[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-cursed-blade-s-walk":3,"chapter-the-cursed-blade-s-walk-the-cursed-blade-s-walk-chapter-116":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Cursed Blade's Walk",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2262421,4415,"Chapter 116: Ghost-Spirit Inheritance","the-cursed-blade-s-walk-chapter-116",116,"\u003Cp>“What do you mean, Elder?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan frowned and said sternly, “I heard that if the Cold Altar Traveling Master simply refuses, the connection is severed and the incense offerings cease—why can’t it be broken?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old woman looked at the coffin and shook her head. “Because he was never a Cold Altar Traveling Master!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gou Chengshan’s obsession is rare in this world—he survived on a single thread of resentment, and in life he refused to accept his fate; after death, his clinging attachment must be even deeper…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan felt a pounding headache. “What should I do now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old woman fell silent for a moment. “I know little, and I have no wish to involve myself in such worldly matters again. Do as you see fit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, she turned and walked away without another word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan was speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is utterly irresponsible!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, judging by the old woman’s demeanor, no amount of pleading would make her care.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had cultivation made her addle-brained?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan couldn’t help but grumble inwardly, then stepped forward to examine the coffin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, he saw more clearly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bones inside the stone coffin were jet-black and smooth, radiating a chilling cold—partially petrified, a sign of a zombie’s remains absorbing yin-sha energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for muscles, bones, and internal organs, they had all turned to black ash, emitting a foul, icy moldy stench.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan paused, then bowed respectfully. “Elder, let me make a proposal: I’ll return the Gou Die. Can’t you find another successor?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the bones inside the coffin remained motionless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan gave a self-deprecating laugh. “I’m the fool—I’m bargaining with a corpse. But the problem is, I can’t shake off this Cold Altar Traveling Master either…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had privately asked Luo Mingzi: the Cold Altar Traveling Master is not a malevolent spirit, but a lingering thought anchored to the soul.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s like a curse—only by addressing the root cause can it be resolved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hiss—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, the Gou Die mark on his palm suddenly burned hot, searing like fire, making Li Yan gasp in pain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, white mist rose around him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire cave quickly blurred into obscurity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan’s heart sank—he quickly formed the Yang Seal, trying to activate his divine ability, while his left hand gripped the hilt of his blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But his divine ability wouldn’t activate—and the Demon-Subduing Coin was gone!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’m in a dream!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan instantly understood his situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He suddenly remembered: the first time he met the Cold Altar Traveling Master, it had also been in a dream.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, the Cold Altar Traveling Master appeared again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No—he should be called Gou Chengshan’s clinging obsession.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still the same ghastly form, head bowed, right finger pointing forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey, speak up!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan’s temper flared—he strode forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the figure remained like a flickering shadow, always just ahead, retreating as he advanced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if forever out of reach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan sighed, gritted his teeth, and followed the direction Gou Chengshan’s finger pointed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no choice now—he’d do as told and see what tricks this thing had up its sleeve!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And in the real cave, Li Yan had already collapsed beside the stone coffin, the Gou Die mark on his left palm flickering with a faint blue glow…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a hazy daze, Li Yan didn’t know how long he had walked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything had become strange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He actually felt tired—as if he had traveled a great distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this was a dream!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan’s face had turned grim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He recalled what Wang Daoxuan had told him: powerful malevolent spirits and demons could lure people into dreams and drain their essence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had he already fallen victim?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he wondered, a stone palace suddenly appeared through the thick fog—ancient in design, unidentifiable as any dynasty’s architecture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Above the divine hall, several large characters were inscribed:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>《Gan Si Lian Wan Lü Tian Gong》!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tian Gong… Li Yan was startled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shouldn’t Tian Gong be golden and radiant, filled with immortal aura?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huh~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment the thought arose, the white mist churned violently—the original stone palace dissolved like dust, then rapidly reformed into a gilded, resplendent palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It even resembled the celestial court he’d seen in his past-life TV shows!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan instantly understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This thing responds to one’s thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, as he thought of different images, the palace shifted constantly—now a Tang palace, now the Forbidden City…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d barely played with it a few times when an even stronger wave of fatigue surged over him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan startled and immediately stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He vaguely understood: both the path he walked in the dream and the changing palace were draining his energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid all these changes, the characters 《Gan Si Lian Wan Lü Tian Gong》 remained utterly unchanged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Gou Chengshan’s clinging obsession appeared once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, he didn’t point—he simply stood motionless beside the palace, head bowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan had no choice—he gritted his teeth and stepped forward, entering the palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To his surprise, the palace held nothing else—only a coil of black chains, writhing like a giant black serpent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The instant he entered, the chains surged toward him as if drawn by an invisible force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan had no time to dodge—the long chains flooded entirely into his left palm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simultaneously, a flood of information poured into his mind:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gou Hun Suo, Tian Gong Yin Si Divine Ability of Tiantian Zuiqi…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Bei Di Jing, the Yin Deity of the North, the Northern Ghost Emperor, whose true name is Nuogao…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Luo Feng Jing, the Lord of Northern Yin Fengdu, Da Ting Shi, whose true name is Qingjia. The progenitor of all ghosts and spirits, ruling Mount Luo Feng, with six palaces atop the mountain—the first palace named Gan Si Lian Wan Lü Tian Gong…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ahhhh—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan screamed in agony. The information was overwhelming, but worse—it carried a force like icy needles, violently churning within his soul.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Any ordinary person would either die or become mentally shattered by this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet at that moment, his Great Luo Dharma Body activated, repeatedly healing the trauma inflicted upon his soul; cracks appeared across the divine statue’s surface.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, from the Gou Die mark on his left palm, a black chain emerged like a serpent, slithering out along his palm, coiling around his wrist to form a chain-armguard…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After an unknown length of time, Li Yan slowly awoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His head throbbed violently; he struggled to rise from the ground, took several deep breaths, and the pain gradually faded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked again at the stone coffin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside, the skeleton had turned entirely to powder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan paused, then knelt and bowed deeply in the posture of a disciple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He now understood what this inheritance was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Ghost-Spirit Inheritance!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Living Yin Officer—even after soul-traveling through the Underworld—remembers nothing, only knows what he must do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even when a Living Yin Officer receives a task, he does so in confusion, knowing only that he must cast the dead into the Underworld, then use the Gou Die to summon Yin Soldiers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one knew what Gou Chengshan had endured, yet he had forcibly broken through the veil and received a lineage transmission from the Lord of Northern Yin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This inheritance consisted of two methods and one divine ability.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first method is the Bei Di Jing—the art of one of the Five Directional Ghost Emperors under the Northern Yin Fengdu Great Emperor, whose true name is “Nuogao”!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With this true name, when inscribing talismans, one can bind yin-sha into the name, granting the talisman power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When using the art, reciting this true name activates it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In some mysterious way, the techniques he had learned—the Bao Pu Ascending Mountain Art and the Thousand Gold Body Protection Spell—both originated from this scripture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second method is the Luo Feng Jing—the scripture used to construct the Tower Observatories. Each tier of the observatory corresponds to a specific ritual; after building three tiers, one may use it as a foundation to construct another palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These palaces are called the Luo Feng Six Heavenly Palaces: Gan Si Lian Wan Lü Tian Gong, Zong Ling Qi Fei Tian Gong, Tian Zhao Zui Qi Tian Gong, Ming Chen Nai Fan Wu Cheng Tian Gong, Tai Sha Liang Shi Zong Tian Gong, and Zhou Jue Yin Tian Gong. Each palace built grants one Yin Bureau divine ability.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His cheap master, Gou Chengshan, had built the Gan Si Lian Wan Lü Tian Gong and thus gained the divine ability: Gou Hun Suo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This ability can both summon souls and annihilate them. Its power depends on one’s cultivation—this one he received was Gou Chengshan’s lifetime of effort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was like a seed, granting him an early taste of a Yin Bureau divine ability.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the Yin Bureau’s methods were too astonishing; during his acquisition of the art, Gou Chengshan’s soul was damaged, driving him mad and into heresy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a result, the secret he uncovered was mocked by others, dismissed as a heretical technique!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps this was why his obsession ran so deep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Li Yan, possessing the Great Luo Body, endured this terrifying inheritance without going mad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of this, Li Yan’s expression grew grave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This method was astonishing; the difficulty of cultivation was unimaginable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And three levels make one palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>!.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If six palaces were built, it would be eighteen stories high!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could that still be called human…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder Gou Chenshan said he had discovered the Ascension Staircase.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet this staircase—though a mortal spent his entire life on it—he might not even reach far…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan fell silent, gazed deeply at the ashes of the corpse, then turned and left the cave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arriving inside the Northern Yin Fengdu Great Emperor’s shrine, the old woman sat in meditation, counting beads one by one, like a stone statue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Li Yan emerge, she merely nodded slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan asked, “Elder, how long have I been inside?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“About half a stick of incense.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then that’s good.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan exhaled, gazing at the old woman’s calm, unrippled eyes, and couldn’t help asking, “Elder, don’t you wonder what happened to me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All things follow their own karmic cause and condition.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old woman looked toward the statue of the Northern Yin Fengdu Great Emperor. “No matter what method you received, you’ve already taken the Gou Die and become a Living Yin Officer—its consequences are governed by the Yin Court’s laws. Why should I interfere?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan frowned. “What are the Yin Court’s laws?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old woman said nothing more, rose at once, took an ancient book from the altar, gently wiped it, and offered it to Li Yan with both hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the proper etiquette for handling scripture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Li Yan also received it with both hands respectfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On its cover were two characters: “Yin Law.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old woman spoke: “This scripture contains many taboos for Living Yin Officers, as well as methods to control ghosts and use the Gou Die.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Gou Die was passed down by our Ancestor. Many across the world hold it, yet none know its origin. My Northern Yin Fengdu lineage is small; the majority belong to the Yama, Ten Directions Lord lineage.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now that you’ve taken this, whether you choose good or evil henceforth is no concern of mine…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, she sat back on her cushion, closed her eyes, and meditated again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan fell silent for a moment, raised his hand in salute, and turned to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Long after he departed, the old woman slowly opened her eyes, gazing at a small altar beside the Northern Yin Fengdu Emperor’s shrine, murmuring:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master, when you insisted on preserving your brother’s remains, was it to leave a lamp burning…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Autumn wind sighed, hooves clattered on the ancient road.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I nearly thought you were dead…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Daoxuan rode his horse, shaking his head with a smile. “When you didn’t fire the signal arrow at the agreed time, I was just about to descend the mountain to seek help.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I apologize for troubling you, Daochang.” Li Yan shook his head. “Something unexpected happened—the inheritance was…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t tell me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dao waved him off. “Inheritances vary. My Western Xuan lineage allows anyone to learn freely, based on personal fortune and insight.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But your condition suggests your inheritance is extraordinary—and tied to the Yin Court. It likely carries many taboos.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t you remember how that Lu sorcerer betrayed Elder Wu? Some things, you keep to yourself—even from me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan pondered, then nodded slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Daoxuan was partly right and partly wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had already skimmed the “Yin Law.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Yin Law differed entirely from earthly law; its core principle was the separation of Yin and Yang, and the impartiality of the Dao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he killed or set fires in the mortal world, it had nothing to do with the Yin Court.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But once he accepted a Yin Court task, there was no negotiation—he must complete it. If he fled, he would meet the same fate as Wu Laosi: his soul would be seized by the Yin Court.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Also, he must not use magic to restore the dead or prolong life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boundary between life and death was the Yin Court’s iron law.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, the benefits were astonishing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Living Yin Officer who completes Yin Court tasks gains authority over five Yin Ghost Soldiers, able to command them via the Gou Die.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don’t underestimate this. Many magical lineages maintain troops—they must hold rituals periodically for training, and provide incense offerings, with endless complications.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the five camps of Gou Die ghost soldiers require none of this. As long as your rank is high enough, you summon ghosts of the corresponding level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, it resembled the Heavenly Soldiers of the Tai Xuan Zheng Jiao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, his cultivation from this inheritance depended entirely on the Gou Die.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In any case, this journey gave his cultivation structure and purpose. Once the pavilions were built, he would formally enter the Xuan Gate!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two had now left Fengyang County and were heading to Shangluo to meet Sha Lifei, then proceed to Mount Taibai.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By his count, winter solstice was still nearly two months away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With so much time, they had no rush—and arrived at Shangluo City a day later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shangluo was a major city at the heart of Shangzhou, built against the mountains, with a great river winding around it like a jade belt, bordered by water on three sides, its scenery splendid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the river, boats large and small shuttled back and forth without end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This river is the Danjiang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Daoxuan reined in his horse and gazed. “Locals call this stretch the Luhe; that’s how Shangluo got its name. The river originates from the southern slopes of the Qinling, flows through Shaanxi, Henan, and Hubei provinces, and is the longest tributary of the Hanjiang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After meeting Brother Sha, we’ll take a boat upstream to Luonan, bypass the remote mountain paths, and reach Lantian. Traveling by flatland roads instead of mountains, the journey to Mount Taibai will be utterly smooth.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your plan is excellent,” Li Yan nodded with a smile. “But I can’t wait—I need an inn, a bath, and a good meal!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahaha, of course.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two Landeraolu , tied their horses at a roadside stable, took a ferry across the Danjiang, and reached the Shangluo docks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dao-ye! Xiao Ge Li!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as they stepped onto the dock, they saw Sha Lifei waving from a tea stall, hurrying over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan, in high spirits from his inheritance, joked: “Oh? Uncle Sha, have you learned the Great Expansion Divination and foreseen our arrival today?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Foresee what? I’ve been waiting here all day.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sha Lifei sighed, hesitated, then fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s wrong?” Li Yan frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll show you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sha Lifei shook his head and led them to the city gate, where the wanted poster at the top bore Lu San’s face in bold letters!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recommend a book: “Tales of Immortal Mystery in the 1990s,” by Bumengzhe—a Chinese version of “Stranger Things,” featuring qigong, the Soviet collapse, KGB, CIA, highway bandits, the Golden Triangle, and Shang Dynasty relics…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2678,"2026-06-19T18:28:32.159Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","d23cf40e5f9639198009181457ea41173a868ce6e94c3e947c79a991ac988b9c","the-cursed-blade-s-walk-chapter-117","the-cursed-blade-s-walk-chapter-115",801,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-cursed-blade-s-walk-cover.jpg"]