nashuaworldcup Chapter 285 The Ghost Child's Gap!
Chapter 285 The Ghost Child's Gap!
Chapter 285 The Ghost Child's Gap!
At this moment, deep within the Blackwater Marsh, three hundred miles west of the Corpse Forest.
The ground was covered with a dark green poisonous miasma that never dissipated. The miasma was as thick as porridge, and the divine sense of an ordinary Golden Core cultivator would be corroded and dissolved after probing into it for no more than ten feet.
Thirty feet below, there is a naturally formed hollow cavern.
The cave was small, no more than ten feet in length and width. Its four walls were made of slippery black rock, with fine white frost crystals condensed on the surface, and it was chillingly cold.
Chen Jinshu sat cross-legged on a relatively flat, dark blue boulder in the center of the cave. A cluster of pale blue flames burned at her fingertips, illuminating her slightly furrowed brow and pale cheeks.
"Although the Yin energy here is not as pure as that at the valley node, it is better because it is hidden. The poisonous miasma and coldness are intertwined, making it difficult for divine sense to penetrate. It is acceptable to stay here for a short period of time."
She muttered to herself, raised her right hand, and unleashed several cyan runes.
The runes disappeared into the surrounding rock walls, spreading silently and outlining a simple "Hidden Spirit Array".
The light from the array flashed and then disappeared, and the faint fluctuations of energy within the cave vanished completely. Even the sound of dripping water seemed to be muffled by a thick veil.
After setting up the formation, she slowly exhaled a breath of stale air, looked at Qingheng, and asked in a low voice, "Do you want to absorb it?"
"Yes!" Qingheng nodded without hesitation, but then shrank back a little guiltily.
"But...it seems to be able to talk and cry...it's not like those mindless ghosts."
"Go and see."
With a slight thought, Chen Jinshu's figure disappeared from the cave and the next moment he was in the spiritual plant space inside the Mysterious Female Treasure Furnace.
The space was still filled with spiritual energy, and the dark light flowed through the Xuan Yin Spirit Field in the center.
But at this moment, there was a "foreign object" at the edge of the spirit field.
Chen Jinshu walked to the vine cocoon, and Qingheng followed closely behind her, her little hands nervously clutching the hem of her clothes.
"Open it," Chen Jinshu said.
With a wave of her small hand, Qingheng's vines rustled and slid, loosening their outermost restraints and revealing the scene inside.
The Ghost King Child is currently curled up in a cage woven from vines.
It still looked like a boy, less than three feet tall, with a tattered black robe covered in mud and vine sap, a pale face, and the eerie green flames in its eyes now only two tiny sparks, flickering on and off, giving it a pitiful look.
Upon seeing Chen Jinshu, it burst into tears.
It wasn't the shrill wailing of a ghost, but rather a childlike, sobbing cry.
"Waaah... Don't eat me... I don't taste good... I... I haven't hurt anyone yet..."
As it cried, it wiped away its "tears" with its little black paws, but the more it wiped, the more tears it produced, and the dimmer the will-o'-the-wisp became.
Qingheng frowned as she watched from the side, muttering to herself:
"She cried so ugly... but the yin energy still smelled so good..."
Chen Jinshu remained expressionless, looking down at it with a cold voice:
"Never harmed anyone? The nascent form of the Xuan Yin Ghost King was born by absorbing the resentment of Yin veins and devouring wandering souls and ghosts; it was an evil creature by nature. How can you believe me if you say you've never harmed anyone?"
The Ghost King's Child sobbed as he looked up, his eerie green will-o'-the-wisps flickering pitifully.
"It's true! I woke up in the 'Ghostly Rift of the River of Oblivion'... There was only yin energy and some dazed wandering souls there... When I was hungry, I would absorb some yin energy, and when I was sleepy, I would swallow a couple of wandering souls as snacks... But, I have never actively tried to capture any living people!"
It seemed afraid that Chen Jinshu wouldn't believe it, so it quickly added:
“Those wandering souls have been dead for countless years, their souls are broken and they don’t even remember who they are! By eating them, I’m letting them find peace sooner…”
"Nonsense," Chen Jinshu said calmly.
"Since you are the nascent form of a ghost king and your intelligence has been awakened, you can distinguish right from wrong. Devouring souls, whether broken or intact, is against the way of Heaven."
Besides, you previously wanted me to hand you over in exchange for Moon Essence Crystals and a quiet place.
The Ghost King's attendant choked for a moment, and the will-o'-the-wisp swayed awkwardly, muttering an explanation:
"Th-that was just to scare you guys so you wouldn't bother me while I was doing my beauty treatment...who knew you could actually attract such pure moonlight, and...and you even play those strange musical notes..."
Its voice grew softer and softer as it spoke:
"And... the smell of that stove on you is so good... I was just thinking about it, I didn't actually eat it..."
Qingheng stood to the side, hands on her hips, her blue eyes wide open:
"You still dare to covet the master's precious furnace! Believe me or not, I'll absorb you right now!"
"No! Don't eat me!" The Ghost King Child trembled in fright, shrinking into a ball.
"I'm useful! I really am useful!"
Chen Jinshu narrowed his eyes slightly: "Oh? What use are you?"
The Ghost King Child, as if grasping at a straw, hurriedly raised his small face, trying to ignite the ghostly flame a little brighter, and spoke urgently:
"I... I haven't harmed anyone, but I've eaten a lot of wandering souls! Some of those wandering souls were local cultivators from the Southern Frontier, some were wandering cultivators who were passing through on an adventure, and a few seemed to be disciples of sects... Although their souls were damaged, some fragments of their memories were still there!"
It swallowed a non-existent mouthful of saliva and said quickly:
“I remember… 800 miles west of the Blackwater Marsh in the Southern Frontier, there’s a place called the ‘Rotten Poison Swamp.’ There grows a poisonous plant called the ‘Nine Yin Corrupting Heart Grass,’ which is the main ingredient for refining the ‘Corrupting Heart Pill.’ Many demonic cultivators are looking for it, but there are three ‘Corrupting Poison Toad Kings’ guarding the place. Any Golden Core cultivator who goes in is just asking for death…”
"Also, in 'Liusha City,' which borders the Southern Frontier and the Western Regions, there is actually an ancient cultivation site underground. It opens once every thirty years on the night of the full moon, and the next one will be in three years! To enter, you need a token called the 'Liusha Token.' I know a rogue cultivator who is a Golden Core cultivator. He frequents the 'Yellow Wind Valley' area and likes to wear yellow robes and carry an iron-bone fan..."
"And there's more! The largest ghost market in Southern Xinjiang, 'Netherworld Market,' isn't in the open. It's located in an underground cavern 1,200 miles south of Blackwater Marsh. The entrance is concealed by an illusion array. At midnight on the first day of each month, the third stalagmite in the northeast corner of the cavern will glow with a ghostly light. That's the entrance!"
It spoke extremely fast, dumping out a lot of fragmented information all at once, including the origin of spiritual objects, news of secret realms, entrances to ghost markets, and even some hidden rumors about local forces in the southern border.
Chen Jinshu listened quietly, his expression unchanged, but his heart was stirred.
Although this information was disorganized and difficult to verify, the place names, products, and forces involved could corroborate some of the information she had previously obtained from the jade slip of the Pine Crane Elder and the nautical charts and miscellaneous records she had purchased from Raging Waves City.
Furthermore, the "Liusha City" and "Huangfeng Valley" mentioned by the Ghost King Child happen to match the location of "Container C" recorded in the Xuan Yin Zi Jade Slip!
She needs to travel to the Blackwater Marsh in the Southern Frontier and the Flowing Sand City in the Western Regions to eliminate the containers that Xuan Yinzi might be trying to possess.
This journey is fraught with danger. If we had more detailed information about the region, the distribution of forces, and potential dangers, our chances of survival would greatly increase.
Seeing Chen Jinshu remain silent, the Ghost King's attendant grew increasingly uneasy, and his ghostly flame flickered weakly.
"I... that's all I remember... There are some more fragmented things, like when the monsters in which valley give birth, what kind of goods the shopkeepers in which markets like to buy... If you keep me, I can think about it slowly and tell you slowly!"
"I can even scout ahead for you! I'm sensitive to yin energy; I can detect any ghosts, spirits, or yin-attribute traps within a hundred miles!"
Qingheng curled her lip: "Scouting the way? Master has puppets and Yinshan Sparrow, what use are you?"
Ghost King Child was anxious: "No, it's not the same! No matter how powerful puppets and spirit beasts are, they are still living things. In some Yin Sha forbidden places, living things will just be sent to their deaths if they go in!"
I am a ghost, and the heavier the yin energy, the more comfortable I feel! Moreover... I can also help you nurture yin-attribute spiritual plants!
"Look at this spiritual field. Although the yin energy is pure, its flow is stagnant. If I were to stay here and guide it with my own ghostly energy, the growth rate of these Bone-Corroding Orchids and Netherworld Grasses would increase by at least 30%!"
As it spoke, it gazed longingly at the few newly transplanted Bone-Eating Orchids and Soul-Binding Grasses beside it, its eerie green flames revealing an almost "yearning" emotion.
Chen Jinshu's eyes flickered slightly, and he finally spoke, his voice still calm:
"What's your name?" The Ghost King's Child paused, his will-o'-the-wisp flickering blankly.
"Name? I...I don't know. When I woke up, I was in the Gorgon, surrounded by wandering spirits and yin energy. No one gave me a name."
It tilted its head and whispered:
“Those wandering spirits call me ‘Little Ghost King’… but I don’t like it; it sounds like a bandit leader.”
Qingheng burst out laughing:
"And yet you used to refer to yourself as 'this king' all the time?"
The Ghost King's face paled, and he said awkwardly:
"Th-that wasn't meant to scare people...actually, I'm a very timid person..."
Chen Jinshu pondered for a moment and said:
"Since you were born in the crevice of the River of Oblivion, I shall call you 'Crevice'."
“Ghost Rift…” Ghost Rift murmured, repeating it over and over. Its ghostly green flames brightened a bit, as if it didn’t dislike the name at all, but rather found it rather intriguing.
"Thank you...Master?"
It tentatively called out, and seeing that Chen Jinshu didn't object, it grew a little bolder and cautiously asked:
"Then... then the master won't eat me?"
"I'll spare your life for now," Chen Jinshu said calmly.
"But a soul contract must be established. If you harbor evil intentions or conceal or deceive, I can cause your soul to be scattered with a mere thought."
Youxi trembled, but dared not object, and quickly nodded:
"I...I'm willing! I'll be good and do whatever you say!"
Chen Jinshu said no more, his hands forming a seal, the green light at his fingertips mixed with a trace of the creation aura of the Mysterious Female Furnace, outlining a complex gray rune in the void.
At the center of the rune, the faint shadow of chains is wrapped around.
"Concentrate, do not resist."
With a flick of her finger, the gray rune vanished into the space between her eyebrows.
Youxi's body shuddered violently, and the ghostly green flames suddenly contracted and then expanded. His entire ghostly body seemed to be bound by invisible chains, stiffening for a moment before slowly relaxing.
A very faint gray mark appeared on its forehead, shaped like a miniature padlock, which disappeared in an instant.
The soul contract has been formed.
Chen Jinshu could clearly feel that he could control the life and death of Youxi with a single thought.
At the same time, he could also vaguely sense the other person's emotions. At this moment, the fear in Youxi's heart had not dissipated, but he felt a sense of relief.
"Qingheng, let it go," Chen Jinshu said.
Qingheng reluctantly said "Oh," and with a wave of her small hand, the entwining vines rustled away, retreated to her feet, and transformed back into the shape of a jade hairpin, which she then inserted back into Chen Jinshu's hair.
Youxi was free, but dared not move. She remained curled up in the same spot, staring longingly at Chen Jinshu.
"Tell me about the City of Flowing Sands."
"Tell me everything you know about Flowing Sand City, including its terrain, power, taboos, and rumors, in as much detail as possible."
Youxi's spirits lifted; he knew it was time to demonstrate his value.
It struggled to sit up straight, cleared its non-existent throat, and began to speak:
"Liusha City is located on the edge of the Western Regions, near the 'Sea of Death'. It is extremely hot during the day and freezing cold at night, with a harsh climate. However, there are ancient riverbed ruins underground and occasional oases, making it a gray trading point between the Western Regions and the Southern Frontier."
"The largest force in the city is the 'Sand Bandit Alliance,' whose leader is a late-stage Golden Core cultivator nicknamed 'Sand Scorpion.' He is ruthless but follows the rules. As long as you pay the 'city garrison fee,' you are basically safe in his territory. However, there are also factional struggles within the Sand Bandit Alliance, and they often fight each other."
"Besides the Sand Bandit Alliance, there are several Western Region demonic sects that have established strongholds there, such as the Blood Fiend Sect and the Five Poisons Sect. They occasionally send people to purchase desert specialties or handle some shady goods."
"The opening of the Ancient Relics Palace in Liusha City every three years is the biggest event. The entrance to the relics palace is in the 'Illusory Sand Valley', which is thirty miles outside the city. There is a natural maze in the valley that only appears on the night of the full moon. To enter, you need a 'Liusha Token'. It is said that there are only thirty-six of them, scattered all over the place. No one knows the full picture of what is inside the relics palace, but every time someone comes out, they can bring out some ancient treasures, cultivation techniques or rare materials. So every time it opens, everyone is fighting tooth and nail to get their hands on them."
As Youxi spoke, she observed Chen Jinshu's expression. Seeing that she was listening attentively, she continued:
“I remember… there was a wandering soul who was a rogue cultivator in Flowing Sand City. He obtained half of a body-refining technique in the ruins. After he came out, he was targeted by sand scorpions and chased for thousands of miles. In the end, he was seriously injured and escaped to the vicinity of Blackwater Marsh. He died from his injuries and became a wandering soul… When I ate him, I saw some fragments of memories.”
"The ruins seem to be divided into several levels, with increasing dangers as you go down, but also more valuable items. The first level mainly contains low-level magic artifacts and pills, the second level features trials and inheritances left by ancient cultivators, and the third level... it seems no one has ever gone in, or rather, those who have gone in have never come out."
"Furthermore, there is an underground river beneath Liusha City, where a spiritual material called 'Sand Jade Marrow' grows. It is an excellent material for refining earth-attribute magic weapons. However, the underground river is infested with 'Spirit-Devouring Sand Worms,' which swarm in large numbers and are extremely troublesome."
It racked its brains to piece together those fragmented memories and recount them in as much detail as possible.
If its memory of certain places is hazy, it will honestly admit that "I can't remember this part" or "it may not be accurate."
Chen Jinshu listened quietly, occasionally asking one or two key details.
After talking until her throat was dry, she nodded slightly.
"Are there any other memories related to 'containers' or 'possession'? Especially those related to 'Xuan Yinzi' or 'Yin Sha Sect'?"
Youxi blinked blankly: "Xuan Yinzi? Yin Sha Sect? I... I've never heard of it... Among the wandering souls I've eaten, there don't seem to be any members of the Yin Sha Sect. But..."
It tried to recall, and the ghostly green flame flickered slightly:
"There was a wandering spirit who was a cultivator from a small family in the southern border region in his previous life. He seemed to have mentioned that there was once a genius disciple in the family who was taken away by a mysterious person, who said he was going to the Western Regions to cultivate."
That disciple possessed both wood and fire spiritual roots, and was only at the early Foundation Establishment stage when he left… Later, the family received news that the disciple had appeared in Flowing Sand City, his cultivation had advanced by leaps and bounds, but his personality had drastically changed, and he no longer recognized his family… After that, there was no further news.”
Chen Jinshu's eyes narrowed: "What's the name of your family? What's your disciple's name?"
Youxi said with a pained expression, "I... I can't remember... The wandering soul's memories were too fragmented. I only saw a few scenes. It seemed to be a family with the surname 'Jiang'? The disciple's name was... Jiang something Yang? Jiang Muyang? No... it seemed to be Jiang... Jiang Yi?"
It tapped its little head, and the will-o'-the-wisp flickered:
"Master, I... I really can't remember... These fragments of memory are like sand, they can't be held onto, they'll scatter with the wind..."
Chen Jinshu did not ask any further questions.
Confirming the existence of a "container" in Liusha City, which matches the records in Xuan Yinzi's jade slip, is already an unexpected gain.
"You said before that it could help yin-attribute spiritual plants grow?"
Youxi nodded hurriedly, her little face showing a flattering expression: "Yes! Yes! Master, you see!"
It raised its small black paw and gestured towards a nearby Bone-Corroding Orchid. A faint, pure, ghostly aura of darkness emanated from its fingertip and lingered around the orchid's roots.
The once somewhat droopy Ebony Orchid trembled slightly, and the pale blue fluorescence on its petals seemed to brighten a little.
"I am a Xuan Yin Ghost Body, and my original ghost energy is the best for nourishing Yin beings. However, I am still very weak. I just suffered a lot of damage to my vital energy from Master's zither music and Sister Qing Teng's domain... If I can slowly recover, the effect will be even better." Youxi explained in a low voice, not forgetting to steal a glance at Qingheng.
Qingheng snorted softly and turned her head away, but she didn't shout for battle again.
Chen Jinshu pondered for a moment and said:
"In that case, you will stay here temporarily and assist Qingheng in taking care of the Yin-attribute spiritual plants. Without my permission, you must not leave the spiritual field, disturb other spiritual plants, or attempt to devour any living beings in the space, including those unintelligent insects."
Youxi nodded repeatedly, as if granted a pardon.
"Yes, Master! I will be good!"