Chapter 101: "Uncle Jiu: The Ghost Cave Knocks on My Door? Good, I Needed a Servant Anyway."

BOOM!

The sudden crack of thunder sent everyone into a panic.

As they looked up toward the sky, they were stunned—

An invisible hand appeared to be writing glowing runes in the air.

It was a Thunder Talisman.

What level was this?

No one knew for sure, but the oppressive awe in their hearts said it all.

In this era, thunder still represented divine wrath.

To witness someone channel thunder into a talisman?

Unfathomable.

Ren Fa immediately dropped to his knees, panic-stricken.

"Immortal Master, please—do not destroy my father's body!"

The symbol in the sky looked apocalyptic.

If it landed, wouldn't his father's corpse be turned to ash?

But Uncle Jiu remained calm.

"Don't worry. This is a sealing talisman—not a destructive one."

Truth be told, this was Uncle Jiu's first time using divine magic.

He was nervous.

But he couldn't show weakness—not in front of future believers.

"Heaven's Authority!"

With a shout, Uncle Jiu raised his hand.

The Thunder Talisman above them suddenly descended like a comet.

BOOM—!

The blinding flash made everyone cover their eyes.

When their vision returned, they gasped.

The entire graveyard was surrounded by golden thunder runes.

The coffin glowed an eerie crystal blue.

Inside, Ren Fa's father had been reduced to dry, brittle bones.

"Immortal Master… is it over? Can we proceed with the relocation?"

"Not yet," Uncle Jiu replied.

"The leyline has been cleansed, but you'll need a new coffin.

The malevolence is gone. Your father can finally rest."

Before leaving, he looked at Ren Fa seriously.

"Let me give you some advice, Mr. Ren.

Greed is fine—but don't forget your conscience."

He gave Ren Fa one last look and walked away with Qiu Sheng.

On the way back...

Qiu Sheng hesitated, then asked:

"Master, that comment you made—was there a deeper meaning behind it?"

Uncle Jiu sneered.

"Deeper meaning?

The Ren family may appear wealthy and powerful, but they're rotten to the core.

The only reason they care now is because the energy of that tomb disrupted their fortunes.

You think they care about right and wrong?"

"How do you know that?"

Qiu Sheng's face turned pale.

"That tomb was stolen, Qiu Sheng.

To cover it up, the old man surely committed terrible acts.

That's why it turned into a ghost cave."

"The body didn't rot for twenty years—

that's not a good thing. That's a zombie."

"There are ghosts in the surrounding graves.

The entire clan was becoming a ghost family."

"If they had just stolen the tomb, maybe it wouldn't be so bad.

But this… this is the result of deep, dark karma."

Qiu Sheng shuddered.

He had thought Ren Tingting was pretty earlier.

Now?

She seemed terrifying—like a flower blooming on a grave.

"Master… did you destroy everything with that Thunder Talisman?"

"Of course.

Can't leave evil spirits to roam free.

The Ren family would've paid for it eventually."

Qiu Sheng's body trembled.

The world… was far more dangerous than he imagined.

And those lavish, noble families?

They might be stained in more blood than any peasant could comprehend.

When they returned home, Wen Cai had already heard about everything.

He floated around the house like a balloon, ecstatic.

"Master, Master! Everyone's calling you an Immortal now!

Please, teach me a little divine magic too!"

Uncle Jiu saw through his act immediately.

He beat him to the ground with one slap.

"If you don't settle down, I'll kick you out of here!"

"Master, I was wrong!"

"Good! Now go train!

And Qiu Sheng—you too!"

Qiu Sheng thought he was going to be scolded again.

But instead, Uncle Jiu handed him a book.

"What's this?"

"Divine Law."

Qiu Sheng blinked.

"Divine… what now?"

Uncle Jiu sat down with a heavy sigh.

"I lied before.

I didn't just change sects.

I've joined the Eternal God's path."

"This book—this power—is real divine magic."

"Wen Cai is too impulsive. He's not ready yet.

But you…

I'll let you carry the mantle."

"From now on, I will build the Eternal God Church.

You will be its protector."

"But remember—if you bring shame to the Church,

I'll personally execute you."

His voice was cold and sharp.

Qiu Sheng shivered and nodded quickly.

The next morning

Ren Fa returned—this time with lavish gifts in tow.

"Immortal Master Jiu, thank you for what you did yesterday.

If there's anything you desire, just say the word—I'll make it happen."

The gifts were symbolic.

The real offering was his willingness to serve.

Ren Fa was no fool.

He'd worked in business long enough to know a good opportunity when he saw one.

Uncle Jiu didn't hesitate.

"It's simple.

I need you to build a grand temple."

"I'm founding a new Church—

to spread the grace of the Eternal God."

Founding a church?!

This was a big deal.

"No problem at all!" Ren Fa quickly agreed.

"My family isn't short on money. We'll get it done."

Uncle Jiu added casually:

"Also, your daughter isn't bad.

You can send her to the temple—as a disciple."

"You… your sect accepts female disciples?"

Ren Fa was stunned.

But secretly…

If I can place Tingting in the Master's household…

That's as good as a royal marriage.

He couldn't say it out loud, but the gears in his mind were already turning.

"Then their Ren family's future is secured."

Uncle Jiu sipped his tea slowly, his tone calm.

"In the Eternal God Cult, both men and women may enter, so long as their hearts are sincere.

But let me be clear—if I catch any of your shady dealings again…"

Ren Fa felt his chest tighten.

"They've been stopped," he promised quickly. "I already distributed the money yesterday. Please rest assured!"

"Good. Then when the day comes and my God descends, your contributions will be remembered."

Uncle Jiu gave a mysterious smile.

That was enough to make Ren Fa tremble with excitement.

He didn't fully understand what the Eternal God was…

But if his daughter could serve under Uncle Jiu—if she became a disciple of a god—then when the divine descended, wouldn't she ascend as well?

There could be no greater honor.

Word Spreads Quickly

After Ren Fa left, the rumors spread like wildfire across town.

That Uncle Jiu had ascended, become a true cultivator—some said a sage, others a god.

Ren Fa, of course, added fuel to the fire, boasting that his daughter Tingting had earned Uncle Jiu's approval and would soon join the Eternal God Cult as a disciple.

Meanwhile, back at the residence…

Wen Cai was green with envy.

His junior brother Qiu Sheng had become as light as a feather and could smash a hundred-pound stone with a single palm.

Swallowing his pride, Wen Cai rushed to the master and dropped to his knees.

"Master, please take me back! I beg you!"

Uncle Jiu snorted.

"You can kneel all you like. With that rash, impulsive temper of yours, you're not fit to cultivate! You want to learn the Divine Method? Then prove yourself worthy."

Qiu Sheng, hearing the commotion, hurried over.

"Master, if this is truly a divine art, then shouldn't we at least give Wen Cai a chance to practice? He may not be smart, but he's earnest."

"Yeah, Master. I'll work hard this time!"

Uncle Jiu's face remained stern.

"Work hard? You? With that unstable nature of yours, even if I handed you the Great Immortal Art, it would end in disaster.

Go, Wen Cai. You're dismissed."

Uncle Jiu handed Wen Cai ten silver dollars.

Then turned his back and walked away.

An hour later, Wen Cai really left.

It was heartbreaking—but it had to be done.

Qiu Sheng found him just in time to see the wooden gate creak open.

Watching his brother—his friend since childhood—leave the sect, he felt his heart sink.

"Master… Wen Cai…"

Uncle Jiu sighed.

"I know what you're going to say. But you've seen the path yourself, Qiu Sheng.

The power of the Divine Method transcends human limits. If Wen Cai's character doesn't change, he'll bring trouble wherever he goes.

This isn't like the past, when I could clean up his messes.

The God of Eternity is merciful, yes—but divine power must be wielded with care."

"He can be a believer. But never… a divine envoy."

He turned away, his voice laced with regret.

Qiu Sheng didn't speak.

He only bowed, turned, and went back to his training.

Master was right.

Wen Cai was too naive.

Maybe it's better he lives a peaceful mortal life.

Uncle Jiu watched him go, heart heavy.

I have too much affection for my disciples… but I can't protect them from divine judgment.

"Enough," he muttered.

"I need to start preparing the altar. And sacrifices."

So far, Ren Tingting was the only planned offering.

But that wasn't enough.

He needed more.

That Night…

A harsh wind howled outside.

It carried with it a chill that made bones ache.

Uncle Jiu's eyes snapped open.

"Ghost energy?"

How could there be ghostly qi… inside Yizhuang?

He rose and walked to the courtyard.

There, twelve ghostly figures awaited—each wielding a soul-beating rod and cloaked in spectral mist.

"Hmph. So the Underworld's errand boys finally show their faces.

Good. I was short a few servants."

Uncle Jiu stepped into the open, smirking.

"Have you committed a great sin?" the lead ghost enforcer asked, his voice as cold as the grave.

"I wouldn't know," Jiu Shu replied.

"You slaughtered dozens of ghosts in the Ren family.

You turned your back on Maoshan.

You became a renegade.

Now you dare kill without permission!"

"Your crimes warrant damnation!"

Uncle Jiu chuckled.

"Ah… so this is the Underworld's standard?

I leave Maoshan, and now you want me gone?

Where were you when those vengeful spirits roamed free?

When Ren Fa's father turned into a zombie?

You didn't come then.

But now that I've gained power, you show up?"

"I'm annoying, am I?

Good. Let's be annoying together."

He flicked his fingers.

A thunder talisman formed in his palm.

Twelve ghosts froze in terror.

That symbol was no joke.

A direct hit would scatter their souls!

"Lin Jiu—let's talk this through!"

The lead ghost tried to reason.

But Jiu Shu interrupted coldly:

"Talk? Sure. One question:

Do you surrender?

Or shall I erase you where you stand?"

He wasn't just defending himself.

He was sending a message.

The ghost squad wavered.

The lead enforcer's face twisted in conflict.

"Master Taoist… it's not that we don't want to surrender.

But doing so would make us enemies of the entire Underworld."

"Yeah! We're servants of the Nether Realm.

If we submit to you, we'll be executed for treason!"

CRACK!

A bolt of lightning struck—right in front of them.

It vaporized the ghost's leg on impact.

"Still want to argue?"

The entire squad dropped to their knees in terror.