As the Divine Chart was extinguished, the distant upheaval had not yet been conveyed through ordinary means. There was a time lag, and within this pressing interval, the Shadow Ghost howled:
"Hide, hide, hide!"
The Shadow Ghost's thoughts were sharp and focused, enough to fray the nerves of anyone else, revealing its anxious state. No wonder it was on edge, for the Shadow Ghost had long understood a stark reality:
At least for now, with Yu Ci present, its existence was not guaranteed; without Yu Ci , its doom was certain.
The instant suppression of the Divine Chart's power undoubtedly required a force beyond the Vacuum Walking Realm. Naturally, that pointed to the Thunderbolt Tribulation Cultivators.
The difference between Thunderbolt Tribulation Cultivators and others was not only a matter of strength. The gap in the Six Consciousnesses Supernatural Powers was like that between heaven and earth. Given the distance between Yu Ci and the Earth's Core Fire Eye, it was possible to evade the perception of a Vacuum Walking Cultivator, but even when facing the least perceptive of the Thunderbolt Tribulation Cultivators, it would be an extreme test of luck.
No one knew why such a formidable figure had suddenly emerged. Although Yu Ci had once boldly opposed a True Immortal like He Qing , he was acutely aware that this was under a confluence of factors, a scenario impossible to replicate. In contrast, having truly witnessed the might of Thunderbolt Tribulation Cultivators, he had shed his naive recklessness and understood more than anyone the awe-inspiring power of a True Being Cultivator.
"Indeed, hiding is necessary, but where to?"
The usual methods of concealment were hardly effective against Thunderbolt Tribulation Cultivators. A more reliable approach would be to burrow deep into the earth, using the abundant terrestrial energy to mask one's own aura. However, this method was impractical at present, for beneath this mining area lay a region of magma. Too shallow a hiding place would be ineffective, and too deep... would one be seeking a different kind of death?
Yu Ci held his breath. The shockwave from afar would take some time to cross nearly fifty miles to reach this place. Yet, for Thunderbolt Tribulation Cultivators wielding their Responsive Supernatural Powers, sweeping through this area would take but a flick of a finger.
He was out of time!
A buzzing sound vibrated through the air as if the divine ripple of consciousness that swept across the periphery of the mining district had cleansed the area with water. Not a speck of dust remained; all floating particles were suppressed by the dense and resilient force of the void. The resultant counterforce conveyed the most detailed information back without a single omission.
Within a few breaths, a figure materialized out of the cold air, bringing with it a surge of hot wind. The temperature around rapidly climbed, and the once dim space was now suffused with a faint red glow. It cast chaotic shadows on the surrounding rocks, as if plunging into a Ghost Prison.
The newcomer strolled slowly, his pupils glowing like molten iron, slowly circulating within his eye sockets. With each step, the surface of the rock beneath his feet cracked like a spider's web, and dark red streams of fire flowed through the fissures. Wherever he passed, the original landscape was irrevocably altered. A few hardy plants that had managed to grow here were now ignited and burned.
After circling the area, the figure, finding nothing, let out a cold snort and turned to leave. Midway, he suddenly stomped down, shattering the ground. A fiery storm carrying rocks and earth transformed into a meteoric rain of fire, instantly sweeping over a five-mile radius. The "thin" crust of the earth tore open several large fissures, and the magma below surged up, turning the region into a sea of fire.
Only then did the figure seem satisfied. With one more step, he vanished into the air, now distorted by the intense heat.
A full three hours later, the underground magma began to recede, and the once boiling Abandoned Mine District finally cooled down. In a ravaged corner, where the void fluctuated slightly, Yu Ci materialized out of thin air.
The first thing he did upon appearing was to rummage through the fiery rock debris beneath him. In no time, he extracted a plant indistinguishable from ordinary grass, barely a foot tall—the Cloud Tower Tree. Yu Ci had just taken it out and then squeezed into the space it had created. Shielded from detection by the space, he had narrowly escaped the perception of the Thunderbolt Tribulation Cultivators. Under such circumstances, the Cloud Tower Tree could no longer conceal itself and had to masquerade as the more common "Zombie Grass," enduring a brutal magma wash.
Looking at the roots and leaves nearly withered from the high temperature, Yu Ci grimaced with distress. The Cloud Tower Tree had already been unnaturally forced to grow twice. Though it had created a sizeable space, it was somewhat sickly. Now having suffered through the fire calamity, even as an Exotic Species of Heaven and Earth, it would sustain damage to its Primordial Qi. If Qu Thunderbolt-Free's Noble Spirit were still alive, seeing the treasured plant he had entrusted in such a state, he would likely fly straight here and decapitate him with a single sword stroke.
With a resigned shake of his head, Yu Ci unbuttoned his shirt and spread out the half-dead Cloud Tower Tree, pressing it against his back. Sensing the abundant Blood Qi within Yu Ci's body, the roots of this Exotic Species of Heaven and Earth immediately branched out, burrowing into Yu Ci's back muscles and connecting with his bloodstream.
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
Twisting his waist, Yu Ci didn't find the sensation particularly uncomfortable. The entity wasn't a bloodsucker but absorbed the Pure and Subtle Qi of Yang Harmony produced by the circulation of his vital energy—a modest supplement to sustain its vitality. Its true growth, however, would require the high altitudes of the sky.
"To fully recover, I'm afraid I'll have to wait until I achieve a breakthrough in Vacuum Walking and enter the Outer Realm of the Nine Heavens, where I can directly draw upon the Quintessential Mysterious Truth..."
That prospect seemed infinitely far away. Scratching his head, Yu Ci temporarily set aside the matter of the Cloud Tower Tree and redirected his attention to more pressing issues. He was eager to discover the identity of the "big player" among the Thunderbolt Tribulation Cultivators and why they had appeared in the Earth's Core Fire Eye.
Shadow Ghost reminded him, "Ethereal Rhinoceros Hermit!"
"The likelihood that Ethereal Rhinoceros Hermit is still alive is quite high, but the one just now was definitely not him... The styles are too different."
Shadow Ghost hadn't claimed that individual was Ethereal Rhinoceros Hermit, but he wanted Yu Ci to focus on another matter: "If Ethereal Rhinoceros Hermit is still alive, you better think about how to escape. By his actions, it's clear he intends to pass the burden of the Underworld Secret Mansion onto you. With that, spreading one or two rumors would be enough..."
"Since the incident, more than half a month has passed. If there were rumors, how could I possibly be standing here?"
Yu Ci had mulled over these matters countless times within the space he had carved out in the Cloud Tower Tree: "Either in this time, that scoundrel was incapacitated—after all, having his brain pierced by the God Slaying Sting and then being cast into the magma... how could he possibly have survived?"
Yet the matter remained incomprehensible to Yu Ci. After a pause, he continued: "Or perhaps he is wary of something, preferring to lurk in the shadows, acting on his own rather than involving others. This leads to one possibility..."
"Mysterious Nimbus Guide!"
Yu Ci and Shadow Ghost rarely found their thoughts in such accord.
After all is said and done, the crux of the matter still lies with the "Mysterious Nimbus Guide." If the Ethereal Rhinoceros Hermit truly did not perish, there would be two scenarios: If the Mysterious Nimbus Guide in Yu Ci's possession was authentic, then it's likely that the other party would also act discreetly, keeping a close watch solely on Yu Ci, waiting for the opportunity to act and, under the cover of secrecy, reclaim what was lost, exchanging positions, and in doing so, shaking off any burdens. Conversely, the Ethereal Rhinoceros Hermit could simply spread the news, pushing Yu Ci and the counterfeit Mysterious Nimbus Guide into the limelight to attract attention, thereby buying himself time and space to seize the treasure.
Such a scheme was undeniably cunning, with the only flaw being that the Ethereal Rhinoceros Hermit had not anticipated the methods of the Elder Spirit Witch. With the fluorescent bugs to identify the "Karmic Wraith," its movements and corresponding thoughts could not hide.
Of course, there was also the sudden appearance of the Thunderbolt Tribulation Cultivators, another factor that disrupted the situation. However, Yu Ci felt that this individual might not necessarily be connected to the Ethereal Rhinoceros Hermit's plans, and Shadow Ghost's judgment indirectly confirmed this.
The individual employed the 'Core-Melting Fiery Prison Technique.'
"Great Brahma Demon King?"
At the Sword Garden, Yu Ci had witnessed a similar scene and remembered terms like "fiery prison" vividly, which he blurted out immediately.
Shadow Ghost was momentarily baffled by his response, then mockingly retorted, "You've cultivated for nearly thirty years and yet lack such common knowledge. The Great Brahma you speak of resides in the Skyless Scorched Purgatory, where the Crimson Fire Demon Flame burns. The 'Core-Melting Fiery Prison Technique,' on the other hand, is a heretical art forged by fusing Earth Fire, the poison of Earth's Lung, Earth's Core Geomagnetism, and such. Of course, it wouldn’t be wrong to say there’s a connection to Great Brahma, as they're both Devotees of the Demon Lord, after all."
"Primordial Demon Sect!"
This time, Yu Ci's answer was correct, but Shadow Ghost wasn't the type to offer rewards, only sneering, "A wise man would run now. The Core-Melting Fiery Prison Technique isn't considered top-tier in the Demonic Sect, but in areas with active lava, its divine power is boundless. You were lucky just now, but if there's a next time..."
Yu Ci deeply agreed.
Throughout the conversation, Yu Ci and Shadow Ghost never discussed Boss fifth He and his party, who were near the Earth's Core Fire Eye at the time, as it was already unnecessary.
※※※
When Yu Ci returned to Yin Cave City the next morning, his taut nerves finally relaxed a bit in the Hundred-Turns Pavilion. However, before he could settle in, a Messaging Flying Talisman zoomed straight to the central gate, indicating someone was requesting an audience.
Wan Quan arrived in a flurry, the accomplished middleman bursting through the door and blurted out, "Senior, you'd best not leave your home these next few days."
Has something happened to Boss Fifth He?
Considering the timing, it seemed likely. Yu Ci hummed in acknowledgment, intending to feign curiosity, but with his mind preoccupied by weightier concerns, he lacked the interest to put on any pretense.
Wan Quan, caught up in his own excitement, failed to notice the unreasonableness in Yu Ci's demeanor. Without any intention of keeping secrets, he said straightaway:
"Last night, Spiritual Witch Master Zhang Ye met his sudden demise in the Three Families Market. The whole place is in an uproar, frantically searching for the murderer!"
"Oh, is that so?" Yu Ci's interest was piqued, and he looked up in astonishment, "Master Zhang?"
Before Wan Quan could continue, a Messaging Flying Talisman shot into the room. Yu Ci caught it and saw a familiar name:
"Wen Yun sends his utmost respects."
Yu Ci passed the talisman to Wan Quan, who, upon a single glance, jumped in fright, "Steward Wen? What's he here for?"
On any normal day, a visit from the steward of the Three Families Market was a sought-after honor. But with a scandalous incident just occurring there, Steward Wen's appearance at this time seemed anything but auspicious.
After a moment's contemplation, Yu Ci sent back a talisman, lifting the peripheral prohibitions and inviting the visitor inside.
Wan Quan, ever astute, said, "I'll go check," and left the main hall. In doing so, he acted as Yu Ci's greeter, inadvertently elevating Yu Ci's status. Yu Ci would then receive the guest directly in the hall.
Steward Wen entered, bowing repeatedly, his portly face beaded with sweat, betraying his haste. He glanced at Wan Quan and offered a wry smile, "I presume Brother Soul Chaser is aware of the incident at the Establishment. With the situation being so urgent, I'll dispense with the formalities: I've heard that Brother undertakes soul summoning and spirit banishing contracts. Might you be willing to take on a job for the Establishment?"
*******
I have also posted the following more chapters [All free]: https://www.readgates.com/article/74a39e