A chance encounter with an old acquaintance

, one could see scattered white skeletons. Ghosts wandered the streets, these ghosts unable to transcend, reincarnate, or even be led away by ghost messengers.None of this is anything compared to what...No, no, don't go.

Don't go!

I am unwilling to have these specters sacrifice their lifespan to guard me. I don't want them to have such "merit".

I am not capable of protecting so many people. All I can do is try my best to remain calm, unfazed by the outside world, and protect this small light before me.

"Little Princess, don't panic. The Emperor's barrier will definitely drag the demons into the Underworld to be dealt with! It won't matter how they fight in the Underworld; it's the worldly matters that still need you to take care of. I... I'm going too!" Qingluan, that little girl, drew her sword from her waist, shoved the barrier-making artifact from her hand into my brother's hand, and rushed out.

My eyes are a little warm.

Perhaps I can't truly understand, no matter how hard I try. I am too weak. Even after seeing so much of the cycles of life and death, I still fear annihilation.

With faith in one's heart, one fears nothing.

Even these inconspicuous Yin soldiers and ghost messengers are stronger than me.

People often say that little ghosts are hard to deal with, but weren't these little ghosts more capable than most ordinary people in their lifetimes

The firmness in their hearts is something that I, a mere mortal of shallow cultivation, cannot compare to.

Death, fearlessness, soul dissipation, fearlessness.

As long as a sliver of soul or ghostly energy remains, they will still journey to the underworld, to that clear yet chaotic Huangquan shore.

I saw the ghostly smoke and mist swirling around me, and I couldn't help but tears welling up in my eyes.

Even with my eyes closed, I can't hold back the tears.

Death leads to rebirth, and life returns to the righteous path. When encountering danger or hardship, wholeheartedly chant the name "Nine Heavens Responding Yuan Lei Sound All-Transforming Heaven Venerable," and you will surely be liberated...

》》》

The thunder boomed like a shower of arrows, falling one after another.

Outside the barrier in front of me, dust was flying and rocks were cracking. Such a dramatic lightning strike jutted out, I myself was frightened out of my wits.

For fear of making a mistake, he chopped off his own head.

There was still a soul-calling lamp before me, and I don't know if this copper-iron like material will attract lightning.

The Ox-Head General and the Yin soldiers surrounded that mighty warrior, bravely fighting him and forcing him to retreat.

“Brother… you, you also stay away from me, I’m afraid I might accidentally hurt you.” I said anxiously to my brother. This thunderous strike was indeed caused by me, but the landing point isn’t that precise. I'm really afraid that with my shallow cultivation and lack of skill, I’ll end up hitting myself on the head.

"I'll just stay behind you, it's not like I'd be shocked by a little lightning." My brother joked nonchalantly.

This isn't just a matter of getting an electric shock, you could die from one zap.

I coughed, raising my hand to brush the dust away. The tiny shards of stone stung my face as they hit me.

A pair of feet stood before me. I narrowed my eyes and looked up. Mu Zheng was standing right in front of me, looking down at me from above.

"... I won't go with you. If you force me, I'll fight to the death with you." I clenched the Zi Xiao Ruyi in my hand, but this threat held no weight at all.

His silent, long blade was thrust before me. He knelt down, gripping the hilt and lowering his voice, "Mu Xia Qiao, if there's anyone in the Demon Realm who doesn't want to kill you, it's probably me. If you fall into my hands, you'll be more comfortable. If another demon lord came for you, they wouldn't give you the time or chance to resist like I am."

“Well then, thank you for showing mercy.” I lowered my eyes slightly, to Mo Chen… Truly… many times he had the chance to torture me, make me suffer and unable to resist, but he didn't. He even returned the Zi Xiao Ruyi to me casually.

“After years of peace, demons will inevitably enter the world. This is inevitable. You mortals are just ants. Just take care of yourselves and don't try to save others; you're overreaching.” He raised his hand to overturn the soul lamp in front of me.

I crouched down, my hands tightly clutching the lamp. This was Jiang Qiyun's mission for me, to do it no matter what… even if it meant death.

Apparently, my posture was too unsightly. A hint of disdain flashed in Mò Lù's eyes as she softly said, "How could someone like you possibly become an empress"

It's none of your business.

I dare not get sidetracked arguing with him, nor can I figure out what he's up to.

I don't really know him. If he hadn't tried to kill me before, I'd think he was just playing with his prey like a predator.

Suddenly, a gust of wind came, whipping around us so violently that we couldn't open our eyes. If Chongmo wanted to drag me away now, he only needed to reach out and grab the back of my neck.

But he didn't move, instead standing before me. His cloak whipped against my face, and he didn't pull me away.

A raging storm, thunder roaring, I desperately chanted the Pure Heaven and Earth Divine Mantra, clutching the lone soul lamp in my arms.

It's truly pitiful. The vital energy of these souls is being pulled almost to the breaking point, pitifully dangling. If someone were to let go now, these souls would likely dissipate.

In a daze, I squinted at Chong Mo before me. He was tilting his head, his gaze seemingly fixed on the Huang Quan formation behind him. His slender frame, like that of a young boy, seemed to be... sheltering me from the wind and sand

What on earth does he want to do

Before I could think much, my brother suddenly scooped me up from behind. He crossed his arm across my stomach and pulled me back as he ran.

“He didn’t kill me” I was puzzled.

My brother spat out a mouthful of sand and dust: "These immortals, and these demons, they all have their own ways of thinking. It's impossible for mortals to guess! Who cares so much Let's just get out of here!"

"Where can I go" I looked around blankly.

This resort was shrouded in mist, with black clouds rolling overhead, a howling wind whipping through the trees, and sand swirling everywhere. It felt like a place of primordial chaos, yet to be defined.

"Xiao Qiao, where's your divine spell!" My brother reminded me anxiously.

I held a lamp in one hand and a magic charm in the other. I couldn't make proper gestures, so I could only hook my little finger onto the lamp handle and press my thumbs against the magic charm. Invoking the deity...

I wanted to recite the Pure Heaven and Earth Divine Incantation, but now the wind and sand are covering the sky and the earth. We are in a panic, running around not knowing where to go. I can't calm down enough to silently recite the incantation. Even though the Pure Heaven and Earth Divine Incantation isn't long, I couldn't finish it!

In desperation, I could only think of the shortest but most powerful incantation against evil spirits: The Cross Scripture.

Then he quickly muttered a lightning curse in his heart, closed his eyes and shouted: “….Nine Nine Heavenly Response Thunder Sound Greatly Transforming Heaven Venerable!!”

Boom—

A deafening clap of thunder almost stunned me, my ears ringing, but my vision became much clearer.

The lightning struck a tree on the hillside, and flames burst forth, like a lamp lighting our way.

Clouds dance and swirl, a thousand layers of chaos.

After the thunderclap, the wind's fury subsided, and the boiling spring water gradually returned to calm. My brother and I huddled together, shielding our heads, waiting for the dust to settle. When I finally looked up, I scanned the surroundings—

Shunmo disappeared, the burly demon king with an axe who was about to chop me also vanished, and the Huangquan formation in the hot spring water disappeared as well.

It seems that all the demons just conjured up have been dragged away.

"Only us left" My brother walked forward a few steps, looking around in disbelief.

Just as I was about to answer, a sudden chill ran down my spine. I turned my head and saw the headless ghost of Princess Siman, her spectral form pressing her hands against the artificial rockery, using it to propel herself upwards towards me.

"Hahaha... In the end, you still fell into my hands... Mu, Xiao, Qiao..." she used to smuggle people in there… We suspect she’s using dark magic to create a terrifying place there.” Dabao whispered."Little Empress, something is definitely amiss with the City God here! This...