CHAPTER 1023: CHAPTER 64: SENLUO GHOST CITY, YAMA EMPEROR (PART 2)

That being said, Xiao Jie could truly feel the welcoming gestures and sincerity displayed by Yama.

"This situation... is a bit overwhelming," Xiao Jie muttered to himself.

From the deep archway of the city gate, a figure emerged, surrounded by a swarm of powerful civil and military officials. The leader, wearing a dark emperor’s robe embroidered with nine fierce black dragons and a twelve-tassel crown, the tassels swaying just enough to obscure his face, adding to his mysterious authority; at his waist hung an ancient scabbard from which emanated the aura of severing causes and effects, and judging life and death — the [Broken Evil Dragon Soar] Divine Sword. His figure was tall and imposing, though his face was not clearly visible, obscured by the tassels. Yet, the overwhelming imperial majesty and sovereign presence of one who presides over the life and death cycles of an entire realm were palpable, causing involuntary awe and a near compulsion to bow in submission.

Qin Chuan (Yama Emperor): Level 98 Realm King. Life Value: 198,000.

Seeing the semi-transparent marker floating above Yama’s head, visible only to him, Xiao Jie was immensely shocked!

Level 98!? And a [Realm King] template at that!?

It was his first time encountering an existence of such terrifying level! To know, even Shen Jizi, the highest cultivated among the Immortals of Gu Yun State, was only at Level 81! And the opponent’s template was "Realm King" — could this mean he truly is a ruler of an entire complete world? If so, this significance far exceeds any faction leader or worldly expert! This is almost the embodiment or spokesperson of the Netherworld itself!

Even though Xiao Jie has now achieved an Immortal Body, boasting of being extraordinary, he could not help but feel a few nerves facing a true "big figure." It was a tremendous pressure from both life class and authority level.

Before he could adjust his mindset and organize his words for a respectful greeting, Yama Emperor Qin Chuan had already enthusiastically opened his arms, his once solemn face breaking into a very welcoming (perhaps overly so) smile, and quickly approached.

"Oh my! Oh my! It is such a sin! To have Upper Realm Immortal Venerable visiting this secluded Underworld, Qin Chuan has failed to welcome you from afar, I most sincerely ask the Immortal Venerable to forgive, do forgive!" The voice of Yama was loud and filled with sincere joy, yet skillfully retaining the demeanor befitting an Emperor, not appearing overly servile while setting a posture low enough, showing respect for the "Upper Realm" and an immense attention to Xiao Jie’s arrival.

"Please! Immortal Venerable, do enter the city! Knowing of your arrival, Qin Chuan is overjoyed, has long prepared some humble wine, and definitely wishes to have a drink with you, to properly host you!"

Xiao Jie was momentarily dumbfounded, is my presence really that grand? Or is the status of "Immortal" in the Netherworld so formidable that even a Realm Lord, a Level 98 king, would lower himself in such a somewhat flattering manner?

He quickly regained his composure. This Yama Emperor surely wasn’t flattering him personally; the other’s enthusiasm was likely a "drunken man’s interest lies not in the drink." What they truly revered and anticipated is the force he represents, the "Gu Yun State Immortal Realm," hoping through him, to gain assistance from the Immortal Realm.

Seeing through this clearly, Xiao Jie dared not put on airs, promptly cupping his hands in return: "Yama Emperor is really too courteous. I am but a mere solo explorer who chanced upon Immortal Fate, how could I deserve such grand treatment from the Emperor? It’s really overwhelming."

Upon hearing this, Yama Emperor Qin Chuan laughed heartily, the tassels on his emperor’s crown swaying, and his stern and commanding face brimming with seemingly hearty and affable smiles: "Deserve! You absolutely deserve it! Immortal Venerable is too modest! This Senluo Ghost City, shrouded in gloom and bleakness year-round, is a resting place for the departed. To have an Upper Realm Immortal Venerable, so vibrant and radiant, descend is truly an extraordinary event not seen in millennia, enough to make my Netherworld shine brightly! Immortal Venerable, please enter! The feast is prepared long ago, and it is truly an immense joy for Qin Chuan to entertain Immortal Venerable! Haha!"

Accompanied by Yama, and greeted by the civil and military ministers of the Netherworld, Xiao Jie walked towards the depths of Senluo Ghost City. At this moment, he had already guessed that someone by Wangchuan Platform reached back to transmit the news swiftly ahead of him. The more enthusiastic and formal they were, the more uneasy Xiao Jie felt in his heart. With such exceptional reception, it definitely involves big plans! Without any favor in kind, expect intentions that aren’t pure. Overarching kindness often hides ulterior motives.

Though he had ascended to become an Immortal, he was merely an Independent Immortal, and in front of a dominant Realm King, his powers were not comparable. Their courteous deference certainly meant they had a request of him.

He originally devised various evasive speeches on the boat, but now, facing this fiery and high-profile Level 98 Realm King, he was a bit at a loss about how to speak, fearing to inadvertently get caught in a massive trouble.

Yama personally accompanied him, leading Xiao Jie through the wide but eerie main streets of Senluo Ghost City, lined with peculiar and spectral structures, countless ghost citizens watching from afar in reverence. Finally, they arrived at the most magnificent structure in the city center, a massive palace entirely built of pitch-black Nether Jade. Above the palace door, hung a giant plaque inscribed with three grand and ancient characters imbued with supreme authority — Reincarnation Hall!

Upon entering the hall, the space opened up. The hall was extremely spacious, a world unto its own. A grand banquet was already spread out in the hall, with dozens of black jade tables aligned on both sides, where many civil servant ghost judges in Nether Realm robes, and ghost generals in menacing armor, were already seated awaiting.

These high officials of the Netherworld exuded a deep and powerful aura, their gazes sharp as lightning. With a quick sweep, Xiao Jie noticed most of their levels were around fifty to sixty, some even reaching over seventy, formidable enough to be considered overlords or top-tier Bosses in the Nine States Mortal World!

As they watched Yama himself escorting a stranger shrouded in immortal light into the hall, all civil and military ghost officials stood up in unison, bowing in respect, their eyes unanimously fixed on Xiao Jie, filled with curiosity, scrutiny, and a hint of barely noticeable anticipation.

"Dear officials, see! This is the Immortal Venerable from the Upper Realm — Daoist Friend Hidden Moon Suifeng!" Yama Qin Chuan’s voice boomed as he introduced to his subordinates, with a hint of pride in his tone.

Immediately, a low, buzzing sound mixed with surprise and murmurs arose, though it quickly subsided, it was enough to show the great impact Xiao Jie’s appearance had on the Netherworld hierarchy.

Yama personally guided Xiao Jie to sit at the most lavish table close to the main seat. He glanced at the table, and though it was the Nether Ghost Realm, the banquet was extremely rich, the jade plates holding delicacies like the "Netherworld Spirit Rhinoceros Meat" which seemed to still be twitching and had been specially processed, crystal clear; black ceramic bowls contained delicacies like "Nine Nether Cold Lotus Soup," giving off wisps of chilly air, adorned with glowing lotus seeds; Blood Jade Cups filled with a viscous, honey-like "Thousand-year-old Soul Saliva Brew," emitting a mesmerizing aroma; and an array of peculiar, spiritually yin-laden fruits and pastries, many of which Xiao Jie had never heard nor seen, exclusive to the Netherworld. Though eerie in theme, each contained pure Yin Spiritual Energy, an unparalleled nourishment for ghosts, and held a unique taste and effect for Immortals.

Looking at this lineup of high-ranking Netherworld officials with frightening levels, who went to such lengths just to dine with him alone, Xiao Jie thought to himself, "Damn, seems like I’ll really get caught up in something..."