Team 17 has been broken up by Xiu Haofeng and Chen Guan is left with only two people. Just the three of them, the Shadow Soldier Corps could trap them to death without the Ghost Emperor needing to act personally. What can we see here?" Ximen Ding pouted.

"Not necessarily. Ji Nanhong has taken a liking to him, maybe he does have some skills. We can watch and see," Jiang Tianqing said.

"It's possible." Ximen Ding laughed: "Let them fight. The more the Ji Family and Xiu Family tussle, the better for us. The family presence among the lower-tier officers in the Celestial Court Army is already high; if the Ji Family and Xiu Family run into any more issues, who knows what name the Celestial Court Army will bear in the future."

"Don't speak, they're coming." Jiang Tianqing made a silencing gesture.

Indeed, the three of Chen Guan had rushed near the mausoleum, not even steadying their mounts yet, and the mausoleum emitted ghostly wails because of their intrusion.

The tomb cracked open, and a Secret Spirit wearing a black Dragon Robe, holding the Emperor's Sword, like a Netherworld monarch, floated out of the tomb.

The sword in his hand pointed towards the direction of Chen Guan and his comrades, and in an instant, thousands of troops rushed out of the tomb behind them. A large formation of Yellow Spring Shadow Soldiers and Generals formed a battle array, storming aggressively towards Chen Guan and his companions.

These Yellow Spring Shadow Soldiers and Generals were noticeably stronger than the wandering ones outside. Their battle formation was well-organized, and even in a fast charge, there were no signs of chaos, making their might even more magnificent.

Chen Guan's trio did not hesitate, attacking in an inverted triangle formation into the Shadow Soldier Corps.

Leading the way were Men Team and An Yiqi, they were tasked with breaking through the corps' blockade for Chen Guan, to escort him to the Ghost Emperor and complete the final mission of slaying the Ghost Emperor.

Chen Guan said he could solo the Ghost Emperor. Although the two felt it was challenging, they had no choice but to trust Chen Guan now.

"Wow! That Shi Zhimen is unexpectedly strong, how come I've never noticed before? There's such a master in Team 17!" Ximen Ding observed the trio charging through the Shadow Soldier Corps, and to his surprise, no one could stop them.

Especially Shi Zhimen, whose spear technique was formidable, even Yellow Spring Shadow Generals found it challenging to obstruct him, akin to a battlefield killing god.

"Among the three, Shi Zhimen should be the tactical core, and he likely commands the battlefield too. This man has substance, be it in personal ability, tactical prowess, or interplay at the battlefield, he operates at a top-tier level. Our squad would definitely achieve more with him as a commander," Jiang Tianqing remarked sincerely.

"Heh, that should be easy. Shi Zhimen lacks background, otherwise, he wouldn't have stayed low before. Forced into such adversity has made him display true strength. We'll wait until Chen Guan is crushed by Xiu Haofeng, then bring him over here, he'll surely be grateful to us and contribute to our squad," Ximen Ding chuckled.

Jiang Tianqing nodded, he genuinely hoped to recruit Shi Zhimen. Such a person has an influence beyond mere might.

"That An Yiqi surprisingly has some skills too; I thought he only knew how to mingle and gossip," Ximen Ding commented again, observing An Yiqi's unexpectedly impressive prowess.

Previously, An Yiqi came probing for information, some of which Ximen Ding deliberately leaked to him, so he's not unfamiliar with An Yiqi.

An Yiqi did not use a spear; he wielded a Steel-cutting Saber in each hand and swung them like Gale Sweeps Leaves, single-handedly holding off one side, keeping the trio in a forward triangle formation.

Ximen Ding originally assumed An Yiqi would be a flaw, yet he's unexpectedly impressed with An Yiqi's performance.

"Anyone making it into the Reserve Team won't truly be weak. Nonetheless, An Yiqi indeed has some skills; he can use different techniques with his dual-hand combat Lifebound Talent, which is rare," Jiang Tianqing nodded slightly.

"Chen Guan is lucky, having the two committed elites by his side, with their help, the trio might actually break through to the Ghost Emperor," Ximen Ding laughed and remarked, "But even if they reach the Ghost Emperor, it's futile; the Ghost Emperor's combat strength isn't comparable to theirs, besides there's the Body Protection Divine Skill, which they can't resolve."

Jiang Tianqing was noncommittal; he had an intuition that Chen Guan is not so simple.

There's a familiar quality in Chen Guan that Jiang Tianqing recognized, reminiscent of Jiang Qiemo, hence Jiang Tianqing always felt Chen Guan was unique, as such traits aren't commonly found.

An Yiqi grew increasingly excited in battle, suddenly spotting a Yellow Spring Shadow General riding a horse, brandishing a large saber and rushing towards him.

"Yiqi, take him down, our speed must not decrease, we must charge through," Chen Guan shouted at An Yiqi, using a commanding tone.

"Take him down… seems difficult… But I feel like I can give it a try…" At that moment, An Yiqi surprisingly felt his strength was terrifyingly potent, arising feelings of wanting to single-handedly slash the Yellow Spring Shadow General, though uncertain if he could truly achieve it.

This thought before he wouldn't dare even contemplate, yet now feels nothing is impossible.

White Horse whizzed past, crossing the Steel-cutting Double Sabers to block the overhead swing of the Shadow General's saber, barely pushing the double sabers down three inches.

Crack!

An Yiqi's eyes sparked sharply. With a shout, the double sabers abruptly lifted, flipping the saber over, and with a swift stroke from the left Steel-cutting Saber, he removed the Yellow Spring Shadow General's head clean.

"I actually did it!" White Horse leaped over the Shadow General's corpse; a indescribable sense of elation filled An Yiqi, making his whole body seem alive, indescribably delighted.

"Nicely done, no one in First Awakening wields double sabers better than you," Chen Guan praised.

Men Team laughed and cursed while fighting: "You brat! In all those tasks you were just coasting, huh? Had I known you were this fierce, I'd have used you more like a beast long ago."

"Haha, no worries, you'll have chances. Next time, don't treat me like a human…" An Yiqi fought increasingly stronger, his double sabers crisscrossing without heavily relying on Secret Skills, yet with such coordination, he fought against them causing man and horse falls, and not a single Yellow Spring Shadow Soldier could withstand his edge.

"That kid's double sabers technique really is impressive!" Ximen Ding was somewhat shocked; in direct combat, An Yiqi's displayed combat ability seemed equal to Shi Zhimen's.

Under Men Team's and An Yiqi's monstrous bursts, the trio forcefully broke through the Shadow Soldier Corps' encirclement, nearing the Ghost Emperor who appeared to command the battle.