Chapter 457: The Awakening at the Altar

“Is this where the Otherworldly Ghost Monarch resides?”

At the head of the team—just like Yenir—Yinglong had raced all the way to the palace. Now, with a heavy expression, he stared at the tightly closed gate.

Behind him, over twenty ‘humans’ remained so tense they hardly dared breathe, eyes darting around for any sign of danger.

A silent, deserted city lay before them, eerily reminiscent of a prison.

An underground palace stood hidden within.

Together, these sights inexplicably added an oppressive weight to what promised to be the final battle.

“That’s right, Yinglong!”

“Once inside, just drop in the Stone and the mechanism will trigger, releasing the Otherworldly Ghost Monarch!”

“Only by killing it can this disaster finally end!”

“But don’t worry—the Monarch’s already been badly wounded and its movements are limited!”

“Gripping the Stone will continuously wear it down!”

Standing beside Yinglong, a Ghost Hunter clad in leather armor and carrying a Giant Axe spoke excitedly.

According to his own introduction, his strength was around Third-Stage Mid-level—enough to place him among the upper ranks of the Ghost Hunter Alliance.

In this battle, although he and a few other Ghost Hunters might not play a major role, they could ease Yinglong’s burden and even knew how to completely eradicate the enemy’s body once the Otherworldly Ghost Monarch was slain!

After listening to the Dungeon NPC’s explanation, a spark of excitement flickered in Yinglong’s eyes.

Not for the sake of saving the world, but for the chance to earn the Legendary Suit reward.

Two groups of NPCs helping out? And even a restraining item? With the Monarch’s movements impaired, it all sounded like a surefire, almost too-easy plan.

Of course, he also knew that the Otherworldly Ghost’s true strength would demand a fierce battle.

But any help was better than none… Though he didn’t expect much from the group, he placed most of his ‘hope’ on that slightly sleazy NPC.

The only unsettling part was how everything was unfolding far too smoothly.

Deep down, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.

Watching Commander Yinglong linger at the gate, Zhang Yuan—who had followed him for ages—knew that while his leader was capable, he was just being overly cautious.

“Sir, I believe our smooth progress is largely thanks to you having Renmane!”

“And don’t forget—you’re Peak Third-Stage! With that strength, clearing a Grade-A Dungeon should be a walk in the park!”

Zhang Yuan subtly buttered him up with a broad grin, completely oblivious to any troubles along the way.

In his view, this Dungeon wasn’t exactly a cakewalk.

Otherworldly Ghosts were not only hard to kill but also masters of camouflage. Had it not been for Commander Yinglong’s crushing presence, a mere Third-Stage squad would have bailed long ago.

Besides, the NPC groups guiding them had a long list of Otherworldly Ghosts to be slain—and they had clearly put in a lot of effort to stick to the storyline.

He nodded slightly.

Once Yinglong heard Zhang Yuan’s reasoning, he didn’t think much further; there was some logic to it.

Without Renmane, that mysterious NPC certainly wouldn’t lend a hand.

His own strength wouldn’t have attracted so many guiding NPCs, nor would he have bypassed several layers to reach here so effortlessly.

As for those NPCs’ chatter about saving the world and the Monarch having no Otherworldly Ghost bodyguards, he assumed the plot was meant to be straightforward and brutal…

After all, along the way he’d already encountered far too many NPCs inexplicably offering favors…

“Let’s move!”

Without another moment’s hesitation, a resounding crash echoed as the heavy door swung open once more.

Just like Yenir’s earlier reaction, as a terrifying pressure surged from within, everyone’s expression darkened in unison.

Impressive!

Looking up, they saw thirteen giant Otherworldly Ghosts bound to metal pillars in the distance, leaving them momentarily stunned.

They couldn’t help but notice there were so many Otherworldly Ghosts—and despite the overwhelming aura of the central Monarch, Yinglong couldn’t help but exhale in relief.

A challenge was a good thing.

An overt challenge was always better than hidden dangers!

“Yinglong!”

“It’s the altar up ahead!”

“Just drop the Stone, and the Otherworldly Ghosts will wake up one by one! Slay them one at a time, and this disaster will be over!”

The moment they stepped into the grand hall, the previously silent Dungeon NPCs suddenly began chattering. The last batch of Ghost Hunters in Yinglong’s team dashed straight for the altar.

“Toss it in, then pull it out!”

“Everyone, once you pull it out, make sure to grip your Stone tightly. This mystical stone will continue to provide us with the power to fight off the Otherworldly Ghosts!”

After enduring the Middle-Aged Man’s endless reminders, Yinglong snapped back to attention, nodding as he strode directly toward the altar.

“Wake them up one by one?”

It appeared that the mysterious NPC had arrived at the last moment.

If they couldn’t even kill the preceding Otherworldly Ghosts, they’d have no right to expect support in battle.

It clearly was a test as well.

Filling in the gaps with his own thoughts, Yinglong decisively led the Awakener of the Bloodshadow Legion forward.

But barely had he approached the altar when a strange glint flashed in his eyes.

“Hmm?”

“Why?”

“Why is there already a Stone in the altar?”

On a densely packed sphere that looked like a beehive, a Stone set at its very center gleamed brightly.

Had someone gotten here ahead of time?! Or had it been in place all along?

Almost on instinct, Yinglong jumped in shock and scanned the area warily. But before he could voice his concerns, the Ghost Hunters in the team quickly pressed the Stones they held.

“Quick! Everyone, press them at once! Once pressed, retrieve them!”

“Clack, clack, clack, clack.”

One after another, as several Ghost Hunters pressed their Stones, members of the Bloodshadow Legion trailing Yinglong did the same.

Everything happened so fast that no one noticed the sudden change in Yinglong’s expression.

“Hold on a moment!”

“Huanglong! Why is there an otherworldly Stone on this?!”

Halting his teammates from pressing and seizing the Stone, Yinglong spoke rapidly, his tone urgent as if facing a dire enemy.

Hearing his question, several Ghost Hunters were initially taken aback, their eyes flashing strangely before they nonchalantly shook their heads.

“Maybe it was there all along?”

“Commander Yinglong, quickly grab the Stone and prepare for battle!”

Their words came across as a firm, urging command.

At that moment, a cold, sinister aura suddenly emanated from the corpse at the far left.

The first Otherworldly Ghost had been awakened.

Its strength: Third-Stage Mid-level!

…………………