Absolute Destiny Game.

Chapter 560 The Gathering of Celestial Aid and Pre-Battle Secret Meeting

Lin Xuance nodded slightly, his expression calm: "Now that we have decided to take action, we cannot afford to fail. Please allow us to make some preparations before we set off together."

The Martial Immortal stretched his limbs, his joints emitting a series of soft popping sounds, his eyes gleaming with eager anticipation: "Just right! I haven't descended to the mortal world for three thousand years. This time, I must be fully prepared to avoid tarnishing the reputation of my Lonely Cloud Immortal Realm."

Miaofa Yuanjun also parted her lips slightly, her voice ethereal yet carrying a hint of barely perceptible killing intent: "Fellow Daoist Suifeng, there's no need to be impatient. Since I've agreed to accompany you to the Underworld to assist you, I must be fully prepared. For the past three thousand years, although we may seem to have lived in seclusion and engaged in quiet conversation, we haven't entirely wasted our time." She lightly touched a seemingly ordinary brocade storage bag at her waist, her tone revealing a trace of confidence and arrogance, "I have crafted hundreds of various immortal talismans and precious charms in my spare time, each with different powers and endless uses. This time, I'll let those demons and monsters in the Underworld witness them, and see if they dare to confront Yama! I'll also take this opportunity to test the fruits of my labor over the years."

After speaking, the three immortals transformed into streaks of light and dispersed, returning to their respective residences or weapon-forging sites to make final preparations.

Xiao Jie felt a surge of confidence, a sense of "this is in the bag" welling up within him. Even as a newly ascended immortal, he already felt his power was extraordinary; these three veteran immortals, who had cultivated for countless millennia, possessed unfathomable strength, practically defying the heavens! In the face of such absolute power, even the Underworld Emperor and Ghost King would likely be nothing more than chickens and dogs. He might even be able to easily "win without lifting a finger."

He thought to himself with a smug smile, "I'll have to grind that main quest, 'The Calamity of Reincarnation,' with Yama later. It's worth 500 karma points! I might as well take them!"

Lin Xuance and the Martial Immortal were extremely efficient, returning in the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. Their auras were even more refined and profound, clearly indicating that they had reached their optimal state. On the other hand, it took the Myriad Laws Sovereign a full hour before she slowly emerged from the exquisite pavilion where she resided, which was surrounded by a hazy glow and flowing runes.

She appeared no different from before, still possessing that ethereal beauty, her robes flowing gracefully, untouched by worldly dust. However, she exuded an indescribable aura, as steady as a mountain yet as sharp as a drawn divine weapon. As her eyes opened and closed, runes of law flickered within them, sending a strange shiver down one's spine.

Xiao Jie had a vague feeling that this girl must be carrying some kind of terrifying weapon or forbidden treasure that could shake mountains and rivers and overturn the netherworld.

Having met, the four traveled together to the main hall of the celestial palace. Just as they were about to ride away on a cloud, they saw a slightly thin figure dressed in white standing with his back to them, quietly at the end of the white jade steps leading down to the sea of ​​clouds. He was gazing at the cranes flying in the distant sea of ​​clouds, lost in thought, as if he had been waiting for a long time.

If it's not the mysterious and unpredictable Shenjizi, then who is it?
Xiao Jie felt a chill run down his spine, a vague premonition forming in his mind.

Lin Xuance, however, showed no fear. He stepped forward and spoke in a loud voice: "Fellow Daoist Shenjizi, are you here to stop our efforts to save the world?"

Shenjizi slowly turned around, his face still calm and indifferent. He looked at Lin Xuance and smiled wryly, but there was an indescribable complex meaning in his smile: "Stop? Why would I stop you? I'm just a little moved by your persistence and willingness to risk your lives."

He glanced at the four of them and said slowly, “Perhaps in the eyes of other immortals, what you are doing is nothing but futile, like a mantis trying to stop a chariot. But I think it might not be such a bad thing. Faced with the apocalyptic crisis, someone has to do something, even if it’s just to calm people’s hearts. Knowing that you are working hard down there, trying to save this world, even those fellow cultivators who are indulging in pleasure might feel a little more at ease and less anxious. What if… what if you really succeed? At least you’ll leave a glimmer of hope for this hopeless future.”

The Martial Arts Immortal waved his hand casually, his voice booming like thunder: "Hahaha! Well then, I'll take your good wishes! Maybe we really will make it!"

Miaofa Yuanjun slightly raised her chin, her tone resolute and full of unquestionable confidence: "It's not a thought, but a certainty of success."

Shenjizi smiled noncommittally, offering no rebuttal, but instead changed the subject: "I'm here not to stop you, nor to bid you farewell. I simply have something to tell you: I know you hold onto the belief that human will can overcome fate and that immortal power can turn the tide. But you must know that human strength has its limits, and even immortals... have not transcended the realm of 'human.' If things are beyond your control, do not force them; preserving your own safety is the best course of action."

He paused, looked up at the gray, starless sky of the painted realm, and his tone became extremely solemn: "Also, remember: if you see three brilliant golden stars arranged in a triangle on the horizon in the underworld, no matter what the situation is, you must immediately and without hesitation return to Guyun Prefecture! Do not hesitate for even the slightest time!"

"Three golden stars?" Lin Xuance frowned. "Fellow Daoist Shenjizi, what does this mean? Could it be some kind of omen?"

Shenjizi gave him a meaningful look, a half-smile playing on his lips: "Hehe, with your intelligence, haven't you already guessed what I mean? Why ask again?"

"You already guessed it?" Xiao Jie was surprised and looked at Lin Xuance and the other two. He saw them exchange glances, their faces showing a mixture of realization and solemnity, clearly understanding Shenjizi's implication. They had previously suspected that Shenjizi might have another plan, not to save the world, but to survive; now, hearing him say it himself, it was indeed true!

Could it be that Shenjizi is truly preparing to abandon this world at the last moment, leading the immortals who are willing to follow him to escape to other worlds? Could these three golden stars be the final signal for the entire evacuation?
Having figured this out, Lin Xuance's expression turned unusually grim. He pressed on in a deep voice, his tone filled with suppressed anger and disappointment: "What if... what if we hesitate and fail to return in time?"

Upon hearing this, Shenjizi sighed softly, his sigh carrying a rare hint of pity and helplessness: "If we hesitate... I'm afraid we will truly have our wish fulfilled, to live and die with this world... in the same way as heaven and earth."

Having said that, he said no more. His white robes fluttered, and with one step, his figure vanished into the clouds like a phantom, as if he had never existed.

Xiao Jie only vaguely understood what he was hearing, but the oppressive feeling of an impending storm and the ominous premonition were crystal clear to him.

It seems Shenjizi is preparing to flee. Those three golden stars must be the signal for his retreat.

However, he didn't care much; if he really wanted to retreat, he could simply log off. Lin Xuance took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the turmoil in his heart, and said to Xiao Jie, "Fellow Daoist Suifeng, there's no need to take this matter too seriously. With the combined strength of the four of us, plus your meticulous plan, this battle will surely be a success! There's no need to pay attention to the retreat signal. Time is of the essence, let's set off now!"

Without another word, the four rode on auspicious clouds. In an instant, four dazzling beams of immortal light shot into the sky, heading straight for the exit of the Mountain and Sea Painting Realm.

The four left Lonely Cloud Prefecture, passed through the Void Realm, and flew downwards, heading straight for the boundary between Yin and Yang where the Netherworld was located. The immortal clouds moved swiftly, sweeping across the vast land and boundless ocean, with the scenery below rushing past.

Lin Xuance seemed to know the way well, and without Xiao Jie's guidance, he flew at the forefront. As he arrived above the ruins of a dilapidated city, he suddenly slashed out with his sword, tearing open an entrance to the underworld out of thin air.

The four of them flew in together, passing through an invisible, cold, and gloomy barrier. The scene before them suddenly changed, and they found themselves in a dark and eerie underworld. After determining their direction, the four of them did not stop, transforming into four streaks of light and flying swiftly towards the direction of the Ghost City.

The four arrived together on clouds, their presence and scale far exceeding that of Xiao Jie alone. Four powerful streams of immortal energy converged, like a small sun rising in the dark underworld sky. Golden auspicious light dispelled the surrounding gloom, and wherever they passed, all ghosts fled in terror, and the eerie winds ceased.

The mere passage of the celestial aura over the Senluo Ghost City caused quite a stir within the city. The ghost generals patrolling the city walls were initially startled, but upon recognizing the person in the clouds and the familiar figure of Xiao Jie, they were overjoyed. They practically scrambled into the Senluo Palace to report the earth-shattering news of the arrival of the four immortals to King Yama, Qin Chuan.

Upon hearing that Xiao Jie had not only returned but had also invited three immortals who appeared to be highly accomplished, Qin Chuan was both surprised and delighted. He hurriedly led the civil and military judges, Ox-Head and Horse-Face, and other high-ranking officials of the Underworld out of the palace to welcome them.

Xiao Jie and his companions descended from the clouds and landed on the vast yet eerie plaza in the center of the Senluo Ghost City, where they met up with Yama and his entourage who were coming to greet them.

Upon seeing the three extraordinary figures behind Xiao Jie, shrouded in celestial light, Yan Jun Qin Chuan was overjoyed. When he saw Lin Xuance's face clearly, his expression shifted to one of pure delight. He rushed forward, cupped his hands, and exclaimed, "Oh my! I never expected to hear from 'Demon-Slaying Immortal' Lin Xuance! Thousands of years have passed, and your charisma is even more impressive than before!"

Lin Xuance merely snorted indifferently, his tone tinged with sarcasm: "I never imagined that when I left thousands of years ago, thinking I would never set foot here again, I would have to come to this ghostly place to work. Your Majesty, you spoke so eloquently back then, promising that as long as we immortals helped you, you would surely establish the order of reincarnation for all eternity. Now you've made a mess of this underworld, and it's on the verge of collapse. Now you're coming to ask us for help. What kind of logic is that?"

Qin Chuan, though caught off guard by Lin Xuance's sharp retort, remained unperturbed, merely chuckling awkwardly twice. "The Master is still as quick-witted and incisive as ever… Alas, this matter is a long story, truly not my wish, but forced upon me by circumstances." He then changed the subject, turning his gaze to the two immortals beside Lin Xuance, "And these two esteemed immortals are—"

Lin Xuance introduced them: "This is the Martial Dao Immortal, and this is the Mysterious Law Primordial Sovereign. Both of you are fellow Daoists who attained enlightenment and ascended to immortality long before me, and your magical powers and supernatural abilities are no less than mine."

Upon hearing this, Qin Chuan's smile widened, and he quickly bowed again solemnly: "Oh my! So it's the Martial Dao Immortal and the Myriad Laws Primordial Lord! My apologies! In this time of crisis in the Underworld, to have the three celestial beings and Immortal Master Sui Feng come together to lend a helping hand, I am truly grateful beyond measure, it is as if I have been given a second life! Please accept my bow!" As he spoke, he actually bowed slightly to the four of them, performing the proper etiquette perfectly.

Miaofa Yuanjun, however, was not buying it and said bluntly, "Your Majesty Yama, there's no need for such formalities. Although we agreed to come and help, the Emperor is not short of hungry soldiers, so the benefits you deserve cannot be omitted."

Qin Chuan nodded repeatedly, patting his chest and guaranteeing, "Of course! Of course! As long as you can help me quell the rebellion and defeat that false emperor, the treasure trove that the Underworld has accumulated for ten thousand years will surely be opened to the four immortals! You can choose from all the rare treasures, divine materials and immortal ingredients! Furthermore, if the four immortals ever need to retrieve the souls of their deceased loved ones from the River Styx in the future, just say the word, and I will personally oversee it without hesitation!"

Xiao Jie was initially somewhat wary of Yan Jun Qin Chuan due to his status and strength. However, seeing the three seasoned Daoist friends' calm and even slightly assertive attitude, he felt much more at ease and confident.

He also laughed and said, "Since Your Majesty is so generous, how about we settle the previous mission rewards first? By the way, I will also personally participate in the battle this time."

"Of course! Of course!" Qin Chuan smiled broadly, his tone utterly certain. "Including Immortal Master Sui Feng, four immortals have arrived! With this, our Netherworld orthodoxy, Senluo Ghost City, can finally rest easy! Victory in this battle is assured!"

As if to confirm his words, a semi-transparent system notification box immediately appeared in front of Xiao Jie's eyes:

System notification: Completed the story quest "Immortal Aid to the Underworld". You successfully invited four immortals to join Yama's camp, and you have gained 400 Karma Points.

System prompt: Since you have joined the Yama faction, the story quest "[The Calamity of Reincarnation]" has been automatically triggered. Do you accept? Yes/No.

(If you refuse this task, your reputation with Yama's faction will drop by 1000 points, and your relationship with Yama will become distant.)
This time, Xiao Jie didn't hesitate at all and directly chose "Yes." Since he had decided to participate, he would go all out and take advantage of the benefits! These Karma Points were valuable; ordinary equipment and items were beneath his notice given his current strength and perspective. Only top-tier immortal manuals, magical treasures, and divine artifacts that required Karma Points to exchange for were truly valuable to him and could genuinely improve his strength.

"Don't get too excited yet," Lin Xuance calmly interrupted the slightly enthusiastic atmosphere. "Your Majesty, please tell us your plan and the situation of the enemy and ourselves in detail. I heard that the Underworld Emperor has millions of ghosts under his command. The four of us alone cannot defeat them."

(End of this chapter)