Chapter 0004: One kneels, one bows, and one prostrates.

The man in the blue cloth cap glanced at the voluptuous woman and smiled, saying: "Brother Mu, you are too polite. Since you and I have come to my Qingliang Prefecture, as the landlord, it is my duty to take care of you."

Li Rong could not help but glance at Bai Tao'er, only to see her eyes shining brightly, her cheeks blooming with spring color, as she gazed dreamily at the slope.

Although the ghostly immortal is a yin deity, it does not travel as far as the yang deity's path of dual cultivation of life and death. However, for most people, becoming a ghostly immortal is already a dream that is hard to attain

This kneeling, this bowing, this prostration, all struck Chen Xuanqiu's heart with pain

There are countless paths in the cultivation of immortality, among which the methods of ghost cultivation are considered lesser paths, extremely difficult to attain the Great Dao. However, as the Great Dao is hard to pursue, many people do not even reach the level of the Great Vehicle before facing the tribulation of heavenly lightning, seeking that rare opportunity to become an immortal; by that time, their lifespan has already come to an end.

Chen Xuanqiu approached and stood still, observing a well-maintained large tomb. The mound was as high as a small hill, suggesting it belonged to a very wealthy and powerful family in the area. In front of the mound, there was a dark, pitch-black entrance. After sixteen strong men had carried the coffin inside, those armed with swords and knives began to shove fifty men and fifty women into the tomb.

The burly man, who had been knocked to the ground by a punch from him, got back up and, in a fit of anger and humiliation, hurled the steel knife. The knife whistled through the air, heading straight for the man's back.

Although Chen Xuanqiu had read some xianxia novels in his previous life that emphasized the principle of "if one does not act for oneself, heaven will punish them," it was not to mention helping others; it was already commendable not to regard others as mere fodder. However, Chen Xuanqiu found it difficult to convince himself to turn a blind eye.

It was not until this moment that Chen Xuanqiu suddenly realized that this was not just a world of myths and fairy tales, but also an era filled with ignorance, darkness, cruelty, and backwardness

The beautiful woman said softly: "Brother Li, our enemy is extremely formidable. Out of more than one hundred members of our Xuan Yin Ghost Sect, only five of us remain after being relentlessly pursued by him. My ancestor has already attained the true state of Yin Xia, yet he is still no match for him"

Chen Xuanqiu felt a chilling aura emanating from him, and could not help but be moved in his heart. This person is also a practitioner of the Dao, it seems he belongs to the lineage of Yin cultivation

The man, with a knife piercing through his chest, straightened his body. His knees buckled, and he knelt down before Chen Xuanqiu with a thud. He slowly raised both hands above his head, palms together, and solemnly bowed down to the ground once more: "I beg you, young master, save my sister!"

The man in the blue cloth cap smiled faintly and said proudly: "A strong dragon cannot suppress a local snake. No matter how great your abilities are compared to that rival in the library, once you arrive in Qingliang Prefecture, he will have to bow his head to me. This is the territory of our Ghost King Sect. Rest assured, once I, Li, finish the ritual, I will take you to meet Elder Cheng of our sect, who is a master of the Xuanming realm, surpassing even your master by a significant level."

Bai Taoer and Li Rong had some acquaintance when they were in the Central Plains. Upon escaping to Qingliangzhou, they came to seek refuge with him. However, these five individuals were afraid of scaring Li Rong away, so they remained vague about the identity of their adversaries. Not to mention that Li Rong did not ask; even if he had, they would not have dared to answer.

Li Rong was eager to return with beauty in tow, thus he was quite impatient. He was indeed capable of casting spells to capture the souls of these individuals, but he could not allow them to die in sacrifice; what would be the meaning of such a sacrifice

Afterward, there stood fifty men and fifty women, all dressed in ordinary clothes, holding banners and following along, each with a blank expression, resembling walking corpses.

By chance, he traversed through endless time and space and arrived in this world. He can accept a new identity, and he can strive to integrate into this new world. However, if he can regard such cruel and barbaric behavior as natural, what difference is there between him and the natives here

Having lived a whole new life, why can we not act according to our desires, daring to think and to do?

Li Rong, witnessing the scene, was consumed by jealousy. At that moment, upon seeing Chen Xuanqiu's obvious protective gesture, Li Rong's expression immediately turned cold. With a stern face, he ascended the hillside and ominously said: "Let her go!"

The man, pierced through the lungs by a knife, struggled to stand up, while the girl beside him, with blood on her hands, called out helplessly: "Brother?"

The five individuals accompanied the man with the blue cloth headwrap, their expressions subtly revealing admiration. Among them, the eldest said: "Brother Li, we have traveled from Dayong to seek refuge here, in this land of dual existence. From now on, we shall rely on you for everything."

Among them stood a slender middle-aged man, dressed in a blue robe adorned with bizarre patterns, his head wrapped in a piece of indigo cloth, his expression cold and sinister, exuding an air of arrogance

Chen Xuanqiu's heartstrings trembled violently, and he could not help but say: "Good!"

The man with the blue cloth headwrap is named Li Rong, and he does not regard the five enemies, whom others fear like tigers, at all. He has not even inquired about their origins or identities. Normally, he possesses such confidence because he is a disciple of the Ghost King Sect

Furthermore, this northwestern frontier is significantly more barren compared to the central kingdom of Dayong, and there are no particularly powerful sects or exceptional martial arts to speak of. Therefore, the Ghost King Sect has evidently become a dominant force in this region.

It was only that Chen Xuanqiu had never ventured into the world for experience, and that layer of old beliefs continued to envelop his true self. Now, with that unknown man kneeling down in a tragic manner, it has shattered the shackles that bound him.

Chen Xuanqiu looked at those pleading eyes, and his heart couldn't help but flutter

A man who initially only wanted to escape and had never dared to rise up in resistance suddenly erupted and threw a punch, knocking down a strong man. He seized a frail young girl from his hands and, holding her hand, fled up the hillside, saying: "Little sister, hurry up!"

Chen Xuanqiu's attire and demeanor clearly set him apart from ordinary individuals, and it is only such a person who would be willing to extend a helping hand, allowing his sister to have a glimmer of hope

Brother! Oh, brother~" The girl, who was to be sacrificed, held her brother tightly and began to cry heartily

Although the practice of ordinary aristocratic families sacrificing their lives has gradually disappeared in the course of human civilization, the complete abolition of this system began with the decree of Emperor Renzong of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Gaochi. Such inhumane acts have persisted for thousands of years in the long river of human history

The man was overjoyed, deeply bowing his forehead, striking it against his clasped hands, and then fell silent and motionless

Li Rong flicked his wrist and tossed out a small black figure, which was cut from a piece of paper, floating gently in the air. Chen Xuanqiu felt a wave of cold and filthy aura rushing towards him, and that black paper figure suddenly transformed into a fierce ghost with sharp horns and fangs, its hands spread wide, fingers like claws, lunging towards Chen Xuanqiu to grab him.

Li Rong cast a cold glance at the crying and struggling slaves, his expression somewhat impatient. He had traveled through Dayong, which is how he became acquainted with Bai Tao'er. At that time, he was a guest, and Bai Tao'er was the host. Although Li Rong was somewhat enamored by Bai Tao'er's alluring charm, he did not dare to act recklessly.

Li Rong sneered and said: "What Hidden Immortal Sect, what nonsense is that? I have never even heard of it. In my Ghost King Sect, who dares to interfere? Come and die!"

Not long ago, they committed a heinous crime in the Central Plains that incited the wrath of both gods and men, attracting a terrifying adversary. Upon hearing that this person was seeking trouble with them, the entire sect fled in panic. As a result, they were relentlessly pursued, and after more than one hundred fellow disciples escaped to this far western land, only five of them remained.

Those who wish to bury these slaves are not particularly wicked or evil individuals; they are well-dressed and cultured. They can repair bridges and roads, and they give alms to beggars. They also lament the hardships of the poor. However, in their eyes, slaves are not considered human

However, the Xuan Yin Ghost Path Sect relies on the cultivation of various talismans and spells, as well as the techniques of summoning ghosts and deities for possession, which is significantly inferior to the Ghost King Sect

As Chen Xuanqiu approached within twenty li of Jizhou City, he suddenly noticed several hundred people in a mountain hollow ahead, with the sound of bells and gongs ringing in unison, and the mournful notes of suona filling the air. Chen Xuanqiu instinctively reached for the suona that his junior disciple had given him, which was tucked away in his bundle

The five individuals beside Li Rong are all from the same sect, which is a small faction in the Central Plains. The full name of this sect is the Xuan Yin Ghost Path Sect, and it is considered a close relative of the Ghost King Sect, both belonging to the lineage of ghost cultivators

Chen Xuanqiu let out a loud roar and struck towards the little ghost with a punch, which was the most vigorous and yang punch in the martial arts he had mastered, "The Sun at High Noon"

Chen Xuanqiu, after showing courtesy before resorting to force, slightly cupped his hands and said: "I am Chen Xuanqiu from the 'Hidden Immortal Sect'. I would like to purchase this young lady; please name your price."

Oh? What is that...

The scene was suddenly filled with cries and wails. Upon witnessing this, Chen Xuanqiu felt a chill in his heart. He finally understood why the nearly one hundred men and women in this funeral procession appeared emaciated and expressionless; they were to be sacrificed along with the deceased

What are you entangled in, what are you hesitating about, and why think so much?

To act so recklessly in broad daylight either indicates that one has mastered the ghostly cultivation technique to a significant degree, at least having solidified their form, or that there is such a vast disparity in strength with the opponent that they do not fear any counterattack from the other party

Li Rong is merely a minor character in the Ghost King Sect, and naturally, he cannot be considered among the former. He does not think that this handsome young man, who looks like a delicate flower, is anything remarkable. Therefore, even though the power of the Daytime Ghost is reduced by half in both strength and duration, he remains completely unconcerned

Li Rong looked up the slope and saw a young man standing there, as graceful as a jade tree in the wind. The young man's demeanor and appearance were such that even Li Rong could not help but be captivated. However, the moment he thought about how his own possessions had made him so infatuated with this person, a strong sense of disgust arose in Li Rong's heart

The distance from Taosang Town to Jizhou City is merely 50 li, and with Chen Xuanqiu's physical ability, even without riding a horse or using magic, he walks at a swift pace. Moreover, he is walking in a straight line

The desperate cries of those emaciated slaves, each one heart-wrenching, belong to a group that looks just like them, speaks the same language, and possesses the same intellect. Yet, simply because they are slaves, they can be treated as mere burial goods, disposed of in such a manner

However, a ghost cultivator can continue to exist in the form of a primordial spirit for three hundred sixty years after the death of their physical body. If various secret methods are employed, it is not unusual for them to become a thousand-year-old ghost. During this process, they have more opportunities to attain the status of a ghost immortal

The man, like a drowning person grasping the last straw, desperately pleaded with Chen Xuanqiu. As his voice strained, blood flowed from his mouth. The knife had evidently pierced his internal organs, and his life was about to come to an end

After twenty-six years of modern civilization's influence, has it regressed due to his cowardice and selfishness? Is it still necessary to take pride in and shamelessly glorify it as adapting to local customs and survival of the fittest? That is a disgraceful decline

In his next life as a human, after eighteen years on Qingping Mountain, Chen Xuanqiu's character and will had already undergone significant changes. Particularly, his entire body of knowledge was based on the supreme mental techniques, leading to an extraordinary vitality and vigor that is rarely seen in the world, resulting in a naturally fierce temperament.

In the past, Chen Xuanqiu had only seen such a term in books. Although he understood its meaning, it could not compare to the intense shock of witnessing such a tragedy in the human world with his own eyes at this moment

As soon as this fellow made his move, he employed all his strength in the manner of a lion or an elephant fighting a rabbit, not because of his cautious nature, but rather due to his lack of confidence.

Perhaps this cultivation world is filled with various wonders compared to Chen Xuanqiu's previous life, yet the cultural development here, in comparison to the world he once inhabited, is sufficient for him to stand at a higher level, looking down upon it with disdain and contempt

Bai Taoer was infatuatedly staring at Chen Xuanqiu, feeling that every move he made, every raised eyebrow and every fleeting glance, was nothing short of breathtaking. Her heart was so captivated that she could hardly swallow, wishing to consume him whole.

As for the "Yin Xian Sect" where Chen Xuanqiu is located, ever since Chen Xuanqiu descended the mountain, his master has fled. Moreover, judging from the manifestation of his true form, it is likely that he is indeed a remarkable immortal from the upper realm, who has concealed his true identity and lurked in the mortal world, all for the sake of Chen Xuanqiu. Thus, the reputation of this "Yin Xian Sect" is naturally not prominent

Beside him stood five individuals, whose attire was evidently different from that of the funeral procession; they were dressed in ordinary clothing. Among these five, there were four men and one woman. The oldest of the men was barely in his forties, while the youngest was at least twenty. The woman, adorned in fine silk, had fair skin and striking beauty, with a curvaceous figure that was seven parts enchanting.

With a "thud," the steel knife pierced through the chest, the tip of the blade protruding from the front.

Chen Xuanqiu stepped forward, grasped the crying girl, and gently concealed her behind him. The girl was quite young, seemingly only twelve or thirteen years old, with a pale complexion and emaciated frame. Due to long-term malnutrition, her wrist felt extremely slender when he held it, likely comparable to that of an eight or nine-year-old child.

The power of ghost cultivation is at its peak during the night. During the day, affected by daylight, a ghost's strength can only exert less than fifty percent of its full potential. If a ghost's soul leaves its body, it is even more likely to be scattered. Therefore, ghost cultivators either choose to act at night or, like the Xuan Yin Ghost Sect, use spells and talismans to operate covertly.

Currently, the Xuan Yin Ghost Sect seems to have offended a formidable enemy, resulting in their members being killed in disarray. In the future, if they seek refuge with him, he only needs to apply a little pressure; would he still fear that this beauty would not obediently become his plaything? He is well aware that Bai Tao'er does not have a tight hold on her affections; she merely dislikes his appearance. However, now that Bai Tao'er is in need of his assistance, can she still maintain her aloofness?

Following that, there were dozens of men, women, and children dressed in mourning attire, wailing incessantly. Additionally, over one hundred strong men surrounded them, wielding swords and knives.

The white banners resembled a forest, the paper threads appeared like snow, and a coffin was carried by sixteen strong men to a large grave on the slope

In his first life-and-death struggle, Chen Xuanqiu felt apprehensive, yet he showed no signs of fear in his words, shouting loudly: "If you want to become a ghost, let me first teach you how to be a person!"

On Qingping Mountain, Chen Xuanqiu is the weakest among them, constantly being beaten by his senior brothers and sisters in various ways. When he cannot win, he can only flee, so the skill he is most confident in is how to escape his life.

The man raised his vacant eyes and saw Chen Xuanqiu standing dazed on the slope. A pleading expression appeared in his eyes as he struggled to say: "I beg you... please, young master, save... save my sister"

How dare you, you rodent! Do you resort to murder at the slightest disagreement? Chen Xuanqiu was filled with rage; at present, he appeared humble and gentle like jade, yet his character was as resolute as iron. Li Rong's sudden attack immediately provoked Chen Xuanqiu's true fury

Their generosity and kindness will not be extended to those slaves who share the same physical appearance, possess the same intelligence and language as they do. From childhood to adulthood, in their understanding of the world, humans and slaves have always belonged to two completely different species

This woman, nicknamed the "Killer Demoness," is a ruthless murderer who does not blink when taking lives. Her real name is quite elegant and pleasant, known as Bai Taoer.

He may be indifferent to fame and recognition, but if he loses even the basic standards of being a person, then is he still himself? He is merely hesitating; the customs of this world are such, how many can he save? This phenomenon has existed in the past, exists now, and will continue to exist in the future; what can he change?