Who among the ghost cultivators present wouldn't know of the Human Emperor?
A ghost king forged from malevolent souls, gathering the resentment of heaven and earth, and feeding on the souls of the living to cultivate. He was once a legendary figure in Fengdu City.
While in the cultivation world, the Human Emperor was considered a vile tumor, causing immense harm and slaughtering cities and nations. However, among ghost cultivators, he was a legend with many titles.
"Are you truly, truly the Human Emperor?"
The Human Emperor had committed too many sins in the past, and the cultivation sects had joined forces to suppress him as a prime example.
Now, several hundred years had passed in the blink of an eye. Who had released him? How had he appeared in Fengdu so silently, and moreover, emerged from that terrifying thorny forest?
"Don't believe me?" The Human Emperor nodded, then performed an impressive feat. He directly drew upon the black river beneath his feet, conjuring a thick column of water.
With a splash, the water column exploded from top to bottom, transforming into a liquid black dragon with lifelike scales and skin.
It possessed a powerful physique, formidable dragon claws, coiled with chaotic energy. Turbulent currents wrapped around its body, its black shadow blotting out the sun, as it stared down at them menacingly from above.
The ghost cultivators felt a chill. Even if this person wasn't the Human Emperor, he was undoubtedly a formidable being.
At this point, a human among them incited the others: "The Human Emperor has long been sealed. He's probably using the Human Emperor's name to bluster us. Let's all go and test him. Otherwise, how can we explain to the Ghost King when we return!"
Seeing their hesitation and fear, he added more weight to his words.
"Even if he is the Human Emperor, he has been suppressed by the cultivation sects for hundreds of years. Even if he has escaped, his power surely hasn't recovered so quickly. If we capture him and present him to the Ghost King to enhance his cultivation, we will have achieved great merit!"
As that person finished speaking, mingling with the other ghost cultivators, he was, in the very next second, seized by an irresistible force around his throat.
He was lifted out like this, his hands clawing at his throat, his legs kicking desperately.
"Urk—"
He struggled to break free from the crushing force on his bones, his peripheral vision catching the black dragon opening its maw and swallowing him whole. With a distorted grimace, he was gurgled and swallowed down the black dragon's throat.
Since the dragon's body was formed from black water, others could still clearly see the person trapped within. He swam in the water, frantically and fearfully trying to escape, but no matter how he banged against the confines, he couldn't break through the barrier.
The dragon's body swayed and turned, diving towards the black river. Finally, the person disappeared without even a ripple, submerged to the riverbed.
The ghost cultivators' hearts seemed to sink with that person into the unfathomably deep black river.
... Killing someone was as simple and effortless as plucking something from amidst a multitude of soldiers. Had they just courted death?
The water of the black river was rumored to be a branch of the Styx from the Underworld. After the Underworld vanished, the Styx naturally disappeared as well, and thus, the flow of Fengdu's black river was cut off at its upstream.
However, for many years, the black river continued to flow silently and eternally outside Fengdu City, like a stagnant lake of dead water.
But whether they were human cultivators or ghost cultivators, few dared to approach the black river. This was because the black river's water originated from the Styx. If a living person accidentally fell into it, their soul would be firmly adsorbed by the black river, and even the strongest flesh and bones would be dissolved. When the soul was left without a body to attach to, it would be dragged into the river water, becoming nourishment for the black river.
Therefore, the black river was equivalent to the perfect place for silencing someone. If not for the purpose of killing or being killed, no sane person would easily approach this place.
"What he said earlier was quite interesting. Look, which of his suggestions are you prepared to adopt?" The Human Emperor, with a sincerity that was not quite human, advised: "How about we believe him for once? Kill me or capture me to amuse your Ghost King?"
He took a step forward, and the ghost cultivators recoiled in surprise.
At the same time, he "swished!" and unfurled six pairs of limbs from his back, resembling a pair of bone wings arrogantly stretched towards the sky. A layer of black-red thin flames blazed upon them, scattering in all directions with the wind, wantonly consuming the energy of the air.
The flames suppressed the surrounding fierce winds, calming them down, but a power surged centered on him, and turbulent waves stirred up again within the black river beneath his feet.
The ghost cultivators stumbled backward several more paces, no longer confronting him at the black river.
As these people retreated, only one stood his ground. As the crowd dispersed like a receding tide, his solitary, defiant figure appeared particularly distinct.
It was Gu Yejin, who had been dispatched on a mission.
He did not recognize the Human Emperor, nor did the Human Emperor recognize him.
Although he had been taken into Gu Junshi's divine consciousness at the time, he had remained in a comatose state. The Human Emperor, on the other hand, was at the most critical stage of shaping his physical body and naturally had no spare attention to perceive anything else.
"There is still one person with backbone. Rushing so eagerly to give his life generously for your loyalty is excellent. I admire that."
The Human Emperor lightly clapped his hands at his palm with an expressionless face.
This fake display of admiration was very much like the hypocritical tactics of a schemer.
Sweet words could flow from his mouth just as easily as bad deeds.
Gu Yejin's gaze was unfocused, fixed on the air: "This is Shuofang City. You have encroached upon the border I protect. No one will back down further at their bottom line."
"The black river is the boundary. Are you sure this area belongs to your Shuofang City?" The Human Emperor pointed at the others.
"Ask them, since when did this thorny forest belong to your Shuofang City?"
Silence fell upon the crowd.
Indeed, although the thorny forest was located within Fengdu City, it did not belong to any of the Four Ghost Cities. When the Four Ghost Kings had divided and demarcated the territory of Fengdu, they had not planned for this unclaimed territory.
His words had reminded them. Since the other party had not crossed the boundary, the events that transpired did not fall under their jurisdiction in the Four Ghost Cities. This matter could be readily shifted.
After all, the Human Emperor had made a grand gesture to activate Fengdu's city protection formation, but it didn't concern their four ghost cities. Surely, he wouldn't try to forcefully take responsibility for matters that didn't concern him?
There was no need.
And... they likely couldn't defeat him.
Tough bones were best left to those with sharp tongues.
As mentioned before, ghost cultivators were inherently cunning and deceitful. They excelled at underhanded tactics, but when it came to bravery, uprightness, and fearlessness of death, they lacked that passionate spirit.
Gu Yejin froze for a moment, then let out a long sigh.
"Since this is not a matter of my Shuofang City, then I have no business with it. Let's go!"
Gu Yejin turned and led his group away.
With the people from Shuofang City gone, the remaining Youyi, Nan Jiao, and Mei Gu exchanged glances. Since their territory had not been violated, and the Human Emperor was not someone to be trifled with, having achieved the status of a Ghost King in the past, and judging by his demeanor now, his cultivation had likely increased significantly over these past few hundred years...
Thus, they reached a consensus. Since they had confirmed who was causing trouble in the thorny forest, their strategy was to temporarily retreat to discuss the matter and then make a decision.
"I never expected it to be His Majesty the Human Emperor. We were disrespectful earlier, not recognizing your eminence. We beg your forgiveness for our ignorance, and we shall take our leave now."
"Leaving already?"
The Human Emperor asked in a light tone, causing the muscles of their entire bodies to stiffen.
"Go back and tell your Ghost Kings that if they don't want me to make a move against their ghost cities, they'd best stay put. Do not attempt to investigate matters concerning the thorny forest, and do not test my patience."
The ghost cultivators forced a smile: "We will relay your words accurately."
Seeing that the Human Emperor said nothing further, they panted and fled at a speed faster than when they arrived.
Inside the thorny forest, Gu Junshi looked up. Xiao Sijun was standing beside her, while other demons, monsters, and ghosts had retracted their external auras. They knew that many people from the ghost cities had arrived and were primarily afraid of scaring those people away.
Their eyes were filled with excitement and a crimson glint, as if their fighting spirit had been ignited, ready to engage the ghost cultivators outside in a fierce battle at any moment.
However, the final outcome disappointed them.
They were stopped by Gu Junshi.
"Now is not the time for you to act. Kaishan Ghost, Jidu Demon, Cangyu Demon, appear in your human forms."
A colossal, two-meter-tall human-like figure emerged, its muscles crystalline blue. It had a bald head and blue eyes. Despite its human form, its excessively tall and stout physique made it incompatible with normal humans.
This was Kaishan Ghost, a powerful, strength-focused spirit capable of moving mountains and seas. It had previously been a weak ghost, but unexpectedly contained the bloodline of an ancient primeval spirit, "Kaishan Ghost." Now that it had successfully evolved, its potential was immense.
Jidu Demon was a man with a feminine countenance, narrow eyes, and red lips, adorned with a withered leaf butterfly tattoo on his neck. His features were sharp, his skin a tanned bronze, and he possessed a pair of purple eyes, even his eyelashes were purple. As he emerged, he still had a pair of slender bat wings on his back that he hadn't fully retracted, as he couldn't fully control his power yet.
Cangyu Demon was of the demon race, belonging to the avian category. Among the three, he was the most handsome. His skin was fair, his features delicate and beautiful, his build neither lean nor stout, but perfectly proportionate and slender. He also had a pair of white wings on his back, resembling angelic wings.
These were all powerful races with ancestral bloodlines. Although their current strength was limited to their original cultivation levels, with time, they were destined to become formidable ghost kings, demon lords, and great demons.
"Monarch!"
A ghost, a demon, and a monster stepped forward, kneeling in unison to await orders.
"The three of you will accompany me in your human forms. The rest will remain hidden here. You can choose any part of this vast thorny forest, but the only condition is that you must not leave the thorny forest without my command."
"We obey!"
This thorny forest possessed the ability to revive infinitely. They had just completed their transformation and were likely unfamiliar with the operation of their own powers. This was the perfect opportunity to use those who had previously tormented them to practice their skills.
"Mother, where are we going?" Sijun tugged at her.
Kaishan Ghost, Jidu Demon, and Cangyu Demon all looked towards the human child.
When he was carried back by the Monarch, they had marveled at the child's bravery. But now, they realized their admiration had been premature.
Look, even after witnessing the Monarch's truest self, he could still affectionately call her "Mother." What was this? This was the fearless spirit of a newborn calf!
Gu Junshi lowered her head, pinching his small cheek with a calm expression: "Don't call me Mother. And who told you it was 'we'?"
"If you leave me here alone, aren't you worried about me?" he asked in surprise.
She replied: "Unless all the demons, monsters, and ghosts left here are annihilated, child, you will not suffer any harm here."
Kaishan Ghost, Jidu Demon, and Cangyu Demon all shivered.
This was a death order: in the face of danger, all demons, monsters, and ghosts would sacrifice their own lives to protect him?
... So, calling her "Mother" came with such treatment?
They felt a deep sense of envy and jealousy.
"No. I want to follow you. I'm very smart. I can also occasionally see the future. I know you will disguise yourself as someone else and leave Fengdu in a moment. You will also pick up... someone?"
What kind of person it was, this premonitory image was blurry.
Gu Junshi had no intention of probing his greatest secret. Even though he revealed it voluntarily, she only asked: "What else did you see?"
"I can't see too much at once, only occasionally. But I am truly useful, and I can protect myself," Little Sijun vowed earnestly to her.
Gu Junshi remained silent, then took out "Rou Neng" and placed it on her body. Its elasticity was excellent, and it instantly wrapped around her from top to bottom. After this soft mass of flesh underwent an invisible molding and reshaping, Gu Junshi's hairstyle, clothing, height, and appearance all transformed into someone else.
A maiden whose features were not stunning, but whose skin was as delicate as solidified fat. Although her figure was somewhat slender, her bone structure was perfectly proportioned. Dressed in a pink and sunny ensemble, she smiled with pursed lips, and with just a casual posture, she seemed as fresh and beautiful as the morning dew and blooming flower buds.
Little Sijun turned his head, looking at her with curiosity: "Mother, who is this person you've transformed into?"
"A friend."
Mother's friend.
"Why is Mother disguising herself as her?"
Generally speaking, wouldn't it be more suitable to use a stranger's face or invent a non-existent person for traveling? This would avoid the risk of being recognized and exposed by acquaintances.
Gu Junshi replied: "Because, where I am going, using her identity is more convenient."
He didn't understand the deeper meaning but pleaded again: "Mother, please, take Sijun with you."
Gu Junshi's resolve wavered slightly under his soft pleas. After a long moment, she sighed lightly: "Only this once."
"Hooray! Thank you, Mother." Gu Sijun leaped up happily. He took her hand and looked up at her with a milky voice, saying: "Mother is the best. Sijun likes Mother the most!"
Seeing him smiling with his eyes curved, like a radiant little sun, she inexplicably had a premonition that such occurrences might happen more often in the future.
When the Human Emperor, after dismissing the troublemaking ghost cultivators, descended to find the place deserted, he couldn't help but laugh in exasperation.
"Gu Junshi, you truly are quite something."
—
Shuofang City
In a sinister and cold underground palace, Ghost King Juegu was cultivating, absorbing the vast numbers of blood slaves floating in the air.
Red gas permeated the air, seeping into the mouths and noses of these blood slaves. Immediately, they let out painful screams, wailing continuously. Their plump faces became gaunt as the red gas was drawn out, until their voices died out, their eyeballs bulged, and they died with their eyes wide open.