Ascension Day

Xu Ying was deeply shaken. Earth Gods were the most common deities, found not only in the mountains but also in every small village. Even city streets had their own small Earth God Temples.

These Earth Gods were well-informed. If all their information was compiled in the Yin Court, one could say that the Yin Court had a grasp on everything happening in the world.

"The Emperor of Ultimate Dao was incredibly farsighted to make a pact with the Yin Court, unifying imperial and divine authority," Xu Ying said.

Zhou Qiyun nodded gently. "The Emperor of Ultimate Dao pacified the Yin Court, unified the Divine Land, and forged a Land Divine Country. From then on, divine and imperial authority were one, and there were no more hidden threats. So, the Emperor of Ultimate Dao gave himself over to debauchery, placing great trust in Eunuchs and Powerful Ministers. It just goes to show how lust can ruin a nation."

Yuan Weiyang raised an eyebrow and asked, "And what about the Powerful Ministers?"

Zhou Qiyun said flatly, "I am one of those Powerful Ministers. If the Emperor of Ultimate Dao hadn't been so lost in his lust, how would I have ever had the chance to rise?"

Another Earth God sprinted past, shouting, "That low-life Snake Catcher from Yongzhou, Zhou Qiyun, has reached the Ghost Gate! He's here to die!"

A crowd of Earth Gods shrieked and scattered, crying out, "That monster is fighting his way in!"

Then, a large, green-skinned ghost bellowed, "I am a warrior of the Ghost Gate! If that Snake Catcher Zhou Qiyun dares to take even half a step inside, I'll cut him down with my Ghost Head Saber!"

Yuan Qi was stunned. "Elder Zhou, it seems your reputation in the Yin Court isn't exactly sterling."

Zhou Qiyun snorted and continued onward. The moment he passed through the Ghost Gate, the warrior dropped his Ghost Head Saber and fled. His speed was astonishing.

Another Earth God sprinted by, yelling, "The Elder of the Zhou Family is storming the Soul Revival Sect! The Ghost Generals of the Soul Revival Sect are fighting fiercely and refusing to surrender!"

The Ghost Generals guarding the Soul Revival Sect hadn't even come into contact with Xu Ying's group before they dropped their weapons and armor, fleeing in a panic.

Yuan Qi said in surprise, "Their tone is much more respectful this time."

After the Soul Revival Sect came the Ghost King Hall. An Earth God ran past, shouting, "Grandmaster Zhou from the Mortal World has graced the Yin Court with his presence to visit the Ghost King!"

The great doors of the Ghost King Hall slammed shut. Obviously, the Ghost King had no desire to see Zhou Qiyun.

By the time they reached the Judge's Mansion, another Earth God was yelling, "The Nuo Immortal of the Zhou Family has graced us with his presence! All you minor deities of the Yin Court, why aren't you on your knees in welcome?"

Another Earth God shouted, "Quick, embroider the dragon banners! Take down the Yin Court Emperor's flags and hoist the banner of Emperor Zhou!"

When they arrived at Senluo Hall, a crowd of Yin Spirits lined both sides of the road. They bowed low in unison and kowtowed, crying out, "Upper Immortal, we humble deities offer these delicacies while we await your Royal Army's righteous arrival in the Yin Court to overthrow the Yin Court Emperor's tyranny!"

The street before Senluo Hall was already laden with all sorts of delicacies. Enchanting female ghosts played instruments, singing and dancing. One of them cried out, "The one crowned the greatest beauty tonight will enter the palace and serve him in his bedchambers!"

Zhou Qiyun burst out laughing, his voice booming. "Yin Court Emperor, why bother with such charades to fool me? Zhou Qiyun from the Mortal World has come to pay his respects. I ask that you grant me an audience!"

The words had barely left his mouth when suddenly, from the various Hidden Lands of the Underworld, pillar after pillar of Immortal Light shot toward the sky. Towering figures emerged, ethereal and graceful as Immortals, their auras churning the skies of the Yin Court and causing the very heavens to roil with change!

And from the supreme grand hall of the Underworld Celestial Court up ahead, an incomparably brilliant light leaped forth, forming the image of a deity whose robes were vast enough to envelop the entire structure.

The deity's robes billowed and fluttered, and its body shone with a brilliant radiance. Every ray of light was pure Immortal Light, making it appear supremely sacred. The Immortal Light was so intense that it was difficult to look at directly.

Zhou Qiyun's expression grew slightly solemn. This was a Primordial Spirit.

Although he had drawn from the strengths of many schools, excavated ancient tombs and Grotto Heavens, and attempted to restore the Qi Refiner Cultivation System, he had yet to cultivate a Primordial Spirit of his own.

His own soul was powerful, but it was still just a soul—a far cry from the Yin Court Emperor's Primordial Spirit!

Zhou Qiyun scanned his surroundings. The Nuo Immortals within the Yin Court's various Hidden Lands all had powerful auras; they were clearly extraordinary individuals. However, these Nuo Immortals were usually the spirits of the dead, possessing only soul essence but no Flesh Body.

The Immortal Light around the Yin Court Emperor gradually faded as he retracted his aura. He chuckled. "'Yin Court Emperor' is merely a title. I can hold it, and so can you. Fellow Daoist Zhou, you are welcome to come to the Yin Court after your death. We shall abdicate the throne of Emperor to you."

Zhou Qiyun strode forward and laughed. "I have no interest in what comes after death. What I want is Longevity, to cross the Tribulation and ascend as a Flying Immortal!"

The Yin Court Emperor burst out laughing. The Immortal Light around him vanished completely as his Primordial Spirit retracted, returning to the hall.

His voice drifted from the hall, low and haunting. "Who wouldn't want that? Even We wish to return to the world of the living, to be a carefree and happy Immortal. Master Zhou, you are already a Nuo Immortal in the Mortal World, free and unrestrained. What more could you be dissatisfied with?"

HUMMM—

A blast of Immortal Light suddenly erupted from within the hall, surging directly toward Zhou Qiyun on the steps, threatening to engulf him!

Zhou Qiyun stopped in his tracks. His Divine Land Hidden Scenery unfurled around him as he exclaimed in surprise, "You're a Ghost Immortal?"

Xu Ying and Yuan Weiyang had already stopped, not daring to get any closer. Even so, the terrifying auras of the two powerhouses pressed down on them, making their hearts pound like drums and leaving them breathless.

Not only that, but their Divine Senses were also thrown into disarray. Incomprehensible Daoist Techniques assaulted them from within the Immortal Light, interfering with their very thoughts.

Uncle Xiao, dressed in green, stood in front of them. Enduring the pressure, he barked, "Back!"

Xu Ying and Yuan Weiyang hastily retreated. Yuan Qi also scrambled to turn and run, not stopping until they were back at the Judge's Mansion, where the pressure finally eased.

Zhou Qiyun's voice carried over. "Yin Court Emperor, you were once an Immortal, but your Flesh Body was destroyed, leaving only your Primordial Spirit. And so you became a Ghost Immortal! Am I right? The difference between having a Flesh Body and not is immense. Even though you're a Ghost Immortal, you are no match for a Nuo Immortal who possesses a physical form!"

Terrifying tremors pulsed from Senluo Palace, erupting in all directions. The shockwaves swept over everything in their path. Even Uncle Xiao couldn't bear it; blood trickled from the corner of his mouth as he struggled to keep his footing.

Suddenly, a bell chimed. Da Zhong appeared, flipping over to cover them. The instant the bell collided with the shockwave, it let out a resonant CLANG. Dragon and serpent-like patterns materialized on its surface, shimmering with vibrant light as it formed a thick barrier of light that shielded everyone inside.

Suddenly, from each of the Hidden Lands, the Ghost Nuo Immortals all pointed a finger. Instantly, the Hidden Sceneries within their lands flew out, carrying immense Dao Images as they bore down on Senluo Palace!

Xu Ying suddenly felt a warmth in his nose. Wiping his face, he found his hand covered in blood. The pressure from the Dao Images contained within the Ghost Nuo Immortals' Hidden Sceneries was so intense it was forcing the blood from his body!

He glanced at Yuan Weiyang, Uncle Xiao, and Yuan Qi, only to see that they too were under so much pressure that blood was seeping from their eyes, ears, mouths, and noses.

"Lord Zhong, you have to hold on!" Xu Ying shouted at the top of his lungs.

Da Zhong grunted. Its body suddenly flipped sideways and began to spin with a WHOOSH. "I can't hold on! We're outta here!" it yelled.

Struck by the shockwaves from the collision of the terrifying Dao Images, Da Zhong was sent bouncing and tumbling, CLANGING as it crashed through one building after another, careening all the way down the long street.

Inside the bell, Xu Ying said to the still-shaken Yuan Weiyang and Uncle Xiao, "Don't worry, Lord Zhong can take it. I've been through this sort of thing plenty of times."

CRASH!

Da Zhong smashed a hole in the Ghost Gate and fell out of the Yin Court, clanging and banging all the way down.

Yuan Qi, who was curled up into a ball, suddenly had a realization. "Wait a minute, does this mean we're finally free of Zhou Qiyun?"

---Thank you to Water Meter Reader for the Silver award! My patron is wise! Long live my patron!!