The Three Ghosts of the Netherworld
Translator: Cinder Translations
---
One hour later, at Pingxi Waterfall.
A silver cascade rushed down from the cliff's peak, resembling celestial water from the heavens. Its thunderous roar was deafening, shaking the surroundings.
Hao Kong arrived as promised.
Perhaps because he felt the waterfall's proximity to the Nine Palaces Sect was secure enough that no one could threaten him, Hao Kong came alone.
Seeing that Hao Kong hadn't set up any underhanded traps, Song Wen also appeared as agreed.
Bowing respectfully, Song Wen greeted, "Welcome, Senior Hao Kong."
Hao Kong scanned Song Wen with his spiritual sense and confirmed that his cultivation was indeed only at the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm.
Initially, Hao Kong was wary that Song Wen might be a Nascent Soul cultivator disguised as a Golden Core cultivator, intentionally luring him out.
Even so, this led Hao Kong to believe that someone powerful—likely a Nascent Soul expert—was backing Song Wen. After all, it was well known that only Nascent Soul cultivators could wield top-grade magical artifacts effectively.
"You're quite bold to meet me alone. Aren't you afraid I might harm you?" Hao Kong asked coldly.
Song Wen replied calmly, "If I dared to come here alone, it's because I have my reasons. The senior who entrusted me with this task has assured me that if any harm befalls me, he will ensure that the Nine Palaces Sect knows no peace for the rest of his life."
Hao Kong's gaze turned icy. "So, you dare to threaten me?"
"I wouldn't dare," Song Wen replied with an indifferent expression.
"Show me the natal artifact you want refined. I need to see if it's even possible to reforge it into a top-grade magical artifact," Hao Kong demanded.
With a thought, Song Wen summoned the short spear, which suddenly appeared and floated toward Hao Kong.
Catching the spear, Hao Kong's brows furrowed slightly before his expression shifted to one of surprise and suspicion.
"This is Lei Yue's lightning-type natal artifact! How did it end up in your hands?"
The Lei Clan had been annihilated by the Beast Master Sect—a major event that had already spread across the cultivation world of the Tianyuan Continent.
"Could it be... the person behind you is a daoist from the Beast Master Sect?" Hao Kong speculated aloud.
But then he dismissed his own guess.
"No, that's not right. Daoist Ding Bao of the Beast Master Sect is a Fourth-Stage artifact refiner himself. If they wanted to refine a top-grade artifact, they wouldn't need to travel such a long distance to seek my help. Even if they did, they wouldn't bother with secrecy. They'd come to me openly. So, who exactly is the Nascent Soul cultivator behind you?"
The Beast Master Sect had three Grand Elders: Yang Yu, Mi He, and Ding Bao.
Ding Bao was an early-stage Nascent Soul cultivator.
Song Wen said, "Senior, there's no need to guess. That senior specifically wants to remain anonymous, which is why they entrusted me with this task."
Hearing this, Hao Kong's brows knitted tightly.
In the current cultivation world, aside from the late Lei Yue, he couldn't think of any other Nascent Soul cultivator skilled in lightning techniques.
Eventually, Hao Kong could only speculate that the person in question wanted to keep their expertise in lightning techniques hidden, using it as a secret trump card.
"Where's the soul defense artifact? Let me see it. If there's no issue, I'll take on this commission," Hao Kong said.
In response, a beast bone appeared in Song Wen's hand as he spoke.
"Please take a look, Senior."
This beast bone had come from Xing Yixuan.
Hao Kong narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing the beast bone in Song Wen's hand.
He confirmed that the artifact was indeed a low-grade soul defense artifact.
On the Tianyuan Continent, the value of a low-grade soul defense artifact compared to a top-grade lightning-type magical artifact depended on who was using it. Different individuals had different needs for such treasures.
"Very well. I agree to refine the artifact for you."
Hao Kong tossed a messaging jade slip to Song Wen and continued, "This is my messaging jade slip. If the refinement process goes smoothly, the artifact will be completed within a year."
Song Wen clasped his hands and said, "Thank you, Senior."
"Don't thank me just yet. I have one more condition," Hao Kong said.
"Please, Senior, do tell," Song Wen replied.
"Relay a message to the Nascent Soul cultivator backing you. I have a deal I'd like to propose to him as well. A year from now, I hope he can come in person to exchange the artifact," Hao Kong said.
"I will deliver the message," Song Wen said with a bow. "Senior Hao Kong, I take my leave."
Watching Song Wen's figure gradually disappear into the distance, Hao Kong eventually gave up on the idea of tailing him. He turned and headed back toward the Nine Palaces Sect.
---
After confirming that Hao Kong wasn't following him, Song Wen disguised himself and entered Anzhou City.
He visited a few shops and purchased the souls of several cultivators.
Since devouring the souls of seven Golden Core cultivators from the Lei Clan and Fu Mei, his spiritual awareness had grown significantly, faintly hinting at a breakthrough.
This made Song Wen sigh in realization—compared to the resentful spirits in the Misty Ghost Realm, the souls of cultivators were far more nourishing.
Particularly the pure souls of righteous cultivators like the Lei Clan. Devouring their souls yielded especially noticeable improvements in spiritual awareness.
Song Wen planned to use the next year to attempt to raise his spiritual awareness to a higher level. If he succeeded, he would have a stronger chance of devising a strategy to contend with Tai He, a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator.
Leaving Anzhou City, Song Wen traveled west, flying while sensing the fluctuations of spiritual energy in his surroundings. Eventually, after traveling tens of thousands of miles, he stopped at a rift valley.
The rift valley spanned only a few dozen miles, with steep cliffs rising thousands of feet on both sides.
The spiritual energy within the valley was passable—barely sufficient as a place to cultivate.
However, the area was already occupied.
Three Foundation Establishment rogue cultivators had established their caves there.
Suppressing his aura to the late Foundation Establishment level, Song Wen descended toward the valley.
"Who goes there? This is the territory of the Three Ghosts of the Netherworld! No trespassing!"
A thunderous shout echoed from the depths of the valley.
The voice was arrogant, yet the speaker didn't immediately attack. Clearly, they were cautious, wary that this "Foundation Establishment cultivator" might have an intimidating background.
"I am merely a passing cultivator," Song Wen called out loudly toward the depths of the valley. "I wish to train here for a while. Might the three Daoists be willing to extend this courtesy?"
His voice reverberated through the valley, stirring echoes that resounded again and again.
Hearing this, three male late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators emerged from their respective caves.
Each of them was shrouded in ghostly energy, clearly practitioners of ghostly Dao.
An established domain brooks no intruders.
The Three Ghosts of the Netherworld assumed Song Wen was here to cause trouble.
Without a word, each of them summoned a second-rank ghost general and sent them charging toward Song Wen in the sky.
"Ah!" Song Wen sighed. "I had only intended to borrow this place to cultivate for a year or so. But since you seek your own deaths, I shall grant your wish."
Before his words finished, the Three Ghosts of the Netherworld noticed two tiny black Gu insects flying up from the depths of the valley beneath them.
Third-rank Gu insects!
The three were horrified.
They immediately activated their sword lights, trying to flee.
However, their cultivation levels were already a full stage lower than that of the Shadow Gu. Worse, they were caught off guard.
Before they could fully activate their escape arts, the Shadow Gu insects closed in. Within moments, all three were killed without offering much resistance.
Seeing this, a faint smile appeared on Song Wen's lips.
Indeed, ambushes are the easiest and most efficient way to kill.
TL/N: Bro, you are a freaking Nascent Soul Cultivator. (But I still like it 😂)
(End of the Chapter)
---
📖Read (RDC) on Pa.treon@CinderTL - c868. [+2]
🔑Early Access at $5.
✍Translated (5) Series, (3K+) Chapters, (4.2M+) Words.
💥Flat 30% Discount on All Tiers Available Till 26th July, Use Code 3KCHAPTERS to Avail.