Chapter Seventy-Nine: Harvesting Points

After everything was settled, Zhou Bai immediately decided to set out for Nether Street. This time, after vanquishing an opponent whose strength far exceeded his own, the system was generous, granting him abundant rewards.

The battle awarded him a total of 546 points—43 points from the avatar of the Cadaver and 503 from the Cadaver’s true body.

Of course, all of this occurred while Zhou Bai was unconscious, and he only learned of it later from the system log.

After transforming into his True Bone Aspect, it seemed he had performed something quite extraordinary. Zhou Bai had inquired of Yu Jun, and learned that his true form had absorbed the dark energy within the Ghost Valley's locking formation and expelled it. That surge of darkness condensed into a stream, breaking straight through the formation and shooting up into the heavens.

To Yu Jun, it appeared as if Zhou Bai's true form was simply venting excess dark energy from within. Yet, in truth, it had executed a precise strike, obliterating the Cadaver’s true body in one blow.

Zhou Bai was left with lingering trepidation. Killing the Cadaver’s true body—luck had played a greater role than raw strength. Losing control of his true form was hardly a conventional method; it was far too dangerous.

Still, since he had managed to gain such a windfall of points, he accepted them with pleasure.

But Zhou Bai did not rush to open the system interface and spend them. This was the largest sum he had ever received, and he needed to carefully plan how to use it.

The most important goal was to master his true form. Next, he needed to find a suitable technique for his Demon Dao powers.

His Buddhist Dao powers were also invaluable—the Great Treasure of Glazed Medicine’s lotus seeds each represented a life, though he wondered how long it would take to regenerate a new seed.

With points in abundance this time, he planned to elevate both the Sutra of Kṣitigarbha’s Vows and the Diamond Sutra to divine abilities.

It would also be best to find some martial arts manuals. In Hangdu, Zhou Bai had entrusted Wang Lei to help collect them, and he hoped to gain something during his visit to Nether Street.

Daoist Hou’s predicament was not simple either. From Zhou Bai’s preliminary understanding of Ghost Dao techniques, abilities that affected the entire body were rare, and it would not be easy to find a suitable method.

After bidding farewell to Yu Jun and Hou Bocheng, Zhou Bai prepared to depart.

Having learned the destination, Daoist Hou set out as soon as the banquet had ended.

Before leaving, Wen Meng, finally sober, stopped Zhou Bai with hesitation.

“Zhou Bai, there’s something I’d like to ask of you.”

“What is it, Senior Wen Meng?” Zhou Bai replied respectfully. Regardless of Wen Meng’s cultivation, he had always treated Zhou Bai with relative kindness.

Though Zhou Bai hadn’t made use of the insights from the Object Control Manual, Wen Meng, as a senior, had indeed been conscientious and responsible.

“If possible, strive to become Hangdu’s guardian. Don’t worry about being bound here forever—once the matters in Xuzhou are resolved, the Nether Registry’s strength in the south won’t be so thin.”

“Why ask me to take up this post?” Zhou Bai was indifferent about the position of Hangdu’s guardian.

He knew that, barring unforeseen complications, he would soon master his true form, and upon promotion, he would indeed qualify.

Wen Meng breathed out in relief. “Last time, that Cadaver was an avatar of a White Lotus Cult member. We’ve already reported the situation, and White Lotus, wary of the Nether Registry, won’t make any open moves, but they may act in secret.”

He patted Zhou Bai’s shoulder. “With you as guardian, I’ll feel more at ease.”

Zhou Bai’s lips twitched. In truth, the Cadaver’s true body had been annihilated; given the White Lotus Cult’s cautious nature, they would likely avoid any activity near Hangdu for some time.

The White Lotus Cult had survived so many years without being eradicated by the Nether Registry—they must have their reasons.

Nevertheless, Zhou Bai found some interest in the post. Rather than gaining another superior to oversee him, it was more comfortable to be in charge himself.

“What should I do then?”

“You can advance your position in Nether Street. Once you reach the rank of Assistant Sealholder, you’ll be eligible to serve as Hangdu’s guardian. After you master your true form, just pass the Nether Registry's promotion test.”

Wen Meng sighed. “Am I asking too much of you?”

“Not at all, but it will take me some time to master my true form.”

“After I step down, the Registry allows a period of vacancy for Hangdu’s guardian. Besides, after the Cadaver disaster, few will be interested in the post.”

They discussed the matter further, settled the details, and Zhou Bai set out for Nether Street.

It had been over a month since his last visit.

Zhou Bai arrived at the coffin shop, where Daoist Hou was already waiting. Over the past two days, his corpse transformation had worsened, and he was naturally anxious.

Once they confirmed no one was around, they opened the mechanism on the central coffin in the main hall. The narrow tunnel appeared before them.

Having passed through the tunnel, a heavy stone door stood before Zhou Bai.

Compared to his previous visit, Zhou Bai’s strength was now more than sufficient.

He took a deep breath, directing the refined dark energy throughout his body, then placed his hands on the stone door and pushed hard.

A small gap appeared in the stone door. Zhou Bai continued, widening the crack until it was large enough for a person to pass through.

“Why do the Nether Registry people prefer living underground? And this entrance is so crude,” Daoist Hou muttered, swallowing nervously and stepping back a few paces as he looked at Zhou Bai. “You’re not planning to find a deserted place to finish me off, are you? Am I really beyond salvation?”

“Don’t make such a fuss. Where’s the Daoist method I asked you to record?”

“So many divine abilities pressing down, and now I have to learn a Daoist technique? Aren’t you afraid you’ll be mediocre at everything?”

Daoist Hou reluctantly took out a few sheets of rice paper from his sleeve. The ink was fresh—clearly written in recent days.

“Just keep it. You’ll have no use for this technique in the future anyway.”

Zhou Bai smiled, the system prompt already appearing—Daoist Hou hadn’t deceived him.

He pointed into the darkness beyond the stone door. “Old Hou, hurry inside.”

Daoist Hou hesitated. If it was a sealed cave, Zhou Bai could close the door behind him, trapping him inside. Then again, he could absorb dark energy without eating—he wouldn’t die easily.

With that in mind, Daoist Hou was even more reluctant to enter.

“Suit yourself.”

Seeing this, Zhou Bai pretended to leave. After a few steps, as Daoist Hou relaxed, Zhou Bai spun around and kicked him straight into the stone doorway.

Zhou Bai dusted his hands, feeling a rush of satisfaction—beating up Daoist Hou was unexpectedly enjoyable.

He recorded the Daoist method into the system, then stepped inside himself.

As the two entered Nether Street, the stone door gave a faint rumble, then slowly closed behind them.