Chapter Twenty-Six: Welcome to the Paradise of Ghost Cultivators
Qu Yiqiu found the way Yao Zhimei addressed her king slightly odd, but recalling that Yao Zhimei had once been a female general, she paid it no mind. What concerned her more was whether, with Yao Zhimei’s brash and forthright nature, other Incarnation-level ghost cultivators might still be hidden within the Ghost Cultivator’s Paradise, undetected by her.
While Qu Yiqiu was lost in thought, Yao Zhimei whisked her away like a gust of wind.
In the time it took to drink a cup of tea, the two of them arrived before a range of towering mountains. Verdant foliage flourished, crimson leaves blanketed the slopes, and the mountain winds whistled mournfully. The three great peaks soared as if piercing the heavens.
Yao Zhimei’s efficiency was truly remarkable. Qu Yiqiu had only been pondering for a moment, and here they were already.
Resigned, Qu Yiqiu surveyed her surroundings and asked in surprise, “Is this the Ghost Cultivator’s Paradise you spoke of?”
Before them stood three imposing peaks, surrounded by rolling hills. Scarlet leaves drifted in the air, birds and beasts darted among the trees—the atmosphere was tranquil and harmonious. Such scenery hardly seemed fitting for a place inhabited by ghost cultivators.
Yao Zhimei gripped Qu Yiqiu’s shoulder and brought her down to the base of two mountains. “See here? The roots of these two mountains almost merge into one, only splitting into two halfway up.”
She raised her brows meaningfully.
Qu Yiqiu seemed to understand, gazing at the narrow crevice between the mountain bases. “Is the Ghost Cultivator’s Paradise hidden beneath these two mountains?”
Yao Zhimei grinned. “Clever! Beneath these two peaks lies another world. As for how it was formed, I’ve been lurking here for days and still haven’t figured it out!”
Without waiting for Qu Yiqiu’s response, she grabbed her and darted inside.
The sudden burst of speed left Qu Yiqiu dizzy and disoriented. Fortunately, in the span of a single breath, they came to a stop.
“This is a secret chamber they’ve dug at the mountain’s base to receive guests. If outsiders want to enter the Paradise, they either need an invitation or a little ghost to lead the way. Without either, even a Nascent Soul cultivator would find no entrance!”
Yao Zhimei ran her hands along the stone walls, seemingly as curious as Qu Yiqiu about what kind of wards or formations guarded this place.
Qu Yiqiu was astonished. She had assumed her inability to sense anything special was due to her low cultivation. But judging by Yao Zhimei’s words and the longevity of the Ghost Cultivator’s Paradise, there must be deeper secrets concealed below.
Retracting her restless hands, Yao Zhimei declared proudly, “But now, neither is needed. With the Golden Ghost King in our grasp, as soon as he speaks, the stone wall will open to admit us.”
Qu Yiqiu looked down at the Soul-Suppressing Banner Yao Zhimei had handed her, pricked her finger, and forced out a drop of blood.
The crimson blood was swiftly absorbed by the banner, and the nine skulls instantly came alive, their hollow sockets flickering with red light. At the same time, Qu Yiqiu sensed a strange connection in her spiritual sea.
She knew then that she had successfully claimed the artifact.
Yao Zhimei watched her decisively perform the blood-recognition ritual, amusement flashing in her eyes. This girl was clearly a righteous cultivator, yet dared to bind a ghostly artifact to herself. If anyone claimed she was without cunning, Yao Zhimei would never believe it.
This girl definitely concealed her talents and divine abilities to make Yao Zhimei spare her time and again, never attempting to seize her body. Such calculation and skill left Yao Zhimei feeling inferior.
Every prodigy of a sect or noble family strives to outshine others and seize power. Yet among the countless cultivators striving for the Dao, few survive to be remembered by history. To reveal one’s brilliance too early is to court disaster.
That she had endured so long spoke of a temperament beyond ordinary people.
Secretly delighted, Yao Zhimei was sure she had bet on the true king this time.
Seeing Yao Zhimei grinning foolishly, Qu Yiqiu shook her head and put aside her suspicions about her. This woman really was a fool.
With a slight shake of the banner, black mist flickered and the Golden Ghost King fell to his knees.
“What are your orders, master?”
“Eh? This wretch knows how to adapt!” Yao Zhimei kicked him hard.
A flash of venom crossed the Golden Ghost King’s eyes, but he endured, toppling to the ground.
Qu Yiqiu did not stop Yao Zhimei. She had not forgotten how close the Golden Ghost King had come to taking her head. He deserved a lesson.
“Hurry and lead us into the Ghost Cultivator’s Paradise. Don’t even think about playing any tricks!”
Her voice was sharp, her spiritual sense carrying a warning that made the Ghost King tremble with fear.
“Yes, I will take master inside!”
Shaking, the Golden Ghost King pressed his palms against a spot on the stone wall; at once, the scenery around them began to blur.
The hard, damp stone walls rippled like lake water, and the cramped chamber suddenly plummeted downward. Qu Yiqiu and the others lost their balance in an instant.
“What’s happening?” Qu Yiqiu’s spiritual sense surged, nearly ending the Golden Ghost King’s existence.
“Spare me, master! This is normal—ask that old woman if you don’t believe me!”
As Qu Yiqiu’s intent relaxed, the Golden Ghost King escaped death, cursing inwardly. He had nearly been annihilated just now!
“Who are you calling old, you damned cur? I’ll teach you a lesson soon enough!” If her balance hadn’t been thrown off, Yao Zhimei would already have kicked him.
“Forgive me, beautiful immortal! I won’t dare again! Have mercy!” Now bound to another’s will, the proud king had no choice but to bow his noble head.
The Golden Ghost King tried to convince himself: to bend and endure is the mark of a true man!
“You beg fast enough, wretch. For your words, I’ll spare you a kick—this time!” Yao Zhimei clung tightly to the wall, not daring to move.
“Yes, yes! Thank you, fair immortal! Your beauty and kindness are unparalleled; I can only dream of your greatness!” The Golden Ghost King babbled on, piling on flattery.
Through the dizzying fall, all Qu Yiqiu could hear was their back-and-forth.
She did not know how long the sensation of weightlessness lasted, but then a pale gray light shone in the dim chamber.
“We’ve arrived!” the Golden Ghost King exclaimed.
Yao Zhimei promptly kicked him and strode out with swagger.
Qu Yiqiu turned to see the Golden Ghost King sprawled like a cockroach on the upper left corner of the wall, a clear footprint on his face.
“All of you, get out here! Granny Yao has returned!” Yao Zhimei floated in the air, hands on her hips, exuding dominance.
Qu Yiqiu was not at all surprised by her bossy behavior, and stood behind, observing the surroundings.
The secret chamber they had stood in was gone, replaced by drifting gray-white mist on all sides, with no sunlight above and flat terrain spreading for miles.
It seemed the most abundant thing here was the mist itself, which carried an undercurrent of yin energy.
As Yao Zhimei’s imperious voice reverberated, a few little ghosts began to float into view.
“Who are you, to dare act so brazenly in our Paradise?”
“State your name and we might spare your life!”
“Ghost Cultivator’s Paradise, the haven of specters, welcomes our honored guests!”
“…”