No Food Ghost Country, Tao Qian looked at the scene before him, unable to decide whether to laugh or cry.
Xiao Hua Daoist clearly found the right Dao Path. Previously, as a "Heavenly Talisman Sect disciple," he had some cultivation, but truly lacked the dignity of a great sect's heir, and his Dao Heng and divine skills were quite average.
But now, not only had he reached the Perfect Cavernous Mystery realm, but he was also completely transformed, his soul robust and spirit strong, emitting a Source Qi breath that even made Tao Qian take notice.
Of course, although his cultivation and appearance had greatly changed, it seemed that his bad habits hadn't been corrected.
Good female ghost!
Discovered by his wife, she chased him with a sword.
From the scene in front of him, this conclusion seemed very reasonable.
Especially that No Food Ghost Country's Princess Pei Niannu, who was clearly furious, and even upon seeing this "honored guest" Tao Qian arrive, stopped only for a moment to shout, "Master Tao, please wait a moment while my husband and I settle our trivial matters, then I shall welcome you properly."
After speaking, she continued to chase Lin Xiaohua with that chilling treasure sword.
Behind her, many female ghosts came forward to stop her, some hugging legs, some blocking her waist, some bowing.
Lin Xiaohua originally intended to use the opportunity to entertain Tao Qian to resolve this calamity.
Seeing that it was futile, he could only shout:
"Brother Tao, don't be surprised, this is just our marital pastime."
"Please follow my mother into the hall. After we are done, I will come find you and we can reminisce."
With that, Lin Xiaohua turned into a flirtatious red shadow and fled elsewhere.
Halfway, he simply "plopped" into the incredibly murky, corpse-filled, resentful spirits' Huangquan Ghost River, transforming into a flirtatious red carp, and escaped even further away.
On the shore, Pei Niannu continued her chase, followed by a group of female ghosts.
Tao Qian was stunned again, with only one thought in his mind: "What an incredible Xiao Hua Daoist, who knew he became even more flamboyant after marriage."
...
"Master Tao, do not be surprised, this is indeed their marital quirk."
"Of course, it could also be considered a tribulation."
"Xiao Hua, because of his innate talent, has an irresistible allure to many netherworld ghosts, especially Yin-aligned spirit ghosts, combined with his own nature, resulting in many female admirers."
"Since he and Niannu committed to a lifetime together, the past karma and tribulations that should have dissipated, did so, but a stubborn few, born of karmic debts, remain difficult to resolve."
"I myself have no patience, so I used a small technique to bring these girls to the [No Food Country], letting the couple resolve it themselves... Over time, more girls have been attracted, creating a snowball effect, leading to such frequent occurrences that it no longer seems unusual."
"Master, pay no mind and follow me into the hall for a talk."
With this speech reaching his ears, Tao Qian raised his head to see.
Just then, from the Ghost Mother's Carriage, a gracious and noble lady stepped down.
This lady appeared in her forties, with a head of white hair, but her skin was as fair as a girl's, her appearance not ordinary yet holy and dignified, coldly elegant, seemingly untouched by worldly defilement, with the faint vision of eighteen layers of Purgatory behind her, an umbrella that concealed the sky, and a Ghost Mother Divine Sword and several indistinct treasures.
As she walked, countless streams of Netherworld Ghost Qi gushed forth, seemingly able to eradicate all the world's evil and karmic debts...
Before this lady!
Let alone giving rise to disrespectful thoughts, just seeing her without spirit collapsing is considered True Cultivation.
"What a No Food Country Master, Netherworld Ghost Mother."
Tao Qian saw her and immediately praised her in his heart.
And the Ghost Mother also looked at Tao Qian, and after doing so, offered praise.
Unlike him, she expressed it openly:
"No wonder they call you the Daoist First Heavenly Pride, the Great Master Tao cultivating the Three Meridians."
"Your manner and aura are even more astonishing than when I previously used the [Netherworld Mirror] to glimpse Master slaying the alchemist."
"My son-in-law is lucky to count you as a friend."
Upon hearing this, Tao Qian quickly shook his head.
With a solemn expression, he directly corrected:
"Senior must not say so, Xiao Hua Daoist and I are friends because of our compatible natures."
"Though he acts a bit wantonly, in this world such benevolent cultivators like him are rare. Back then, my survival in Southern Yue relied on the treasures Daoist Xiao Hua gave me."
"Blessing and fortune, a drink and a peck, perfectly fine, Master, follow me."
"Oh, right, we are both in Ultimate Happiness, and with some karmic ties due to Xiao Hua's child, there's no need for formality. If Master doesn't mind, you may call me 'Mrs. Pei'."
Speaking thusly, the No Food Ghost Mother, having stepped down from the carriage, led the way without putting on the airs of a kingdom's ruler.
This treatment clearly regarded Tao Qian as an equal Daoist rather than a junior disciple.
Understandably so!
In the cultivation world, Dao path and realm are esteemed.
Though Tao Qian was a friend of Lin Xiaohua, he was after all the Daoist First Heavenly Pride and had accomplished great feats unmatched in the cultivation world, not to mention he's a Great Master at the Perfect Realm of Ultimate Happiness.
The Ghost Mother personally receiving him was justifiable.
Tao Qian, unable to refuse, followed the Ghost Mother to a distant city and great hall.
While walking, he glanced again at the couple still "playfully fighting" in the distance.
Recalling the earlier words of the Ghost Mother, he couldn't help but think to himself:
"To voluntarily gather all of her son-in-law's ex-girlfriends at the house, truly worthy of being the world's most formidable mother-in-law, as Xiao Hua Daoist calls her."
"But using such an 'Asura-like' method to forcibly resolve emotional tribulations, can it really be done?"
"If truly possible, I should learn from Xiao Hua Daoist in the future."
With these thoughts swirling in mind, Tao Qian didn't realize anything wrong within them.