Lingzhou City.
At this moment, Lingzhou City seemed as though it had never been affected by the merger of the yin and yang realms. The common people continued to live and work in peace, vendors, pawnbrokers, and even the pleasure districts were all still operating, no different from usual.
Above Lingzhou City, six Realms of Emptiness were arranged in sequence. Within each realm, a scorching sun hung high. Every Realm of Emptiness had two suns and one moon.
The suns and moons in the Realms of Emptiness were formed by cultivators in the Return to Emptiness realm imitating the three eyes of the Celestial True God. Though inferior to the real thing, they were sufficient to illuminate and transmit heat for Lingzhou City's use.
"The common people of Lingzhou still don't know that this kind of sun can't grow crops."
Xu She gazed at the bustling crowds on the street and muttered softly, "Sooner or later, they'll discover this and fall into panic."
A deep voice came from behind him: "The people may be made to follow a path of action, but they may not be made to understand why. As long as these mortals have enough to eat and wear, they won't cause trouble. This buys our Xu Family time to unify our forces in the underworld."
Xu She turned around. The speaker was none other than the current head of the Xu Family, Xu Yinglong.
Xu Yinglong appeared to be a middle-aged man, but he was actually already in his seventies. At this age for a cultivator, even those at the Great Ascension Realm began to decline, their qi and blood no longer what they once were.
Xu Yinglong had long since started planning for his successor, selecting outstanding individuals from the Xu Family's younger generation. Xu She was not from the sect leader's bloodline but an outer disciple. He had grown up in poverty, yet after awakening a First-grade Divine Embryo, he had nearly had it dug out by powerful descendants from the same clan.
This matter had reached Xu Yinglong's ears. He had promoted Xu She, first teaching him the outer sect's supreme technique, the *Shijing Tang Collection*, to test his aptitude and comprehension. Discovering that Xu She was a prodigy in cultivation, he then passed down the sect leader's lineage technique, the *Shaohu Guang Collection*. Recently, he had sent Xu She to cultivate in the Upper Realm, treating him as the next Xu Family sect leader.
Xu Yinglong approached Xu She, his expression gentle. "The merger of the yin and yang realms seems like a calamity, but for our Xu Family, it's an unexpected stroke of luck. Do you know why?"
Xu She bowed. "The Xu Family has been laying groundwork in the underworld for over six thousand years. When our experts pass away naturally, their Primordial Spirits fall into the underworld, where they seize territory and gather incense offerings to become ghost gods. So even though the merger has expanded Lingzhou Province by more than ten times, the ghost gods of our Xu Family across various regions can ensure that our dominance remains undiminished."
Xu Yinglong smiled and nodded approvingly.
Xu She continued, "Moreover, the Xu Family's foundation in the underworld includes the underworld courts and the hells. Among the underworld officers, underworld marshals, judges, and even the King of Hell, many are our predecessors. Therefore, the merger of the two realms is not a disaster for the Xu Family, but rather a great opportunity."
Xu Yinglong laughed. "Seeing this already shows your talent. But the most critical point is that when commoners face imminent disaster, they lose their minds and turn to prayer and worship. This will increase our Xu Family's incense offerings in the underworld, strengthening the power of all our ghost gods. The Xu Family won't suffer losses but will instead grow stronger. That is why this is a great opportunity."
Xu She looked at the bustling crowd outside and sighed. "It's just that the common people will have to suffer."
Xu Yinglong sighed as well. "Let them suffer a little first. Better days will come later."
Behind them, the Xu Mansion was decorated with lanterns and banners, looking very festive. Xu Yinglong had sent people to contact the Xu Family's ghost gods across various regions, planning to hold a council in Lingzhou. That was why the mansion was being dressed up so cheerfully.
Just then, an underworld officer arrived on a small boat, hurrying to Xu Yinglong's side. He whispered a few words in his ear.
Xu Yinglong frowned slightly. "An underworld marshal from the Xia Family has come to my Lingzhou to hunt down Chen Shi? Xia Xiude actually dared to commit murder in my territory without notifying me? Quite audacious."
Xu She's heart stirred. He quickly asked, "Chen Shi has arrived in Lingzhou?"
Xu Yinglong nodded. "I've received word that he killed the Xia Family's ghost god, Lord Fengyang, and also Xia Tianjie. That's why Underworld Marshal Xia Xiude came to hunt him down. But breaking into my Lingzhou Province to kill people—this is outright disregarding the Xu Family!"
The Thirteen Great Clans were supposed to be united, but there were also many conflicts.
For example, the position of underworld marshal, vacancies for judges—these were often fought over. The size of various ghost gods' territories and the number of underworld soldiers were also sources of endless strife.
In recent years, if it weren't for Yang Bi mediating between them, the Thirteen Great Clans would have long been tearing each other apart in the underworld over profits.
The Xu Family regarded Lingzhou as their own private turf. An underworld marshal from the Xia Family coming to Lingzhou to kill someone violated the Xu Family's taboos. No wonder Xu Yinglong was furious.
Xu She was shocked. "Xia Tianjie was killed by Chen Shi?"
He and Xia Tianjie had ascended to the Upper Realm together. Xia Tianjie was the heir to the Xia Family's sect leadership. Back then, they had challenged Chen Shi together, only to be defeated by him under the name Li Tianqing. They had admired Chen Shi greatly. He never expected Xia Tianjie would die by Chen Shi's hand!
Just then, another small boat arrived. The underworld officer on board approached Xu Yinglong, whispered a few words, and then withdrew.
Xu Yinglong's body shook violently. "Underworld Marshal Xia Xiude is dead?"
A look of disbelief spread across his face. He was momentarily stunned.
Xu She had to ask several times before Xu Yinglong snapped out of it. "Fifty-four of Xia Xiude's underworld officers were mostly beaten to death by a dog and a hanged ghost. Underworld Marshal Xia Xiude was killed by a woman."
His expression flickered with uncertainty. "This happened at Shenmu County. Forty-nine demonic transformations occurred there, a demonic domain enveloped a temple, and there were large numbers of Heaven's Listeners appearing. Despair Slope must have intervened!"
He paced back and forth, growing uneasy. "Why would Despair Slope go to Shenmu County at a time like this?"
The relationship between Despair Slope and the Thirteen Great Clans was extremely delicate.
Despair Slope appeared to be detached from the world, interfering with nothing, merely sending Heaven's Listeners to monitor and eavesdrop. The Thirteen Great Clans likewise seemed humble and courteous, turning a blind eye to the surveillance of the Heaven's Listeners and treating Despair Slope visitors with respect.
But Despair Slope was by no means transcendent, or else they wouldn't be monitoring the world. Their surveillance of the Thirteen Great Clans was the most intense, precisely to uncover their hidden strength. They had already sensed the existence of the Upper Realm but didn't know where it was hidden.
The Thirteen Great Clans were also building up their strength, waiting for the counterstrike that would destroy Despair Slope.
But for now, Despair Slope's strength far exceeded that of the Thirteen Great Clans. That was why Xu Yinglong was so nervous upon hearing that Despair Slope visitors had appeared in Shenmu County.
Suddenly, another underworld officer arrived by boat.
After hearing this officer's report, Xu Yinglong's expression became extremely complicated—a mixture of delight and a hint of fear.
"A Despair Slope visitor is dead?!"
No one dared to touch anyone from Despair Slope. Not just the members themselves—even the Heaven's Listeners sent by Despair Slope were untouchable!
And now, two experts from Despair Slope had actually died in Shenmu County!
What delighted Xu Yinglong was the elimination of two adversaries, but what terrified him was the consequences. Killing a Heaven's Listener would already bring disaster. Killing Despair Slope visitors—how terrifying would Despair Slope's retaliation be?
Would Despair Slope's revenge implicate the Xu Family?
And who exactly had killed the Despair Slope experts?
Could it be Chen Shi?
While his mind was racing with chaotic thoughts, yet another underworld officer arrived and whispered in his ear. Xu Yinglong's heart shook violently. He stood frozen, unable to come to his senses for a long time.
Xu She quickly asked, "Sect Leader? Sect Leader?"
Xu Yinglong snapped back to reality. He said woodenly, "Three old immortals pursued Despair Slope's Zhong Wuwang all the way to Lingzhou. Zhong Wuwang was injured and is on the run in Lingzhou, evading the three old immortals from the Yan, Gu, and Fei families."
He steadied himself and suddenly flicked his sleeve. "The three old immortals have arrived outside Lingzhou. Come with me to welcome them!"
He hesitated for a moment and then whispered, "They must have come because they can't find Zhong Wuwang. They need to request the assistance of our Xu Family's ghost god network!"
Xu She quickly followed, heading out of the city.
Outside Lingzhou City, the Yan Family's ancestral master, Yan Weizhong, the Gu Family's ancestral master, Gu Tong, and the Fei Family's ancestral master, Fei Zichong, were approaching. Yan Weizhong appeared to be a middle-aged man, Gu Tong looked like a youth, and Fei Zichong had white hair.
Xu Yinglong went to greet the three of them. Suddenly, his heart jolted.
He saw that Yan Weizhong, Gu Tong, and Fei Zichong were all wounded!
Three ancestral masters, already the closest beings to true immortals, had not only failed to kill Zhong Wuwang but had actually each been injured by him!
"Is the Innate Dao Embryo really that powerful?" he thought with terror.
Xu She's shock was even greater. He had already witnessed Chen Shi's extraordinary strength, and he knew he was far from matching him. He considered himself a genius, but compared to Chen Shi, the gap was immense—perhaps one he could never close in his lifetime.
But Zhong Wuwang, who had wounded three old immortals and escaped their pursuit, made Xu She feel that it was no longer a matter of catching up or not.
It was a difference like clouds and mud. Like heaven and earth!
A despair-inducing gap!
"If a single Zhong Wuwang can leave three old immortals helpless to the point where they have to seek our Xu Family's help, can the Thirteen Great Clans really break free from Despair Slope's shackles?" Panic surged in his heart.
Shenmu County, Qinghe Town.
Situ Wen was leading many local Lu Ban Sect disciples in a rush to build houses, inscribe talisman scripts, and create Yanshi puppets.
He was originally from Qinghe Town, Shenmu County, Lingzhou. Later, he became the leader of the Lu Ban Sect, leading a group of bitter craftsmen who only knew how to do manual labor, traveling far and wide to make a living. Just before the cataclysm erupted, he returned to Qinghe Town with the craftsmen he had taken away, determined to help the families of all survive.
The Shuji had been destroyed, so he planned to build another one.
The Shuji contained many rooms, which could store Yanshi puppets and also allow the residents of Qinghe Town to move inside, making it easier to migrate elsewhere.
He was preparing for the worst, always feeling that staying in the town wasn't safe.
"Don't kill the dog! It's hard to find black dogs these days! You've drained too much blood, you son of a bitch. Later, I'll drain your blood!... That's not a dog, that's a dog ancestor! If it's not enough, mix in some of your own blood..."
Situ Wen was cursing and scolding a craftsman who had wasted too much black dog blood. Suddenly, a familiar voice came from behind him: "Situ Wen! The Master Craftsman of the Celestial Court!"
Situ Wen turned around and saw a familiar figure walking toward him. Behind him was a Wooden Cart, inside which lay a black dog wrapped up tightly in bandages, with only its tail sticking out.
Situ Wen was stunned. "True King? True King Chen! It's really you!"
Chen Shi smiled. "I told you I would find you. Now I'm here."
Situ Wen ran toward him, laughing heartily, but as he laughed, tears began to fall. His voice choked with emotion. "You're finally here! I thought I'd never see you again, never see the other brothers again!"
He cried like a child, snot and tears flowing freely. He wiped his face continuously, muttering, "By the time I reached Lingzhou, the sky had gone dark! Only the moon was left! It kept getting colder, and the food in the town kept running out! The county officials kept coming to demand grain, ordering us to hand over our supplies! They beat many people to death!"
Chen Shi's expression darkened. "You didn't kill the county magistrate?"
Situ Wen said, "Lingzhou belongs to the Xu Family. Who would dare to kill someone from the Xu Family?"
Chen Shi was silent for a moment, then laughed. "You didn't dare to kill the magistrate, so I will."
He raised his hand and pointed. The Heaven-Measuring Iron Ruler flew out from the Wooden Cart, whistling through the air.
After a moment, the ruler flew back. The black iron rod was stained with beads of blood.
Chen Shi's expression didn't change. He smiled. "The magistrate of Shenmu County is dead."
Situ Wen was both shocked and delighted. He didn't dare say more. "True King, let's talk over here."
Chen Shi followed Situ Wen. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of a beggar lying in the street corner, covered in blood and dirt, collapsed on the ground, gasping for breath. It was unclear what kind of injury he had sustained.
Chen Shi withdrew his gaze. "Master Craftsman, I've found a sunny place for you. It's the Yue Wang Temple..."
Suddenly, a sharp pain struck the back of his head. Chen Shi grunted and raised his hand to cover the spot, feeling a burning heat radiating from the centipede-like scar on the back of his skull!
It felt as though his skull was being cracked open again, that excruciating sensation returning!
Chen Shi's heart skipped a beat. His gaze, sharp as lightning, swept toward the beggar at the street corner.
