The two ghost messengers raised their mourning staffs, commanding dozens of ghost kings to attack Shi Jian.
"You all go to the back first. I'll handle this here."
Shi Jian showed no mercy to the ghost kings, using instant movement. The lightning magic imbued his Taiqing whisk, lashing out at the ghost kings.
The ghost kings, bound by chains, could only stand in place and take the beating.
Each time the Taiqing whisk struck a ghost king, its face contorted further.
The wandering souls hiding nearby couldn't bear to watch and covered their eyes.
"We should go back and report to the Yin Commander. Otherwise, the Ghost Gate Pass will descend into chaos."
"Exactly. Those who practice lightning magic are all lunatics. We shouldn't provoke this person lest we end up scattered souls."
"Indeed. Let's hurry and invite Lords Ox-Head and Horse-Face to intervene. If the Ghost Gate Pass becomes chaotic later, the three of us ghost officers will bear the primary responsibility."
The three ghost officers made up their minds to enter the netherworld to request the intervention of the two Yin Commanders, Ox-Head and Horse-Face.
Ox-Head and Horse-Face, as two of the ten great Yin Commanders of the Underworld, possessed power comparable to Black and White Impermanence.
Just as the ghost officers were about to flee into the Underworld, a voice rang out.
"Stop!"
As soon as the voice finished, a man appeared before the Ghost Gate Pass.
"Junior officers, welcome the City God!"
Upon seeing the man appear before the Ghost Gate Pass, the three ghost officers cupped their hands in greeting, not daring to exhale loudly.
"This humble Taoist greets the City God!"
Seeing the man, Shi Jian quickly retracted his whisk, refraining from any disrespectful actions.
The dozens of ghost kings retreated to the sides of the Ghost Gate Pass, all kneeling before the man.
The City God was the chief official of the Underworld, commanding civil and military judges, Generals Gan and Liu, Generals Fan and Xie, Generals Ox and Horse, the Day and Night Roaming Gods, Generals Jia and Suo, and other deities.
Moreover, his power was immense, having surpassed the Celestial Master realm and reached the legendary Immortal realm. He was not someone Shi Jian could contend with.
In other words, if the City God wished to kill him, it would be as easy as crushing an ant.
"City God, this person has caused a disturbance at the Ghost Gate Pass and obstructed the work of the yin officials. His crime is unforgivable. We implore the City God to capture him swiftly."
Seeing the City God arrive at the Ghost Gate Pass, the three ghost officers instantly straightened their backs and began to tattle.
"This matter, this City God is already aware of. Those five individuals have not yet reached the end of their lifespans and may return to the mortal realm."
Seeing that the City God did not intend to hold Shi Jian accountable and planned to let him go, the ghost officers quickly interjected, "City God, will you just let that Taoist off after he disrupted the Ghost Gate Pass?"
"My decisions as City God are not to be questioned by you."
With a wave of his sleeve, the City God sent Shi Jian, along with the souls of Wang Jingming and the other four, back to the mortal realm.
When the six of them awoke again, they had already left the Ghost Gate Pass and returned to the Haunted School.
Furthermore, the memories of Wang Jingming and the other four at the Ghost Gate Pass had been erased by the City God.
The yellow-robed Taoist saw Shi Jian wake up and examined his body, finding no serious injuries.
"Master, you're finally awake! Your disciple almost thought you wouldn't return."
A Wei hugged Shi Jian and cried his heart out, wailing as if Shi Jian had passed away.
To an outsider, it would seem someone had met their demise.
"You scoundrel!"
Shi Jian, having narrowly escaped death, saw A Wei's state and his forehead veins bulged. He kicked the youngster away.
"Thank you, Senior Disciple Brother. For these disciples to be able to wake up, it is all thanks to Senior Disciple Brother's rescue."
The five yellow-robed Taoists, along with their disciples, came to Shi Jian's door to express their gratitude.
"It is my duty. There is no need for such elaborate gestures."
"By the way, Senior Disciple Brother, what exactly happened? Why did you collapse on the ground?"
"Nothing much, just encountered some unexpected circumstances."
Shi Jian recalled the scene of meeting the City God in the netherworld, and he still felt lingering fear.
If the City God had truly made a move, he would not have been able to return to the mortal realm.
Fortunately, Wen Cai and Qiu Sheng, those two troublemakers, had not come to the Haunted School this time.
Otherwise, it would not have been just five people whose souls were seized; it would have been at least a dozen.
"Are you all concerned about me first, or should we discuss the matters ahead!"
"Senior Disciple Brother, what do you mean?"
Uncle Jiu and the yellow-robed Taoist looked at Shi Jian before them with some confusion, wanting to understand.
"I believe that establishing the Haunted School has affected certain people's interests."
"Therefore, someone invited the Wu Shan soul-seizing sect to deal with you."
"From now on, not only the soul-seizing sect may appear, but also some evil paths."
A sir, standing beside them, rested his chin on his hand, recalling some matters in his mind.
The Haunted School was currently established to deal with supernatural incidents.
If it had truly affected certain people's interests, then it was likely those who used zombies to smuggle drugs.
"Interests, Master Taoist, you wouldn't be referring to those people who smuggle drugs using zombies, would you?"
"Besides these people, who else would target the Haunted School?"
After speaking, Shi Jian, along with Mao Xiao Fang and A Wei, left the Haunted School, intending to travel to various places to hone his Taoist skills.
Mao Xiao Fang had been teaching the students of the Haunted School to catch ghosts during this period, and his own cultivation had lagged significantly.
This had resulted in him remaining at the perfect Human Master stage and being unable to advance to the Earth Master realm.
Moreover, he had not learned much lightning magic, and his strength was considered quite poor.
"Master Taoist, please wait!"
"Can you stay and help us overcome this difficult period? We will pay you the full amount of your earnings, not a single cent less."
"My several junior disciples are sufficient to handle these matters."
Shi Jian flatly refused A sir's request. Cultivation was of utmost importance.
Money was merely external possessions, not as important as cultivation.
Furthermore, this opportunity was also needed by his several yellow-robed junior disciples and Uncle Jiu to earn money to support their disciples.
"Master, the little zombie is still behind us. Let's quickly open an ancestral hall to settle it."
Mao Xiao Fang sidled up to Shi Jian and whispered in his ear.
During this period, Mao Xiao Fang and A Wei had been taking care of the little zombie.
If the little zombie were to be kept hidden in a travel bag indefinitely, an accident would eventually occur.
"Your master knows. Aren't I finding a way to get away? What are you rushing for? Carrying it a bit longer won't take a piece off you."
Seeing Shi Jian's determination to leave, A sir did not insist on keeping the three of them.
Currently, the Haunted School could barely handle some supernatural accidents, and with Uncle Jiu and his companions, they were more than capable of dealing with evil paths.
"Master Taoist, this is a month's worth of earnings. Please visit the Haunted School more often next time. We will be waiting for you here."
Shi Jian accepted the money and a document resembling an identification from A sir.
"Oh, right, Master Taoist, you might need this in the future. Don't lose it."
Shi Jian handed the item to Mao Xiao Fang and bid farewell to Uncle Jiu and his group before leaving the Haunted School.