Chapter 342: The Deceased (4)

The atmosphere in the conference room is tense.

"The Wuji Religious Order...the damage caused by that cult is enormous."

"I've heard that their malicious cult has already captured countless ghosts, jiangshi, and white bone yokai, turning them into followers. Just what kind of spell are they using...?"

"It's obvious from a glance! They must have used some sinister sorcery to brainwash the innocent jiangshi!"

Wei Shi-hon, the sect leader of the Death Corpse Sect, slams the round table, exuding corpse energy furiously.

"What use is there in discussing this here!? We must immediately capture and punish all the lackeys of that devilish cult who are capturing and brainwashing the innocent yokai right now!"

The enraged Wei Shi-hon's attraction force begins to distort the surrounding space.

Seeing this, Eum Wa, the sect leader of the Shadow Yin Gate, speaks in a calm voice.

Dressed in a pitch-black veil, Eum Wa reveals a pale white hand from within the shadowy veil, dispersing Wei Shi-hon's attraction force.

"Calm yourself, Sect Leader Wei. Even if we attack right now, it's not certain we can defeat that old monster. What if we lose? That mad old monster might seek revenge on our subordinates. Or worse, the devilish cult might brainwash us with their sinister sorcery, turning us into fanatical followers."

"So, you're suggesting we just sit here and debate like cowards?"

"I'm saying we need to prepare for the possibility of defeat."

Watching the two with conflicting opinions, Baek Rin clears his throat.

"Both of your points are valid. First, we need to figure out how to deal with the followers of the devilish cult, and we also need to consider the possibility of defeat by the unexpectedly powerful old monster. What we need right now is information. It's already been around a month since that old monster occupied our Void Spirit Pond. It may be a short time, but it's not insignificant. This Baek has gathered some information myself, and I intend to share it here. If the leaders of the Shadow Yin Gate and Death Corpse Sect have any information, please share as well."

Having said that, Baek Rin begins to reveal the information he has gathered.

"First, the information collected by the White Vein Gate. Our sect was in charge of the Void Spirit Gate when that old monster occupied it. According to the testimonies of our disciples who witnessed the scene, the old monster and his subordinate's devilish arts have these characteristics."

Chwaruruk!

Baek Rin takes out a hanging scroll from his storage scroll and spreads it on the table.

The scroll depicts a scene of a monster with nineteen heads rampaging in the Void Spirit Pond, recorded in the form of a video.

The three leaders watch the scene with gleaming eyes.

"That method..."

"I think I've seen it somewhere before."

Baek Rin claps his hands.

"There was a previous encounter of collaborating with the Yin Ghosts affiliated with the Black Ghost Palace. Among the methods they used was one called 'Ghost Immortal Kui Devilish Secrets.' The method that monster uses appears very similar to that Ghost Immortal Kui Devilish Secrets. Of course, there are also other peculiar abilities, unique forms, and unknown flows mixed in, making it hard to confirm, but there is a high likelihood that this old monster is connected to the Black Ghost Palace."

"What, connected to the Black Ghost Palace!?"

"Damn it, does this mean the Black Ghost Palace is targeting the non-aggression zone between the Underworld Ghost Palace and Penglai Island?"

"There's reason to think so."

A murmur of discontent arises from the three leaders.

"Especially there. Look at the subordinate of that old monster, spraying black lightning!"

Their eyes fix on a monstrous figure spewing black lightning from all over its body.

The monster has six shadows at its feet.

The six shadows dance and sing around the monster, continuously spitting out pitch-black lightning.

The black lightning emitted by the monster causes the defensive formation deployed by the White Vein Gate, Shadow Yin Gate, and Death Corpse Sect to melt like snow touched by fire.

"Kugh, of all things, it's lightning energy, which is highly incompatible for ghostly creatures. I don't know how they did it, but refining the lightning of Vanquishing Evil and Upholding Righteousness into a curse and using it...it's impressive."

Wei Shi-hon frowns, seemingly in pain from a headache.

However, Eum Wa seems to realize something and gasps in surprise.

"That's the Six Extremes Yin Thunder Body!?"

"Hmm? A devilish art you recognize?"

"Of course, I've faced it in my youth. It's not something created by the main branch of the Black Ghost Palace, but by a branch in another dimension. They interpreted the techniques of a rival sect in that dimension to create it. It was so effective that it spread to the main branch. By refining the lightning of Vanquishing Evil and Upholding Righteousness into a curse, it can counter the righteous methods of the Flower Painting Western Heaven Palace, and just brushing against it can cause fatal injuries to other ghostly creatures. It's a terrifying technique."

"Kughmm...so, they are indeed under the influence of Black Ghost Palace?"

Baek Rin shakes his head at Wei Shi-hon's concern.

"I don't think so. Look at that old monster. Having 19 forms of death in one body—such a thing cannot occur naturally unless he's an insane madman who deliberately obtains bodies and repeatedly commits suicide. So 'why' have such things appeared on that old monster's body? It's simple."

He speaks in a voice full of conviction.

"Although that person might have previously belonged to the Black Ghost Palace, he must have gone insane under the erosion of some Entering Nirvana True Person!"

"Hmm...!"

"A monster eroded by a True Person...?"

Eum Wa speaks with a worried expression.

"If that's the case, then what that evil cult worships might be..."

"Most likely a True Person. They might be trying to descend the avatar of the True Person into this land."

"Such wickedness! Sacred Master Yu Oh won't allow it!"

"We can only hope so."

The three of them wear serious expressions for a while.

After some time, the video showing the old monster's battle disappears, and Baek Rin begins to explain the old monster's combat power, techniques, and characteristics that he has analyzed to the others.

"This is the information we've gathered and analyzed from the White Vein Gate. Please share your information as well."

With those words, Eum Wa takes out a hanging scroll from her storage scroll.

"I investigated the Wuji Religious Order through the shadow ghosts of the Shadow Yin Gate. There wasn't much time, so I couldn't uncover everything, but I did gather information on the current leadership of the Wuji Religious Order, their appearances, backgrounds, and roles."

She begins her explanation.

"First, there is the Black-White Devil Ghost Yeon Jin, who is presumed to be the military strategist of the Wuji Religious Order and the concubine of the old monster. Despite being only at the Core Formation stage, she is often seen by the side of the old monster or his subordinate Jeon Myeong-hoon, constantly engaging in conversation. Although her cultivation is low, she must be a person of great strategic talent. If we can't assassinate the old monster, our next target should be her."

Baek Rin and Wei Shi-hon imprint Eum Wa's words in their minds, their eyes shining.

"Next are the Four Great Law Protectors of the Wuji Religious Order. The Chief Law Protector, Six Extremes Ghost King, Jeon Myeong-hoon. As you saw in the recent records from the White Vein Gate, he uses the Six Extremes Yin Thunder Body, and additionally employs blood-crimson red lightning. The red lightning, in particular, possesses tremendous power and is extremely dangerous to us, making it imperative that we avoid being hit by it at all costs. Even a graze could be fatal, so if we ever engage in battle, he is not someone to face head-on. In particular, it is said that at night, he always sits atop the cult's building, constantly stroking 'someone's hand'."

"Hmm...peculiar indeed."

"As expected of the Chief Law Protector of the devilish cult. It's a position that cannot be reached by normal individuals."

They read through the information, murmuring softly.

Dragging six shadows, wielding black and red lightning, and caressing the hand of a deceased at night, that is the Chief Law Protector of the devilish cult!

Thinking of such a terrifying existence, they inwardly hope never to encounter Jeon Myeong-hoon.

"Next are the Left Law Protector, the Mysterious Bizarre Ghost King, Kim Yeon, and the Right Law Protector, the Soul Extinguishing Ghost King, Oh Hyun-seok. We have no information on the Right Law Protector Oh Hyun-seok as he is dedicated to his training. However, Kim Yeon is known for her vile role in brainwashing the captured into followers. Any virtuous ghostly creatures who pass through her hands all turn into fanatical devotees of the Wuji Religious Order. She is undoubtedly an evil spirit skilled in sinister consciousness methods."

"Such wickedness...!"

"She must be eliminated at all costs!"

"Lastly, there is the Guardian Law Protector named Hong Fan. There is no information about him at all. We only just barely managed to learn his name. It is suspected that he is always by the side of the old monster, protecting him, presumably in the position of the Cult Guardian. Here is the general information about the methods and techniques they use. "

Eum Wa takes out another hanging scroll and unfolds it.

"With only a short month worth of time, we couldn't uncover much."

"No, this is more than enough."

"Excellent work, Shadow Yin Gate Leader!"

The eyes of those who read the information finally turn to the Sect Leader of the Death Corpse Sect, Wei Shi-hon.

"Both the White Vein Gate and the Shadow Yin Gate have done excellently. Although I wasn't able to obtain such detailed and high-quality information, I did discover one important thing."

Wi Shi-hon grins slyly as he speaks.

"That is, there is something suspicious about the cultivation method of the Wuji Religious Order's leader."

With a sinister expression, he raises his finger.

"First, I had our informants monitor the religious order's movements, and one peculiar pattern emerged. The cult leader, that old monster, seems to normally roam the cult grounds during the 'day', engaging in some sinister activities with the followers. However, at 'night,' he retreats and locks himself in his quarters, never coming out. Moreover, he surrounds his quarters in thick, black curses to prevent anyone from entering."

Wi Shi-hon looks at Baek Rin.

"Isn't that strange? For us ghostly creatures, the night of the Nether Ghost Realm is a much more favorable time for activity than the day. Considering Sect Leader Baek's earlier speculation that the old monster might be eroded by an Entering Nirvana True Person, doesn't this lead to an interesting hypothesis?"

"Could it be...!?"

"Exactly that 'could it be'! That old monster is an old ghost being eroded by a True Person, and the source of his terrifying power comes from those True Persons above! Therefore, at night, when the gazes of those above are obscured, he shuts himself in his quarters, sealing it tightly with curses to prevent anyone from entering!"

"Indeed...!"

Baek Rin and Eum Wa's faces brighten.

"In other words, the night is highly likely the old monster's weakness! Therefore, I propose that we all join forces and launch a full-scale attack at night!"

The depths of the Wuji Religious Order.

In the basement where the Void Spirit Pond is located.

I sit on the cult leader's seat and sigh.

'How did it come to this?'

Creak, creak, creak!

With the sound of something creaking echoing, two ghostly creatures appear from inside the basement along with Yeon Wei.

With a broad smile, Yeon Wei excessively bows towards me and shouts.

"Strategist Yeon Wei greets the Cult Leader!"

"Fo-Follower Gwak Seung greets the Cult Leader."

"Follower Wei Reum greets the Cult Leader."

Following Yeon Wei, the two ghostly creatures prostrate themselves before me.

I shake my nineteen heads with gleaming eyes.

Then, putting on a majestic facade, I speak.

[Are you the new recruits?]

"Y-Yes! We have already undergone the 'procedure' by the Left Law Protector Mysterious Bizarre Ghost King."

[Come closer.]

Originally jiangshi, their bodies have been modified into living puppets by Kim Yeon.

My initial plan was this:

I intended to create a sect that would provide 'bodies' to the ghostly creatures of the Nether Ghost Realm who suffer from attraction force due to the lack of a vessel by using the Mad Lord's puppets.

The puppets of the Mad Lord were originally designed to cultivate artificial souls, so with some modifications, they could also be used as bodies for ordinary souls.

Of course, this plan is possible because it's me, who has studied his puppets for a thousand years, and the Mad Lord's disciple, Kim Yeon.

With the puppets of the Mad Lord that seem to be from a completely different era in expertise compared to ordinary puppet masters, the idea was to provide significant comfort to the ghostly creatures.

However, Yeon Wei's response was more intense than I had expected, and just as she anticipated, the promise of puppet bodies caused every ghostly creature to flock to the Wuji Religious Order.

'But originally, I just intended to form a moderate sect or establish a new branch...'

I had no intention of becoming the leader of such a cult.

It was only because Yeon Wei insisted that founding a cult would be more effective for building the Longevity Axis that the Wuji Religious Order was established.

'Just what is all this? The Palace of Heavenly Demons was one thing, but a religious order? It's not even a pseudoreligious cult.'

I complain inwardly as I reach out to the followers kneeling before me.

[I shall bestow my [Grace] upon you, do not refuse it.]

"Yes, Cult Leader."

"We believe in thee."

Kiiiiing—

Circuits emerge on the bodies of the jiangshi that have undergone the puppet procedure by Kim Yeon.

At the same time, their bodies are completely modified into puppets.

"Huh, huaaaah! What is this power...!?"

"This comfort...! Ahh...! The attraction force of the Netherworld has weakened!"

In addition, I pour the Yin Soul Ghost Incantation into the circuits of the puppets.

The areas that induce 'pain' within the puppet structure and circuits operated on by Kim Yeon and I are all dismantled, allowing them to only feel the comfort provided by the Yin Soul Ghost Incantation.

"It feels like a body of the living...! Moreover, unlike a living body, the process of becoming a deceased is much slower..."

"Ah...! Cult Leader, we shall carry out our duties with utmost loyalty!"

[...]

Having bestowed my 'Grace' upon the two fanatics, I nod.

Originally at the Nascent Soul stage, the two jiangshi's cultivation surged upon receiving the puppet procedure, bringing them to the strength of the Heavenly Being stage.

Since this isn't merely a simple circuit installation but a puppet meticulously crafted by Kim Yeon, the resulting amplification rate of power is extraordinary.

They will likely possess power comparable to the Four-Axis stage when they reach the Heavenly Being stage.

[Your precious comrades will be taken care of by the main order. Perform your duties well and ascend once more.]

"Loyalty (忠)!"

The two jiangshi followers shout their loyalty and leap into the Void Spirit Pond without hesitation.

Yeon Wei crosses her arms with a satisfied expression.

"Good, the cult is expanding steadily. I heard that the Wuji Religious Order has already established a foothold in one of the Lower Realms. Huhu, and it hasn't even been a month...it's truly an insane speed."

I sigh and revert to my human form.

"Even so, don't you think this is too much like a pseudoreligion?"

"Nonsense. You are already a splendid devilish cult leader. Fulfill your role."

"But..."

"This is all necessary to build the Longevity Axis. Stop complaining and follow."

Just as I'm about to voice my discontent.

Wo-woong!

Suddenly, the chair I am sitting on begins to glow.

The chair, connected to the Void Spirit Pond, is emitting countless spell characters.

Seeing this, Yeon Wei flinches in surprise, her face lighting up with excitement.

"Good! We're already getting a bite! Activate it!"

Wo-woong!

At Yeon Wei's words, I sigh lightly and activated the formation in the basement.

Paaatt!

Spell characters hum and float up from the entire basement wall.

Sitting on the chair, I focus my mind on the Void Spirit Pond.

In the case of the Five Elements Axes, all one needs to do is gather materials and perform a ritual at the Plane of Qi.

And those materials are simply ordinary 'attributes.'

For instance, for the water attribute, one can extract the inner core of a water-dwelling demon beast or the Nascent Soul of a human who has mastered a water attribute method.

Then, how does one gather the Five Blessings Axes?

The method of gathering the Five Blessings Axes is quite troublesome.

First, it's advantageous to have a large force that extends even to the Lower Realms.

Then, through that force, you spread a 'ritual' that borrows the power of a Four-Axis stage cultivator across the lower realms or other various regions and areas.

When this 'ritual' is activated in those other regions or areas, or the Lower Realms, the Four-Axis cultivator building the Five Blessings Axes connects to that 'ritual' using the power of the Middle Realm.

Wiiiiing―

With my eyes closed, I extend my consciousness into the Void Spirit Pond.

Paaaatt!

Using the world known as the Nether Ghost Realm as an intermediary, my consciousness stretches to places it normally can't reach.

Wo-woong—

Passing through countless stars, spaces, and dimensions, my consciousness extends to a planet in the Astral Realm.

Wo-woong—

Regaining my senses, I find myself facing the spirit of a human from that certain planet.

He is a blood-soaked young man who suddenly screams as if he would faint upon seeing me.

"H-Huaaaaah! Hukuaaaah!!!"

'A cultivator at the Qi Building stage, it seems...'

It appears that my Wuji Religious Order has successfully taken root on this planet where this cultivator resides, spreading the ritual that connects to me well.

Thanks to only dispatching followers at the Heavenly Being stage, the ritual is spreading quickly.

"Kuaaaaah!"

Heart essence world.

I sigh as I watch this cultivator screaming wildly while staring at me.

Thinking about it, it's hard to even be looked at directly upon reaching the Four-Axis stage by those who have not reached the Nascent Soul stage.

Moreover, upon closer inspection in this cultivator's heart essence, 'I' am only represented as a shadow of immense power.

'Well, if I reveal my true form, it wouldn't end with just screaming.'

If a Qi Building cultivator were to directly see my true form, it wouldn't just be a matter of facing a great ghost; they might indeed suffer considerable injuries.

Adjusting my presence, I ask the cultivator.

[Did you call for me?]

"Hu, heok...hueook..."

Inside the heart essence world.

The Qi Building stage cultivator, drenched in cold sweat, speaks to me.

"O Great One, I performed the ritual to summon you. Can you grant my wish?"

I look at him and ask.

[Do you desire power?]

"Yes! Please grant me power! The power to avenge my family!"

I extend my consciousness beyond the heart essence world of the Qi Building cultivator before me and survey the surroundings.

He is in a pitch-black cave, performing the ritual and connecting with me while unconscious.

Beside him lay a ritual book titled 'Wuji Ghost King Ritual Scripture,' containing the rites to offer the ritual to me.

Throughout the cave, strange spell characters, symbols of the Nether Ghost Realm, and symbols representing me are scattered.

Extending my consciousness outside the cave, I hear shouts and cries of, "Catch the escaped rat!"

'His clan must have been destroyed by another force, and he's asking for the power to escape here and take revenge.'

Refocusing my consciousness back to the heart essence world, I ask the man before me.

[Power comes at a price.]

"Anything...! I am ready to offer anything!"

'Truly, gathering the Five Blessings Axes is...unpleasant.'

Although it's necessary for our circumstances, I ponder whether this method is truly right and ask.

[Even something precious to you?]

"Yes, yes! I will give anything! Just grant me the power!"

Reaching out my hand to the man before me, I speak.

Using the Nether Ghost Realm as an intermediary, I form a contract.

[The contract will be established.]

'Is this method truly right?'

This is the way to gather the Five Blessings Axes.

Taking [something precious] from the other party, processing it with the power symbolizing the corresponding blessing from the Middle Realm, and thereby obtaining the concept.

After making the contract with the Qi Building cultivator, I occupy his body and head outside to resolve his immediate issue.

Kugugugu!

Outside, everything is ablaze, and dozens of Qi Building cultivators are burning the entire area while searching for something.

"There, it's the escaped bastard!"

"Catch him!"

"Catch and kill him!"

And a few Qi Building cultivators spot me and fly toward me.

"Haha, this clumsy guy, did you somehow manage to escape and succeed in reaching Qi Building?"

"Even so, it's only the first constellation of Qi Building! Here, we have a renowned elder who is one of the Twelve Great Qi Building Masters of the Mengyun Continent! Feel the power of a Qi Building Master!"

"..."

Translator Notes: Mysterious Bizarre is the same word in the raws as Wondefully Mysterious. I thought Mysterious Bizarre fit the meaning better in this case.