Underworld — Yanluo Realm
This was a world drowned in darkness, saturated with dense Yin energy.
The sky was black.
The land was black.
Everything was swallowed by shadow.
Within this endless gloom, there was only one structure—
A vast, continuous city gate.
Upon the ramparts sat the Ghost Bride, legs drawn in gracefully, posture refined and composed, like a noble lady of ancient times.
After being bound by contract and becoming the Gatekeeper, her duty was to guard this city gate—
The ruler of all spirits housed here, suppressing every vengeful entity sealed within the Yanluo Realm.
Beyond the gate lay countless vengeful spirits.
They slept with eyes closed, silently absorbing the Yin energy permeating the realm, slowly strengthening themselves.
Suddenly—
The Ghost Bride raised her head, gazing into the pitch-black sky as if sensing something unseen.
"…Qingming."
In the Alley
Bai Jue was testing his second ability.
Netherflame.
The second power of the Zhongyuan Festival—
And the only ability Zhongyuan Adepts possessed that directly enhanced their personal combat strength.
By igniting Yin energy into black fire, it burned evil spirits with chilling flames.
Its temperature was frigid, yet the pain it caused was akin to infernal torment.
Bai Jue lifted his right hand and gently waved it.
Black mist surged, transforming into roaring black flames in his palm.
A wave of bone-chilling cold spread outward, lowering the surrounding temperature.
"A solid ability."
Bai Jue nodded in satisfaction.
"This way, when I enter spatial gates in the future, I won't need to rely solely on the spirits in Yanluo."
He clenched his fist.
The Netherflame dissipated.
Turning his gaze to the criminals still trembling in fear, Bai Jue thought briefly before speaking.
"Return."
Black mist surged on both sides, forming two dark gateways.
One by one, the vengeful spirits and Underworld Wardens stepped forward voluntarily, returning to the Yanluo Realm.
The criminals snapped out of their terror-induced illusions.
When they saw Bai Jue again, their faces turned deathly pale.
They collapsed to the ground, trembling violently.
"Sir… please… please spare us…"
"We didn't mean it, really…"
"I don't want to die… I don't want to die!"
Fear choked their voices.
Bai Jue remained silent, his expression unreadable.
After a moment, he lowered his gaze.
Then—
With a casual wave of his hand—
Netherflame surged forth.
"AAAAAAHHHH!!!"
Shrill screams tore through the alley.
[Notice: You have committed your first kill. Your mental fortitude has slightly improved.]
[Notice: You have committed your first kill. Your mental fortitude has slightly improved.]
[Notice: You have committed your first kill. Your mental fortitude has slightly improved.]
…
When the black flames faded, the ground before Bai Jue was scorched pitch-black.
Nothing remained.
No flesh.
No bones.
Only ash.
The destructive power of Netherflame was terrifying.
Bai Jue exhaled slowly.
His expression remained calm.
Killing was uncomfortable at first—but he had already prepared himself mentally.
In this world, lacking resolve meant that even with immense power, one would never go far.
Besides—
These men had blood on their hands.
They deserved it.
Shaking his head, Bai Jue lifted his gaze toward the alley entrance, preparing to move on.
Originally, he had intended to use their fear to lure more ghosts.
But only a single Headless Ghost had appeared.
That meant the remaining two vengeful spirits were elsewhere.
Just as he was about to leave—
A sharp pain suddenly stabbed between his brows.
Bai Jue stiffened instantly.
In his mind, a vision flashed—
A shadowy, mist-formed figure opening its mouth wide, devouring a ghostly soul.
And the location in the vision—
Was this very alley.
Without a doubt—
Danger Precognition had activated.
"That is… Jian?!"
Bai Jue's eyes widened in shock.
"聻… Jian?!"
He halted his steps and stayed where he was.
When humans die, their souls linger briefly.
If they don't become ghosts, they soon dissipate.
He waited.
Only three to four minutes passed.
The temperature in the alley dropped sharply, as if winter had descended.
At the alley entrance, a figure slowly emerged.
It drifted forward.
Its eyes were vacant, moving purely on instinct.
Yet the aura it emitted was unmistakably dangerous.
The moment it appeared—
The lingering souls of the criminals surfaced.
Though mindless, their faces twisted in terror upon sensing that presence.
They struggled desperately, as if trying to flee.
That alone proved how terrifying this existence was.
Bai Jue stared at it, eyes locked.
"Hsss—"
A low, chilling sound echoed.
The creature ignored Bai Jue entirely.
Suddenly, it opened its blood-soaked mouth and swallowed one of the souls whole.
It chewed.
Then swallowed.
A look of satisfaction crossed its face.
"No mistake…"
Bai Jue whispered in disbelief.
"It really is a Jian… and there's actually one here?"
What is Jian?
There is an old saying:
When a man dies, he becomes a ghost.
When a ghost dies, it becomes Jian.
Even ghosts fear it.
Even becoming a ghost after death requires conditions.
For a ghost to die and turn into Jian—
That was exponentially harder.
Extremely rare.
A Jian fed on ghosts.
It was a being of pure predatory instinct—
A weapon of war.
Mindless, yet terrifying.
If weak, it could be dealt with.
But once it grew strong…
Angering one would mean courting disaster.
Yet for Bai Jue—
The most important thing was this:
It was still an evil spirit.
An Yin entity.
Which meant—
He could absorb it.
Bai Jue took a deep breath.
In the brief time he hesitated, the Jian devoured all remaining souls in the alley.
Its aura rose noticeably.
It was newly born—not very strong.
Only Apprentice Mid Stage.
But if it consumed one or two more ghosts, it would undoubtedly advance to Apprentice High Stage.
"Perfect."
Bai Jue smiled.
"This makes it much easier to absorb."
He raised both hands.
Behind him, black mist surged and formed a massive city gate.
Above the gate—
The Ghost Bride appeared.
From within the gate, countless chains of condensed Yin energy shot outward—
Rushing straight toward the Jian.
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