Chapter 311: Imperial Decree Thunder Curse

The Tianshui Lake procession naturally came to a halt. Ji Yuan and his companions slowly advanced to the front of the group, where they saw a standing ghost figure and the City God.

This City God's divine power was nowhere near that of the City Gods in some major cities within Dazhen. At best, he was comparable to a ghost deity from a medium-sized to large county. However, with the divine path having collapsed in Zuyue, his cultivation was still considered quite remarkable.

Despite the circumstances, a City God remained a City God. Even when attending the celebration at Boundless Ghost City, he had only offered a few words of congratulations to Xin Wuya. At this moment, he did not perform a grand bow to Gao Tianming, Niu Batian, or the other demons. He merely glanced at mortals like Yan Fei, showing deference only to Ji Yuan.

Only after bowing respectfully to Ji Yuan did the City God straighten up and offer a slight bow to Gao Tianming and the others.

“Greetings, Master and Madam Gao, and greetings to all!”

“Greetings, Lord City God!”

Ji Yuan returned the greeting with a slight bow. Gao Tianming and his wife, along with Niu Batian, did not dare to be disrespectful; it was rare for them to bow to a ghost deity and address him as "Lord City God."

Everyone's gaze then followed Ji Yuan's, turning to Xin Wuya, the lord of Boundless Ghost City.

“Oh, Old Ghost Wuya, are you blocking the path here?”

Gao Tianming chuckled, though he could somewhat guess the other party's reason for being there.

However, it was clear that Xin Wuya, as the lord of Boundless Ghost City, still maintained some dignity here. Unlike the utter reverence shown by the City God of Queshiliu City, when he saw Ji Yuan and the others approach, he merely offered a cupped-hand salute, without uttering any honorifics.

“Mr. Ji, Brother Gao previously informed me that my life, Xin Wuya's, was spared by you, and that my Boundless City was on the verge of collapse. It's not that I disbelieve Brother Gao, but after much thought, one thing remains unclear: if you truly possess such power, why did you tolerate the mockery of the ghost demons during the celebration, and why did you then spare my Boundless City?”

Although Xin Wuya's words were not exactly a challenge, they were certainly not very polite. Reflecting on it, if he were Xin Wuya, he would never hold back if he could easily destroy an opponent, which only deepened his skepticism.

As for the City God of Queshiliu City, he had coincidentally met Xin Wuya outside the city. The City God had also been waiting for Ji Yuan on the road, so the two simply waited together. However, in terms of etiquette, the City God had stepped forward first and was now content to let Xin Wuya speak.

Upon hearing Xin Wuya's words, Gao Tianming briefly curled his lips in a sneer.

Just an old ghost who hasn't seen the world. If others show him a little deference, he thinks he rules the netherworld. How could such a bumpkin understand the thoughts of a true master? You only see immediate grudges of life and death, while they have already seen the myriad beings of the world.

Alright, Gao Tianming admitted that even he had come out of respect before, but that didn't mean he truly held Xin Wuya in high regard. It was simply about maintaining basic cordial relations, as they both resided in Zuyue and were bound to cross paths.

Although Gao Tianming's facial expression was fleeting, he hadn't truly hidden it, so both Xin Wuya and the City God caught that momentary glance. Xin Wuya felt a flicker of hidden anger, while the City God's expression grew increasingly pensive.

Ji Yuan, however, calmly observed Xin Wuya from head to toe, not speaking immediately. With his spiritual eye fully open at close range, he thoroughly perceived every aspect of this veteran ghost cultivator's aura. Facing those ancient eyes, Xin Wuya felt as though he had no secrets to hide.

“Xin Wuya, I was also waiting for you.”

Ji Yuan's voice was indifferent but held a hint of solemnity. He no longer addressed him respectfully as "City Lord" but simply called him by his name.

“The divine path in Zuyue has declined, and many places have become havens for malevolent spirits and monsters. You established Boundless Ghost City, taking in numerous lonely souls, wild ghosts, and even fierce vengeful spirits, allowing entry but no exit. Although this was primarily for your own cultivation, it is a good rule.”

At this point, Ji Yuan looked back at Boundless Ghost City in the distance, where only the light of lamps could be seen, not the city's outline, and continued.

“And earlier, four distressed travelers were indeed retrieved within the city, which demonstrates your trustworthiness. Not causing trouble within the city also shows some restraint. Furthermore, cultivating to your current level as a ghost is truly remarkable.”

“Oh? Hehehehe… So, you, sir, have taken a liking to talent? How rare!”

Xin Wuya had just uttered a sarcastic remark when he suddenly noticed Gao Tianming, who had just managed to hide a look of surprise, evidently astonished by Ji Yuan's words.

“Indeed, I do have a hint of appreciation for talent. Mortal dynasties rise and fall; this is the natural course of events, and I will not obstruct it. However, it is naturally better if the common people suffer fewer calamities. As the saying goes, in troubled times, strict laws are applied, and for chronic illnesses, strong medicine is administered. The existence of Boundless Ghost City, though unintentionally established, has fortuitously served a purpose: it can control a large area of evil spirits in Zuyue's southern territory, especially given the Underworld's insufficient governance.”

Ji Yuan's words were quite blunt, practically telling Xin Wuya that he found him barely acceptable, and that both he and Boundless Ghost City were still useful, which was why he hadn't acted.

“Heh heh…”

Ji Yuan smiled.

“Whether you harbor resentment or doubts, your coming here to see me is predestined.”

As Ji Yuan spoke, he opened his right sleeve, palm facing upward, and pointed into the distance towards Boundless Ghost City.

Because of this gesture, everyone present, from Xin Wuya to the small aquatic sprites in the procession, instinctively looked towards Boundless Ghost City. Within a few breaths, the clouds above the ghost city began to undergo miraculous changes.

The lower layer remained thick with dark clouds, pressing down like a lid, but the upper layer revealed streaks of golden lightning.

“Crack…” “Crack… boom… boom…”

The thunder roared like the heavens tearing apart. Even from where they stood, many small sprites were startled and covered their ears.

The lightning in the distance was so intense that it seemed to transform the lower dark clouds above the ghost city into a golden cloud entwined with golden arcs, like a golden canopy covering a vast area both inside and outside the city.

“Boom…”

Amidst the thunder, the golden canopy's light grew stronger, but its scope grew smaller, until only a tiny golden point of light remained above the clouds. Then, that light rapidly flew towards them at a visible speed.

After approximately six or seven breaths, a golden inscription spell, shimmering with miraculous lightning, flew into Ji Yuan's palm. The golden inscription had no paper or jade backing; it simply materialized as glowing characters in the void, displaying the four words: "Expel Evil, Bind Demons."

This very incantation represented the lifelong essence of water and thunder energy transformed by the Black Flood Dragon before its death. It was also imbued with the profound mysteries of Ji Yuan's Profound Yellow Decree method, elevating it to another level, containing within it the endless power of heavenly thunder.

A faint rumble of thunder emerged, even creating the illusion of leaning lightning around them, as if Ji Yuan held an immense weight of thunder in his palm.

The lightning from the spell illuminated the surrounding path, and also blanched the faces of the onlookers. Many aquatic sprites instinctively shrank behind the carriages, not daring to look closely.

The golden inscription spell remained in Ji Yuan's palm for two breaths, then naturally flew into his sleeve. All sounds, colors, and radiance vanished as it was drawn into his sleeve.

“Xin Wuya, you asked why I spared you and Boundless Ghost City? That question was actually rhetorical. Of course, now, I, Ji, have truly spared you.”

Ghosts don't sweat, but at this moment, Xin Wuya truly felt a torrent of cold sweat, and his thoughts seemed somewhat disoriented.

‘In other words, if I hadn't come…’

He understood the meaning of the golden characters that had just appeared, but he wasn't clear about the power they contained. Yet, from just that momentary glimpse of radiance, it wasn't hard to grasp its might. The seemingly light words spoken by Mr. Ji carried immense weight!

Old Niu wiped the fine sweat from his face, quietly leaned closer to Gao Tianming, and whispered in a voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz.

“Old Gao… Mr. Ji doesn’t seem as easygoing as he appears…”

“Yes, indeed…”

Gao Tianming could be said to be the one among all present, aside from Ji Yuan, who could best sense the horror of that golden inscription spell. Mr. Ji was truly intending to obliterate Boundless Ghost City.

Seeing that his objective was achieved, Ji Yuan smiled again.

“You needn’t be nervous. This lightning spell was not easy to refine; if I truly used it, I would feel the loss for quite some time. Moreover, there are many innocent ghosts in the city. Even if I controlled this lightning spell perfectly, accidental injuries would be unavoidable. I feel much more at ease, knowing it wasn't necessary to go that far.”

Accidental injury? Accidental killing is more like it!

Circumstances were beyond his control, and Xin Wuya no longer dared to be arrogant. He immediately bowed deeply, his reverence surpassing even that of the City God earlier.

“Thank you, sir, for your mercy!”

Gao Tianming, standing nearby, couldn't help but speak up and ask.

“Mr. Ji! I, Gao, dare to ask, what magnificent lightning control method was that just now? As a member of the dragon-flood dragon species, I actually felt my skin prickle with fear and numbness!”

Ji Yuan did not conceal it.

“This is a Decree Lightning Spell, embodying the Decree method and the power of thunder. The thunder essence contained within the incantation…”

At this, Ji Yuan smiled and looked at Gao Tianming.

“It's roughly the entire life essence of a flood dragon of your cultivation level, transformed into it! Then, using it to control lightning, a single strike would unleash considerable power!”

“Hiss…”

Gao Tianming involuntarily shivered upon hearing this, and Xin Wuya's ghostly form also trembled.

An incantation comparable to the essence of a centuries-old flood dragon, then completely unleashing such power in one strike?

This isn't simple arithmetic; it absolutely couldn't be stopped by just another flood dragon!

“City Lord Xin!”

“Here!”

Ji Yuan's sudden call startled Xin Wuya, who hastily responded.

“I, Ji, said you did well. Do you understand the deeper meaning behind those words?”

“I-I understand!”

“Good, so be it. We're leaving now.”

After saying this, Ji Yuan glanced at the City God on the other side, then took the first step. Niu Batian quickly pulled Yan Fei along to follow.

After recovering, Gao Tianming also gave a slight bow to Xin Wuya, then took his wife and caught up. The aquatic sprites, however, fidgeted nervously for a while before finally getting their carriages moving to follow. The four people who were overly frightened and whose souls were damaged had already fallen asleep in the carriage, not even roused by the thunder.

Xin Wuya stood rooted to the spot, feeling as though he had just survived a catastrophe.

Ji Yuan, who had already moved some distance away, observed the newly transformed chess piece in his hand. He then turned his head to look back, silently transmitting a Daoist sound to the distance.

“City Lord Xin, those evil ghosts in the city who clamored for a living-person feast during the grand celebration, if they serve no vital purpose, then eliminate them.”

Xin Wuya quickly bowed deeply in the direction where the carriages had departed, loudly responding, “Yes.”

The dozen or so most fiercely clamoring veteran vengeful spirits and fierce souls naturally appeared in Xin Wuya's mind at this moment, marked for execution. After a moment's thought, he also decided to eliminate the Black Decree Envoy.