After entering the mountain, Bai Jue hadn't paid much attention to time.
But when he finally took out his phone, he realized—
He had already spent two to three full days inside the mountain.
At this point, he was almost at the mountain's deepest region.
And here, Bai Jue had no choice but to tread carefully.
The Soul Beasts roaming this area were terrifyingly powerful.
The weakest among them were already Second-Rank, while some even reached Fourth-Rank.
Fortunately, whenever Bai Jue released even a trace of the Netherworld Authority's aura, those Soul Beasts would instinctively retreat, unwilling to approach him.
Because of that, he managed to advance safely.
Inside a mountain cave.
Bai Jue licked his dry lips and muttered helplessly,
"I really should've brought some dry rations."
As a Festival Bearer, he could go days without rest—but fasting was another matter.
At best, he could endure hunger slightly better than ordinary people.
His stomach let out a pitiful growl.
What made things worse was that this place had nothing edible at all.
Soul Beasts couldn't be eaten, and while water could be found, it was all heavily tainted by Yin energy.
Thankfully, as a Zhongyuan Festival Bearer, Bai Jue could still drink it.
But hunger?
That was unavoidable.
After resting briefly, Bai Jue shook his head and stood up.
The destination wasn't far now.
Leaving the cave, he released the Netherworld Authority's aura once more.
No Soul Beasts dared approach, allowing him to move forward unimpeded.
Several hours later—
He finally arrived.
At the entrance of another cave.
Even before stepping inside, Bai Jue could feel an overwhelming concentration of Yin energy pouring out from within.
It was far denser than anywhere else in the mountain.
There was no doubt—
The Ghost Pit Di Yao mentioned was inside this cave.
Taking a deep breath, Bai Jue stepped in.
Instantly, an icy chill surged toward him, as though he'd entered a frozen abyss.
Faint roars and wails echoed in his ears, sending shivers down his spine.
Inside the cave, the Yin energy had nearly solidified.
The atmosphere was utterly sinister.
As he moved deeper, the cold intensified.
Eventually, the passage opened up—
The interior turned out to be a massive hollow carved straight through the mountain, reaching upward like a volcanic crater.
And at its center—
Was an enormous pit.
The Ghost Pit.
From a distance, it resembled a small lake.
Yin energy swirled above it like drifting mist.
What truly made one's scalp tingle, however, was what lay inside.
Countless white bones littered the pit.
And within it—
Endless undead figures writhed and wailed in agony.
Their faces were twisted in pain, struggling desperately to escape, yet unable to break free no matter how hard they tried.
"…You sure this is safe?"
Bai Jue stared at the scene, deeply skeptical.
Without hesitation, he pressed his earpiece.
"Teacher, are you certain I won't get torn apart if I jump in?"
"Relax. You'll be fine."
Di Yao's voice came through calmly.
"Since you've already arrived, just jump in. It'll hurt, but endure it and it'll pass. The benefits are enormous."
"Be grateful. Other Festival Bearers would kill for an opportunity like this."
"This place is only survivable for Ghost Festival Bearers. Anyone else would die the moment they entered."
"You sure?" Bai Jue asked again.
Watching those undead screaming in torment made his heart go cold.
Honestly?
He was scared.
"What are you hesitating for?" Di Yao scoffed.
"Dragging your feet like a woman. When I did this, I jumped straight in without a second thought."
"Man up and learn from your teacher."
Those words hit a nerve.
Bai Jue's eyes widened.
"Hey! What do you mean 'like a woman'?! I'm just mentally preparing!"
"Watch carefully—I'm jumping right now!"
A man could endure many things.
But being looked down on?
Never.
Taking a deep breath, Bai Jue stared at the Ghost Pit one last time.
After a brief hesitation—
He jumped.
The moment he entered—
A bone-chilling cold flooded his body.
It pierced through flesh, bone, and blood—
Straight into his soul.
Bai Jue's entire body began to tremble uncontrollably.
His face turned deathly pale.
Voices filled his ears.
"So cold… it's freezing…"
"Let me out… please let me out… I'm in pain…"
"Damn it… damn it… everyone must die!"
"I want revenge! Let me out—I want revenge!!!"
Yin energy invaded every corner of his body.
Blood.
Veins.
Bones.
Nothing was spared.
Only then did Di Yao's voice sound again.
"This Ghost Pit isn't natural."
"When this civilization was destroyed, its people—driven by despair—chose mass suicide here rather than suffer humiliation."
"The resentment at death was overwhelming. Combined with time, it formed this Ghost Pit."
"Don't resist. Let the resentment and Yin energy wash over you."
"It'll temper your body—and may even strengthen your Zhongyuan abilities."
"The benefits far outweigh the pain."
Bai Jue's lips trembled violently.
The cold robbed him of speech.
But his eyes—
Remained resolute.
He endured.
[Notification: You are undergoing the dual baptism of Yin energy and baleful aura. Prayer Power greatly increased.]
[Notification: Under the baptism of Yin energy and baleful aura, the strength of your contained fiends has slightly increased.]
[Notification: Under the baptism of Yin energy and killing intent, all contained fiends have collectively broken through.]
[Notification: Yin energy and baleful aura have tempered your entire body. Reward obtained: Ghost Eye.]
Ghost Eye:
A fiendish gaze.
When making eye contact, enemies are dragged into terrifying hallucinations, driven into madness.
Those with weak minds may even commit suicide within the illusion.
Advance Chapters available on Patreon
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