Above the Great Dao

"Living person!"

The Yin Messengers on the river surface all turned their eyes to Chen Shi, their expressions strange.

One of the Yin Messengers said, "Recently, with the merging of the Yin Yang Two Realms, many living people have come to the underworld, it's no longer surprising."

They continued with their work.

Chen Shi withdrew his gaze and asked, "Where do these Yin Messengers guide the souls?"

"I heard they are sent to the underworld."

The Ghost Shepherd said, "Those souls are like crops of the land, always appearing out of nowhere, harvested one batch after another. But I heard Fengyang Lord say that with the Yin Yang Two Realms merging, there will be fewer of these crops in the future. Once this batch is harvested, there won't be another."

As he spoke, several other Ghost Shepherds drove many Ghost Monsters towards them to join their group.

These Ghost Monsters were not Shen, but a type called Grasshopper Beast, which produced a lot of meat. The meat contained intense Yang energy, making it a delicacy for the Ghost Gods living in the underworld.

"Si Mu, why have your Grasshopper Beasts decreased so much?" a Ghost Shepherd asked.

The Ghost Shepherd beside Chen Shi replied helplessly, "This brother's dog ate them. His dog's mouth is so frightening, just a bit of a body, but once it opens its mouth, the head becomes as large as a small mountain. I'll take him to see Fengyang Lord and have him apologize, so I can give an account."

The other Ghost Shepherds quickly said, "Fengyang Lord treats scholars kindly. If you go, nothing will happen."

Chen Shi expressed his gratitude, "Do you often let the herd into the village while grazing?"

One of the Ghost Shepherds replied, "We let these Grasshopper Beasts roam free to eat whatever they want. Fengyang Lord also said that those who fall into the underworld mostly don't live long, either dying of hunger or cold, so it doesn't matter if they eat them."

On the way, they encountered some empty villages and towns, already devoid of living people, presumably eaten up.

However, Chen Shi also saw that some villages still had living people, who were offering worship to the Red Mountain Lady.

"This is Gongzhou!"

He suddenly realized that the River of Oblivion he had just seen was likely the Min River!

However, after the merging of the Yin Yang Two Realms, the geography had changed drastically, so he did not recognize it immediately.

They passed by a marsh, and Chen Shi looked out, seeing a vast expanse of Resurrection Lotus in the marsh, with many ghosts walking among them, easily ignited by ghost fire if they weren't careful.

"This lotus field..." Chen Shi was stunned.

The Ghost Shepherd named Si Mu said, "This lotus field is also Fengyang Lord's property. It produces Resurrection Lotus, which can strengthen the soul and extend life. Long-term use can lead to a powerful soul. There aren't many places suitable for growing Resurrection Lotus in the underworld, this marsh is considered a treasure land."

Chen Shi remained indifferent, "Using souls to cultivate Resurrection Lotus, does the underworld not interfere?"

"The underworld and Fengyang Lord are of one family. I once saw a Ghost God from the underworld come, and he had to call Fengyang Lord 'Great-Uncle'." A Ghost Shepherd laughed.

Above the lotus field, there was a large-bodied Ghost God hidden within the clouds, slumbering soundly. Awakened by their voices, he turned over, poked his head out from the clouds, glanced at them, then turned over and went back to sleep.

Si Mu whispered with a laugh, "This lazy ghost lost many Resurrection Lotus years ago and was severely punished by Fengyang Lord. They say a black giant dog once broke into the lotus field, scaring him half to death, watching helplessly as it ate the Resurrection Lotus. For this, Fengyang Lord whipped him over a hundred times."

He stopped talking, suddenly stunned, glancing at Chen Shi, then at the Black Pot, thinking, "This person also has a black dog. But could it be such a coincidence?"

The Ghost Shepherds drove the Grasshopper Beasts around the lotus field and continued onward.

Just then, the Ghost God hidden in the clouds seemed to remember something suddenly, let out a cry of surprise, and opened his eyes to look down at Chen Shi and the Black Pot who had already walked far away.

"That guy, how does he resemble the thief who stole the ancestor's Resurrection Lotus? But, the dog beside him doesn't look like it."

He lay back down, laughed, and said, "That black giant dog was truly terrifying, but this is just a little dog."

More Ghost Shepherds drove Grasshopper Beasts toward them, joining their team, and the Ghost Shepherds, upon inquiry, all laughed, "Fengyang Lord treats scholars kindly, since you are the top scorer, surely nothing will happen if you apologize."

Chen Shi expressed his gratitude.

At this moment, a manor came into view, with its palace buildings arranged orderly and elegantly, even in the underworld, showcasing the graceful style of Jiangnan.

It's hard to imagine that in these now apocalyptic times, such a beautiful place could still exist.

Around the manor were many-sized ghost villages, inhabited by Ghost Gods, served by small Yaksha, with bodies often reaching heights of hundreds of feet, quite astonishing.

Chen Shi's gaze swept over these ghost gods, who were no ordinary beings, their strength comparable to masters of the Refining God Realm and Returning Void Realm.

They watched Chen Shi, Little Dun, and Black Pot, seeing them off as they arrived before the manor.

Si Mu went in to report, while Chen Shi examined the signboard, which bore the words "Fengyang."

This must be the origin of the title "Lord Fengyang."

A moment later, a familiar laugh was heard: "Chen Shi, Senior Brother Chen! It's been so long since we parted in the Upper Realm, who would've thought we'd meet here again!"

Chen Shi was slightly startled, seeing Xia Tianjie emerge from Fengyang Manor, accompanied by several cultivators, whose cultivation realm was extraordinary, likely masters of the Xia Family. They were living people, and Chen Shi couldn't judge their cultivation realm at a glance.

Xia Tianjie, upon seeing Chen Shi, was very enthusiastic, laughing: "Last time in the Upper Realm, under the name Li Tianqing, you coached my spearplay, benefiting me greatly."

He had already recovered from his wounds, his cultivation improved since the time in the Upper Realm, and said: "I learned much from observing your battle with Yang Bi, and after this injury, I felt another breakthrough in my cultivation strength."

Chen Shi also noticed his progress, his gaze fell on the several Xia Family experts beside him, and said: "Who are these?"

"This is my fourth uncle, Xia Shichang."

Xia Tianjie only introduced an elder, and did not introduce the others, presumably external experts of the Xia Family. Xia Shichang chuckled: "Chen Zhaoyuan, it's no big deal if your dog eats a few livestock. No need to come and apologize."

Chen Shi earnestly said: "If you do something wrong, you must admit it."

Xia Tianjie clapped his hands and laughed: "Well said! I'll take you to meet the ancestor of Fengyang! You don't know, do you, Lord Fengyang is the ancestor of the Xia Family, who has been running things in the underworld for over two thousand years."

He gestured invitingly, walking side by side with Chen Shi.

Chen Shi inquired: "Is Lord Fengyang cultivating Resurrection Lotus in the underworld?"

Xia Tianjie laughed: "You know about that too?"

Chen Shi said: "I know a little because the nobleman made a fortune by stealing Resurrection Lotus to sell Resurrection Pills, and I disrupted his business."

Xia Tianjie laughed heartily: "The nobleman came to steal our Resurrection Lotus, Lord Fengyang had long known, just deliberately let it slide, turning a blind eye and a deaf ear. Back then, our Thirteen Families decided to support him as the next True King, but unfortunately, he couldn't meet the expectations."

They talked as they walked, delving deeper into Fengyang Manor.

Surprisingly, inside this manor, one rarely saw ghost gods, maids, or servants; most were living people.

Chen Shi's gaze swept over several maids passing by, and he said: "Brother Xia, on the way, I saw Lord Fengyang's livestock eating people, emptying many villages. Nowadays, with disasters coming from the heavens, people are falling into the underworld, finding it hard to survive. Since Lord Fengyang was once the Xia Family's elder, why not restrain the ghost monsters? Isn't this the time to save the world and rescue the people?"

Xia Tianjie was slightly taken aback, unconsciously slowed his pace, and smiled: "Brother Chen, it's better not to meet Lord Fengyang. I'll see you out."

Behind him, Xia Shichang and the other Xia Family experts seemed to sense something, each silently activating their cultivation techniques, some even quietly preparing to summon their magical treasures.

Chen Shi stopped in his tracks and said: "Brother Xia, I had a great time in the Upper Realm, exchanging Daoist skills with you all, competing with Yang Bi, leading me to think we might be friends."

Xia Tianjie smiled: "Aren't we?"

"No."

Chen Shi's tone was calm, but within his words was a cutting strength. Just then, a strong scent of incense arrived, and a divine statue approached, laughing: "Is it the Child Scholar? Seeing is believing, I, the old Lord Fengyang..."

Chen Shi's eyes overflowed with a murderous aura, the ground beneath his feet erupted with thunder light, and with a crack, he shot forward!

"Circulation Fire Realm!"

He reached out with his right hand, and with a whoosh, a domain of thunder and fire whirled around, at the same time a black iron stick flew out from the little shrine behind his head, the fire realm spiraled along his arm, encircling the black iron stick in his hand, complex patterns on the stick lit up, as if thunder and fire were burning within them!

Chen Shi swung the stick, smashing down, right upon the head of Lord Fengyang!

"Boom!"

With a loud explosion, this strike shattered the two-thousand-year incense divine power of Lord Fengyang, broke his celestial spirit and spine, crushed his indestructible divine body, and shattered his mana!

Behind him, Fengyang Manor was forcibly split in two by a massive black iron stick!

Chen Shi turned back, his expression fierce and unyielding.

"You Thirteen Families, regard human lives as mere grass! And I am this grass!"