: Human Calamity in the Yang World

Ning Zhuo listened carefully, murmuring softly as he repeated the key points: "First, find the vital point; second, strike it using Confucian methods."

"Got it!"

"But how do I find the vital point, and what Confucian methods? Can I learn them?"

Ning Zhuo was very curious about new things; he wanted to learn all the hundred arts of cultivation.

Wen Ruan Yu couldn't help but ask curiously, "Young friend Ning Zhuo, you're taking this so seriously—do you really have a ceremony you need to disrupt?"

"Is it related to White Paper Immortal City and the ghost tide?"

Ning Zhuo smiled slightly, "Senior Wen, thank you for your concern. This is a personal matter of mine. Please teach me! If you have any requests, feel free to state them."

Wen Ruan Yu shook her head, "You are Sister Meng's child; I should be looking out for you, how could I ask for payment from you?"

"Although the contents of this ritual are incomplete, its grade is quite high. If you handle it alone, it will be too strenuous and dangerous."

"If you need my help, just say the word!"

Ning Zhuo politely declined again.

This matter, he wanted to handle himself!

Wen Ruan Yu seemed trustworthy, and even the White Paper City Lord had vested interests, but Ning Zhuo didn't want to seek their help.

The reason was simple—Meng Yao Yin had hidden all this, not only from the White Paper City Lord but also from the Myriad Forms Sect.

"Mother must have had her reasons for doing this. I haven't been in White Paper Immortal City for long; I'm still an outsider. So, before uncovering why Mother set things up this way, following her lead is the safest approach."

"In fact, even if they knew this secret, they wouldn't be of much help."

"Just defending White Paper Immortal City requires their full effort."

Seeing Ning Zhuo's stance, Wen Ruan Yu didn't press further and instead detailed the relevant methods.

"Finding the central hub is actually quite simple—you use literary energy."

"When literary energy reaches a certain level, it attracts and competes with each other; this is known as literary talent attracting and contending."

"Here is the literary energy I've accumulated over time; I'll give it all to you. By following its guidance, you'll be able to locate the central hub."

As she spoke, Wen Ruan Yu took out a small storage pouch.

The white pouch was semi-transparent, containing a misty literary energy that emitted a snowy glow, visible through the pouch.

Wen Ruan Yu said with a hint of pride, "This is the Literary Light Snow Pouch. If a Confucian cultivator's literary talent is insufficient, even with accumulated literary energy, it won't emit this snowy light. That's why Confucian cultivators often compare their Snow Pouches during literary gatherings."

Ning Zhuo immediately praised it a few times, making Wen Ruan Yu smile.

Ning Zhuo put away the Snow Pouch and asked what Confucian method to use to destroy the central hub.

Wen Ruan Yu pondered for a moment and said, "I can think of six methods that can destroy the central hub."

Ning Zhuo: "I can learn them all! But..."

Wen Ruan Yu looked deeply at Ning Zhuo, "But you're short on time, aren't you?"

Ning Zhuo nodded frankly.

Wen Ruan Yu: "You're just like your mother, both wanting to take on the heaviest responsibilities. Fine, since time is tight, there's only one that suits you best."

"This Confucian art is called 'Scholar Meets Soldiers.' Though it's a Confucian art, it uses military煞 (sha, baleful energy) to counter other Confucian arts."

Ning Zhuo's pupils slightly contracted, sending a shiver down his spine!

Wen Ruan Yu didn't keep him in suspense and immediately taught him this art: "It's the simplest of them all and the easiest to master quickly. However, each casting requires a significant amount of military煞, making it suitable for some Confucian generals."

After a quick review, Ning Zhuo found Wen Ruan Yu's words to be entirely true and was inwardly shocked, thinking, "I previously purchased the 'Bearing Soldiers and负煞术' and have collected a lot of military煞, storing it within my body."

"Now this 'Scholar Meets Soldiers' Confucian art and 'Bearing Soldiers and负煞术' can form a perfect match!"

"Is this what it means to be favored by fate?"

"Everything I do feels natural and smooth!"

---

Yin World.

River of Forgetfulness Immortal City.

A subordinate hurried to the study, his expression grave.

For some time now, bad news had been pouring in, causing unrest throughout the territory of the River of Forgetfulness Underworld.

The once unshakable and powerful River of Forgetfulness Underworld now felt like it was on shaky ground.

The subordinate gritted his teeth, stood at the door, and quietly reported an urgent situation.

"Enter," said the River of Forgetfulness Lord.

After hearing the report, the Lord remained calm: "Understood, you may leave."

The subordinate withdrew respectfully.

The River of Forgetfulness Lord fell into deep thought: "This time it's a locust plague, causing three million acres of fire grain to burn."

"Who is behind this?"

"This method seems like that of the Ten Thousand Locust Sovereign?"

This person was a Gu cultivator, at the Transformation God level, with a personal grudge against the River of Forgetfulness Lord. Whether he was persuaded by others or took advantage of the Underworld's critical moment to act was unclear.

"Very well, Ten Thousand Locust Sovereign, I'll remember this debt and repay it in the future." Even the River of Forgetfulness Lord felt the pain of his loss.

The three million acres of fire grain fields were a major resource point for the River of Forgetfulness Underworld.

To cultivate this land, the Lord had buried over a dozen Earth Gods to enrich the soil.

Land in the Yin World was usually very barren and difficult to farm.

The River of Forgetfulness Lord painstakingly developed three million acres of fertile land, set up formations to generate Yang within Yin, and planted fire grain.

These fire grains, Yang in nature, might be common in the Yang World, but in the Yin World, they were rare treasures.

Even ghost cultivators couldn't solely seek Yin energy; they needed Yang energy to balance it, achieving harmony between Yin and Yang.

Thus, these fire grains were often in high demand. After meeting the Underworld's own needs, the remaining thirty percent sold for profits that accounted for fifteen percent of the entire Underworld's revenue.

Now, the Ten Thousand Locust Sovereign had summoned billions of locusts to devour the fire grain, causing widespread fires and destroying this economic pillar of the River of Forgetfulness Underworld.

The River of Forgetfulness Lord chose not to retaliate; he had already dispatched much of his force recently.

Since the fire grain was lost, there was no need to save it. The only concern was that the fire might spread and cause more damage in the surrounding areas.

"I must send a capable minister for disaster relief. Otherwise, completely neglecting it would lose popular support and play into the enemy's hands."

Thinking this, the River of Forgetfulness Lord frowned.

His capable ministers and generals, who should have been tightly guarding the Heavenly Ghost Transformation Tribulation Rite, now had to be reassigned to maintain stability.

Just as the Lord made this difficult decision, selected a candidate, and issued the order, another urgent report arrived.

"Iron Skeleton Duke!" This time, the River of Forgetfulness Lord couldn't stay calm; he slammed his hand on the desk, scattering ink and brushes.

Iron Skeleton Duke was a senior minister from the previous reign. The former Lord, before passing, had handed the position to the current River of Forgetfulness Lord and advised him to treat the greatest meritorious subject well—this was Iron Skeleton Duke.

The River of Forgetfulness Lord agreed and did treat Iron Skeleton Duke well, gradually sidelining him away from the center of power until he retired.

Of course, the Lord hadn't forgotten to assign people to monitor Iron Skeleton Duke's daily activities, given his seniority and the fact that he held the previous Lord's Iron Certificate of Merit.

Now, Iron Skeleton Duke had suddenly rebelled, killed the monitoring squad the Lord had placed nearby, rallied his old troops, and raised the banner of restoring order.

If not handled properly, allowing this rebel army to gain momentum could severely shake the River of Forgetfulness Lord's position.

"I must send a great general to oppose him!"

After much thought, the River of Forgetfulness Lord had no choice but to dispatch his most trusted general.

This general had contributed to his rise, following him step by step to the Lord's position and possessing considerable military talent.

But this talent was no match for Iron Skeleton Duke's.

The latter's military achievements were beyond what anyone under the River of Forgetfulness Lord could match.

"Go and defend the city, hold off the rebels, and wait for my reinforcements!" the River of Forgetfulness Lord strictly ordered.

By the afternoon, a subordinate rushed in panic to report: "Bad news, my Lord! Rolling Mud Pill has suddenly awakened and appeared in the northwest, currently moving towards Nine Nether Mountain."

The River of Forgetfulness Lord was stunned.

Rolling Mud Pill!

This was a mountain that had become a demon, extremely ancient. Initially, it was just a single peak, but through continuous consumption, it grew.

Now, it had become a mountain range.

Still not satisfied, it aimed to devour other mountains to enhance itself.

Clearly, this time its target was Nine Nether Mountain.

The River of Forgetfulness Underworld had few mountains to begin with, and Nine Nether Mountain's mineral veins were rich, being the Underworld's largest source of minerals, accounting for eighty percent of total extraction!

If Rolling Mud Pill swallowed it, the Underworld would be in a very passive position, having to purchase minerals in bulk from outside.

"They want me to use the White Tiger Golden Light Seal."

This magical treasure was one of the River of Forgetfulness Lord's signature items, a truly heavy weapon.

Only by using this treasure, combined with the great formation in Nine Nether Mountain, could the boundless metal energy in the mineral veins be activated to form sharp attacks, break Rolling Mud Pill's mountain body, hurt it enough to make it retreat.

The River of Forgetfulness Lord saw through the enemy's scheme but had no choice but to comply.

By evening, another subordinate came to report that a name card had suddenly appeared in the city lord's public hall.

The card was from Zeng Ji De.

He was famous, a former cultivator of the Not Empty Gate in life, who turned to soul cultivation after death and became a great thief in the Yin World.

His style was flamboyant; every time he planned to steal, he would first send a theft notice to the owner, stating when he would come and what he would steal.

"Good, even famous rogue cultivators are bullying me now." The River of Forgetfulness Lord took a deep breath, knowing he was inevitably being drawn in.

Such bad news had already diverted most of his forces; both his capable subordinates and signature treasures were being drawn away.

"Fortunately, these are not natural disasters or heavenly tribulations, but human calamities."

"These can be dealt with, or temporarily ignored; they're just pawns to tie down my strength."

"The ones truly opposing me... Yin Jiu Zhu is the foremost, followed by Sorrow Bone and Soundless. I don't know if Painted Skin Raksha is traveling abroad and can't return in time."

"Most of these human calamities likely come from these three or four individuals."

The River of Forgetfulness Lord was very clear about who his true, irreconcilable enemies were, those who posed a threat to him.

These were the powerful foes he really had to face.

"No, these are all opponents from the Yin World. There should be another human calamity, coming from the Yang World."

Thinking this, the River of Forgetfulness Lord suddenly felt a chill.

He immediately realized this was a warning from his Kingly Mandate!

As the Lord of the Underworld, he naturally possessed a Kingly Mandate.

"By performing the Tribulation Rite and serving the Yin World's Heaven, I've angered the Yang World."

"Therefore, in the Yin World, those obstructing my path are only human calamities, not heavenly or earthly disasters."

"But in the Yang World, it's different."

"However, for the Yang World's Heaven to deal with me, heavenly or earthly disasters can't reach here, so it must manifest as human calamities."

"Now it seems this human calamity is no small matter!"

After a moment of silence, the River of Forgetfulness Lord made a decision: "Go ask Grey Bone Elder, promise heavy rewards, no matter what, he must calculate the human calamity in the Yang World!"

---

Yang World.

White Paper Immortal City.

Li Xiang Shang was awakened by Ning Zhuo.

He stepped out of the Fetal Breath Spiritual Boat, gratefully patting the hull: "What a treasure."

"Lord Jiao Ma, this treasure really needs proper repairs."

The boat's hull was covered in cracks.

Ning Zhuo said, "It does need repairs. But I haven't found a skilled artifact refiner yet, and I'm afraid of failing if I try myself."

Li Xiang Shang suddenly felt for a jade pendant in his robe and handed it to Ning Zhuo.

Ning Zhuo was surprised and waved his hand in refusal: "I told you, Senior Li, letting you use the Fetal Breath Spiritual Boat is my thanks for your help in building the army."

Li Xiang Shang said, "Now that the Green Jiao Army is established, you still let me use the Fetal Breath Spiritual Boat for cultivation."

"To be honest, this has helped me immensely!"

"I was originally an ordinary fish, with limited cultivation talent and insufficient physical foundation, which hindered my practice of 'Dragon Ascension Transformation.' But this session of cultivation has filled that gap in my physique."

"So you've done me a great favor, and I must thank you!"

Ning Zhuo laughed and refused again.

But Li Xiang Shang said seriously, "Young friend Jiao Ma, this jade pendant is of extraordinary significance; you must keep it well."

He continued, "I came here on the Dragon Lord's orders. But before leaving, the Turtle Prime Minister stopped me, wanting to form a good connection, and specifically did a divination for me."

"He told me that this trip to White Paper Immortal City was an opportunity for my cultivation; if I acted well, I could meet a noble person who would help fill the gaps in my cultivation."

"At the same time, he told me that to maintain this noble luck, I must be willing to give."

"He advised me to give my most precious treasure to the noble person."

"After much thought, the most valuable thing I have is this Dragon Aura jade pendant given to me by my Lord."

"Please accept it!"

Saying this, Li Xiang Shang, a Golden Core cultivator, actually bowed to Ning Zhuo.

Ning Zhuo, who had recently become more aware of the mysteries of fate, was intrigued and took it seriously upon hearing about the Turtle Prime Minister's divination: "What is this jade pendant for?"

Li Xiang Shang told the truth: "It contains a strand of my Lord's dragon aura, meant for me to immerse in and have a concrete reference while practicing 'Dragon Ascension Transformation.'"

"As for its other uses, I don't know."

Hearing this, Ning Zhuo quickly refused: "This is a treasure for your path to cultivation; how can I take what you cherish?"

But Li Xiang Shang was even more insistent, wanting Ning Zhuo to accept it: "The Turtle Prime Minister is a good man; I don't think he would harm me. To maintain noble luck, what I give must be what the noble person needs. Otherwise, how can the luck be maintained?"

"This jade pendant, Jiao Ma, you must need it!"

Ning Zhuo hesitated, then his mechanism ring tightened slightly.

He immediately felt a chill and wanted to refuse, but the ring tightened further. When he thought of accepting, the ring loosened.

Ning Zhuo understood: "This is the Heavenly Fate aiding me; it's really powerful!"

He nodded slightly and finally put the Dragon Aura jade pendant into his robe.

(End of )