Zhang Ruochen glanced at Mu Lingxi to see that she was standing on the side, still, as if made of wood. She seemed dazed and pitiful. There was no sign of her usual cheeky mischievousness.
“Send her back immediately,” Zhang Ruochen said coldly.
“Nope. If you want to send her back, do it yourself. I came to the netherworld to find the empress.” Blackie raised its round cat face and ignored Zhang Ruochen.
“You think you’re powerful now?”
Zhang Ruochen clenched a fist and walked over. He knocked against Blackie’s head with a thud. It sounded like he’d hit a hollow wooden block.
“Are you going to do it? Try me and I’ll send you back to the scroll world and seal you up again.” Zhang Ruochen was annoyed. Blackie wasn’t sensible at all. How could he bring Mu Lingxi to such a dangerous place?
“Zhang Ruochen, don’t blame Blackie. It’s not its fault. I shouldn’t have forced it to bring me here.” Tears flowed out of Mu Lingxi’s eyes.
“Yes,” Blackie quickly said. “She threatened me with death. I had no choice.”
Zhang Ruochen took a deep breath and stared at Mu Lingxi. “The netherworld is too dangerous. Even a Saint can die from a tiny mishap—”
Before Zhang Ruochen finished, Mu Lingxi said, “I’m not afraid of danger. I’m just afraid you’ll be in danger. I’m not afraid of dying. I’m only afraid of you dying, understand?”
Zhang Ruochen was silent for a bit. Then he grabbed Mu Lingxi’s wrist, saying, “Come with me. I’ll take you out first. The Tomb Forest isn’t somewhere you should be.”
“Zhang Ruochen, let go. Who are you to me? You can’t control what I want to do.”
Mu Lingxi activated her Holy Qi and quickly retracted her arm. She transformed into a beam of white light and escaped from Zhang Ruochen’s grip, retreating.
However, just as she steadied herself, she coughed violently and fresh blood came out of her mouth.
“You’re hurt? Is it serious?”
Zhang Ruochen immediately walked over and helped Mu Lingxi up. Ignoring her struggling, he grasped her wrist again. He sent Holy Qi into her meridians to check her injuries.
Pulling back his Holy Qi, he stared deep at Mu Lingxi. “You’re too heavily injured and must go back to be treated immediately. Go heal in the Universal Spiritual Map.”
This time, Mu Lingxi didn’t refuse. She knew that if she did, Zhang Ruochen would definitely send her into the scroll world. However, she was already quite satisfied. At least Zhang Ruochen still cared about her safety.
After sending Mu Lingxi into the Universal Spiritual Map, Zhang Ruochen felt touched for some reason. At the same time, he also felt very uncomfortable.
Shi Ren carried the Wuchang restricted with a rune in one hand and strolled over. He tossed the Wuchang onto the ground and gazed at Zhang Ruochen. “So you’re that legendary Time and Space Descendant.”
He’d already started suspecting Zhang Ruochen’s identity when he used the Spatial Move. When Zhang Ruochen used the Ruyi Treasure Bottle to store a Wuchang, Shi Ren was sure his guess was correct.
“Zhang Ruochen, who is this? Since he knows your identity, I must kill him.”
Blackie sent an order to Captain Rat. Then the cat and rat turned into a blur and rushed forward, appearing on either side of Shi Ren.
Shi Ren remained composed, but when he saw Captain Rat, surprise flashed across his eyes. Clearly, he recognized Captain Rat. Chuckling, he said, “Brother Zhang, is this how you treat your guests?”
“Blackie, be polite.” Then Zhang Ruochen admitted it honestly, “Yes, I am indeed the legendary Time and Space Descendant, Zhang Ruochen.”
Once they entered the netherworld, they were on a path with little chance of survival. It was unknown if they could make it out alive. Thus, there was no point in hiding his identity.
“But I heard that you died by the Nine Serenity Sword Saint’s sword,” Shi Ren said emptily.
Zhang Ruochen chuckled. “Is it impossible for the dead to be brought back to life?”
A hot gaze flashed past Shi Ren’s calm eyes. “You used a pill for resurrection?”
Zhang Ruochen shook his head. “There isn’t anything for resurrection. It’s just something made up by mortals who are too afraid to face death.”
Shi Ren clenched his fists; his expression was pained. Actually, he didn’t believe that there was anything that could bring the dead back to life. But he wouldn’t give up as long as there was a shred of hope. He had to search for it, even if he paid for it with his life.
Everyone that forged into the netherworld made the decision that they would die.
“No,” Blackie said. “Zhang Ruochen, this time, you’re wrong. The pill of resurrection really exists. At least, I saw it during the middle ages.”
Zhang Ruochen narrowed his eyes at Blackie. “What did you say? You’ve seen it before?”
Shi Ren’s expression lightened as well. “You’ve really seen the pill of resurrection before?”
Blackie nodded. “That pill of resurrection grew in the medicinal garden of a god. That god used his own divine blood to water it, turning it into magical medicine. When the god died, his descendants gave him that pill, allowing the god to reawaken and live a second life.”
Blackie said it seriously, but Zhang Ruochen didn’t really believe him. After all, this fat cat wasn’t very reliable. He liked to brag and exaggerate.
“Earlier, some unknown person spread the news that the god that the Thousand-bone Empress killed back then has fallen deep inside the Tomb Forest,” Shi Ren said. “The corpse’s divine blood has gathered and after 100,000 years, has formed a magical pill of resurrection.
“The magical pill can bring the dead back to life and give life to skeletons. Even someone who died thousands of years ago can be resurrected after ingesting it. I came to the Tomb Forest after hearing this information. I want to find the pill and bring it back to save my wife.”
Zhang Ruochen was still suspicious. “Life and death are part of nature. No one can reverse them.”
Blackie shook its head. “Since life and death are natural, then how come cultivators have much longer lives? Zhang Ruochen, you must know that cultivating the Saintly Way is for longevity. It’s already disrupting nature. While comprehending the Saintly Way, Monks also comprehend the mysteries of life and death.
“Gods are known as gods because they already understand the Saintly Way fully and have reached a state we can’t even imagine. Gods may well accomplish the things that we cannot.”
“But gods still die,” Zhang Ruochen said.
“At least, I’ve seen with my own eyes a god live a second life,” Blackie refuted.
Zhang Ruochen’s eyes sharpened. “Is there really a pill of resurrection in this world? Can it bring those with scattered souls back to life?”
Blackie rolled its eyes. “A top Alchemist from Kunlun’s Field can save someone within a period of time if they didn’t die too unusually and their physical bodies aren’t too damaged. However, these people have to be nobles. They won’t even care for Saints. Not many people can find these Alchemists, let alone persuade them to help.”
“According to legends, if someone’s cultivation reaches a Supreme Saint of Spiritual Power, they can communicate throughout the world and summon their soul. Even if a Monk’s soul is scattered, they can summon the pieces of their soul if their Spiritual Power is strong enough.
“The aforementioned are all methods from the most advanced Saintly Way. It involves Supreme Saints. As for the pill of resurrection, this reaches the Divine Way. Even a skeleton can regrow flesh and live again, so of course a corpse can as well.”
Zhang Ruochen thought of Sword Saint Xuanji. If the pill of resurrection really existed in the depths of the Tomb Forest, he’d have to fight for it even it meant paying with his life.
He turned to Shi Ren. “Brother Shi, do you know who spread the rumor about this pill?”
Shi Ren shook his head. “I’m not sure. I only know that it started spreading around after the Heir Banquet. No one knew if it’s true or not, so no one dared to forge into the netherworld for fear of coming to an unfortunate end.
“But when the army of dead souls set off to attack the Yin and Yang Sect, some people made the decision to investigate. Some came because they’d used up their vitality and had to find the pill of resurrection to continue living. Others are ambitious. They want to take the pill and resurrect the Supreme Saints of their families.”
Zhang Ruochen didn’t become illogical because of this pill. Instead, he fell into deep thought. “Why do I feel like this is a trap? If it really exists, who would spread the information so boldly? Plus, no one returns from the netherworld. In that case, who would know about it? Unless someone had left the netherworld…”
Shi Ren nodded too. “I also know that this may be a conspiracy. However, even if there’s only a sliver of hope, I still have to try.”
Zhang Ruochen’s eyes fell on the Wuchang on the ground. “Perhaps we can receive some answers from him.”
Shi Ren nodded and reached out his forefinger. He pointed at the rune scroll on the Wuchang’s chest and took a few of the inscriptions back. A moment later, the Wuchang woke up. He opened his fiery demonic eyes.
“Tell me,” Shi Ren said. “Where did the god from the middle ages die? If you don’t answer, I can turn you into ash right this moment.”
The Wuchang roared and struggled violently. But as soon as he moved, dozens of lightning bolts surged from the rune scroll on his chest. Wisps of black smoke rose up from his body.
Finally, the Wuchang calmed down. His chest rose up and down as he smiled eerily. “You want to find the god’s corpse? Haha! If I were you, I’d give up.”
“Why are you wasting so much time talking?” Blackie said. “Demon rat, go eat his left leg.”
Captain Rat cackled. He walked out, revealing his sharp teeth. Sticking out his tongue, he licked the Wuchang’s left leg. He was about to bite.
The Wuchang’s expression changed and he hurriedly said, “Okay, I can tell you, but I only know the general place. I don’t know the specific location. If you really want to find the god’s corpse, go to the territory of Ghost King Shenchu. It’s said that the god’s corpse is there.”
Regardless of whether the Wuchang was speaking the truth, he’d at least proved that a god really had died in the netherworld. It was highly possible that the corpse had been left behind.
Afterward, Zhang Ruochen’s group continued interrogating and received more useful information.
According to the Wuchang, the netherworld was vast and had fostered countless Ghost Kings. Every Ghost King had a territory. He knew the names of hundreds already. As for the depths of the netherworld, even he hadn’t been there yet. He didn’t know how vast the netherworld was or if it even had an end.
Only a very small portion of Ghost Kings had led the dead souls to escape when the door to the living world was opened. The faraway Ghost Kings didn’t even know about this news.
Zhang Ruochen glanced at Mu Lingxi to see that she was standing on the side, still, as if made of wood. She seemed dazed and pitiful. There was no sign of her usual cheeky mischievousness.
“Send her back immediately,” Zhang Ruochen said coldly.
“Nope. If you want to send her back, do it yourself. I came to the netherworld to find the empress.” Blackie raised its round cat face and ignored Zhang Ruochen.
“You think you’re powerful now?”
Zhang Ruochen clenched a fist and walked over. He knocked against Blackie’s head with a thud. It sounded like he’d hit a hollow wooden block.
“Are you going to do it? Try me and I’ll send you back to the scroll world and seal you up again.” Zhang Ruochen was annoyed. Blackie wasn’t sensible at all. How could he bring Mu Lingxi to such a dangerous place?
“Zhang Ruochen, don’t blame Blackie. It’s not its fault. I shouldn’t have forced it to bring me here.” Tears flowed out of Mu Lingxi’s eyes.
“Yes,” Blackie quickly said. “She threatened me with death. I had no choice.”
Zhang Ruochen took a deep breath and stared at Mu Lingxi. “The netherworld is too dangerous. Even a Saint can die from a tiny mishap—”
Before Zhang Ruochen finished, Mu Lingxi said, “I’m not afraid of danger. I’m just afraid you’ll be in danger. I’m not afraid of dying. I’m only afraid of you dying, understand?”
Zhang Ruochen was silent for a bit. Then he grabbed Mu Lingxi’s wrist, saying, “Come with me. I’ll take you out first. The Tomb Forest isn’t somewhere you should be.”
“Zhang Ruochen, let go. Who are you to me? You can’t control what I want to do.”
Mu Lingxi activated her Holy Qi and quickly retracted her arm. She transformed into a beam of white light and escaped from Zhang Ruochen’s grip, retreating.
However, just as she steadied herself, she coughed violently and fresh blood came out of her mouth.
“You’re hurt? Is it serious?”
Zhang Ruochen immediately walked over and helped Mu Lingxi up. Ignoring her struggling, he grasped her wrist again. He sent Holy Qi into her meridians to check her injuries.
Pulling back his Holy Qi, he stared deep at Mu Lingxi. “You’re too heavily injured and must go back to be treated immediately. Go heal in the Universal Spiritual Map.”
This time, Mu Lingxi didn’t refuse. She knew that if she did, Zhang Ruochen would definitely send her into the scroll world. However, she was already quite satisfied. At least Zhang Ruochen still cared about her safety.
After sending Mu Lingxi into the Universal Spiritual Map, Zhang Ruochen felt touched for some reason. At the same time, he also felt very uncomfortable.
Shi Ren carried the Wuchang restricted with a rune in one hand and strolled over. He tossed the Wuchang onto the ground and gazed at Zhang Ruochen. “So you’re that legendary Time and Space Descendant.”
He’d already started suspecting Zhang Ruochen’s identity when he used the Spatial Move. When Zhang Ruochen used the Ruyi Treasure Bottle to store a Wuchang, Shi Ren was sure his guess was correct.
“Zhang Ruochen, who is this? Since he knows your identity, I must kill him.”
Blackie sent an order to Captain Rat. Then the cat and rat turned into a blur and rushed forward, appearing on either side of Shi Ren.
Shi Ren remained composed, but when he saw Captain Rat, surprise flashed across his eyes. Clearly, he recognized Captain Rat. Chuckling, he said, “Brother Zhang, is this how you treat your guests?”
“Blackie, be polite.” Then Zhang Ruochen admitted it honestly, “Yes, I am indeed the legendary Time and Space Descendant, Zhang Ruochen.”
Once they entered the netherworld, they were on a path with little chance of survival. It was unknown if they could make it out alive. Thus, there was no point in hiding his identity.
“But I heard that you died by the Nine Serenity Sword Saint’s sword,” Shi Ren said emptily.
Zhang Ruochen chuckled. “Is it impossible for the dead to be brought back to life?”
A hot gaze flashed past Shi Ren’s calm eyes. “You used a pill for resurrection?”
Zhang Ruochen shook his head. “There isn’t anything for resurrection. It’s just something made up by mortals who are too afraid to face death.”
Shi Ren clenched his fists; his expression was pained. Actually, he didn’t believe that there was anything that could bring the dead back to life. But he wouldn’t give up as long as there was a shred of hope. He had to search for it, even if he paid for it with his life.
Everyone that forged into the netherworld made the decision that they would die.
“No,” Blackie said. “Zhang Ruochen, this time, you’re wrong. The pill of resurrection really exists. At least, I saw it during the middle ages.”
Zhang Ruochen narrowed his eyes at Blackie. “What did you say? You’ve seen it before?”
Shi Ren’s expression lightened as well. “You’ve really seen the pill of resurrection before?”
Blackie nodded. “That pill of resurrection grew in the medicinal garden of a god. That god used his own divine blood to water it, turning it into magical medicine. When the god died, his descendants gave him that pill, allowing the god to reawaken and live a second life.”
Blackie said it seriously, but Zhang Ruochen didn’t really believe him. After all, this fat cat wasn’t very reliable. He liked to brag and exaggerate.
“Earlier, some unknown person spread the news that the god that the Thousand-bone Empress killed back then has fallen deep inside the Tomb Forest,” Shi Ren said. “The corpse’s divine blood has gathered and after 100,000 years, has formed a magical pill of resurrection.
“The magical pill can bring the dead back to life and give life to skeletons. Even someone who died thousands of years ago can be resurrected after ingesting it. I came to the Tomb Forest after hearing this information. I want to find the pill and bring it back to save my wife.”
Zhang Ruochen was still suspicious. “Life and death are part of nature. No one can reverse them.”
Blackie shook its head. “Since life and death are natural, then how come cultivators have much longer lives? Zhang Ruochen, you must know that cultivating the Saintly Way is for longevity. It’s already disrupting nature. While comprehending the Saintly Way, Monks also comprehend the mysteries of life and death.
“Gods are known as gods because they already understand the Saintly Way fully and have reached a state we can’t even imagine. Gods may well accomplish the things that we cannot.”
“But gods still die,” Zhang Ruochen said.
“At least, I’ve seen with my own eyes a god live a second life,” Blackie refuted.
Zhang Ruochen’s eyes sharpened. “Is there really a pill of resurrection in this world? Can it bring those with scattered souls back to life?”
Blackie rolled its eyes. “A top Alchemist from Kunlun’s Field can save someone within a period of time if they didn’t die too unusually and their physical bodies aren’t too damaged. However, these people have to be nobles. They won’t even care for Saints. Not many people can find these Alchemists, let alone persuade them to help.”
“According to legends, if someone’s cultivation reaches a Supreme Saint of Spiritual Power, they can communicate throughout the world and summon their soul. Even if a Monk’s soul is scattered, they can summon the pieces of their soul if their Spiritual Power is strong enough.
“The aforementioned are all methods from the most advanced Saintly Way. It involves Supreme Saints. As for the pill of resurrection, this reaches the Divine Way. Even a skeleton can regrow flesh and live again, so of course a corpse can as well.”
Zhang Ruochen thought of Sword Saint Xuanji. If the pill of resurrection really existed in the depths of the Tomb Forest, he’d have to fight for it even it meant paying with his life.
He turned to Shi Ren. “Brother Shi, do you know who spread the rumor about this pill?”
Shi Ren shook his head. “I’m not sure. I only know that it started spreading around after the Heir Banquet. No one knew if it’s true or not, so no one dared to forge into the netherworld for fear of coming to an unfortunate end.
“But when the army of dead souls set off to attack the Yin and Yang Sect, some people made the decision to investigate. Some came because they’d used up their vitality and had to find the pill of resurrection to continue living. Others are ambitious. They want to take the pill and resurrect the Supreme Saints of their families.”
Zhang Ruochen didn’t become illogical because of this pill. Instead, he fell into deep thought. “Why do I feel like this is a trap? If it really exists, who would spread the information so boldly? Plus, no one returns from the netherworld. In that case, who would know about it? Unless someone had left the netherworld…”
Shi Ren nodded too. “I also know that this may be a conspiracy. However, even if there’s only a sliver of hope, I still have to try.”
Zhang Ruochen’s eyes fell on the Wuchang on the ground. “Perhaps we can receive some answers from him.”
Shi Ren nodded and reached out his forefinger. He pointed at the rune scroll on the Wuchang’s chest and took a few of the inscriptions back. A moment later, the Wuchang woke up. He opened his fiery demonic eyes.
“Tell me,” Shi Ren said. “Where did the god from the middle ages die? If you don’t answer, I can turn you into ash right this moment.”
The Wuchang roared and struggled violently. But as soon as he moved, dozens of lightning bolts surged from the rune scroll on his chest. Wisps of black smoke rose up from his body.
Finally, the Wuchang calmed down. His chest rose up and down as he smiled eerily. “You want to find the god’s corpse? Haha! If I were you, I’d give up.”
“Why are you wasting so much time talking?” Blackie said. “Demon rat, go eat his left leg.”
Captain Rat cackled. He walked out, revealing his sharp teeth. Sticking out his tongue, he licked the Wuchang’s left leg. He was about to bite.
The Wuchang’s expression changed and he hurriedly said, “Okay, I can tell you, but I only know the general place. I don’t know the specific location. If you really want to find the god’s corpse, go to the territory of Ghost King Shenchu. It’s said that the god’s corpse is there.”
Regardless of whether the Wuchang was speaking the truth, he’d at least proved that a god really had died in the netherworld. It was highly possible that the corpse had been left behind.
Afterward, Zhang Ruochen’s group continued interrogating and received more useful information.
According to the Wuchang, the netherworld was vast and had fostered countless Ghost Kings. Every Ghost King had a territory. He knew the names of hundreds already. As for the depths of the netherworld, even he hadn’t been there yet. He didn’t know how vast the netherworld was or if it even had an end.
Only a very small portion of Ghost Kings had led the dead souls to escape when the door to the living world was opened. The faraway Ghost Kings didn’t even know about this news.
