Chapter 865: Return to the Desolate Academy

Fang Chen smiled faintly. "Which of the nine realms are you trying to return to? The Yellow Springs road in the Lesser Underworld has some missing parts, and certain cities have been lost to time and can no longer be found. If the place you're heading to doesn't have a corresponding Yellow Springs road, you'll need to take a detour. This might take quite some time."

Upon hearing that she could return to the mortal realm, Empress Ci quickly replied, "Monarch Yan, I was from the Chaotic Star of the Ancient Desolate Region when I was alive, and I first entered the Underworld through Mirror City."

"Mirror City..." Fang Chen mused. He then nodded. "That city still exists. I have a suggestion: for now, put aside your plans for revenge. Wait until I have some free time, and we can go together."

He hadn't expected that Empress Ci was also from the Ancient Desolate Region. He had been considering traveling to other parts of the Ancient Desolate Region himself.

Empress Ci was taken aback. "Monarch Yan, are you planning to go with me?"

She then forced a smile. "That would be great, though I'm not sure how long it will take..."

Fang Chen's smile widened. "It won't be long."

After reminding both of them to keep an eye out for Pitu's whereabouts, he left the Greater Underworld with Xing Xian and Ji Liang.

Stone Dragon reminded, "Girl, Monarch Yan is a living person, while we are souls, remember that. If you go to the mortal realm, you must act with caution."

Empress Ci understood and quickly bowed. "Thank you for the reminder. I'll keep that in mind."

***

At the Morning Star Dao Sect, Ouyang Xuanzhen, Immortal King Gu Xi, and Dragon Sovereign, all Immortal Kings, were quietly observing the dozen or so figures on the Jade Platform.

These figures were Ji Liang and the others who had recently crossed to the Underworld. Apart from Ji Liang, the others had already lost their flesh and blood, their vitality drained. They now appeared as nothing more than a thin layer of skin, barely covering their bones.

Ouyang Xuanzhen remained silent for a long while before slowly turning to Immortal King Gu Xi and Dragon Sovereign, asking, "Friends, is the Path of Yin technique real? Are their souls truly in the Underworld at this moment? Why is the Dao Child unaffected, yet the others have become like this?"

Ouyang Xuanzhen became an Immortal King later than Immortal King Gu Xi and Dragon Sovereign, and his foundation was far weaker than theirs.

Ouyang Xuanzhen had been doubtful regarding the Path of Yin technique before. Although there were many rumors about this technique, as an Immortal King, he had never seen anyone actually walk through the Underworld, nor had he encountered the so-called Underworld itself.

Could the Yin Realm truly control a cultivator after death, even with their power?

Seeing their Immortal King question Path of Yin technqiue, the Great Expansion Dao Sect disciples present also looked to the other two Immortal Kings for answers.

Xu Qingsong was amongst the crowd, standing next to an elderly figure who looked quite similar to him, though much older.

Immortal King Gu Xi replied, "Daoist Xuanzhen, since ancient times, Dao Sect cultivators have understood the Path of Yin technique. However, due to the loss of this inheritance, we have gradually lost the ability to walk through it ourselves. But the technique is indeed real. The merit of the heavens and earth is hard to obtain, but the Underworld's Yin Lifespan is easily acquired.

"This substance is a valuable elixir for our cultivation, no weaker than merit itself. For now, we must be patient. Once the Dao Child returns, we will have some understanding of how to proceed with this technique."

One of the onlookers said, "If we can master such a technique, perhaps the Dao Sect will produce a First Rate Sect Leader."

The crowd's spirits lifted slightly, their eyes glinting with a hint of anticipation.

If the Dao Sect had a First Rate Sect Leader, they would no longer need to heed the wishes of other factions. Even the imperial family of the Central Continent would have to treat them with the utmost respect!

Dragon Sovereign smiled faintly and said, "We must be patient. Even if the technique of walking through the Path of Yin doesn't succeed, there won't be much loss for us. All we would have lost would be a high-grade spirit stone. Small wealth comes and goes, but great wealth will come eventually."

Ouyang Xuanzhen nodded in agreement, falling silent and continuing to observe Ji Liang and the others, keeping an eye on their current state.

Glancing at Xu Sijie, Xu Qingsong transmitted, "

Father, if the technique of walking through the Path of Yin succeeds, I too would like to visit the Underworld.

"

Xu Sijiu remained silent for a few moments before responding through a transmission, "

With your talent, why take such a great risk?

"

Xu Qingsong replied with determined eyes, "

Even though my talent is high, I am still a little lacking compared to certain individuals. Perhaps in the Underworld, I can find great opportunities and reach the Dao Union Realm quicker.

"

As long as there was hope for advancement, he was not afraid of the risks involved.

Xu Sijiu responded with a slight nod, no longer trying to dissuade him. "

Very well.

"

If you wish to go, then go. It would be even better if you died there,

thought Meng Tianshu.

Masquerading as Xu Sijiu, Meng Tianshou had returned to the Great Expansion Dao Sect, where he spent considerable time carefully crafting his new identity. Several times, he nearly exposed his true nature.

No one would suspect that Xu Sijiu, a distinguished cultivator at the Fusion Realm, had been possessed by a Nascent Soul. This was precisely why he had been able to gradually grasp his new identity so thoroughly in such a short time. Even when facing someone like Ouyang Xuanzhen, he could remain composed and unaffected.

Suddenly, Ouyang Xuanzhen, Dragon Sovereign, and Immortal King Gu Xi noticed a shift and all turned toward Ji Liang. They saw his eyelids twitch slightly, and after a few breaths, he slowly opened his eyes in a daze.

Ji Liang mumbled to himself, "Where am I...?"

Everyone's spirits lifted.

"The Dao Child is awake!"

The three Immortal Kings quickly approached, focusing their attention on Ji Liang.

"How do you feel now? Did you really go to the Underworld?" Ouyang Xuanzhen asked in a low voice.

"The Underworld... yes, I walked through the Path of Yin," Ji Liang said, his memories gradually returning.

He looked around and, upon noticing the absence of the blood paper figure, his expression darkened.

Immortal King Gu Xi and Dragon Sovereign could sense that Ji Liang's journey through the Underworld hadn't been simple. Even the Yin Soldier by Ji Liang's side had vanished. Normally, this soldier would have returned with him, but now it was nowhere to be found.

The Yin Soldier was not weak. If it had perished in the Underworld, it indicated that the Underworld was far more dangerous than they had imagined.

Ji Liang said with a grim expression, "This is complicated. When I walked the Path of Yin, I encountered a terrifying enemy. Their strength... might be on par with a First Rate Sect Leader."

His face grew even more solemn. "I can't even remember how I returned to the mortal realm. It must have been my Yin soldier who helped me return. As for it... it may have perished in the Underworld."

His memories were stuck at the ruined temple.

Looking at the situation now, it seems that he must have encountered something extremely dangerous back then. Clearly, he was able to return back all thanks to the blood paper figure.

Ouyang Xuanzhen murmured, "Now that everyone is here, why don't you share what you've seen in the Underworld? What kind of place is it?" Ji Liang gently nodded and began recounting the scenes of the Underworld as he remembered them. When the others learned that the Underworld had an orderly structure, with the Forgotten River, numerous grand cities, and even a Monarch Yan who ruled the vast Underworld, they all felt a chill rise within them. This Underworld, it seemed, was more terrifying than any power they knew in the mortal realm....

Ji Liang continued, his voice calm but with a hint of gravity, "Unfortunately, walking through the Path of Yin requires a substantial cost, and it's fraught with danger. Without enough benefits, it's not worth the risk."

Ouyang Xuanzhen sighed lightly, his expression pensive. The others seemed disheartened by the news. While walking the Path of Yin this time, they had already lost a high-grade spirit stone, and only Ji Liang had returned alive. The others, it seemed, were forever lost to the Underworld, unable to return.

Ji Liang said with newfound certainty, "There's no need to worry about the cost of walking the Path of Yin. I've learned of a soul lantern that can help a cultivator enter the Underworld. It's much cheaper than the method we've used before. If I make a few more trips and strike a deal with those who walk the Path of Yin, the price can be negotiated."

The eyes of the three Immortal Kings lit up with intrigue.

"Dao Child, can I join you in this next journey to the Underworld?" Xu Qingsong asked suddenly.

Ji Liang looked at him and nodded slightly. "Yes, not only you, but we will need even more powerful cultivators this time. Otherwise, we won't have enough Yin Lifespan to smooth the way and establish connections."

Meanwhile, at the Desolate Academy, Fang Chen had just returned. The moment he stepped inside, the surroundings seemed to shift, and he was suddenly in a completely different courtyard.

Elder Xun and the Era Immortal King were both there, intently staring at him.