A thousand years later.
In the Ghost City of Fengdu, all ghosts were excited, looking up at the sky.
Above the ghost city, a black light cocoon had formed, nurturing a vast expanse of ghostly energy.
Within the city, ghosts scurried to spread the word, each craning their necks in anticipation.
A ghost cultivator at the Golden Immortal realm gazed upwards, awestruck, "The Way of Ghosts can finally enter the Great Luo realm!"
Another old ghost cackled, "Whether it succeeds is still debatable."
At this remark, several surrounding ghosts glared at the old ghost.
The old ghost sneered, "In my life, I was a Grand Unity cultivator. Even if I am now merely a Golden Immortal among ghost cultivators, you lot cannot defeat me."
Upon hearing this, the ghost cultivators averted their gazes.
The law of the jungle was even more pronounced in this realm of ghosts. In the outer city, the life and death of ghost cultivators were ignored; only the inner city was the true Fengdu.
The outer city was the vast world of ghosts, while the inner city was merely a single city, governing this vast world.
"You youngsters, no matter how well the Ghost Ancestor speaks, you shouldn't believe everything he says," the old ghost sighed. "If the Way of Ghosts were truly so smooth, why wouldn't the Ghost Ancestor cultivate the Way of Ghosts and reach the pinnacle through it? Why does he still rely on his original cultivation of the Way of Death to reach the pinnacle?"
Several young ghosts exclaimed in shock, "Old man, do you want to be scattered into oblivion? How dare you speak of the Great Ghost Ancestor!"
The old ghost chuckled, "This is the outer city. He wouldn't bother with us mere ghosts. What are you afraid of?"
As he spoke, the old ghost smiled eerily, "You don't know yet, but the Ghost Ancestor has invited the Lord of the Underworld to witness the ceremony!"
"Who is this Lord of the Underworld?"
"Is he also a great power of the netherworld? We've never heard of him."
"Indeed, the title of Lord of the Underworld sounds incredibly grand, as if it's even superior to the Ghost Ancestor!"
The old ghost chuckled softly, "Naturally. The ruler of the netherworld is the Lord of the Underworld, let alone us ghost cultivators of Fengdu City?"
"What? If that's the case, why haven't I heard the elders in the city mention this Lord of the Underworld?" a female ghost in white exclaimed in surprise.
The old ghost smiled, "These are secrets of the great figures, not for us to discuss. Today, we will have the chance to meet this legendary Lord of the Underworld!"
Concurrently, in various parts of the outer city, numerous old ghosts were subtly spreading the name of the Lord of the Underworld, causing widespread astonishment among the ghosts.
In the sea of Netherworld Flowers, Black and White Impermanence approached Qing Xuan and said, "My Lord, it is time to depart."
Qing Xuan opened his eyes and replied, "Very well."
White Impermanence's expression tightened as he said, "My Lord, there is something I wish to say, though I am unsure if I should."
"Since you've said it, it means you wish to speak. Are you asking if you should?" Qing Xuan smiled and looked at White Impermanence.
White Impermanence grinned sheepishly and said, "Then I shall speak.
The Ghost Ancestor has been proclaiming throughout Fengdu that he alone is the epitome of the Way of Ghosts, and that he is the head of all ghosts."
Qing Xuan stated, "He is the Ghost Ancestor, the founder of the Way of Ghosts. These words are naturally true."
Black Impermanence anxiously interjected, "But that's all he says. The majority of the ghosts in the city only know of the Ghost Ancestor and not the Lord of the Underworld!
Allow me to speak disrespectfully, but if one didn't understand the truth, they might even believe the Ghost Ancestor is the ruler of the netherworld!"
After speaking, Black Impermanence cautiously glanced at Qing Xuan. To his surprise, Qing Xuan merely smiled, stood up, and walked away, saying, "If you believe everything he says, then so be it.
Let's go. I have an old friend to meet."
In Fengdu City, on the steps of the Ancestral Hall in the inner city, the Supreme Lord Shitian stood at the highest point, flanked by a retinue of Golden Immortal and Grand Unity ghost cultivators. All of them wore expressions of flattery, none daring to defy him, exuding an immense aura of power.
Shitian smiled as he gazed at the black cocoon in the sky, "The time is drawing near. I wonder if our Lord of the Underworld will grace us with his presence."
Beside him, a Grand Unity cultivator with the head of a bull and the body of a man fawned, "You are the lord of Fengdu City and a supreme powerful being. Even if he comes in person, he must show you three parts respect."
Another Grand Unity cultivator with the head of a horse and the body of a man echoed, "Precisely so. After all, the so-called Lord of the Underworld is merely a powerful being of heaven and earth. What is the difference between the supreme and heaven and earth?"
The Ghost Ancestor chuckled, not minding their obsequiousness, and said indifferently, "I rather hope he does not come."
Unexpectedly, as his words fell, the void above the ghost city trembled, and eighteen ghost cultivators, carrying two divine coffins, moved through the void from the sky.
The divine coffins led the way, attended by eighteen malevolent ghosts, each with a terrifying visage. One ghost had a tongue three feet long, cut by a blade, then regenerating and being cut again; another had its ten fingertips repeatedly snipped short, only to regrow and be cut again; another bore iron branches on its back, piercing its flesh, with each step driving the thorns deeper into its body…
With every step taken by the eighteen malevolent ghosts, there were mournful screams and desperate cries from hell.
This spectacle even frightened the ghost cultivators, who were supposed to be the myriad ghosts. After all, in this era, ghost cultivators still pursued the restoration of their mortal bodies, making them less visually terrifying.
The appearance of the eighteen malevolent ghosts alone was enough to deter any ghost cultivators who might have considered blocking their path.
Yin energy pervaded the air, ghostly wails served as music, malevolent ghosts carried coffins, and flowers carpeted the ground.
This bizarre scene made the hearts of the ghosts tremble.
The Ghost Ancestor narrowed his eyes and said in a cold, low voice, "Two ants dare to play tricks. Ox-Head, Horse-Face, smash these coffins."
Ox-Head and Horse-Face trembled inwardly but resolutely obeyed.
They leaped forward, blocking the path, "Who are you? How dare you be so insolent before the Ancestral Hall of the Ghost Ancestor?"
As their words left their mouths, the eighteen malevolent ghosts simultaneously raised their heads. Their thirty-six malevolent eyes fixed upon Ox-Head and Horse-Face, especially as they let out terrifying roars, striking fear even into the hearts of ghosts.
The two divine coffins opened simultaneously, and two figures, one black and one white, flew out. They were clad in divine attire and were tall and slender.
Black Impermanence stood on the coffin and said coldly, "Heaven and Earth, Profound and Yellow, King of the Divine Underworld."
"Supreme Lord of the Underworld, respectfully invite the Lord of the Underworld."
"Myriad ghosts, bow!"
As the words were spoken, divine patterns flickered on the brows of Black and White Impermanence, the power of the Earthly Dao bestowed by Qing Ling, causing their words to carry the force of law and awe the spirits.
Furthermore, ghost impersonators, long planted by Black and White Impermanence among the masses, now joined in, causing the ghosts to follow suit and prostrate themselves.
"We respectfully welcome the Lord of the Underworld's divine chariot!"
"We respectfully welcome the Lord of the Underworld's divine chariot!"
…
Amidst the resounding cheers and widespread prostrations, a boundless sea of Netherworld Flowers bloomed. The sky of the netherworld held no stars, only an endless crimson expanse.
Daoist Qing Xuan sat upon a divine chair, flanked by one hundred and eight ghost attendants, some carrying banners, others ghost flags, some holding soul-snatching rods, others soul-hooking chains…
On the blood-red ground, Daoist Qing Xuan raised his hand and said softly, "All rise!"
These words, imbued with the authority of the Earthly Dao, resonated with the myriad ghosts, instilling reverence in all.
Ox-Head and Horse-Face felt their scalps tingle. Surrounded by enemies on all sides, their minds teetered on the brink of collapse.
Black and White Impermanence said in unison, "Those who obstruct the Lord of the Underworld's divine chariot shall be executed!"
As their words fell, Black and White Impermanence drew forth their black and white soul-snatching divine banners, ready to strike at Ox-Head and Horse-Face.
Ox-Head and Horse-Face, however, discovered with terror that they could not move a single muscle.
Just as the soul-snatching divine banners were about to strike their spiritual platforms, the Ghost Ancestor called out, "Hold."
Black and White Impermanence ignored him, continuing their descent. With a flash of black and white divine light, Ox-Head and Horse-Face were reduced to their original ghost essence.
The Ghost Ancestor's face turned ashen, "Two insignificant beings, how dare you!"
Black and White Impermanence replied with neither subservience nor arrogance, "Senior, please forgive us. In heaven and on earth, in the nine netherworlds and ten realms, Black and White Impermanence only obey the decree of the Lord of the Underworld."
Daoist Qing Xuan stood up, a slight smile gracing his lips, "Ghost Ancestor, why are you getting angry with these youngsters?
Did you not invite me here to witness the ceremony?"
Seeing this, the Ghost Ancestor restrained his anger, waved his hand to collect the essence of Ox-Head and Horse-Face, and his face returned to normal as he said, "Lord of the Underworld, please!"