Chapter 248: Combat Situation

On the second stretch of Yellow Springs Road, they did not stop listening to music even for a moment.

From the shout of

One's Loneliness is Two People's Fault

, to the lament of

Your Damn Tenderness

, then to the narrative tone of

Wrong Mood in the Pouring Rain

.

When the day turned gloomy, he would hum a song about parting. It was a song about searching for a lifelong love, only to be haunted by the memory of an irreplaceable love one who became forever out of reach[1]. A song about two creatures from different worlds, destined to cross paths in love yet never truly be together. [2].

Wang Sheng found himself increasingly curious about Huai Jing's past, while also feeling some guilt toward Santong, who had entrusted Xi Lian to him as if passing her on like a disciple or a daughter, across a thousand years. Yet he had been absorbed in cultivation and his senior sister, neglecting to care for her.

In this relatively short time, the half-immortal fox must have listened to countless sorrowful love songs. She probably had a lot of emotions bottled up inside.

Wang Sheng decided that once the Small Nether Realm matter was resolved, he would take Xi Lian to a KTV to sing for three days and nights just to let her vent a little.

Instead, it was Huai Jing who was getting worried and kept giving Wang Sheng meaningful glances. He was beginning to fear that he might have unknowingly filled her with too much negative emotion, which could push her toward falling into devilry.

Wang Sheng snorted irritably and crossed his arms. With his eyes closed, he leaned against the seat to rest.

Now you want to worry? Where was all this concern earlier? Wait, what's that noise? Is it a plane?

Wang Sheng's eyes snapped open. He looked up at the vehicle roof, then quickly leaped out the window on his sword, peering into the distant sky of the Small Nether Realm. There, barely visible, were the contrails of a dozen unmanned bombers flying in a V-formation.

Huai Jing was already gently tapping the brakes, but Wang Sheng leaped back inside, diving into the back seat.

"Don't stop. Those are unmanned bombers," Wang Sheng said. "Something may have happened in Fengdu City!"

"Got it," Huai Jing responded quickly. With no hesitation, he stepped on the gas and turned off the music.

Wang Sheng pressed several buttons on the vehicle console. The speakers crackled with static, followed by a soft chime.

"Transfer station, this is Wang Sheng. Do you copy?"

—Call received. Daoist Master Wang, there is no enemy presence in your vicinity.

"What happened in Fengdu City? Do we have any casualties? I need a full report."

The female voice was quick to reply.

—The situation in Fengdu City is stable. We have suffered no losses. After the third surge of immortal light, the Eighteen Levels of Hell rose again, cracking open at the top. The fourth, fifth, and sixth layers were breached, releasing another wave of ghosts.

—To ensure complete control of the Eighteen Levels of Hell and prevent a rear assault, Daoist Master Bu Yan decided to hold the line at Fengdu City and eliminate the ghosts outside the city. Two of the Hidden Earth Sect's elders also unsealed the ghost soldiers stationed inside the city for defense.

—Currently, the ghost army has been pinned outside the city. Our side is under no pressure. The Daoist masters are displaying great power, taking turns in combat to conserve their enchanted power. The bombing squad will arrive near Fengdu City in half an hour. When it does, the ghost horde will be fully destroyed.

—Daoist Master Bu Yan's instructions were not to inform you so you wouldn't worry, Daoist Master Wang. At your current pace, you'll reach Fengdu City in about three and a half hours. By then, the battle will already be over.

The message was clear. Wang Sheng didn't need to rush. Even if he flew there with his sword now, it would make no difference. Once the bombers arrived, the battle would be over in moments.

Thinking of his master's strength, his senior sister having entered the Golden Core Realm, and the terrifying power of the Yin-Yang Grand Formation...

Wang Sheng, who had been anxious all this time, finally felt relieved.

He sighed softly. "Thank you. If anything happens, please inform me immediately."

—Understood, but you've got nothing to worry about.

The line dropped. Wang Sheng rubbed his forehead.

Xi Lian chuckled. "It seems your master really dotes on you. He took Little Xuanxuan to fight while letting you take your time on the road. Want to fly over together?"

Wang Sheng thought for a moment. "Even if I fly at full speed, it'll take an hour and a half. It's too late to be of help now."

𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"Are you not going to contact Daoist Master Bu Yan?" Huai Jing asked.

"He's fighting right now. Best not to distract him." Wang Sheng looked at the desolate plains. "Knowing what happened has actually eased my heart. I was feeling uneasy before."

"

Amitabha,

" Huai Jing chanted. He sped up a little more.

Xi Lian stretched out her small feet and lightly tapped Wang Sheng. "Hey, Little Fei Yu. I've got a question for you."

"If things are calm once we get there, you can head to the Palace of Rebirth if you like," Wang Sheng replied calmly. "Just remember to control your emotions and avoid violent fluctuations."

Xi Lian spoke softly, "So you already guessed what I came here to do? No wonder Little Xuanxuan likes you. You're not that handsome, but you sure understand women."

"Your intentions are written all over your face." Wang Sheng stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Big Sister, if I want to confess to my senior sister, what's the best way to do it?"

Xi Lian and Huai Jing's eyes lit up at the same time.

"

Tsk tsk tsk!

" Xi Lian instantly resumed her mature form, eyes gleaming with mischief. "So, you're finally ready to make a move? I knew it. You two are clearly into each other. Dragging it on helps no one."

Huai Jing was visibly excited, his tone unconsciously louder. "Roses are a must! Find a big square, set up candles in a heart shape, bring a huge bouquet, and tell her you'll take care of her for life. She'll definitely cry."

Wang Sheng and Xi Lian replied in near unison, "

Tch.

"

Xi Lian scolded, "What's the point of that kind of confession? It only works if the girl likes public displays. Otherwise, it backfires."

Wang Sheng kept it simple. "As cultivators, we should not be so vulgar."

Huai Jing immediately quieted down. He drove without another word on the matter.

"Little Xuanxuan definitely likes you a lot," Xi Lian remarked. "I do wonder how she views romance between men and women, though. I hinted at it a few times before, but she didn't seem to understand much.

Hmm...

Little Fei Yu, what do you think?"

"Being together and understanding each other is enough." Wang Sheng rubbed his nose, a little embarrassed to be discussing this so openly.

Xi Lian tried to snap her fingers, but the protective suit muffled the sound into a soft pop. "Got it. Leave this to me. My 'Big Sister' title has to be worth something."

Wang Sheng clasped his hands and bowed solemnly. "Thank you, Big Sister."

"Don't mention it." Xi Lian waved him off proudly. Her expression then suddenly dropped. "If you two get together, though, what about me? Am I just going to be force-fed your lovey-dovey nonsense every day?"

Wang Sheng just smiled. He imagined himself and his senior sister truly becoming cultivation partners. That kind of bond would be far more profound than a mundane romance.

To entrust one's life to another and walk the path of immortality together. Their fate was born from the Dao, and in this life, they would have no regrets.

***

"

Hmm?

"

Outside Fengdu City, in front of the three thousand ghost soldiers, Mu Wanxuan blinked lightly. Strangely, she felt as though someone was forming a plot that involved her. Such spiritual perception among cultivators was often quite mysterious.

She did not dare get distracted, however. Focusing intently on the front lines, she continuously applied yin-yang qi to her master and ten senior experts, allowing them to fight more fiercely with less energy drain.

By now, she had only used up about thirty percent of her enchanted power. After this group of ghosts was dealt with, it would take her less than two hours to fully recover here in the Small Nether Realm. In the mortal world, recovery would be even faster.

Though she had trembled in fear at the first sight of the ghosts, she now faced them calmly, having clearly overcome her fear of them. Realizing that she could easily destroy them contributed the most to it.

They looked terrifying, but they couldn't harm her.

Since the battle posed no real danger, several Daoist masters had already begun discussing ghost theories and techniques aloud. Although the atmosphere was more relaxed, they remained merciless.

Qing Yanzi served as the backbone of the group. He maintained a calm smile and said little, but he always arrived in time whenever a Daoist master found themselves in a precarious spot, preventing any casualties.

Just as Qing Yanzi had claimed when they first arrived, twelve Golden Core Realm cultivators were certainly more than enough for the Small Nether Realm.

The ghost army had lost thirty percent of its numbers. Now, they only had to wait for the bomber squadron to arrive for a standard bombardment. Afterward, the ghost soldiers would charge out of Fengdu City to clean up the remnants. The twelve could then take a short rest before conducting their search in the Eighteen Levels of Hell and the eleven great palaces in the sky.

Within the Eighteen Levels of Hell, there was a hidden passage akin to an "employee route." The immortals of the Small Nether Realm would not descend level by level every time they had to reach the lower layers.

The Hidden Earth Sect naturally knew of this path. Their next step would be to use it to reach the depths of the Eighteen Levels of Hell and investigate what had happened there.

Since the Eighteen Levels of Hell had been pushed upward, and the source of the immortal light—the female corpse—was undoubtedly beneath them, then what lay beneath the Eighteen Levels of Hell?

Even Shen Sui'an, who was coordinating from the command center, and the two elders of the Hidden Earth Sect could not say for sure. It could be the legendary City of Unjust Death, or perhaps a hidden realm within the Small Nether Realm.

Whatever it was, they would find out once they went down.

To the west, a squadron of over ten unmanned bombers flew over right on schedule. The Daoist masters collectively sighed in relief as Qing Yanzi ordered them all to charge onward together.

Black dots began to appear in the depths of the Small Nether Realm's sky.

1. Chinese Lesson 101: The slang "White Moonlight" (白月光) refers to a person’s first or most cherished love or someone who is unforgettable, idealized in memory, yet forever out of reach. ☜

2. Raw mentioned "Coral Sea," which we assume that the author is referring to the song by Jay Chou about a turtle and a fish who had fallen in love. Two creatures from different worlds that can never be together. ☜