Chapter 246

Chapter 246: The Worker in the Nether Realm

“Are there many Yin volumes?” You You asked.

“Of course, the Yin volumes are divided into five parts!” The Messenger of the Underworld nodded. “Each part exists in different forms without fixed physical shapes. They change periodically, and only the Nether King can sense them.”

“So they’re impossible to find?” Her heart sank.

“Not exactly.” The Messenger gave her a cold glance, his voice flat. “The ‘present’ volume of the Yin volumes is easy to find, right?”

“Present volume?” You You blinked. “Where?”

“With you!” He pointed at her.

“Huh?”

_Are you kidding?!_ How could she have the present volume without knowing?

“It’s truly with you.” The Messenger stepped closer, his eerie smile widening. “The Soul Beast said you summoned it last time using a contract spell to send soul essences to reincarnate. Only the Yin volume has such power. Try summoning it again.”

“Contract spell? You mean…” She remembered the skill used while helping the Soul Beast. Hesitantly, she chanted, “I send you leave, a thousand miles—”

Golden light burst from her hands before she finished. A palm-sized wheel appeared – identical to the one she’d summoned before, but miniature.

_It actually worked?!_

“But… the Soul Beast called this the Wheel Mark!” She stared at the object. Since when could her skills summon such things?

“The Wheel Mark is one form of the present volume. The other four volumes have different forms,” the Messenger stated. “Noble Lady, your previous summoning bonded it to you. Now you can call it anytime.”

“Five volumes…” She examined the wheel. “If this is the present volume, are the others named after elements? Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth?”

“No.” The Messenger shook his head gravely. “They’re called ‘Not Working Today’ volumes.”

You You: “……”

Feng Rong: “……”

Yuan Qi: “……”

Silence engulfed the room.

_This has to be a joke!_

(╯‘□′)╯┴—┴

_Not Working Today? What’s next – ‘Paid Vacation’ volume?!_

“The names were personally chosen by my master, the Nether King!” The Messenger added with rare sincerity, his expression clearly saying _Don’t blame me_.

The trio: “……” Suddenly, abandoning their quest felt tempting.

You You’s eye twitched. _The Nether Realm’s future looks bleak._

“Where do we find the other four volumes?”

“Unknown.”

“Any clues about their appearances?”

“None.”

“Do you at least know what it looks like?”

“I don’t know!”

“…” Then what good are you?!

“But Noble Lady needn’t worry too much.” The Messenger of the Underworld continued, “The Yin volumes are Nether Realm artifacts. Though they’ve wandered off, they’ll likely appear in Nether-related locations. If you truly seek them, visiting soul-gathering spots or collecting scattered soul fragments might lead you to the ‘Heavenly Strike Squad’ volumes!”

You You ignored the ridiculous name, glancing at the wheel that had suddenly materialized in her hand. She recalled summoning the ‘Present’ volume during Nether chaos – indeed a Nether-related situation.

But…

She turned to the stone-faced Messenger, frowning. “Why do I feel like you’re tricking me into doing your job?” Soul gathering and fragment collection sounded exactly like a Messenger’s daily duties.

The Messenger stiffened before forcing a frosty smile. “Noble Lady misunderstands. I merely wish to assist. The soul-collecting is incidental. The Nether Realm needs no help – between me and the Soul Beast, we’re absolutely sufficient. Truly!”

You You: “…”

Feng Rong: “…”

Yuan Qi: “…”

You just admitted it! This is totally a scam! And wait – does the entire Nether Realm staff consist of you two?!

Remembering his earlier comment, You You couldn’t help asking, “You mentioned the Nether King left. Where’d he go?”

“The Nether King’s ways are beyond our comprehension!” The Messenger shook his head, then added, “Though he left a note saying…”

“Saying what?”

“My Lord wrote: The Six Realms are vast – I want to see them all!”

“…”

Perfect. Your Nether Realm’s doomed. Let it burn!

凸(艹皿艹)

———————

Qiu Zhang noticed something odd about the Sect’s elders lately. Two masters kept giving him pitying looks laced with worry. Even Feng Rong – who usually ignored everyone except the sect master – had shockingly given him a bag of charred nuts.

Normally, only harvest-helping disciples received such treats. Not even burnt scraps went to others besides the sect master! Last competition’s prizes had come from her personal stash too.

The unexpected gift stunned Qiu Zhang, especially when Feng Rong patted his shoulder saying, “Eat and drink happily while you can!”

His confusion grew as Yuan Qi started casually aiding him – sitting nearby during Cultivation Technique adjustments to boost his comprehension, always adding, “All will be well.”

Qiu Zhang: “…”

What’s happening? What’s wrong with him?!

He feared some soul-scattering ailment had struck his Cultivation. After multiple soul checks revealed nothing – even under the Soul Beast’s drooling inspection – he relaxed. Maybe the elders just grew kinder?

Then the sect master sighed, shoulder-patting him: “Qiu Zhang… ever considered non-ghost cultivation?” Ghost cultivators have no future! She hastily added, “Just wondering!”

“…”