Sighing deeply, he nonetheless took out that set of gear, gnarled like a tree root.

Shi Chun turned it over in his hands, admiring it.

Wu Jinliang, standing nearby, remarked with emotion, "I've inquired about this thing. Once it locks onto a target, it can shatter the void to cross realms for assassination. It's like if someone escaped to Sheng Province through the Xun Gate, you could shoot an arrow from here and take out the target in Sheng Province. It's said that for those below the Upper Heaven Immortal Realm, it's a guaranteed kill with one shot. Even for those in the Upper Realm, it can be a deadly surprise."

Yet, when Shi Chun tried to draw the bowstring with all his cultivation, he found he couldn't move it an inch. Shaking his head with regret, he realized having a Divine Artifact without being able to use it was pointless. Ultimately, he returned it to Wu Jinliang, acknowledging the treasure belonged to him.

After Wu Jinliang contentedly put it away, he chuckled and said, "Don't worry, Yu Xuanbing still resides at the old place. Occasionally, Xiao Sheng checks on him."

After chatting for a while, news came from Xiao Sheng that Jinfu had brought Huang Yingying over.

The two asked Xiao Sheng to show them the way.

Upon seeing Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang again, Huang Yingying was visibly surprised and looked back at her clan leader. Clearly, Jinfu hadn't mentioned whom they would be meeting.

Then she laughed, primarily because Wu Jinliang had grown so fat. Back in the day, the two had been partners in crime.

She dared to joke because she was familiar with Wu Jinliang. But meeting Shi Chun's gaze, she quickly suppressed her smile and greeted with clasped hands.

Jinfu also greeted them, "Mr. Shi, Mr. Wu, let him go with you. We leave him in your hands."

"Go?" Huang Yingying asked, puzzled, "Where to?"

Wu Jinliang chuckled, "You'll find out once we get there."

Shi Chun, after a moment's thought, signaled to Wu Jinliang, "Let's take the clan leader along as well, so the leader can be in the know. Let's go."

Truth be told, if Jinfu hadn't voluntarily given up the chance to cultivate the Demon Book, he wouldn't have taken him to their current destination.

Wu Jinliang didn't mind. With Shi Chun by his side, he was too lazy to overthink. Since Shi Chun agreed to take them, there shouldn't be a problem. He immediately used the Earth Escape Technique, bringing the group underground with ease.

He found the technique much easier to perform now.

Deep underground, as Jinfu and Huang Yingying were still in shock and uncertainty, Shi Chun tossed out a corpse, and Wu Jinliang ignited the Death Refusing Incense.

As the aroma wafted out, Huang Yingying's nostrils flared, instantly recognizing the scent, astonished.

Under Shi Chun's spell manipulation, the passage between the realms quickly reopened.

With a call, the four of them entered the Netherworld in unison.

Observing the dark, gloomy, and ominous surroundings, Huang Yingying asked in amazement, "Where is this?"

Wu Jinliang chuckled, "The Netherworld."

"Ah..." Jinfu and Huang Yingying exclaimed in unison.

They then reconnected with Chu Jingtang and Lao Changtai. Twenty years had passed in a flash, and Wu Jinliang hadn't been able to enter again, leaving him uncertain about those two fellows.

Luckily, they managed to get in touch. Lao Changtai was still at the old place in Qiangyu City, but Chu Jingtang didn't respond.

They arranged to meet at the old place. Wu Jinliang went ahead to scout the route, and only after confirming all was well, did Shi Chun bring the others along.

In the city, Jinfu and Huang Yingying, who had followed along, surveyed their surroundings with awe and skepticism. To them, it was a legendary place.

At the old place, in the same courtyard, Lao Changtai, wrapped in white cloth, appeared pale—so pale that all color seemed drained from his face. When they opened the door standing beside Wu Jinliang, it looked as if he had been weeping.

After ushering everyone in, Lao Changtai began lamenting how stifling it was in this ghostly place. If he had known he'd never get out in this life, he wouldn't have dwelled on it. It was unbearable only because he knew he could get out, and it was disheartening waiting for Shi Chun who never came.

Of course, he didn't ask why they arrived now, as Wu Jinliang, who had arrived earlier, had explained everything, mentioning Shi Chun's twenty-year imprisonment in the Life Prison.

Learning this also startled Lao Changtai, knowing how terrifying Life Prison was. To come out after being captured was indeed a stroke of luck amidst misfortune.

After confirming that Chu Jingtang was safe over at Zhu Yong City, Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang were relieved.

Over the twenty years in the Netherworld, Chu and Lao had taken turns guarding either side, waiting for news. Occasionally, they ventured out, treating the years as a closed cultivation retreat. Fortunately, they were wealthy and had sufficient cultivation resources, not hesitating to lavishly purchase spiritual pills. They had both advanced their cultivation to the Human Immortal Realm.

The two worried that Shi Chun and the others might have faced mishaps that would cause them never to return. Understanding that frequently dancing on the edge of danger meant getting wet, they focused on strengthening themselves, not expecting they would meet again.

Upon hearing that the Mingshan Sect was heading to participate in the Battle of Great Pardon, Lao Changtai was terrified, having just delivered such alarming news upon their arrival. But when Shi Chun said he and Chu Jingtang did not need to participate, he sighed in relief.

Yet, when informed that they still needed to stay in the Netherworld, Lao Changtai could only manage a wry smile.

Jinfu and Huang Yingying, sitting quietly aside, holding the "Ice Sheep" from Wu Jinliang, listened and watched intently, blinking and fearful of saying anything. They wondered if they should even be privy to such matters.

Only after Lao Changtai left did they breathe a sigh of relief.

With Lao Changtai gone, they sent him to contact Chu Jingtang over at Zhu Yong City.

With no one else around, Shi Chun placed a thick one-foot-square tome on the table.

The tome, dark as ink, was of unknown material, resembling a leather book, with four imposing blood-red characters embossed on it: Beidou Demon Book!

Shi Chun pushed the book towards the duo, Jinfu and Huang Yingying, who were sitting cross-legged nearby. "Senior Jin Zhan's last wish, I have now fulfilled it on his behalf."

The baffled Huang Yingying saw the four characters and was somewhat shocked. As a clan member groomed to be the next leader, she was clearly aware of the book's significance.

Holding the book with both hands, Jinfu, upon seeing the four blood-red characters, burst into tears, realizing from a brief look that it was indeed the genuine article. Closing it, he turned over and pulled Huang Yingying alongside to bow in gratitude to Shi Chun. No words of thanks were needed, as the offering of the book along with future cultivation resources spoke volumes of their immense gratitude.

Sitting cross-legged, Shi Chun calmly accepted their gratitude, with Wu Jinliang standing by, arms crossed, chuckling.

After the ceremony, Jinfu moved the Demon Book in front of Huang Yingying, solemnly informing her that the vital tome concerning the entire clan's future was entrusted to her for cultivation.

By now, it was clear she was to hide in the Netherworld to cultivate the Demon Book.

Huang Yingying was both excited and moved. However, upon learning she had to part ways with Bai Qiru and stay alone, she was unwilling, as Bai Qiru had gradually become more agreeable of late, complying whenever she requested.

Jinfu promptly poured cold water over her, revealing Bai Qiru's possible setup by the Bai family to get close to her, potentially targeting the Demon Book.

Shi Chun, listening and watching from the side, remained uninvolved, too lazy to say more. It wasn't his role to play the villain by insisting that although the book could be given to her, she had to remain here to cultivate, and that she could only leave if he allowed it. He told her the clan was outside, so she dared to try anything.

His only action was tossing a Qiankun Bag to Huang Yingying for storing the book.

No need for Jinfu to berate further, for the sake of their clan's future, Huang Yingying had no choice. Taking the Demon Book, her heart was heavy.

With everything settled, Shi Chun assured, "Old Huang, I'll have Lao Changtai find you a suitable secluded place for cultivation."

Jinfu, pulling Huang Yingying, expressed gratitude repeatedly.

Before long, Chu Jingtang also hurriedly arrived, his excitement causing him to wave his arms. It took some calming down.

After that, Shi Chun led everyone except Huang Yingying out of the Netherworld, noting that Jinfu shouldn't remain away from his clan for too long and needed to be sent back, while Chu and Lao needed some downtime outside, along with some purchasing.

After two days of relaxation, Shi Chun returned the two to the Netherworld, giving each an ample supply of the Six Realms Universal Treasure, totaling ten billion each!

Over the past twenty years, their Netherworld finances had dwindled, largely invested in cultivation.

Of course, Shi Chun reminded them repeatedly to take good care of Huang Yingying during her secluded cultivation, fully aware of her tendencies from their time lurking in Dazhi City.

Once all affairs were in order, Shi Chun, along with Wu Jinliang and Xiao Sheng, returned to the Heavenly Capital ahead of Mulan Jin's deadline.

Back at the floating Immortal Mountain, upon meeting the Mingshan Sect's group, Wu Jinliang couldn't help but laugh heartily at the sky.

The rascal had finally appeared, and what a figure he had — much rounder than before. After their initial shock, the Mingshan Sect's members came forward to greet him with pats and slaps, including Xiao Sheng.

Duan Xiangmei stood in the corner watching, and tears streamed down her face.

Soon, Mulan Jin also arrived upon hearing the news. Instead of mingling in the crowd, she nodded at Shi Chun from afar and beckoned him over.

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