"This is the Six Paths Reincarnation Disc. I took it from the Meng Clan. Our clan welcomes the idea of trading with you, Daoist Friend. However, whether or not you can open the channel depends on your own ability. The Six Paths Reincarnation Disc is a gift from the Meng Clan. I hope you can survive against the Ghost Mother. I'm counting on you to open up a trade route. So don't you dare die."
The proprietress spoke calmly.
She knew well how terrifying the Nine-Child Ghost Mother was. Although not yet comparable to the Meng Clan or Lady Meng Po, her survivability was monstrous. The Ghost Mother, connected with her ghostly offspring, could not truly die as long as even one of her children remained. Even if she were slain, she could revive again and again—endlessly reborn.
There were rumors that she hadn't just borne nine ghost children once, but multiple times. No one knew how many. This meant that killing the Ghost Mother was nearly impossible. Some ghost children might not even be aware of their identity, hidden within the Underworld, perhaps never to be used.
There was a saying regarding her:
"When ghost children cover the Underworld, the Ghost Mother becomes the Mother of Ten Thousand Ghosts."
Thus, in the Underworld, the Ghost Mother was a taboo topic. No one dared to speak lightly of her. For top cultivators, even uttering her name could draw her attention—the kind of spiritual sensitivity referred to as divine resonance.
To speak of her was to form karma.To name her was to call her.
"Don't worry. Our deal stands firm. I'm not afraid to tell you—what you see here is just a clone. Even if it perishes, my main body won't be affected. In the Underworld, I fear no death. Our trade continues!"
Yi Tianxing smiled as he looked at Meng Qi.
At this moment, he didn't mind giving her more confidence. It was another way to secure the Meng Clan's goodwill. Revealing that this was merely a clone also showcased his own depth and power. For a partnership to work, the status of both parties needed to be balanced—otherwise inequality would inevitably affect cooperation.
"A clone?!"
Meng Qi was visibly shocked. She hadn't noticed anything strange before. For a clone to possess such power, it was unheard of. However, she was secretly relieved. What had seemed a hopeless situation now had a new chance.
As Yi Tianxing said, even if the clone died, it wouldn't affect the cooperation. That made her "investment" feel all the more worthwhile.
"You'd best not leave the Yellow Springs Inn for the next few days. The Ghost Mother may still give the Meng Clan some face, but I don't know how long that will last. I'm heading back to the clan now to ask the Ancestor if she might mediate—maybe even Lady Meng Po herself."
Meng Qi then turned to leave again.
Knock, knock, knock!
Shortly after, an urgent knock rang out.
"Daoist Yi, urgent news—we must talk immediately!"
The voice belonged to Zhao Li, filled with anxiety.
Once inside, he got straight to the point:
"Did you kill the Red-Robed Ghost King? Is he still in your custody? If so, hand him over now. That ghost king is untouchable!"
"Because of the Nine-Child Ghost Mother?" Yi Tianxing asked calmly.
"You already know?" Zhao Li blinked, then said quickly:"That ghost king is one of the Ghost Mother's male consorts. We had no clue before, but we just found a portrait of the Ghost Mother in the City Lord's mansion—one that only her consorts possess. That robe he wears marks his identity. He hid it well. Even when you captured him, he said nothing—clearly hoping the Ghost Mother would come avenge him."
"Give him to me. The Ghost Mother won't dare attack us Ghost Marshals directly, or she'll stir up public wrath. But if you kill him—she'll never let it go."
This revelation had clearly shaken Zhao Li. The Ghost King's identity had been hidden so deep that none had suspected a thing. But the Ghost Mother was not one to forgive.
He had rushed here to take the Ghost King away—hoping to reduce Yi Tianxing's exposure to danger.
"No need," Yi Tianxing replied flatly."With the Ghost Mother's nature, she already knows everything. I suppressed the Ghost King. I insulted her pride. It's too late to undo that. Whether I hold him or not makes no difference. I've already sensed her killing intent lingering in the air."
Yi Tianxing took a deep breath. Since fate was sealed, he would not retreat. Not only would he not release the Ghost King, he would have his soul completely destroyed, used as nourishment for Nannan's evolution.
"You'd better flee," Zhao Li said."I know the inn has a teleportation array that leads straight to the Meng Clan. Lady Meng Po is there. Even the Ghost Mother wouldn't dare act up in her presence. Go now—think about other matters later."
"Don't worry. The Ghost Mother wants me dead? She's welcome to try. I don't joke with my own life. But I do have one request, Zhao Daoist."
"Name it," Zhao Li replied earnestly.
"Nannan is my younger sister. The Red-Robed Ghost King captured her soul and dragged her to the Underworld. I want you to open the Ghost Gate and guide her back to the world of the living—return her to the place she was taken from."
Yi Tianxing had originally planned to personally return Nannan to the mortal realm, but this sudden threat from the Ghost Mother made that impossible. Now he had no choice but to entrust her to Zhao Li.
"Rest assured, Daoist Yi. I will personally ensure her safe return. There will be no mistake," Zhao Li vowed with conviction.
"Then please wait two more days," Yi Tianxing said with a nod.
Soon after, Zhao Li also departed.
"Nine-Child Ghost Mother, is it? Others may fear you. I, Yi Tianxing, do not. Even if this clone perishes, so what? I may not win—but I dare to fight."
He did not immediately act, however. Nannan was still in seclusion, perfecting her technique. He had to buy time until she finished. Once her cultivation stabilized, she would be able to survive independently, and even grow stronger quickly.
"Time is too short. I must take drastic measures."
Yi Tianxing muttered to himself and summoned the Time Pocket Watch, placing it above Nannan's head. It began to alter the flow of time, expanding internal time so she could complete her practice faster.
He then turned to examine the Six Paths Reincarnation Disc in his hand. Merely holding it, he could feel reincarnation Dao runes pulsing through it—channels seemed to open inside, threatening to pull his spirit into endless cycles of rebirth.
"The Six Paths of Reincarnation… the 'Six Paths' themselves are the key. They can be customized. Once set, they can't be changed."
Yi Tianxing pondered silently.
The six conventional paths were: Heaven, Human, Beast, Demon, Ghost, and Hell (Earth).
That was the mainstream system and the foundation of reincarnation in the Underworld.
But he now understood: Reincarnation contains the Six Paths, but is not limited to them.
One could choose which six paths to include. For instance, the Dragon Clan could form their own True Dragon Path in the disc. It all depended on the wielder's will and the requisite treasures used to forge the new paths.