Chapter 41: The Nether Soul Lingers, the Mortal Bones Endure

“My lord, we couldn’t find any records on this young man unless… unless he truly is a new recruit under Master Ji, as rumored. All we know is that he appeared suddenly in Youma County. We haven’t managed to uncover anything else for now. He doesn’t seem like someone Master Ji would have raised in secret—his cultivation is far too low. Nor does he appear to belong to any other faction…”

Zhou Chan sat in a pavilion by a flower pool, deeply engrossed in a book. The sight of such a robust and burly man leisurely reading was a surprising contrast. After his subordinate finished the report, Zhou Chan asked a few more questions before dismissing him. From their findings, there was nothing useful to be gleaned.

“That old fellow is always shrouded in mystery, taking in those on the brink of death. His medical skills are remarkable, but could this boy be an experimental subject, some sort of living medicine? Hmph, nothing but unorthodox trickery.” Initially, Zhou Chan was disdainful, but after a moment’s thought, he issued instructions: “Keep a close watch. Report back immediately at the slightest sign of trouble.”

Deadridge City was narrower from east to west, longer north to south, and divided into distinct districts—some for trade, others for food and lodging. An ordinary person without power could not hope for a place in the residential quarters; wandering cultivators could only rest in inns and similar establishments.

Within the residential zone, every house was spaced apart on all sides, with sound- and aura-blocking measures in between. This arrangement was widely appreciated, for most who came to Deadridge City had secrets they wished to keep hidden.

After Su Mu uttered the words “I am willing,” Master Ji felt a weight lift from his heart, a rare smile gracing his face.

“Good lad, I knew you’d agree. How can a man live up to the star power bestowed upon him if he doesn’t fight against heaven and earth? Ha! Once your cultivation rises, you’ll come to understand how insignificant we humans really are. The confusion you feel today—we all have faced it. No one can help you through this trial.”

Though Black Crow looked fierce, he was exceptionally kind to Su Mu. Part of it was because Su Mu was integral to Master Ji’s plans; another part was genuine fondness for this honest youth, who reminded him of a younger brother long ago.

“Brother Black Crow, I understand now. In the Wastes of War, there is no right or wrong—only opponents. It’s kill or be killed. I won’t hold back anymore.” Su Mu raised his head, eyes shining, clenching his fists. His words were firm and resolute.

“Su Mu, it’s not just those you fight in the Wastes of War who are your enemies—you must go all out against anyone who stands against you. Do you think the world of cultivation is governed by virtue and righteousness? Not at all. This is a world where the weak are prey to the strong, where only the fittest survive. That is the eternal truth. We may pursue the Way of Heaven, but how can one glimpse it without first cutting down those who stand in the way? You are still young…” Master Ji spoke earnestly, though he ended by shaking his head, as if uncertain why he persisted.

“I will remember, Master. I will remind myself always,” Su Mu replied.

“Good, good! That’s what I want to hear.” Master Ji nodded in satisfaction, then called out loudly toward the door, “Bring in the gift prepared for Su Mu!”

“At once!” The Night Guard, who had been waiting outside, quickly brought in a massive black chest. The guards carrying it were all cultivators of refined life force, and even exerting their full strength, they barely managed to lift it, each dripping with sweat and gasping for breath. One could only imagine how heavy the chest was.

“Master, what is this?” Su Mu’s heart raced with excitement. Something so heavy surely contained an unimaginable treasure.

At this, Black Crow knelt on one knee, cupping his fists and proclaiming, “My lord’s wisdom pierces the heavens; his deeds will be praised for generations. We humbly ask you to break the seal! It is time for the Netherbone to see the light of day once more!”

“What?! This is the legendary Netherbone?” Su Mu could not suppress his joy as he trembled, running his hand over the chest.

The black chest was covered in countless blue-glowing runes, with a striking blue beast-head motif at its center.

“That’s right, this is the Netherbone. Do you know its origin?” Master Ji had appeared by Su Mu’s side without him noticing, gently stroking the chest.

“I don’t, though I recall you mentioning it once,” Su Mu replied.

Master Ji chuckled softly, falling into reminiscence. “To speak of the Netherbone, one must speak of the Netherland. In ancient times, there was no such thing as the Netherland. Some, unable to inherit star power, sought other sources of strength and somehow opened a gateway to another world, the Netherworld.”

Su Mu listened with wide-eyed fascination; he had never heard any of this before.

“When the Netherworld opened, a foul miasma spilled forth, along with countless creatures that should never have existed in our realm. These monsters wrought havoc, devouring all in their path. In a short time, mass death followed, forcing humanity into a rare unity. Together, we sealed the gateway and hunted down every last Netherworld beast.”

“We thought the matter settled, but the seal could not entirely block the gateway. Nether energy continued to seep through, though fortunately in small enough amounts not to cause great harm. Still, no living thing—animal or plant—could survive in the contaminated land, and so the area within hundreds of miles of the seal became lifeless. That is what people now call the Netherland.”

So that’s how it was. Su Mu nodded—this Netherland sounded like a dreadful place. But then, how had Lady Yue emerged from it? Thinking of her, his heart began to race.

Unaware of Su Mu’s thoughts, Master Ji continued, seeing his rapt attention. “Despite its dangers, a people survived within the Netherland. They are the descendants of those ancient humans who first opened the gateway. Their ancestors were transformed by the Netherworld god so they could live in the miasma and move freely between worlds. They call themselves the Wan People.”

“Wan People—what does that mean?”

“I’m not sure. None have ever come voluntarily to communicate with us, nor has anyone found their traces within the Netherland. They only rarely appear in our world. Someone like Lady Yue is a true rarity, and even she seldom stays long in Deadridge City, often vanishing without a trace.”

“What do they eat and drink there? How do they survive? Aren’t they at risk of being captured by powerful cultivators when they come out? That would be terrible for Lady Yue!” Su Mu grew anxious, forgetting Lady Yue’s mysterious powers of self-preservation.

Master Ji cast Su Mu a curious glance. “Why so anxious? The Wan People have survived all this time—they have their means. Though they possess no star power, they can practice a special Netherworld technique known as the Ghost God Path.”

Su Mu slapped his forehead in realization. “Ah! Lady Yue must practice the Ghost God Path too—that explains why she’s so strong!”

“Hmm… perhaps not,” Master Ji mused. “It’s said that Wan practitioners require special hand seals when casting spells, similar to soul cultivators, and must first summon ghostly apparitions to channel their arts. It’s a complex process, but enormously powerful. Yet Lady Yue has never performed any seals nor summoned phantoms—truly a mystery.”

Unconsciously, Master Ji found himself drawn into talking about Lady Yue, not realizing how far the conversation had strayed.

“And their skill in escape is legendary. Even the strongest star sea cultivators have never managed to catch a Wan. Truthfully, there is little in the Netherland worth the trouble of the most powerful humans. As for the Ghost God Path, we can’t use it ourselves. Even if we captured a Wan and learned their arts, what then? Over time, people lost interest in both the Netherland and the Wan. So even when they appear, they are curiosities, not targets.”

“Then you mean Lady Yue is in no real danger?” Su Mu asked.

“Yes. She may be mysterious, but she’s not important enough for the great sects and clans to care. That’s why she’s able to live so freely in Deadridge City.” Suddenly, Master Ji realized how the conversation had veered and flew into a rage. “You scoundrel! Bringing up all these irrelevant things—we’re talking about the Netherbone!”

Chastened, Su Mu dared not speak further, listening quietly as Master Ji continued.

“This Netherbone is not the remains of a Wan, but truly the relic of a Netherworld deity. Still, I’ve never heard of such a deity falling in our realm. I don’t know how that peerless genius came to possess it. In any case, it’s a stroke of fortune for both of us—there’s not likely to be a second Netherbone in the entire human world.”

Here, Master Ji stroked the black chest with pride. “Perhaps it was obtaining the Netherbone that inspired the creation of the Phantom Deity Heart technique. Why else would it bear the name ‘Nether Deity’?”

Su Mu asked in puzzlement, “The title ‘Nether Deity’ sounds formidable—could it defeat us humans?”

“Heh. According to ancient records, only the most exalted cultivators above the star sea could match such a being. Even today’s top five cultivators would likely be no match for a Nether Deity.”

Su Mu, unable to fathom such heights of cultivation, could only marvel at the thought. Black Crow, on the other hand, swallowed hard; the higher one’s cultivation, the more terrifying the Nether Deity seemed.

“Well, enough talk. It’s time you saw the Netherbone for yourself. No one knows how long its owner has been dead, but the lingering aura is still formidable. Step back.”

Seeing Master Ji’s eyes begin to glow with starfire, Su Mu quickly withdrew several paces. Master Ji chanted under his breath, pointing at the blue beast-head rune. With a crisp snap, the rune transformed into a phantom beast’s head, which silently roared at the heavens. The blue runes covering the chest instantly faded into darkness.

The hall fell eerily silent as the black chest began to tremble rhythmically—a chilling sight that raised goosebumps on Su Mu’s neck.

With a wave of Master Ji’s hand, several Night Guards lifted the lid. A piercing, wailing screech burst from within, accompanied by a billowing gray mist.

Far away in the Netherland, Lady Yue, walking slowly, suddenly sensed something amiss. Her face turned pale as she gazed in disbelief toward Deadridge City. In a flash, her form dissolved into the wind and vanished without a trace.