Fuling brought Ye Jie and Nan Linghe back to the lavish Liquor Village, and watched as the maidservants escorted the two toward the top floor. Only after their figures had completely vanished did she rub her back with her hand, letting out a painful, low moan:
"Guazi, are you really protecting us from the shadows? I was almost finished off by my enemy! If I had died this time, my soul would have been scattered to the winds, with no hope of ever being reborn."
At Fuling's call, space rippled slightly. Guazi, with his shark teeth and triangular eyes, shifted over and stared with deadpan, lifeless fish eyes. "I've been watching over you the whole time; you were never in any real danger. It wasn't my turn to make a move before you lot solved the enemy yourselves."
Having been beaten black and blue by Superior Black Eagle, Fuling naturally felt resentful. "Was it necessary to let us fall into a desperate situation? Weren't you afraid that if your reaction had been even a fraction of a second slower, something would have gone wrong?"
Guazi drooped his face. "Only in a desperate situation can one reveal a person's true potential. This is also Aunt Meng's intent."
Hearing Guazi mention Aunt Meng, Fuling stopped pressing the matter, though one doubt still lingered in her heart: "Since both potential and the Innate Divine Ability lie with Nan Linghe, why isn't Aunt Meng receiving her today, but rather that Ghost Official Ye Jie?"
"That question is probably something you'll have to ask Aunt Meng yourself," Guazi said, lifting his head.
Up on the towering top floor of Liquor Village, Nan Linghe was arranged in a private parlor to taste exquisite pastries, while Ye Jie, led by a maidservant, entered a special room.
The moment he stepped inside, Ye Jie felt as though he had been transported to an entirely different realm. The bright lamps of the corridor were nowhere to be found, replaced instead by a picturesque landscape of mountains and clear waters. A verdant bamboo grove radiated vibrant vitality, the calls of birds and insects echoed continuously by his ears, and in the distance flowed a clear, crystal-1-clear river with rippling blue waves. By the riverbank, a plump and elegant woman stood with her back to Ye Jie, busily working away with her hands.
Ye Jie looked around. Such a vast vista of mountains and rivers far exceeded the space that the top floor of Liquor Village could possibly contain. This sort of method—shifting the stars and changing the space—was something only a Ghost Immortal could execute.
Marveling inwardly at the miraculous methods of a Ghost Immortal, Ye Jie walked forward slowly. He saw that the woman wore a jade kingfisher hairpin and a bright yellow brocade robe. Her sleeves were rolled up high, revealing a pair of fair, delicate arms stained with a bit of dark, adhesive clay. She leaned forward, pressing her fingers repeatedly into a lump of clay before her, occasionally cupping her hands to scoop water from the river and pouring it over the clay figure she was nearly finished shaping.
Ye Jie stood quietly behind her without a word. After about the time it took for a stick of incense to burn, she finally stopped what she was doing, stood up, and cast a satisfied glance at Ye Jie.
Only when she stood up did Ye Jie take in her full appearance. She was plump in build and possessed a wealthy, prosperous air. Her rounded cheeks held a baby-like softness, and the fair skin of her arms, contrasted against the dark clay, appeared as lustrous and rich as mutton-fat jade.
The aura of the Immortal realm radiating from her body was also unlike Guazi or the other Tier 5 Judges in Ye Jie's memory; it lacked any terrifying pressure that could shake one's soul, and instead felt utterly gentle, like a spring breeze brushing the face, leaving one refreshed and relaxed.
Facing the master of Liquor Village and Underworld Ghost Immortal, Ye Jie did not dare to be disrespectful. He cupped his fists and said, "Ghost Official Ye Jie greets the Ghost Immortal."
The plump woman gave a faint smile. "Do you know who I am?"
Ye Jie lowered his gaze respectfully. "You are the master of this Liquor Village, and furthermore, the daughter of the Underworld's great entity Mengpo, Immortal Aunt Meng."
"Mm. I've already heard about your matters from Yulan. You helped her solve a problem of many years, finding her long-lost parents from a vast sea of humanity—something even I was unable to accomplish. Viewed in that light, you truly possess no small degree of capability," Aunt Meng said unhurriedly.
Ye Jie did not dare to grow proud or complacent over Aunt Meng's praise—who knew what schemes an Immortal might harbor in their heart? He hastily replied respectfully, "Regarding that matter, Yulan has already given me a reward that exceeded my expectations. Truth be told, I should be thanking her instead."
Seeing Ye Jie's cautious demeanor and how carefully he lowered his posture, the corners of Aunt Meng's lips curled into a slight smile as she asked, "You have been a Ghost Official for sixty years. How much do you understand of the Immortal Dao beyond the Tier 5 Immortal-Sealing Realm?"
"This..." Ye Jie showed a somewhat troubled expression. "To tell you the truth, I am merely a humble Tier 5 Ghost Official who has never dealt with Immortals. Aside from knowing that Immortals have nine realms, I know nothing else."
Aunt Meng nodded and patiently resolved Ye Jie's doubts. "After mortals break through the Tier 5 Immortal-Sealing Realm, the Immortal path truly begins. Immortals have a total of nine realms, from the First Revolution to the Ninth Revolution. Between every single Revolution, there exists an uncrossable gulf and a vast disparity in power, just as immense as the gap between mortals from Tier 1 to Tier 5."
Ye Jie silently noted the situation, then heard Aunt Meng continue: "After becoming an Immortal, one must face the baptism of Immortal Tribulation. A First-Turn Black Iron Immortal has sixty years to prepare to meet the tribulation; a Second Revolution Bronze Immortal has one hundred and twenty years, and so on. The moment the Immortal Tribulation descends, if one can endure it, they can break through their realm and step into the next plane. If they cannot endure it, their body and soul will be utterly destroyed, and they will perish. Only upon breaking through the Ninth Revolution realm can one remain free from the harassment of tribulation clouds."
Ye Jie was startled. Such secrets were things he had never known before.
"The Heavenly Dao nurtures humans, and humans in turn use their own cultivation to nourish the heavens," Aunt Meng sighed. "Atop the heavenly court resides the Nine Heavens Xuannu, who holds sway over the Dao of thunder punishment. Ever since the Nine Heavens Xuannu achieved the Dao, the power of Immortal Tribulations has increased more than tenfold. Aside from a rare few Immortals blessed with innate talent and brilliant genius who can still forcefully withstand the Immortal Tribulation to break through, the rest of the Immortals, if they do not wish to have their body and soul destroyed, have no choice but to choose the method of reincarnation to evade the tribulation."
Ye Jie was puzzled. "What is the method of reincarnation?"
Aunt Meng gave Ye Jie a deep look. "The moment the Immortal Tribulation descends, if the tribulation-facing Immortal chooses to enter the Reincarnation Well and be reborn, that is considered surviving this tribulation. In the countless lifetimes that follow, if they can return to their Immortal position and cultivate until they reach a realm higher than their previous one, they will not need to fear the arrival of the Immortal Tribulation."
Hearing this, Ye Jie drew a deep breath. He had never imagined that such secrets existed even after attaining immortality. Had Aunt Meng not told him the truth, he might never have known this in his lifetime.
Locker-tightening this knowledge in his heart, a fresh doubt arose in Ye Jie's mind, and he asked, "This is the method of Immortals, which is extremely distant to me. Why would Aunt Meng tell me such secrets?"
Aunt Meng smiled and raised the clay figurine she had just shaped in her hand. "Do you know what this is?"
Ye Jie examined it carefully and replied, "This is a clay figurine made from Underworld River soil. As long as one carries it when reincarnating, their appearance after reaching adulthood in their next life will definitely match the look molded by this clay figurine. A mere pinch of Underworld River soil costs several hundred thousand Yin Virtue, and only Tier 4 Ghost Officials like the Black and White Wuchang can afford to use it..."
At the end of his sentence, Ye Jie choked up abruptly. He noticed that the clay figurine in Aunt Meng's hand looked remarkably like her—aside from slightly thicker eyebrows and thinner lips, everything else, from her plump build to her gentle expression, was an absolute replica of Aunt Meng.
"Could it be that Aunt Meng wants to..." Ye Jie's expression turned alarmed. Combining this with what Aunt Meng had said previously, the answer was already abundantly clear, yet the implications within it still made Ye Jie break out in cold sweat, not daring to presumptuously second-guess a Ghost Immortal's intentions.
Seeing that Ye Jie had attained some understanding, Aunt Meng parted her red lips, a troubled look passing through her beautiful eyes: "My tribulation is fast approaching. In less than a month, the Immortal Tribulation will descend. Although I am the daughter of Mengpo, my aptitude is utterly mediocre. Withstanding the Second Revolution Bronze Immortal Tribulation is already my limit, and this Third-Turn Silver Immortal Tribulation is simply something I cannot survive no matter what. The date of the Immortal Tribulation's descent can only be brought forward, never delayed. Before the tribulation arrives, I need to find a Ghost Official to escort me to Naihe Bridge and complete my reincarnation. As it happens, you entered my field of vision at this time."
Ye Jie's body trembled. Escorting an Immortal to complete their reincarnation was a wonderful task that Ghost Officials could only dream of; it meant reaping an immeasurable guidance fee, enough to offset the earnings of an ordinary Ghost Official's toil for over a hundred years.
However, Ye Jie was not intoxicated by this news. Years of experience told him that opportunity invariably accompanied risk, let alone the fact that the present matter involved the realm of Immortals. A single misstep would lead to utter destruction.
"Why choose me? I merely helped Yulan and Fuling solve a few minor troubles. Could it be that just doing this is enough to win an Immortal's favor?" Ye Jie did not even dare raise his head as he asked with a trembling voice.
Aunt Meng laughed softly. "You can find the whereabouts of anyone, can't you? Although I am a Ghost Immortal in this life, who can say for sure what will happen in the next? Once I lose all my experience and memories, how difficult it would be to stand out from the common masses relying solely on a few Innate Divine Abilities! I originally intended to have my maidservants search everywhere for my whereabouts after reincarnation based on the clay figurine I molded, but your appearance has saved me a lot of trouble."
At last, Aunt Meng withdrew her smile, and the expression that surfaced on her face was one of an Immortal's solemn dignity, impossible to look upon directly:
"I want you to find my reincarnation, protect me all the way, and help me return to my Immortal position. The Yin Virtue I have accumulated over these past few centuries is sufficient to fund a Grade 3 reincarnation consuming one hundred million Yin Virtue. According to the rules of the Underworld, you may collect one million Yin Virtue as a guidance fee. This one million Yin Virtue will be your reward. Not only that, but you may freely take anything within Liquor Village, provided you obtain the permission of the head maidservant."
"One million Yin Virtue..." Ye Jie muttered to himself. He had never seen such Yin Virtue in his life; such a massive amount was enough to drive any Ghost Official mad.
Understanding the cause and effect clearly, Ye Jie immediately cupped his fists and said, "Ghost Official Ye Jie is willing to take on this mission."
Aunt Meng nodded with a smile, and the two thus struck an agreement. A gentle breeze swept by, causing faint ripples to cross the mirror-like surface of the lake.
Ye Jie still had a lingering doubt and couldn't help asking, "Aunt Meng, you are the daughter of the Underworld great entity Mengpo—must you too drink Mengpo soup before you can reincarnate? Can you not avoid drinking it?"
Aunt Meng gave a light sigh. "My mother's duty is just that; even I am no exception. It isn't just me who must undergo the Immortal Tribulation—even the majority of the immortals in the heavenly court scarcely dare to face the terrifying Immortal Tribulation directly, and can only adopt the method of reincarnation to evade it. Many True Immortals begged my mother at the time of their reincarnation, even willing to offer immortal treasures, only pleading for my mother to show some flexibility, turn a blind eye, and let them drink only half a bowl of Mengpo soup, or skip it entirely, so they could reincarnate with their post-immortality experience, memories, and various transcendent techniques. Yet every single one of them was flat out refused by my mother. Only a true 'fated person' can enter reincarnation without drinking Mengpo soup and retain their past memories."
Hearing this, even Ye Jie couldn't help drawing a deep breath. Refusing the entreaties of a multitude of immortals—the difficulty and pressure involved were far from ordinary.
Aunt Meng furrowed her delicate brows, revealing a trace of worry. "Over the years, my mother has offended quite a few immortals. Many harbor resentment toward her unyielding stance—especially those of the Xuannu lineage. If news of my reincarnation leaks out, I fear it will draw unnecessary trouble and even lead to assassinations by those harboring malicious intentions. Even if it were merely covert sabotage, who knows how many years it would waste for me."
Ye Jie naturally understood the meaning behind her words and assured her, "Aunt Meng, rest assured. Even with a blade held to my neck, I will not reveal a single fraction of this matter."
Aunt Meng gave a faint smile. "I checked your file in Guangwang Hall. If anyone else said these words, I might harbor some doubts—after all, people's hearts are separated by flesh, and no one can guarantee whether someone you trust today will turn around and stab you in the back tomorrow. But your words, I am willing to believe. For sixty years like a single day, you have selflessly fulfilled the dying wishes of wandering souls, and with your actions, you have already proven your character to me."
Hearing this, Ye Jie felt deeply moved. Just as he had told Xia Xianshou previously, perhaps momentary benevolence might not bring immediate reward, but one day, it would surely become a pillar of support on the road ahead.
Bidding farewell to Aunt Meng, Ye Jie met Nan Linghe in another private parlor, where she was busy tasting various pastries.
Seeing Ye Jie return, Nan Linghe showed a joyful expression. She picked up a small dish before her, which held smooth, crystal-1-clear, jet-black jelly-like pastries, scooped a spoonful, and brought it to Ye Jie's lips. "Brother Jie, this is Fuling Gao sent over by Fuling. I heard she made it herself while injured just to thank us. Come and try a bite."
Ye Jie tasted it; the flavor was indeed quite decent.
"Right, Fuling heard that I haven't settled down in the Underworld yet, so she lent me the basement underneath Liquor Village." Nan Linghe paused, then looked at Ye Jie with brimming anticipation and whispered, "Speaking of which, I still don't know which street in the Underworld Brother Jie's home is on..."
Ye Jie smiled and reached out to pat Nan Linghe's head. "I don't have a home. Ghost officials never tire and sleep neither day nor night, so the purpose of a home is greatly diminished. Instead of having time to rest at home, it's far more practical to take on a few more tasks."
"Ah, how can that do?" Nan Linghe pouted, refusing to let the matter drop. "Since that's the case, from now on, the basement of Liquor Village will also be Brother Jie's home!"
"What..." Ye Jie scratched his head. How on earth did he inexplicably end up settling down in the basement of Liquor Village? However, glancing at the lucky star by his side, he didn't voice a refusal. It seemed that in the future, he would have to bask in her good fortune a bit more often.