Chapter 198: The Top Three of the Examination

Yun Jiao froze for a moment — this was a tricky problem. Ghost cultivation was entirely different from their own mystic sect’s methods, and none of them could teach it. Besides, cultivation was a lifelong process; without a foundation, it was unlikely anyone in the Underworld would even bother to instruct him. Ancestor disliked the Underworld Kings as it was — asking him to teach a ghost? Not a chance.

After thinking it over, she finally said, “Take him to see Ying Lun.”

“Ying Lun?” The old man blinked. “You mean that vegetable farmer? Isn’t he a weakling?”

“…” Where on earth did you get that impression from?

Yun Jiao didn’t bother to explain. “Just take him there — and bring along all the seeds for the next crop. He’ll be happy to teach.”

“Oh…” The old man still looked puzzled.

“And remember to tell that ghost,” Yun Jiao added, “cherish your soul and stay away from fruit.”

They explode.

“…”

---

The ghost judge exams had produced a dark horse — and that was a good thing for the Youling Domain. It showed all the underworld spirits that the examinations were truly fair, but more importantly, it paved the way for the future.

After all, this open-exam system for selecting ghost judges was a first in the Underworld. The rule was a twenty-year term, which didn’t seem long to spirits who had lingered for centuries — yet it was enough time for ambition to take root. When their term ended, what if they refused to hand over authority? That could lead to serious trouble.

If all the judges were powerful figures — such as city lords — removing them later might prove difficult. With the fallouts from the last batch of ghost judges still fresh, replacing them again wouldn’t be easy. But by choosing an unassuming, powerless spirit this time, they created the perfect precedent. When it came time to rotate others out, it would seem only natural.

But first, that dark horse had to be able to protect himself.

After Yun Jiao’s explanation, the old man finally understood. Since there was still time before the new ghost judges formally took office, he summoned the dark horse — a ghost named Yi Zheng.

He was a faint, fragile presence, barely noticeable. His features suggested he had died young; he looked like a gentle scholar. Still, he was polite and proper — bowing deeply the moment he entered.

“Underworld spirit Yi Zheng greets the Yama Lord.”

“No need for ceremony.” The old man waved him up and asked casually, “You’ve been in the Youling Domain for a century now, haven’t you? Why haven’t you reincarnated?”

Yi Zheng hesitated, then answered softly, “I still harbor attachments I’ve not let go of. Besides, the Underworld isn’t much different from the mortal realm — reincarnation or not, it makes little difference.”

“I see.” The old man didn’t press further. “You’ve never cultivated?”

Yi Zheng nodded. “No such fortune.” There were countless souls in the Youling Domain, but very few ever gained access to cultivation methods — his situation was hardly unusual.

“Would you like to become a ghost cultivator?” the old man asked again.

“Of course I would.” Yi Zheng’s tone was calm but sincere. “I’ve simply had no teacher.”

“That’s enough.” The old man nodded. “You’re going to be a ghost judge now. If you remain an ordinary soul, you’ll never command respect. I’ve called you here so that someone can teach you the ways of cultivation.”

Yi Zheng’s eyes widened in shock. For a moment, he couldn’t speak. He had thought being summoned meant he was about to be dismissed — that the Yama Lord wanted him to step aside because of his weakness. He had already planned dozens of polite ways to resign gracefully, maybe even beg for a lesser post.

He never imagined the opposite — that not only was he confirmed as ghost judge, but that he’d be granted the chance to cultivate.

Yi Zheng stood frozen in disbelief.

The old man, however, didn’t notice. He simply got to his feet, tugged at Yun Jiao — who was still bent over writing something — and said, “Girl, come on, we’re going to the back mountain.”

Yun Jiao gave him a skeptical look. “You can take him yourself. Why drag me along?”

“Well, it’s already dark,” he said earnestly. “We just had dinner, so I figured we could pick some vegetables for your midnight snack on the way. You know I can’t carry all the stuff that farmer grows — my old bones won’t take it! The senior uncle’s not here, and I can’t exactly ask Ancestor to help with groceries, can I?”

Yun Jiao pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed. “Fine. Let’s go.”

“Good!” He hoisted a large burlap sack over his shoulder, turned to the ghost, and said cheerfully, “Come on, let’s go meet the one who’ll be teaching you cultivation.”

Yi Zheng looked between them uncertainly but followed as they headed out.

---

Thanks to the tireless work of “Farmer Ying,” Qingyang’s back mountain had completely transformed over the past few months. The once-wild forest was now divided into neat fields bursting with life. Every patch teemed with enormous fruits and vegetables — each dozens of times bigger than normal. Some trees sagged under the weight of their harvests, propped up by makeshift supports.

Though night had fallen, the mountainside glowed softly. Clusters of pale-green ghostly fire drifted around, harmless and serene, bathing the entire slope in emerald light like a dreamscape.

And at the center of it all sat a man in a dark red robe — breathtakingly beautiful, his serene smile outshining even the countless blooming white epiphyllum around him. The sight was ethereal, almost sacred. If only he didn’t open his mouth.

“Little disciple! You’re here!” Ying Lun’s eyes brightened. He leapt to his feet—

—and promptly slipped.

Thump!

He face-planted into the sea of white flowers, leaving a perfect human-shaped dent among the blossoms.

Crack.

It was almost as if the picture-perfect scene had literally shattered.

Yun Jiao: “…”

The old man: “…”

Yi Zheng: “…”

“Little disciple! Fellow Daoist Bai!” Ying Lun popped back up instantly, brushing petals off himself with practiced ease. He ran toward them, grinning brightly. “What a surprise seeing you two at night! Usually, only that cold-faced Ye Yuan visits me after dark. You mortals are such trouble — always needing sleep! Being a ghost is so much better. I can float anywhere, any time. Ah, if only you’d die and reincarnate sooner — you have no idea how lonely my nights are! It’s been three days since Ye Yuan came to beat me up. Three! Whole! Days!”

“…”

Are you a masochist or what? Why do I suddenly feel like punching you myself?!

Yi Zheng stared between them, then at the man before him — and a cold realization struck him.

Wait… this can’t be the person who’s supposed to teach me cultivation… right?

…Right?!

(End of Chapter)