Chapter 1 Finding the Underworld God

After informing Silver Centipede County Princess, Zhang Yuanqing felt a slight drowsiness creeping in, like the fatigue of staying up all night gaming.

"Even from this distance, I'm affected. The Sleeping Curse is terrifying." He opened his contact list and dialed Kill Palace Master's phone number. As soon as she answered, he said, "Palace Master, I've found the Underworld God."

"Ten minutes!" The Palace Master's gentle voice came from the phone.

Hanging up, Zhang Yuanqing pulled out Little Red Riding Hood, summoning a level-3 Yin corpse and a Di-level spirit servant.

He first manipulated the Yin corpse to walk into the pine forest, going about a dozen meters before the Yin corpse crashed to the ground, fast asleep. No matter how Zhang Yuanqing tried to control it, there was no response. Attempting to communicate with the mark in its spirit, he discovered that the mark representing the Yin corpse was grayish-white and unresponsive.

"Sleep is a type of sealing... Hmm, fitting for the characteristics of the Eternal Night profession." Zhang Yuanqing glanced at the time, then manipulated the spirit servant to enter the land of slumber.

He watched as the spirit servant drifted out a dozen meters, then sank like a falling leaf, collapsing on the ground in a deep sleep.

"Everything with life, awareness, and spiritual power is affected? Tsk, this profession's characteristics are very distinct!" Zhang Yuanqing snapped his fingers, appearing next to the Yin corpse and spirit servant.

Instantly, a strong drowsiness swept over him, like he'd been gaming all night. His eyelids felt heavy.

"This guy could make a fortune opening a clinic for insomnia patients," Zhang Yuanqing thought to himself, casually retracting the Yin corpse into Little Red Riding Hood and devouring the spirit servant.

"Snap!" He snapped his fingers again, advancing another twenty or thirty meters.

This time, Zhang Yuanqing staggered, an endless drowsiness nearly causing him to fall. It wasn't just staying up for a day and a night anymore; it felt like he hadn't slept in his entire life. His body felt uncomfortable, his limbs were sore, and the Taiyin and Star powers were sluggish. Most of his strong abilities were sealed.

Zhang Yuanqing desperately circulated the power of the Sun God, barely managing to dispel the drowsiness and keep his mind clear.

"The Sleeping Curse has a strong suppressing effect on me. If it weren't for the Pure Yang Body Cleansing Record, I would have already fallen asleep like a dead pig."

Zhang Yuanqing thought for a moment, abandoning the idea of going deeper. He used Star Teleportation to return.

In terms of overall strength, with the Yin corpse, spirit servant, various tools, and trump cards, he could be said to be far superior to the Underworld God.

But these trump cards were enhancements to his combat power and didn't have the function of resisting sleep. Attacking the Underworld God in the land of slumber would be very difficult.

The Eternal Night profession's sleep ability was a skill that harmed the user as much as the enemy. As long as the opponent's level didn't exceed his own, they would basically fall asleep together.

Of course, that didn't mean Zhang Yuanqing had no way to proceed. As long as an enemy strong enough invaded the land of slumber, the Underworld God would awaken from his sleep.

And the awakened Underworld God would enter a brief state of weakness, which would be the best time to capture him.

As for now, Zhang Yuanqing had a better idea: Kill Palace Master.

Inviting a Ruler-level expert to suppress him would solve everything. That was the advantage of a local overlord.

Ten minutes passed quickly, but the Palace Master was still nowhere to be seen. Zhang Yuanqing sent a message to inquire about the situation, but there was no response. After another five minutes, he finally saw a vibrant red ribbon flying over.

The time spent on duty was very tedious. Osmond tapped away at his laptop, logging into the Scourge's database.

He searched for information on "Yuan Shi Tianzun."

The Scourge had collected detailed information on Yuan Shi Tianzun, recording all his deeds from his debut to the present in the database.

The trial instance at the beginning was the Yu Ling Tunnel, known as a bug-level instance.

After successfully passing the first instance, he soared from then on. He leveled up at a speed that shocked the entire Lingjing world, creating one feat after another.

His growth brought joy to the Five Elements Alliance, but it also caused unease among those in power.

Yes, unease!

According to Scourge's high-level analysis, the Five Elements Alliance's leaders felt more fear than joy towards this favored son of heaven.

The Five Elements Alliance's rank-and-file members never understood why the headquarters' relationship with Yuan Shi Tianzun was so strained. They didn't understand why the headquarters always wanted to suppress Yuan Shi Tianzun.

They even thought the headquarters leaders were fools.

This was a classic case of one's position determining one's thinking. In a system where class was gradually solidifying, what did those in power fear most?

Anything that affected their own power. Yuan Shi Tianzun was like a hammer, growing stronger step by step. When the hammer's power was great enough, it would shatter the deeply rooted, solidified power structure.

They wanted to subdue him before he grew up, turning him into a hammer they could control.

The faster Yuan Shi Tianzun leveled up, the more those in power feared him.

As for the aftereffects of doing so, such as losing credibility, losing the rank-and-file practitioners' trust in the organization, and alienating a peerless genius from the organization, these costs seemed insignificant in the face of personal interests and power.

Didn't the ancient nobles who annexed land know the consequences of doing so? National collapse and family ruin were matters of centuries later; what was more important than immediate benefits?

Scourge's higher-ups predicted that Yuan Shi Tianzun would face three possibilities:

1. He would marry the offspring of some important figure, becoming part of the solidified class.

2. He would leave the Five Elements Alliance and establish his own organization.

3. He would maintain a lukewarm relationship with the Five Elements Alliance, never gaining access to the core of power, until he became a Demigod and was recommended by the Five Elements Alliance as the sixth Alliance Master, then shelved, still unable to access the core of power.

Osmond had learned from within the family that Scourge's higher-ups were secretly plotting a conspiracy to push Yuan Shi Tianzun and the Five Elements Alliance to break apart.

Osmond quickly browsed through the materials he had already seen, finally finding Yun Meng in the intelligence on the Cliff Mountain Sea.

"No wonder that woman mentioned Yuan Shi Tianzun. She's secretly in love with Yuan Shi Tianzun." Osmond snorted.

He examined the information, calculating in his heart. After capturing the Underworld God, he would invite Yun Meng to Songhai, then challenge Yuan Shi Tianzun in the name of Scourge, defeating Yuan Shi Tianzun in front of that woman.

Whether or not he slept with women was no longer important. The young master simply couldn't swallow this insult. The more someone was the center of attention, the more petty they were.

When he challenged Yuan Shi Tianzun, it wasn't purely out of jealousy. That kid was leveling up too fast. If he didn't take the opportunity to suppress him this time, he might become a Ruler.

No matter how confident Osmond was in himself, he could only seek stability when facing such a monstrous figure.

At this moment, hurried footsteps came through the courtyard. Yun Meng, who had gone to feed the pigs, returned with a hurried expression. "I've found him! I've found your Scourge's wanted man."

Osmond stood up abruptly, his gaze sharp and excited as he welcomed her, asking, "Where?"

Yun Meng pointed northeast and said, "That way, northeast, at the junction of the Ten Thousand Mountains' central and outer regions. Our patrol team was invaded by an unknown force there, falling into a deep sleep. The animals are asleep too."

"Northeast, the junction of the central and outer regions..." Osmond muttered to himself, quickly pulling out his phone and dialing the Demon Hunter's number.

With a bang that spread through thousands of tassels, a beautiful young woman in a magnificent ancient dress, with bare feet as white as snow, gracefully descended.

"So late..." Zhang Yuanqing had just opened his mouth when the woman rushed into his arms like a swallow returning to its nest.

Kill Palace Master wrapped her legs around his waist, her arms around his neck, and hummed, "Wouldn't you say you treat me nicely when you need me, and ignore me when you don't?"

"How am I supposed to answer that..." Zhang Yuanqing instinctively opened his arms, making a slightly defensive gesture.

But the next second, he naturally retracted his hands, cupping her full, elastic buttocks, feeling the softness of the flesh overflowing between his fingers, and continued the previous sentence: "What took you five minutes longer?"

Kill Palace Master lowered her buttocks, transferring her weight to his palms, pointed to the sky with her finger, and whispered, "I saw a Demon Hunter patrolling and didn't dare move. The Eye of the Sky has terrifying insight, and any movement on the ground will be discovered."

Zhang Yuanqing's mood, which had just been relaxed by the Palace Master's arrival, tensed up again. "The Demon Hunters are patrolling here?"

Kill Palace Master nodded slightly. "What's the situation now?"

"The Underworld God is in this pine forest. The search team has already been affected. We don't know how long they've been asleep. The Qinghe branch may notice the anomaly at any moment. Time is limited. We need to act immediately," Zhang Yuanqing said.

Kill Palace Master was about to speak when her ears twitched and she said quickly, "The Demon Hunter is back!"

As soon as she finished speaking, Zhang Yuanqing felt a gentle breeze. The pine forest swayed. Without hesitation, he immediately took out Little Red Riding Hood, taking Kill Palace Master and the two Qinghe clansmen into the hat's space. He used Night Wanderer's stealth, remaining silent on the spot.

As soon as he finished these actions, the swaying of the pine forest intensified. Zhang Yuanqing raised his head, piercing through the darkness with the moonlight. In the deep night sky, a tiny black shadow rapidly flew over, above the pine forest.

His heart suddenly jumped up.

The Underworld God was sleeping in the pine forest. Once the Demon Hunter saw through the ruse, the development of events would inevitably head towards the extreme.

And even if the Underworld God wasn't discovered, as long as the Qinghe branch noticed that someone in the search team was missing, perhaps the Demon Hunter's phone would ring the next second.

"Ding ding ding." A phone suddenly rang, echoing in the night sky.

Zhang Yuanqing's heart stopped. His scalp tingled. The ringing stopped quickly, probably because the Demon Hunter had answered the phone, but it was too far away.

Zhang Yuanqing couldn't hear the specifics, he could only nervously wait, three seconds, five seconds, ten seconds.

Suddenly, a "woo" sound came from high altitude, the strong wind bending the pine trees.

The figure in the night sky rapidly disappeared into the distance in the sharp wind.

"Gone?" Zhang Yuanqing was both surprised and delighted. He immediately realized that the County Princess's feint had worked.

In the Qinghe branch clan leader's villa, the honest and simple Wu A'gui held his phone, his voice also conveying a sense of honesty and dullness: "Yun Meng said the target has been found, in the northeast direction, near the outer area. You immediately gather the clansmen and go help seal off the area."

He paused three times in the sentence, a sign that he was not good with words. In fact, Wu A'gui was a farmer. The first half of his life was spent farming and running instances. Later, the clan became rich and built a large villa. Everyone began to enjoy a life of luxury.

Wu A'gui still maintained his past rhythm. He went out with his hoe in the morning, blowing in the wind and basking in the sun in the mountain fields, watching his crops. He returned home at sunset.

He grew up day by day. It wasn't that he didn't like luxury. He was happy that the clan had built a villa, but he had farmed for a lifetime. If he suddenly didn't have to farm one day, what else could he do? He would only feel panicked.

"Thank you, Clan Leader Wu A'gui." Osmond was polite and respectful, but a trace of disdain flashed in his eyes.

Even the lowest servant in his family could complete a fluent speech at a venue with a thousand people.

Yun Meng walked to the window and looked out. Lights lit up in the town. Clansmen with combat abilities woke up from their dreams and rushed to the northeast as quickly as possible.

The reason they had such high efficiency was not because of Clan Leader Wu A'gui's prestige, but because of Sixth Elder Wu Youhua's prestige and promise. He promised that after the matter was completed, the families who participated in the search and blockade would each receive ten thousand Federal Coins.

"Let's go too!" Wu Yunmeng looked at Osmond, her eyes eager. She wasn't really that simple and innocent. She loved money just as much.

Osmond curled the corners of his mouth, feeling that his chances were greater.

He immediately smiled and said, "Good! After we catch the wanted man, I'll reward Miss Yun Meng with another ten thousand Federal Coins."

Yun Meng didn't answer, impatiently running out of the living room.

Osmond quickly followed. As soon as the two of them passed through the courtyard, they saw a middle-aged man in a blue cloth gown, running in with a hurried expression.

The middle-aged man saw the two of them coming together and immediately stopped, looking at Yun Meng in astonishment.

"Huh, Yun Meng, why are you here? Aren't you patrolling the mountain with Cao Niu?"

"Ah, this..." Yun Meng was at a loss for words, stammering, "Ninth Uncle, I, I came back halfway because I found the wanted man, right?"

She seemed unable to lie, her face red and her hands gesturing wildly.

Ninth Uncle was responsible for contacting the mountain patrol teams.

"But when Cao Niu reported just now, she clearly said you were by her side. You little girl, you've never been able to lie since you were a child."

"Oh, I understand." Ninth Uncle reacted. "Cao Niu lied to me. You little girl, were you slacking off at home, letting Cao Niu clock in for you, trying to cheat the patrol fee, right?"

"I, I..." Yun Meng was speechless, her face full of shame.

Osmond narrowed his eyes.

At this moment, Ninth Uncle said, "I'll investigate you later."

After saying that, he hurriedly walked inside, but Osmond stopped him. "Aren't you responsible for contacting the patrol personnel? Why are you here at the clan leader's place?"

Ninth Uncle said, "A'Xin and Dong Ha haven't reported on time. I'm here to inform the clan leader to see if he wants to organize people to look for them."

The missing personnel were in the southwest, exactly opposite to the location where the Underworld God was discovered. Yun Meng was clearly patrolling the mountain with her companion, but she appeared here again.

Osmond's blue eyes suddenly constricted. Without the slightest hesitation, he grabbed Wu Yunmeng next to him and shouted, "Who are you?"

His palm grabbed at empty air. Wu Yunmeng had already retreated. While retreating, she scratched her face, tearing off a membrane as thin as a cicada's wing.

It wasn't Yun Meng at all, but a glamorous corpse demon, her eye sockets black, her pupils scarlet, an妖异 and beautiful female corpse.

She coldly glanced at the two of them, imitating her master and snapping her fingers, turning into starlight and dissipating.

Osmond stood blankly for two seconds, his expression suddenly changing. Something had happened. Someone was misleading them.

While Osmond took out his phone, he said to Ninth Uncle, "Immediately gather people and look for those two missing personnel. I'll go get your clan leader."

Ninth Uncle glanced at him, not paying much attention.

"I'll add a million to your share!"

"You can always trust the Qinghe clan's enthusiasm and sincerity, honored guest."

"Enthusiasm, my ass!" Osmond almost spat out the swear words he learned in Beijing. He turned and ran towards the villa.

Rushing into the living room, he saw the honest and simple Wu A'gui. At this moment, the Demon Hunter answered the phone.

"Executor, we've been tricked. The Underworld God is in the southwest. Hurry over there. Someone is fighting us for the Underworld God."

Without waiting for the Demon Hunter to reply, he hung up the phone and said, "Clan Leader Wu A'gui, please take me to the southwest immediately. I'm willing to spend money."

Wu A'gui stood up and rushed out immediately.

Osmond was stunned. "You, aren't you going to listen to my price?"

"That's what Sixth Uncle wants, not me." Wu A'gui walked over and pressed on his shoulder. "Let's go."

A green light flashed and disappeared. There was no one left in the living room.

Pine forest.

Zhang Yuanqing watched the red ribbon float towards the depths of the forest. After waiting quietly for a few minutes, he felt a slight drowsiness, knowing that the Underworld God's Sleeping Curse had dissipated.

Zhang Yuanqing immediately rushed into the pine forest and saw Kill Palace Master holding a section of red ribbon in the distance.

The end of the red ribbon was tied to a short-haired foreign man with brown hair.

The man was wearing summer hiking clothes, his hands and feet bent, his torso wrapped in red ribbon, only revealing his head, staring at Kill Palace Master's back with despair and terror.

Having seen his photo, Zhang Yuanqing immediately confirmed that this was the Underworld God.

"Palace Master, let's go quickly." Zhang Yuanqing took out Little Red Riding Hood, quickly meeting her.

Suddenly, his footsteps stopped, his pupils constricting as he looked behind Kill Palace Master.

A green light landed ten meters behind the Palace Master, and in the green light stood a gray-haired old farmer and the handsome, arrogant Scourge member, Osmond.