CHAPTER 218: ENCOUNTERING THE NETHERWORLD AGAIN

After gathering his thoughts, Ji Yang no longer hesitated—he chose the five-fold simulation. It had been far too long since his last simulation, and his desire for progress had grown unbearable.

[This simulation will consume: Blood Qi 50, Spiritual Energy 25, simulation Points 25. Proceed?]

[Yes / No]

(Note: This is a fivefold simulation. During the simulation, four of your abilities will be randomly carried into the simulation world.)

(Note: The higher the multiplier, the greater the chance of unlocking rare maps.)

The familiar prompt surfaced once again. As Ji Yang confirmed his choice, countless images spun before his eyes.

His sharp memory quickly detected something amiss. Compared to the tenfold simulation, there were fewer scenes here. So in the five-fold simulation, were some rare maps excluded from the pool? How unfair! Ji Yang grumbled inwardly, yet the images slowed, then froze on a single scene.

As he studied the faintly familiar image, surprise flickered in his eyes. The scene blurred, and a new line of text appeared:

[You are born in the depths of the Netherworld! To become a towering tree as soon as possible, you grow with all your might!]

The surroundings were shrouded in gray haze, as familiar as before. This was no mist but Yin Qi itself. And now that Ji Yang’s form was that of a Netherworld Locust Tree, this place was his natural domain—like a fish in the sea or a bird in the sky. He hadn’t even begun to absorb, yet the gray mist was already surging eagerly toward him.

Just as he was about to check which abilities he had carried into this simulation, Ji Yang realized that his trunk and roots were thicker and sturdier than last time—nearly half the size of his full form in the outside world. The reason became clear with a little thought. Multi-fold simulation not only carried abilities over, but also portions of his body’s growth. In a tenfold simulation, he would appear here in his complete form, making survival far easier.

This time, only fivefold—half his size—but even so, far stronger than before. Soon he felt the four abilities he had brought with him: High Temperature Resistance, Heightened Sensory Perception, All-Around Awareness, and Venom Resistance.

A trace of disappointment crossed his face. The sensory and awareness abilities were useful, but the two resistances had little value in this realm. Still, the start was far better than his last.

He tried to summon the Martial Saint’s true form, but it did not appear. Clearly, abilities not carried into the simulation were unavailable. Yet Ji Yang did not falter. This was progress enough.

A new prompt shimmered into view:

[You actively absorb Yin Qi, accelerating your growth. To grow even faster, you decide to:] [Absorb Earth Qi] [Absorb Soul Qi] [Absorb Death Qi]

“Hm?” Ji Yang frowned in thought. Last time, one of the choices had been Yin Qi, but now Death Qi had appeared as a new option. After weighing his choices, he selected Soul Qi.

Earth Qi was the essence of life, but here in the Netherworld—where even weeds did not grow—it was doubtful whether such energy existed. Death Qi likely did, but the choice was not just about temporary growth. It determined what benefits he might claim later. Soul Qi, however, was familiar to him.

He often encountered it in the ancestral halls, and the Chaotic Burial Mountain was rife with wandering spirits beyond the reach of his roots. Above all, the Netherworld itself teemed with soul bodies. Choosing Soul Qi would yield benefits in both realms.

The gray mist stirred, and strands of fine black vapor emerged, distinct from Yin Qi. This was Soul Qi. As he absorbed it, Ji Yang’s form began to grow more rapidly, his trunk stretching ever higher. He waited eagerly for the soul entities to arrive, to resume the great work he had left unfinished.

Time in this realm was formless, day and night indistinguishable. No one could say how long he waited. At last, faint shapes drifted closer through the mist. His lure had worked. His body had already grown dozens of meters high, yet he knew—compared to the terrifying shadow of that war—it was still but a scythe’s swing away from destruction.

The approaching shapes grew clearer. But instead of ordinary soul bodies, what appeared shocked him. A dog? Before he could look closer, another prompt appeared:

[You have absorbed vast Yin and Soul Qi, attracting a Hellhound. What do you choose?]

[Actively Shelter] [Ignore] [Shut the Door and Beat the Dog]

Ji Yang glanced down at the hound, no taller than his knees, and felt a trace of disdain. Yet after waiting so long without drawing in a single soul body, he would not turn this one away. A Hellhound was still a soul. Who was to say it couldn’t be useful? With his previous experience, Ji Yang chose without hesitation: Actively Shelter.

At once, streams of black mist burst from his branches and enveloped the Hellhound. Its body swelled as though it had drunk a stimulant, and more hounds were drawn in. Ji Yang poured his Soul Qi into them without restraint, and the change came swiftly.

The Hellhounds’ eyes ignited with deep crimson flames, their bodies swelling from knee-height to several meters tall. Then, one by one, they grew a second head… a third. They had become Three-Headed Hellhounds.

Ji Yang gazed upon the endless sea of dog heads beneath his canopy—an army vast and terrifying.

[You have chosen to shelter the Hellhounds. They possess no intelligence, only obedience. What do you decide?]

[Lead the army to battle] [Steady development] [Disband on the spot]

Looking at the countless hounds below, Ji Yang’s chest swelled with fierce pride. These three-headed beasts were far stronger than ordinary souls. Further development would not evolve them further. It was time to unleash them.

He chose Lead the Army to Battle. In the next instant, his consciousness merged with the pack, and he himself became the largest Three-Headed Hellhound of all.

Behind him stretched his loyal army.

“Woof! Woof! Woof!”