Chapter 199

Chapter 199: How to Find Someone

You You’s idea was straightforward. Since Qiu Zhang was a ghost, she needed to consult those most familiar with spiritual matters – beings from the Nether Realm. When Living Beings die, their wandering souls return there. This realm could only be entered by the dead, inaccessible even to the Divine Clan. The sole Nether Realm connection she’d encountered was the Messenger of the Underworld who’d collected soul essence during Qiu Yao’s disastrous scheme.

That Messenger might know why Qiu Zhang couldn’t continue Cultivation.

The real challenge became locating this Messenger.

Last time, the figure had vanished immediately after gathering scattered soul remnants. Without any contact method, where could she search?

Then she recalled – the Messenger had specifically collected soul fragments too weak to enter the Nether Realm, those facing soul scattering. Perhaps Messengers appeared wherever such unstable souls existed?

Though uncertain how many Messengers existed, any should know about Qiu Zhang’s situation. Strangely confident they’d cooperate, You You instructed Ling Qi to investigate areas plagued by resentful souls, lingering evil spirits, or dens of evil cultivators – the more tragic locations, the better. She’d personally investigate rather than sending Disciples.

Unexpectedly, Ling Qi answered before starting research.

– None!

“What?” She blinked. “Our Disciples handle daily missions!”

“The Sect receives many requests,” Ling Qi explained wearily. “Most involve seasonal monster disturbances or territorial breaches. Larger issues concern minor demons. Resentful soul cases? Virtually nonexistent.”

“None at all?” You You stared. “You said they were common before!”

“After Qiu Yao’s crimes were exposed,” Ling Qi rubbed his temple, “all immortal sects treat resentful souls with utmost vigilance. Disciples resolve any cases immediately, never letting them escalate. Hence no related requests reach us.”

So her preventive measures worked too well?

“Then evil cultivators?” She tried. “Soul-harvesting practitioners?”

“Even fewer!”

“Why?”

“Sect Master destroyed the greatest den of evil – Ming You Valley.” Ling Qi reminded. “Since Shui Yan’s rescue, evil cultivators hide like rats. Moreover…” He hesitated. “They’ve likely abandoned dark energy Cultivation.”

“What?”

“Because of the Qiu Zhang Technique.” Ling Qi shrugged. “Top-tier Cultivation Techniques now flood the market – five low-grade spirit stones buys premium manuals. Why risk evil methods that draw cultivators’ wrath?”

You You’s eye twitched. “So former evil cultivators…”

“Now blend in using orthodox techniques.”

Since when did finding villains become harder than Cultivation breakthroughs?

With resentful souls instantly purged and soul cultivators extinct, how could she bait a Messenger?

“Anywhere with lingering soul fragments?”

After contemplation, Ling Qi ventured: “The Monster Realm.”

……

Northern Immortal Realm, Mountain Village

Sunset painted the village crimson though true darkness hadn’t fallen. Every household sat locked and silent, starkly contrasting daytime bustle.

As daylight faded, violent winds assaulted the village. Trees cracked, courtyard objects scattered, roof tiles clattering through the Valley.

Within minutes, four shadows descended on livestock pens. Animal shrieks erupted – chickens flapping, dogs howling.

The chaos lasted ten minutes. When the shadows emerged, their forms became clear – humanoid figures with bestial tails and blood-red slit-pupiled eyes.

“Pah! These scrawny village chickens!” A fox-tailed youth spat feathers, wiping bloodied lips. “All bone, no meat!”

“Same slop for half a moon-cycle,” hissed a sharp-faced figure with rat-like tail. “Mortals dare feed us scraps!”

A third shadow shrugged. “Village provisions are limited.”

“I hear a border town lies hundred miles east,” the fox-tailed one licked lips. “Real feasts there!”

“Guarded by cultivators,” warned a boar-tusked shadow. “Suicide mission.”

The slender-tailed male glared at nearby shutters, voice dripping with hunger. “How long must we endure this swill? Time for…fresher meat.”