Chapter 190: Chapter 157: No Feast Lasts Forever, The Grand Vow Mantra to Empty Hell

"KEKEKEKE!"

The chubby girl placed her hands on her hips and laughed long and loud in triumph:

"I finally found you! You’re the fated one, and now you’ve fallen right into my hands!"

Hearing this, Yang Xun’s face turned ashen.

He had just barely escaped the clutches of a demon, only for Jiang Yi to fall into a den of ghosts.

Truly, the Celestial Lord is blind!

’That Ghost Granny at the Qi Cultivation Twelfth Layer was so hideous,’ he thought. ’I can’t even imagine what the "lady" this chubby girl mentioned looks like.’

’She’s probably even older, another one of those ancient corpses reeking of sinister Yin energy and billowing with baleful clouds!’

’To think Ah Yi has to suffer like this!’

Yang Xun was heartbroken and filled with regret. If he hadn’t been captured by the Ghost Granny, Jiang Yi would never have come to Cumulus Cloud Cave and walked right into this disaster.

’So this is what they mean by the pull of a marital bond?’

Jiang Yi lowered his gaze, his eyes falling on the thin red thread wrapped around his wrist.

He had no desire to get involved in this "marital fate" with such great implications, but now that he was in the thick of it, he couldn’t just walk away.

His Grandpa was already in the chubby girl’s hands; he couldn’t just stand by and find a place to hide.

Besides, Jiang Yi lowered his eyes, and a golden light swirled, coalescing into two words.

[True Match.]

’A marriage between a human and a ghost clearly goes against the natural principles of Yin and Yang, yet it’s actually a ’True Match.’’

Jiang Yi felt a flicker of doubt, but he also breathed a sigh of relief.

It didn’t matter much whether his fated partner was human or ghost; he was just worried he’d end up like his Grandpa, running into some ancient, malevolent spirit.

"How could I be so fortunate as to be involved in the fate you mentioned, Lord Upper Cultivator? I am truly humbled."

Jiang Yi smiled warmly and raised his hand in a Daoist salute.

His straightforward attitude greatly pleased the chubby girl.

’The young master has a delicate appearance, but his personality isn’t fussy or petty.’

’Still, no matter how I look at him, he doesn’t seem like the new Shao Yang sovereign.’

’Not to mention, with the blessing of a perfect ’Saint King’ fate, his destiny’s aura should be surging with mountainous and soaring power.’

’Just being recognized by the Shao Yang and becoming a successor, at the very least, he should have been able to enter an Ancestral Sect. How could he be from the never-before-heard-of Qianji Sect?’

As these doubts flashed through her mind, the chubby girl clasped her hands behind her back and said in a worldly, old-fashioned tone:

"Fate is decided by heaven! Young master, your fate is not with me, but with my lady.

Oh, right, I haven’t asked you yet. What’s your surname and name? How old are you? Are you married...?"

Jiang Yi answered truthfully. He too was curious about what kind of ghostly union this was.

The chubby girl listened attentively, just like a matchmaker, calculating as she heard his answers:

’Surname Jiang, that counts as a ’Daoist surname’, so that’s acceptable. Seventeen... a bit young, but the lady probably won’t mind.’

’His background from the Qianji Sect is rather low, but he himself is handsome and has a reliable character, which makes up for it.’

As she spoke, a look of satisfaction appeared on her face:

"Young Master Jiang is a good man. All my running around wasn’t for nothing."

Having confirmed Jiang Yi was the "fated person," the chubby girl’s attitude became much warmer.

’I might have to call him ’Young Lord’ in the future, so I can’t be rude.’

The chubby girl rubbed her hands together, a broad smile on her face as she asked:

"Young Master Jiang, will you come with me to the Eighteen-Layered Palace immediately, or do you have other arrangements?"

Jiang Yi thought for a moment before politely asking in return:

"I wonder if Lord Upper Cultivator could grant me a few days’ extension to take care of some matters first?"

The chubby girl quickly waved her hand:

"Don’t call me ’Lord’! Young Master, you can just call me ’Gui’er.’

You go ahead and take care of your business. If you need help with anything, just ask.

I can’t make promises about other places, but here in Fengdu, what Gui’er says should carry some weight."

Jiang Yi didn’t stand on ceremony and first asked about the whereabouts of Han Li, who had traveled with him:

"Do you know where Han Li of the Qianji Sect is? He is also a Human Cultivator at the Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer."

"Rest assured, Young Master."

The chubby girl patted her chest and promised:

"The lady gave instructions long ago that captured Human Cultivators must not be used as blood food. Your fellow disciple is definitely not in any mortal danger."

She immediately summoned several large ghosts and ordered:

"Go find the Red-Browed Ghost King and have it send this Han Li out of the Bottomless Abyss, whole and unharmed."

After making the arrangements, the chubby girl turned back to Jiang Yi:

"Does the Young Master have any other orders? Please, speak freely."

"My Grandpa was captured by the Ghost Granny while trying to purchase Yin Agaric and Yin Ginseng. Those Spiritual Materials cost him a lot of hard-earned money..."

Before Jiang Yi could finish, the chubby girl interrupted him.

"That’s no trouble at all!"

She was very magnanimous. With a light stomp of her foot, a great mass of black clouds surged from the ground, coalescing into seven or eight figures, some with ox heads, others with horse faces.

"Quickly, go find some well-aged Yin Agaric and Yin Ginseng!"

The black clouds scattered. In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, several "small mountains" of top-quality Yin Agaric and Yin Ginseng were piled up in the front hall of Cumulus Cloud Cave.

The chubby girl turned her head and asked:

"Is this enough?"

"Thank you, Miss Gui’er."

Looking at the mountain-like piles of Spiritual Materials, Jiang Yi sighed to himself. ’The Celestial Book was right after all; this was indeed a pretty good ’True Match.’’

"I’d also like to have a private word with my Grandpa."

He added.

"As you wish, Young Master. Gui’er won’t rush you."

Faced with this "future young lord," the chubby girl was exceptionally agreeable. She added:

"That old ghost hag startled you and your Grandpa. She had quite a fortune, so I made sure to keep her Sleeve Pouch. Once it’s open, you can pick a few things first as an apology."

Jiang Yi didn’t refuse. From his experience dealing with Miss Gui’er, it seemed that being straightforward was more endearing when interacting with "ghosts," while being roundabout was just annoying.

He walked over to Yang Xun, raised a hand to wipe the tears from the corner of the old man’s eyes, and said softly: 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"After this, Grandpa, you and Senior Brother Han should return to the Qianji Sect. Give these Yin Agaric and Yin Ginseng to the Sect Leader, and you’ll be able to claim some merit for it.

Don’t worry about me. This is a good match, and Miss Gui’er is very kind to me.

It’s just that I won’t be able to serve you filially from now on. You have to take good care of yourself."

Yang Xun’s heart was wrenched with a sorrow that was both bitter and painful. He opened his mouth, but couldn’t say a single word.

"I’ve already elevated that Fire Manipulation Technique to the Seventh Grade. If you try to comprehend it any further, Grandpa, you might not be able to grasp it. The Qi Barrier at the Qi Cultivation Eighth or Ninth Layer is difficult to pass. You must be extremely cautious when attempting a breakthrough."

Jiang Yi’s tone was gentle. Yang Xun was the first benefactor on his path of Cultivation. Although his initial intentions had been tinged with a desire to curry favor, it had ultimately blossomed into a positive connection with a good outcome.

"In a little while, I’ll pick out one or two nice things from the Ghost Granny’s Sleeve Pouch that you can safely keep, Grandpa.

Also, the Sect Leader has ’sold off’ the Qianji Sect to the Zhao You Sect. You need to make plans early, Grandpa. Whether you join a Branch Sect Dharma Lineage or find a job in the Marketplace, both are good options."

Yang Xun wiped his tears, but they kept flowing. However, Jiang Yi’s instructions had to come to an end.

The latter took a deep breath and looked at the old man:

"When I reach the Qi Cultivation Twelfth Layer and succeed in Foundation Establishment, I’ll come find you for a reunion. And don’t try to ask about me. Just pretend I’ve joined an Upper Sect and am focusing on my Cultivation."

After saying all this, Jiang Yi slowly stood up.

All good things must come to an end.

Parting is ultimately unavoidable.

On the arduous journey of Cultivation, one can only keep moving forward, step by step.

He suddenly understood why a Fate Shuzi was often solitary and alone.

When people get close to you for too long, they inevitably become tainted by your destiny’s aura.

Just like Yang Xun. If he hadn’t gone down into the Bottomless Abyss with Jiang Yi, how would he have run into a disaster like the Ghost Granny seeking a husband?

The perfect [Saint King] fate, even when suppressed by the [Yang Qi Taiyin Heaven], was not something an ordinary person could bear.

’Fortunately, I have the Cat Master with me, so I’m not walking the Great Dao alone.’

Jiang Yi’s thoughts stirred. And now, a marriage ordained by heaven had been added to the mix.

’Perhaps in a little while, I’ll be married.’

’Living a cozy life with a wife, a cat, and a warm bed.’

...

...

Before long, the chubby girl broke the restriction on the Sleeve Pouch.

Waves of treasure light burst forth, illuminating the ruins of Cumulus Cloud Cave.

"Young Master, you truly have some good fortune. This old ghost hag’s belongings are even richer than I thought."

The chubby girl sat cross-legged and began to take things out of the Sleeve Pouch one by one, starting an inventory.

First, a pile of fragrant bottles and jars filled with Elixirs was stacked up, followed by several Buddhist Dao Magical Artifacts. Their surfaces shimmered with flowing, iridescent light, indicating they were of high quality.

The most eye-catching item among them was a sarira that glowed with a warm, golden light.

After picking through the items, she finally pulled out a yellowed scripture scroll and a handwritten notebook.

"This old ghost hag really lucked out, getting so many relics from a monk of the Ximizhou Continent.

Too bad her comprehension was so poor, without a shred of Dao Wisdom. After a hundred years of study, she was still stuck at the Qi Cultivation Twelfth Layer and could only come up with an unorthodox method of a Yang man marrying a Yin woman."

The chubby girl, just like True Master Xuanmiao, loved to critique and pass judgment.

After disparaging the Ghost Granny, she looked up and said:

"Young Master, come take a look. Take whatever catches your eye. You can even have the whole lot if you want."

Jiang Yi walked forward, holding True Master Xuanmiao. He naturally wouldn’t be greedy and ruin Miss Gui’er’s good impression of him.

He only planned to rely on the discerning eye of the Cat Master, a veteran of the Foundation Establishment Realm, to pick out a few useful items.

The Cat Master’s amber eyes flashed, communicating to Jiang Yi via Divine Sense, ’Take that scripture scroll and the notebook. A monk who can produce a sarira couldn’t have had poor Life Essence Cultivation. He must have been a Foundation Establishment Realm figure, maybe even from a major temple.’

’Take that bronze bottle, too. It contains the rare Little Ambrosia Pill, which can enhance your Spiritual Light and accumulate comprehension. It’s exceptionally effective for Refining Techniques.’

’The old ghost hag must not have had a true physical body, which is why it’s still here...’

Following True Master Xuanmiao’s guidance, Jiang Yi took all the mentioned items.

He also picked out two bottles of suitable Treasure Medicine for Yang Xun, but he didn’t touch the sarira.

He had long heard the Cat Master say that every inch of soil and blade of grass on the Ximizhou Continent was stained with the immeasurable Buddha-light of the Great World Honored One.

If one were to use a Buddhist Dao item, they might invisibly become entangled with its "karmic law."

Eventually, they might find themselves dazedly converting to the Buddhist Dao.

Things like powerful elixirs, Treasure Medicines, scriptures, and notebooks were one thing, but a sarira was a hot potato.

"The Young Master certainly knows contentment."

Seeing that Jiang Yi didn’t take the sarira, the chubby girl secretly approved.

’The lower one’s background, the more they desire to possess any good thing they see.’

’Being able to restrain that greed is enough to be considered having an outstanding temperament.’

In her heart, the weight of Young Master Jiang becoming the future young lord had just increased a bit more.

Jiang Yi smiled, casually picked up the scripture scroll, and began to flip through it. Suddenly, a sheet of gold foil slipped from between the pages and fluttered to the ground.

"Huh?"

The chubby girl cried out in surprise.

"Meow."

True Master Xuanmiao also blinked.

The ghost and the cat spoke almost simultaneously, identifying the origin of the gold foil sheet.

"The Minor Infinite Prayer for Blessings and Longevity!"

"The ’Great Vow Mantra to Empty Hells’!"