The Eternal Night Sea, the Underworld river valley.
From the quiet darkness behind the Hall of Yama, Chu Mo manifested. He steadied himself and glanced at the panel again: [Yin-Yang Jade:
Two].
"Good. No bait on me."
Chu Mo nodded. Just to be safe, he had killed himself once after entering Eternal Night before making his way to the Underworld river valley.
He casually put away the Mystic Womb Incarnation meditating with his eyes closed nearby, dispelled the Other-Selves Aspect, and entered the hall.
The lamps and candles burned steadily inside. Daoist Xu was bent over a desk, sorting records. Hearing footsteps, he looked up and was startled to see Chu Mo. Whatever he had begun to say abruptly stopped halfway as he looked Chu Mo up and down, the astonishment in his eyes deepening.
The aura of this True Person Youxuan was far more vast than it had been several months ago. Even with the blessing of incense and fire, that restrained, unmanifested power made Daoist Xu's heart tremble.
Chu Mo gave a slight nod without explaining further, walked straight to the seat of honor, and sat down. Daoist Xu tactfully bowed and withdrew, leaving the hall to him.
Silence settled over the hall.
Chu Mo closed his eyes and looked within. Inside the Nether Capital's Golden Vault, the Ink Seal hung high, trailing streams of profound light. Ghostfolk walked across the Netherworld Soil, their chanting faintly audible.
All three Divine Abilities had reached Golden Core Perfection, forming a cycle of their own. All that remained was for an Origin Spirit to take its place in the Golden Vault as the ruler of all his arts, and he could knock upon the gates of the True Lord realm.
Although Xuan Meng's sudden return had disrupted his plans, he had