Chapter 110 Netherworld 2: The Protective Master
"This was my oversight; I owe you a favor."
Sheng Qing leaned against a rock, his head hanging limply, as a puppet bandaged his wounds.
She had planned everything meticulously, but she hadn't anticipated that Yu Jingzi was still alive and had been lured to the desolate land by him using a fake entrance to the ghost realm. She wondered how long Yu Jingzi had secretly set up this dangerous killing formation; if Fu Shuang hadn't arrived in time, she would likely have been imprisoned for a long time.
Seeing Fu Shuang standing not far away with a cold face and her sword in hand, not saying a word, Sheng Qing felt a little guilty for once, and added, "I have already made arrangements for the Golden Serpent Palace. Xu Xing will be fine. Besides, didn't you give her the sword energy to save her life?"
Fu Shuang's white veil fluttered in the wind, her voice as cold as ice, "She's not your disciple, of course you don't care."
Sheng Qing retorted, "Who said I don't care about her? I was even planning to pass the Snake King's throne to her!"
Regardless of her initial purpose in creating "Xu Xing," she did indeed have her own flesh and blood, and could be considered her own daughter.
"Is that so? The Serpent King's throne has already been taken by Yu Jingzi, and it seems you've been accused of treason. What can you give her?"
Fu Shuang surveyed the array's spiritual light, which was gradually slowing down, waiting for the right moment to break the array.
Now that Yu Jingzi has appeared and even managed to distract Sheng Qing, Xu Xing's identity has probably been exposed. She must leave here as soon as possible and return to Yu Xiao Sect.
Upon hearing Yu Jingzi's name, Sheng Qing's face darkened, and his voice lowered. "I have a way to deal with him, and I won't implicate you a second time."
Fu Shuang paused, her expression softening slightly. "If you can't bear to do it, then let me do it."
She didn't care how Yu Jingzi was reborn from the brink of death or how he wanted to reclaim the throne, but he shouldn't have taken Xu Xing away.
A smile appeared on Sheng Qing's pale face, but his words were icy cold: "If I can kill him once, I can kill him a second time."
After all, the snake clan only needs one king.
As Sheng Qing's wounds gradually healed, Fu Shuang finally found the core of the formation and broke through the killing array.
As soon as they left the killing formation, countless messages flooded in. Fu Shuang immediately checked Xu Xing's information, but her expression grew increasingly grim.
Sheng Qing glanced at her expression and thought to himself: No way? Could it really be such a coincidence that Xu Xing has really gotten into trouble?
"You go back to the Golden Serpent Palace first, I'll go to the Jade Cloud Sect and then come back."
Fu Shuang didn't tell her what had happened and flew straight towards the direction of the Eastern Jade Cloud Sect.
With Fu Shuang's strength, few in the Lingwu Continent could rival her, so Sheng Qing had nothing to worry about. After thinking for a moment, she contacted the subordinates of the Golden Serpent Palace.
They soon learned that Xu Xing had been taken back to the Golden Serpent Palace by Yu Jingzi, but then mysteriously disappeared...
Sheng Qing: "..."
Neither Yu Jingzi nor her backup plan in the Golden Snake Palace could find any trace of Xu Xing.
This is bad; I have a feeling that her collaboration with Fu Shuang is about to come to an end.
Jade Cloud Sect, Weapon Refining Institute.
A group of monks were blocking the entrance, demanding an explanation.
"You said your 'divine mechanism' would be cheaper than Master Xu's, but it costs two thousand mid-grade spirit stones! Do you think our spirit stones grow on trees?"
"That's bad enough! It can't even create group chats, it can only send messages one-on-one. What's the difference between this and a regular communication tool?"
"This is clearly a scam to steal spirit stones!"
"Dean Rong, what should we do?"
The elder of the weapon-refining academy looked extremely anxious as he saw that the entrance was completely surrounded.
Among these cultivators outside, quite a few are inner disciples, including some from core spiritual peaks. Offending so many people...
Rong Jingshan remained unmoved and said contemptuously, "What are you afraid of? Go, take my warrant to the Punishment Hall, they know what to do."
"There's no such thing as returning something that's already been sold. I didn't force them to sell it in the first place. If they cause trouble again, every single one of them will be sent to the Hall of Punishments!"
The elder understood that this was an attempt to forcibly suppress the discontent of the cultivators.
However, recently the alchemy workshop has angered many people. If this continues, the weapon-refining academy will also be subject to controversy. These weapon refiners are all highly sought after, but now they are being scolded because of a "divine opportunity". No one feels good about it.
"What's with that expression? What are you worried about?"
Rong Jingshan was dissatisfied. "Do we only sell the Immortal Mechanism? I know you're worried about your reputation. What's so difficult about that? We don't have to go to the Punishment Hall this time. Just tell them that cultivators who buy the Immortal Mechanism can buy a third-tier magic weapon at half price, and that will be enough to appease them."
"Yes, Dean, I'll take care of it right away."
The angry cultivators were still arguing when a muffled "boom" sounded, and their feet trembled slightly. Suddenly, two spiritual peaks deep within the inner sect rose from the ground and soared into the clouds.
What is that?
"Could the two adjacent spiritual peaks be the Frost Peak and the Profound Sword Peak of the inner sect?"
Upon hearing the commotion, Ning Wenbin politely cupped his hands to Fu Shuang, saying, "Peak Master Li Shuang, I have long admired your name."
Fu Shuang remained expressionless. “Tell Ling Hua that since he has turned his back on Xu Xing and expelled him from Yu Xiao Sect, then all grudges are settled. From now on, the three of them, Li Shuangfeng and his disciples, will have no further connection with Yu Xiao Sect.”
“Peak Master Li Shuang, there’s no need for this. This was not the Sect Master’s intention. It’s just that Xu Xing is a princess of the Snake Clan, and Yu Xiao cannot force her to stay. If she wishes to return in the future, she will still be an inner disciple.”
Ning Wenbin smiled gently, but sighed inwardly.
The sect leader regretted his actions upon learning that Xu Xing could refine pills without poison, but since things had come to this, he naturally wouldn't show any remorse. If Fu Shuang could stay, perhaps Xu Xing would still have a chance to return.
"You and the sect leader have a past relationship, why don't you move to the main peak for a chat?"
Kan Yuansi strode over, "Why waste words with her? Protecting the demon race, not punishing her for deception is already the sect leader showing mercy!"
Jiang Feichen, who followed closely behind, also scoffed, "I want to see what Li Shuangfeng, who has taken up an inner sect spot, is capable of!"
Jin Chu, who had just arrived, was originally serious. But when he heard Kan and Jiang's provocation, he raised an eyebrow and smiled. He immediately watched the show and didn't forget to add fuel to the fire.
"As expected, Hall Master Kan is fair and just. He didn't hesitate to use several Foundation Establishment disciples to threaten Xu Xing into submission, so naturally he won't be biased because of Peak Master Li Shuang's status."
Fu Shuang turned her head instantly, her eyes, hidden beneath the white veil, meeting Kan Yuansi's gaze. Was it Kan Yuansi who had threatened Xu Xing?
“I remember that inner sect peak masters can spar with each other. Since today is my last day in the Jade Cloud Sect, I will also use this power that belongs to the peak master.”
Fu Shuang slowly drew her Ice Crystal Sword, its tip pointing directly at Kan Yuansi.
The commotion caused by the packing up and taking away the two spiritual peaks quickly attracted countless cultivators from both the inner and outer sects. The number of onlookers was even greater than the day Xu Xing left the sect.
The discussion on the internet was even more heated.
"Is this female cultivator with the white blindfold the Peak Master of Li Shuang Peak? I think she's clearly a fairy!"
"I think I saw her at the Beast Taming Arena. She was healing some injured spirit beasts. She's beautiful inside and out."
"So this is what Master Xu and Senior Brother Shen's master looks like. How enviable."
"Wait! Aren't you all curious about who will win between her and the head of the Punishment Hall?!"
...
At Qingling Peak, Xiang Yuquan was playing his jade flute alone when he noticed the message on the spirit network and put down his flute.
Fu Shuang has actually returned? As expected, even the killing formation couldn't stop her.
After a moment of contemplation, he hurried toward Xuanjian Peak.
As a close friend of Xu Xing and Shen Du, Xiang Yuquan would not be blocked by the barrier if he wanted to enter Xuanjian Peak.
"Crack—"
A humanoid figure frozen solid fell heavily from the sky.
The surrounding cultivators dared not breathe, staring blankly at the white-robed swordsman who stood steadily on the cloud.
That was the head of the Punishment Hall! He was knocked down right in front of everyone, completely powerless to fight back! The difference in skill level was too great!
"So you're the new head of the Punishment Hall," Fu Shuang said calmly, looking down at him. "You're far inferior to Jin Chu."
Jin Chu's eyes lit up as he watched; this was the first time Fu Shuang had ever praised him!
If we were to say who Kan Yuansi hated most in his life, Jin Chu would definitely be at the top of the list. He had finally managed to pull Kan down from his position as the head of the hall, only to be defeated in public and lose all face.
Fu Shuang's last words, spoken lightly, became the final straw that broke Kan Yuansi's back.
"puff--"
Kan Yuansi spat out a mouthful of blood and was hurriedly helped up by the Punishment Hall cultivators who rushed over. With a flash, he disappeared from the spot in a sorry state.
"Have you made enough of a scene?"
Linghua finally appeared. He frowned slightly, glanced at the disheveled Kan Yuansi, and looked displeased. Although Kan Yuansi was foolish and reckless, he was still quite useful.
As for Fu Shuang, whom we haven't seen for many years...
"Are you kidding me? You want to have a match with me too?"
With a flick of her wrist, Fu Shuang sent the remaining droplets of blood on her longsword flying. She had absolutely no respect for Ling Hua; she had only come to the Jade Cloud Sect back then because she sensed that her future entanglements would occur in the Eastern Pole.
"..."
Linghua waved her sleeve, and suddenly thick clouds flew in from the sky, obscuring everyone's figures and preventing the disciples from seeing the scene inside.
"Now that we can't see it, will the sect leader intervene?"
"I think the sect leader is very likely to lose to her..."
"I wouldn't dare say! Do you want to die?"
"Shh-"
"Are you really leaving?" Linghua's voice softened. "I thought you hated the demon race and wouldn't care much about that snake demon, that's why..."
Fu Shuang rarely shows herself, but that doesn't mean she's unaware of what's happening at Yu Xiao Sect. Only by standing tall can one see far, but Ling Hua seems to have been blinded by the clouds.
"Linghua, the Jade Cloud Sect has finally become a major sect in the East, so don't forget your original aspirations."
Leaving behind a final word of advice, Fu Shuang didn't linger any longer. She took the two spirit peaks and prepared to leave, as she still needed to find her two disciples who had disappeared.
Jin Chu quickly followed, "Take me with you!"
Fu Shuang didn't even turn her head. "She doesn't like you. She'll be unhappy if she sees you."
Jin Chu paused, realizing that the "she" Fu Shuang was referring to was Xu Xing. He sighed and could only watch helplessly as Fu Shuang's figure disappeared into the horizon.
As soon as Fu Shuang left the Jade Cloud Mountain Range, she noticed someone following her. She frowned slightly and stopped.
"Sword Master Li Shuang! Please wait!"
"I've seen you before; you're their friend."
Fu Shuang remembered Xiang Yuquan, and the aloofness on her face softened slightly. "What do you want from me?"
"Is the Sword Master going to the Demon Realm to find Yu Jingzi?"
Kan Yuansi was no match for Fu Shuang. Xiang Yuquan, who had initially hesitated, had now made up his mind. If anyone could save him from all this, that person would definitely be Fu Shuang.
"good."
Hearing her answer, Xiang Yuquan understood. He knew that Yu Jingzi was no match for Fu Shuang in her current state.
Since Fu Shuang was able to emerge from the desolate lands, Sheng Qing must be safe. Even if Yu Jingzi sided with the demons, he was destined to fail. But he was haunted by demonic possession and refused to die. Even after failing his tribulation, he was determined to crawl out with his last breath.
He secretly touched the magic device hidden in his sleeve, which Xu Xing had specially left for him.
Every time Xu Xing refined pills and magical artifacts, he received a share, never any different from Wen Yao, Zhao Linglan, and the others.
"I was forced into this situation and made a mistake. I am willing to tell Sword Master everything. I only have one request."
Xiang Yuquan took a deep breath, raised his hand, and a black hole vortex suddenly appeared between the two. "If a battle is unavoidable, please spare Yu Jingzi's life, Sword Master."
Fu Shuang was somewhat surprised that this cultivator from the Jade Cloud Sect was related to Yu Jingzi.
She snapped her fingers, and a sword intent directly invaded Xiang Yuquan's bloodline. Sensing something, Fu Shuang looked up in surprise, "Was it you who told Xu Xing of the Golden Serpent Palace about his identity back then in the Exploration Realm?"
"yes."
...
The underworld has nine springs, and most mortals will come to the Yellow Springs after they die. Compared with other places in the underworld, this place has a more earthly atmosphere.
As Xu walked along the road to the underworld, he felt as if he were in a marketplace in the mortal world.
"Master Xu lives in the back alley."
Over the years, some spirits, unwilling to reincarnate and unable to return to the human world, drifted in a daze and soon went mad.
Su Jing had seen many crazy ghosts. In the end, they either committed crimes and were thrown into the Soul Refining Cauldron to be refined into nourishment for the Netherworld, or their souls were scattered. There was no third possibility.
However, Su Jing felt a pang of pity for Master Xu, whom he liked very much.
The Netherworld cycles through reincarnation every ten years. Master Xu has already refused twice, and his soul is growing weaker; he probably won't last much longer. If he still refuses a third time, Su Jing might consider asking his father to transform him into a Netherworld Guardian…
"Senior brother, Young Master Su, may I go alone?"
Standing at the alley entrance, Xu Xing suddenly felt a little timid. She hesitated for a moment and then made a soft request.
Su Jing liked the title "Young Master" very much. He had long regarded Xu Xing, the only living person he had ever met, as a friend. Hearing this, he had no worries and nodded immediately.
"This place is full of lingering, obsessive spirits. Be careful."
Shen Du hesitated, wondering what if the ghost wasn't Doctor Xu...
After a moment of silence, he gently patted Xu Xing's head and whispered, "Go, I'll wait for you here."
Xu Xing pushed open the door. The small courtyard was tidy and orderly. Although the spirits did not need to eat or sleep, all the living necessities were provided.
...It is exactly the same as the small house on the back mountain of Xiahe Village.
A somewhat ethereal spirit was fiddling with dried herbs in a bamboo winnowing basket in the courtyard. Ghosts also suffer from headaches and fevers, and these herbs, a specialty of the underworld, are used by them to treat their ailments.
Xu Zhen had been in the Ghost Realm for over twenty years and had learned some medical knowledge there. Although he was always alone, he was not lonely with books and medicine as his companions.
Hearing the door open, he assumed it was Su Jing, who was very curious about life in the human world, so he kept busy finishing what he was doing before turning around.
A young, unfamiliar woman stood at the gate of the courtyard, her one-of-a-kind pair of dazzling golden eyes silently gazing at him.
"You, you're Xu Xu?"
The face he had only seen in his dreams appeared so realistically before him. Xu Xing felt a lump in his throat. Years of caring for him had ultimately left an indelible impression on this body that should have been mentally impaired.
"Father...may I call you that?"
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Author's Note: Leave the plot to Master, Xu Xu just needs to focus on earning spirit stones~ [Please!]
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Thank you to Mayjean, Yan Yan, Ruanmeng Xiaotuzhi, Fanhua Luoji Shuirenzhi, Xingfu Miao, Xiao Xiansheng, Nühanzi Zizhu, 25656288, Tiantian Shuidao Ziranxing, oo, 57786656, and Lingdianer for the nutrient solution! [Heart]
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