Chapter One: First Encounter with the Nether Capital — Haunted by Nightmares

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The night was so silent, so profound, its darkness suffocating. Occasionally, a few streaks of violet light slipped across the horizon. Everything seemed peaceful and harmonious—until a scream, piercing to the bone, shattered it all.

Looking out, one saw a woman in red, falling to the earth like a meteor of violet light. A trace of blood lingered at the corner of her mouth, her gaze filled with sorrow yet tinged with an inexplicable sense of release. The broken blade embedded in her body vanished in an instant, leaving behind only a terrifying wound that bled profusely, like a river of blood.

“You should not have betrayed me,” spoke a man in violet robes, who had been silent for a long time. Then he turned and walked away, leaving only a seemingly lonely yet merciless silhouette, gradually disappearing into the depths of the forest.

“Ying’er!” Yu Shang awoke suddenly from his dream. “That was close. If I hadn’t woken up in time, my consciousness would’ve been devoured. This blade is truly a wicked thing—I almost fell for its trick. But why does my heart still linger on her? She should be forgotten. What meaning is there in remembering someone who no longer exists?” With these words, he sank once more into meditation.

Wandering souls guarded him, heaven and earth offered their essence, all things became one with him, healing his wounds. In just half a day, Yu Shang emerged from his meditation, moving freely once more.

In the distance, clouds and mist swirled, shifting endlessly. Faintly, an ancient, broken city wall appeared and vanished within the fog, casting a gloomy and terrifying pall over the surroundings. But with another glance, birds sang and flowers bloomed, the place transformed into a dazzling palace—a scene altogether different.

Startled, Yu Shang quickly probed with his spiritual sense. Yet he found nothing unusual. Extending his senses hundreds of miles further, he still found nothing. Just as he was about to withdraw his spiritual sense, a faint, nearly undetectable force tugged at him, drawing him deeper into the unknown. It felt like an endless abyss, impossible to turn back. Yu Shang, trembling in fear, hastily activated Windless Escape and fled. The sudden danger left him shaken, cold sweat chilling his skin.

“Is it because my injuries are so severe that my mind is unclear? How could this be? This place is truly sinister, filled with strange energy. No wonder the old man from the Blood Ink Clan hesitated, only daring to wait outside the forest,” he muttered to himself.

Now Yu Shang was truly caught between a rock and a hard place. Ahead lay the unpredictable ‘Ghost City,’ behind him was the enemy who had destroyed his clan—a formidable old man—leaving him no way out, nearly forcing him into desperation. Whether advancing or retreating, both paths led to certain death. Yet why not take the chance? Though the Ghost City was perilous, there might be unexpected fortune; even if he died there, it would be without regret. With this thought, he stepped into the depths of the forest.

Within, the woods were deathly silent, as if devoid of all life. The only sound was Yu Shang’s own breathing. The forest seemed endless, with no way out, as if he were wandering in circles. Quieting his mind, he observed his surroundings and, whether by chance or keen insight, discovered a secret. The forest was merely a facade; in truth, it formed a giant Bagua diagram. The eight natural phenomena—heaven, earth, thunder, wind, water, fire, mountain, and marsh—corresponded to the eight trigrams: Qian, Kun, Zhen, Xun, Kan, Li, Gen, and Dui. To move freely within the forest, one had to break the Bagua formation.

“Since the Bagua diagram is mutually generating and overcoming, I’ll break you with the same secret technique! Five Elements Primordial Energy Break!” Saying this, he swung the blade toward the eight directions. Instantly, the earth trembled, mountains crumbled, and springs burst forth. A powerful force hurled Yu Shang back several miles. The dead forest finally returned to normal, vibrant with life, no different from any ordinary woods.

Yu Shang rose and ventured deeper into the forest. “Yu Shang, where do you think you’re going!” Following the voice, he saw an elderly man in white robes, riding on clouds, rushing toward him with murderous intent. If not for the aura of death surrounding him, one might have mistaken him for a celestial immortal.

“You dared to harm my granddaughter, I will represent the underworld clans and destroy you, villain!” The old man waved his hand, and two crystal swords appeared, thrusting toward Yu Shang. “Old man, don’t push me too far! You know well who is right and who is wrong. Don’t use such high-sounding excuses!” Yu Shang retorted, quickly summoning his blade to meet the attack. In an instant, blades and swords clashed, sand and stones flew, each strike aimed to kill. Blood dripped from the sky, staining the verdant forest, blooming like crimson lotuses—strikingly conspicuous.

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In that moment, he was utterly ruthless. The rule of the duel was simple: kill or be killed. No mercy could be shown, only detachment—even if the opponent was that person’s grandfather. In the face of death, everything else was ephemeral; only oneself was real.

He summoned every ounce of strength, swinging the blade at the old man, silently reciting the secret formula. As the blade fell, it radiated dazzling light, unstoppable. Yet the old man’s realm was far beyond Yu Shang’s, who had only just begun to tread the path. Even with all his secret arts, he could only inflict the slightest wound, not even leaving hope for escape. A moment’s distraction, and the crystal sword pierced Yu Shang’s abdomen, scarlet blood spurting forth.

The old man muttered a spell, sending Yu Shang crashing from the air into the thicket below. “Wretched weakling, how dare you aspire to be an heir of the underworld, to win my granddaughter’s favor? How utterly laughable. Even if I cut you a thousand times, my hatred would not be satisfied! Rather, let me make use of you—offer your broken soul to my granddaughter as a sacrifice!” He swept his sleeve, summoning the Demon Refining Tower to cover the dying Yu Shang.

Just then, a beam of light shot from Yu Shang’s heart, blocking the Demon Refining Tower, forcing the old man to stagger back several steps. But Yu Shang completely lost consciousness.

“That’s enough, old man. You’ve fought, vented your anger—do you really mean to annihilate him, leaving no trace? For my sake, let it go. I still need to rest!” A thread of mind power entered the old man’s heart. “What demon dares to meddle in my affairs? Show yourself!” the old man shouted. “Your temper’s grown, old man—when you were young you were so docile. I even passed you a bit of soul, and you’ve already forgotten me?” With these words, a dark shadow emerged from Yu Shang’s heart, standing before him.

“Red Serpent Spirit!” The old man’s eyes widened in shock. “How are you inside his body?!” The serpent spirit replied calmly, “That’s none of your concern. Go now, or I’ll be forced to act.” “Fine, today I’ll spare him, but one day I’ll take his life!” With that, the old man disappeared.

“Sleep now, you should rest. All karma ends in dreams; henceforth, you are free of all ties.” With these words, the blood-red serpent spirit transformed into a crimson light, entering Yu Shang’s body.

In life, some things never go as wished; fortune and calamity are unpredictable. Some people change like clouds in the sky, their intentions unknowable.

“Brother Yu Shang, stop cultivating! Today I managed to slip out while Grandpa wasn’t looking, just to find you—won’t you keep me company?” A little girl, as delicate and lovable as a porcelain doll, pleaded with the cold and aloof boy beside her.

The boy smiled, as radiant as violet light, gently stroking the girl’s head and murmuring, “Ying’er, be good. I must grow strong so I can protect you from harm.”

“Ying’er understands. Brother Yu Shang loves Ying’er the most. But would you really leave Ying’er all alone, with nobody to keep her company?” Tears welled in the girl’s eyes as she looked at the boy, pitifully.

The sight made the boy’s heart ache. “Alright, alright, no crying. You win!” He said, then took the girl flying toward the human world.

For Ying’er, born in the underworld, everything in the mortal realm was excitingly new—the cries of street vendors, the dazzling ornaments in shops, the delicious foods at stalls, all so alluring she couldn’t resist, bouncing happily until she disappeared from sight.

“Well, who’s this lovely little thing? So adorable! Come with me, girl—I’ll treat you well! Ha ha ha…” A pampered young scion, face shiny and powdered, blocked Ling Huan Ying. “Follow our young master, and you’ll enjoy endless riches for life, right, brothers?” “That’s right, ha ha,” echoed the group of lackeys.

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“Get out of my way!” How disgusting, to run into such a spoiled brat—her good mood was ruined.

“This little lady’s got spirit! I like it. Go, take her—just don’t hurt her!” “Yes, sir!”

“Overconfident fools!” Instantly, Ling Huan Ying’s mind moved, summoning the Phantom Sword to strike. With one blow, they all fell—how satisfying! The crowd secretly cheered.

“Is the human realm to be invaded by those from the underworld as you please? You have no respect for us cultivators!” An immortal descended from the sky, full of arrogance, glaring at Ling Huan Ying.

“To accuse without reason, you’re no better than them! Take this!” Enraged, Ying’er drew her sword and charged at the cultivator. The immortal met her head-on; thunder roared, winds howled, the sky darkened, leaving chaos in their wake. Frightened mortals fled, scrambling to avoid disaster.

“Not bad cultivation, but it’s your misfortune to meet me—you’re doomed!” He unleashed a blast of true energy at Ling Huan Ying. Just as the immortal was certain the girl would die, a shadow blocked the energy, then vanished with her.

“Brother Yu Shang, are you alright? You scared me—I thought I’d never see you again. Thank goodness you protected me,” the girl said, patting her chest in relief. “I’m fine, Ying’er. Let’s hurry—this cultivator is not a good sort, he’ll soon catch up.” The boy, pale and enduring intense pain, pulled her swiftly toward the underworld. At last, with his last bit of will, he brought her safely into the underworld, then collapsed unconscious.

After who knows how long, the boy opened his eyes, awakening to the girl’s call, “Grandpa, come quickly, Brother Yu Shang is awake!”

“You’re alright, thanks to you my Ying’er avoided disaster. Ever since you were young, you’ve always protected her—whenever she gets into trouble, it’s you who cleans up the mess, spoiling her so she knows no bounds!” The kindly old man complained with a smile.