Chapter 678: Water Burial and Accumulating Virtue

After signing the alliance with the City Lord of White Paper, the entire Qingjiao Army breathed a sigh of relief.

Their situation was, in truth, quite dire.

In the Underworld, this army was loathed by the Underworld Heavens and could not remain there at all. Returning to the mortal world, staying in the Yin-Damp Black Wet Marsh was the best option.

Firstly, this was the original homeland of the Qingjiao Army, possessing a massive foundation for survival. Secondly, the Qing family within the Qingjiao Army were all Ghost-People; truly forcing them to live under the sun was not comfortable for them in the slightest. They preferred and were adapted to environments like the Yin-Damp Black Wet Marsh.

With the Divine Contract signed, the Qingjiao Army was considered to have gained the recognition of the City Lord of White Paper, clearing away hidden dangers, and could now rest easy to continue living and cultivating here.

Unlike Ning Zhuo summoned Jiao Masheng's father, as well as the current leader elected by the Qing family, and had the two of them take charge of arranging the rest and reorganization of their respective families.

Mixed within the Qingjiao Army were a large number of ghosts; these ghosts had all been directly turned against their former masters on the battlefield by Qing Chi using the military tactic "Money-Passing Ghost." It would be a great pity to discard them, and killing them would be an even greater waste.

It just so happened that Luo Si, this Nascent Soul-level ghost general, had already joined them, so Unlike Ning Zhuo handed the work of reorganizing the ghosts over to him.

Qing Chi remained in a coma.

Unlike Ning Zhuo, Luo Si, and Sun Lingtong discussed it to no avail; none of the three were skilled in medicine, but they all guessed that this was likely related to the National Treasure, the Underworld Flood Dragon Shears.

Unlike Ning Zhuo held the Seal of the Lord of Wangchuan Mansion in his hand, but it had not been refined by him.

The Underworld Flood Dragon Shears were also a National Treasure, yet they had been refined by Qing Chi for her own use. The tyrannical power of the green flames made Unlike Ning Zhuo and the others secretly click their tongues in wonder.

Qing Chi was only at the Foundation Establishment cultivation base; forcibly refining a National Treasure like the Underworld Flood Dragon Shears naturally placed a massive burden upon her.

The blood within her body burned, transforming into raging green flames that scorched the Underworld Flood Dragon Shears.

The Underworld Flood Dragon Shears had only been forcibly refined to a preliminary stage; there was still a distance to go before they were completely subdued.

If it were a normal human, Qing Chi would have died long ago. But within the bodies of the Ghost-People race, life force and death energy each occupied half; the green flames could not only heal,

but also kill—they were a power that unified life and death.

Her current state was like a python that had swallowed an elephant, lying on the ground unable to move, putting all her effort into digesting the giant object within her belly.

Unlike Ning Zhuo had carefully probed with his spiritual sense and discovered that Qing Chi's state was developing in a positive direction, just very slowly.

After all, the Underworld Flood Dragon Shears no longer had any support; the longer time passed, the weaker they would be worn down.

What Unlike Ning Zhuo needed to do was to look after Qing Chi every so often, replenishing her body and soul with nutrients to support the scale and heat of the green flames within her.

Now that the environment was stable, doing this was not difficult at all.

Unlike Ning Zhuo, still carrying injuries on his body, began to contemplate the "Water Burial Scripture of Neutralizing and Accumulating Virtue."

"The highest good is like water; it benefits all things without contention. Burial is not an act of annihilation, but truly the pivot of neutralization, guiding the biased and correcting the excessive, returning to the middle path. Using water as a medium,

it permeates the negative Yin and positive Yang, bearing the turbid and transforming it into the pure, circulating without end; thus, accumulating virtue is like rivers gathering into the sea, continuously forming—"

"The four virtues of water: first is softness, bending to complete the crooked and the straight, winding around rocks and piercing through hills, without obstruction or stagnation; second is tolerance, distinguishing the turbid and the clear by itself, floating and sinking without alarm, neither rejecting nor welcoming; third is constancy, dripping to pierce rocks, trickling streams flowing to the ravines, using diligence as if it exists; fourth is purity, washing away dust to reflect shadows, returning to the original clarity, seeing the heavenly heart by itself—"

Unlike Ning Zhuo's brows furrowed tighter and tighter, and various thoughts in his sea of consciousness shattered like bubbles. Occasionally, lightning-like thoughts streaked across the sky above his sea of consciousness and lower Dantian.

He immersed himself in this Daoist scripture, forgetting the time, and only seemed to wake up after a day and a night, detaching from the state of immersion.

Unlike Ning Zhuo's expression was weary; after hurriedly eating some spirit food, he fell headlong into sleep.

After a satisfying sleep and taking some healing elixirs, he continued to bury himself in reading the "Water Burial, Harmony, and Merit-Accumulating Scripture."

This scripture is only a few hundred words long in its entirety, much like the "Cremation Prajna Spirit-Resolving Scripture," both containing profound meanings and embodying the Dao and principles.

Relying on his deep attainment in the Water Path, Unlike Ning Zhuo made rapid progress in the early stages.

By the third day of contemplation, he was already confident that he could successfully perform this Daoist scripture.

After slightly adjusting his state, he ordered the arrangement of the sacrificial military camp, piling up the corpses of various ghosts.

Unlike Ning Zhuo came before this pile of ghost corpses, pinched his fingers to form a seal, and performed the Water Burial, Harmony, and Merit-Accumulating Scripture.

Suddenly, water mist appeared out of thin air, spreading rapidly to cover the entire pile of ghost corpses. Subsequently, drops of dew condensed; some drifted slowly down from the mist, while others appeared inside and on the surface of the ghost remains.

Unlike Ning Zhuo swung his arms, his left and right fingers tracing a Taiji pattern in front of him.

At the same time, he increased the infusion of his magic power, causing the water mist to boil instantly and continuously dissolve the ghost corpses.

The pile of ghost remains slowly diminished.

During this process, specks of merit light, like faint fireflies, drifted out and poured into Unlike Ning Zhuo's body one after another.

The entire process lasted for an hour before Unlike Ning Zhuo finally finished processing the pile of ghost corpses before him.

Luo Si and Sun Lingtong observed the entire process.

Sun Lingtong asked curiously: "How does it feel to have merit enter your body?"

Unlike Ning Zhuo shook his head, indicating he felt nothing at all.

Luo Si then said that this was left behind by the Old Man Gray Bone and specifically taught to Unlike Ning Zhuo, so it must be extraordinary. This was only the first time performing it; with accumulation over time, it would surely yield huge benefits.

Unlike Ning Zhuo frowned slightly: "But to perform a water burial for Senior Gray Bone, I fear this level is not enough."

Sun Lingtong comforted him in secret: "Little Zhuo, set your mind at ease. Since your mother specifically left a message in the jade slip asking you to first obtain these ghosts to practice with, and then go to the banks of the River of Oblivion in the Underworld to perform the water burial for Old Man Gray Bone, this arrangement must be feasible!"

"Next, you will learn while practicing, continuously practicing and deepening your understanding."

"I will help you too."

This was a matter specifically entrusted by the Buddha-Doctor Meng Yaoyin, which required Unlike Ning Zhuo to hurry and complete.

After completing the water burial for Old Man Gray Bone, Unlike Ning Zhuo would need to rush without stopping to the headquarters of the Myriad Phenomena Sect.

Although there was still some time before the official opening of the Flying Cloud Assembly, Buddha-Doctor Meng Yaoyin left a message for Unlike Ning Zhuo, telling him that the sooner he went, the better.

Before "Flying Cloud," it is best to first "Raise Clouds."

Unlike Ning Zhuo is a good boy, so naturally, he listens to his mother.

He returned to the commander's tent, closed his eyes and sat cross-legged, carefully contemplating; there were many mysterious feelings, but he could not grasp them.

Unlike Ning Zhuo then continued to contemplate the "Water Burial, Harmony, and Merit-Accumulating Scripture," which indeed felt a bit clearer than before.

"Sigh, if only the Spirit-Hiding Willow were by my side." Unlike Ning Zhuo began to miss his good treasure.

Unfortunately, now he had to rush back to the Nandou Kingdom, and the journey was too far.

Making a round trip would likely mean missing most of the Flying Cloud Assembly.

Unlike Ning Zhuo learned while practicing, and his insights deepened.

Sun Lingtong also helped him contemplate, communicating with Unlike Ning Zhuo in secret.

"Burial is not burying the form, the qi returns to the Great Void; Harmony is not clashing, harmonizing the light with the dust. Dew dries, the mirror is clear, the emptiness reflects itself; Merit is like clouds and water, passing over the mountain peaks without leaving a trace..."

When the two discussed this passage, Sun Lingtong stated his own understanding: "This is the essence of harmony, in having no mind and no attachment: those who force a burial injure its harmony, those who force accumulation damage its truth."

Unlike Ning Zhuo's eyes suddenly lit up; Sun Lingtong's words triggered inspiration after inspiration, and he understood it instantly, his comprehension of the "Water Burial, Harmony, and Merit-Accumulating Scripture" suddenly deepening by several layers.

Two days later, he stood before a pile of ghost corpses and performed the "Water Burial, Harmony, and Merit-Accumulating Scripture" again.

This time, the water mist spread rapidly, and the dew condensed into rain. Under the drizzling rain, the pile of ghost corpses disappeared completely in just the time it takes to burn a stick of incense.

Merit, like wisps of smoke, poured into Unlike Ning Zhuo's body intermittently.

Luo Si witnessed this and praised Unlike Ning Zhuo for his rapid progress.

Unlike Ning Zhuo also praised him, saying that his training of the ghost soldiers recently had shown immediate results.

This was not easy!

One must know that these ghosts were all survivors after several major battles, especially the many Ghost Kings that the Mother of a Hundred Ghosts had painstakingly raised and cultivated.

Another two days passed.

A batch of ghosts were huddled close to each other, bound into a ball.

Unlike Ning Zhuo stood before them, his hands forming a sword seal, tracing a Taiji pattern in front of his chest.

As soon as he activated the "Water Burial, Harmony, and Merit-Accumulating Scripture," clouds and mist rose into the sky, turning into heavy rain clouds, followed by a torrential downpour that melted countless ghosts.

The rainwater gradually formed pools on the ground. The ripples in the pools were constant, and if they were deeper, they would have the appearance of small waves.

These ghosts were all alive, yet they were buried by water, taking only the time of a cup of tea.

Large amounts of merit, like threads, gathered into Unlike Ning Zhuo's body. However, Unlike Ning Zhuo used his spiritual sense to guide the thread-like merit onto Sun Lingtong and Luo Si.

A moment later, Unlike Ning Zhuo exhaled a breath of turbid air, his sleeves fluttering as he slowly withdrew his stance.

He turned to look at the two observers, Sun Lingtong and Luo Si, and said to them: "It is time to return to the Underworld."

Unlike Ning Zhuo summoned the father of Jiao Masheng and the representative of the Qing family, instructing them to guard the camp well, not to go out without permission, and to wait peacefully for their return.

The three traveled light and dived deep into the Underworld River, entering the Underworld once again.

As soon as they entered, they encountered a vortex at the bottom of the river. After much struggle, the three finally escaped.

They knew well that they were loathed by the Underworld sky, so after leaving the Underworld River, they rushed without stopping toward the nearest River of Oblivion.

Along the way, they encountered disasters one after another.

By the time they reached the River of Oblivion, two days had passed, and they were all covered in dust and dirt.

The water of the River of Oblivion surged, and the sound of the waves seemed to contain the sobbing of billions of dead souls.

Unlike Ning Zhuo's face was solemn as he took out the remains of Old Man Gray Bone and pushed him into the river water.

Unlike Ning Zhuo pointed his fingers to guide the magic, and water mist rolled out from his sleeves, piling up in mid-air to form rain clouds. Heavy rain poured down, falling on the river surface, melting the remains of Old Man Gray Bone.

A gloomy wind suddenly rose on the river surface, a wind that eroded bones, blowing fiercely toward Unlike Ning Zhuo.

Luo Si and Sun Lingtong were already prepared and immediately took action to crush this gust of gloomy wind.

After the gloomy wind came rolling dark clouds, and bolts of lightning crashed down.

Sun Lingtong ducked his head, having to let Luo Si take the brunt. He clicked his tongue in secret: the water burial of Old Man Gray Bone seemed to have aroused even deeper and more loathing from the Underworld sky.

The disasters unleashed were much stronger than those encountered when the Qingjiao Army retreated!

Unlike Ning Zhuo traced the trajectory of the Yin-Yang fish with his hands, the rain driving the water's momentum to form waves upon waves.

Countless splashes covered Old Man Gray Bone's body, causing his melting speed to increase several times over.

Clusters of merit, like carp, flew onto Unlike Ning Zhuo's body and then dissipated directly.

Unlike Ning Zhuo controlled them with his spiritual sense, and sixty percent of the carp merit bypassed him, flying onto Luo Si and Sun Lingtong, merging into them, also like filling a pit, not being stored but dissipating into the invisible.

Old Man Gray Bone's skeleton disintegrated inch by inch, and wisps of blue smoke rose into the sky, which even the rain could not cover.

In the end, Old Man Gray Bone disappeared completely, and this water burial merit was fulfilled!

Unlike Ning Zhuo closed his eyes slightly, standing by the River of Oblivion, chasing the flash of inspiration in his mind with all his might.

After a long while, he suddenly opened his eyes, and a sharp light like electricity flashed in his pupils and vanished.

This water burial of Old Man Gray Bone had gained him a great deal.

He turned to look at Luo Si and Sun Lingtong: "I have realized the intention of Senior Gray Bone."

"He was the mastermind behind the scenes, one of the culprits who destroyed the century-long plan of the River of Oblivion Prefect, and therefore, like us, he was loathed by the Underworld sky."

"Now, I have performed a water burial for him here, which is acting on behalf of Heaven, gaining the recognition of the Underworld sky, as well as merit from the Underworld."

"In this way, the loathing on us has been offset by this merit."

"From now on, the more merit we have, the less loathing we will face, and sooner or later, it will turn from negative to positive, and we might even gain the favor of the Underworld sky!"

This good news made Luo Si miss Old Man Gray Bone even more.

He sighed deeply, looking at the surging river surface: "Even before his death, Senior Gray Bone was still looking after us. He did not hesitate to use his own corpse, letting it exert its maximum value to help us!"

The three bowed deeply to the River of Oblivion in unison.

The return journey was much easier than before, with the number of accidents and disasters being less than thirty percent of before.

Luo Si pondered: "It seems that from now on, we need to do some things for the Underworld sky to atone for our crimes and perform meritorious service."

Sun Lingtong and Unlike Ning Zhuo nodded at the same time.

This was very necessary.

Buddha-Doctor Meng Yaoyin had already arranged for the Qingjiao Army in her jade slip message.

For the Qingjiao Army to continue developing, besides expanding the army, it was to go to the Underworld to train troops!

Although passing through the Underworld River leads directly to the territory of their mortal enemy, the River of Oblivion Prefect, during this period, the River of Oblivion Underworld must go all out to resist the fierce offensive of the Ghost Fire Underworld, making it difficult to spare the strength to annihilate this small army.

Moreover, the Qingjiao Army's stronghold is located at the hiding place of the seventh paper-man army.

This is a location arranged by the Profound Element Scholar, very secretive.

Just after returning to the sacrificial military camp, Unlike Ning Zhuo received good news—Qing Chi had woken up!

"It's just..." the Qing family cultivator showed a sorrowful expression and shook his head slowly.

Unlike Ning Zhuo knew Qing Chi's state and asked hurriedly: "What does she still remember?"

The Qing family cultivator shook his head again, his tone heavy: "Patriarch, she remembers nothing."

Unlike Ning Zhuo was silent for a while.

In the silence, the three came to the tent, lifted the curtain, and saw the young girl Qing Chi leaning against a corner, holding a wooden stick as a sharp sword, continuously hacking with force and shouting loudly, driving away everyone who dared to approach her.

The surrounding cultivators were all trying to persuade her to calm down, but the Ghost-Human girl was very stubborn, making everyone feel a headache.

The boy with the headache appeared.

Qing Chi's expression changed instantly; she looked at Unlike Ning Zhuo blankly, showing an unprecedentedly gentle expression: "You—who are you? Why do I feel you are so familiar?"

A sense of guilt lingered in Unlike Ning Zhuo's heart; he sighed deeply, stared at Qing Chi, and said gently: "Don't be afraid, it's me."

Unlike Ning Zhuo opened his mouth slightly, wanting to introduce himself, but found it difficult to make a sound.

For a moment, he wanted to tell Qing Chi that his name was Jiao Ma.

But in the end, he gritted his teeth and faced Qing Chi directly: "Hello, Qing Chi."

"I am—Unlike Ning Zhuo."