Marshal Xiao had once held immense power in the Qingsong Empire. He had been both a marshal and the head of its largest intelligence network. Over the years, as he presided over the Killing Spiritual Division in the capital, his foundations had grown increasingly profound.

Not long after he began his work, one shrill scream after another drifted through the air.

Fang Chen looked at Ghost Dragon and smiled faintly. "You're a sixth-transformation immortal. You should understand the gravity of the situation."

"Yes." Ghost Dragon nodded. "Immortal Dizang is dead. Right now, you are in charge here. Ask whatever you wish. I will cooperate fully. However, there are some matters that I can't talk about. I walk the Ghost Immortal Path by virtue of the bestowal granted by Immortal Dizang. Anything related to the Motian Division, or detrimental to Immortal Dizang, I cannot speak of it. If I do, my soul will scatter."

"You needn't concern yourself with his worthless bestowal." Fang Chen's smile widened. "I'll write you a new decree. Accept it, and you'll be free from his control."

From Immortal Dizang's earlier remarks, Fang Chen had already pieced together why he had been summoned. It wasn't that Immortal Dizang cared about Huang Dengdao's death. What he cared about was that Huang Dengdao bore his decree. When Huang Dengdao had become a true Ghost God, that inferior decree had been completely overwritten.

Immortal Dizang must have sensed that anomaly, hence instructing Chen Enxue to bring Fang Chen over for questioning. From that, Fang Chen concluded that the Ghost Immortal Path created by Motian Dizang was essentially an imitation of the Monarch Yan's inheritance. It even included the seal. However, before a legitimate decree, it possessed no real power, so much so that when it was erased, there was scarcely any disturbance.

Had it not been for this incident, Fang Chen would never have noticed that Huang Dengdao had once been granted a decree by Immortal Dizang.

Ghost Dragon stared blankly at Fang Chen. "A... A decree?"

He suddenly gasped in shock and asked, "Which master of the Motian Division are you?"

Fang Chen had no interest in answering such a dumb question. He commanded, "Kneel."

Ghost Dragon immediately dropped to one knee.

"My Yin Lifespan is somewhat insufficient. How many years do you have?" Fang Chen asked abruptly.

Yin Lifespan?

Ghost Dragon froze, then replied sheepishly, "I only have 70,000 years of Yin Lifespan."

Fang Chen frowned slightly. "A dignified sixth-transformation Ghost Immortal, and you only have 70,000 years?"

Ghost Dragon explained, "Yin Lifespan is needed for everything in the Underworld. Sometimes we earn less than we spend. A single battle with someone might cost hundreds of years of Yin Lifespan."

Fang Chen nodded. "Keep 5,000 for yourself. Hand over the rest."

Though pained, Ghost Dragon glanced at the Sin Mace in Fang Chen's hand and gritted his teeth.

Yin energy surged from his body as year after year of Yin Lifespan was condensed into Yin Lifespan Coins. Before long, Fang Chen had extracted 65,000 years from him.

After absorbing it, the Monarch Yan's Seal held only about 170,000 years in total.

Based on his prior experience bestowing the Ancient Tree, even the cheapest Yin Soldier decree for a sixth-transformation Immortal like Ghost Dragon would cost at least 150,000 years.

That should suffice....

Fang Chen wrote a Yin Soldier decree in midair and struck it directly into Ghost Dragon.

The moment Ghost Dragon saw the decree, he was astounded. Compared to Fang Chen's decree, Immortal Dizang's own decree seemed pitifully crude.

A mysterious force flowed into his body. After a while, Ghost Dragon felt subtle changes within himself, though he couldn't quite articulate them.

"You are no longer restricted by Immortal Dizang. What I ask, you answer."

Ghost Dragon nodded repeatedly. "Yes!"

"You are a War Immortal of the Motian Division?"

"Yes."

"How large is the Motian Division? How many War Immortals like you are there?"

"I... I only know that under a single master, there are roughly six to ten War Immortals. Under Immortal Dizang, besides myself, there were probably five others. War Immortal Chen Enxue was one of them."

"Tell me what you know about the Motian Division."

Ghost Dragon realized that no matter what he said, he no longer felt the restraints of his former decree. This made his shock deepen further.

He could hardly imagine what kind of power it took to dissolve Immortal Dizang's decree so effortlessly.

Expression growing reverent, he answered honestly, "My understanding of the Motian Division is limited. I usually only followed Immortal Dizang's orders. Whatever he told me to do, I did. I only know that in recent years, the Motian Division has been waging war in the Taicang Realm, always operating from the shadows, never revealing itself..."

After about half an hour, Fang Chen concluded the interrogation. The information Ghost Dragon provided was of limited use. His knowledge of the Motian Division was merely the tip of the iceberg. Only those supreme experts like Immortal Dizang level truly understood the organization. Below that, even figures like War Immortals, despite their impressive titles and formidable strength, were nothing more than outer members. They were mere tools. Even Chen Enxue had been an outer member. Only the supreme experts formed the core.

A pity. Immortal Dizang was too powerful. If I hadn't annihilated him in a single strike, he would have killed me instead. There was never a chance to seal him. If I had captured him alive, perhaps I could have learned something about Motian Dizang.

As he pondered, a familiar giggle echoed beside his ear. The ghost infant appeared upon his shoulder, playing with his hair and ears.

Ghost Dragon lowered his head even further in respect.

Fang Chen mused thoughtfully. Third Senior Sister understands the bigger picture. The only thing is, when she returns to the Enlightenment Underworld Realm... how should I explain not dying in Dizang City?

***

Meanwhile, far from Dizang City, Chen Enxue suddenly opened her eyes. She glanced around, confusion flickering across her face. "Where is this? What happened?"

Her gaze swept the surroundings until she confirmed she was far from Dizang City. Confusion turned into bewilderment.

"Wait... the Sin Mace..."

She looked down. The Sin Mace was gone.

"If Immortal Dizang had obtained the Sin Mace, I should be dead by now. Could it be..."

Her thoughts felt almost unbelievable.

Was Fang Chen behind it?!

Only that explanation made sense for why she would appear here unharmed. But she couldn't understand how a mere third-transformation immortal could silently send her out of Dizang City.

Her fists clenched as she cursed under her breath. "Dammit! I told you I'd send you away, didn't I? When did I ask you to send me? Why are you so disobedient?!"

***

Dizang City.

Fang Chen sat calmly upon a grand chair. Behind him stood Ghost Dragon, posture straight and eyes icy as he surveyed the Yin Demons before him.

These Great Yin Demons had just been released from the Ancient Tree's restraint, only to witness this unbelievable sight. As Immortal Dizang's most trusted subordinate, Ghost Dragon had switched allegiances with shocking speed.

"You'll come one by one. The lord wishes to question you. If you dare conceal anything, you know the consequences," warned Ghost Dragon coldly. He then pointed at one of the Great Yin Demons. "You first."

"Damn it..."

The Great Yin Demon cursed inwardly but approached Fang Chen respectfully.

"Kneel when you speak," Ghost Dragon barked.

The Great Yin Demon glanced at him, then slowly knelt before Fang Chen.