162: The underworld is full of ghosts

"Holy Lord, you're back?"

A delicate call broke the silence, red robes fluttering, a splash of crimson gracefully descending from a treetop.

The female ghost, clad in a blood-red ruqun, bowed gracefully, wisps of Netherworld Qi drifting from her skirt.

What a charming female ghost.

"Holy Lord, Emperor Yongchang has been waiting in the Ghost Realm Fortress for a long time."

Emperor Yongchang?

Netherworld Old Ghost's decaying mouth twitched unnaturally.

Liu Chongshan, that old fox, never visited without a reason.

He had just returned from Yan Province, and for him to seek him out so quickly showed how impatient he was.

"Understood."

Netherworld Old Ghost spoke grimly, casually tossing out a dark, shiny pearl.

The pearl arced gracefully through the air, landing steadily in the female ghost's arms, "A reward for you."

"Thank you, Holy Lord!"

A flicker of surprise crossed the female ghost's eyes.

This was a fourth-grade Ghost Pearl!

In the Netherworld, Ghost Pearls were rare resources.

Humans became ghosts upon death, and ghosts turned into pearls upon death. Ghost Pearls contained powerful Qi, which could help ghost cultivators achieve a Breakthrough in their Realm.

And this deep-colored pearl before her was enough to elevate her cultivation to the next level.

* * *

Ghost Realm Fortress.

The moment Netherworld Old Ghost stepped in, a chilling cold permeated the air.

The ghost-fire lanterns hanging on the walls swayed violently, and in the flickering, eerie blue light, Liu Chongshan's figure, seated in the main hall, was distorted and warped.

Everything seemed to be in anticipation of its master's arrival.

"Hehehehehehe..."

"Chancellor Liu isn't dead yet, but he's in such a hurry to come to my Netherworld. That doesn't seem right..."

Netherworld Old Ghost chuckled sinisterly, his decaying face contorting into a chilling smile.

"Holy Lord, why be so formal with me?"

Liu Chongshan gently fanned himself with a folding fan, seemingly accustomed to his sarcastic tone, not even raising his head.

"Holy Lord, this Ghost Realm Fortress is even more exquisite than last time." After speaking, he pointed meaningfully at the arrangements in the Ghost Realm Fortress.

Netherworld Old Ghost's expression darkened. Although his strength was formidable, he was still controlled by Old Thief Liu.

The passages between the Netherworld and the mortal Realm could only be opened at specific times; normally, they could only receive new ghosts in one direction.

Many items in the Netherworld were offerings from the mortal Realm. If he needed to frequent the mortal Realm, he also had to answer Liu Chongshan's summons.

Liu Chongshan's action was a reminder that everything he currently desired, he, Netherworld Old Ghost, could not achieve without Liu Chongshan.

His withered ghost claws clenched tightly in his sleeve, Netherworld Old Ghost suppressed the uncomfortable emotions in his heart.

"Chancellor, you didn't come today just to say these things, did you?"

"The matter in Yan Province, Holy Lord, has greatly disappointed me."

Liu Chongshan unhurriedly straightened his sleeves, his tone carrying a hint of displeasure.

"Disappointed?"

Netherworld Old Ghost let out a strange laugh, "The grand Formation behind that little emperor doesn't seem like a mortal technique. Chancellor, could it be... you're still hiding something from me?"

Liu Chongshan's expression remained unchanged, and his folding fan snapped shut with a "pa" sound.

"Holy Lord jests. I am sincerely cooperating with the Holy Lord, so naturally, I will tell you everything I know. Also, since I have ascended the throne, I should naturally be addressed as 'Your Majesty'."

A hint of mockery flashed in Netherworld Old Ghost's single eye, and his decaying skin twitched slightly.

With the young emperor still alive, it was uncertain whose the throne would ultimately be.

"Your Majesty," indeed. He was really gilding his own lily.

Although he was controlled by Liu Chongshan, if Liu Chongshan died in the future, wouldn't he still end up under his command?

Thinking this, Netherworld Old Ghost straightened his back considerably.

"Your Majesty has quite the authority. However... in this Netherworld, it's better to follow the rules of the Netherworld."

"Those who achieve great things don't bother with trifles. Holy Lord, why care about these minor details?"

Liu Chongshan said indifferently, "After we take Yan Province, you can do whatever you want with that little emperor's soul. How about that?"

Netherworld Old Ghost pondered for a moment.

"We'll talk about these things later. This Formation is very strange; even the Twelve Emperor Souls can't break through it. Does Your Majesty have a good plan?"

"I wouldn't call it a good plan, but I do have an immature idea."

A glint of cunning flashed in Liu Chongshan's eyes, "Every Formation has a Formation core..."

* * *

While Liu Chongshan and Netherworld Old Ghost conspired, sharpening their blades, and preparing to target the Yan Province's protective shield,

on the other side, after more than a month of secluded cultivation, Lin Chuping finally stabilized the gains from Yan Province, and his cultivation became even more solid.

Lin Chuping slowly opened his eyes, a divine light flashing through them.

He lightly tapped his fingertip in the Void Realm, and a real-time image of Yan Province City immediately appeared before him.

"System, during my seclusion, nothing went wrong in my administered territory, right?"

"No, everything is fine."

"It's just a small matter. Liu Chunsheng and Li Shun are collaborating to research the Ten Thousand Mountains. Also, Liu Chongshan and Netherworld Old Ghost are colluding, preparing to attack your protective shield."

"Tong Ge, you call that a 'small matter'?"

Lin Chuping's idea of 'nothing wrong' was everyone living in peace, planting crops, offering incense, and chatting about daily life. If others were already at his doorstep, how could it be 'nothing wrong'?

"Host, you don't need to worry. They are just minor skirmishes; they won't be able to break in."

"Hmm. Liu Chongshan certainly knows how to pick his timing."

He specifically chose the time when he was in seclusion to attack.

"System, is Netherworld Old Ghost related to the Netherworld Devouring Heart Gu?"

The two words 'Netherworld' immediately reminded Lin Chuping of the Netherworld Devouring Heart Gu that Shen Jianxing had been afflicted with.

"Host, you guessed correctly. The Netherworld Devouring Heart Gu is one of the few specialties of the Netherworld."

"I wonder if it was Chancellor Liu or Netherworld Old Ghost who afflicted Shen Jianxing with the Netherworld Devouring Heart Gu."

"Host, why bother? These two are in cahoots; it doesn't matter who did it."

"Host, are you interested in the Netherworld?"

Lin Chuping nodded. Of course he was interested; no amount of territory was too much for him.

"System, what, can the Netherworld also become my administered territory?"

"Theoretically speaking, any place with incense and faith can become the Host's administered territory."

The System's mechanical voice rarely carried a hint of seduction.

Lin Chuping's fingertips unconsciously tapped the table, the phantom image of Yan Province City flowing between his fingers.

"It seems I have to solve this problem first."

He muttered to himself, then suddenly raised an eyebrow as if remembering something, "System, you said the Netherworld... also has living people?"

"Host, the Netherworld is full of ghosts, and the River of Forgetfulness is full of water."

"Where would living people come from?"

"Living people entering the Netherworld must cross the Road to the Underworld, and dead people returning to the sun must cross the River of Forgetfulness. The legendary Road to the Underworld collapsed long ago."

Holy cow!

The Road to the Underworld could even collapse? Was this also a shoddy project?

"Tong Ge, if there are no living people, where does the incense come from?! Don't tell me ghosts also offer incense."

"Yes, any conscious being can be a believer and contribute incense value to the Host."

"Interesting."

"System, bring up the distribution map of the Netherworld entrances! I want to check out my future administered territory in advance."

Hehehehe~