CHAPTER 1044: CHAPTER 76: GATHERING OF CELESTIAL AID AND SECRET WAR COUNCIL

Could it be that Shen Jizi is really planning to abandon this world at the last moment, leading the willing group of immortals to collectively escape to another world? Are these three golden stars the final signal for a complete retreat?

Understanding this point, Lin Xuance’s expression became unusually ugly. He asked in a deep voice, suppressing his anger and disappointment: "What if...what if by that time we hesitate and fail to return in time, then what?"

Shen Jizi sighed softly at these words, his sigh carrying a rare hint of pity and helplessness: "If you hesitate...I’m afraid you will indeed fulfill your wish and share the same fate as this world...perishing with Heaven and Earth."

Having said this, he said no more, his white clothes fluttering as he turned and stepped out, his figure dissolving into the clouds and mist like a phantom, as if he had never appeared.

Xiao Jie seemed to half-understand, but the oppressive feeling of an impending storm and a sense of foreboding were unmistakably clear.

Shen Jizi is preparing to flee, and those three golden stars should be the signal for retreat.

But he wasn’t really concerned. If he really wanted to retreat, he could just log off directly.

Lin Xuance took a deep breath, forcibly calming the waves in his heart, and said to Xiao Jie, "Daoist Sui Feng, you don’t need to worry too much about this matter. With the combined strength of our four, plus your meticulous plan, we are sure to win this battle! Ignore the retreat signal. Time is pressing, so let’s set off now!"

The four said no more, each riding their own cloud. In an instant, four radiant beams of immortal light shot up to the sky, heading straight toward the exit of the Mountain and Sea Painting Realm.

The four left Gu Yun State, passed through the Taixu Realm, and headed directly toward the Yin Yang Border where the Netherworld is located. The immortal clouds sped along, sweeping over the vast earth and boundless oceans, the scenery below rapidly retreating.

Lin Xuance seemed to be in familiar territory, needing no guidance from Xiao Jie, flying at the forefront. Seeing the ruins of a dilapidated city ahead, he suddenly slashed his sword, opening a Netherworld entrance out of thin air.

The four flew in together, passing through an invisible, cold, and dim interface barrier. The scene before their eyes suddenly changed, now in a dim, ghastly Netherworld. After determining the direction, the four did not pause, transforming into four streams of light, swiftly heading toward the Senluo Ghost City.

The four riding the clouds together made a commotion far more immense than Xiao Jie alone. The powerful converged Immortal Spirit Qi rose like a small sun in the gray Netherworld sky, dispelling surrounding gloom. Wherever it passed, countless ghosts avoided, and the eerie winds fell silent.

Just flying over Senluo Ghost City, the overwhelming immortal aura stirred quite a commotion in the city. The Ghost General guarding the city first startled, then, upon seeing the cloud’s riders and the familiar figure of Xiao Jie, he became ecstatic, almost scrambling as he rushed into the Palace of Darkness to report the earth-shattering news of the four immortals’ arrival to Yama Qin Chuan.

Hearing that not only had Xiao Jie returned, but he had immediately brought three obviously highly accomplished immortals, Qin Chuan was both shocked and overjoyed, hurrying to lead the Civil and Military Judges, Oxhead and Horseface, the various Ghost Generals, and other Underworld officials out to greet them.

Xiao Jie and the other three also descended from the clouds, landing on the vast yet eerie central square of Senluo Ghost City, meeting with Yama and his entourage.

Seeing the three extraordinary, immortal-wreathed figures behind Xiao Jie, Yama Qin Chuan was overjoyed. Upon discerning Lin Xuance’s features closely, he appeared even more surprised and delighted, rushing forward a few steps, cupping his hands with a bow: "Ah! Never imagined it would be Daoist ’Dangmo Real Man’ Lin Xuance visiting! Several thousands of years without seeing, your demeanor surpasses the past!"

Lin Xuance merely snorted softly, his tone slightly teasing: "I never thought that, after leaving thousands of years ago thinking I’d never set foot here again, I’d have to come to this ghostly place to work. Your Majesty, back then, you spoke fantastically, promising that with the help of us immortals, the order of reincarnation would be established for eternity. Yet now, the Netherworld is in chaos, seemingly about to collapse, and you come seeking our help again. What is the meaning of this?"

Qin Chuan, berated by Lin Xuance, was not annoyed; he merely chuckled dryly, his face slightly embarrassed: "The Real Man is as straightforward and incisive as ever...Ah, this matter is a long story, not of my own wishes but forced by circumstances." He then shifted the topic, his gaze turning to the two beside Lin Xuance, "And these two immortals are—"

Lin Xuance introduced, "This is the Martial Arts Immortal, and this is Miao Fa Yuanjun. Both attained Dao and ascension long before me, with mana and divine skills not inferior to mine."

Upon hearing this, Qin Chuan’s smile widened, promptly performing a formal salute again: "Ah! So it’s the Martial Arts Immortal and Miao Fa Yuanjun! Forgive my rudeness! In this dire time for the Netherworld, having the three immortals and Immortal Suifeng come together and extend a helping hand, I truly cannot express my gratitude enough. Please accept my bow!" He genuinely bowed slightly to the four, displaying thorough courtesy.

Miao Fa Yuanjun, however, was not impressed, bluntly stating: "Yama, there’s no need for these formalities. Although we agreed to help, even the Emperor does not send hungry soldiers to war. The promised benefits cannot be lacking."

Qin Chuan nodded repeatedly, patting his chest to assure: "Of course! As long as this rebellion can be quelled and that Pseudo Emperor defeated, the Netherworld’s treasury accumulated over millennia will be opened to the four immortals! Within, rare treasures and divine materials await your selection! Furthermore, if you ever need to retrieve the soul of a lost one from the Nether River, just say the word, and I will personally oversee to ensure it’s done!"

Initially, facing Yama Qin Chuan, due to his status and power, Xiao Jie felt some intimidation. Now, seeing the three "worldly society" Daoist friends being so forthright and even slightly assertive, he felt immensely reassured and gained confidence.

He also laughed along: "Since Yama is so generous, how about settling the previous mission rewards first? Incidentally, this time, I’ll also directly participate in the battle."

"Of course! Of course!" Qin Chuan was all smiles, his tone absolutely certain, "With Immortal Suifeng included, four immortals arrive! Thus, our Netherworld’s legitimacy is assured, and Senluo Ghost City can finally rest easy! This battle is sure to be won!"

As if to validate his words, a semi-transparent system prompt box appeared before Xiao Jie:

System prompt: Completed storyline quest [Immortal Aid to the Netherworld]. You successfully invited four immortals to join Yama’s faction, earning you 400 Cause and Effect Points.

System prompt: As you joined Yama’s faction, the storyline quest [Reincarnation Disaster] is triggered automatically. Do you accept? Yes/No.

(If you refuse the quest, your reputation within Yama’s faction will drop by 1000 points, and your relationship with Yama will become cold.)

This time, without the slightest hesitation, Xiao Jie chose "Yes." Having decided to participate, he intended to go all out, not missing out on any benefits! These Cause and Effect Points were precious, as usual Equipment and items, given his current strength and perspective, no longer interested him. Only those top Immortal Technique Books and Divine Artifacts, which require Cause and Effect Points for exchange, were truly valuable and could effectively enhance his power.

"Don’t rush into celebrating," Lin Xuance calmly interrupted the slightly heated atmosphere, "Yama, please first detail your plan and the enemy and our situation to us. I’ve heard that the Netherworld Emperor commands millions of Ghost Army; just the four of us can’t handle them."