Han Lian answered without hesitation. "Good. This is my specialty. The formations on the ice coffins should be inscribed with ice-attribute spiritual power. That will bring out the full properties of ten-thousand-year cold ice."
The four of them got to work. First they carved coffins sized to fit their bodies. Next came the formation work, the most time-consuming step. Xun Kun had to combine ice formations with demonic runes, so he finished last.
During this time, Li Li and Bai Feng hovered nearby to watch the bustle. Neither was suited to stay in the Underworld, so both were left inside the Misty Snow Domain.
When preparations were complete, the four lay down in their coffins one after another. Yunxi also plucked up the Xianling Grass that had rooted itself in the plantation, holding it in her hand as she seriously instructed, "Xiao Xian, I'm in the Underworld now. To move freely, I can only travel with my soul and leave my physical form inside the space. You must nourish my body well. When we return to Weiyu Realm, I do not want my cultivation to drop."
The Xianling Grass rustled its leaves, grumbling as if woken from a nap. "Master, how did you end up in the Underworld? I only slept for a moment. You really know how to make trouble."
"Tsk, how dare you criticize your master like that? You think I wanted this? Those evil cultivators can't stand to see your master doing well. They couldn't scheme against me and couldn't kill me, so they tossed me into a doomed plane to trap me there. I refuse to sit and wait for death.
I contacted Black and White Impermanence, broke their arrangements, and plan to borrow the path through the Underworld to return to Weiyu Realm. It may take some time, so I'm going travel with my soul to act more conveniently."
"I understand. Your body will receive the best nourishment. But even in your soul form, you four will be a sight in the Underworld. Before you go out, you should suppress the aura on your souls." Xiao Xian added the reminder.
Yunxi nodded. She hugged the Xianling Grass, closed her eyes, and in the next instant her soul left her body and stood beside the coffin. With a thought, the lid settled into place.
Yunxi turned to the others. Han Lian, Yun Chen Fózǐ, and Xun Kun were also looking each other over.
All four soul bodies were sheathed in golden brilliance, like bright lamps that could blind the eye.
At Han Lian's brow, an ice-blue lotus flower flickered in and out of sight. Xun Kun's soul still wore a black, filigreed mask, keeping his true face hidden. At Yun Chen Fózǐ's brow, a Buddhist Vajra seal shone faintly with gold.
Han Lian looked at Yunxi with a sigh. "Ran Xi, I didn't expect you to have golden armor protecting your body. No wonder you kept your mind clear when you fell into Azure Star."
Yunxi started, then with a thought dismissed the golden armor. A glance inward showed that the Seven Stars Soul-Shattering Staff, the Nine Nether Dragon Umbrella, and the Mystic Thunder Violet Flame were all within her soul. She had more than enough to protect herself. She said to the others, "Let's first get used to our soul states, then head out. The merit on our souls is a good thing. We need to hide it."
They spent three days acclimating to their soul forms. Only then did Yunxi lead them out of the space. The four ice coffins were also transferred by Yunxi into the main hall of Yixian Gate, safe from discovery by the snow beasts in the secret realm.
After Yun Chen Fózǐ withdrew the bead-array that warded their temporary quarters, the four stepped outside.
Han Lian looked around. "Where first?"
Xun Kun replied, "First, we buy soul-usable storage artifacts. Then we exchange for soul stones. Spirit stones and demon stones don't circulate in the Underworld."
Yunxi glanced at Xun Kun. "I didn't expect you to know the Underworld this well."
"The Kunmo Sect's 'Wuyou Realm' was acquired by the founding Ancestor from the Underworld. It's an independent sect secret realm. I cultivate under Master Lin Lang, and my main path is soul control. That realm helps strengthen soul power. It holds books and jade slips about the Underworld, so I know a little."
"So that's why you didn't object when I proposed returning to Weiyu Realm by borrowing the Gate," Yunxi said.
"As long as we can return to Weiyu Realm, any workable method is worth trying. Your plan is feasible," Xun Kun answered seriously.
While they talked, they walked out of the temporary residence. Hidden little ghosts immediately locked onto them. With eyes wide in shock, one waved a replacement into his spot, then trailed after the four in silence.
Their quarters were close to the Judge's Division, one of the busier districts in the Underworld. After a quarter hour of walking, they entered a lively street.
It was Yunxi's first time in the Underworld. To her eyes, it was not so different from the cultivation world. Black stone slabs paved the roads. Shops lined both sides, doors open for business. Restaurants, inns, clothiers, general stores, and guesthouses were all present. Ghosts bustled about, their attire showing clear differences in standing from ghost to ghost.
The one difference was the lack of sunlight. All illumination came from torches and lanterns that burned with a green, eerie glow. Ghosts brushed past with faces white to excess. Some with weak souls could not even maintain a proper visage, drifting through the darkness with ruined faces and broken bodies.
While the four observed their surroundings, they in turn drew attention. Their souls were dense and solid, their auras intimidating. No ghost dared approach, yet they could not help but want to.
Xun Kun frowned at the number of native ghosts focusing on them. He stopped before a shop called Qianbao Pavilion.
"Let's take a look in here."
"Alright."
The others had no objections and followed Xun Kun inside.
As they entered, a hunched old ghost shuffled up and rasped, "What would the honored guests like to buy?"
Xun Kun said, "We want to purchase several soul artifacts."
The old ghost lifted his wrinkled lids. "What type do the honored guests want? Storage, offensive, or soul-nourishing? Different types, different prices."
Xun Kun glanced at the others. Yunxi said after a moment's thought, "I want a soul-nourishing artifact."
Han Lian followed, "I'd like to see offensive artifacts."
Yun Chen Fózǐ pressed his palms together. "Since we are here, we should view them all. If they suit us, we will buy them all."
It was the very picture of deep pockets.
Xun Kun nodded and looked back to the shopkeeper. A glint flashed in the old ghost's eyes. He raised an arm. "Honored guests, please come upstairs. There are private rooms where patrons can take their time."
The four went up to the second floor and entered a private box room. After they stepped inside, the old ghost's mouth curled into a strange smile. He slowly withdrew, closing the door.
The instant the door shut, a ghostly green formation lit up on the floor, trapping the four within. As the sigils rotated clockwise, the soul power from their bodies began to flow into the array beneath their feet.
"Tsk. Just our luck. We walked into a black shop."