Chapter 632: Chapter 632

“Please, come inside...” Divine Lord Yuewang gave a sigh and extended a hand to invite them in.

So the group of people continued forward.

Although they were called a “group of people,” in truth, only the Daoist was alive.

Stepping into the Ghost City of Mount Ye was like entering a world that belonged solely to ghostly spirits and underworld deities.

Yet, just like the demon markets in the great mountains of Pingzhou that spanned hundreds of li, this world of ghostly gods and spirits wasn’t necessarily filled with strangeness, desolation, gloom, or chill. Contrary to common belief, the demons and spirits of the mountains also had emotions and desires. They traded, made friends, maintained social etiquette, had their own aesthetics and preferences, and also longed for a better life. Hence, the demon markets existed.

The ghosts and deities of this Ghost City were, in temperament, even closer to humans than mountain demon. Naturally, they would shape their city into something finer, something proper and even elegant.

The Daoist walked through, studying the city. The Ghost City now was drastically different from when he had last left it. Ghosts and little spirits also observed him in return.

Though Divine Lord Yuewang was once a mighty deity of Heaven and Earth, in the Ghost City, he now stood as its true master, supreme and unquestioned.

The two Palace Lords under him each governed their domains, while the monk, whether Bodhisattva or Buddha, held great respect and reverence from all.

Yet among them all... There was a living Daoist walking in their midst.

Some whispered to ask who he was, and those who knew answered quietly, “That’s the one who built the Ghost City.”

That instantly caused a stir.

Some older ghosts, who had been rescued by this Daoist from the State Preceptor’s hellfire furnace years ago, widened their eyes in shock when they saw him regardless of what they were doing. Then they dropped to their knees, bowing in deep reverence.

The Daoist couldn't help but feel something strange stir in his heart. Yet he gently asked them all to rise as he passed.

“Fellow Daoist, your reputation in this Ghost City is no small thing,” said Divine Lord Yuewang as they walked. “Centuries or even millennia from now, even if your name is forgotten in the human world, here in the Ghost City and throughout the future underworld, your name will likely be remembered forever.”

Song You only smiled and shook his head slightly. “Yet the one who remains here forever, is you, Divine Lord Yuewang.”

The monk walking beside them glanced over at him, smiling. It was as if he were both praising those words... and quietly amused by them.

Palace Lord He didn’t hide his reaction; he just stroked his beard and laughed aloud.

Only the calico cat wasn’t paying attention to any of this. She was distracted, stretching her neck and glancing around. Since she couldn’t tell which direction was northwest, she kept turning her head every which way, trying to spot the fox turned to stone and what it looked like, as well as where it stood.

Then, Divine Lord Yuewang returned to the matter at hand. His expression sharpened slightly.

“Back to business. Fellow Daoist, have you already gathered the Five-Directions Five-Elements Soil, as well as the Four Seasonal Springs?”

“Yes. I’ve gathered them.”

“All these years... it couldn’t have been easy, right?”

“Not as difficult as you might imagine,” Song You replied truthfully as they walked. “Of the Five-Elements Soil, the ones of metal and earth were already found by the State Preceptor. I simply took them from him. The water-elemental soil was located overseas to the southeast, on a deserted island. Finding it was difficult, but not unpleasant, and it had its own charm.

He added, “The fire-element soil was in the western desert, buried deep in the earth veins beneath the Gobi. That, like the two from the State Preceptor, was brought to me by an ancient god who lives in seclusion there. I simply received it from his hands, and I did not spend any effort at all.”

“Flaming Sun True Lord.”

“Oh, him?” Divine Lord Yuewang chuckled, seemingly familiar with the name, or at least having heard of it.

“That old thing has a fierce and volatile temper, and is prone to sudden moods. Why would he help you find the fire-element soil?”

“Perhaps it was fate,” Song You said with a pause, glancing at the god before him. “Or perhaps it was due to the righteousness of the Fire God.”

The monk once again turned to look at him.

Divine Lord Yuewang, however, sneered dismissively, entirely unmoved by the flattery. He tilted his head up and said, “I thought the two of you must’ve fought it out.”

“I’m not fond of conflict,” Song You replied calmly.

“And what about the final one?”

“The wood-element soil was found south of Yunzhou, held by a true dragon.”

“There are still true dragons in this world?”

“The last true dragon.”

“And what was that dragon like?”

“Unparalleled in majesty. It was earthshaking, heaven-stirring.”

As Song You recalled the figure, and the conversation they'd shared, his expression turned reflective, still moved by the encounter. No wonder that middle-aged man surnamed Mr. Liu had spoken of it that way. Only that one could be called a true dragon. No wonder it was a true dragon.

No wonder... ah, no wonder... It was a kind of awe that words could never fully express, and you had to see it for yourself.

But unfortunately, no one in this world would ever have the chance again.

“If even you describe it like that, then that true dragon must’ve been extraordinary and worthy even of the ancient age,” said Divine Lord Yuewang. Yet his brow furrowed. “Ancient true dragons were beings of immense power. If this one was so remarkable, how did you manage to obtain its spiritual resonance?”

“That being was indeed formidable,” Song You replied, meeting Divine Lord Yuewang's gaze. “But as I said, I dislike conflict. The true dragon gave it to me willingly.”

“If the true dragon had already obtained such a spiritual resonance,” Divine Lord Yuewang said, “why would it give it to you? Don’t tell me... for righteousness’ sake as well?”

“For righteousness,” Song You affirmed without hesitation. His expression turned solemn.

“In this world, there are countless people of honor, countless who possess great spirit, countless with outstanding virtue. But those worthy of admiration are not limited to just those present here.”

Divine Lord Yuewang fell silent. It seemed that this time, it truly was for righteousness.

“Amitābha,” intoned the monk. Smiling, he added, “Though Daoist Master Song carries a gentle and quiet demeanor, he has a unique power to move and persuade others.”

Divine Lord Yuewang was , and so was the Flaming Sun True Lord, as well as the true dragon of Yunzhou.

At the very least, Divine Lord Yuewang, who was present in person, did not refute it. If it weren’t true, why would he be here?

Divine Lord Yuewang shook his head, then asked again,

“What about the Four Seasons Spring?”

“The Four Seasons Spring is the most unique,” Song You replied.

“Among the Five-Elements Soils, one lay overseas, one was given by an ancient god, and one by a departed true dragon. But the Four Seasons Spring belongs to a mortal within Great Yan’s borders. It was the treasure of the Fuyun Temple in Tao Commandery of Jingzhou, an ancient sect with deep roots.”

“And they gave it to you willingly?”

“Everyone at Fuyun Temple acted out of righteousness. Upon hearing that I needed the Four Seasons Spring to forge the underworld, none objected and allowed me to draw from it freely.” Song You paused.

“If the underworld is successfully established, I ask that you remember the virtue and contribution of those at Fuyun Temple.”

“I dare not deceive,” said Song You earnestly. “Though I’d met the temple owner years ago by chance and formed a brief acquaintance, when I went again this time, it was not old ties that earned me the spring. It was the temple owner’s upright character. They allowed me to take most of the spring’s water, even to the point where the spring nearly dried up.”

“In that case...” Divine Lord Yuewang exchanged a glance with the two Palace Lords behind him, then said, “If the underworld is established, the Daoists of Fuyun Temple shall be remembered for a great contribution.”

Everyone now understood why Song You had called the Four Seasons Spring “special.”

Of the Five-Elements Soil, one was ownerless, one was offered by an ancient god, one by an ancient true dragon. Only the Four Seasons Spring came from someone who, after death, would likely arrive in this very place.

As the saying went, “To have virtue, one must have proper conduct.” The Daoists of Fuyun Temple clearly possessed virtue, and such a noble deed deserved to be recorded.

Those of great virtue should be respected in life, even if the world never knew it. But once they arrived in this place after death, they must be shown proper honor, especially for a deed of such great merit.

At the same time, from Divine Lord Yuewang's words, Song You realized something else: Years ago, when he had invited Divine Lord Yuewang to sit quietly as the guardian of this place, the god had agreed on the condition of a peaceful post. But after coming here, he had not been able to remain at peace.

“Now that the Five-Elements Soil and the Four Seasons Spring are all gathered, when do you plan to begin forging the underworld?”

“There’s no reason to delay, nor need for preparation.”

“All the better.” Divine Lord Yuewang gave no suggestion for him to rest, only nodded in agreement.

After a brief pause, he turned to look at the little cat on the ground, trotting with tiny steps. His eyes narrowed, as if recalling their meeting nearly fourteen years ago at Yuewang Temple in Yidu. Then he said, “That fox demon has long since turned to stone in the northwest, withdrawn from worldly matters. Upon hearing of your arrival, I’ve already sent word. Since you are old acquaintances, and the forging of the underworld will take quite some time, let her arrive first. You should reunite and catch up before undertaking this great work.”

“It just depends on whether she’ll come or not.”

Song You smiled faintly, offering no objection, but he didn’t truly believe they would be able to wait for her.

Just now, the monk had said that every time a high god from the Heavenly Palace descended upon the Ghost City, whether to claim a share of incense offerings or to pressure Divine Lord Yuewang on behalf of the celestial pantheon, the fox would release a trace of spiritual energy to aid them.

This meant that even though she had turned into stone and no longer showed herself, she was still watching the city’s affairs. Now that he had returned, she most likely already knew.

The street ahead stretched long; the Ghost City was dimly lit, illuminated mostly by pale-green ghost flames. But beside the road, unfamiliar trees were growing.

“These trees are...?”

“These are from the mountains outside,” Divine Lord Yuewang said. “I transplanted them here.”

“Why do they look so strange? I’ve never seen the likes of them.”

“Trees from the outer world can’t grow here, not just because they get no sunlight, but because they can’t endure the city’s ghostly and yin qi,” Divine Lord Yuewang explained calmly.

“But I thought, since I was already building a city, if not even a blade of grass or a single tree grew here, wouldn’t it be too dull and lifeless? Being a ghost is bad enough. If one lives here too long, one would become even more ghost-like. So I found a way. Eventually, they grew, though they turned out looking .”

“A fine phrase, ‘even more ghost-like,'” Song You couldn’t help but smile. “Divine Lord Yuewang, you’re quite the craftsman.”

“I’ve been a god with too much leisure for years, nothing much to do,” Divine Lord Yuewang replied. “Why not tinker with things I like? Don’t you agree?”

A leader’s influence on a place truly was tremendous. Had it been another deity, who was not as leisure-loving or refined as Lord Yue, no matter how capable or powerful they were, they’d likely have turned this place into the kind of grim, lifeless underworld that mortals imagined. They wouldn’t have gone to such lengths just to grow strange ghost-trees for ghosts to admire.

The group made their way to the center of the Ghost City. This was where the two Palace Lords handled matters of state. But the fox still did not appear.

Song You set down his pack, took out the Five-Elements Soil and the jade bottle of the Four Seasons Spring, then looked up at the tall stone spire platform, the very one he had sat atop for a full year long ago.

He lowered his head again and chuckled softly, “It seems I’ll have to finish forging the underworld first, and then visit Miss Wanjiang in person.”

There was no reason to delay.With his left hand, he held out the jade bottle, floating it in the air. With his right, he raised the Five-Element Spiritual Resonance, which spun continuously in midair.

The Daoist stepped toward the high platform. At the base of the spire was a ring of stone slabs.

Many of the newer ghosts no longer knew what those slabs were for. Even that towering platform, which overlooked the entire Ghost City, was only known through stories from old ghosts, who said that an immortal had once sat there. So over all these years, no matter how the Ghost City changed, no one dared disturb it.

Now, as the Daoist took his step forward, the stone slabs began to float one by one. It was as if they carried their own buoyancy, each rising to a different height, circling around the stone spire in layer upon layer and forming a staircase that led all the way to the top.

These were the steps for the immortal to ascend. Countless ghost officers and spirits craned their necks to look up at the high platform and the hovering steps.

Only a few divine officials knew that the immortal was about to once again bring great change to the Ghost City, and to all its souls.