The Journey of Immortal Cultivation

The Nine Sons Ghost Mother, also known as the "Evil Mother," is said to have originated from ancient times when five hundred people encountered a pregnant woman on their way to Wangshe City. The woman miscarried along the way, and all five hundred people abandoned her. She swore a vicious oath, promising to be reincarnated in Wangshe City and devour the children there. As fate would have it, she fulfilled her vow, giving birth to five hundred sons and daughters in Wangshe City and capturing local children to feed her offspring. Thus began the origins of the Nine Sons Ghost Mother.

However, few know that the Nine Sons Ghost Mother can also consume ghosts. This spectral mother, forged to guard the gate, slowly devoured a hundred thousand wronged souls over the years. Every thousand souls consumed results in the birth of another ghost child, and by this time, she has birthed a hundred children.

Upon reaching the realm of a hundred children, the Ghost Mother’s power has grown incomparable to that of when she had nine children. Although its body appears fat and thick, not only is it impervious to Divine Weapons, but it also resists most Divine Skills’ attacks. The foul breath spewed from its mouth can taint the Dao Body Magical Artifacts of cultivators. Each ghost child can leap forth independently to assist the Ghost Mother in attacking enemies, every one possessing unique abilities. Her overall strength can faintly rival those Immortals who have successfully undergone a Crossing Tribulation.

This was also the intention behind the construction of the underground palace. Those who can survive entry here possess cultivation levels at least above the Immortal Realm. Without formidable means placed here, the treasures guarded by the underground palace might truly be stolen by intruders.

Immediately after, the Ghost Mother turns her head towards Yuan Hou, exclaiming with joy, "A human!" Not knowing how long it has been since it last consumed human flesh, smelling fresh meat causes its eyes to turn crimson. Its lips are red, yet its face is pale like a corpse, chewing on the remnants of black and red bees, appearing both eerie and terrifying enough to scare a person to death.

Yuan Hou, however, shows no sign of fear. He merely sighs and says, "Must you make it so unsightly? Such a waste of good material."

The Ghost Mother naturally ignores his words and charges towards him. This mountain of flesh weighs at least six, seven tons, and its running causes the ground to tremble. As it runs, many child-like figures leap down from the flesh mountain. They all appear chubby and fair, with tender and cute features. After landing, they extend their little arms and hands towards Yuan Hou, their faces showing innocent smiles, giggling continuously. Were this in a bustling street filled with people instead of this deathly silent inner palace, many love-driven women would indeed be tempted to reach out and embrace them.

Unfortunately, the Ghost Babies’ true nature is to devour humans. Having gone hungry in this desolate place so long, smelling human flesh makes them impatiently excited. As soon as they pounce in front of this mortal, they are ready to reveal their tusks, ripping through his blood vessels, and swallowing his flesh whole! Since being confined in the inner palace, every ghost baby has gathered the soul power of a thousand people and spent long years being tempered by Evil Qi. Each possesses at least the power level of a Human during the Divinity Transformation Stage, making them incomparable to the single Ghost encountered by Ning Xiaoxian in the Zeng family’s abode.

Upon closer inspection, each ghost baby varies in appearance and characteristics. Some have fingers condensed with Evil Qi, others have sharp tusks in their mouths, some are shrouded entirely in smoke... each evidently boasts its own divine skills. Historical records state that battles were frequent in Ancient Times, and once when the Nine Sons Ghost Mother’s power surged, released ghost babies transformed into giant beasts, devouring numerous humans. The ghost beings seen now, having bathed in the most potent Evil Qi of the inner palace over tens of thousands of years, are unquestionably stronger than those recorded in history. Yet, Yuan Hou seems nothing more than an ordinary mortal, leading the ghosts to harbor thoughts of underestimating him.

If other cultivators were to enter instead, while suffering from the siege of Evil Qi, they would still have to contend with a hundred ghost babies and one Ghost Mother. Their plight would be indescribably miserable. Yet Yuan Hou remains motionless, waiting until these ghost babies reach only seven meters from him. Suddenly, his eyes flash with purple light, and dense black smoke pours out from all seven of his orifices, splitting into over ten paths, rushing straight for each ghost baby!

If Ning Xiaoxian or Changtian were present, they would see that every fine particle within these ten or so streams of smoke appears cut to perfect obsidian, reflecting an oily, black sheen even in this dim environment.

The ghost babies were fast, but the smoke travels even faster, almost instantly entering the wide-open mouths of the ghost babies. Each baby convulses, and suddenly they stop moving.

In the time it takes for two blinks, this thread of smoke exits the same way it entered, remaining suspended in midair, appearing even more black and robust than before.

The black smoke emerges, and suddenly, more than ten ghost babies seem to lose their core strength, collapsing to the ground with the sound of ceramics shattering.

The Ghost Mother, still running forward, suddenly stops upon witnessing this strange transformation, her face showing disbelief. Shortly after, terror replaces her expression; her body shakes heavily as she seemingly attempts to pull back from the edge of the cliff, ready to turn around and flee. Though she looks cumbersome, her sudden movement is surprisingly nimble. With a turn of her frame, she rushes to the Black Gate.

The smoke, having gathered together once more, pursues her with even greater speed, unceremoniously launching itself from behind, enveloping the Ghost Mother’s head layer by layer. From a distance, it appears as though her head is wrapped in a black stocking. The Ghost Mother panics, retracting her head into her belly like a turtle retreating into its shell. However, the smoke is equally quick, invading through her five senses before she fully recoils, drilling in through her mouth and nose.

The Ghost Mother’s forward momentum suddenly halts, and she remains motionless.

This scene returns the Royal City to its usual silence. Were it not for two figures standing on the road like lifeless statues, it would seem as if nothing had ever occurred. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, feel free to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to cast recommendation votes and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read at m.qidian.com.)