Being a Ghost Isn't Easy Either

"Although my general has reached the late Ghost King stage cultivation, he can only cultivate in the Eight Nether Cave. It is absolutely impossible for him to enter the Nine Nether Cave. Even if he reaches the Ghost Saint cultivation, he can only go as far as the shallow end. To enter the bottom of the cave, one must reach the late stage of Ghost Saint cultivation," Yu Ji said with a smile.

Yue Qianchou nodded. He had heard about this before, and Yu Ji's answer only confirmed his suspicions. He frowned and said, "Does Madam mean that even if a human's cultivation reaches the Spirit Transformation stage, they still cannot enter the next stage until they reach the late Spirit Transformation stage?"

"Sir, you may not know this, but the Nine Nether Cave is the only passage to the underworld opened for ghost cultivators. It is not a place that ordinary cultivators, even the so-called experts, can enter." Yu Ji said, then gracefully moved away from the banquet, a bitter expression flashing across her face as she sighed softly, "Life is unpredictable, with fortune and misfortune uncertain. Some people encounter calamities or tribulations. Among those who die unnatural deaths, there are often those with deep resentment, unwilling to erase their memories of this life to be reincarnated, making it difficult for them to enter the cycle of reincarnation. Thus, they remain in the mortal world to cultivate the path of ghost cultivators, hoping to achieve mastery and fulfill their last wishes. Alas! My general is one of them."

Yue Qianchou laughed and said, "It seems that there are quite a few people who share the same ideals as General Meng. For example, the lady and the hundreds of thousands of troops under the general's command followed the general even after death. It is truly commendable."

"When a person dies, all things are empty. How many people will keep talking after they die? If it weren't for the general's high prestige in the army during his lifetime, how many of those soldiers who died in battle would continue to follow him after death? They would probably have been reincarnated long ago." Yu Ji shook her head and smiled bitterly.

Yue Qianchou sensed a hint of helplessness in her tone and paused for a moment before asking, "Isn't it better to continue ghost cultivation after death? I've heard that ghost cultivators are immortal unless they encounter external tribulations."

"Does the gentleman know what happens to ghost cultivators after they encounter external calamities?" Yu Ji asked in return, then chuckled and answered herself, "After encountering external calamities, ghost cultivators will have their souls scattered and their bodies and spirits destroyed, never to be reborn."

The group exchanged glances, looking at each other in disbelief. Yue Qianchou exclaimed in astonishment, "How could this be?"

"Sir, you are not in the same boat and therefore cannot understand the reasoning," Yu Ji said with a wry smile. "Although ghost cultivators have an infinite lifespan, the time it takes to achieve enlightenment is far greater than that of demons and humans. When humans and Demon Cultivator to their peak, as long as they can withstand the test of heavenly tribulation, they can ascend to the celestial realm in broad daylight. Even if they die from external tribulations, they can simply be reincarnated as humans again. Ghost cultivators are different. It is already defying the heavens if they do not enter the underworld after death. After cultivating to their peak, they must enter the Nine Nether Cave to return to the underworld before they have a chance to achieve enlightenment."

The group had never heard of such a thing before; it was simply unbelievable. Yue Qianchou swallowed hard and asked, "You mean that even if a ghost cultivator reaches the late stage of Ghost Saint, they still have to go through the Nine Nether Cave to return to the Underworld to cultivate? Why is it so complicated? What's so good about achieving enlightenment? Since you already have the cultivation of the late stage of Ghost Saint, plus unlimited lifespan, why not just stay in the mortal world and enjoy the good life?"

Yu Ji turned her gaze to Bi Shouzhi and said, "Immortal Master often said, 'If Heaven had feelings, it would be a profound truth.'"

After speaking, he turned his gaze to Yue Qianchou and said, "Both humans and demons have a lifespan. If they do not attain the Great Dao, they will enter the cycle of reincarnation. Although demons have a much longer lifespan than humans, the tribulations they suffer to achieve enlightenment are far greater than those of humans. One wrong move and they will be cast into the cycle of reincarnation. Do you really believe that Heaven can leave behind cultivators with boundless lifespans in the mortal realm? The so-called infinite lifespan of ghost cultivators refers to having an infinite amount of time to cultivate to enlightenment, not that they can live forever in the mortal realm. Once a ghost cultivator possesses the cultivation of the late stage of Ghost Saint, if they do not return to the Netherworld through the Nine Nether Cave in time, they will immediately be subjected to an irresistible tribulation that will shatter their soul and cause them to be completely destroyed, without even a chance to reincarnate."

"Damn it!" Yue Qianchou exclaimed, "That means there's no room for negotiation. We can only obediently go back."

"Every sip and every bite is ordained by fate. Returning to the Underworld is no easy feat. Perhaps this is the retribution for ghost cultivators possessing unlimited lifespans." Yu Ji said with a bitter smile, "Even if a ghost cultivator at the late stage of Ghost Saint can safely reach the bottom of the Nine Nether Cave, they still need to open the Nine Nether Gate between the human world and the Underworld. Only after the gate lies the path back to the Underworld, but this path is not smooth. Along the way, they will undergo the baptism of the Underworld to remove their human essence. If they are lucky, they can retain most of their cultivation and continue cultivating in the Underworld. If they are unlucky, they will be sent back to the cycle of mortal ghosts, and all their previous efforts will be in vain."

Everyone sighed in dismay, never expecting that being a ghost cultivator was so difficult. Yue Qianchou silently said, "Then don't step into the late stage of Ghost Saint, and continue to linger in the human world."

Yu Ji bit her red lips and said resolutely, "Yu Ji yearn for the prosperity of the human world. But if Yu Ji am to be trapped in this Demon Ghost Domain for eternity, Yu Ji would rather cultivate to the late stage of Ghost Saint and open the Gate of the Nine Netherworlds. At worst, I can re-enter the cycle of reincarnation and be reborn as a human."

Bi Shouzhi and the others were confused. They didn't understand why they had to be trapped in the Demon Ghost Domain. Yue Qianchou, however, understood. With a terrifying guy like Bi Changchun guarding the Demon Ghost Domain, anyone who wasn't afraid of death could try to leave. No wonder Yu Ji asked him to help her leave the Demon Ghost Domain. So that was the reason.

"Why doesn't Madam leave this Demon Ghost Domain?" Bi Shouzhi finally couldn't help but ask the reason.

Upon hearing this, Yue Qianchou immediately sensed something was wrong. This woman was cunning and wouldn't have said all this for no reason. Sure enough, Yu Ji, such a beautiful woman, immediately knelt down before Bi Shouzhi, leaving Bi Shouzhi at a loss for what to do. He repeatedly told her to get up, but she wouldn't budge, let alone help him up. She had completely turned into a woman's shrew.

Bi Shouzhi looked at Yue Qianchou pleadingly for help. Yue Qianchou winced in pain and said, "Senior, why don't you listen to what Madam has to say first?" He then glanced outside the hall and thought to himself, "Damn it! They're all a bunch of shrewd old foxes. No wonder they left a woman to entertain a group of men; it's clearly against the etiquette of this era! So they left this socialite to manage things. Damn! I guess Great General Meng won't be back until this is all over."

Bi Shouzhi had no choice but to shake his head and say, "Madam, please speak quickly. I really cannot accept such a grand gesture."

Yu Ji nodded and said, "Sir, you just asked me why I don't leave this Demon Ghost Domain. I really have a lot of trouble to tell you. Do you know why the demons and ghosts in this Demon Ghost Domain n't leave?"

"I don't know," Bi Shouzhi shook his head and said, "Madam, please speak as soon as possible, otherwise I will have no face to face General Meng when he returns."

Yue Qianchou sneered, "If you don't agree, her husband won't come back."

"I apologize for disturbing you, sir. It is all my fault, but after you hear my story, you will surely understand my predicament." Yu Ji knelt and bowed, saying, "The demons and ghosts in this Demon Ghost Domain, including myself, are not unable to leave, but rather dare not leave. Because anyone who leaves the Demon Ghost Domain without permission will be executed by the Punishment Envoy,' and no one has ever escaped the 'Punishment Envoy's' punishment."

"The Punishment Envoy?" Bi Shouzhi exchanged glances with the others, vaguely guessing what was going on. Yue Qianchou was also hearing this term for the first time, but he already knew who it was.

Yu Ji explained, "The Punishment Envoy has existed since ancient times. He is an envoy who administers punishments on behalf of Heaven. His cultivation is unfathomable, and he holds the power of life and death over the entire Demon Ghost Domain. If any demon or ghost leaves the Demon Ghost Domain without his permission, he will kill them without mercy. And this 'Punishment Envoy' is none other than your ancestor, Immortal Master Bi."

Bi Shouzhi and the others exchanged bewildered glances, never expecting their ancestor to abandon his Lineage and take on such a position in the Demon Ghost Domain. They also understood Yu Ji's meaning; she probably wanted them to beg their ancestor to release her from the Demon Ghost Domain. But would their promise even matter? They didn't even know if their ancestor would acknowledge them.

Seeing his hesitation, Yu Ji knew he understood her meaning and said anxiously, "The reason the Punishment Envoy doesn't allow the demons to leave is because he fears they will disturb the human world, which is why he imposes such severe punishments. But I can guarantee that after we, the general, and Ao Li leave, we will live honestly and will never dare to do anything against the Punishment Envoy's wishes. Otherwise, we will accept any punishment from the Punishment Envoy and die without regret. I beg you, sir, to consider my sincerity and plead with our ancestors to release the three of us from the Demon Ghost Domain. I beg you, sir!" After saying this, she kowtowed repeatedly.

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