Chapter 74: Continuing to Grow Strong in Secrecy

After learning the situation from the Ghost General, Zhang Kai’s mind had sketched out a rough main storyline.

Once, the Three Realms were as they should be, continuing their ancient traditions. The gods and Buddhas still sat high above, wielding power, while all living beings calculated their days with hardship and caution, striving to eke out their existence.

But then, something called the Taboo stirred trouble across the heavens, angering those above all realms. It was beaten and forced to retreat. The myriad races of the heavens seized the chance to strike, seeking to avenge past humiliations and press their advantage.

However, the Taboo was not to be trifled with. It dug a pit in return, ensnaring the races of the heavens and causing heavy losses. What remained could only linger on, barely surviving in the Three Realms.

As for the mortal world, it was best left unmentioned; everyone hid away, dormant in their scattered refuges.

The situation in the Netherworld was better—at least there was still territory to fight over.

And then came Zhang Kai, a turning point.

He possessed the power to seize objects from videos on his phone and make them his own. Once something appeared in a video, it could be transformed from fiction into reality. This ability was astonishing, bordering on the miraculous.

From previous events, Zhang Kai was ninety percent certain that his power was related to the Taboo. Otherwise, if such a terrifying ability existed in the Three Realms, the realms would have been unified long ago, leaving no room for the Buddha Lord or the Jade Emperor.

In the mortal world, he could not materialize higher-level items from movies. Perhaps the mortal realm held special significance, and the Taboo did not permit destructive powers there.

But upon entering the Netherworld, he could unleash a portion of his power.

Zhang Kai felt he had come to the right place; here, he could train, grow stronger, and maximize his potential.

Feeling closer to the truth, Zhang Kai began to plan for his future.

No matter why he had been chosen, he decided to make the most of it.

Getting stronger was all that mattered—why overthink it?

Life is meant to be brilliant.

He soared through the sky, holding a steady direction, and after an indeterminate time, he discovered a vast watery expanse, stretching to the horizon, grand and magnificent.

On the other side of this water lay endless mountain ranges.

Each peak was towering, but barren—no grass or trees.

Zhang Kai was amazed.

Mountains and water, endless and interconnected; the environment of the Netherworld was truly a marvel, shaped by mysterious hands.

Unsure which way to go, he decided to descend into a valley, preparing for his second ascent to power.

He pitched his tent, enlarged it, and entered, only to find nearly a hundred beautiful maids inside, all panic-stricken and looking at him with fearful expressions.

Zhang Kai smiled. “I have good news for you. The previous owner of this tent gave it to me, so from now on, you’ll follow me.”

The maids remained silent.

Zhang Kai continued, “Whatever things were like before, they’ll stay the same. Don’t worry, I won’t do anything to you. Just don’t defy me, and all will be well.”

The maids exchanged glances and finally knelt, calling him master.

Zhang Kai smiled in satisfaction.

They were all quite obedient.

It seemed the Ghost General had a knack for selecting servants.

He dismissed the maids, letting them busy themselves, and found a small courtyard to settle in.

At that moment, Madam Liu appeared, unable to contain herself.

“Aren’t you playing a bit too big? You barged into the Netherworld, pretending to be the sworn brother of an Imperial Lord. If this gets out, you’ll have a hard time dying even if you want to.”

Zhang Kai replied, “You’re scared?”

She rolled her eyes. “Obviously. Who wouldn’t be? It’s like striking an egg against a rock.”

“You’re free to leave me,” Zhang Kai said. “There’s no binding between us. The Netherworld is better than the mortal realm, so you won’t suffer much here.”

“That won’t do. You haven’t given me the benefits you promised,” Madam Liu retorted.

Zhang Kai chuckled, pulled out his backpack, took out his phone, opened a TV drama, and snatched the Five Element Spirit Beads from Legend of the Immortal Sword, handing them to Madam Liu.

“See if these are enough.”

In the Netherworld, the suppression on the Five Element Spirit Beads was gone; each one shone brilliantly, their spiritual energy vast and astonishing.

Madam Liu’s eyes sparkled. “Gold, wood, water, fire, earth—the Five Element Spirit Beads. Judging by their grade, they’re at least of innate quality. Such divine treasures—are you truly willing to give them to me?”

Zhang Kai replied, “I’m always generous to those who help me.”

Madam Liu accepted without hesitation. “Master, I think my sense of devotion isn’t high enough. I’m willing to follow you no matter what, even through fire and blade.”

“Are you sure?” Zhang Kai smiled.

“Absolutely. You’re my master. I’m your cutest little sapling—I’ve even bled for you,” Madam Liu said, worried Zhang Kai might drive her away.

With innate treasures like these, surely greater things were possible.

She wasn’t a fool; leaving such a patron would be a loss.

Zhang Kai said, “Then get out of here—don’t distract me from my cultivation.”

“Alright! If you need me, I’ll be the chief steward here, ensuring everything runs smoothly,” Madam Liu said, laughing as she left.

Zhang Kai, unconcerned, took another phone and snatched five more spirit beads from Legend of the Immortal Sword.

Their only use to him was providing spiritual energy.

Yet his fundamental strength was still low-level internal energy, which did not meet his requirements. He needed to progress—to reach a level where he could battle a Ghost King without transforming.

He sat cross-legged, the five spirit beads circling him, enveloping him in dense spiritual energy.

Such energy—how many gods would need to be sealed in the mortal world to reach this level?

Clearly, the path of sealing gods was not the right one.

Fortunately, failure is the mother of success, and now he was on the proper path to becoming strong.

Clearing his mind, he absorbed spiritual energy, transforming it into internal power.

In that moment, his internal power changed rapidly.

After an unknown length of time, over a century’s worth of internal power had been fully converted into true energy.

But the quantity was too little.

Only a few decades worth of true energy—not enough to reach the core-forming stage.

No matter.

He had plenty of elixirs, and all could be transformed with spiritual energy. He was determined to achieve a thousand years of cultivation, so that when he ventured out, he could protect himself in the Netherworld.

He immersed himself in cultivation, unable to extricate himself.

Time flowed like water, fading away.

One day, a terrifying aura erupted from the small courtyard where Zhang Kai resided, covering the entire tent space.

The maids glanced at it and ignored it.

Such changes occurred regularly—they were used to it.

Moreover, all the maids found that their new master was far better than the Ghost General; at least they weren’t tormented to death and rebirth, and their ghostly lives now held some hope.

“So this is the Primordial Spirit? Indeed, the power of China is far superior to any so-called superhero. At the Primordial Spirit stage, one could dominate the world. It’s a pity that advancing to Earth Immortal isn’t possible; otherwise, I’d establish my own forbidden land. The Taboo’s suppression shows no mercy to friend or foe,” Zhang Kai said, looking at his palm-sized spiritual form with a hint of regret.

Becoming immortal was his earliest dream, unchanged to this day.

But at least, he no longer had to worry about his lifespan.

Now, living for a thousand years or more would be effortless.

“Master, something’s wrong—they’re trying to take me!”

Suddenly, a cry rang out, and Madam Liu rushed in.

Zhang Kai frowned. “What happened?”

Madam Liu, aggrieved, replied, “A Ghost King from the Yellow Springs wants to make me his concubine. Master, you have to save me.”

“The Yellow Springs?”

“That’s the water outside—the Yellow Springs.”

Zhang Kai was surprised.

Such a vast expanse, called ‘springs’? Was that appropriate?

The thought flashed by, and Zhang Kai stood up, his strength freshly improved. He needed opponents for his trials.

And here was a target.

“Come, let’s go see.”