Chapter 709 - 708: The Strongest Ghost God, Workaholic Attribute

The First Assistant to the King of Equality?

Li Jing was slightly stunned, then looked weirdly at Daji.

She had claimed that a friend with connections could help, and this friend turned out to be an assistant to the King of Equality.

Just by the title of First Assistant, it was apparent that this was the King of Equality’s right-hand man.

Is this what Daji referred to as ’a friend with connections’?

It was undeniably more like a direct associate!

Seeing the nonplussed look on Li Jing’s face, Daji cheekily stuck out her tongue.

Li Jing rolled his eyes at her antics.

The formal introduction had barely started, and he subtly glanced at Guiya’s health bar.

The health bar on top of Guiya’s head showed 23,999.

Essence Source displayed more than 3 billion...

Li Jing was instantly taken aback.

23,999.

Peak of the late Sixteenth Realm.

Only one more step and he would enter the Seventeenth Realm.

Breaking through the limitations and reaching the Sixteenth Realm meant that there were no more bottlenecks, only the accumulation of power.

This health bar data of 23,999 showed that Guiya was deliberately maintaining his power at the boundary of the Sixteenth Realm.

This could not be a coincidence.

The man had come to see him, just a small step away from entering the threshold of the Seventeenth Realm.

Led by Daji to the summoning hell, Li Jing saw many Ghost Gods on the road.

But their powers were generally below the Twelfth Realm, and none had legitimately reached the Thirteenth Realm.

Guiya in front was unquestionably one of the top existences among the Ghost Gods; he could even be stronger than the Ten Yama Halls.

Considering Guiya, the Ghost God who was in the Underworld Country and could gain a power boost from it, he could probably explode with power equivalent to the Seventeenth Realm even without stepping into it.

Li Jing had grounds to suspect.

If it was in the Underworld Country, even the God King Amaterasu would be nothing in front of this plane.

Such an individual was merely an assistant?

Amazed, Li Jing stood up and extended his hand in a relatively formal manner.

"Nice to meet you. I am the World Watcher, Li Jing."

"Nice to meet you."

Guiya shook hands with Li Jing. His poker face remained unchanged, and he calmly said,

"Since I can remember, there have been many watchers in Nebula World, but this is the first time I hear of a human being chosen as a watcher. Frankly, I am quite surprised."

As he spoke, he made a "please" gesture.

Li Jing understood and sat down with Guiya, taking the opportunity to take a longer look at him.

Though Guiya did not say it explicitly,

His words hinted that he was an ancient being who had witnessed the emergence of many Watchers.

This seniority...

He must be unimaginably old.

At first glance, Guiya seems to have lived longer than Daji.

That explains why his power is so extraordinary...

From this speculation, Guiya was probably not a Ghost God born in X Divine Realm.

Li Jing didn’t know how many Watchers there have been in the great Nebula World or when they were all born.

But he clearly knew that there had been no watchers in the Nebula World for many millions of years.

And since X Divine Realm was created in the later times, the existence time limit of the Divine Realm clearly can’t correspond to the life span Guiya has lived.

Isn’t this worth pondering?

Why on earth would Guiya, an existence like this, run to X God Realm and be willing to serve as an assistant?

Just as he was lost in thought, Daji giggled as the two of them sat down.

"Little Guiya, what about the greeting card? Did you bring it?"

Upon hearing this, Guiya looked at her and said,

"Due to the ongoing war in the world above, the number of souls in the Underworld Country has exploded in an unprecedented manner. Not just the Equality Palace, all Ten Yama Halls are currently flooded with work."

As he spoke, he turned his gaze to Li Jing.

"Upon hearing that the World Watcher intends to visit, King Equality attaches great importance to it. However, due to the busyness of the war above, he was unable to make time for a formal meeting. Although we assistants have the authority to handle most of the matters on behalf of the Ten Yama Halls, we do not have the power to judge and punish souls. This responsibility still rests with the Ten Yama Halls."

Li Jing nodded.

Even though Guiya kept a poker face throughout, he was straightforward.

Because of the ongoing war above, all Ten Yama Halls are extremely busy.

Which meant...

Meeting with King Equality seemed unlikely.

Just as he was about to speak, Guiya took an envelope from his pocket.

"Your followers have briefed me about the overall situation during communication, and this is the pass certificate."

Daji’s eyes lit up at this and she eagerly reached out to take it.

Before he could reach for the envelope, Gui Ya swiftly withdrew his hand and offered it to Li Jing instead.

"With this Pass Certificate in hand, as the Watcher, you can enter and exit Abi Hell without any hindrance. I’d like you to keep it safe and monitor a certain fox closely. Abi Hell is unlike any other dungeon, it is inhabited only by the most despicable sinners. We cannot afford any mishaps."

His words were interrupted by a ’tsk’ from Daji’s lips.

"Now, Gui Ya, when have I ever disobeyed rules in my years in Hell? Do you have to be so cautious with me?"

Gui Ya tilted his head.

"A monster may not always be untrustworthy but Daji, you certainly are."

This comment injured Daji’s pride.

Just as she was about to utter something in protest, Gui Ya calmly spoke.

"Daji, on the surface, you may have never broken any rules. However, you’re responsible for most of the illegal activities in Hell; it’s just that you’re clever enough to evade any association."

Having said this, he continued.

"Considering you are about to leave Underworld Country and leave X River, I shall help you this once. But fundamental issues are non-negotiable. If you stir up chaos or do anything inappropriate, despite protection from the Watcher, I would still bring you to justice."

Daji was totally unimpressed with Gui Ya’s explanation.

"You’re not naive enough to believe that you can take on Li Jing, are you?"

Gui Ya did not respond immediately but instead looked towards Li Jing.

"I certainly can’t challenge him, but I will try to act on my responsibilities."

"Some things are unattainable no matter how hard one tries."

Daji smiled insinuatingly.

Before Gui Ya could reply, Li Jing interjected.

"Let me make it clear, I have no interest in disrupting the existing order in Underworld Country, nor do I wish to make enemies."

He looked at Daji with a strange expression.

"Honestly, I don’t know what you’re plotting, Daji, but I advise you to hold back. While I’m willing to protect you, I will not assist or condone you causing chaos."

At these words, Daji feigned anger.

"You are really hurting my feelings, Li Jing! Yes, I have some friends in Abi Hell ’taking a bath’ in Endless Purgatory, but I’m not the kind to cause trouble without thought! Besides, don’t I understand the importance of order and the serious consequences that led my friends to ’bathing’ in Endless Purgatory? I’m well aware that there’re things I shouldn’t do."

Li Jing listened to Daji’s confession with scepticism.

"You better."

Daji pouted at Li Jing’s blatant suspicion and set to argue.

She glanced at Gui Ya, who sat across from them, the perfect model of sternness, then elbowed Li Jing.

"Li Jing, with your strength, can you tell that Gui Ya doesn’t belong to this world?"

At this question, Li Jing was momentarily stunned before nodding subconsciously.

Gui Ya furrowed his brows slightly.

"Daji, what are you trying to imply?"

"I’m laying the groundwork for a future couch potato life."

Daji responded with a radiant smile.

?

Li Jing typed a question mark.

Gui Ya looked equally puzzled.

Just as they were about to question Daji, she hinted mischievously.

"Oh my! Don’t tell me you haven’t figured it out? I’m recommending a new recruit for you."

???

Li Jing.

Before he could respond, Daji spoke.

"You accepted me, intending me to assist you at some point in the future. But the thing is, I’m not willing to lift a finger if I can help it. I wouldn’t mind if you were interested in my body, but if you’re counting on my abilities, you’re going to be disappointed."

She shrugged and added,

"That’s just how I am. I can’t help it."

"..."

Li Jing.

He had lived a serious life for more than a hundred years.

He had seen a lot and walked a lot.

He had seen plenty of slackers.

But someone as blatantly carefree as Daji was a first.

She made it clear that she might not meet his expectations, even before they had set off.

Was she not worried that he might rethink taking her with him?

Nevertheless, Li Jing surmised that wasn’t the case.

Daji was never intending to come with him in the first place. She had agreed begrudgingly, hoping to be a queen in the near future, once the Upper Three Realms were restored.

Rubbing his temples, Li Jing sighed with a wry smile.

"Daji, you..."

Before he could finish, Daji interrupted with a laugh.

"For my future couch potato life, I strongly recommend that you take Gui Ya with you."

With that, she exclaimed excitedly.

"Master, don’t underestimate Gui Ya, even though he’s just an assistant officer. In terms of raw power, not even the Ten Yama Halls can compare, and there isn’t a single person in all of Hades who can match him. Assessing his comprehensive abilities, he is all-rounded talent. In fact, when Hades was first established, the Underworld Country was extremely chaotic. There was almost no law to speak of let alone order. Although the Ten Yama Halls are intrinsically granted Authority by the laws of the Underworld Country, they were unable to make changes in the face of initial disorder. It was only after Gui Ya’s arrival that improvements were made. The current order, based on the Netherworld’s model, in the Underworld Country was entirely pushed forward by Gui Ya’s efforts."

Hearing Daji describe it this way, Li Jing couldn’t help but examine Gui Ya in a new light.

According to Daji’s account.

Gui Ya, rather than the Ten Yama Halls, deserves the credit for bringing order to the Underworld Country.

This...

That’s somewhat far-fetched!

It does not make sense.

The Ten Yama Halls, who were granted authority through the laws of the Underworld Country, are the managers born concurrently with the Underworld Country.

Could an outsider truly have changed the disorder they themselves were powerless to amend?

This is not purely a question of strength.

Violence can solve a majority of issues.

Overbearing power can play a decisive role many times.

All these points are correct.

But order is neither established nor maintained by violence and overbearing power; it requires a reasonable method of management.

Furthermore, according to Daji’s statement,

Gui Ya must have been to the Netherworld or he might be a person who directly came from there, otherwise, how could he have mirrored the Netherworld system, a system that even Daji was unclear about, to initiate reforms in the Underworld Country?

Meanwhile.

Seeing Daji diligently recommending him to Li Jing, Gui Ya’s poker face didn’t change; he said,

"Although I somewhat disagree with Kuzunoha’s intention, I must thank her for the recommendation. Your high evaluation of me is quite surprising. Honestly, though, I’m not as exceptional as you say; I’m just an ordinary assistant officer."

With that, he turned his head to look over,

"If it means serving the world watcher, I wouldn’t mind relinquishing my post as assistant officer. But I want to know, what can you offer me, Mr. Watcher?"

Upon hearing this, Li Jing frowned.

Daji was ludicrously irresponsible.

This guy was...

Equally ridiculous...

Daji merely recommended him.

He understandably agreed, and then immediately started laying down terms?

Could it be that he doesn’t feel any ideology towards the Underworld Country that he personally nurtured?

Li Jing felt somewhat speechless.

However, he had no reason to refuse Gui Ya’s intention to switch his allegiance.

Not to mention his strength, he was unquestionably capable.

From his meticulous speech and conduct, it’s evident that he is a very conscientious person.

Being conscientious is not always beneficial.

However, such behaviour coupled with a strong ability to get things done changes the situation entirely.

From Abigail and Athena to Lilith and Gabriel, Li Jing had always been making decisions with Chen Tang City’s interests in mind.

Abigail and Athena were respectively considered for future management of the Supreme God Domain and the Nine Great Divine Realms of the Star Nebula Great World, while he planned to directly appoint Lilith and Gabriel within Chen Tang City.

With over a hundred years of development in the Immortal Realm.

Chen Tang City continued to grow.

However, despite its seemingly abundant talent pool, very few reliable and capable managers could be found at the key level.

This was a long-term concern for Li Jing.

Managers, who like Yulian, could control the overall situation and had extensive experience, were few and far between in Chen Tang City, occupied with multiple roles throughout the day.

A brief absence would lead to mishaps in Chen Tang City.

This is a fatal weakness.

It’s also the root cause of why most of Chen Tang City’s industries, excluding the Cangming Realm, have adopted an outsourcing strategy.

There’s no other way.

Unable to manage everything, outsourcing is the only solution.

Outsourcing may not be the best solution.

The disadvantages include lack of control over business development and profits, frequent technical issues that require Chen Tang City’s support, along with the notoriously poor overall efficiency of outsourced managers.

In fact.

Corruption, along with a myriad of issues like the monopoly of power, have already permeated the industries "outsourced" by Chen Tang City.

However, as they are outsourced, Chen Tang City is not the first to face the brunt of the headache, but the various "contractors".

Compared to the impact on Chen Tang City, problems like corruption have a far greater impact on ’large-scale contractors’ like Donghua Immortal Palace.

They also hope to address these issues.

But such matters are essentially unresolvable.

This situation is the result of human nature and interests entanglement, which is beyond resolution.

Who amongst the sentient beings doesn’t have a certain amount of selfishness?

To truly put an end to all of this, even if it’s not to the extent of enlisting saints, it is necessary.

On his journey to enlist people, Li Jing wasn’t really expecting to grasp all outsourced industries into his hands at Chen Tang City. He was simply looking to alleviate the internal pressure brought on by Chen Tang City’s constant expansion and strengthening.

Never mind the others.

Yulian is his Taoist Companion.

He was so busy all day that he had to think about whether Yulian had any free time before he could hug her and give her a kiss, let alone consider the possibility of her needing to face some tribulations.

How could he go on living like this?

No matter how, he must first liberate Yulian and the other companions.

After that,

he expected Li Lingyin and the rest of the management team to have a bit more free time and drop a few fewer hairs.

Facing the ghost child who was earnestly waiting for his response, Li Jing said,

"Ghost child, you are someone who can step into the Seventeenth Realm anytime. I’m afraid I can’t promise you anything about advancement opportunities. What I can offer is as much as fulfilling some of your needs that I can accommodate."

"For example?"

The ghost child asked.

"This..."

Li Jing hesitated.

It was easier said than done, but he had no clue what the ghost child needed.

They had only met not long ago, and he could hardly figure out anything that could tempt the ghost child.

Just as he was at a loss for a response, Daji spoke,

"For instance, authority. Don’t you love authority, Ghost Child?"

?

Li Jing frowned.

Authority?

The ghost child doesn’t look like an ambitious person, does he?

Someone with real ambition wouldn’t settle for just being an assistant in the Underworld Country, would they?

Just as he was pondering, the ghost child nodded.

"Authority is indeed a necessity. Without substantial authority, it’s hard to get things done and implemented. If Watcher Sir can promise to give me the authority I deserve, I won’t ask for anything else."

???

Li Jing.

Listening to his tone.

It seems that he purely needs some "work" to enrich his life?

Wow.

Does he really have to be so pragmatic?

Let’s be honest.

Even though he is a ghost god, isn’t he supposed to yearn for power as a cultivator? Shouldn’t he think about enhancing his strength and so on?

Before he could react, Daji chuckled,

"You haven’t realized until now, have you, Master? Little Ghost is a complete workaholic."

"..."

Li Jing.

A workaholic, huh.

He likes this kind of talent that has both strength and skills yet asks for nothing else.

After a brief speculation, Li Jing said,

"Let me clarify one thing first. I’m not recruiting talents everywhere for the convenience of my Watcher duties. Essentially, not just anyone can meddle with the duties related to the Watcher. I’m mainly looking for usable talents so that the power I’ve established in another spatial plane can grow better."

"Another spatial plane?"

A slight surprise flashed across the ghost child’s poker face, then his mouth curled into a smile.

"Things seem to have gotten interesting."

Daji on the side was puzzled for a second and frowned,

"Master, aren’t you an Earthling? How could you establish your own power in another spatial plane?"

"Some things are too complicated to explain in detail. You’ll find out later."

Li Jing waved his hand and smiled.

"By the way, before becoming the Watcher of the Star Nebula Great World, I was also the Watcher of that world. Of course, I won’t abuse my power, that’s for sure."

Hearing this, Daji was shocked.

It’s unheard of for a human being to be a Watcher. How come Li Jing could become the Watcher of two great worlds?

Just as she was wondering, the ghost child stood up.

"I understand the situation roughly now. Watcher Sir... no, it seems that I should call you Master now. Master, you can go to Abi Hell with Tamamo to handle the matters at hand. I need to go and say goodbye to King Equality. I’ll join you later."

After that, he didn’t linger and turned to leave.

Seeing that the ghost child didn’t ask any questions and was about to resign after hearing what he said, Li Jing was stunned.

This one.

He really is a practical person, isn’t he?

While he was spacing out, Daji laughed out loud.

"Master, with such a powerful assistant as Xiao Yaya, you can’t forget about the huge favor I’ve done for you, right? Now, can I rightfully take it easy?"