The Path to Immortality Begins with the Life-Extending Lamp

Chapter 91 The Eastern Garden of the Underworld
"Golden threads break easily, and affection is easily severed; let the soul's garment be made of silk, and fragrance be the knot!"

"When a clan suffers a loss, they burn paper figures and winter clothes. Once they enter this netherworld, will they become paper servants and clothing ghosts to be commanded?"

Li Qing held the Eternal Regret Ghost Scissors in his arms, while the Myriad Soul Banner shrank to the size of a palm, with ghostly flames rising from it, and twenty-four weapons hovering around it.

The paper figures and ghostly figures slowly surrounding the north and south sides of the courtyard puzzled him even more!

Unfortunately, the evil spirits in the East Garden were filled with malice upon seeing him, clearly not benevolent.

The paper figures all resembled servants, with bamboo strips as bones and paper as skin, red dots on their cheeks, and red and green clothing. They were probably ordinary paper figures, but having lived in the underworld for a long time, they were no longer ordinary objects!

Those ghostly figures in the cold clothes were born from the cold clothes' longing for them. They were invisible and shadowless, with only dark ghostly shadows hovering on the cold clothes. The eerie curses and resentment were directed straight at Li Qing's face.

However, Li Qing remained unhurried. The Myriad Souls Banner unfurled thousands of black tassels, like a net woven from the heavens and the earth, immediately binding and binding the many paper dolls, and slapping them down to the ground.

Before it could resist, thousands of strands of soul energy sprouted, surrounding the paper figure with immense soul power and suppressing it. With a few crackling sounds, the paper figure popped and popped like popping beans, and most of the heavy gloomy aura was instantly removed.

As for the objects used to suppress the underworld, Li Qing had a plan in mind: which were good and which were bad, which could be kept and which could not.

This paper effigy has become a servant of the Eastern Garden of the Underworld. Its evil influence is nothing more than a fleeting nighttime wandering. Destroying it would be a shame. It would be better to leave it and wait for a better opportunity. In the future, it might become a helpful tool.

But that ghost in clothes!
Li Qing glanced to the side and saw that the ghost in clothes that had been drifting horizontally from the branches of the East Garden Road suddenly seemed to have touched some taboo. With several hissing sounds, it was cut in half by an unknown curse.

As the saying goes, "July's heat is waning, September is for giving out winter clothes. And now, in early October, we bring winter clothes!"
For thousands of years, the Cold Clothes Festival has been a way to commemorate the ghosts in the clothes. These ghosts, imbued with the spirits of humanity and the darkness of the underworld, have become even more terrifying than the paper figures.

However, before the ghost in the clothes could cross the line, it was cut down in the courtyard without causing the slightest disturbance.

Holding the ghost scissors, Li Qing saw in the Yin Eyes' vision that the courtyard immediately darkened, and dense, illusory blood lines hung down from the purple bamboo that grew wildly between the stone slabs of the courtyard and from the old willows that drooped over the garden.

Beside him, the aura of blood grew increasingly intense, as if countless ghostly hairs were about to fall from the void and drape over his shoulders.

The laws and restrictions of the underworld are complex, and the realm of ghosts and demons is difficult to open. However, this Ghost Scissors Curse, through its connection, reveals the bizarre cause and effect to Li Qing one by one.

With just a flick of the Xuan Yin Qi to stimulate the Ghost Scissors, all those cloaked ghosts were touched by the red thread in the blink of an eye. Curses and vengeance were unstoppable, and those cloaked ghosts immediately scattered on the ground like tattered rags!
Li Qing suddenly had a sudden realization.

Hatred and resentment lead to curses, and evil consequences arise from them. Is this the magical wheel of the Ghost Scissors?
Unfortunately, after using the Karmic Blood Curse to directly kill many of the clothing ghosts, Li Qing felt a stinging pain in his right arm, as the ghost hair on the Long-Hate Scissors was also deeply binding his right arm.

The Path of Soul, the Path of Blood, the Path of Cause and Effect...

Cause and effect are the most harmful things. Li Qing, who manipulated this thread, also suffered some of the consequences.

"However, that's nothing!"

The ferocity of the Ghost Scissors was somewhat restrained in the underworld. Even though the evil consequences of using the Ghost Scissors would befall him, Li Qing only summoned his vast Xuan Yin Qi and had the resentful hair entangle the Yuan Qi. Instantly, at the cost of eliminating three-tenths of the Xuan Yin Qi, he stopped the Ghost Scissors' rampage!

A person's body is in the heavens and earth, and their life hangs in the hands of heaven.

This method of using primordial energy to replace life force and block the backlash from the ghostly scissors is not a particularly profound technique.

"The original 'King Mu' statue should have been like this, nourishing the long-lasting hatred with dark yin energy and driving the incantation with turbid yin energy..."

No one would spend thousands of years refining a forbidden artifact that would kill a thousand people but also harm eight hundred of their own. If that were the case, it would only mean that the artifact's owner had not found its true purpose and could not control this "artifact".

Several more methods to counter the backlash from this forbidden artifact came to mind.

Glancing at the twelve or thirteen paper figures on the ground, Li Qing flicked her sleeve, unleashing a boundless surge of Xuan Yin Qi, like a blue dragon emerging from her sleeve, accompanied by a raging gale that sent the paper figures flying one by one.

When the paper figures fell to the ground, only their dark eyes rolled around, but due to the interruption of yin energy, they could no longer move for a short time!

Li Qing held the Long Regret Scissors in her arms and, with the gait of a dragon and the stride of a tiger, slowly approached the East Garden.

The courtyard is about three acres in size. On the west side, all the way to the garden, there is neither a skylight nor a hanging flower gate, nor any screen.

It is a secluded courtyard with layers of purple bamboo and green willows. Following the stone path and passing the pavilions, you enter the East Garden. To the north and south, there is a row of side rooms built against the wall, where many paper figures and ghosts live, just like servants serving their master.

In the center of the East Garden stands a rather large and unusual tree, with lush branches and leaves, bearing abundant fruit, its crown like a canopy, shading the courtyard.

"It's not as prestigious as having a high-ranking official position, like Qingyun Huagai, but rather sitting in the central command of the Eastern Garden. There's definitely something to consider!"

As Li Qing passed by this spiritual tree, he saw its verdant canopy and couldn't help but admire it.

In this garden, the feng shui of the green fruit tree is the most important. Leaving the tree in the courtyard is originally a "trapped" arrangement. However, if it is a secluded residence, a canopy of green clouds breaks the pattern, and the situation becomes different.

However, despite his admiration, he did not slow down in the slightest and continued straight towards the easternmost pavilion in the East Garden.

The blue bricks and yellow tiles surrounding the entire courtyard are still intact, without any of the original defects that led to the garden.

Beneath the eaves and stone steps, a thin layer of moss seemed to have grown between the cracks in the blue bricks. Each corner of the eaves hung with a requiem bell. Suddenly, a gentle breeze stirred, and the rusty bronze bells swayed one after another, their clear sounds echoing in the secluded courtyard...

It truly is a rare and tranquil place.

Sudden.

Li Qing stopped in her tracks and suddenly looked up.

On the third floor of the pavilion, a figure was hidden behind the railing, his cold gaze immediately falling down.

The next instant, a creak was heard and the door of the East Hall Pavilion suddenly opened. This sudden change startled Li Qing. When he looked back at the pavilion, the shadowy figure had already disappeared.

Does the East Garden have an owner?

"And it's a daytime visit!" "However, this underworld hasn't received any offerings for eight hundred years. With the collapse of the netherworld, the lord within has no more incense offerings, and his three souls have likely been scattered, his spirit no longer remaining..."

Although vengeful spirits are reborn in the underworld and can enjoy a long lifespan, their path is not without worry. Their souls are scattered, their true essence is not concentrated, and they only rely on the protection of "spirit" and "qi" to survive.

However, if one does not follow the right path, one's soul will only dissipate with time. For example, when the Netherworld collapsed and the path of ghosts was severed, a large number of ghosts and gods were trapped in one place, their souls scattered and their spirits vanished, turning into fierce ghosts, without spirit or wisdom, only clinging to a single obsession to survive.

Ordinary day trips no longer pose a significant threat to him!

Li Qing picked up the Long-Hate Scissors in one hand, raised the Ten Thousand Souls Banner and hung it on his shoulder, and strode into the pavilion.

This is the main pavilion of the East Garden. The entire pavilion occupies a considerable area, and it is reminiscent of the front courtyard where Li Qing and the Ghost Mother first met. It is antique and well-decorated.

As Li Qingyin's pupils scanned, the trails of black energy of varying depths seemed to reveal the location where the vengeful ghost usually roamed.

Li Qing didn't linger on the first floor. The vengeful ghost wasn't there. He simply followed the darkest wisp of black energy and headed upstairs.

The wooden staircase is only to the left of the entrance to the attic. The screen is made of brocade, with gold and silver threads embroidering clouds and cranes, and blue and black ink dots depicting ripples. Green wine cups and jade tripods hang on the wall, and vermilion and white jade curtains are rolled up. The railings are carved with phoenixes and painted with phoenixes, and are lined with fragrant sachets of orchids and lilies.

As soon as I reached the second floor, I saw rows of ink scrolls hanging down. The plain paper scrolls, about two palm widths wide, covered the walls. The ink marks on them were like swimming dragons and soaring phoenixes, as if the characters were about to leap off the paper.

"Red beans grow in the south, how many branches will sprout in spring..."

“The official documents of the Northern Kingdom, or rather, the Phoenix Documents of the previous dynasty!” Li Qing raised an eyebrow and said in surprise.

It is conceivable that the master of this Eastern Garden of the Underworld must have been a man of great talent and ambition in the past. Even after entering the Netherworld and living in a secluded garden for a long time, he was still able to manage this courtyard and, in his spare time, write down those masterpieces of calligraphy.

It's a pity that such a person met such a tragic end, his soul vanishing without a trace.

Looking around at the entire floor filled with calligraphy and paintings, with plain paper scrolls covering the walls and dragon and phoenix patterns adorning the walls, Li Qing was eager to go in and take a look, but still showed no sign of stopping.

Because that overwhelming, gloomy aura was hovering above his head at that moment!
The vengeful ghost was waiting for this outsider on the third floor of the attic.

Li Qing slowly moved his right arm, which was holding the Ghost Scissors, to sharpen the blade of the talisman. Then, he slightly raised his left palm, lifting the Ten Thousand Souls Banner, and stepped onto the steps while bearing the aura of the wandering ghost god.

Embroidered with cloud patterns, the black boots stepped up the stairs, one step, two steps... The Heavenly Mystic Qi surrounding them became so dense that it seemed to transform into a water curtain.

Li Qing slowly emerged from the staircase, which had been deserted for hundreds of years. First, a gloomy and handsome face appeared, with black hair casually tied behind his back and a coarse cloth robe that made him appear even more carefree.

Next, what came into view was the small black banner floating in his palm, and the ghost scissors in his arms were even more terrifying; just one glance at them was like a blinding glint of cold light.

Just as Li Qing stepped onto the third floor, a serene gaze swept over from the balcony, and the two immediately locked eyes.

"This is……"

Upon seeing that figure, Li Qing was immediately shaken.

The next instant, a terrifying attack descended mercilessly upon Li Qing. Ghostly purple flames sprang up in the void and began to scorch Li Qing's protective energy with a hissing sound.

At the same time, the soul banner fluttered and the powerful soul force surged, instantly pushing away the ghost fire. The twenty-four sharp auras of the golden spear and silver axe suddenly erupted, breaking through the ghost fire curtain and slashing towards the fierce ghost.

The golden halberd was sixteen feet long, and the silver axe was twelve feet long. These were ritual implements, and with the blessing of the soul banner and the power of the soul, they dashed left and right in the blink of an eye, shattering the aura of the vengeful ghost.

Li Qing drew upon the Heavenly Mansion Profound Qi to protect herself, while narrowing her eyes, her heart filled with unease!
"The vengeful ghost in the East Garden is actually a woman, and she even bears a six-point resemblance to the Ghost Mother, Cui Qu'er."

Are they from the same clan as the Cui family in Jiangnan? Or perhaps, close relatives by blood?
Although this ghost has an unusual appearance, it is still a day-traveling ghost.

Six cold lights collided with the ghostly figure, and two golden spears were knocked away and fell into the courtyard.

It wasn't that the Soul Banner was ineffective in controlling the artifact, but rather that this vengeful ghost was extremely extraordinary. In fact, its soul power expanded in just a few breaths, and the ghost fire that had been dispelled returned with a vengeance. The ghost flames, even more violent than before, rose out of thin air, attempting to completely devour Li Qing.

After several rounds of fighting in the distance, the clanging sounds of the weapons rang out. The ghost was caught off guard and two golden spears pierced its back several inches deep. Then, a sharp shriek was heard, as if its soul was about to be torn apart.

The ghostly spirit, its mind clouded, was unable to dodge or maneuver against the twenty-four weapons. It managed to withstand two blows but could not find its enemy. Instead, it stretched out its right hand and grabbed at Li Qing.

"Uh!"

Immediately, Li Qing let out a muffled groan, and a magic talisman lit up on each of the five fingers of the vengeful ghost. Each of the five magic talismans transformed into a ghostly phantom, which actually pinned Li Qing to the spot.

The Five Ghosts Nail Head Technique: Pointing and Moving Objects!
This is actually a minor supernatural power?
While Li Qing was still in shock and doubt, the shadowy figure lunged forward and reached out to grab him.

But then a crisp "snap" was heard, and the ghost's head suddenly fell off.

Li Qing held the Long-Hate Scissors, the ghost blades facing each other, the Five Ghosts nailing his head, yet they could not stabilize his ever-changing Xuan Yin Qi.

With a flash of cold light, the roaming ghost was instantly decapitated.

Naturally, half of Li Qing's vital energy was also cut off at the same time.

Long-lasting hatred and resentment will eventually vanish when the cause is extinguished!
As the vengeful ghost was decapitated, the Five Ghosts Nail-Head Technique collapsed on its own, and eighteen golden spears and silver axes fell down simultaneously, piercing through the ghost's body.

The golden spear and the yin axe, imbued with soul-shaking power, were unstoppable in their ability to break through magic and evil. The eighteen strands of weapon energy instantly shattered the vengeful ghost, turning it into a dense cloud of yin energy that scattered in all directions.

At this moment, Li Qing suddenly became even more wary, and quickly took two steps back to distance himself from the illusory blood ghost that was faintly appearing on the blood line. He also quickly closed the Long-Hate Ghost Scissors.

Once the blood demon phantom disappeared, Li Qing seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. He immediately flicked his finger and summoned back the twenty-four weapons, which circled around the Ten Thousand Soul Banner, protecting him.

Li Qing gazed at the vengeful ghost lying on the ground, pondering...
"This Ghost Scissors Killing Curse killed someone, and now a blood ghost is stealing their soul... And is that the Five Ghosts Leaping and Nail-Head Technique?"

(End of this chapter)