Chapter 476 (1)
The moment the gray, sinister ghost claw—exuding an aura of malevolence—was slowly extracted from Meng Dian’s body, everyone who witnessed the scene felt a chill run down their spines.
This artifact was clearly not something of the righteous path.
Meng Dian had actually been using such an evil artifact?
Despite his desperate resistance, how could he possibly withstand Lu Qing’s power?
Very soon, the gray ghost claw was completely pulled out from his dantian by Lu Qing.
With its removal, Meng Dian’s aura plummeted instantly, and despair filled his eyes.
Yet at this moment, no one was paying attention to him anymore.
All eyes were fixed on the gray ghost claw.
As soon as it was drawn out, it hovered in midair, but instead of calming down, it writhed violently like a living creature.
Dense gray mist emanated from it, taking the form of layer upon layer of skulls and wailing ghosts. Unseen screams radiated outward, piercing into the souls of the spectators, sending shivers through their hearts.One could only wonder how Meng Dian had the courage to refine such a malevolent object into his body.
However, no matter how much the ghost claw struggled, under Lu Qing’s suppression, all resistance was futile.
It was firmly restrained, unable to make a single move.
"Netherworld Ghost Claw… So it really is this infamous artifact!"
At this moment, an aged voice rang out, tinged with astonishment.
Everyone turned towards the speaker.
It was an elderly Daoist priest, dressed in a flowing robe, his demeanor immortal-like, his hair and beard completely white.
The sight of him left many stunned.
They recognized the area he stood in—it was the section belonging to Qingyang Temple, one of the Three Great Secret Realms.
Clearly, this was a highly respected elder from Qingyang Temple.
Throughout this Holy Assembly, the Three Great Secret Realms had maintained a low profile.
But being low-key did not mean they were forgotten.
Now, seeing this ethereal-looking old Daoist speak, the crowd couldn’t help but be shocked.
"Oh? Senior, you recognize this artifact?" Lu Qing asked, turning to the Daoist.
At the same time, he noticed Daoist Yangming standing beside the old Daoist and nodded slightly in greeting.
This simple gesture left Yangming Daoist feeling a bit excited.
He hadn’t expected that Lu Qing would acknowledge him.
"Netherworld Ghost Claw. That is the name of the evil artifact in your hands," the old Daoist explained. "It once belonged to a powerful Nascent Soul-stage devil cultivator from the previous Era of Cultivation.
"Back in that era, it was one of the most notorious demonic spiritual artifacts."
"An ancient evil artifact from the previous Era of Cultivation!"
Hearing this, everyone’s hearts trembled.
Ever since the Heaven and Earth Revival, knowledge about the previous Era of Cultivation was no longer a secret.
Those powerful sects qualified to attend the Holy Assembly naturally understood the significance of this revelation.
If this gray ghost claw was indeed an artifact from that era, and not just any artifact, but a renowned spiritual artifact, how could they not be astounded?
At the same time, they finally understood why Meng Dian had been so powerful—he had been wielding such an artifact of the demonic path.
"Young Master, this is indeed the famous artifact of a demonic Nascent Soul-stage cultivator from the ancient Era of Cultivation—one known as the 'Netherworld Elder.'"
At that moment, Yan spoke to Lu Qing through Soul Transmission.
Lu Qing nodded slightly but still posed another question to the old Daoist.
"If this is a demonic spiritual artifact from the previous era… then how did it survive to this day?"
"Legend has it that at the end of the previous Era of Cultivation, all Nascent Soul-stage cultivators left this world aboard the 'Void Breaking Ark'."
"Senior, does this mean the original owner of this artifact failed to ascend?"
Lu Qing could naturally use his Spiritual Powers to investigate the origins of the ghost claw.
But the information he could glean was limited and did not provide the full picture.
"Our Qingyang Temple’s ancient records do hold some accounts of this matter," the old Daoist said.
"During the final days of the ancient Era of Cultivation, the great Nascent Soul cultivators indeed boarded the Void Breaking Ark and departed this world."
"Even the demonic sects followed suit."
"However, there were a few who failed to ascend."
"Among them was the owner of this Netherworld Ghost Claw—a Nascent Soul-stage rogue devil cultivator known as the Netherworld Elder."
"He was a solitary figure, misanthropic and cruel, deriving pleasure from torturing living beings. Among cultivators of that time, his name struck fear into the hearts of all."
"Because rogue demonic cultivators had no ties, no attachments, they acted far more recklessly than even demonic sects."
"Even the righteous path sects, despite hating him, did not dare act rashly unless they had absolute certainty of eliminating him."
At this point, the crowd couldn’t help but nod in understanding.
Even their own righteous sects, despite their vast heritage and power, avoided provoking lone, powerful cultivators when possible.
Otherwise, such feuds often resulted in life-and-death vendettas.
Even if the enemy was eliminated, the cost might be too great to bear.
At this thought, several people exchanged subtle glances and stole a look at Lu Qing.
Just like Xuankong Mountain.
That great sect, once one of the Four Great Secret Realms, had been utterly annihilated.
Even their hidden realm was destroyed—all because they had provoked this very man.
"But that was the usual state of affairs."
While the crowd was caught in their own thoughts, the elderly Daoist continued.
"At the end of the previous Era of Cultivation, the situation changed."
"To forge the Void Breaking Ark, the great Nascent Soul cultivators gathered materials from across the world."
"Then, at some point, someone—no one knows exactly who—proposed an idea."
"Thus, the righteous path’s Nascent Soul cultivators joined forces… and began purging the rogue demonic cultivators."
"In the end, nearly all of them were slaughtered."
"Their treasures were seized and used as materials to refine the Void Breaking Ark."
"Only a handful survived—either by fleeing through forbidden secret arts or by hiding away."
"Among those few… was the Netherworld Elder."
"According to legend, the Netherworld Elder was ambushed near the Southern Sea by several righteous path Nascent Soul cultivators."
"However, he managed to escape using dark arts and vanished into the deep sea."
"Since the deep sea belonged to the sea clans, the righteous cultivators chose not to pursue him further."
"Judging from today’s discovery, the Netherworld Elder likely perished after all."
"As for how his famed artifact ended up in Meng Dian’s hands… that remains a mystery."
The old Daoist turned to look at Meng Dian.
At this moment, Meng Dian was pale and visibly weakened.
Clearly, having the Netherworld Ghost Claw forcibly removed from his dantian had inflicted severe damage.
Yet the old Daoist’s gaze bore no trace of sympathy—only coldness.
"The Netherworld Ghost Claw is a demonic artifact," he stated.
"That gray aura—it's formed from the spirits of countless tormented souls."
"For Meng Dian to have restored it to such a state… he must have sacrificed many lives."
The moment these words fell, the crowd stiffened, their eyes locking onto Meng Dian.
Meng Dian’s body trembled.
His face grew even paler.