Chapter 666 - 673: Meng Po

This mission must succeed. There is no room for failure.

She also had to ensure their safety as much as possible.

Otherwise, she would be betraying the trust they placed in her.

After settling things with the Demon Race, Song Wanning sent a message to Baili Shang.

Baili Shang was overjoyed to receive a message from Song Wanning.

But after hearing what she had to say, a flicker of disappointment washed over him.

’My Cultivation is still too low. Now that Song Wanning needs help, I can’t even get involved.’

He sighed inwardly. "I’ll talk to my father. I’m sure he won’t refuse."

Even if he did refuse, Baili Shang would have to persuade his old man until he agreed.

If they could truly rebuild the world, his father’s chances of ascension would be much greater.

However, this undertaking was also dangerous. He and his father would have to make thorough preparations.

"Thank you!"

A warmth spread through Song Wanning’s heart. Without realizing it, she had made many friends.

"There’s no need for thanks between us!"

Baili Shang’s voice softened, and the image of Song Wanning’s smiling face seemed to appear before him.

After a little more small talk, Song Wanning set off for the Netherworld.

She wanted to visit each place in person, but the realms were too far apart. The travel time back and forth would be far too long.

So, she could only have them pass on the message first. If they were unwilling, she would have to think of another way.

But the Netherworld King hadn’t given her a Communication Talisman, so she had no choice but to go in person.

When she set foot in the Netherworld again, Song Wanning discovered that it had changed a great deal.

Not only were there many more Spirit Plants, but there were also other species, with members of the Human Clan, Demon Clan, and others coming and going.

It was a bustling, lively scene.

The moment Song Wanning appeared, she immediately caught the attention of the Ghost Cultivators.

"Are you Lord Song, Song Wanning?"

A Ghost Cultivator approached respectfully.

"Yes. Do you know me?"

Song Wanning was a little surprised. She didn’t seem to have seen this Ghost Cultivator before.

"Yes, there’s no one in our Ghost Realm who doesn’t know you!"

The Ghost Cultivator smiled. She was the one who had helped break the seal back then; she was a benefactor of the Netherworld.

"Are you here to see the Netherworld King?" the Ghost Cultivator asked.

Song Wanning nodded, not hiding her purpose.

"Then you’ve come at an unfortunate time. The Netherworld King is in seclusion. He was injured while out a while ago, and it seemed quite serious!"

"Meng Po is handling all of the Netherworld’s affairs now."

The Ghost Cultivator pointed in a direction. "The Netherworld King is in life-or-death seclusion. He won’t come out easily unless it’s a matter concerning the very survival of the Netherworld!"

He kindly reminded her, hoping to save her a wasted trip.

"Life-or-death seclusion?"

Song Wanning’s brow furrowed upon hearing this. ’What unfortunate timing.’

She was most familiar with the Netherworld King. With him unavailable, this was going to be difficult.

"Is Meng Po working in the Netherworld Palace?"

"I’d like to see her."

"Yes, you’ll find her at the Netherworld Palace."

The Ghost Cultivator answered respectfully and then quickly departed.

Following the path she had taken before, Song Wanning soon arrived at the Netherworld Palace. After the Ghost Cultivators announced her, she was quickly ushered inside.

A woman in a black robe sat at the head of the hall, bent over a desk, handling affairs.

Hearing footsteps, she slowly raised her head, revealing a beautiful face.

But this face seemed to be etched with sorrow, possessing a hazy quality like a misty rain.

"I have long heard of your great name, my lord."

Meng Po looked at Song Wanning and smiled faintly.

Song Wanning took a few steps forward, a flash of astonishment in her expression.

’Meng Po is also at Mahayana Peak Cultivation! The Netherworld is truly full of hidden masters.’

"Greetings, Senior."

"There’s no need for such formalities. Please, sit."

Meng Po came down, sat with Song Wanning, and personally poured her tea.

"My lord, did you come on some business? The Netherworld King is in seclusion. You can tell me."

She looked at Song Wanning with a gentle expression. Although she was smiling, the sorrow in her eyes was ever-present, faint yet strangely harmonious with her features.

Song Wanning looked away for a moment, then met Meng Po’s gaze and said, "Senior, I did indeed come to see the Netherworld King, but now it seems my business is with you."

She smiled slightly before explaining the matter to Meng Po.

"I know this is a presumptuous request, but I still hope you will consider it carefully, Senior."

She didn’t state any conditions or promise any benefits, but for High Rank masters like them, they understood the current situation perfectly well.

If what Song Wanning said was true, it represented an unknown gamble.

Losing the bet would mean all their past efforts would be for nothing, and it could even lead to death!

Winning the bet would mean a chance at ascension!

Both outcomes were laid out before them.

The smile on Meng Po’s face faded.

She almost wished Song Wanning hadn’t told her. Now that she knew, it seemed any choice she made would lead to regret.

For Ghost Cultivators, ascension was exceptionally difficult. It was highly likely they would ultimately perish under the Heavenly Tribulation.

That was why they constantly suppressed their Cultivation, unwilling to face the Heavenly Tribulation.

But now, with an opportunity right in front of her, Meng Po couldn’t help but feel conflicted.

’But there’s someone in the Immortal Realm I desperately want to see. I really want to go up there and look, but I’m afraid of the Heavenly Tribulation. That’s why I’ve stayed in the Netherworld all this time...’

"Let me think it over."

Song Wanning’s reputation had long since spread far and wide; Meng Po had heard of her long ago.

The other party wouldn’t come to deceive people for no reason, so she never once doubted the truth of the matter.

"Alright. I can wait!"

Song Wanning nodded. ’As long as she’s hesitating, it means there’s a chance.’

So, she would just wait patiently.

Song Wanning settled into the side hall where she had stayed before.

Meng Po, meanwhile, returned to her own residence and stared blankly at a portrait.

If Song Wanning were there, she would have definitely recognized the person in the portrait as a young Mu Zixu.

She gazed at the portrait, falling into a long silence.

’Mu Zixu must be a great power in the Immortal Realm by now, right?’

’I wonder if he even remembers me?’

Meng Po sighed silently as that familiar sorrow welled up in her heart again.

Back then, when an evil creature invaded her village, it was Mu Zixu who happened to pass by and slay it.

At that time, everyone in the village died without exception, including her.

It was Mu Zixu who dug their graves and erected an unmarked tombstone.

Because her resentment was too strong, she was unwilling to reincarnate and even followed Mu Zixu for a time.

It wasn’t until Mu Zixu enlightened her that she decided to walk the path of cultivation.

But ever since she stepped into that guiding light, she had arrived in the Netherworld and been completely trapped here.

From that day on, she never saw him again.

Later, after Song Wanning broke the seal, Meng Po immediately rushed out to ask for news, only to learn that Mu Zixu had ascended to the Immortal Realm long ago.

Meng Po had always wanted to repay Mu Zixu but never had the chance.

Now, an opportunity was right in front of her, and she really didn’t want to give it up.

But in the end, she was still afraid of death.

The feeling of having died once was too deeply, painfully etched into her memory.

Meng Po sighed again, her thoughts churning over and over, unable to settle on a decision.