Chapter 381: Walking Towards the Netherworld

The dilapidated royal palace floated in the Golden Crow Divine Kingdom. Its architecture was ancient and dignified, being the original source of human pavilion construction.

Inside the palace, Xi He's statue was the only thing that remained intact. Golden chains adorned her hair, crown, arms, and ankles, and the pearls on her dress still shimmered faintly. Her high-waisted gown accentuated her long skirt. She exuded an elegant aura, her figure delicate yet embodying the majesty of a queen. Though lifelike, she was a statue, silent and still.

On the jade-like throne, Si Ming lay diagonally, her black robe draping her snow-white body like a silk blanket. Her shapely, slender legs hung gracefully from the armrest of the throne, resembling frost-kissed jade branches. Light filtering in from outside reflected an indigo hue on her black robe. The stark contrast between the deep indigo and the pristine white accentuated her curves, making them appear fuller and more prominent.

Si Ming's long silver hair cascaded down, some draped over the chair, some trailing to the floor. Since the defeat of Xi He by the desolate river dragon and sparrow, this throne had been empty for thousands of years. Now, a new queen finally occupied it. And it was tradition for the queen to receive the approval of the Divine Kingdom's lord. Now, his mark was fully upon her.

Ning Changjiu stood in the hall, wearing a simple white undergarment, now pulling a white robe over himself. From the throne, Xue Ci casually glanced at Ning Changjiu's figure bathed in light, a clear, delicate smile gracing her blood-red lips.

"Hmm, this feeling... is much better than I imagined..."

Ning Changjiu, his black hair loose, adjusted his collar and gently replied, "Of course, I would never disappoint Xue'er."

Xue Ci lightly swung her slender legs, looking up at the dome. "Four or five thousand years ago, were you and Xi He often like this too?"

Ning Changjiu looked at Xi He's statue, feeling as if Zhao Xiang'er was gently gazing at him. He shook his head. "I don't remember."

Xue Ci sat up from the throne, her legs bent, one arm clasping her knees, the other holding her clothes to her chest. Her icy eyes curved like a new moon, and her normally clear voice was soft. "Regardless, this place is mine now. This hall will be renamed 'Xue Ci Palace,' and my statue must be placed here too."

Ning Changjiu looked troubled. He felt that if he agreed, Xiang'er would tear him limb from limb.

"Still thinking about Zhao Xiang'er?" Si Ming looked at him, her expression slightly cold. "Can't you see that girl's ambition has long soared beyond the heavens? This dilapidated palace might appease me, but how can it keep that golden canary confined?"

"You have a point," Ning Changjiu said after a moment of silence, then smiled slightly. "But it is Xiang'er's place after all, so it's better to discuss it with her. Or perhaps, we could build a better one..."

Si Ming scoffed softly, her feet gracefully stepping onto the mirror-smooth glazed tiles. With an elegant gait, she walked over to Ning Changjiu, her icy eyes narrowing, her cherry lips slightly parted. "Didn't you say you'd never disappoint Xue'er?" As she spoke, she turned to face Xi He's statue, reaching out a hand, her fingertips lightly touching Zhao Xiang'er's face, a hint of playfulness in her cool, proud expression.

Ning Changjiu looked at her back, his resolve gone. He firmly decided to be a compliant ruler. "Yes, I'll listen to whatever you say."

The hall was quiet. The two searched the royal palace, looking for anything valuable that might have been left behind. Si Ming was now fully dressed. With her hands clasped behind her back, she gazed at the mottled, ancient walls, where the inscriptions and paintings were long illegible. Only the red suns painted high up remained as unblemished totems.

Ning Changjiu rummaged through the debris, guided by faint memories. He straightened scattered lamp posts and cleared away loose stones.

Si Ming turned to look at him, a faint sneer on her face. "Vermilion Bird and the Golden Crow from back then weren't fools. If there was anything truly useful, they would have plundered it clean. Do you really think it would be left for you to find thousands of years later?"

Ning Changjiu smiled. "Indeed." He continued to search. He could barely recall the events from that time; many broken bricks and tiles evoked few memories. After the former splendor faded, only desolation remained in the hall.

But there was an exception. With Ning Changjiu's persistent efforts, he truly found something. It was an exquisitely decorated box, heavy in his hand. The jewels adorning it, though somewhat dulled, still retained their ancient beauty and brilliance. Clearly, anything preserved in such a treasure box would be precious.

"Oh," Ning Changjiu murmured.

Si Ming leaned in curiously. "That such a treasure could remain. I must say, your luck is truly good."

Ning Changjiu wasn't entirely sure. He thought for a moment and said, "Let's see what it is first." Si Ming was equally curious. Ning Changjiu opened the box, and light streamed out, somewhat dazzling. He focused his eyes and saw it was filled with a shimmering, soft, and luxurious multicolored paste.

"What is this?" Si Ming pressed her sleeve back, dipped a fingertip into it, and brought it to her nose to sniff. "Is it some kind of miraculous elixir paste?"

If it were a miraculous elixir, why wouldn't it have been taken? Ning Changjiu, recalling that dream, guessed its identity. He sighed, thinking that anything left behind was indeed not a good thing...

"It's hair pomade," Ning Changjiu said.

"Hair pomade?"

"Yes, you apply it to your hair to make it very beautiful. It was one of Xiang'er's inventions back then."

"Applied to hair?" Si Ming had heard of such things occasionally but had never tried it. She gently caressed her long, soft silver hair. "Can it really look good?" she asked uncertainly.

"Xue'er is naturally beautiful, so she'd look good no matter what. Hmm... want to try it?"

"You're not tricking me, are you?" Si Ming asked suspiciously.

"How could I trick you?" Ning Changjiu smiled.

"Then... let's try it?"

Si Ming was immensely confident in her beauty and also wanted to try something new. So, she sat back on the throne, turning her back to him, allowing Ning Changjiu to apply the color to her hair.

The iridescent hair pomade was applied to her long silver strands.

"How does it feel?" Ning Changjiu asked.

"What do you think?" Si Ming countered, unsure.

Ning Changjiu looked at her vibrant hair. Her serene, ethereal beauty seemed to glow amidst the colorful strands. Her long hair, cascading over her divine robe, resembled a rainbow. At first glance, it was indeed striking, but after a prolonged look, it began to feel a bit gaudy. Truly Xiang'er's painstaking invention...

Ning Changjiu smiled. "Peerless in grace."

Si Ming ran her fingers through her long hair, casually conjuring a water mirror to look at herself. She gazed at her kaleidoscopic hair, feeling that it didn't quite match her cool, aloof demeanor... This long hair was not only vibrant but also displayed different gradient colors from various angles.

"Hmm... it's okay," Si Ming gave an ambiguous assessment, then asked, "If I get tired of it, how do I wash it out?"

Ning Changjiu replied innocently, "I don't know."

Si Ming froze, then anxiously asked, "Then what do I do?"

Ning Changjiu said, "Let's ask Xiang'er when we see her later."

Si Ming pursed her lips, unable to imagine going out looking like this... She couldn't help but feel a little sad. And so, her long hair turned frosty white. Si Ming was slightly startled, thinking, "Can it change at will?" But just as she was pleased, her hair turned fiery red again.

While Si Ming was still wondering, Ning Changjiu had already deduced the pattern: "It turns frosty white when you're sad, and fiery red when you're happy... It seems to adjust automatically with your mood. Truly Xiang'er's work."

"..." Si Ming's emotions were complex; she was filled with regret. Thus, her long hair continually changed in appearance and color.

"Ning! Chang! Jiu!" Si Ming was furious, her long hair blazing like fire. She rolled up her sleeves and lunged at Ning Changjiu.

By the time Si Ming had smoothed her clothes and left the Divine Kingdom, the aroma of food wafted from outside. Ning Changjiu stood beside Si Ming, looking at her long hair, unable to suppress a laugh.

Si Ming shot him a cold glance. "Doesn't it look good?"

Ning Changjiu smiled. "It looks good."

Si Ming snorted coldly and walked out.

Lu Jiajia was serving rice, and Ning Xiaoling, drawn by the aroma, skipped in. Lu Jiajia's long hair was tied behind her, and her snow-white clothes were neatly arranged. Though an ethereal female sword immortal, she now appeared gentle and virtuous. She bit her lip, muttering complaints about why they hadn't come down yet, feeling somewhat annoyed.

Footsteps echoed. Lu Jiajia turned to look. Ning Changjiu came downstairs first, but Si Ming did not follow. Lu Jiajia looked at Ning Changjiu, puzzled. Ning Changjiu smiled and explained, "Xue Ci might be a little shy."

"You're the shy one!" Si Ming said coldly, quickly descending the stairs.

Lu Jiajia's hand, which had been tidying her hair, froze as she saw Si Ming's iridescent long hair. After a moment of shock, she suddenly burst into laughter. Ning Xiaoling beside her also began to laugh, the pair of master and apprentice looking at Si Ming, shaking with laughter.

Si Ming's long hair once again blazed like fire. Ning Changjiu quickly took her hand and softly comforted her, shifting the blame to Xiang'er, who was far away. The hair color somewhat returned to normal.

Si Ming didn't know what sin she had committed, only thinking that from now on, masks and hoods would be essential when going out. Si Ming sat down at the table, glaring coldly at Ning Xiaoling. Ning Xiaoling immediately stopped laughing, hugging her tail, trembling cautiously.

Lu Jiajia, however, was unfazed. Her lips remained curved in a smile, and she even reached out to touch Si Ming's hair. "Sister Xue Ci certainly has unique taste."

Si Ming wanted to get angry, but remembering how Lu Jiajia had teased her earlier, she had to swallow her pride... Being ganged up on by the whole family made her feel even more wronged, and her long hair turned frosty white.

Lu Jiajia looked at the changing hair, marveling at its magic. She gently stroked Si Ming's hair, saying, "There, there, Sister Xue Ci, don't be sad anymore. I won't laugh at you."

Si Ming felt even more aggrieved. "I'm not eating your cooking anymore!"

Lu Jiajia picked up the bowl in front of Si Ming, used her chopsticks to take some food, and brought it to Si Ming's lips, gently saying, "Sister must be exhausted. Have some."

Si Ming initially wanted to resist to the end, but as she smelled the food, her lips instinctively parted. Lu Jiajia put the rice into her mouth. Si Ming chewed, her graceful eyebrows twitching slightly. "Why is it so delicious..." Even though the food was delicious, she felt even more wronged. "I just feel like they're all bullying me..."

Lu Jiajia continued to feed her, and she ate in small bites. Ning Changjiu watched for a while, smiling, then picked up his own bowl and began to eat. Today's meal was exceptionally sweet.

After dinner, Lu Jiajia took Si Ming's hand and sat her by the bed, comforting her gently and generously for a while. Si Ming felt much more at ease.

Ning Changjiu and Ning Xiaoling sat by the window, talking softly. "Although we've made many preparations for this trip to the Underworld, it's by no means foolproof," Ning Changjiu sighed. "It will ultimately depend on Xiaoling yourself. Absolutely do not trust anyone easily, including that Jiuyou."

Ning Xiaoling, who was still prying at leftover nuts with her paws, immediately became serious upon hearing Ning Changjiu's instructions. "Xiaoling knows. Xiaoling has also been preparing very hard these past few months."

Ning Changjiu asked, "What have you prepared?"

Ning Xiaoling thought for a moment, realizing she hadn't made any special preparations. Silently, she handed the shelled nuts to her senior brother.

Ning Changjiu smiled as he took them. He ruffled Ning Xiaoling's head. "In any case, staying alive is the most important thing. Don't worry too much about gains or losses otherwise."

"Got it!" Ning Xiaoling promised earnestly, then asked, "Should we bring the Listen cat along?"

Ning Changjiu had a sudden thought. "Oh, right, I almost forgot that cat... Since it's called 'Listen,' of course it should return to its proper place."

Ning Xiaoling nodded, planning to go catch the cat once she had refined her authority.

Ning Changjiu's final instruction was, "I still need to find Master, so I probably won't be able to wait for you, Xiaoling, to return. But Master will be with you, so don't be afraid, Xiaoling."

"I'm not scared," Ning Xiaoling said earnestly. "Senior brother needs to wait for Xiaoling to grow up."

Ning Changjiu paused, then smiled and nodded.

Night gradually deepened. That night, Ning Changjiu naturally slept with Si Ming. The second floor quieted down only after midnight. Lu Jiajia sat quietly by the window in her white sleeping robe, watching the night outside and the occasional birds flying by, her expression serene.

In the early morning, Ning Changjiu crept downstairs. Lu Jiajia was still dozing by the window. Ning Changjiu sat beside her. Lu Jiajia opened her eyes, looked at him, smiled, and said, "Still thinking of me? Aren't you afraid she'll get angry?"

"With Jiajia supporting me, what should I be afraid of?" Ning Changjiu took her hand and looked into her eyes, a thousand unspoken words passing between them.

Lu Jiajia smiled. She gently opened her arms. "A hug?"

Ning Changjiu smiled and embraced her. They separated after a long while.

"Did Master say anything to you?" Ning Changjiu asked.

Lu Jiajia thought for a moment. "Master only told me the story of Hou Yi shooting the nine suns and Xiang."

Ning Changjiu nodded. He now knew that it was his own story, and the "Xiang" in the story had been mistakenly believed to be a man for years, but in reality, it was very likely Xi He, the female prime minister of the Sun God Kingdom. Xiang'er... "Zhao lost its territory." That lost territory, it seemed now, was almost an entire divine kingdom... What exactly did Vermilion Bird want by doing all this?

Ning Changjiu stopped thinking. He looked at Lu Jiajia and said, "Master values Jiajia very highly."

Lu Jiajia said proudly, "Of course, I'm the one Master worries about the least."

"Yes," Ning Changjiu gently patted her hand, whispering instructions. "I might have to leave again after today. Xiaoling has other matters, so I'm entrusting her to you, Jiajia. The Sword Saint of Jian Pavilion is injured, if not dead, and First Senior Sister and Second Senior Sister are also severely wounded, so there's no need to worry too much for a short time. However, the Misty Tower, which is closest to here, its Lord might be from the Sword Saint's lineage, so you must be very careful."

"Yes, Master has shown great kindness to all of us, so this matter cannot be delayed," Lu Jiajia said earnestly.

Ning Changjiu said, "Don't worry, I have my limits."

"You don't need to worry too much about me either," Lu Jiajia nodded. "I haven't been idle these days. I've already started setting up the sect's grand formation. I'm confident that as long as I don't venture out carelessly, even ordinary experts of the Fifth Dao Upper Realm will find it difficult to break through."

Ning Changjiu smiled and nodded. "Jiajia is truly amazing."

"Flatter me less. Save your sweet talk for Xue Ci. She just gave herself to you, so she'll probably believe whatever sugary nonsense you tell her," Lu Jiajia said flatly, her smile not entirely friendly.

Ning Changjiu maintained a smile, though it was tinged with guilt and fatigue. He looked at the gradually brightening sky outside the window, held her hand, and said, "I hope the White Tibetan Year passes peacefully."

In the ruins of the Skeleton Tower, Liu Junzhuo helped Zhou Zhenyue walk into a vast expanse of desolation. Wind carried bone dust from afar, dry and biting. Liu Junzhuo stopped. She gazed at the desolate ruins, the barren mist, and the countless shattered bone fragments and sword-gouged ravines. She stood still for a long time, her blood-stained skirt fluttering in the wind like a tattered flag.

Zhou Zhenyue groaned, collapsing into her arms, her expression pained.

Liu Junzhuo came back to her senses, asking with concern, "Senior Sister... Senior Sister, are you alright?"

Zhou Zhenyue gritted her teeth and said, "I'm fine. Let's keep going. Master... is waiting for us."

Liu Junzhuo's red lips were bleeding from biting them. She looked at her senior sister's stubborn face and nodded softly. "Yes, I'll take Senior Sister and keep going."

"I'll... cough, cough." Zhou Zhenyue's heart pounded. Under the corrosive killing intent of the Skeleton Tower ruins, her injuries worsened, and she coughed up blood.

Liu Junzhuo hugged her, her expression filled with distress. She gently said, "I'll carry Senior Sister."

Zhou Zhenyue tried to refuse, but Liu Junzhuo had already bent down, grabbed her arm, and hoisted her onto her back. Zhou Zhenyue's injuries from Si Ming's attack were too severe; her clothes and hair were stained with blood. She leaned against her junior sister's shoulder, her body trembling from the cold.

"Excuse me, Senior Sister," Liu Junzhuo apologized, then unfastened her senior sister's sword, leaned it on the ground, and used it as a crutch to support her steps. She regulated her breathing, and once she regained some strength, she would carry her senior sister a short distance by controlling the sword. More often, however, she walked through the ruins carrying her on her back.

Dry bone sand blew in, irritating Zhou Zhenyue's nose and making her cough incessantly. Liu Junzhuo then parted with some of her already limited spiritual energy to create a small shield, gently enveloping her senior sister. Zhou Zhenyue, unaware, simply felt more comfortable. Her body slowly relaxed, and her breathing became regular. Only when Liu Junzhuo finally stopped did Zhou Zhenyue realize that her junior sister's face was already covered in dust. Bone dust covered Liu Junzhuo's pale and beautiful face, like a desolate, dry mask, or a thick layer of ghastly white powder.

They didn't know how long they had walked. The tie holding Liu Junzhuo's hair broke, falling to the ground, and her cloud-like dark hair cascaded down.

"What's wrong?" Zhou Zhenyue asked softly.

Liu Junzhuo lowered her head, looking at the ground, her body trembling with fear... She slowly knelt. In front of her lay a broken sword. An ancient, broken sword. There were still lion claw marks on the broken sword. Zhou Zhenyue also recognized the sword; it was their Master's sword... Liu Junzhuo knelt on the ground, trembling as she picked up the broken sword, clutching it tightly. Blood seeped through her grip, and her teeth chattered uncontrollably. She pressed her lips together, her brows furrowed, and finally, she could no longer hold back. She began to sob. She had lost her own sword and crown, her senior sister was severely injured beyond recovery, and their Master was missing... The wind, laden with bone dust, continued to blow. Liu Junzhuo wiped away her tears, and the bone ash cascaded down with them.

Zhou Zhenyue was stunned for a long time. She opened her mouth, but for a long while, she didn't know what to say, only a chill emanating from her.

"Junior Sister..." After a long while, she finally spoke. "I always used to punish you, being strict with every little thing. That was wrong of me."

Liu Junzhuo's eyes were red. She clutched the broken sword tip to her chest and whispered, "It's alright. Junzhuo has never blamed Senior Sister, never..."

"Alright, let's... go back."

"Okay."

"Senior Sister's Qi Sea is destroyed. There's no hope for this life. You... must cultivate well."

"Okay."

"Don't be disheartened."

"Okay..."

Liu Junzhuo only dared to respond, her nose stinging, softly sobbing, fearing that her senior sister would hear her continuous weeping. She carried Zhou Zhenyue, and their two lonely figures trudged through the vast Skeleton Tower ruins, stumbling countless times. Her palms were raw and bloody, her knees chafed and bleeding profusely. After walking a very long distance, a light appeared behind them.

Liu Junzhuo knelt on the ground, carrying her unconscious senior sister, and turned around to watch the morning sun rise in the sky—the direction of Jian Pavilion was opposite to the sunrise. Pure light bathed her body, covered in blood and dust. Finally, she found a glimmer of warmth and strength within it.

Si Ming... Ning Changjiu... One day, I will kill you both. She made her vow to the rising sun.

Ancient Spirit Sect, Jiuyou Hall.

A faint black mist rose, settling before a light screen, occupying half of the grand hall. Yu Lei and Shen Tu floated within it. These were all the scattered authorities of the Underworld Lords currently existing in the world. They had not yet been absorbed and remained unclaimed.

In front of the light screen deep within the Jiuyou Hall stood three people, one fox, and one cat. Si Ming presided over the refinement of the authorities, changing her hand seals and gradually shrinking them. Ning Changjiu and Lu Jiajia stood side by side, looking at the light screen, both with worried expressions.

Ning Xiaoling sat at the very front, wagging her tail, clenching her paws, silently cheering herself on. Even the Fish King, usually incredibly lazy and tyrannical in Lunar Lake, now shed its typical lifeless gaze, its eyes becoming sharp and wise. It groomed its long fur, licking its paws. In recent months, it had grown considerably fatter in Lunar Lake. If not for that red fish watching over it, it might have become a completely useless, overweight cat, utterly losing its combat ability... Whenever the Fish King thought of its tumultuous past, it felt a sense of melancholy, as if bathed in the setting sun. It never expected to embark on such an adventure in its later years.

Si Ming melted all the authorities into two swords. She handed the swords to Ning Xiaoling, who wrapped her fox tail around the sword hilts. She sat upright in front of the light screen, smiling sweetly at her senior brother and two older sisters. "Don't worry about Xiaoling, Xiaoling is actually very powerful!" Ning Xiaoling said earnestly, clenching her paws.

Ning Changjiu smiled, bent down, and stroked her head. "Yes, we all believe in Xiaoling."

Ning Xiaoling rubbed against his palm. She didn't waste her senior brother's time. After bidding farewell to everyone, she turned and walked towards the light screen. As she turned, Xiaoling's gaze transformed. She shed her usual cuteness and became serene. She was no longer the Ning Xiaoling who wagged her tail daily and spoke with charming playfulness. She was the Ning Xiaoling who, during the Spirit Valley Grand Competition, broke through in the White Snake Shrine, slew the white-scaled, black-feathered serpent, and claimed victory.