Chapter 631 - 578: Nine Netherworld Gate
The clone of Jiang Yuebai, who was supposed to be teaching, is currently with her main body at the abode of Cicada Spirit True Monarch, who practices the Yin Yang Family’s path.
The real issue is that the ’Nine Netherworld Gate’ of the Yin Vein within the Yin Yang Family is too difficult to open, so Jiang Yuebai had to call upon a clone to join her in cultivation, doubling her efficiency.
As for the teaching side, there’s absolutely nothing to worry about since she has already applied for a ten-year usage of that bamboo grove from the Inner Affairs Hall.
The runes in the array and the artifact refining challenges change every ten days. The materials used for the rewards are provided by the Zhuge Family, classified as teaching supplies, and she can produce a three-month supply in just one night.
In this way, the clone dedicated to teaching can be set free to do other things in the short term.
As for the rewards for topping the leaderboard—such as the Golden Armor Warrior Talisman, Continuous Pearl Thunder Talisman crafting methods, and Taixuan Golden Armor—these self-funded items will ultimately end up in Bai Jiuyou’s pocket.
Bai Jiuyou earns it with her strength, and there’s no underhand dealing from her.
In conclusion, to sum it up, she, Jiang Yuebai, will never make a loss!
"So, Junior Sister Wangshu, have you found the location of the Nine Netherworld Gate this time?"
Upon hearing Cicada Spirit True Monarch’s voice, Jiang Yuebai’s main body comes back to her senses, while her clone remains in meditation.
At this time, they are at the deepest part of the Eight Immortals Riverbed, with an array supporting a portion of the space where water plants dance outside, fish and shrimp gather in groups, and from the underground spiritual vein emanates a faintly eerie chill—a Yin Spirit Vein Pulse accidentally discovered by the Zhuge Family.
The Yin energy there is dense yet not violent, making it very suitable for practicing traditional Yin Attribute Cultivation Techniques.
Cicada Spirit sits cross-legged opposite Jiang Yuebai’s main body. She has a petite figure, lively eyebrows, and eyes, and loves wearing bright yellow dresses, her smile particularly sweet.
Jiang Yuebai felt an instant connection with her; they both appear to be seventeen or eighteen years old, standing together like siblings of the same age.
Cicada Spirit is at the Mid-Stage Nascent Soul, and both referred to each other as senior sister and junior sister due to that.
Jiang Yuebai shook her head and sighed, "This is indeed somewhat difficult."
Cicada Spirit comforted her, "No need to rush. This task is naturally easier for Ghost Cultivators and harder for us. With how smart you are, you’ll definitely be able to open your own ’Nine Netherworld Gate’."
Jiang Yuebai nodded, looking at Cicada Spirit with gratitude.
Cicada Spirit is a Ghost Cultivator, rescued back by Family Head Zhuge Shou back in the battlefield of two races. Due to severe damage to her body and Nascent Soul, she was beyond saving, and finally, had Zhuge Family’s Refining Void Ancestor enter the fray to preserve her soul, leading her to cultivate the Ghost Dao.
In the Yin Yang Family, there are Yin and Yang veins, among which Zhuge Ziyin specializes in the Yang vein, able to control any living creature. If her cultivation level is sufficient to suppress it, she can even control humans.
Unlike Jiang Yuebai who uses the Silk Control Technique to control, Zhuge Ziyin’s human control allows someone to give their full strength, while Jiang Yuebai only manipulates the surface like a puppet.
Zhuge Ziyin is currently in seclusion, so she cannot ask for guidance. Jiang Yuebai can only turn to Cicada Spirit to learn the Yin vein, which in simple terms, involves Ghost Control and dead things.
Within the Cultivation Realm, there exist many wandering ghosts, zombies, and malevolent spirits. These entities cannot enter the Netherworld for reincarnation, so they roam the Human World, mostly exploited by Evil Dao Cultivators.
However, the Righteous Path also has methods of Ghost Control, techniques more orthodox than the Evil Cultivators. Ghosts are not fed blood or indiscriminately massacred but instead raised via the Incense Fire Dao or by absorbing naturally existing Earth Vein Yin Qi.
Although ghosts raised in this way grow slowly, they are very righteous, with a chance of surviving the Heavenly Tribulation to ascend, even to become a Ghost Immortal.
Cicada Spirit, because of her status as a Ghost Cultivator, therefore practices the Yin Yang Family’s Yin vein.
Aside from raising Ghost Slaves, the Yin vein of the Yin Yang Family can also communicate with the Netherworld and open the Nine Netherworld Gate, summoning Evil Ghosts stuck in the Netherworld unable to reincarnate into the world.
Just like Dongyue, who Jiang Yuebai once killed, upon opening the Nine Netherworld Gate, provided one has enough strength, they can even summon a powerful Evil Ghost beyond their cultivation strength or a vast Ghost Army.
After understanding the Yin vein, Jiang Yuebai thought whether these ghosts could do work for her, aside from just Dharma combat.
In her Lotus Platform Cave Heaven, those who manufacture armor components are far from sufficient, and Yann Hongyu is clumsy and cannot be criticized. Criticism only leads to a high-pitched defense followed by tears.
Moreover, the Nine Netherworld Gate connects to the Netherworld—she wondered if she could fetch some Three Path River Water to sell for Spirit Stones or pick a few Yellow Springs Flowers, valuable and delicious things.
Therefore, she must open this Nine Netherworld Gate.
"Senior Sister Cicada Spirit, is there no other way?" Jiang Yuebai inquired. Presently, she could only roughly sense the Netherworld’s whereabouts by feeling the heavens and earth, then tentatively locate and bore a gate.
Each individual’s Nine Netherworld Gate is in different locations—each can only open their own gate, using their own method and varying costs to stabilize the portal, not lending it to others.
Cicada Spirit thought for a moment and said, "There actually is one method."
Jiang Yuebai’s eyes lit up, "Let’s hear it."
"Guided by a Ghost Slave, a Ghost Dao Cultivator can naturally sense the Netherworld’s direction. You can first nurture a Ghost Slave, then have the Ghost Slave lead you to find it. However, in this case, that Ghost Slave will become your ’Gatekeeper Ghost’. If the Ghost Slave harbors sinister intentions, you may be controlled by it."
Jiang Yuebai thought carefully, then asked, "Senior Sister Cicada Spirit, in history, how many Human Cultivators have opened the Nine Netherworld Gate normally?"
"One—an ancestor of the Zhuge Family, reportedly with others’ assistance, though the specifics of this assistance aren’t recorded."
"Then what else do I have to consider? I don’t have such powerful friends, so I’ll let the Ghost Slave lead the way instead. Tell me the detailed steps."
"Alright."
Jiang Yuebai and Cicada Spirit focused on their cultivation at the riverbed, day after day, completely oblivious to the passage of time.
On this day, deep in the inner city of the Zhuge Family, Family Head Zhuge Shou was conversing with Supreme Elder Zhuge Jing.
"I’ve arranged everything for the Dragon Group Gathering of the Nine Rivers Realm," Family Head Zhuge Shou stated.
Supreme Elder Zhuge Jing sat in the Taishi Chair nodding, "I heard there’s recently an Inner Sect Disciple named Bai Jiuyou, who’s been quite popular?"
Zhuge Shou replied, "That’s correct. I’ve personally inspected her; whether it’s talent, knowledge, or conduct, they’re all outstanding. Because of her, the disciples below have all become much more diligent lately."
"Hmm, the Foundation Establishment Stage competition at the Dragon Group Gathering can include her. There’s four years left; provide her with enough resources to let her reach Foundation Establishment sooner."
"Rest assured, Elder."
"And how about True Monarch Wangshu?" inquired Supreme Elder Zhuge Jing.
Mentioning Jiang Yuebai, Zhuge Shou’s expression turned a bit complicated as he chuckled wryly, "Speaking of which, True Monarch Wangshu is somewhat like Bai Jiuyou. Bai Jiuyou drives the disciples beneath her to study diligently, while True Monarch Wangshu is nearly driving the academy elders crazy."
"You have no idea, now all the academy elders are starting to study Divine Separation and Body Splitting Methods. To recruit disciples for their classes, they’re employing whatever means necessary, like gift offering upon registration, home-based teaching services—endless tactics. What’s funnier is that even the Golden Core Masters in the Inner Sect are interested in True Monarch Wangshu’s classes, and even the Nascent Soul True Monarchs can’t remain idle."
"There’s that stubborn and proud Elder Tie Wanjiang from our Armor Making Institute, who has repeatedly disguised and suppressed his cultivation to masquerade as a Foundation Establishment Disciple to study in True Monarch Wangshu’s array, only to have his identity exposed time and again on that cumulative score leaderboard."
"Haha~" Supreme Elder Zhuge Jing laughed heartily, "That must be quite a spectacle."
Zhuge Shou, usually stoic, couldn’t help but smile at this moment.
"Indeed, our family elders have a love-hate relationship with True Monarch Wangshu. Elder Hongjian from the Secret Academy mentioned that True Monarch Wangshu stationed a clone especially at the Secret Academy, continuously reading books day and night, resulting in endless questions for her to answer. She couldn’t handle it and recently applied for permission to join the team escorting resources to the Taiwei Star Alliance."
"Hahaha~"
Zhuge Jing raised his tea cup, laughing again.
"Hongjian is the most well-read in our Zhuge Family, yet she can’t handle it either. I wonder who could possibly hold down this Jiang Wangshu."
While they were conversing, a servant disciple’s reporting voice suddenly came from outside.
"Supreme Elder, True Monarch Wangshu seeks an audience. She mentioned being unable to find Elder Hongjian and wishes to consult you on some issues."
Zhuge Jing’s hand gave a sudden shake, spilling tea all over the floor.
Zhuge Shou instantly couldn’t hold back and burst into laughter.