Chapter 225: The Crisis in the Netherworld

It wasn't surprising that Shen Qianlin thought the cultivators had become overconfident. Even Wang Sheng felt quite emotional. For a faction that wasn't tied to the official authorities, the cultivation world's righteous faction, or the corrupt faction in the Hua Republic, they actually showed no awareness of intelligence gathering.

Xi Lian sat by the window with her silver hair exposed, not even trying to hide it, while Mu Wanxuan drank and ate at the same table. Although Xi Lian was helping conceal her aura, Shen Sui'an still failed to recognize Mu Wanxuan despite her beauty, fame on the Heavenly Rankings, and the constant attention she drew in the cultivation world.

Wang Sheng certainly wasn’t about to stand up for his senior sister.

Perhaps the Hidden Earth Sect simply disdained intelligence gathering or believed that by staying hidden and refusing to take part in cultivator disputes, they could remain untouched and carefree. It was also possible that their refusal to reach out to the cultivation world had inadvertently shielded them, preventing the authorities from noticing them for so long.

However, the Hidden Earth Sect was clearly far too self-assured. Those who enjoyed peace should remain vigilant; any faction ought to prepare for future dangers.

Wang Sheng took the opportunity to have Xi Lian act behind the scenes, instantly subduing Shen Sui'an.

Anyone even slightly familiar with the cultivation world should have known about what had happened during the Ziyan Temple incident. Back then, Xi Lian used an immobilization technique to freeze both righteous and corrupt cultivators, taking control of the entire scene. No one could have mistaken such a technique for the ability of a mid-stage Illusory Core Realm swordsman.

Forget it. I don't have to worry on behalf of the Hidden Earth Sect.

When he came out of the restroom, a few bodyguards immediately tried to rush forward, but Shen Sui'an quietly ordered them to stand down. Then, with an awkward expression, Shen Sui'an invited Wang Sheng to join Shen Qianlin's table.

Wang Sheng shook his head. "Sect Master Shen, putting our positions aside, Brother Liu and I are indeed old friends of Senior Sister Shen. We came today simply to establish early contact with the Hidden Earth Sect. In two minutes, the captain of the Special Investigation Unit will personally arrive to discuss matters with you.

"Brother Liu, while we wait, why don't you log on to the Righteous-Qi Alliance's official site? Let Sect Master Shen get a sense of the current state of the cultivation world and its relationship with the authorities."

Wang Sheng then cupped his hands in a respectful gesture and gracefully returned to his seat.

Shen Sui'an frowned slightly. Only then did he gaze at Mu Wanxuan thoughtfully.

When Wang Sheng sat back down, Xi Lian, who had been keeping a straight face, burst into laughter again. She gently patted Wang Sheng's shoulder twice, as if teasing him for being mischievous. Mu Wanxuan's eyes also sparkled with amusement, though she held back from laughing aloud out of consideration for Shen Sui'an's embarrassment.

Wang Sheng smiled casually. Finally, he felt as if he could relax and enjoy a bite at this expensive restaurant. He picked up his chopsticks.

Eh? Plates?

Nearly all the dishes had been finished. His senior sister and big sister had absolutely terrifying appetites.

"Here." Mu Wanxuan giggled and, like performing a trick, placed a plate in front of him. It had several peeled prawns and a few neatly cut slices of steak.

Wang Sheng was so moved that he almost cried. At last, he felt he still had a place in his senior sister's heart.

Shen Sui'an kept glancing their way at first. However, once Liu Yunzhi pulled up the Righteous-Qi Alliance's website for him, the Hidden Earth Sect's sect master became completely absorbed in it.

The whole situation was quite unbelievable.

This official website had been created for the cultivation world and was open to all cultivators, but in theory, only disciples of Daoist sects could log in. This was the first time the sect master of the Hidden Earth Sect had ever laid eyes on it. Their information-gathering ability did not even measure up to that of corrupt cultivators or unaffiliated practitioners.

Later, Wang Sheng learned of the main reasons behind the Hidden Earth Sect's embarrassing lack of awareness. First, they had never considered engaging with the cultivation world or the authorities. They even looked down on the righteous and corrupt categorization. Second, the Hidden Earth Sect resembled a village more than an organized faction. Third, the sect master was more like a steward managing the sect's assets.

Before the resurgence of primal qi, the sect master held the highest authority since he controlled their sect's materials and resources. After primal qi was restored, real power in the sect gradually shifted to the elders. Shen Sui'an had to juggle managing the sect's assets in the secular world and cultivating to maintain his progress, or else the elders would completely sideline him.

Strength determined power. That was a timeless truth.

When Chi Ling arrived, Shen Sui'an had just finished reading the top ten names on the Heavenly Rankings. His expression was grim.

On the way, Chi Ling had already learned about what had happened and that Wang Sheng had revealed his identity and taken control. Still, she followed protocol and introduced herself.

"Hello. I'm Chi Ling, Liu Zhi's aunt."

Forcing a smile, Shen Sui'an stood and shook her hand. "Captain Chi Ling, there's no need to be so polite. Let's speak frankly."

"Let's take our time, shall we? I came in a hurry and haven't had lunch yet. Let me eat something first."

The calmer Chi Ling appeared, the more pressure Shen Sui'an felt.

Shen Qianlin was already seated beside him. After Chi Ling arrived, Liu Yunzhi stood up and went to sit at the next table with Wang Sheng's group. He deeply sighed in relief.

Chi Ling ordered a few dishes and easily found a "business" topic to discuss with Shen Sui'an. Since both were business people, they had something in common to talk about.

Wang Sheng quickly noticed that his mistress had begun to take control of the conversation. Shen Sui'an's composure was starting to unravel.

Mu Wanxuan and the half-immortal were now huddled together, playing an online game. They had found a two-player match of landlords and were dominating to earn gold. Wang Sheng ordered two cups of tea and sat sipping with Liu Yunzhi. They both listened carefully to the conversation nearby.

Finally, Chi Ling finished her meal, gracefully wiped her mouth, and smiled. "Sect Master Shen, have you now understood a bit about the purpose of my visit?"

"Is it for the treasure of our Hidden Earth Sect?" Shen Sui'an asked in a hushed tone.

Chi Ling nodded slightly. "That's right. We are very interested in any treasure capable of monitoring the Small Nether Realm and breaking the seals on the ghost soldiers. But more importantly, we care about eliminating potential dangers and protecting the lives and property of ordinary people.

"I'll start by asking you two questions. First, is there any danger within the netherworld? Second, can the Nether Gate be returned to where it initially belongs?"

Shen Sui'an smiled. "I thought you would ask whether we can control matters of reincarnation."

"That matter comes later."

"Then I'll answer. The Book of Life and Death, the Judge's Brush, the Nether Pearl... not a single one of those legendary treasures is in our possession," Shen Sui'an said with a bitter smile. "Our Hidden Earth lineage mostly descends from the immortals of the netherworld, which was a subordinate realm under the Heavenly Court. Our ancestors all followed the Heavenly Court into battle and never returned.

"The netherworld has many sealed locations, so we can only monitor various areas of it. There is undoubtedly danger within the netherworld."

Chi Ling's brow furrowed. "For example?"

"That's complicated. It involves sect secrets—"

"If the Nether Gate were still hidden underground, then these would be your sect's secrets," Chi Ling replied calmly. "But now that it has surfaced at Mount Pingdu, this is no longer just your concern.

"Our top priority is maintaining social order and protecting the lawful rights of ordinary citizens. You may later read through the Righteous-Qi Alliance's historical posts. Our stance on suppressing corrupt cultivators and supporting the righteous path is clear.

"But right now, Sect Master Shen, you must make a choice. Will you cooperate with the authorities to resolve this whole matter regarding the Nether Gate, or will you stand against us and become our enemy?"

Shen Sui'an frowned deeply, clearly lost in thought.

Beside him, Shen Qianlin whispered, "Father, if something really escapes from the Nether Gate and brings disaster to the world, we'll be held responsible for knowing and not reporting it."

Chi Ling added, "Intelligence sharing is the foundation of cooperation. Honestly, if the Nether Gate hadn't suddenly appeared, we wouldn't have bothered the descendants of immortals."

Shen Sui'an sighed. "Very well. The greatest threat that the netherworld poses to the mortal world isn't the Devil-Sealing Sites or the Eighteen Levels of Hell. It is the netherworld realm itself."

Chi Ling's expression turned serious.

Shen Sui'an continued, "The netherworld doesn't exist on Earth or within the crust or mantle. Back then, Great Emperor Ziwei used his enchanted power to reopen the Three Realms atop the Earth, creating a small Nether Realm. This realm is attached to the mortal world. Simply put, it is like a parallel dimension, and the Nether Gate is the intersection point between the two realms."

Chi Ling pondered. "Then just tell me the consequences."

"The worst outcome would be the Small Nether Realm and the Mortal Realm becoming incompatible. Yin and yang would fall into disarray, and ghosts would overrun the world. There would be catastrophic devastation within a thousand

li

of Mount Pingdu."

Chi Ling's expression darkened.

Shen Sui'an quickly added, "But that is the worst-case scenario. It would only happen if some external force caused the realms to clash. The probability is very low."

"Are there other threats?"

"Yes, and they are more likely. Deep within the Small Nether Realm is a prison that the Heavenly Court once used to hold criminals. It lies beyond the city of Fengdu. The Eighteen Levels of Hell also contain countless malevolent ghosts and vengeful spirits. Though primal qi was cut off for a thousand years, the hells are special and still retain traces of it. Some of those ghosts might have survived.

"In addition, there are several Devil-Sealing Sites and..." Shen Sui'an paused, then sneered. "A thousand years ago, when the world's primal qi was nearly exhausted, several hundred Daoist cultivators invaded the Hidden Earth Sect and seized the netherworld. They may not have all died."