"Wasn't this man already on your wanted list? How did he appear near Wanyuan Residence again?"
"Reporting to Judge, Rong Le took advantage of the blind spot right under our noses to avoid our search and secretly activated the formation.
However, after he activated it, he himself dissipated. It's clear the mastermind never intended to let him live. He was just another cog in triggering the Soul-Absorbing Formation."
Li Ze reported the investigation results one by one.
"Any leads on the mastermind?"
Li Ze shook his head. "None so far."
"Then why are you standing around? Keep investigating!"
"Yes."
Li Ze accepted the reprimand without retort and turned to leave the Judge's Main Hall.
Outside, the Black and White Impermanence quickly approached and whispered,
"Captain Li Ze, no progress?"
"None. The other party left no trace at all. Even Rong Le, who activated the formation, had his soul power drained."
"Judge Cui has been so stressed he's been pulling his hair out. Please understand him. The pressure's immense because Lord Yama personally took Ran Xi and the others away."
"Oh? This even alarmed Lord Yama?"
Li Ze hadn't expected such a turn of events.
Black Impermanence sighed and lowered his voice. "Ran Xi's natal artifact caused quite a stir earlier. Some innocent ghost cultivators were caught up in the aftermath, and their protests seem to have reached Lord Yama's ears."
"I see. I'll do my utmost to find the mastermind." Li Ze replied with understanding.
White Impermanence nodded. "Good. If there's any development from the Judge's Office, we'll inform you right away."
As they watched Li Ze leave, the pair huddled together, whispering.
"Brother Bai, do you think Ran Xi and her group can safely leave the Ghost Realm?"
"Hard to say. If even Lord Yama is involved, it won't be easy."
"Will Judge Cui be implicated?"
"Of course. He's the one who struck the deal with them and the one delaying their departure. Naturally, he'll bear responsibility."
Black Impermanence frowned deeply. "Brother Bai, something feels off about all this, but I can't pinpoint it."
For once, White Impermanence didn't argue. He nodded silently. "I have the same ominous feeling, like a storm brewing. Hopefully, we're just overthinking."
Main Hall of Lord Yama's First Palace
When Yunxi and her companions finally touched solid ground again, they were in a different place.
The vast, pitch-black hall exuded oppressive pressure. An empty, echoing stillness hung in the air. There wasn't even a wisp of ghostly energy. The First Palace Lord Yama who had escorted them was already gone.
Yunxi's group exchanged glances, then each found a seat and waited quietly. At least this was safer than Wanyuan Residence.
Moments later, a short ghost soldier entered the hall, balancing a tray of ebony wood on his head. On the tray sat teacups. The little ghost's short legs carried him briskly toward Yunxi. He set down the tray, poured her a cup of tea, and spoke,
"Dàrén of the First Palace said to wait here. He had urgent matters to handle. This is Soul-Nourishing Tea, a gift from Lord Yama himself. It will benefit you, so please drink without worry."
He raised the cup toward Yunxi.
"Thank you for the trouble."
Yunxi accepted it with a smile, her gaze falling on the clear tea. She took a light sip.
Han Lian, Xun Kun, and Yun Chen each accepted their own cup. Once the four cups were poured, the teapot was empty. The little ghost soldier left with the tray.
Xun Kun, after sipping, murmured, "This is indeed precious. It strengthens soul power."
He drained his cup and closed his eyes to refine it.
Han Lian and Yun Chen followed suit. The hall fell into deeper silence.
Yunxi thought for a moment, then poured her tea into a white porcelain bottle and stored it away in her space. She closed her eyes, running the Soul Refining Art.
Half an hour later, the hall trembled violently without warning. All four instantly opened their eyes.
"What's happening?"
"No idea."
"Could the Yama Hall be under attack?"
"Impossible. No one would dare."
Confusion clouded their faces, but none dared leave without permission. At that moment, the little ghost soldier from before stumbled into the hall, screaming,
"Disaster! Disaster!"
Yunxi's figure blurred as she appeared in front of him, grabbing him by the collar. Her voice was cold.
"What happened?"
"The evil spirits from the Eighteen Levels of Hell have been released!"
Xun Kun and the others crowded over, their voices sharp. "How is that possible? Who released them?"
The ghost soldier shook his head frantically. "I don't know! All I know is that some evil soul shattered the barrier of the Eighteen Levels of Hell."
Han Lian steadied herself and asked coolly, "Then why run here screaming? Lord Yama isn't even here."
The little ghost smacked his forehead. "Lord Yama sent me! He wants you at the entrance of the Eighteen Levels of Hell. He needs your help to temporarily seal the gate."
Yunxi's eyes narrowed. She stared at him for a long moment, making the ghost tremble and kick his legs in fear. Xun Kun finally spoke,
"Ran Xi, put him down. He's not lying. I sensed the thread of soul power I severed earlier."
A chill ran through Yunxi. She dropped the ghost and looked at her companions. That was when she noticed something wrong—their soul power was slowly leaking away.
"Xun Kun, what's happening?"
His face hardened. "I know the mastermind's goal now. They're using our soul power as a key."
Yunxi lifted her hand, intending to pull them into her space, but Xun Kun stopped her.
"It's useless. Our soul power was used to tear down the barrier of the Eighteen Levels of Hell, releasing hordes of evil spirits. Those spirits will strengthen evil cultivators and throw the Ghost Realm into chaos."
Yunxi gritted her teeth. "You expect me to just watch you waste away?"
Xun Kun stayed calm. "Ran Xi, we have to regroup with Lord Yama quickly. If our power was enough to break the barrier, it can be used to mend it. We have to try."
"Fine!"
She snatched up the ghost soldier again. "You're guiding us."
Summoning the Nine Nether Dragon Umbrella, Yunxi shielded her companions as they flashed out of Yama Hall.
Entrance of the Eighteen Levels of Hell
"Hahahaha! I'm finally free!"
"I'll devour every ghost guard and repay my punishment a thousandfold!"
"Freedom at last!"
Evil spirits surged from the entrance, roaring and scattering in all directions. But a black gourd floated in the air, sucking in spirit after spirit. When it filled, another replaced it, endlessly cycling.
Above, in the skies over the Eighteen Levels of Hell, the First Palace Lord Yama battled a mass of living shadow. Each clash sent shockwaves, felling ghost soldiers below.
Lord Yama's face was cold. "Bold evil cultivator! You dare wreak havoc in the underworld? Today, you will not leave alive."
The shadow sneered. "Hmph! I intended to let you enjoy a few more peaceful days, Yama, but since you're so insistent, don't blame me for this!"
With that, he summoned a mirror and aimed it straight at Lord Yama.