"Mm, Nannan will never let Brother down."Nannan nodded earnestly as she spoke.
"Good. Now that we've reunited, you'll take my surname—Yi. Also, Nannan is just a childhood nickname; it's not really appropriate to use in public anymore," Yi Tianxing said gently.The name 'Nannan' was intimate, something only close family would use. Now that she was growing up, it was no longer suitable to be used so casually.
"Brother, I actually do have a name—Grandpa gave it to me," Nannan suddenly said. A trace of sorrow flashed across her face as she mentioned her grandfather. The events in Dark City still weighed heavily on her heart. It was there she lost the one who loved her most—her grandfather. Yet it was also where she gained a brother who brought warmth into her life. That place marked the turning point of her destiny, and was forever etched into her soul.
"I don't think you've ever mentioned it before. Will you tell me?"Yi Tianxing smiled with curiosity. This was news to him. But if she already had a proper name, there was no point in giving her another one—that would be redundant.
"Grandpa named me Wuyou (无忧). He hoped I could be like a celestial maiden in the heavens—free, joyful, carefree and unburdened. He gave me this name right before he passed away, and I want to keep it."Nannan's tone was soft but firm.
"Wuyou… free and unburdened, carefree and at peace."Yi Tianxing took a deep breath and nodded. It was a name bestowed by a departed loved one—a dying wish for her to live happily and without worry.
"Mm."She nodded again, her eyes filled with unshakable resolve.
"All right, Wuyou. I'll now send you into the Dao Comprehension World. Inside, there's a Bodhi Seed of Enlightenment, which will help you comprehend your own cultivation method. With your perception, you'll definitely gain something."Without further delay, Yi Tianxing sent Wuyou into the Heavenly Emperor's Tower of Primordial Chaos, placing her directly under the Bodhi Seed. Radiant beams of wisdom light bloomed from the seed, enveloping her entirely.
Wuyou, blessed with extraordinary perception, instantly entered a state of enlightenment. In her mind, countless techniques began to emerge—becoming words, turning into Dao Rhythms, flowing rapidly and transforming constantly. The essence of various cultivation arts surged into her understanding.Her comprehension speed was so astonishing, it would terrify anyone who saw it.
Knock knock knock!!
Shortly after Wuyou entered the enlightenment space, a knock came from outside the door.
"Fellow Daoist Yi, may I come in?"It was Meng Qi's voice.
"Please, come in."Yi Tianxing answered.
Meng Qi stepped inside, her expression solemn. "Fellow Daoist Yi, was it truly you who took down Scarlet Flame City, and captured the Red-Robed Ghost King?"
There was no joy or flattery in her voice.
"Yes, Scarlet Flame City was indeed broken by me. The Red-Robed Ghost King is also in my hands. Is there something unusual about it? Please enlighten me, Proprietress."Yi Tianxing could already tell something was off from her expression. Clearly, this ghost king wasn't just an ordinary figure.
"Do you know why the Red-Robed Ghost King was able to rise so quickly, build his own domain, and even obtain a top-tier cultivation manual like the Yin-Yang Mystic Fire Mirror?"Meng Qi asked gravely.
"Are you suggesting he has some astonishing background or hidden identity?"Yi Tianxing asked, intrigued.
"Have you heard of a strange existence among ghost cultivators in the underworld, known as the Nine-Child Ghost Mother (九子鬼母)?"Meng Qi asked seriously.
"I remember two versions of that legend," Yi Tianxing responded with a frown. "One is the Hariti (Hariti Mother) mentioned in Buddhist scripture—also known as the Guardian Ghost Mother or the Joyful Mother. The other is the so-called Mother of Ten Thousand Ghosts, a being that gives birth to ghosts each day and devours them by night."
"Those are just myths. The true Nine-Child Ghost Mother of the Underworld was once a mortal woman who died during childbirth, losing all nine unborn children. Her soul, filled with rage and grief, descended into the underworld. She was blessed with the Scripture of the Nine-Child Ghost Mother (九子鬼母经) and rapidly rose in power, becoming one of the top ghost cultivators. Few dare provoke her.Her strength comes from the unity of mother and sons, where their power can be stacked and fused, amplifying to terrifying levels."Meng Qi explained.
According to rumors, the Nine-Child Ghost Mother trained with nine times the usual cultivation speed—a nightmare for any ordinary cultivator.
"So… you're saying the Red-Robed Ghost King is one of her nine sons?"Yi Tianxing's eyes narrowed. If true, then this was a hornet's nest he had just kicked. Holding the Ghost King captive would be like clutching a hot iron—it could spell serious trouble.
Still, even if he'd known beforehand, Yi Tianxing was certain he would've acted the same.Trying to steal Wuyou's soul was an unforgivable sin. That kind of evil had to be annihilated—body and soul.
"No, the Red-Robed Ghost King isn't one of her sons," Meng Qi shook her head.
"Then what is he?"Yi Tianxing was momentarily confused.
"According to rumors… the Red-Robed Ghost King is one of the Ghost Mother's paramours—her male consort," Meng Qi hesitated, but said it.
"…What?"Even Yi Tianxing, known for his calm heart, was momentarily stunned. A thunderclap seemed to explode in his mind.That guy… a face only a mother could love… was favored by a Ghost Mother? Her standards must be in the abyss.
But this wasn't a joke.To be the consort of the Nine-Child Ghost Mother was a fearsome title. No one in the underworld dared offend such individuals.
There had been a case where one of her lovers was killed by accident. Enraged, the Ghost Mother struck across thousands of miles and erased the entire responsible sect from existence—not even ashes remained.
Since then, anyone who encountered one of her consorts would treat them like revered ancestors—doing anything to avoid trouble.
In fact, many ghost cultivators wanted to become her lover. At least that way, their life would be protected.It was said the Ghost Mother was extraordinarily promiscuous, with nearly three thousand consorts.
"I've already captured the Red-Robed Ghost King, razed Scarlet Flame City, looted his treasury, and shattered all his foundations. Even if I let him go now, the damage is already done. So I might as well hold onto him.Since I've already offended the Ghost Mother, I won't pretend otherwise."Yi Tianxing spoke firmly.
Letting the Ghost King go was impossible—he would never release such a dangerous figure. Better to crush him entirely.
"If I had known earlier, I would've tried to stop you. But this is something the Ghost King brought upon himself. He violated the rules—killed ghost officials, stole the Yin-Yang Token, and crossed into the mortal realm.If the ghost enforcers had caught him, even the Ghost Mother wouldn't have intervened. But you aren't one of them. That puts you at great risk."Meng Qi warned.
Ghost enforcers had institutional protection. Yi Tianxing didn't.
"If the Ghost Mother dares come, then let her come. This emperor wouldn't mind seeing just how powerful she really is."Yi Tianxing remained unfazed.This was just a clone—if he died here, it wouldn't hurt his true self at all.
"You should be cautious. She cares deeply about her reputation. You've humiliated her by capturing her consort. Don't underestimate her. With your current strength, you can't withstand her wrath."Meng Qi said solemnly.
"Would she dare act within Yellow Springs Inn?" Yi Tianxing asked.
"It's hard to say. The Inn's rules are backed by the Meng Clan's reputation, but she might not care. If she attacks, no one can stop her. But I can buy you a day or two."Meng Qi stood up. Light flashed in her hand, and a dark disk appeared—swirling with ancient Daoist energy.