Seeing Rukong’s cautious demeanor, Ye Yu immediately understood that the monk had been completely persuaded. Ye Yu realized that everyone had their weak point. Propagating the Dharma among ghost creatures would be a tremendous merit. If it truly succeeded, it would elevate this young man to an unrivaled golden body. Who wouldn’t be tempted?
Ye Yu accepted the tower offered by Rukong and examined it carefully. He saw that the Ghost Tower rose nine stories high. Since ancient times, nine had been the number of ultimate perfection. Coupled with the intensely oppressive ghost qi emanating from it, it was clearly no ordinary artifact. Ye Yu weighed it in his hand, then turned his gaze back to Rukong.
Rukong was quick to explain, “This item is called the Lock-God Netherworld Tower. As long as you infuse it with ghost qi, you can drag your enemy into this tower, where they will be tormented by countless resentful spirits until they are completely refined. It is an object of extreme yin and evil. I hope the benefactor will refrain from using it unless absolutely necessary, so as /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ not to be influenced by the tower’s malevolent energy.”
Hearing this, Ye Yu couldn’t help but give Rukong a sidelong glance. Extreme yin and evil? Who was he trying to scare? Was it more fearsome than the Soul-Summoning Banner? Besides, Ye Yu was already at the peak of the Ghost King Realm and on the verge of breaking into the half-step Emperor Realm—how could he be affected by a bit of evil qi?
“Little monk, your method of scaring ghosts isn’t very clever,” Ye Yu said, then flipped his right hand, storing the Lock-God Netherworld Tower in his storage ring. He agreed to Rukong’s plan to propagate the Dharma among ghost creatures.
That night, Ye Yu went alone to Nian Ghost City. He spent many hours discussing the matter with his father, Ye Tang, and the city lord, Qian Qian. The next morning, Ye Tang and his entire family moved out of Dragon-Snake Alley and vanished without a trace.
The following day, in the Eastern Underworld’s Shaoyin Ghost City, a massive stele was erected in the city center. Carved upon it was the likeness of a ghost being, along with an introduction of its identity.
Many ghost creatures, puzzled by this sudden monument, began to ask what was happening. The city guards replied, “You don’t understand? Remember this face—he is the Underworld Sage. Born in Nian Ghost City, he single-handedly saved countless ghosts. His method of reciting sutras is now being promoted throughout the Underworld. Our city lord has decided that, from now on, every noon we will broadcast one hour of Buddhist sutras. Starting from the basics and gradually increasing in difficulty, it will strengthen your resistance. Once your resistance is high enough, even if a monk recites sutras again, you will no longer fear them!”
At these words, the gathered ghost creatures were thrown into an uproar. Cultivating resistance to sutras? This was a high-level topic indeed! Everyone knew that sutras were ghosts’ greatest bane—a single verse could incinerate the weak. They barely had time to flee, and now they were being forced to listen? What nonsense was this?
They voiced their doubts until the guards recounted the events in Nian Ghost City, at which point every ghost’s eyes turned fervent. Ever since the Five Realms Passage opened, those monks had been running rampant, causing many ghosts to dissipate. Now that a way to resist had been found, who would refuse? If this method truly worked, then the reputation of Underworld Sage Ye Yu would be well deserved!
Just as the guards prepared to leave, a water ghost bolted in, shouting, “Captain, there’s bad news! He—he’s here!”
The guard captain slapped him lightly. “What’s bad news? Who is ‘he’? Speak clearly!”
The water ghost pointed at the image on the stele. “Lord Ye Yu has arrived!”
At this, the captain’s eyes lit up. He adjusted his armor excitedly. “The Underworld Sage is here? Could he be visiting Shaoyin Ghost City on purpose? I’ve admired him for so long! We must commemorate this with a Liuying Stone. You—make sure you capture my best profile—I look great from the side!”
An emaciated ghost stepped forward. “Yes, Captain. Don’t worry—we’ll get you the most handsome profile shot!”
But as the captain moved toward the city gate to welcome Ye Yu, the water ghost hurriedly blocked him. “Captain, you can’t do that! Lord Ye Yu has brought a monk with him!”
A murmur ran through the crowd. Everyone knew that Underworld ghosts and monks from the Buddha Realm were mortal enemies. How could the Underworld Sage bring a monk here? It made no sense!
Thinking quickly, the captain made no further delay and rushed to report to the city lord, “This matter is beyond my authority. We must ask whether we should admit Lord Ye Yu and the monk into the city!”
Yet the city’s array might restrain ordinary ghosts, but it could not stop Ye Yu and Rukong. With a casual wave, Ye Yu shattered the barrier’s formation. He and Rukong stepped into the city.
The monk, his merits already accruing, maintained an otherworldly grace, each step causing lotus blossoms to bloom. Yet his trembling hands and excited eyes betrayed him.
Ghosts were now being led by a ghost to embrace the Dharma. The master above must be proud—his disciple had truly come of age!
Soon they reached the city center, where ghosts still clustered around the stele. Ye Yu raised his hand, and an invisible force swept the ghosts aside. The ghosts looked at Ye Yu and Rukong with mixed expressions as they watched the two walk forward.
Ye Yu placed one hand on the stele and studied it intently. It appeared to be a genuine rubbing. It matched the stele in Nian Ghost City exactly—even the punctuation marks were in the same positions! Considering these two cities lay over a million li apart, the effort to replicate it was remarkable.
However, this was not the result Ye Yu desired. He pressed harder, and ghost qi surged forth, sending hundreds of cracks racing across the stone. Most of the inscription blurred, especially the four characters “Underworld Sage,” which became unrecognizable.
The assembled ghosts stared in astonishment, unsure what Ye Yu was doing. He sighed softly, “I’ve never claimed to be a sage. Statues and stele erected in my name, broadcasts of my deeds—I am truly unworthy.”
