Chapter 626: What Could Not Be Forgotten Was the Path of Dao
The Underworld.
Forgotten River Immortal City.
The Forgotten River roared and surged beneath the city, flowing without cease.
Azure-black skeletons slowly grew from the riverbed of the Forgotten River. After countless years, they finally broke through the water’s surface, sprouting countless towering spires.
Forgotten River Immortal City had been constructed upon these densely standing skeletal spires, erected above the Forgotten River itself!
The City Lord’s residence of the Lord of the Forgotten River stood atop the tallest skeletal spire.
He sat upright upon his lordly seat and placed the jade slip in his hand onto the table.
Within the jade slip was a report from the vanguard general, stating that the entire army had been applying the Death Echo Layered Ridge Ointment on schedule, building momentum for the great siege battle.
“Nearly a hundred years have passed in the blink of an eye. Now it has reached the final juncture…” The gaze of the Lord of the Forgotten River grew slightly unfocused.
Unknowingly, he had already risen and walked to the window. Looking outside, he gazed down upon Forgotten River Immortal City.
This was the highest point of the entire city.
Yin winds brushed against the skeletons, carrying threads of rust and the scent of souls, stirring his pale hair.
Clad in black robes, tall and gaunt, he stood with his hands clasped behind his back. After sweeping his gaze across the immortal city, he looked into the distance.
His face was somewhat withered, wrinkles spreading along the edges of his eyes and cheekbones.
His eyes were extremely deep, like the entrance to a dark abyss. If one examined them closely, it seemed as though countless tiny, twisted faces wailed silently, laughed madly, and perished within his pupils.
There were also countless scenes appearing and vanishing—moments of parting in life and death, of love and hatred, of entangled affections and grievances.
His lips were thin and cold, as if carved by a blade. Two deep nasolabial lines wound down from the sides of his nose, cutting straight into the taut corners of his mouth like the engraved marks of heavy shackles, sealing away a thousand unspoken words.
The unwillingness of time, the weight of solitude, the exhaustion of seeking Dao… all emotions had transformed into those few furrows, branded upon his face. Within that severity lay a will more ancient and more stubborn than death itself.
The Lord of the Forgotten River possessed an exceptionally clear understanding of the situation.
“This time, in order to refine the Heavenly Ghost Skull, I have initiated the Heavenly Ghost Transformation Offering Tribulation Rite.”
“My old enemies and powerful neighbors must have reacted by now.”
“Even if they do not know what acquired talent lies within the Heavenly Ghost Skull, from the magnitude of my actions alone, they can judge its value to me.”
“Therefore, they will surely make a move to obstruct my attainment of Dao!”
Just as this thought arose, a subordinate delivered urgent intelligence—
“Reporting to Lord Prefect, turmoil has erupted at the Bone-Dissolving Frontier. The Spore Fungus Sect and Marquis of Rotting Corpse have clashed. Both sides are fully mobilizing their forces. The situation is deteriorating too rapidly—urgent mediation is required.”
“If not handled in time, these two great powers may break into full-scale war!”
The subordinate looked at the Lord of the Forgotten River with reverence and expectation.
Yet he continued gazing out the window, thinking to himself, “So the first to trouble me are the two of you.”
The Spore Fungus Sect Master and the Marquis of Rotting Corpse had long been at odds, with frequent frictions. The Bone-Dissolving Frontier, where their forces were stationed, was one of the territories under the Lord of the Forgotten River’s jurisdiction. He had often personally intervened to mediate their disputes.
Whichever side was weaker, he would secretly lend support.
Relying on this balancing strategy, the Bone-Dissolving Frontier had maintained a fragile equilibrium, with no single great power dominating the region.
Now, seeing that the Lord of the Forgotten River was preoccupied with refining the Heavenly Ghost Skull and had no time to spare, the two sides tacitly mobilized their forces and arrayed their troops, intending to seize this opportunity to annihilate the other and establish regional supremacy.
Even seeing through their scheme, the Lord of the Forgotten River had to commend them for grasping such a rare opportunity.
This time, he truly could not personally go to mediate.
“This is also a fitting test.”
“Once I make it clear that I will not leave for the frontier, their follow-up moves will appear one after another.”
He had already foreseen the subsequent developments.
The Yang World.
White Paper Immortal City.
The City Lord’s avatar led Ning Zhuo and Qing Chi into the city treasury.
“This is the Bone Blade Battle Banner.” The City Lord’s avatar first presented a military flag.
The flagpole was neither wood nor iron, but countless tiny pale bone joints tightly assembled together. At its top was not a spear tip but a mass of ghostly flame, a miserable green in color.
The flag itself was so thin it was nearly transparent, as if tanned from the skin peeled from those who had died unjustly—cold and slick to the touch. The banner bore no image, completely blank. Only after Qing Chi refined it would the two large characters “Qing Jiao” appear upon it.
“These are the Crescent Moon Great Blade and the Sky-Rending Long Spear,” the City Lord’s avatar continued.
The Crescent Moon Great Blade was as thin as a cicada’s wing. Its surface was not smooth but covered in dense, intricate cracks resembling shattered ice patterns. Within the fissures, a deep blue moonlight slowly flowed, flickering in and out.
The tip of the Sky-Rending Long Spear was formed by layers of talisman paper tightly rolled, compressed, and bonded together. Its point was sharp, while its midsection had a loose texture as though on the verge of collapsing.
When Ning Zhuo swung the spear, he heard a tearing sound like ripping pages from a book.
“These are all Black Blood Paper Horses.”
Each paper horse was tall and gaunt. Their skeletons were made from tightly rolled black stiff paper, while their “flesh” consisted of semi-transparent gray-white talisman paper. The talisman paper was thin, and faintly visible within their chest cavities was a human-head-sized mass of fiercely beating, burning miserable green ghost fire serving as their driving core.
Two condensed, profound ink dots marked their eyes—hollow and deathly still.
Finally, they reached the deepest part of the warehouse, where there stood a small and exquisite Paper Soldier Camp, only the size of a palm.
The City Lord gave a brief introduction. “This is the Ritual Military Camp. It allows a cultivation army to camp in the wild without the pain and complexity of setting up camp. Once activated, it can instantly erect a military camp upon flat ground.”
“The key point is that the camp also contains an altar, where offerings can be made to various ghosts and gods, along with prayers.”
“Of course, we are fighting a defensive battle. We won’t be needing this Ritual Military Camp.”
A sharp glint flashed deep within Ning Zhuo’s eyes.
The City Lord’s avatar extended her arm and traced a semicircle with her finger, sighing. “As you can see, everything here is military equipment.”
“In the past, our city attempted many times to establish a cultivation army.”
“These military tools were prepared specifically for that purpose.”
“I never expected that in the end, they would be put to use in this way.”
The City Lord’s avatar looked at Ning Zhuo and Qing Chi.
She greatly hoped that this new army could serve White Paper Immortal City. But the Qing Jiao Army had already been completely infiltrated by the Myriad Phenomena Sect. Fortunately, the outcome was not too bad.
After all, Ning Zhuo was the son of Meng Yao Yin and had not yet joined the Myriad Phenomena Sect. With that connection, he could be won over.
On the other hand, Qing Chi was a native Ghostfolk who highly acknowledged the rule of White Paper Immortal City.
Ning Zhuo sighed. “To speak honestly, I did not expect the army-building this time to proceed so rapidly. Now we have already reached the stage of military equipment.”
“With City Lord’s generous support, the Qing Jiao Army has now been fully established!”
The City Lord’s avatar shook her head. “This is not a free donation. It must be accounted for. If possible, consider it a loan. In the future, White Paper Immortal City will also establish a new army.”
Qing Chi hurriedly said, “Even lending them to us is an enormous help. This junior is deeply grateful!”
Ning Zhuo raised his brows. “It will be somewhat difficult for White Paper Immortal City to establish a new army, won’t it?”
The paper avatar snorted coldly. “If White Paper Immortal City alone had the final say, the new army would have been formed long ago. Unfortunately, the Yin Tide Black Marsh lies between two nations as a buffer zone. No one wishes to see a military force arise there!”
At this point, the paper avatar lifted her head and sighed. “Although the Yin Tide Black Marsh is vast and sparsely populated, with a peculiar environment, it is not beyond the bounds of civilization. There will always be various forces guarding against, suppressing, and excluding it, entangled in all manner of interference and obstruction. To accomplish a major undertaking is far too difficult.”
Qing Chi fell silent, unsure how to respond.
Ning Zhuo consoled her. “City Lord, such is the way of the world. It is not only White Paper Immortal City. Think carefully—even a cultivation nation like Two Notes Nation must deliberate for long periods, calculating three steps ahead for every one step taken. To accomplish any major matter, they must contend against the obstruction of neighboring nations.”
“Regardless of the size of a force or where it stands, as long as cultivators exist, such fierce competition will exist as well. Is that not so?”
The Underworld.
The Lord of the Forgotten River was also secretly sighing. “Even as the lord of a prefecture, accomplishing a great undertaking remains fraught with difficulty.”
From the day the Spore Fungus Sect and the Marquis of Rotting Corpse began their standoff and he refrained from going to mediate, bad news arrived one after another, requiring his decision.
A powerful existence named Shan Yan traveled throughout the Underworld, challenging the strongest figure in each place he visited.
He had nearly been lured toward the Forgotten River Nether Prefecture.
The Lord of the Forgotten River had long been monitoring this matter. He immediately deployed personnel, sabotaged the enemy’s scheme, and caused Shan Yan to ultimately choose another direction.
In the Dust Evil Cavern, a Deity Transformation–level Dust Crocodile broke through its seal and rushed out of the crocodile cavern, wreaking havoc and slaughtering villages and towns.
After the incident, the Forgotten River Nether Prefecture responded swiftly, dispatching powerful experts. Yet all returned in defeat; some were even ambushed midway by bandits and robbers, suffering heavy losses and abandoning the mission halfway.
After prolonged deliberation, the Lord of the Forgotten River finally ordered the border army to be sent.
The border army successfully exterminated the Dust Crocodile but suffered considerable casualties and had to rest and reorganize on the spot.
This meant that the border defenses of the Forgotten River Nether Prefecture had been greatly weakened. The vulnerability was now exposed before neighboring forces.
“Urgent report!” The subordinate appeared flustered, yet unlike before, he wore a trace of joy.
“What is it?” The Lord of the Forgotten River was somewhat curious.
“Reporting to Lord Prefect, at the entrance of White Tail Marsh, the cultivator you instructed us to watch for has appeared!” the subordinate hurriedly said.
The Lord of the Forgotten River’s expression wavered.
“It is her…”
She was his former principal wife, the woman he had truly loved and once promised to cherish through mutual hardship.
Yet for the sake of subsequent cultivation techniques, he had abandoned her and chosen the beloved daughter of the previous monarch.
After seizing the throne, he expanded his Nether Prefecture territory threefold, then sought out his former wife, wishing to bring her back as queen.
Her heart had long been shattered, and she had seen through love. She firmly refused.
She hid within White Tail Marsh and rarely ventured out.
At the entrance of White Tail Marsh, the Lord of the Forgotten River had stationed personnel year-round, desiring only the first news of her appearance.
Each time, he would rush there at full speed to meet her. Even though he was met with cold faces and rejection every time, he accepted it willingly.
After many occasions, even solid ice showed signs of melting.
Her attitude gradually softened. Once, she asked him, “Will you abandon me again?”
“I command a prefecture and hold the rank of monarch. What remains that could cause me to abandon you?” At that time, the Lord of the Forgotten River had gazed at her deeply without hesitation. “Come back. Return to my side.”
She had shown hesitation but ultimately shook her head and disappeared into White Tail Marsh.
Memories of the past surfaced in his heart—then were crushed by the sharp, sinister light in his eyes.
“Someone must have secretly instigated this, causing my former wife to appear at the marsh entrance at such a time!”
“What a vicious method—this is meant to shake my Dao heart.”
He could be certain that if he did not go to meet her this time, she would be utterly disappointed and see through his true nature. The decades of effort he had invested would be reduced to nothing. There might even never be another chance.
He clenched his teeth tightly, a rare ferocity appearing on his face.
His fists tightened, veins bulging.
He wanted to roar in fury, to throw back his head and howl at the heavens—but in the end, he did not.
He loosened his fists. His expression turned cold once more. Casting a glance at the reporting subordinate, he merely said faintly, “You may withdraw.”
The Yang World.
White Paper Immortal City.
“You may all withdraw.” Ning Zhuo waved his hand.
“Yes, sir!” General Peanut Ghost and the others responded in unison. Only after respectfully stepping back several paces did they turn and leave the reception hall.
Only Ning Zhuo and Warm Soft Jade remained inside.
Warm Soft Jade said, “Those ghost generals were not only examined by me. Even the City Lord’s true body personally investigated them thoroughly.”
“They have no issues. They can be trusted.”
Previously, the Forgotten River Nether Prefecture had successively dispatched Golden Core combatants, secretly smuggled into White Paper Immortal City through an internal spy, causing much sabotage. Many had also been captured alive.
When Zheng Shoumo was still present, he had primarily been responsible for persuading these Golden Core–level ghost generals to surrender.
His identity as an internal spy had been unknown even to those ghost generals.
The current investigation results also showed that Zheng Shoumo had acted according to protocol, diligently accepting their surrender without arranging any hidden contingencies.
“These ghost generals can indeed be used, but it would be best to deploy them for city defense. Who knows what reaction they might have if we lead them back into the Underworld to kill!”
Ning Zhuo considered redeploying the Qing Jiao Army. These ghost generals, as valuable combat strength, could precisely reinforce city defenses.
The large-headed youth looked toward Warm Soft Jade. “Senior Wen, have you made progress on that sacrificial text?”
This was the true focus of his meeting.
Warm Soft Jade replied, “Your guess was correct. This sacrificial text is indeed a Confucian method—a rite for worshipping Heaven.”
“However, the object of worship is not the Yang World, but the Underworld.”
“The text is incomplete and profound. I have only studied part of it, but I hope it can assist you.”
Ning Zhuo leaned slightly toward her. “This junior is all ears.”
Warm Soft Jade then explained at length before concluding, “To break this ritual is actually quite simple. Find its central hub and use Confucian methods to destroy it.”