Chapter 924: Yellow Springs

"Spin a colossal lie?"

The Mount Heng Mountain God unconsciously repeated Ji Yuan's words, his voice clearly filled with curiosity.

When Ji Yuan first met the Mount Heng Mountain God, he knew that while their paths of cultivation differed greatly, they were similar in some ways, both having a sense of "integrating with the Dao and the cosmos."

Therefore, the Mount Heng Mountain God felt an immediate liking for Ji Yuan upon their first meeting, partly due to rumors about him. Ji Yuan, in turn, understood that a powerful deity like the Mount Heng Mountain God, being almost a part of the cosmos itself, was highly unlikely to betray it.

While nothing is absolute, Ji Yuan largely trusted the Mountain God.

"Precisely. Does Your Excellency, the Mountain God, know anything of ancient times?"

Ji Yuan's sudden question was met with silence from the Mount Heng Mountain God. After a long pause, a voice finally responded.

"Secrets of antiquity are hard to come by now. All I know is that it was a glorious era, yet also one of cosmic upheaval. As the saying goes, 'things turn when they reach an extreme.' The conflict between ancient gods and demons ultimately tore the cosmos apart, bringing destruction. Fortunately, a thread of vitality remained in the myriad Great Dao, and the current reshaping of the world is indeed a great blessing."

Ji Yuan nodded. The great deity of Mount Heng was indeed not entirely ignorant, but while he was integrated with the cosmos, he was not the cosmos itself, nor an ancient god. Thus, his knowledge was limited.

"I am close with the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets, and I have several friends with ancient inheritances. Combined with my own pursuits, I have some knowledge of ancient matters."

Hearing Ji Yuan, the Mountain God suspected it was related to this Gloomspring. Indeed, Ji Yuan's next words confirmed his guess.

"It is said that in ancient times, there were palaces in the heavens and the Yellow Springs in the netherworld. At that time, the Heavenly Palace drew yang energy from above and below, influencing the radiance of the sun and the moon. It sought to control the Nine Nether Yellow Springs, which gathered the lingering energies of the cosmos and the scattered souls of the deceased, aiming to govern yin and yang and become the joint master of the world. This is what sparked the era of great conflict in antiquity..."

The details Ji Yuan knew were a reconstruction of the ancient conflict, pieced together from the ever-changing murals in the Hall of Heavenly Secrets, his discussions with Zhu Yan, information from the mysterious figure of the Spirit Taming Sect, and intelligence from a Xiezhi on his side.

As Ji Yuan revealed this, the Mount Heng Mountain God's heart was deeply shaken.

In ancient times, there were countless powerful beings, and the cosmos was never truly peaceful. With the eruption of conflict, the world fell into chaos. Many primeval gods and demons stepped forward, unleashing battles that shook the heavens. By the end, the Heavenly Palace had long been destroyed, but the conflict only intensified, tearing apart the cosmos and forcibly seizing the Great Dao, ultimately leading to boundless destruction.

These events had indeed occurred in the past. Although Ji Yuan lacked many details, his general account was not inaccurate. The Mount Heng Mountain God remained silent for a long time, and the surrounding mountains were eerily still, but Ji Yuan knew he was listening intently.

After a long while, the Mount Heng Mountain God slowly spoke.

"Mr. Ji, are you implying that this Gloomspring could be the reappearance of the Yellow Springs?"

Ji Yuan smiled and shook his head.

"Of course not. The Yellow Springs were long ago destroyed in the ancient war. While this spring is indeed chilling and yin-aligned, it is certainly far less miraculous or malevolent than the Yellow Springs. However, it *can* become the Yellow Springs!"

"Mr. Ji, do you mean to make this spring the new Yellow Springs?"

The Mountain God, catching Ji Yuan's underlying meaning, asked in surprise.

"Precisely! As I mentioned earlier, in ancient times, all beings governed themselves within different parts of the cosmos, and powerful entities clashed. However, in today's world, beings share a common understanding, which generates the power of collective will. As long as everyone believes this is the Yellow Springs, and with my art of painting and the method of world-transformation, plus your assistance, Mount Heng Mountain God, this spring can be integrated into the netherworld and become the Yellow Springs. Moreover, it will allow netherworld ghost cultivators to mutually assist each other: on one hand, managing the Yellow Springs, and on the other, using its power to collect netherworld impurities, purify the Nine Nethers, condense yin energy, and even guide the deceased on their path..."

Ji Yuan poured out a torrent of words, ideas that could not have been conceived on the spur of the moment. To the Mount Heng Mountain God, it was a revelation. He found Mr. Ji's thoughts incredibly agile, his insight into the Gloomspring profound, and his understanding of the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth unparalleled.

"This plan is indeed excellent. If it succeeds, over time, this spring, even if not truly the Yellow Springs, could transform into it, becoming a Great Dao that benefits all beings. However... the various Underworld administrations operate independently. How could they manage the Yellow Springs? While most local City Gods and ghost deities are virtuous individuals, if such a Yellow Springs exists and they are influenced by it, these various ghost deities might break free from the constraints of collective will and lose their original virtuous nature!"

Ji Yuan understood the Mountain God's concern. Most Underworld City Gods were highly respected individuals, and the ghost deities they appointed were personally chosen for their virtue. This was the foundation of the Underworld's integrity, and human collective will served as its external guarantee. However, if some ghost deities coveted the power of the Yellow Springs, their original nature could indeed be corrupted.

"That's precisely why I said we need a colossal lie – to establish a universally accepted understanding that uses collective will to help restrain the Yellow Springs. If the Yellow Springs can be contained, then controlling the ghost deities will naturally be even less of an issue."

"That makes sense, but as I said, the various Underworld administrations are not strong enough to bear such a burden. While many City Gods are virtuous, they are also often inflexible, preoccupied only with their role as local magistrates, managing merely a single city. It would be difficult for them to control the Yellow Springs."

"Ah, I am well aware of that. Since the Underworld has been divided into separate administrations for years, it can certainly manage different sections of the Yellow Springs. We just need a central authority for the Yellow Springs. This would serve as a link, allowing various regional Underworld offices to even communicate and share resources, resolving many previously intractable issues."

The Mountain God gathered that Ji Yuan already had a preference in mind.

"Presumably, Mr. Ji has already identified a suitable location and devised a complete plan?"

Ji Yuan turned to look around the mountain's interior, nodding with a smile.

"All that's left is for Your Excellency, the Mountain God, to agree! The current era is a turbulent one. If the Underworld can undergo positive changes, dispersing impurities and strengthening the righteous power of the netherworld, it would indeed be a good thing."

The shimmering mist of the mountain solidified before Ji Yuan, forming a vague, stony face that responded with a solemn expression.

"I originally sought your help, Mr. Ji. Since you have such an excellent plan, both logically and emotionally, we should certainly give it a try."

"Excellent. I will first leave a few paintings here on Mount Heng for Your Excellency, the Mountain God, to safeguard. They can be activated when the time is right. Afterwards, I will reveal the entire plan!"

Ji Yuan set up a small table with writing implements beside the Gloomspring deep within Mount Heng and began to paint. The scenes he depicted, apart from the immediate environment of the Gloomspring in the mountain's belly, were largely born from his imagination. The Mount Heng Mountain God, who was watching intently, was secretly astonished.

Above, the azure sky; below, the Yellow Springs. Vast currents flow within the netherworld. Impurities of heaven and earth converge naturally. The Yellow Springs become a river, with paths alongside, leading to the opposite bank where flowers bloom...

Ji Yuan painted one piece after another. His various paintings depicted no people or animals, quiet and beautiful. Yet, from within the artwork, a subtle yin energy emerged. Though newly created, they seemed to portray ancient scenes from the netherworld.

With occasional input and refinements from the Mount Heng Mountain God, Ji Yuan's paintings were quickly completed. He left some of them behind and hastily departed Mount Heng. After informing Xiangyuan Sect, he immediately returned to Yunzhou alone.

As for the Mount Heng Mountain God's other concern, it was temporarily dispelled after he heard Ji Yuan recount his battle with Zhu Yan while painting.

With urgent matters at hand, Ji Yuan naturally couldn't leisurely take a realm ferry. He used his sword-flight to swiftly return to Yunzhou from beyond the high heavens.

To make the false true, several necessary foundational conditions were located in Yunzhou.

In the southern part of Eastern Continent Yunzhou, everything in the Great Zhen kingdom was now flourishing. After returning to his homeland, Ji Yuan observed that the aura and prosperity along his flight path had vastly improved compared to earlier days.

This time, Ji Yuan neither stopped at Tongtian River nor visited the Yin Manor, nor did he return directly home. Instead, he headed straight for the former Wuya City, now known as Netherworld City.

Xin Wuya now presided over the Netherworld Grand Hall, commanding thousands of ghostly beings. Some of his former subordinates had even become local City Gods, who, without violating their principles, would to some extent obey the Netherworld Grand Hall. Combined with the vast territory under his jurisdiction and the benefits from Great Zhen's imperial sacrifices to Heaven and Earth, the former Old Ghost Wuya had become the Netherworld Emperor, revered by all ghosts.

However, while enjoying the esteemed position this change brought, Xin Wuya also knew that cultivation was the root of everything. If he hadn't been the most powerful cultivator capable of establishing Wuya City back then, or if another ghost had surpassed him, he might not be the Netherworld Emperor today.

Xin Wuya used to be a cultivation fanatic, and now he cultivated even more diligently. Apart from duties as the Netherworld Emperor that he couldn't neglect, all his spare time was devoted to cultivation. Unlike before, he currently couldn't perceive the limit of his magical power's growth, a sensation that utterly captivated him. However, the progress of his cultivation realm was noticeably slowing, and reshaping his yin body was still a distant prospect.

In the Netherworld Palace, the door to Xin Wuya's secluded cultivation chamber slowly opened. Xin Wuya, wearing a crownless cap and regalia befitting a monarch, slowly emerged. He carried himself with an inherent dignity; even though he had never been an emperor in life, he exuded an imperial aura.

"Congratulations on emerging from seclusion, Emperor!"

The first Yama Marshal in the netherworld stood by the door, bowing and offering greetings, while other waiting ghost cultivators loudly echoed him.

"Congratulations on emerging from seclusion, Emperor!"

"Hm."

Xin Wuya responded indifferently and strode towards the front palace, asking those nearby as he walked.

"Any news of Mr. Ji?"

The Yama Marshal beside him could only truthfully report.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, Mr. Ji's whereabouts are unpredictable, and few in the world can find him. Recently, your subordinate personally went to Tongtian River to seek out the Dragon Lord, only to learn that even he couldn't find Mr. Ji... But Mr. Ji is certainly well!"

Xin Wuya sighed softly. Sometimes, he wondered if he had been too eager for success, proclaiming himself Netherworld Emperor too soon, too ostentatiously, thus incurring Mr. Ji's displeasure. Otherwise, they had already communicated at the Dragon Transformation banquet, yet Mr. Ji hadn't come to visit Netherworld City.

But Xin Wuya would never reveal these thoughts to his subordinates. After all, the Emperor's prestige had been hard-won among myriad ghosts. He could only console himself with the thought that if even the Dragon Lord couldn't find Mr. Ji, it must mean Ji Yuan was occupied with something important.

The more rapidly his cultivation advanced and the higher his Dao realm became, the more Xin Wuya felt that Mr. Ji's unfathomable depths far exceeded his imagination. After all, his current unimaginable status, his grand establishment, and even his cultivation — at their core — were merely products of the one seal Mr. Ji had casually bestowed upon him.

Therefore, Xin Wuya never dared to relax regarding the tasks Ji Yuan had entrusted him with. The results were secondary; what truly vexed Xin Wuya was that Mr. Ji hadn't even come to see him.

Just as Xin Wuya was walking towards the front palace, a ghost soldier suddenly galloped forth, a blur from a distance converging into a capable, sword-wielding figure before Xin Wuya.

"Reporting, Your Majesty! Mr. Ji has arrived and is waiting for you in the front palace!"

Xin Wuya and the ghost cultivators around him were all startled. Just as they were speaking of him, Mr. Ji had arrived. Xin Wuya, in particular, quickly composed himself.

"Take me to him at once!"