Chapter 5

Yu Zhengzheng kowtowed twice, her face full of expectation as she held her hands out reverently. “May I ask, Father, will you pay the 10,000 spiritual stones in one go, or write an IOU?”  

When the Shura King didn’t respond immediately, she turned to Xiang Feng with an innocent expression. “The renowned Shura King is surely a man of his word. He just promised to generously reward someone to bear him a child. He wouldn’t go back on his word now, would he?”  

Xiang Feng narrowed his eyes slightly, his lips curving into an amused smile. “Naturally not. The Shura King always keeps his promises.”  

After the Ghost King disappeared, the Shura King had taken over the Ghost Sect by wielding the Ghost King’s Seal, claiming all its vast wealth. Yet his reckless extravagance—like spending millions of top-grade spiritual stones on this palace to woo a beauty—had depleted the sect’s treasures.  

Amusingly, that beauty didn’t last long with him, eventually being discarded and killed by his underlings.  

Now, with the sect’s coffers nearly empty, the Shura King refused to dismantle his palace and forced the sect members to take assassination jobs to cover daily expenses.  

Xiang Feng, who toiled year-round without rest, often envied even courtesans, who at least enjoyed eight days off per month.  

He watched the Shura King, curious to see how he would produce 10,000 spiritual stones when the sect was broke.  

The Shura King hesitated, sweat beading on his greasy forehead. With so many eyes on him, retreat wasn’t an option.  

“This king… This king…”  

Yu Zhengzheng didn’t press too hard, grinning sweetly. “Father, I understand. You wouldn’t carry such a large amount with you. Why don’t you write me an IOU instead?”  

Before the Shura King could protest, Xiang Feng cooperated seamlessly, instructing Shanshui to conjure a pen and paper with a spell. Left with no choice, the Shura King, his face black as thunderclouds, signed the agreement and handed over the note.  

Yu Zhengzheng happily stored it in her bracelet, already planning her next move. If the Shura King dared renege, she’d come to this palace daily to chisel off gold and gemstones—if she couldn’t retrieve the full amount, she wouldn’t leave empty-handed.  

Though defeated, the Shura King wasn’t about to let her off easily. Pulling out the Ghost King’s Seal, he shot a menacing glare at Xiang Feng and Shanshui. With the seal’s authority, his commands were law in the Ghost Sect.  

Resigned, Xiang Feng sighed and withdrew with Shanshui. Shanshui glanced back at Yu Zhengzheng repeatedly, unable to help her.  

The Shura King approached Yu Zhengzheng, pinching her chin with his bloated hand. “Come to my chambers tonight. I have private matters to discuss with you.”  

Yu Zhengzheng frowned. His clammy, greasy hand was as unpleasant as a sweaty pig’s trotter, emanating a faint stench.  

Glancing at Yu Jiangjiang, who looked smug and ready to revel in her misfortune, Yu Zhengzheng rolled her eyes. They were in the same boat—if she sank, Yu Jiangjiang would follow. Did she have no sense of self-preservation?  

With no rescue forthcoming from Xiang Feng, Shanshui, or Yu Jiangjiang, Yu Zhengzheng racked her brain for a way out. Just as she considered vomiting on the Shura King to disgust him into backing off, a melodic male voice rang out behind her.  

“Shao Yuqing of Qingcheng Mountain greets the Shura King.”  

The sound alone was enough to hint that the speaker was a handsome man. When Yu Zhengzheng turned to see him, her breath caught.  

He was flawless, like a sculpture of jade, exuding both purity and elegance.  

Compared to her senior brother, Shao Yuqing was his opposite. Her senior brother’s beauty was cold and aloof, like an icy precipice, whereas Shao Yuqing radiated warmth and charm, like the comforting glow of the sun.  

This was the second man who made her heart skip a beat at first glance, after the scumbag that was her eldest senior brother.

Because Xiao Yuqing was the adopted son of the sect leader of the Yuling Sect on Qingcheng Mountain—widely recognized as the largest sect in the cultivation world. Over thousands of years, countless disciples of the Yuling Sect had ascended to immortality. Even the Shura King had to show some respect to the Yuling Sect.

The Shura King loosened his fingers, turned to Xiao Yuqing, and forced a fake smile: “What brings my dear nephew all the way to Guixu Mountain to visit me?”

Xiao Yuqing smiled lightly. “I heard that the Ghost Sect announced across the Six Realms that they are selecting cultivators to serve the Ghost King. I thought I’d give it a try.”

Yu Zhengzheng: “…?” *Is this guy here to offer himself on a silver platter?*

Even the Shura King was dumbfounded by Xiao Yuqing’s gesture of presenting himself so willingly. After a long pause, he finally found his voice again: “Your father and I are close friends. Naturally, I wouldn’t force you into anything. I’ll have someone escort you back. When you return to Qingcheng Mountain, don’t forget to pass on my regards to your father.”

Xiao Yuqing, who had the water, fire, and metal spiritual roots—an inherently yang-aligned constitution—must have been included unintentionally when Xiang Feng sent out the invitations.

The Shura King had gone to great lengths to organize this farcical “selection process” not because he had successfully contacted the Ghost King but because he couldn’t find him. Desperate measures were required.

The Ghost King, after slaying the Dragon King, had sustained severe injuries. The Shura King had been looking for an opportunity to kill him ever since but could never locate his whereabouts.

Someone anonymously sent him a message claiming that the chief disciple of Mount Penglai bore an uncanny resemblance to the Ghost King. Along with the letter came a portrait of the chief disciple, whose likeness to the Ghost King was undeniable.

The Shura King personally went to Mount Penglai to investigate. The man was undoubtedly the Ghost King. He had sent Xiang Feng to hunt the Ghost King, merely to test his current strength.

The selection of a spiritual furnace was just a cover. His true goal was to force the Ghost King out of hiding.

As for why the spiritual furnace had to be someone with a pure yang constitution, it was because the Ghost King possessed an extreme yin and cold physique. If one were to select a furnace, it must naturally complement his attributes. Even as a ruse, the Shura King wanted to maintain the appearance of authenticity.

Xiang Feng had sent a letter the previous day saying the Ghost King would return to Guixu Mountain today. Since the objective was achieved, this selection process would have to shift from sham to genuine to avoid raising the Ghost King’s suspicions.

Allowing Xiao Yuqing to participate in the selection for the Ghost King’s furnace would essentially mean picking a fight with the Yuling Sect. The Shura King wasn’t that foolish.

The Shura King thought he had made himself clear. However, Xiao Yuqing remained unperturbed and replied, “I came here willingly, but thank you for your concern.”

Drums sounded within the palace, signaling the start of the first round.

Xiao Yuqing naturally walked over to Yu Zhengzheng’s side. “It took some effort to find you, Sister Yu. So you’ve been here all along. Father specifically instructed me to take care of you. Please don’t wander off anymore. Let’s take our seats and not delay the first round.”

Yu Zhengzheng: “???” *Who are you? Do I know you?*

Seeing her stunned, Xiao Yuqing winked at her. She immediately understood—he was trying to play the hero and save her.

Adhering to her principle of never passing up an advantage, she took the opportunity to grasp his warm hand. “Brother Xiao, hold my hand, and I won’t get lost.”

Xiao Yuqing: “…”

A faint blush spread across his ears as he awkwardly turned his head. “Alright.”

Yu Zhengzheng’s eyes sparkled. This handsome man was wonderful—good-looking and kind-hearted, a world apart from her heartless senior brother. 

She inwardly cursed herself for ever liking that ungrateful scoundrel.

The Shura King noticed Xiao Yuqing’s obvious intention to shield Yu Zhengzheng but chose not to make things difficult for her. After all, the days ahead were long, and Xiao Yuqing couldn’t possibly stay by her side forever.

Turning on his heels, the Shura King ascended to the throne—a dragon jade chair belonging to the Ghost King. He always took the liberty of sitting there in the Ghost King’s absence.

The Ghost King didn’t care about the selection of a furnace. Even if he returned today, he likely wouldn’t come to the palace. For now, the Shura King intended to enjoy one more day of sitting on that chair.

Yu Zhengzheng had only taken two steps forward, holding Xiao Yuqing’s hand, when heryounger sister, Yu Jiangjiang, shamelessly inserted herself between them. “Sister, when did you and Young Master Xiao become acquainted? Why have I never heard you mention him before?”

Yu Zhengzheng raised an eyebrow. “Oh? So you’re my sister?”

Yu Jiangjiang froze. “Sister, what do you mean by that?”

Yu Zhengzheng sneered. “When the Shura King was taking liberties with me earlier, you were smiling so happily that I thought you were my enemy.”

This undisguised mockery turned Yu Jiangjiang’s face pale. She had never expected Yu Zhengzheng to humiliate her so openly in front of Xiao Yuqing, leaving her utterly embarrassed.

Unaware of the feud between the two sisters, Xiao Yuqing gave Yu Jiangjiang a gentle smile, offering her an out. “Miss Yu must have been mistaken. Please, take a seat.”

Yu Jiangjiang left awkwardly, her expression grim. Though Yu Zhengzheng wasn’t thrilled about Xiao Yuqing stepping in, she let it slide without comment.

She casually found a seat, and Xiao Yuqing sat beside her. Moments later, someone in the hall announced loudly: “The first round of selection—purity test. Female cultivators, lift your skirts. Male cultivators, remove your robes…”

Yu Zhengzheng looked utterly bewildered. *What the hell kind of nonsense is this?*

This early-2000s tragic romance novel, known for being censored into oblivion, was suddenly veering into the territory of explicit literature.

With thousands of cultivators in the hall, no partitions, and instructions to strip—this was absurd. Even explicit literature wouldn’t dare go this far!

While she was still in shock, Xiao Yuqing skillfully formed a hand seal. Four white curtains materialized around him, perfectly enclosing his entire body.

Yu Zhengzheng: “…” *Wait, why does he seem so practiced at this?*

More white panels began to rise around the hall. Bereft of spiritual power, Yu Zhengzheng could only stand there helplessly.  

An elderly woman from the Ghost Sect approached her with a scowl. “Why aren’t you undressing? Do you need me to help you?”  

Realizing she couldn’t confront this infamous “Widow Scorpion,” Yu Zhengzheng nervously tapped on Xiao Yuqing’s panel. “Brother Xiao, could you hurry up? I need to borrow your cloth.”  

Xiao Yuqing’s muffled voice replied, “Almost done… Hiss…”  

The sharp intake of breath from behind the panel made her mind conjure all sorts of inappropriate scenarios. Wait, how exactly are male cultivators tested for chastity?  

The old woman, growing impatient, snapped at her, “Hurry up!”  

Flustered, Yu Zhengzheng rolled up her sleeve, revealing the cinnabar mark on her arm. “Look! If you want, you can rub it to check!”  

Before the old woman could respond, the eerie sound of suona horns echoed from outside the palace, silencing her. She immediately knelt, facing the entrance with a reverent smile.  

Yu Zhengzheng blinked in confusion. “Why are you kneeling to me?”  

The old woman ignored her, bowing low.  

As the suona grew louder, a black palanquin carried by eight pale, puppet-like boys appeared. Four blew suona horns while the other four carried the palanquin, their coordination flawless.  

Yu Zhengzheng was searching for the Ghost King’s figure when a calm, unhurried voice came from behind the beaded curtain at the high seat: “Continue.”

Yu Zhengzheng, standing near the Shura King, faintly caught a glimpse of a white silhouette. The Shura King seemed unusually tense, beads of sweat covering his forehead, as he fled from behind the curtain as though escaping a calamity.

“Continue! The King has ordered you to proceed! Hurry on to the next task!”  

At this command, the members of the Ghost Sect quickly rose, ushering out the male and female cultivators who had failed the earlier test. The next round began.  

The second task involved self-introduction. The remaining cultivators formed a line, stepping forward one by one to explain their reasons for being there and to declare their loyalty to the Ghost King.  

A male cultivator volunteered to go first, passionately proclaiming his devotion: “I have admired the Ghost King since childhood. Coming here has fulfilled my lifelong dream…”  

His flattery was impeccable, but Yu Zhengzheng paid him no mind. Her eyes remained fixed on the faint white silhouette behind the beaded curtain, pondering how the Ghost King had entered the palace and ascended to the high seat without anyone noticing.  

She couldn’t help but admire the Ghost King—truly a deity among men, even his movements defied convention.  

When she returned to her senses, the male cultivator was swearing his allegiance: “I am willing to do anything for the Ghost King! Even die for him if necessary!”  

Being seated near the front, Yu Zhengzheng’s turn in line was soon approaching—she was third. Hearing the male cultivator’s fervent declaration only made her increasingly nervous.  

She assumed the man’s speech would end there, but unexpectedly, the calm voice behind the curtain spoke again: “Good.”  

No sooner had the word been uttered than a bodhi seed shot out from behind the curtain, piercing the man’s throat. He didn’t even have time to scream before collapsing in a pool of blood.  

The gory scene left a gaping hole in his neck, with thick blood gushing out—a truly horrifying sight.  

Yu Zhengzheng was on the verge of tears. The blood reached her feet, staining her white cloth shoes red.  

Next in line was a female cultivator, who, upon witnessing the grisly death, stammered nervously, taking ages to complete a single sentence.  

When it came time to declare her loyalty, the woman hesitated for a long while before tremblingly saying, “I—I’m willing to be a beast of burden for the Ghost King…”  

The figure behind the curtain toyed with a string of prayer beads, raising his eyes indifferently: “Good.”  

Another bodhi seed shot out, though this time it moved slower, prompting a sharp scream from the female cultivator.  

The seed brushed past her cheek with precision, severing her tongue cleanly, leaving her writhing in agony.  

Yu Zhengzheng was utterly terrified. The first man declared his willingness to die for the Ghost King and was killed; the second woman vowed to be a beast of burden and had her tongue cut off—reduced to silence like cattle or horses.  

The elderly woman supervising the process snapped at her impatiently, “It’s your turn!”  

Yu Zhengzheng panicked. This Ghost King was a complete lunatic! Whatever she said, he wouldn’t let her go!  

She turned to Xiang Feng and Shanshui for help. Xiang Feng ignored her, but Shanshui, seemingly unable to bear her plight, shook his head and mouthed silently: *Don’t mention death.*  

Her eyes widened in confusion, staring at Shanshui’s lips.  

*What? “Shit”? What shit?*  

The elderly woman pulled out a dagger, her expression menacing. “If you don’t speak, I’ll cut out your tongue myself.”  

Terrified, Yu Zhengzheng could no longer think straight. Following Shanshui’s advice, she clenched her eyes shut and blurted out, “I’m willing to eat the Ghost King’s shit!”