Absolute Destiny Game.

Chapter 548 The Ghost City of Senluo, the King of Hell

The ghost-headed wooden boat slowly docked at the pier, which was built of huge, dark stone slabs. The hull collided with the stone bank, making a dull thud that was particularly clear in the deathly silence. Xiao Jie followed the ghost official Liu Tong off the boat. The bewildered and confused wandering souls that had just been pulled from the River Styx were taken in and escorted by the ghost soldiers waiting on the pier.

As soon as he stepped onto the solid stone slabs of the dock, a ghost general, clad in heavy black armor, with a long sword of dark iron at his waist, and of unusually tall and burly stature, blocked his path. His gaze swept over the few dozen new souls behind Liu Tong, his brows furrowed, and his tone was clearly impatient: "Inspector Liu, you've been on patrol for quite some time today, how come you've only brought back so few wandering souls? The frontline troops are short-handed, and your efficiency... Hmm? And this person is—" His gaze suddenly fell on Xiao Jie, who stood beside Liu Tong with a completely different demeanor, full of scrutiny and suspicion.

Liu Tong hurriedly stepped forward, leaned close to the ghost general's ear, and whispered a few words in a low voice, his tone filled with awe and urgency. The impatience on the ghost general's face vanished instantly, replaced by extreme astonishment. His gaze towards Xiao Jie immediately changed, filled with disbelief and deep awe, and he even subconsciously straightened his back.

"This humble general...I did not know that the celestial being had personally arrived! I have offended you greatly just now, please forgive me! I..." He seemed somewhat incoherent, as if he did not know how to express his respect.

Xiao Jie waved his hand, his tone calm yet carrying an undeniable air of authority: "It's alright, ignorance is no excuse. Just lead the way."

"Yes, yes, yes! Immortal, please follow me!" The ghost general was as if he had been granted a pardon. He immediately turned around and led the way himself, no longer caring about the wandering souls and Liu Tong, who was covered in sweat.

Xiao Jie followed behind the ghost general, walking slowly, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings. This must be the so-called "Forgetful River Terrace." It was no ordinary dock, but a huge military fortress-like platform built against the River Styx and steep cliffs, with a strategic location that was easy to defend and difficult to attack.

The entire Wangchuan Terrace was under extreme security! The towering Nether Iron City Walls gleamed with a cold, eerie light, and densely packed, menacing crossbows lined the tops, their deep muzzles aimed at the River Styx and the dark wilderness in the distance. Behind the crenellations, shadowy figures of heavily armored ghost soldiers, uniformly clad and wielding standard halberds or ghost-headed sabers, patrolled silently in orderly ranks, their eyes burning with a chilling, battle-hardened aura.

A cold, tense atmosphere, a blend of iron and soul, permeated the air; every breath carried the oppressive feeling of an impending great battle. Patrol squads passed by, their steps resounding; the demon generals leading them exuded a fierce aura, their eyes sharp as lightning, scanning for any suspicious movement.

Judging from the tense atmosphere, this place is undoubtedly a key military stronghold protecting the capital. Considering that beyond the Wangchuan Terrace lies the core of Yama's rule—the Netherworld Ghost City—even such a vital strategic location so close to the capital is under such tension, it's clear that Yama's current situation is not just "not good," but rather quite precarious.

Led by the ghost general, Xiao Jie passed through several heavy city gates covered with restrictive runes. At each gate, the guarding ghost soldiers and generals would bow to the ghost general who led the way and scrutinize Xiao Jie with curious and awe-inspiring gazes.

After leaving the Wangchuan Terrace fortress, a wide "Road to the Underworld" paved with black stone slabs stretched out before you, leading straight to the outline of a huge city shrouded in a hazy, ghostly aura in the distance.

The roadside was no longer a desolate wilderness, but instead a landscape of ruined buildings, broken city walls, and the remains of huge and menacing siege weapons! The scorched earth, the scattered broken weapons, and the thick, lingering malevolent aura all clearly indicated that a fierce battle had recently taken place here, with the flames of war even reaching the very foot of the capital!

The closer one gets to the Ghost City of Senluo, the more obvious the traces of war become. Although the corpses have been cleared away, the atmosphere of tragedy and despair still lingers.

"Immortal, we have arrived. Ahead lies the City of Ghosts. Please wait here for a moment while I send someone in to inform them." The ghost general leading the way stopped before a colossal black iron gate that seemed to connect heaven and earth, and turned to Xiao Jie respectfully. The gate was carved with countless ferocious ghost patterns and profound runes, radiating a chilling and oppressive aura.

Just as Xiao Jie was about to nod in agreement, a loud clanging sound of machinery suddenly came from inside the incredibly heavy door—"Clatter, clatter..."

Then, amidst a muffled rumble, the two enormous doors, which seemed to have never been opened before, slowly opened a crack inward and gradually widened! Inside the doors, two rows of ghost officials dressed in neat official robes and holding tablets were already standing respectfully with their heads bowed on either side.

At the same time, a loud, majestic voice, yet tinged with urgency and enthusiasm, echoed like thunder from the deepest part of the dark city gate, reverberating through the heavens and earth with strange echoes:

"We respectfully invite the venerable immortal to grace the City of Netherworld... We invite the venerable immortal to grace us... The venerable immortal to grace us... Grace us..."

The sound seemed to contain some kind of law, piercing through the soul. Before the sound faded, gongs, drums, horns, and even a kind of underworld suona made of unknown animal bones, with a mournful yet grand tone, all rose up, playing a lively and cheerful welcoming melody that inevitably carried a touch of eeriness and mystery. This music was originally intended for a grand and solemn occasion, but in this netherworld, this city of ghosts and demons, it ultimately sounded particularly "hellish."

Even so, Xiao Jie truly felt the welcoming ceremony and sincerity that Yama King displayed.

"This is quite a big deal," Xiao Jie muttered to himself.

From the wide-open, deep city gate, a figure emerged, surrounded by a group of powerful civil and military officials, strode out with an imposing presence. The leader, clad in a dark imperial robe embroidered with nine ferocious black dragons, wore a twelve-tasseled crown, the tassels swaying and subtly obscuring his face, adding to his mysterious and majestic aura. At his waist hung an ancient, simple-looking sword—the [Dragon-Slaying Sword]—that exuded an aura of severing cause and effect and deciding life and death. His figure was tall and imposing; though his face was obscured by the tassels, the overwhelming imperial power and kingly aura of someone who had long held a high position and controlled the cycle of life and death in this realm were palpable, inspiring awe and almost compelling submission. Qin Chuan (King Yama): Level 98 Realm King. Health Points: 198000.

Upon seeing the semi-transparent symbol floating above the head of the King of Hell, visible only to him, Xiao Jie was immediately shaken!
Level 98!? And it's even the [King of the Realms] template!?

This was the first time he had ever encountered an existence of such terrifying level! Keep in mind, even Shenjizi, the highest-ranking immortal among the immortals of Lonely Cloud Prefecture, was only level 81! Moreover, the opponent's template was "Realm King"—did this mean he was a true ruler, representing a complete world? If so, this was far more impressive than any faction leader or reclusive master! He was practically the embodiment or representative of the will of the Underworld itself!

Even though Xiao Jie has now become an immortal and considers himself extraordinary, he couldn't help but feel a bit nervous facing a truly "important person" at this moment. It was a huge sense of pressure in terms of life level and power.

Unexpectedly, before he could even adjust his mindset and organize his thoughts to greet him, the King of Hell, Qin Chuan, had already warmly opened his arms, his originally majestic face now displaying an extremely enthusiastic smile, and quickly stepped forward to greet him.

"Oh dear! Forgive me! It is indeed a Celestial Venerable from the Upper Realm who has graced my desolate Underworld with his presence. Qin Chuan has failed to greet you properly. I beg the Celestial Venerable to forgive you, forgive me!" Yama's voice was loud and clear, filled with genuine joy, yet he skillfully maintained the demeanor befitting an emperor. He neither appeared obsequious nor humbled himself, and his words were full of respect for the "Upper Realm" and the great importance he attached to Xiao Jie's arrival.

"Quickly! Immortal Venerable, please enter the city! Upon learning of your arrival, Qin Chuan was overjoyed and had already prepared some wine, determined to drink and chat with you, and to fulfill his duty as host!"

Xiao Jie was stunned for a moment. This...this...does he have that much face? Or is the identity of "immortal" so powerful in the underworld that even the ruler of a realm, a level 98 realm king, has to lower himself to such an extent that he is almost fawning over him?
However, he quickly realized that this King Yama was definitely not flattering Xiao Jie personally. The other party's enthusiasm was probably not for personal gain; what he truly respected and expected was the power of the "Lone Cloud Continent Immortal Realm" that Xiao Jie represented. He hoped to obtain assistance from the Immortal Realm through him.

Knowing perfectly well what was going on, Xiao Jie dared not put on airs in the slightest. He quickly cupped his hands in return, saying, "Your Majesty, the King of Hell, you are too kind. I am but a recluse in the mountains who has by chance encountered the immortals. I am truly humbled by such a grand honor from Your Majesty."

Upon hearing this, King Yama Qin Chuan laughed heartily, the tassels on his imperial crown swaying. His majestic and domineering face was plastered with a seemingly generous and friendly smile: "You deserve it! Absolutely! Immortal Venerable is too modest! My Netherworld City is perpetually gloomy and deathly, a place where the dead rest. For a true immortal like you, so full of life and radiant with auspicious light, to descend is a rare event that has not occurred in thousands of years. It is enough to make my Netherworld a place of great honor! Immortal Venerable, please come in! A banquet has been prepared. I am truly delighted to have the opportunity to entertain you! Haha!"

Following the King of Hell, and surrounded by a group of high-ranking officials from the Underworld, Xiao Jie walked deeper into the Ghost City of Senluo. He now guessed that someone from the Forgotten River Terrace must have gotten back the news quickly. The more enthusiastic and solemn the other party was, the more uneasy Xiao Jie felt. Unsolicited hospitality is always suspicious. This extraordinary and grand reception must have something significant going on behind it!
Although he ascended to immortality, he was merely a wandering immortal. The other party was a dignified Realm King, whose strength and realm were far beyond his own. Such a courteous attitude must mean that he had something to ask of him.

He had already prepared various excuses for asking for help on the ship, but now, facing this passionate and powerful level 98 Realm King, he was unsure how to start the conversation, fearing that he might accidentally get caught up in a huge mess.

King Yama personally accompanied Xiao Jie, leading him through the wide yet eerie main street of the Ghost City of Senluo. On both sides stood bizarrely styled, ghostly buildings, with countless ghostly citizens gazing awely from afar. Finally, they arrived before the most magnificent palace in the city center, entirely constructed of jet-black jade. Above the palace gate hung a huge plaque, inscribed with three ancient divine characters, flowing with unparalleled majesty—"Hall of Reincarnation!"

Stepping into the main hall, a breathtaking view unfolded before them. The hall was incredibly spacious, seemingly a world unto itself. A grand banquet had already been laid out inside, with dozens of black jade tables arranged on both sides. Many civil officials and ghost judges dressed in underworld robes, as well as ghost generals and commanders clad in ferocious armor, were already seated and waiting.

These high-ranking officials of the Underworld all possessed profound auras and piercing gazes. Xiao Jie glanced at them and found that their levels were generally around level 50 or 60, with some even reaching level 70 or higher. If they were placed in the mortal realm of the Nine Provinces, any one of them would be considered a regional overlord or a major boss!

Seeing Yama personally escort a living person surrounded by celestial light into the hall, all the civil and military ghost officials stood up in unison, bowed, and focused their gazes on Xiao Jie, filled with curiosity, scrutiny, and a hint of barely perceptible expectation.

"My beloved ministers, look! This is the Immortal Venerable who has descended from the Upper Realm—Fellow Daoist Yinyue Suifeng!" Yan Jun Qin Chuan introduced him to his ministers in a loud voice, with a hint of pride in his tone.

A low murmur, a mixture of surprise and discussion, immediately rose from below. Although it subsided quickly, it was enough to show how much of a shock Xiao Jie's appearance had caused these underworld officials.

Xiao Jie was personally led by Yama to a luxurious table closest to the head of the table and sat down. He glanced at the table; although it was the Netherworld, the banquet was extremely lavish. On a jade plate were specially treated "Netherworld Spirit Rhinoceros Meat Slices," seemingly still pulsating, crystal clear; in a black pottery bowl was "Nine Netherworld Cold Lotus Soup," emitting wisps of cold air, garnished with lotus seeds that emitted a ghostly glow; a blood jade cup was filled with "Millennial Soul Saliva Brew," thick as honey yet exuding an intoxicating fragrance; and there were various strange spiritual fruits and pastries, emanating different attributes of Yin energy, many of which were Netherworld specialties that Xiao Jie had never heard of or seen before. Although the style was gloomy, everything contained pure Yin spiritual energy, which was supreme nourishment for ghosts and also had a unique flavor and effect for immortals.

Looking at this group of incredibly high-ranking underworld figures before him, who had actually put on such a grand display just to have dinner with him alone, Xiao Jie had only one thought in his mind: "Damn it, I'm probably really going to be dragged up here now..."

(End of this chapter)