Undying Life

Chapter 995: Chapter 993: Yama City

Three days later, at midnight, in the vast central square of Fengdu!

Countless powerful beings gathered there, as the Ghost Gate was about to open on the night of the full moon.

A chilling wind blew from the center of the square, spreading in all directions. The air temperature plummeted, and a bone-chilling cold descended, instantly freezing the ground and causing delicate ice flowers to form—an atmosphere filled with eerie foreboding.

A massive entrance, a hundred zhang high, appeared. The entrance was hemispherical, seemingly accessible from any direction, as if it led to the underworld no matter where one entered from.

As soon as the Ghost Gate opened, a swarm of powerful beings rushed in. Simultaneously, many powerful beings from the underworld surged out, creating chaos.

Zhong Shan and his group, carrying a giant coffin, moved slowly toward the Ghost Gate amidst the crowd.

Though the square was packed with people, for some inexplicable reason, no one seemed to come too close to Zhong Shan and his group, as if an invisible force kept the crowd at bay.

As they reached the Ghost Gate, Zhong Shan glanced at it briefly—it resembled the entrance to the Longevity Realm he had seen before.

The four of them, gripping the coffin, stepped inside.

As soon as they entered, the world around them transformed.

The entire environment was suddenly filled with a yellowish liquid—this was the legendary Yellow Springs, filling every corner of the world. Before them stretched a long road leading downward, like a tunnel embedded within the Yellow Springs Sea. Numerous such tunnels spiraled downward into the depths.

Though they all entered through the same Ghost Gate, many were now dispersed onto different tunnels.

Zhong Shan and his companions walked down one of these tunnels, marveling at the Yellow Springs surrounding them from all sides.

"So this is the Yellow Springs Road?" Zhong Shan remarked, intrigued.

"Each Yellow Springs Road is different; this is just how this one looks," Mr. Corpse explained.

Nodding in understanding, the group continued downward, carrying the coffin.

Occasionally, ghost cultivators ascended from the opposite direction. Upon seeing Zhong Shan and his group, they all displayed looks of astonishment.

Who carries a coffin into the underworld?

The Yellow Springs Road wasn't very long. After walking for half an hour, they had traversed the Yellow Springs Sea.

The road continued downward, transitioning from the Yellow Springs Sea to the eerie landscape of the underworld.

It was a chilling and ominous place, even darker than the Wheel-Turning Domain.

Moreover, the air was filled with the sound of countless ghostly wails.

The ground below seemed to be teeming with ghosts, crying and wailing as if the entire earth was inhabited by these tormented spirits. Some of these ghosts even attempted to fly up, but none could reach the Yellow Springs Road.

Countless ghosts, some appearing intelligent, while others were mindless, just like the boundless hell surrounding the Yellow Springs Road in the small world.

"So this is the Wailing Hell?" Nangong Sheng muttered, frowning.

He now understood why it was called the Wailing Hell—this hell was vast, far exceeding the small world's size. No, even an entire domain was filled with these ghosts.

In the vast Wailing Hell, faint, dim red lights could be seen in some places, emitting a terrifying and eerie atmosphere. These were the Sixteen Hells of Heart-Piercing Punishment!

The Yellow Springs Road led to a sprawling city complex.

Even before they reached the city, the sounds of drums and gongs could be heard, creating an atmosphere of lively celebration.

It seemed extremely bustling.

The Yellow Springs Road Zhong Shan's group traveled on led directly to the gate of a city.

Above the city gate floated a large red character.

Yama City!

Outside Yama City, two rows of ghostly figures stood, ceaselessly beating drums and gongs, with red ribbons tied around their bodies. The scene was festive, yet the sight of skeletons and small ghosts playing jubilant music was undeniably eerie.

"It looks like it hasn't started yet. Let's enter the city!" Zhong Shan ordered.

"Yes, sir!"—

Yama City was the largest city in the Wailing Hell, containing the ten halls of judgment, with the Yama Hall as the primary one.

Tomorrow, Yama, the King of Hell, would wed, and the entire city was steeped in a heavy air of celebration.

If Yama desired women, he could have as many as he wanted; he had taken countless concubines, yet never a true queen. But now, he was preparing to take a queen? And rumor had it that he had known this woman for less than a month.

The people of Yama City were all speculating: what kind of woman could enchant King Yama to such an extent?

In a side hall of the Yama Hall, three people stood.

Two men and one woman.

The woman was none other than Nian Youyou, whom Zhong Shan knew. Of the two men, Zhong Shan would recognize one as well—Third Prince of the Wuxiang Holy Court, who had once been driven out of the Wheel-Turning Domain by Zhong Shan. The other man, a strikingly handsome figure in purple, exuded an air of cold dignity and nobility.

"Big Brother, can we leave tomorrow?" Nian Ben asked.

There was only one person whom Nian Ben would call Big Brother—the Crown Prince of the Wuxiang Holy Court.

"That depends on Little Sister," the Crown Prince replied, turning to Nian Youyou.

Nian Youyou's mood was visibly low.

"Big Brother, Third Brother, are you really going to sacrifice me?" Nian Youyou asked, looking at the two men.

"How is it a sacrifice? As soon as you get the item, we'll leave together. That old ghost Yama—he won't be able to stop us," Nian Ben quickly reassured her.

Nian Youyou ignored him and looked at the Crown Prince.

"What do you think, Big Brother?" Nian Youyou asked directly.

The Crown Prince frowned slightly. "Indeed, we'll encounter some difficulties when we leave, but it's not impossible. Father sent us here to obtain the 'Book of Life and Death,' and we must complete the task."

"Complete the task? And you think it's acceptable to put me, a woman, in harm's way?" Nian Youyou said, her face darkening with displeasure.

"With great power comes great responsibility. If I had Little Sister's abilities, I would definitely help ease Father's burdens!" Nian Ben said, trying to persuade her.

Nian Youyou rolled her eyes. It's easy to talk when you're not the one at risk.

At that moment, the Crown Prince frowned and said, "Little Sister, you must keep your emotions in check. You know that the Holy King only cares about results, not the process. In this mission, you must obtain the Book of Life and Death. It's of great importance to the Holy King!"

"This isn't just my responsibility!" Nian Youyou retorted, confident and unyielding.

"You know how heavily guarded Yama City is right now. There's no way you can escape on your own. We've come too far for you to turn back now. If you get the Book of Life and Death, I guarantee I'll get you out of here. But if you don't, no one will be able to save you, and you'll have no choice but to marry that old black ghost!" the Crown Prince warned.

"You... you bastards!" Nian Youyou was furious.

Although her blood ties to them had weakened, they were still nominally siblings. She hadn't expected them to turn against her so easily.

"So, Little Sister, do your best to find the Book of Life and Death. As soon as you have it, we'll leave immediately!" the Crown Prince said, his tone softening once more.

"Hmph!" Nian Youyou snorted coldly and refused to acknowledge them further as she turned and walked out of the hall.

Inside the hall, only the Crown Prince and Nian Ben remained.

"Big Brother, what if we push Nian Youyou too far? What if something happens?" Nian Ben asked, slightly worried.

"Don't worry. Nian Youyou will do everything she can to get the Book of Life and Death," the Crown Prince assured him.

To read the manga version, please click the YouTube link https://youtu.be/GnU613H6xm8