Li Pinghu invited Xie Linlang to his cave abode within Sunset Death Gate for a brief rest.
His cave abode sat atop one of Futu Mountain’s peaks, where a three-story pavilion had been built. The top floor made for an excellent spot to sip tea and chat.
From the pavilion, one overlooked the sea of clouds enveloping Futu Mountain. The swirling black-purple Demonic Qi undulated like clouds or surged like a vast, tempestuous ocean, easily stirring poetic sentiments in the heart.
In the past, Li Pinghu had loved gazing at this sea of Demonic Qi from the pavilion’s top, giving vent to his emotions before jotting them down on paper. Indeed, the three floors of the pavilion were adorned with his proudest works.
But at this moment, he felt none of his usual carefree exhilaration. He looked at Xie Linlang before him, hesitating to speak, unsure of what to say.
The Xie Linlang before him differed greatly from the Linlang Dao Lord he had once seen on Jiuxia Mountain.
Linlang Dao Lord possessed a temperament as pure and bright as a clear breeze and moonlit sky, making one forget the mundane upon sight—like a Moon Tang Flower quietly blooming amid the mountains or verdant bamboo standing gracefully in the woods, with a heart as vast as the clouds and as serene as the moon, exuding an air of immortal elegance.
Yet the reincarnated and recultivated Xie Linlang carried an indescribable demonic allure. The restlessness of Demonic Qi and the scent of blood seemed veiled by lingering traces of his former immortal aura, revealing instead a seductive charm and vivid allure unique to Demonic Cultivators.
The former inspired reverence and esteem; the latter easily stirred a pounding heartbeat deep within.
Li Pinghu felt a twinge of relief in his heart. Fortunately, he had broken through to the Soul Transformation Stage not long ago. Fortunately, the Xie Linlang before him was merely at the Foundation Establishment Stage after his reincarnation recultivation. Otherwise, he too might have fallen under this demonic enchantment, losing his steadfast integrity.
After a long pause, Li Pinghu finally spoke. “When I heard the news of your fall, I drank a cup alone in your honor.”
Xie Linlang’s smile was faint, his tone indifferent. “From the start, I never thought I could survive the Heavenly Tribulation. Earlier, I had someone deliver some of my belongings to you, hoping they would prove useful.”
“They were. I advanced to Soul Transformation smoothly, thanks in no small part to your pills.”
Once the conversation flowed, Li Pinghu subtly relaxed. “Now that you’ve converted to Demonic Cultivation, can you still refine the Spirit Pills from before?”
“Naturally not. But with some substitute materials and a bit of research, it’s no trouble for me.”
“…I see. So, do you still plan to venture into the Underworld with your divine soul to investigate the cycle of life and death?”
Xie Linlang fell silent.
Back then, he had befriended Li Pinghu precisely to learn what happened after death—how one entered the Underworld, stepped into the Six Paths of Reincarnation, and whether it was true, as rumored, that the lord of the Underworld possessed a Book of Life and Death that revealed one’s past and future lives.
He wanted to know if Pei Ji had reincarnated after death, where his true soul resided.
“For now, no.”
“That’s good.”
Li Pinghu let out a breath of relief and earnestly advised, “Though you failed your Tribulation Transcendence, you were fortunate enough not to die—a brush with death in itself. A true man must accomplish something great in this world to make his life worthwhile.”
Xie Linlang sighed softly. “I know you’re looking out for me, but consider my life of diligent pill refining and pursuit of the Dao. I saved many and fulfilled countless wishes, yet I failed to fulfill my own heart’s desire. That regret lingers. Surely Brother Li understands—when one cannot vent the fury in their chest, how agonizing it is.”
Li Pinghu thought of his own past ordeals and could only sigh.
“Tell me, what do you need from me? Back then, I transformed from ghost to Dao cultivator, then to Demonic Cultivator, all thanks to the Pure-Turbid Creation Pill you refined, which perfectly harmonized and converted spiritual power, ghostly qi, and Demonic Qi. That made me who I am today. I owe you an immense debt, and I intend to repay it.”
“I helped you back then because I wanted to know about the ghost realm and the Underworld.”
“You… No need for more words. I care only about results, not motives.”
Xie Linlang said sincerely, “Thank you, Brother Li. I have two requests.”
“One is that my divine soul has been cursed—something Sunset Death Gate should excel at. I’d like your advice on how to remove it. The other is that, having reincarnated and recultivated, I don’t want to be recognized for now. I’m seeking a Demonic Cultivator technique to obscure my divine soul’s power. I can trade Spirit Pills for it.”
Sunset Death Gate was a unique sect among Demonic Cultivators, named for the idea that one could die contentedly upon hearing the Dao in the morning. It had few members, but every Sunset Death Gate cultivator was a fearsome assassin—capable of killing within ten paces or claiming heads from a thousand li away, embodying the fury of a common man that could splatter a king’s blood five steps wide.
Sunset Death Gate cultivators specialized in tracking fugitives, and Li Pinghu, having turned from a fierce ghost to a Demonic Cultivator, possessed unique talents and potential in matters of spirits and divine souls.
Though Xie Linlang was glad the Nine Spirits Sect Master’s curse proved Pei Ji still lived, he had no desire to bear an enemy’s curse on his divine soul. Better to resolve it sooner.
Li Pinghu pondered for a moment before saying, “Your requests are intriguing. We can handle them together.”
Xie Linlang was somewhat surprised. “Please elaborate.”
“Sunset Death Gate has a secret art that absorbs the curser’s power, blurring the connection between you and them, thereby evading the enemy’s tracking. It fits your needs perfectly.”
