115: Secrets of the Dark Market, the Netherworld Ghost Seal

Deputy Commander Situ Yue's efficiency was extremely high; in less than half a day, she sent someone to deliver two "Transformation Talismans" engraved with special runes that could temporarily alter one's aura and appearance, along with a detailed map of routes out of the city and a map of the region leading to the Nether Abyss.

The map not only marked known dangerous areas and weak points in space, but also carefully indicated several relatively safe temporary resting spots and secret contact points controlled by Deputy Commander Situ Yue.

"This Commander Situ is truly meticulous; she is worth befriending." Qu Feiyan toyed with the Transformation Talisman in her hand, her tone containing less jealousy and more approval. After fighting side-by-side last night and receiving assistance today, her impression of Deputy Commander Situ Yue had improved significantly.

Lin Xuan nodded and uploaded the map information into the System. 【Map information recorded, route optimization complete. Weak encrypted marks detected at the three contact points marked on the map, suspected to be secret signals left by Deputy Commander Situ Yue.】

"We have been exposed in Tianshu City and should not stay long. Let's depart immediately while the city-wide martial Law has just begun and the inspections are not yet completely tight." Lin Xuan made a decisive choice.

The two activated the Transformation Talismans, their appearances and auras instantly becoming extremely ordinary. Mingling with the crowd, they followed the route provided by Deputy Commander Situ Yue, easily bypassing several strictly guarded checkpoints and quietly leaving Tianshu City, where turmoil was gradually brewing.

After leaving the city, they did not directly use escape light, but chose to fly at low altitude using their artifacts, utilizing the mountain terrain to conceal their tracks as they headed in the general direction of the Nether Abyss.

A few days later, the two arrived at the first temporary resting spot marked on the map—a gathering place for Loose Cultivators located on the edge of the Black Wind Mountain Range called "Ghost Cry Forest." It was a mixed bag of people here, with information flowing freely, making it a good place to scout for frontline intelligence on the Nether Abyss.

Ghost Cry Forest was not actually a forest, but a stone forest composed of countless huge weathered rock pillars, with various crude houses and tents built among them. The air was filled with a faint scent of Evil Qi and blood, and most of the passing Cultivators had fierce expressions and wary eyes.

Lin Xuan and Qu Feiyan still maintained their ordinary appearances after the transformation, finding a relatively clean tavern to sit down in. They ordered a few small dishes, seemingly resting, but in reality, they were listening to the discussions around them.

"Have you heard? Something big happened in Tianshu City a few days ago! The City Lord's Mansion seems to be hunting for someone inside, causing quite an uproar!"

"It's not just Tianshu City! The Nether Abyss hasn't been peaceful lately either. Several treasure-hunting teams that went in have gone missing, with no sign of the living or the dead."

"Hmph, when has the Nether Abyss ever been peaceful? But I did hear some news; someone on the black market is offering a high price for 'Yinhun Jade' and 'Nether Iron,' and the price has tripled! It's said to be related to something called a 'nether ghost seal'..."

"nether ghost seal? What kind of thing is that? Never heard of it..."

"Shh! Keep it down! This thing is extremely sinister; it's said to be related to some ancient ghost cultivation expert and can command the Nether... Recently, many factions have been searching for it in secret, and those lunatics from the Guixu Cult seem to be looking for it too!"

"nether ghost seal?" Lin Xuan and Qu Feiyan exchanged a glance, both seeing the gravity in each other's eyes. The Guixu Cult is also looking for this item? This is definitely not a coincidence.

"System, scan and record information related to the 'nether ghost seal,' and perform a correlation analysis with the power of 'Xu' and the behavioral patterns of the Guixu Cult in the database."

【Information recorded. Analyzing... The 'nether ghost seal' is rumored to be related to the ancient 'Nether Prefecture Lord,' and is suspected to contain powerful nether Laws and Soul Power. Its 'commanding the Nether' characteristic has a potential logical connection with the Guixu Cult's attempt to invoke the power of 'Xu.' Probability: 67.8%.】

Just then, a commotion broke out at the tavern entrance. Several Cultivators dressed in uniform black attire with cold auras walked in. The leader scanned the room with sharp eyes, finally settling on a gaunt old man drinking alone in the corner of the tavern.

"Ghost Hand Lao Qi, our Young Lord requests your presence." The black-clad leader's tone was icy, carrying an unquestionable air.

The gaunt old man (Ghost Hand Lao Qi) trembled, squeezing a fawning smile onto his face: "Fellow Daoists, I wonder what your Young Lord wants with me? I haven't taken on any big jobs recently..."

"Enough nonsense! Come with us!" The black-clad leader interrupted impatiently. Two Cultivators behind him stepped forward, one on the left and one on the right, preparing to hoist Ghost Hand Lao Qi up.

A flash of panic crossed Ghost Hand Lao Qi's eyes, and he suddenly slammed the wine bowl in his hand onto the ground!

"Bang!" The wine bowl shattered, and a thick black smoke instantly spread, carrying a pungent odor that obscured their vision.

"Trying to run?" The black-clad leader gave a cold snort and flicked his sleeve, a gust of wind dispersing most of the black smoke. Ghost Hand Lao Qi's figure was seen sliding backward like a ghost, about to smash through the back window and escape.

However, Lin Xuan, who had been watching coldly from the sidelines, suddenly received a System notification the moment Ghost Hand Lao Qi made his move:

【Detected that an item carried by the target 'Ghost Hand Lao Qi' is emitting a weak resonance fluctuation of the power of 'Xu'! Suspected to be a clue related to the 'nether ghost seal'!】

Lin Xuan's gaze narrowed. Without hesitation, he flicked his finger, and a subtle force of thunder struck first despite being launched later, precisely hitting Ghost Hand Lao Qi's knee.

"Ouch!" Ghost Hand Lao Qi let out a miserable cry, his figure stumbling, his speed dropping sharply.

With just that delay, the few black-clad Cultivators had already surrounded him, firmly restraining him.

The black-clad leader glanced at Lin Xuan, this "ordinary" Cultivator, with some surprise; although the thunder force just now was weak, it was extremely pure and swift. He gave a slight nod to Lin Xuan in acknowledgement, accepting the favor, and then quickly left the tavern while holding down the struggling and cursing Ghost Hand Lao Qi.

The tavern returned to calm, but the discussions grew louder.

"It's people from the Black Fiend Valley! Why are they here too?"

"That old fox Ghost Hand Lao Qi must have stolen or found out something he shouldn't have again..."

"Black Fiend Valley, Guixu Cult... plus the rumors of the 'nether ghost seal,' this Nether Abyss is likely about to be stirred into a storm of blood."

Qu Feiyan transmitted her voice to Lin Xuan: "Junior Brother Lin, why did you intervene just now? What does that old guy have on him?"

Lin Xuan's expression was solemn as he transmitted back: "The System detected something on him that resonates weakly with the power of 'Xu,' which is very likely related to the 'nether ghost seal.' With the Black Fiend Valley getting involved, things have become more complicated. We must enter the Nether Abyss as soon as possible and find the key clues before the Guixu Cult and the Black Fiend Valley."

He vaguely felt that the 'nether ghost seal' might be a crucial link in the Guixu Cult's plan, perhaps even the key medium to invoke the arrival of the power of 'Xu'!

After leaving Ghost Cry Forest, the two did not delay any longer. They fully activated their escape lights, following the map's guidance, and sped toward the massive abyss known as a forbidden zone for Cultivators—the Nether Abyss, which was filled with gray-black mist that never dissipated all year round.

The closer they got, the more they could feel the dead silence, chaos, and heart-palpitating distortion of Laws permeating the world. It was as if an ancient secret that devoured everything was hidden beneath that abyss.

And what Lin Xuan did not know was that shortly after he left Tianshu City, a stunningly beautiful figure holding ancient bamboo slips also appeared in Ghost Cry Forest. Looking in the direction of the Nether Abyss, a flash of reminiscence and determination crossed her hazy, sleepy phoenix eyes.

"Nether Abyss... That sense of calling seems to be clearer now. Lin Xuan... we will meet again."