Chapter 1228: The Dark Son's Path of Reincarnation

The Infernal Generals chosen by Hu Mengdie, Yin Jiuzun, and Yu Wufei were the most powerful beings in the Northern Heaven. They possessed profound cultivation, with each of them having reached the Jade Capital or Numinous Sky realms.

These three individuals themselves also possessed extremely high power, arguably the strongest among all the heavens in the Northern Heaven.

The Ghost Emperor was nepotistic, only appointing his trusted confidantes. He carefully cultivated and nurtured those close to him, neglecting the development of anyone who wasn't his direct subordinate.

Consequently, even exceptionally talented generals were not entrusted with significant responsibilities.

Hu Mengdie glanced at Yin Jiuzun and Yu Wufei, her eyes glinting. "Yin Jiuzun is the Master's son, and Yu Wufei is his beloved concubine, while I am merely a disciple. Fair competition would be acceptable, but fairness is impossible! If I join them in killing Heavenly Venerable Mu, the credit will undoubtedly go to them, with no share for me!"

Thinking this, she quickly said, "It is rumored that Heavenly Venerable Mu is naturally cautious and will surely conceal his tracks. Let us each split up and search for him." With that, she led a few Infernal Generals and departed swiftly.

Yu Wufei chuckled, "Mengdie is right. Heavenly Venerable Mu, though young, is full of tricks and a master of escape. If we act together, he will surely get away. But if we split up, our chances of success will double!"

Yin Jiuzun laughed, "The Lady speaks wisely. We shall split up."

Yu Wufei departed with her divine generals, thinking, "The Ghost Emperor dotes more on his son, and the new concubines have gained more favor than I have. If I cannot secure this merit, it will be hard to maintain my position in the imperial harem!"

Yin Jiuzun watched them disappear, sneering. He turned back, re-entered the pass, and bowed to the Ghost Emperor. "Father Emperor, Heavenly Venerable Mu possesses powerful abilities. Your son fears he is not his match. Please grant me a protective treasure."

The Ghost Emperor couldn't help but chuckle. "As expected of my son, more astute than those outsiders, my disciples and concubines. Heavenly Venerable Mu indeed has extraordinary divine powers and formidable methods. I shall give you a treasure to counter him." With that, he took out a bell and handed it to Yin Jiuzun.

"This is a unique treasure I forged when I achieved enlightenment, called the Wheel of Reincarnation Bell. I once harbored grand ambitions, wishing to refine the Infernal Heavenly Gate. This would require not only mastering reincarnation but also controlling other Grand Dao, to become a Heavenly Venerable. However, I fell short and could never fully refine the Infernal Heavenly Gate."

The Ghost Emperor instructed, "Later, I reflected deeply on my failures and focused solely on the Path of Reincarnation. I eventually achieved enlightenment, ascended to the Imperial Throne, and sat upon the Numinous Sky Palace. My Dao techniques solidified, allowing me to forge this treasure. My ambition is vast: when this treasure rings, anyone who hears it will fall into reincarnation, unable to transcend! Take this treasure of mine; a single strike of the bell can defeat Heavenly Venerable Mu and secure you the top honor!"

Yin Jiuzun was overjoyed. He quickly put away the Wheel of Reincarnation Bell, kowtowed in thanks, then rose, walked out of the formidable pass, and swiftly departed with his generals.

Qin Mu walked through the Void Netherworld. Traveling from the Void Netherworld to the Celestial Heavens' encampment was quite convenient, as the Void Lands were vast, and traversing them through the Netherworld was easier.

From the Netherworld, the Void Lands appeared hazy, with all mountains and rivers shrouded in a layer of gray mist.

Solitary specters lurked in the shadows, secretly observing him. They were the gods, demons, and divine arts practitioners who had perished in battle.

Besides them, there were also soul fragments, remnants of shattered gods, demons, and divine arts practitioners. These fragments transformed into gusts of black wind, which converged into massive tornadoes, howling and sweeping everything in their path.

Wherever the black winds passed, even the primordial spirits of gods and demons found it difficult to escape, often being swept into the tornadoes and torn apart!

These black winds were the Black Soul Sand.

Some black winds burrowed into the corpses of gods and demons who had died in the Void Netherworld. They devoured the flesh, leaving only the skin, and transformed into starving ghouls that roamed around, preying on people and even consuming the black winds themselves!

The ghouls grew progressively stronger.

Qin Mu frowned.

This was clearly intentional on the Ghost Emperor's part, as he intended to transform this place into another Heavenly Yin World or the Great Ruins.

"Don't go out after dark. The Great Ruins and the Heavenly Yin World of yesteryear were both created by the Ghost Emperor. Many underestimated him, thinking he only rose to power and ascended to the Black Emperor's throne by flattering Heavenly Venerable Hao. However, the Ghost Emperor is proficient in the Dao arts and divine powers of the Heavenly Yin World, and has also made significant advancements in the Dao arts and divine powers of the Netherworld. His strength is second only to the Ten Heavenly Venerables among all post-celestial beings."

Qin Mu surveyed his surroundings. Strange-looking ghouls moved through the gray mist; upon spotting a god or demon's primordial spirit, they immediately swarmed it and devoured it.

"The Great Ruins became that way because, at night, the Black Soul Sand would surge from the Heavenly Yin World and other heavens. By day, it would return to those worlds, like a funnel, constantly transferring. The Heavenly Yin World also has such funnels, which the Ghost Emperor uses to control the Black Soul Sand. Furthermore, there is also the Soul-Slaying Bell."

Qin Mu thought, "The Ghost Emperor likely cannot surpass my brother in Netherworld Dao arts and divine powers, as my brother is the Divine Child of the Netherworld, another Earth Lord. However, once this place transforms into the Heavenly Yin World or the Great Ruins, and the Black Soul Sand forms a sea of souls, then my brother will no longer be his match."

His eyes gleamed as he stopped and carefully examined the changes occurring in the Void Netherworld.

Having researched the Infernal Heavenly Gate with Emperor Yi Yue, he had some understanding of the Ghost Emperor's Dao arts and divine powers. The most crucial aspect within the Infernal Heavenly Gate was the Path of Reincarnation.

"However, judging by the changes in the Void Netherworld, the Path of Reincarnation within the Infernal Heavenly Gate is not the complete Path of Reincarnation. The Ghost Emperor's Path of Reincarnation likely involves the transformation between the three souls and seven spirits and the Black Soul Sand, while also utilizing the Path of Creation to alter bodily structures. In other words, the Grand Dao of the Netherworld, the Grand Dao of Heavenly Yin, and the Grand Dao of Creation combine to form the Ghost Emperor's Path of Reincarnation!"

Qin Mu closed his eyes, and dreams emerged. Innumerable small Qin Mus within countless dreams began to furiously deduce.

He and Emperor Yi Yue had only researched methods to break the Path of Reincarnation within the Infernal Heavenly Gate. However, the Ghost Emperor was cunning; the Path of Reincarnation in the Infernal Heavenly Gate was ambiguous and not his true ability.

His Netherworld Dao was inferior to Qin Fengqing's and Heavenly Venerable You's, roughly comparable to Qin Mu's, and perhaps even slightly weaker.

His Heavenly Yin Dao was inferior to Heavenly Yin Empress's and Qin Mu's, among others. His Path of Creation was inferior to the Two Emperors of Crimson Light's and Qin Mu's, not to mention foundational innovators like Heavenly Venerable Ling, who created the Unchanging Divine Art.

Yet, his talent for combining these three Grand Dao to create the Grand Dao of Reincarnation was truly extraordinary!

Previously, Qin Mu and Emperor Yi Yue had only discerned the superficial aspects of the Path of Reincarnation from the Infernal Heavenly Gate. Now, however, Qin Mu perceived the essence of the Path of Reincarnation through the changes in the Void Netherworld!

He was now attempting to deduce the true Path of Reincarnation and comprehend the Ghost Emperor's genuine capabilities!

When he attempted to integrate the Grand Dao of the Netherworld, Heavenly Yin, and Creation to evolve the Path of Reincarnation, he found it obscure and extremely challenging. Even with the Immeasurable Kalpa Sutra of the Great Brahma Heavenly King Buddha, it remained exceedingly difficult!

"The Ghost Emperor is truly a great talent!"

He couldn't help but exclaim in admiration, "Although he is inferior to others in various aspects, he manages to forge a new path. He is indeed a formidable individual, no wonder he is so ambitious! However, it is natural for him to encounter a bottleneck. If he truly could integrate the Grand Dao of three systems, becoming a Heavenly Venerable would be effortless! Unfortunately, his talent falls short!"