"Me?" Chu Mo pointed at himself, his face filled with bewilderment.
"Indeed, you." Zhi Su nodded, his tone easygoing. "A Primordial Spirit approaching the Spirit Transformation Realm. You were someone of note in life, too. You qualify."
At those words, Chu Mo asked in trembling reverence, "Is that truly what you mean, Supreme Venerable? Can this lowly ghost really become the lord of the Netherworld? Isn't that Dao Venerable the lord of the Netherworld?"
He seemed afraid that [Nether Crossing, Nether Command] might sense it, not even daring to mention the honorific.
"No matter." Zhi Su smiled confidently. "If This Venerable says you are, then you are."
Chu Mo fell silent for a moment, seemingly hesitant. After a long while, he gritted his teeth and spoke as though throwing caution to the wind. "This junior is willing to serve the Supreme Venerable!"
Zhi Su nodded in satisfaction and pointed a finger. A strand of nether light flew from his fingertip and sank into Chu Mo's brow.
In an instant, the ghost's appearance began to change, gradually taking on the appearance of Chu Mo's True Self.
At the same time, an instinctive response arose in his mind, telling Chu Mo how to use that false reincarnation, along with the various authorities a "lord of the Netherworld" should possess.
"Go." Zhi Su withdrew his finger. "From this day forth, you are the lord of this Netherworld. When cultivators enter the Netherworld Court, entertain them properly according to the methods This Venerable has taught you."
"This junior understands!" Chu Mo bowed excitedly, as though he had received an enormous favor.
Zhi Su did not look at him again, turning to leave. His figure receded into the distance before finally disappearing at the end of the false Yellow Springs. Chu Mo watched that departing