When Li Hengsheng finally returned to Ghost City, it was already five days later.
But Li Hengsheng didn't hurry into the city. Instead, he disguised himself a bit outside the city before entering, as he wasn't sure what had happened in Ghost City during his absence and didn't dare to enter rashly.
Facts proved Li Hengsheng's thinking was correct. As he wandered around Ghost City's streets, he learned significant news.
His identity had been exposed!
The fact that he was Li Hengsheng was known to everyone in the city.
This news was leaked by the Longevity Sect, and the City Lord Xu Zhi'an had completely submitted to the Longevity Sect, following their orders to capture him.
Li Hengsheng knew that as long as he appeared, he would surely die without a burial place.
So, before night fell, Li Hengsheng dared not stay longer in the city and left Ghost City.
He hid near Ghost Corpse Cave.
This was where he last met Xue Qianbai. It was agreed that after retrieving the items, Li Hengsheng was to wait for Xue Qianbai here.
"There's still twenty percent of my True Essence left unconverted."
Li Hengsheng was somewhat annoyed, as he was just one step away from the Innate Realm, yet this step was completely out of reach for him.
Because all the treasures on his body had been consumed, and he had little money left. Relying on himself for conversion would take at least half a year to possibly convert this twenty percent of True Essence.
What should he do?
In the city, Li Hengsheng also heard news that the Ghost Lord of Qishan had exited the Black and White Forbidden Area. Li Hengsheng knew that judging by the timing, Xue Qianbai should be arriving soon.
If what Father needs arrives and he hasn't broken through to Innate yet,
Will it delay Father's plans?
Thinking about this, Li Hengsheng gritted his teeth hard, deciding to take a desperate risk.
No celestial treasures? Then go and rob them!
As for whom to rob, Li Hengsheng remembered all the tribes around Ghost City when he was their leader. Naturally, he went to rob these tribes.
Li Hengsheng spent his first night in Ghost Corpse Cave.
At dawn the next day, Li Hengsheng set off.
Even though doing this would definitely draw Ghost City's attention, the city certainly would notice his return, putting him in danger, Li Hengsheng couldn't care less at this point.
With the Overlord Immortal Spear in hand, Li Hengsheng was fearless now.
The true Overlord Immortal Spear indeed unleashed the power of a Divine Weapon, boosting the might of Li Hengsheng's Overlord Immortal Spear Skill by fifty percent.
One sweep of the spear, even the Innate cannot withstand!
Without needing to activate the Sun-Moon Immortal Demon Divine Body, he could slay the Innate with the Overlord Immortal Spear.
It was followed by an unscrupulous plundering, anything useful or valuable was seized by Li Hengsheng.
Completely like a habitual offender.
Within five days, Li Hengsheng swept through three tribes, instantly attracting Ghost City's attention.
To Ghost City, these tribes were like ripe meat ready to devour, yet now someone else had taken them, prompting Ghost City's people to investigate. The conclusion they returned with identified Li Hengsheng as the culprit.
With this conclusion, they knew Li Hengsheng was likely in Ghost City or nearby.
Thus, City Lord Xu Zhi'an ordered the three generals and numerous leaders to search the area for Li Hengsheng's trace.
Knowing he would be discovered eventually, Li Hengsheng had long hidden away.
He refined the treasures he had robbed.
Enhancing his conversion speed.
Thankfully, the resources he plundered were abundant. Li Hengsheng felt that if things went smoothly, it should be enough to support his breakthrough to the Innate Realm.
Yet what he must pay attention to is evading the army's capture.
So after pondering for a long time, Li Hengsheng hid in one of Ghost Corpse Cave's large iron coffins.
The iron coffin was very large. Li Hengsheng placed the corpse inside on top, then separated it with an iron plate, hiding underneath. Despite the cramped space, this might allow him to escape capture, and even if discovered, the cave was vast and complex. As long as no generals were involved, there was hope for escape.
Li Hengsheng continued cultivating while waiting for Xue Qianbai's arrival.
In the blink of an eye, another three days passed.
Li Hengsheng's Innate True Essence was converting steadily.
Some soldiers came into Ghost Corpse Cave, tasked with searching it.
Upon seeing the numerous iron coffins inside, many began opening and inspecting them one by one.
"Bang!"
The iron coffin where Li Hengsheng lay was opened.
Two men looked at the situation inside the coffin, one of them was Bai Ha.
"Captain, isn't this coffin somewhat unusual?" At this moment, a Ghost Race soldier beside Bai Ha couldn't help but speak.
"What's unusual?"
Bai Ha asked.
"Just feels..."
The Ghost Race pondered for a moment, then said, "Compared to other coffins, isn't this one shallower? I recall other coffins being very deep, this one seems much shallower, maybe there's something below?"
Hearing the voice outside, Li Hengsheng gripped the Overlord Immortal Spear tightly.
If they really lifted the iron plate below, then Li Hengsheng could only fight his way out.
"Shallow my foot."
Bai Ha frowned and said, "Stop talking nonsense, there's nothing here, go look elsewhere."
"Yes."
The soldier didn't dare say anything, turning to leave.
Bai Ha deeply glanced at the coffin, then sighed lightly, tapping the inside of the iron coffin a few times before covering it and leaving.
Bai Ha was once Li Hengsheng's subordinate. Li Hengsheng was very kind to him as a captain, so despite Bai Ha knowing the coffin was suspicious, he said nothing.
For one, Bai Ha felt indebted to Li Hengsheng's kindness.
Secondly, capturing Li Hengsheng and handing him over to Realm Master Cangyuan would yield him little benefit.
Perhaps he wouldn't even get to drink soup.
Most importantly, he was the team leader here, the strongest in the group, with a dozen ordinary Ghost Race soldiers outside.
What kind of strength did Li Hengsheng possess?
If Li Hengsheng was really dug up, their team wouldn't be enough to handle him.
It was better to owe Li Hengsheng a favor.
Li Hengsheng could discern Bai Ha's voice; he had discovered him but said nothing.
But Li Hengsheng wasn't sure if Bai Ha truly intended to let him go or planned to stall him before reporting to the higher-ups.
The best approach was to leave here.
But leaving now would only reveal him further.
Moreover, after days of cultivation, Li Hengsheng's Innate True Essence conversion was just a step away.
He was about to reach the Innate Realm!
Li Hengsheng didn't want any more trouble.
It was already a crucial time.
So the night after Bai Ha and others left, Li Hengsheng finally stepped across that last barrier, his Inner Strength thoroughly converted into Innate True Essence!
The surging True Essence flowed endlessly through Li Hengsheng's body like an infinite ocean!
But Li Hengsheng didn't expect his breakthrough would be so conspicuous and momentum shocking, thoroughly exposing himself at the moment of breaking through!
Li Hengsheng didn't pay attention to the robust power in his body, knowing it wouldn't be long before the Ghost Race elites arrived.
What he needed to do now was quickly slip away!
"Whoosh whoosh whoosh!"
Numerous masters were already heading toward Ghost Corpse Cave.
Just as Li Hengsheng was about to flee, at this moment, a brilliant Sword Qi crisscrossed the night sky, slicing the ground below for several dozen miles, forming a massive gully!
Simultaneously, a voice resonated: "Those who cross the gully will be killed without mercy!"
"Vice Sect Leader!"
Upon hearing the voice, Li Hengsheng rejoiced. It was Xue Qianbai!