Chapter 2356

"Fellow Daoist Han, show mercy. You have already passed the test. These eight Yellow Spring Ghost Kings still have some use for this old man. I hope you will hold back a little." Seeing this, the monk's eyes flashed with surprise, but he immediately flicked his sleeve, and a strange fluctuation surged forth before the golden vortex, instantly tearing apart the immense suction force.

After the eight evil ghosts regained their freedom, they immediately let out low roars and vanished one by one, turning into specks of black qi.

"Fellow Daoist, rest assured, I would not truly strike these ghostly objects. I was merely curious and wanted to test their true strength." Han Li let out a soft hehe laugh, the dharma phase and golden vortex behind him flashing and vanishing simultaneously, while a pitch-black ball as dark as ink appeared out of thin air in his hand, which he examined with great interest.

This was precisely the Yellow Spring yin wind he had previously gathered using the Cavern Vortex Golden Light.

However, this yin wind has now been compressed into a ball by his mysterious power, thus taking on its present form.

"Fellow Daoist Han, your divine abilities are vast, far exceeding my expectations. It seems the rumors are indeed true. My test this time was somewhat superfluous, an unnecessary effort." The monk exhaled and said, though his expression remained unusually wooden.

"Fellow Daoist Bi, the test is complete. May we now discuss the proper matter?" Han Li ignored the monk's previous words and directly posed a counter-question.

"Very well, Fellow Daoist, you certainly possess the qualifications. As for my identity, Fellow Daoist Han should already be quite clear about it." The monk said.

"If that young lady outside did not lie, Fellow Daoist should be the person in charge of the Helian Shang Alliance on the Blood Heaven Continent, with a status and position not much different from Fellow Daoist Mingzun." Han Li said calmly.

"I am indeed of such identity. But Fellow Daoist, how much do you know about our Helian Shang Alliance?" The monk countered.

"To be honest, I do not know much. I only know that your alliance wields immense power and is one of the few superpowers capable of spanning three continents." Han Li frowned slightly before replying.

"The alliance is actually a rather loose organization. Besides having one sub-alliance set up on each of the three major continents to facilitate resource and information exchange, there are generally no binding regulations or obligations. When disputes arise, they are usually settled jointly by the Elders' Council composed of all Nascent Soul cultivators in the alliance. I was elected by the elders of the Blood Heaven Continent to temporarily oversee affairs here. If Nascent Soul cultivators wish to join the alliance, they generally serve as guest elders and are not affected in their regular cultivation or status within their own clans, while also enjoying many unexpected conveniences. The only obligation is roughly to lend a hand when the alliance faces a crisis." The monk spoke calmly and without haste.

"What do you mean by saying these words, Fellow Daoist?" Han Li stared at the monk and asked lightly.

"I wish to formally invite Fellow Daoist to join the Shang Alliance. I do not know if Fellow Daoist Han has any interest." The monk said, showing a hint of a smile for the first time.

"Was the earlier test and summoning me here merely for this purpose?" Han Li's expression remained unusually calm.

"Of course not. Only if Fellow Daoist becomes a member of the alliance will the matters I wish to discuss with you afterward involve two fewer reservations." The monk replied frankly.

"Although I do have some interest in the Helian Shang Alliance, I still wish to first hear what Fellow Daoist has to say about the proper matter before deciding on other things." Han Li said without changing his expression.

"Very well, since Fellow Daoist insists thus, Bi Mou will naturally not press the matter. I wonder how much Fellow Daoist knows about the Yin Court of the Netherworld?" The monk nodded and then suddenly asked.

"The Netherworld? Although I often hear people mention it, it seems I have never heard of anyone truly having seen it. As for the existence of the Yin Court, it should be something from hearsay. Whether it truly exists or not is something that cannot be known. At least, I cannot confirm it. How so? Is the matter Fellow Daoist wishes to discuss related to these two?" Han Li was somewhat surprised.

"It is indeed related. Roughly over a hundred years ago, when the sub-alliance on the Blood Heaven Continent was exploring a spatial rift, they unintentionally discovered the entrance to a newly born small world."

"A newly born small world! Is this true?" Han Li started in surprise.

"It is indeed genuine. However, although called a newly born small world, it should have existed for many years already. It is merely that no higher beings have been born within it, and it has never been discovered by the outside world. The small world is not large, but its resources are extraordinarily abundant. Yet just as the sub-alliance was overjoyed and prepared to invest vast manpower and material resources to develop it fully, another plane also discovered its existence and likewise intruded into it." The monk said up to this point, paused, and a flicker of recollection appeared in his gaze.

"Other planes, could it be that…?" Han Li mused thoughtfully.

"Exactly. When Fang Yi clashed with this newly emerged enemy, the alliance's members were startled. They turned out to be entirely existences like those ghostly beings Fellow Daoist had previously observed. Their strength varied—some were so weak as to be unable to withstand a single blow, comparable to those at the Qi Refining stage. But the powerful ones could be mentioned in the same breath as our Spirit Realm's Nascent Soul cultivators who have achieved bodily fusion. The Yellow Spring yin qi was obtained by me after clashing with their powerful ones. The eight ghosts were formed by taking the aura from these ghostly beings and transforming it. Of course, they only resemble the real ones in appearance; their strength cannot compare to that of true Ghost Kings. The true Yellow Spring Ghost Kings are terrifying existences on par with us. According to these ghostly beings' self-designation, the plane they come from is called the 'Netherworld,' and their affiliated force is what is known as the 'Ten Kings of the Yin Court.' Our Shang Alliance has fought several battles with these ghostly beings over control of this plane, resulting in a stalemate, with both sides suffering heavy losses. To avoid mutual destruction, the alliance and these ghostly beings eventually established a covenant, deciding to settle the occupation of this plane's resources through a duel of the strong. My purpose in coming to see Fellow Daoist is to invite Fellow Daoist Han to serve as one of the alliance's representatives in one of these duels. Of course, if Fellow Daoist Han can join the alliance smoothly, it would naturally be a matter of proper justification. Regardless of victory or defeat in this duel, as long as Fellow Daoist takes action, our alliance will surely repay Fellow Daoist handsomely." The monk hesitated for a moment, then finally revealed everything.

Those ghost-like existences. Among them, strength varies—some are weak to the point of being easily defeated, roughly on par with those at the early stage of Qi Refining in our Spirit Realm. But the strong ones are comparable to our Spirit Realm's Nascent Soul cultivators who have achieved bodily union. That Yellow Spring yīn qi was obtained by me after fighting their powerful ones. The Eight Ghosts were formed by taking the aura from these ghost entities. Of course, they only resemble them in appearance; their strength cannot compare to that of true ghost kings. True Yellow Spring Ghost Kings are terrifying existences on par with us. According to these ghost entities themselves, the realm they come from is called the 'Nether Realm,' and their allegiance is to what is known as the Ten Kings of the Yin Court. Our Shang Alliance has fought several large-scale battles with these ghost entities over control of this realm, resulting in no clear victor and heavy casualties on both sides. To avoid mutual destruction, we ultimately reached an agreement with them, deciding to settle the matter through a contest of strength to determine how much of this realm's resources each side would control. My purpose in coming to see you, fellow cultivator, is to ask Fellow Cultivator Han to serve as one of our alliance's representatives in one of these contests. Of course, if Fellow Cultivator Han were to join our alliance willingly, it would naturally be even more proper and justified. Regardless of victory or defeat in this contest, as long as you take action, our alliance will surely reward you handsomely." The monk hesitated for a moment, then finally revealed everything.

"The alliance has naturally conducted some investigation on this matter. Although there is not much evidence, I believe this plane should not be the mysterious, infinitely profound true Netherworld of rumor, but merely a plane suitable for powerful ghostly beings to survive, akin to a Yellow Spring Ghost Kingdom. The so-called Ten Kings of the Yin Court are merely ten existences somewhat stronger than ordinary ghost kings. Otherwise, even if the alliance is not insignificant in strength, it could not possibly have held its own against them for so long. As for this duel of the strong, it is likely that some of the Ten Kings of the Yin Court will participate." The monk pondered and then replied.

"It is not the true Netherworld, a pity. I had thought I might finally explore the secret of reincarnation." Han Li stroked his chin, his eyes flickering, showing a hint of regret.

"Although it is not the true Netherworld, the divine abilities cultivated by these ghostly beings are indeed quite different from our techniques, vaguely containing laws and Dao utterly unlike those of ordinary beings. If Fellow Daoist were to exchange a few moves with them, by chance and coincidence, he might truly comprehend some mysteries of the Dao of Reincarnation." The monk laughed.

"Although it is not truly the Nether Realm, the divine abilities cultivated by these ghost entities are indeed quite different from our own techniques, vaguely containing principles and Dao utterly unlike those of ordinary living beings. Fellow Cultivator, if you were to engage them in battle once or twice, by a fortunate coincidence, you might just gain some insight into the mysteries of the path of reincarnation." The monk laughed.

After a long while, he raised his head again and asked carefully:

"When, where, and how many rounds is the agreed duel between your alliance and these ghostly beings? Besides me, which fellow Daoists from your alliance are preparing to participate?"

Upon seeing Han Li ask in such detail, the monk not only did not show displeasure but instead brightened in spirit and hurriedly replied:

"The time is three years from now, the location is that newly discovered small world. In this duel of the strong, there will be five matches in total. Besides myself, a fellow Daoist from the Lei Ting sub-alliance on Lei Ting Continent and a guest elder from the Elders' Council will also take part. Furthermore, I have invited Xuesha, the top-tier expert from the Blood Heaven Continent, and with Fellow Daoist's participation, we will have exactly five combatants. Fellow Daoist Han need not worry—this duel is one-on-one, so even if defeated, there will be no danger to life. If Fellow Daoist truly wins a match, besides the previously agreed remuneration, I can also allow Fellow Daoist to enter the alliance's Ascension Pavilion and freely select one secret art transmitted from the Immortal Realm."

"The time is three years from now, and the location will be in that newly discovered small world. In this contest of strength, there will be five matches in total. Besides myself taking action, a fellow cultivator from the Shang Alliance branch on Lei Ting Continent and a guest elder from the Elder Council will also take action. Furthermore, I have invited Xue Sha, the top-tier expert from Xue Tian Continent, and with your participation, we will have exactly five combatants. Fellow Cultivator Han, rest assured—this contest will be one-on-one, so even if you lose to your opponent, there will be no danger to your life. If you truly manage to win a match, besides the previously agreed-upon reward, I can personally allow you to enter the alliance's Ascension Pavilion and freely select one secret art passed down from the Immortal Realm."

"What I said is indeed Immortal Realm secret arts. In fact, the alliance possesses several such arts, known to few but not exactly a deeply hidden matter. For the founders of our Shang Alliance were originally true descendants of Immortal Realm immortals who remained in the Spirit Realm, and the alliance's predecessor was originally an extremely secret surveillance organization established by the Immortal Realm in the Spirit Realm, staffed solely by direct descendants of those immortals. Thus, knowing a few Immortal Realm techniques is perfectly normal. However, later, when heaven and earth underwent great changes and all realms completely lost contact with the Immortal Realm, these predecessors had no choice but to absorb some other powerful individuals into the organization, and after many years of development, this became the present Shang Alliance. Therefore, while the alliance is a superpower spanning three continents, aside from some surface-level transactions, it secretly strives to maintain stability in this realm and exclude external forces interfering with it. Like the incident with the Mother of the Locusts, the alliance also sent some Nascent Soul cultivators into the Demon Realm, but unfortunately they had not yet had time to take effect before being trapped by the Mother of the Locusts in the restriction of the Initial Demon's Abode. It was only thanks to the assistance of Fellow Daoist and others that they managed to escape. Thus, speaking of it, Fellow Daoist Han still owes some favors to many elders of the alliance." The monk explained with a smile.

"What I said is indeed an Immortal Realm secret art. In fact, our Shang Alliance possesses several such Immortal Realm secret arts—though few know of it, it is not exactly a deeply hidden matter. Because the few founders of our Shang Alliance were originally true descendants of Immortal Realm immortals who remained in the Spirit Realm, and the predecessor of our Shang Alliance was originally an extremely secret surveillance organization established by the Immortal Realm in the Spirit Realm, staffed entirely by direct descendants of those immortals. Thus, knowing a few Immortal Realm arts is perfectly normal. However, after the great changes in heaven and earth severed all ties between the realms and the Immortal Realm, these founders had no choice but to absorb other powerful individuals into the organization. After many years of development, this became the present-day Shang Alliance. Therefore, while our alliance is a superpower spanning three continents, aside from surface-level trade matters, we secretly strive to maintain stability in this realm and eliminate interference from external forces. Like the incident with the Mother of the Locust Worms, our alliance also sent some Nascent Soul cultivators into the Demon Realm, though unfortunately they had not yet had time to act before being trapped by the worm mother in the restriction of the Initial Demon Land. It was only thanks to your assistance, fellow cultivator, that they were able to escape. So, speaking of it, Fellow Cultivator Han, you still hold some favors and gratitude from many elders of our alliance." The monk explained with a smile.

Han Li heard these words, his eyes flashed, and once again he showed a thoughtful expression.