Chapter Fifty-Two: The Curse of the Underworld

I stared at Emperor Yi in utter shock, unable to hold back my question: Why do you know so much about the Lord of Shadows, and that Infernal Sovereign Seal—do you know where it is?

The elderly Emperor Yi smiled faintly, then suddenly threw his head back and let out a resonant roar. The chains around him clanged furiously, echoing through the black tower's peak. It was as if a pillar of light descended from the sky, connecting with the very tip of the tower.

Though I was inside, I could distinctly sense the turmoil outside—the sky had already transformed, winds raging and clouds swirling. I could hear the wailing and howling of spirits, chilling the air beyond.

A massive black seal, etched all over with ancient runes, slowly descended from the tower's summit, finally hovering above Emperor Yi's head. The seal was shrouded in a dark aura, rotating incessantly atop him. My heart pounded; I never imagined the legendary Infernal Sovereign Seal would be hidden here, within this black tower.

"Boy, from now on, say not a word—watch and listen only."

I was about to ask why, but suddenly found myself immobilized, as if some spell had bound me, rendering me utterly powerless.

Then, I watched as the Infernal Sovereign Seal, floating above Emperor Yi, shot toward me at incredible speed, plunging directly into my body. My heart jolted, still unsure what was happening, when the seal passed through me and exited from my back, returning to hover once more over Emperor Yi.

Curiously, the seal had lost its initial glow; its surface now appeared lifeless, like a chunk of scrap iron.

I had no idea what had just transpired, but Emperor Yi quickly explained, "The true Infernal Sovereign Seal is now sealed within the Nine Yin Absolute Veins inside your body. The one above my head is merely dead iron, though it contains a sliver of the seal's power. It will help you contend with the vengeful ghost waiting for you outside."

"Now, I will teach you the Nether Spring Incantation. It is the most formidable forbidden art in the Nether Spring tome, created by the Lord of Shadows himself. It is also the key to unlocking that sliver of power, enabling you to annihilate the female ghost. But after that, anyone who knows anything about the Sovereign Seal—if you can't trust them, you must kill them."

With that, Emperor Yi began to demonstrate before me. I had no clue what this Nether Spring Incantation entailed, but as I watched his performance, turmoil rose within me.

The Nether Spring Incantation was similar to the palm thunder talisman spell I had previously learned, both relying on runes and incantations to gather energy. The primary difference, however, was that the Nether Spring Incantation required fresh blood as a guide and, instead of drawing runes, one had to inscribe a totem. As for its power and effects, my current knowledge couldn't comprehend them.

I watched as Emperor Yi pricked his fingertip, drawing out blood to sketch an intricate totem in the air. As he painted, he chanted, "Nether spring without end, dark arts without bounds, eightfold prohibition, five elements slay the immortals!"

The moment he finished, a shadowy general formed from black mist leapt out from the totem—burly, wielding a mighty blade, exuding fierce and domineering energy.

That shadow instantly flashed behind Emperor Yi, unleashing a bestial roar, wild and unruly.

At this moment, I found myself able to speak again, and instinctively screamed, asking what sort of monster this was.

Emperor Yi did not answer, but simply told me to follow his demonstration.

Eagerly, I closed my eyes. Possessing the Nine Yin Absolute Veins, I was a born prodigy. Even though the Nether Spring Incantation was extraordinarily complex, after following Emperor Yi three times, I had already grasped its essence.

"To use the Nether Spring Incantation, not only must I guide it with blood, but I also need to summon the power of the Infernal Sovereign Seal within me?"

"Correct. Do you need me to teach you again?"

"No need," I replied, shaking my head. Then, I pricked my finger and began drawing a totem in the air with my blood, chanting, "Nether spring without end, dark arts without bounds, eightfold prohibition, five elements slay the immortals!"

As soon as I finished, a black shadow wielding a war blade emerged from my totem and instantly took its place behind me. This shadow lacked the imposing aura of Emperor Yi's creation; indeed, I could barely discern its form, little more than a concentrated mass of black mist. Nonetheless, I was ecstatic.

I could feel its strength, as if it were part of me. With it by my side, I felt I could take on the priestess. As I reveled in this newfound power, Emperor Yi promptly interrupted me.

He explained that after I returned to the world of the living, unless I faced mortal peril, I must never use the Nether Spring Incantation recklessly. This forbidden spell required drawing upon the power of the Infernal Sovereign Seal; before my abilities reached a certain threshold, every use would severely injure me, possibly leaving me crippled or dead.

I was startled, and my previous joy vanished at once.

Emperor Yi looked at me with a half-smile and said, "You were born with the Nine Yin Absolute Veins, so perhaps it won't be as dire as I say. Still, the secret of the Nether Spring Incantation is unknown in the living world. Even if you must use it, never let anyone else know—otherwise, it will bring disaster upon you."

I nodded, thinking it made sense. Both the Nether Spring tome and the Infernal Sovereign Seal were treasures left by the Lord of Shadows. If I exposed them through the Nether Spring Incantation, I would surely attract the pursuit of the Daoist sects, evil cults, and even the underworld. Without absolute power, I dared not use them carelessly.

Emperor Yi did not linger further on the Nether Spring Incantation and continued, "When you return to the living world, destroy the vengeful ghost and save your grandfather. Make sure he gives you the Nether Spring tome at once. Remember, like the incantation, the tome must never be exposed. Afterwards, you must seek a man called the Seven-Slaughter Demon Blade. Find him, and he will have the power to protect you."

"Who is the Seven-Slaughter Demon Blade?"

Emperor Yi pondered for a moment. "I do not know now; perhaps he has yet to emerge. But once he does, as long as you find him, he will acknowledge you as the Nine Yin Ghost King, and then you will naturally learn who he is."

I scratched my head, half understanding, unease gnawing at me. The saying 'bearing a treasure invites danger' was clear to me. Now that I possessed these two unparalleled relics, no matter how deeply I concealed them, there were many in this world with formidable abilities who would eventually discover them, bringing endless troubles.

Emperor Yi saw through my thoughts and said reassuringly, "The Infernal Sovereign Seal sealed within you will help hide all information about the Nether Spring tome. As long as you keep silent, not even the Lord of the Underworld himself could discern its presence on you."

Yet the Nether Spring tome contained countless forbidden secrets; both the Nine Yin Fate and the Nine Yin Absolute Veins could be cultivated. But unless absolutely necessary, to prevent the tome's secrets from leaking, I must never use its hidden arts.

"Understood," I said, nodding, without protest.

Emperor Yi, seeing I was astute, smiled and nodded, then promptly ordered me to leave.

Taking a deep breath, I suddenly felt my mind in chaos, unable to untangle my thoughts. There were so many questions I wished to ask, yet I did not know where to begin.

At last, I remembered my body’s Nine Yin Absolute Veins. Hastily, I asked Emperor Yi, "Though I do not know why you sealed the Infernal Sovereign Seal within me, nor why you entrusted me with the Nether Spring Incantation and tome, I suppose you have your own purpose. You surely intend to use me. But I do not blame you—after all, I have no other choice..."

"Say what you wish," Emperor Yi replied with a half-smile.

"I was born with the Nine Yin Absolute Veins. Twenty years ago, Grandfather altered my fate, but it only lasts twenty years. Now, my end is near. Perhaps your plans for me will fail."

Emperor Yi remained calm. "Breaking the curse of the Nine Yin Absolute Veins is not difficult."

My heart leapt. I quickly asked how to break it.

Emperor Yi answered, "Acquire the official position of a righteous deity in the Underworld, and the curse shall lift itself."

I was stunned. "What official position? How do I obtain it?"

Emperor Yi replied, "Become an official in the Underworld—at the level below the judge, in the Hall of Deeds. How you obtain it is up to you!"

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