Chapter 228

Everyone froze.

Even the Southern Celestial Emperor himself stood stunned, his expression twisting in disbelief as he turned toward the source of that quiet voice.

The sound had come from within the mountain-protecting formation.

From the back hall of the Heavenly Master Hall, a man was walking forward at an unhurried pace.

He wore a dark crimson robe. His features were refined and elegant, the face of a gentle scholar—but the aura surrounding him made the soul tremble. Just one glance at him stirred terror in the depths of every being’s spirit, as though even their very existence bowed before his presence.

Each step he took caused a thick, tangible darkness to spread across the ground, swallowing everything in its path. The sky dimmed, the world itself seeming to draw a curtain over its own light, inch by inch falling into night.

By the time he reached the main hall, the heavens had gone pitch-black.

It was not the murky shadow that accompanied the Yama Kings’ descent—it was true darkness, one that erased all sense of space, form, and distance. The world itself seemed to vanish: trees, halls, mountains, light—all gone.

Though his lips carried a faint smile, the fear that he radiated was boundless. Every soul present felt an uncontrollable urge to kneel. It wasn’t the pressure of might; it was something older, something absolute—the awareness that their life and death rested in his hand.

“My Lord!”

The Yama Kings in the sky were the first to sense it. Their Yama Seals pulsed violently within their chests, trembling in reverence. In unison, their towering dharma bodies shrank back into ordinary spiritual forms, kneeling respectfully in midair.

“The Yama of the Netherworld pay respects to our master—Lord of the Underworld!”

All of them… except Bai Yu.

The old man blinked in confusion, glancing at his kneeling comrades and then at the familiar young man before him.

“Ying Lun?”

The vegetable-farming weakling? The Lord of the Underworld?!

(⊙_⊙)

“Daoist Bai!” King Xiuling jolted, quickly tugging at Bai Yu’s sleeve and signaling him frantically with his eyes.

“This is our Lord—how can you call him by name?! Kneel!”

“Huh?”

Bai Yu scratched his head. His Yama Seal had never responded properly—perhaps because he was technically alive and not a soul—so he had felt nothing at all.

When had his gardening junior suddenly become the King of the Underworld?!

Ying Lun didn’t seem to mind.

He gave the kneeling Yama Kings a nod, then lifted his gaze toward the sky where the Southern Celestial Emperor floated. His tone remained polite, almost amused.

“I heard,” he said softly, “you wanted to see me?”

The Emperor’s heart lurched. It was just an ordinary sentence, yet it filled him with unspeakable dread. His face flickered with disbelief. Impossible. The Lord of the Underworld was a myth—he had been asleep for eons! He shouldn’t be awake… let alone here.

“You—”

“Apologies,” Ying Lun interrupted mildly. “I don’t enjoy speaking to the living.”

He raised a hand and made a casual horizontal sweep through the air.

A faint sound—like wind brushing silk—followed.

And then chaos.

Every immortal in the sky felt their divine energy vanish in an instant. Something irresistible seized their very souls, yanking them from their bodies as if plucking threads from silk.

A moment later, all their disembodied spirits appeared before the main hall, hovering like translucent figures of light.

Then—thump, thump, thump!—their now-empty bodies began to rain from the heavens like falling dumplings. One after another crashed to the ground, lifeless, littering the courtyard. Even the Southern Celestial Emperor’s body fell, limp and empty.

It had taken less than a heartbeat. Ying Lun hadn’t even lowered his hand completely when it happened.

And as that hand began to dip further—

“Stop!”

Yun Jiao, quick as lightning, caught his elbow.

“Don’t just go slashing around! You’ll hit the Heavenly Master Hall next!”

Ying Lun blinked, then gave a sheepish smile.

“Ah—my mistake. Got carried away.”

He rubbed his neck awkwardly, as though he hadn’t just wiped out an entire celestial army.

Yuanjiang: “……”

Wenqing: “……”

All the Daoist brothers: “……”

Wait—weren’t they on the same side?

Then why were their souls floating outside their bodies too?!

w(Д)w

They turned and looked back. Their physical forms had also toppled to the ground—but fortunately, their disciples had rushed forward to catch them, preventing any serious damage.

Compared to the unfortunate celestials lying in twisted heaps, their situation could still be considered merciful.

Ying Lun stepped forward leisurely, sweeping his gaze over the sea of trapped immortal souls before focusing on the one in the center—the Southern Celestial Emperor.

With the same calm smile, he said,

“Now this is much better for conversation. I am the one who governs the Underworld. Tell me—what business did you have with me?”

“Th-the… the Lord of the Underworld…”

The Emperor stammered, utterly horrified. Stripped of his body, he could feel the sheer oppression of Ying Lun’s aura pressing against his soul. It was unbearable. His spirit quaked uncontrollably, and before he realized it, his knees buckled, forcing him to kneel.

Never, not even before the Celestial Emperor himself, had he known such terror.

So this was…the power of the Underworld’s King.

Swallowing hard, he bowed deeply. “It—It was all a misunderstanding! I… this minor king acted rashly and offended you, my lord. I beg the Underworld’s forgiveness!”

“Oh?” Ying Lun chuckled lightly. “A misunderstanding, you say?”

“Lord!”

King Xiuling couldn’t hold back. He stepped forward, bowing deeply.

“It is no misunderstanding! The Southern Emperor seized thousands of our souls to forge an immortal vein and even unleashed the Devouring Sky Beast into my realm, consuming countless spirits. He plotted against the Underworld repeatedly, causing catastrophic imbalance to the cycle of reincarnation! Now that his crimes are exposed, he still dares deny them. I implore my lord not to let this villain go unpunished!”

“The Yama exaggerates,” the Southern Emperor said quickly, forcing a strained smile. “I bear no ill will toward the Underworld. This must be some mistake! Immortal vein? Devouring Sky Beast? I’ve never heard of such things.”

“Zhu Yan sent the Rock Dragon to nurture souls for you,” Xiuling countered sharply. “Even the dragon’s spirit confessed. Will you still deny it?”

“Zhu Yan is one of mine,” the Emperor admitted smoothly, “but his actions were his own. The Southern Court accepts blame for poor oversight, but I had no knowledge of his deeds.”

He glanced meaningfully at Zhu Yan, who shivered under the look before closing his eyes and nodding.

“It… it was all my idea. The Emperor knew nothing of it!”

“You—!” Xiuling trembled with fury. What a convenient scapegoat!

“Zhu Yan has indeed committed grave sins,” the Emperor said gravely, adopting an air of false remorse. “He may be handed over for the Underworld’s judgment. As for the damage caused, the Southern Court will do all it can to… make amends.”

Ying Lun smiled, the corners of his lips curving pleasantly.

“Make amends? Yes… that does sound appropriate.”

“Lord—!” Xiuling tried to speak, alarmed.

“Many thanks for your understanding, Great King of the Underworld!” the Southern Emperor said quickly, a flicker of relief flashing in his eyes.

Ying Lun nodded amiably, surveying the countless celestial souls arrayed before him.

“Then we shall proceed as you suggest,” he said cheerfully. “The Underworld has lost tens of thousands of souls. The Southern Court shall replace them—one for one. I see your souls are of fine quality. You’ll make a good start. Let’s call this… the first shipment.”

“WHAT?!” the Emperor cried out in horror.

“We’re missing something,” Ying Lun said with a smile. “You’re returning it. Fair trade, isn’t it?”

“W–wait, my lord, I didn’t mean—”

Ying Lun turned, looking over at Bai Yu.

“Old man. Open the gate.”

“Right away!”

Bai Yu clasped his hands and formed a seal. For once, his usually unreliable Yama Seal responded smoothly. A vast black gate materialized before the hall, exuding a chill so deep it devoured light itself.

Before the Southern Emperor could utter another word, Ying Lun casually waved his hand.

The entire host of celestial souls—including the Emperor—were swept off their feet and hurled straight through the Gate of the Underworld.

The Southern Celestial Court—annihilated in full.

(End of Chapter)