Chapter 586: Ashes of Calamity Cover the Hexagram
The paper servant led Yang Weida to Listening to the Hidden Pavilion and signaled for him to wait by the doorway.
Yang Weida kept a blank expression and quickly nodded, but anyone could see the tension in him.
He stood at the entrance. After only a few breaths, the paper servant received instructions, pushed open the door, and gestured for Yang Weida to enter.
Yang Weida swallowed, adjusted his collar, and then stepped softly into Listening to the Hidden Pavilion with a heart full of unease and nervousness.
Earlier, when the Mourning Music Phantom Actress had been ambushed and nearly assassinated, Listening to the Hidden Pavilion had been almost completely destroyed.
But White Paper Immortal City had immediately mobilized great resources to help rebuild the place.
Because the defensive formations had all been redesigned, the place was now even safer than before.
Whenever the Mourning Music Phantom Actress examined the male consorts seeking promotion, she summoned them here one by one.
Yang Weida entered the pavilion and, upon seeing the Mourning Music Phantom Actress, was about to bow in greeting.
However, the Mourning Music Phantom Actress sat cross-legged behind the desk without looking at him, merely plucking lightly at the scorched-tail zither resting on the table.
The clear note of the zither instantly reached deep into Yang Weida’s heart. Immediately, he received a strand of thought from the Mourning Music Phantom Actress, instructing him that there was no need for formalities—he should simply sit and listen to the music.
Yang Weida nodded repeatedly and obediently followed the instruction.
The Mourning Music Phantom Actress plucked the strings gently with two fingers. The sound of the zither was simple and hollow, like a deep well without ripples.
Seven yellow jade bells rang in succession.
The first bell sounded like cracking ice.
The second resembled withered leaves falling.
The third sounded like droplets from a spring…
Yang Weida soon became completely immersed in the music.
He “saw” the flame of the bronze lamp on the table suddenly twist, transforming into a face filled with panic.
He “saw” the shadow reflected on the blue bricks beneath him suddenly stretch and contort, flailing wildly.
He also “saw” a cold moon hanging in the sky, while countless fierce ghosts crawled all over his body, clawing and gnawing at both his flesh and mind.
Yang Weida experienced everything as if he were truly there. Meanwhile, the Mourning Music Phantom Actress’s expression grew increasingly solemn.
All the illusions eventually dissipated within Yang Weida’s heart, ultimately transforming into a feeling of utter helplessness. It enveloped his entire body and mind, leaving him extremely exhausted—so tired that he only wanted to lie down and sleep for three days and nights without moving.
The Mourning Music Phantom Actress’s fingers trembled slightly as she plucked the final note.
Yang Weida once again received a thought guiding him to quietly leave without making the slightest sound.
Many doubts lingered in Yang Weida’s mind. He very much wanted to know whether he had passed the evaluation, but he did not dare to ask. Lowering his head, he backed away and silently left Listening to the Hidden Pavilion.
Inside the pavilion, only the Mourning Music Phantom Actress remained seated in meditation.
A gentle breeze blew through the bamboo grove outside, rustling the leaves and causing the female cultivator’s long black hair to sway slightly.
The Mourning Music Phantom Actress let out a sigh.
Wen Ruanyu stepped out from the rear hall. “How was it?”
Ever since the Mourning Music Phantom Actress had survived two assassination attempts, her safety had become the highest priority of the city’s defenses. This time, White Paper Immortal City had also worried that assassins might infiltrate the male consorts, so Wen Ruanyu had been assigned to protect her.
Yang Weida had been brought into the city by Wen Ruanyu. Because she had acted under the instructions of the Mourning Music Phantom Actress, she paid special attention to him.
This time, Yang Weida had suddenly risen in prominence, ranking first on the announcement list and revealing remarkable ability.
The Mourning Music Phantom Actress sighed.
“His background is clean. He is indeed a traveling Cloud Merchant from Feiyun Country. Coming to the City Lord’s Mansion and volunteering to become a male consort was simply his way of gaining influence through this identity.”
Wen Ruanyu nodded. “Whether he is friend or foe is not the key question. The key is whether he is the crucial person you divined—the savior who will help White Paper Immortal City survive the Ghost Tide.”
The Mourning Music Phantom Actress shook her head slightly. “I cannot confirm.”
“However, his Yang energy is indeed vigorous. His first-place ranking among this batch of male consorts is well deserved.”
Wen Ruanyu asked, “How does he compare to Jin Yangzi?”
The Mourning Music Phantom Actress replied, “Jin Yangzi is a true disciple of the Seven Feathers Alliance and carries the incomplete bloodline of the Three-Legged Golden Crow. How could Yang Weida compare?”
Wen Ruanyu pondered. “In my opinion, if Yang Weida truly is that crucial figure, he is very likely the new master of the Golden Swallow Fork. Only with the Golden Swallow Fork could someone unleash a vast amount of Yang energy to help the City Lord balance enough Yin energy.”
“After all, Yang Weida is merely a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator. After thinking it through repeatedly, that seems the most likely way he could assist White Paper Immortal City.”
The Mourning Music Phantom Actress replied, “Given the current conditions, your guess is the most likely.”
“But divination and truth are often not so close.”
“I still cannot confirm that Yang Weida is the crucial savior.”
“So we must preserve more hope and allow more possibilities. Only then can we avoid missing the true key figure.”
Wen Ruanyu nodded, agreeing strongly with her reasoning.
Hidden Yang Residence.
The moment Yang Weida returned, he was surrounded with questions.
Everyone wanted to learn the detailed process of the Mourning Music Phantom Actress’s examination so they could pass it themselves.
Yang Weida himself did not know the exact result, but when facing the crowd he thumped his chest confidently, claiming he had already passed and that it had been effortless.
His words were a mixture of truth and falsehood, but he focused mainly on the miraculous effects of his divine medicine.
If the male consorts wanted to learn the inside details, they would at least have to buy a box of his medicine first.
“Whether I passed or not, just from this big round of sales alone, this trip to White Paper Immortal City was definitely worth it!” Yang Weida had already secured his costs, so his mood became far more relaxed.
Ning Zhuo did not join the crowd.
To him, he had absolutely no interest in being promoted into the Three Courtyards.
Ning Zhuo planned that after meeting the Mourning Music Phantom Actress, he would immediately reveal his identity and ask her to perform a divination. After that, he would immediately board the Wanli Dragon and leave this troublesome place.
The Underworld.
Water Burial Valley.
The valley lord, the Ashbone Elder, looked impatiently at the visitor. “Lord of the Underworld, the favor I owed you was settled with the last divination.”
In the Underworld, anyone addressed as Lord of the Underworld must be the ruler of a Nether Court, holding immense authority.
After all, a single Nether Court often contained several immortal cities—equivalent to a king in the living world.
The Lord of the Underworld nodded. “Indeed. Elder Ash, do not worry. I did not come to ask for another divination, but for another matter.”
The Ashbone Elder was slightly startled and then calculated with his fingers. “You want me to obscure the workings of fate?”
The Lord of the Underworld admitted openly. “Exactly.”
The Ashbone Elder said, “I do possess a technique called Ashes of Calamity Cover the Hexagram, which can obscure the mechanisms of divination.”
“However, the cost of using it is extremely high—even greater than when I repaid your favor previously.”
The Lord of the Underworld took out an item. “Elder Ash, what you care most about is your fortune. I know that obscuring divination rarely consumes fortune. So perhaps this item can serve as compensation?”
The Ashbone Elder’s gaze had already been drawn to the material. “Is this the shell of a ten-thousand-year Black Tortoise?”
“Exactly,” the Lord of the Underworld replied.
The Ashbone Elder fell silent for a moment before saying, “This treasure is indeed sufficient. But to perform Ashes of Calamity Cover the Hexagram, I must gather calamity energy and turn it into ashes to complete the technique.”
The Lord of the Underworld looked surprised. “You intend to collect calamity energy from the Ghost Tide?”
The Ashbone Elder chuckled. “Lord of the Underworld, there is no need to waste time with such lies.”
“Others may not know, but how could I not?”
“This Ghost Tide exists because you have defied heaven in an attempt to refine that Heavenly Ghost Skull. White Paper Immortal City has been kept completely in the dark, becoming tools to help you bear the heavenly punishment.”
The Lord of the Underworld’s expression instantly turned stern, his gaze sharp as he stared at the Ashbone Elder.
The Ashbone Elder remained calm and continued.
“If you want me to obscure the workings of fate, you must allow me to access the source of the calamity and collect the calamity energy. Only such calamity energy can profoundly affect all cultivators caught within the disaster.”
“There is no other way.”
The Lord of the Underworld fell silent.
To survive heavenly punishment and appease heaven’s wrath, the best method was blood sacrifice.
White Paper Immortal City had long been his chosen site for such a sacrifice.
However, the city was extremely difficult to attack. At present, the core of its defenses was the Mourning Music Phantom Actress.
The Lord of the Underworld had joined forces with the Overturn City Alliance. They had attempted many schemes—two assassination attempts, multiple inside-and-outside attacks—but none had succeeded.
Each time, the Mourning Music Phantom Actress had foreseen their plans through divination and disrupted them.
Thus, she had become a thorn in the eyes and flesh of both the Lord of the Underworld and the Overturn City Alliance—someone they were desperate to eliminate.
Obscuring the workings of fate carried enormous cost, but the situation had already forced the Lord of the Underworld into this decision.
After a long silence, he looked at the Ashbone Elder and slowly said:
“Agreed.”
One day later.
Dining Hall.
Ning Zhuo sat upright, watching the elderly Spirit Chef prepare Netherworld Cuisine before him.
As usual, after finishing the meal, Ning Zhuo’s stomach bulged so much that he could barely move.
As the food digested, the foundation of his soul finally broke past the threshold of a thousand times that of an ordinary person.
“You brat, your soul has reached the level of a thousand people now,” the old Spirit Chef said, immediately sensing the faint aura leaking from Ning Zhuo’s soul.
Ning Zhuo smiled slightly. “Thanks to your help, senior.”
The old chef snorted. “Stop flattering me! Your achievement comes from two reasons. First, you were willing to spend your contribution points specifically on my Netherworld Cuisine. Second, the immortal city recently adjusted its policies and released many rare resources. Under normal circumstances, this would never have happened.”
Ning Zhuo nodded. “I know. The Ghost Tide has been attacking the city for many days now.”
The old chef shook his head. “That’s not the only reason. When the Mourning Music Phantom Actress was previously injured by assassination attempts, she ate my Spirit Food to recover. That’s why I was able to obtain these rare ingredients. Since I’m already cooking for her, you’re just an extra.”
“Don’t think Hidden Yang Residence lowered all these rare ingredients just for you. You simply rode the tailwind of the situation!”
Ning Zhuo exclaimed softly. “So that’s how it is.”
A thought suddenly crossed his mind.
“Senior, by telling me this, are you reminding me that when I meet the Mourning Music Phantom Actress later, I should thank her?”
Today in the afternoon, it would be Ning Zhuo’s turn to meet her.
The old chef nodded. “I’ve lived in White Paper Immortal City for a long time. It hasn’t been easy for this city to survive until today. The Mourning Music Phantom Actress has contributed greatly. Especially now, when even the City Lord must seal himself.”
Ning Zhuo recalled the recent battle reports and nodded in agreement.
The old chef looked at him seriously. “Jiao Ma, you are the first among the male consorts to keep eating my Netherworld Cuisine for so many days in a row. You’ve got persistence!”
“You’re also from a village outside the city. White Paper Immortal City is your home.”
“Are you interested in inheriting my legacy and becoming a Spirit Chef? If you can cook yourself in the future and remain here, you might gain the appreciation of the City Lord and the Mourning Music Phantom Actress and change your life.”
Ning Zhuo was surprised. “Well… to be honest, senior, I actually want to travel the world.”
“Hmph.” The old chef looked displeased but still took out a jade slip and a token.
“Spirit Chef is one of the hundred cultivation arts. It has its own schools and rules.”
“I’ll give you this inheritance. Do not spread it freely. Whether you learn it or not is up to you. But if you do learn it, remember that you belong to the Dark Cuisine School. In the future, you must promote this school!”
“The jade slip contains my techniques, recipes, and cultivation experience. The token represents our school and your identity. If you participate in the Hundred Nations Culinary Competition someday, this will be your entry pass.”
Ning Zhuo had never expected that after eating Netherworld Cuisine for so many days, he would unexpectedly receive a Spirit Chef inheritance.
Although the old man appeared fierce, he clearly appreciated Ning Zhuo.
More skills never hurt. After thinking for a moment, the clever big-headed youth accepted the offer seriously.
Holding the inheritance jade slip and identity token, Ning Zhuo left the Dining Hall.
Not long afterward, a paper servant came to guide him.
Following the servant, Ning Zhuo entered a residence in another compound. Using the teleportation array inside, he was sent directly to Listening to the Hidden Pavilion.
Standing outside the door, he rubbed his Mechanical Ring a few times. It showed no reaction, which reassured him greatly.
After waiting a few breaths, the paper servant opened the door and signaled for him to enter.
Ning Zhuo stepped inside and saw a female cultivator sitting behind the desk, her hands resting motionlessly on the zither.
The door closed behind him.
Ning Zhuo cupped his fists and explained his identity and purpose.
But the Mourning Music Phantom Actress did not respond at all.
Confused, Ning Zhuo raised his head and was about to observe more closely when Sun Lingtong suddenly shouted:
“This is wrong! Something is wrong!”
“Xiao Zhuo, the Mourning Music Phantom Actress is already dead!!”
“What?!” Ning Zhuo’s hair stood on end, a chill running down his spine.
He rushed forward and examined her at close range.
She had no breath, no life—she was truly dead.
Sun Lingtong said urgently, “We can’t stay here, we must run—”
Before he finished speaking, alarm bells rang loudly.
The defensive formation of Listening to the Hidden Pavilion activated instantly, sealing the space and trapping Sun Lingtong and Ning Zhuo inside.
“Enemy attack! Enemy attack!”
“Someone has assassinated the Mourning Music Phantom Actress again!”
“I’m going to chop the murderer into pieces!”
In the next moment, a large number of City Guard Army soldiers rushed over, surrounding Listening to the Hidden Pavilion from all sides.