Undying Life

Chapter 992: Hao Meili's Excitement

Across the Four Great Continents, in the Grand Hong Sacred Court, lies Haotian's Heavenly Court. The skies radiate with colorful rays of light, auspicious clouds stretch endlessly, cranes soar gracefully, and divine beasts roam—truly a sacred realm of immortals.

Within the court stands the most revered palace of the Four Great Continents, the Lingxiao Hall, accompanied by rare and legendary sites such as the Jade Pool and the Peach Orchard.

Near the Jade Pool are the palaces where the Heavenly Court's esteemed women reside, including the Queen Mother and various princesses. In one corner lies a massive white palace. The palace gleams with purity, and above it, a large plaque prominently displays the name "Eighth Princess's Residence."

The Eighth Princess of the Heavenly Court is a princess brought back by the Jade Emperor several hundred years ago.

This princess, Hao Meili, is highly favored by the Jade Emperor. She has unrestricted access to all the court's ancient texts, and the Plague God has continually taught her powerful abilities. Hao Meili's favor with the Jade Emperor has made other princesses envious—jealous of this mysterious newcomer.

On this day, within the Eighth Princess's Residence, Hao Meili was happily playing with a small golden dragon. Her joy, however, was abruptly interrupted by the arrival of a man.

A strikingly handsome man, clad in white armor, exuding an extraordinary aura—his mere presence could undoubtedly captivate countless celestial maidens. The man had a thin seam on his forehead, resembling a third eye, giving him a strangely enchanting appearance.

"Hao Meili, after all, I'm your cousin! You shouldn't always treat me like this!" the man said, addressing Hao Meili.

"Cousin? Erlang Shen, let me tell you, this is my palace! If you trespass again, don't blame me for not being polite!" Hao Meili glared at him.

"Who's on guard? Get over here!" Hao Meili huffed angrily.

Soon, two celestial soldiers entered.

"Eighth Princess!" they greeted her with a bow.

"Didn't I instruct you earlier? No one is allowed in except for the old man. You call this guarding the door?" Hao Meili scolded.

"Eighth Princess, it's Erlang Shen, we...!" the soldiers stammered, feeling conflicted.

"Are you guarding the door for me or for him? Hmph! You're both negligent. No need to report to the Ministry of Justice—I'll punish you right now. I curse you to break out in poisonous boils, and may your cultivation not advance for a hundred years!" Hao Meili snapped.

"We acknowledge our mistake! Please, Princess, take back your curse!" The two soldiers hastily knelt in fear.

Even in that brief moment, the soldiers' bodies began to break out in boils. The curse had taken effect!

They clearly remembered how the Eighth Princess's poisonous tongue had become a nightmare for many. Even the curses of the Plague God paled in comparison to hers. A hundred years without progress in cultivation? Covered in poisonous boils?

Regret filled their hearts, but Erlang Shen was their superior—they couldn't defy him.

"Get out! The Princess's Residence doesn't need you to guard it!" Hao Meili snapped in frustration.

"Eighth Princess, we truly understand our mistake! Please forgive us...!" the soldiers pleaded anxiously.

"Hmph! Zhong Shan once said, everyone must bear the consequences of their actions. I've been lenient with you two, but if you don't leave now, don't blame me for being merciless!" Hao Meili huffed.

"Yes, yes!" The two soldiers, terrified, quickly retreated.

As they left, they cast resentful glances at Erlang Shen.

Erlang Shen's face darkened—Hao Meili had just humiliated him, and all because of that phrase, "Zhong Shan said." Zhong Shan again?

"Enough, Erlang Shen, you can leave now! You're not welcome here!" Hao Meili said coldly.

"Hao Meili, what have I done to upset you? Please don't keep targeting your cousin like this," Erlang Shen said with a wry smile.

"Little girl, I'm back! And this time, I've brought some big news!" A voice suddenly called out excitedly from outside the Princess's Residence.

An elderly man in a flamboyant robe burst in, looking extraordinarily strange, yet his face was filled with excitement. It was none other than Hao Meili's master, the Western Poison Emperor, who had been revived after arriving in the Heavenly Court.

Hao Meili, who had been scowling at Erlang Shen, immediately softened her expression upon hearing the Western Poison Emperor's voice.

As soon as the Western Poison Emperor entered, he noticed Erlang Shen.

"Oh, Erlang Shen is here too!" The Western Poison Emperor greeted him with mild courtesy.

"Yes, has the Western Poison Emperor just returned from the outside world? What's the big news?" Erlang Shen forced a smile as he addressed him.

The Western Poison Emperor was an old man who hadn't even reached the level of an immortal. Normally, Erlang Shen wouldn't bother with him, but since the Western Poison Emperor was Hao Meili's master, he had to be polite.

Ever since discovering Hao Meili's extraordinary constitution, Erlang Shen had been trying to win her favor, hoping to secure her support to truly ascend the path of power.

However, despite Hao Meili's long stay in the Heavenly Court, she had only ever shown a kind face to the Western Poison Emperor, ignoring everyone else. Even the Jade Emperor and the Plague God hadn't received much warmth from her, which constantly frustrated Erlang Shen.

"Yes, what news has got you so excited?" Hao Meili quickly inquired.

The Western Poison Emperor glanced at Erlang Shen, then decided it didn't matter since it wasn't a secret.

"I just got word—do you know who's arrived in the Four Great Continents?" The Western Poison Emperor asked, barely containing his excitement.

"Who's here? Lots of people come to the Four Great Continents. Don't tell me it's Zhong Shan!" Hao Meili said with a curious expression.

"It is Zhong Shan!" The Western Poison Emperor replied, his excitement barely contained.

"What?" Hao Meili's mouth dropped in disbelief, followed by a look of pure joy. "Old man, you're not lying to me, are you?"

Off to the side, Erlang Shen's face darkened. Zhong Shan, Zhong Shan again?

"Why would I lie to you? Word has already spread among the heavenly soldiers and generals returning from Sacred Corpse Mountain. One of Zhong Shan's subordinates there thoroughly defeated Sun Shen. If Patriarch Bodhi hadn't arrived in time, Sun Shen would have been killed on the spot!" The Western Poison Emperor affirmed.

Killed Sun Shen? Erlang Shen's pupils contracted. He knew how powerful Sun Shen was, and yet someone nearly killed him?

"I knew Zhong Shan would come looking for me! He's here, that's wonderful!" Hao Meili exclaimed in delight, her tone carrying a hint of happiness.

"Old man, let's go find Zhong Shan!" Hao Meili said, clearly in high spirits.

"But weren't you forbidden from leaving the Heavenly Court?" The Western Poison Emperor reminded her.

"That damned Jade Emperor, why won't he let me leave? So annoying!" Hao Meili grumbled with displeasure.

Erlang Shen's face twitched. "Damned Jade Emperor"? In the Heavenly Court, only Hao Meili would dare to say such a thing.

"The Jade Emperor is only concerned for your safety. You're not strong enough yet; it's dangerous out there. Besides, we don't know where Zhong Shan is—how would we find him? Since he's come, he'll eventually make his way to the Heavenly Court," the Western Poison Emperor advised.

"Alright, fine, we'll wait then."

In the Heavenly Court, only the Western Poison Emperor's words could sway Hao Meili.

"Erlang Shen, you can leave now," Hao Meili said, glaring at him with displeasure.

Alright, I'll leave. Erlang Shen bid a quick farewell to the Western Poison Emperor and stepped out of the Princess's Residence.

As he left, his face was clouded with darkness, and he muttered coldly to himself, "Zhong Shan?"

Fengdu!

While conversing with Mr. Corpse, Nangong Sheng and Luo Xingchen also returned.

"Holy King, we've gathered the information. Beyond the Yellow Springs Road lies the 'Wailing Hell,' which houses the Yama Hall of the Ten Kings!" Nangong Sheng reported.

"Hmm!" Zhong Shan nodded, signaling him to continue.

"The main hall is the Yama Hall, but they've also constructed replicas of the other nine halls, including the 'Replica of the Wheel-Turning Hall.' It's as if all ten halls are gathered together, but the one in charge is still Yama, the King of the Yama Hall," Nangong Sheng explained.

"Hmm."

"Beyond the Yellow Springs Road lies the Wailing Hell, which contains sixteen smaller Hells of Heart-Piercing Punishment, making up the Seventeen Levels of Hell. The eighteenth level is the Blood Pool of Malevolent Ghosts that Mr. Corpse mentioned. It's said to be guarded by K?itigarbha, where only the most heinous and malevolent spirits are allowed to enter," Nangong Sheng continued.

"K?itigarbha?" Zhong Shan frowned slightly.

"'Until hell is empty, I vow not to become a Buddha.' K?itigarbha is the strongest among the four great Bodhisattvas of the Great Thunderclap Temple in the Western Paradise. He remains in the Blood Pool of Malevolent Ghosts year-round, converting countless evil spirits. Even during the teachings at the Great Thunderclap Temple, K?itigarbha never attended, as if he only held a nominal position there. However, his power is rumored to be unfathomable, with some saying he possesses the strength of an Ancestor Immortal," Nangong Sheng elaborated.

"Then, if we wish to enter the Blood Pool of Malevolent Ghosts, do we need K?itigarbha's permission?" Zhong Shan pondered.

"Holy King, do not worry—I can persuade K?itigarbha," Mr. Corpse suddenly interjected.

"Oh?" The group looked at Mr. Corpse in surprise.

"If he truly belongs to the lineage of K?itigarbha, while I may not command him, it wouldn't be difficult to gain his cooperation," Mr. Corpse assured.

"Hmm." Zhong Shan nodded in approval.

Luo Xingchen and Nangong Sheng exchanged a deep look at Mr. Corpse.

Mr. Corpse's origins were too mysterious. Even in the vast world, none of them had ever heard of his lineage. Yet now, he revealed a connection to K?itigarbha?

K?itigarbha's origins were also shrouded in mystery. What kind of connection could they possibly share?

However, the group wisely refrained from pressing further. Mr. Corpse was so secretive about his lineage that he wouldn't even disclose his real name. Asking too much would only strain their relationship.

"By the way, Holy King, I've also uncovered some news," Luo Xingchen suddenly spoke up.

"Oh?"

"King Yama is about to get married. Ghost Immortals from all directions are gathering to congratulate him," Luo Xingchen reported.

"King Yama's wedding?" Zhong Shan's face twisted into a peculiar smile as he set down the teacup he had just finished drinking from.

"Yes, it's said that King Yama fell in love with the woman at first sight. Her name seems to be... Nian Youyou!" Luo Xingchen recalled.

"Boom!"

Zhong Shan's teacup shattered the tea table beneath it.

The three of them turned to look at Luo Xingchen, who was utterly bewildered. What had just happened?

"Are you sure her name is Nian Youyou?" Zhong Shan asked, his brow furrowing.

"Yes, I'm certain!" Luo Xingchen confirmed.

Nangong Sheng and Mr. Corpse glanced at Zhong Shan.

"Holy King, perhaps it's just a coincidence," Mr. Corpse suggested.

"Hmm, it seems our timing couldn't be better! In three days, the Ghost Gate will open. We will descend to the Yellow Springs and enter the underworld!" Zhong Shan declared solemnly.

"Yes, sir!"

To read the manga version, please click the YouTube link https://youtu.be/GnU613H6xm8