Twilight Boundary-Chapter 783 - 773 Walking Ghost Mother Form

"Then please go ahead!"

The great figures in the venue exchanged glances, each with a faint smile, gently cupping their hands, and then dispersed.

Someone slowly walked up to the city gate tower, gazed out at the dark fog all around, sighed softly, and sat down cross-legged. The spot he chose was precisely where Shangjing City had begun to tilt under the weight of two Ghost Altars.

He looked down, calculated on his fingers, then suddenly opened his mouth and spat out a tiny figure. As it fell toward the outside of Shangjing City, the figure grew larger with the wind, becoming a giant upon landing.

The giant burrowed into the ground and emerged again, shouldering a corner of the city and slowly lifting it.

Elsewhere, someone found a spot and lit a furnace. The teapot on the stove was already boiling, billowing thick white steam upward. He used a palm leaf fan to waft the steam from the kettle; it rose into the sky, forming heavy clouds that quickly flew south.

At the same time, some burned incense, others worshiped deities, and some issued orders to the masters under their command.

Various Strange Skills, some conspicuous, some subtle, were displayed, each possessing its unique intricacies.

Meanwhile, the State Preceptor had already arrived at the Hu Family Mansion. Outside the mansion, the old members of the Qingyuan Hu Family, Ren Family, Bai Family, and other former members of the Ghost Walking Sect were all tensely anticipating.

However, at this moment, the State Preceptor, dressed as a Taoist, approached and smiled, saying, "Old Mr. Hu, it's been a long time."

The Second Ancestor of the Qingyuan Hu Family was taken aback once he saw him. "State Preceptor?"

National Master Dongxuan smiled and nodded, saying directly, "Now that evil spirits are causing chaos and the army is about to besiege the city, I wish to entrust something to you. Is that agreeable?"

Recognizing the person's identity, the Second Ancestor trembled all over; he could not refuse and eagerly wanted to perform a ceremonial greeting.

The State Preceptor, however, lightly shook his head, gently swinging the horsetail whisk in his hand. Then, Taoist children from behind him hurried to bring a table draped in bright yellow cloth, upon which were placed various offerings and a Jade Carving Tiger Token.

A seven-zhang high green banner was then unfurled. The Pearl Treasure Umbrella, as large as a tree crown, was placed around the Hu Family Mansion. This created an atmosphere that felt both majestic and mysterious, leaving everyone afraid to even breathe loudly.

Others couldn't understand, but the Second Ancestor of the Qingyuan Hu Family gradually recognized it and felt a tremble in his heart. "This... what is this?"

At this moment, the State Preceptor, already holding a banner and an oil lamp, came before the Second Ancestor and said softly, "I know Old Sir's intentions are merely to secure fortune for your descendants, and I also recognize the merits of the old Ghost Walking Sect members."

"It seems the Ghost Walking Sect, in the act of expelling evil and pacifying the people, has done invaluable work. Yet, seeing its decline makes one feel regretful. Even I, upon setting up this altar today, am uncertain if anyone would still recognize it."

The Second Ancestor, having guessed something, nodded repeatedly. "The Imperial Decree to the Eight Directions of the Troops Altar?"

The State Preceptor smiled. "Correct."

"Now, although I remember the layout of this altar, I am not a disciple of the Ghost Walking Sect. Therefore, someone is still needed to oversee this altar."

The Second Ancestor's eyes widened. "It should be me. Only, once this altar is set..."

The State Preceptor said, "Follow your heart's desire. The Hu Family is renowned for Zhensui. Anyone who dares to perform Zhensui can become the head of the Hu Family."

BOOM!

The shock brought by the State Preceptor's words was indescribable.

From the moment the Second Ancestor mentioned the name of this altar, the old members of the Qingyuan Hu Family, or those deeply connected to the Ghost Walking Sect, all understood what these words meant.

The Ghost Walking Hu Family was globally acknowledged for the Zhensui Mansion. However, the Zhensui Mansion belonged to the officials, and the Hu Family had the capability to helm it because the Hu Family itself was the original Walking Ghost Family, possessing its own secret trump cards.

Ordinary Ghost Altars are three zhang three, six zhang six, or nine zhang nine.

Those Entering the Mansion with superior Magic, willing to sacrifice resources, and possessing high status, can establish an altar for an entire city.

Yet, the genuine Walking Ghost Mother Form, still with the Hu Family, was the Imperial Decree to the Eight Directions of the Troops Altar.

Presiding over this altar, the Second Ancestor needed to do nothing else; he was already worthy of Shangqiao. Once he achieved Shangqiao, he would gain the opportunity to guide his descendants.

Both the Qingyuan Hu Family and other former Ghost Walking Sect members now regretted most not leaving Shangjing with the Hu Family back then. Feeling abandoned, they clung to whatever remained, simply fearing the Hu Family descendants might not remember their names.

Yet, during these days of inner turmoil, unexpectedly, the Daluo Dharma Sect had stepped forward, personally setting up this altar and granting such an opportunity.

Words could not describe the joy in their hearts.

Especially for the Qingyuan Hu Family, suddenly seeing that the one who opened this altar and granted the Bridge Crossing Opportunity wasn't Hu Ma, but the State Preceptor, brought an entirely different kind of relief, subtly hinting at some anticipated delight.

"Second Granduncle..."

When the trembling Second Ancestor, holding the oil lamp, sat dreamily into the altar, tears streamed uncontrollably down his face.

Nearby, the Qingyuan Hu Family descendants, along with many old members of the Ghost Walking Sect, were filled with excitement and scrambled to kneel and kowtow profusely.

The Second Ancestor suddenly remembered something, urgently rose, and bowed deeply toward where the State Preceptor and the Taoist children had left.

"Why bother?"

The State Preceptor had never left the ancestral hall. Although changes occurred everywhere in the cities, they were all arranged appropriately.

Shadows sent out to handle matters returned to him, so the State Preceptor also knew the happenings within the city. Gazing at the seemingly real yet illusory Hu Ma before him, he sighed softly. "Your Hu Family ancestors gave up untold riches and honors back then, in exchange for you today..."

"But you, will you also abandon this last remnant of your family?"

「...」

As he finished speaking, suddenly, the doors of the nearby Ten Surnames Ancestral Hall slowly creaked open a sliver.

The incense burning inside seemed to glow brighter, as if fanned by a cold breeze.

The delicate fragrance of incense wafted from the ancestral hall and silently drifted into the night.

Now, Hu Ma's presence was imperceptible; even Granny couldn't detect it, for her spirit now resided solely in the ancestral hall. Only blood relatives could invite her out, or if her descendants encountered disaster, prompting her protective instincts to arise. Otherwise, her spirit remained slumbering within the incense.

Thus, even she did not stir in fury, allowing the incense in the Ten Surnames Ancestral Hall to be drawn out smoothly, disturbing entities in the unseen world.

"Do you think that the evil spirits can disrupt our ritual, allowing you to reap the fisherman's profit? Unfortunately, you overestimate them."

At this moment, the State Preceptor's face turned indifferent. "And you underestimate this old man."

"The Ten Surnames each occupy a bridge and possess their own mother form. With the mother form, they can suppress various strange people. No matter how fierce the evil spirits are, can they possibly surpass the mother form of the Ten Surnames?"

He turned to gaze southward, sensing a fierce murderous aura. His expression grew indescribably harsh. "This ritual cannot proceed without the Hu Family."

"However, the one to exert effort must be you. As for enjoying the blessings, many are waiting, but it doesn't necessarily have to be you."

As he spoke, each word was imbued with Mana, his gaze fixed firmly on Hu Ma.

Although he wasn't confident about breaking the Heaven and Earth Unmoving Seal of the Zhou Family, he still wanted to try, to see if he could shake Hu Ma's state of mind.

However, he was still disappointed. Hu Ma now resided outside of heaven and earth—his figure even appeared somewhat blurred. Only the smirk at the corner of his mouth was especially striking.

It seemed to be an answer to the State Preceptor.

「...」

"There's a problem..."

Now, as everyone from the Ten Surnames busied themselves, only the Lord of the Zhou Family, together with the Iron Steed Grand Hall Officer, was leisurely strolling through the dim Shangjing City.

He had, of course, gone to the ancestral hall for incense-burning. The issue with White Jade City already meant discarding the Meng Family; it must not affect the Zhou Family. However, other matters, like quelling the turmoil and suppressing the evil spirits outside the city, depended on individual efforts.

Compared to the situation within the city, he seemed quite indifferent, speaking softly, "This ritual was originally to eliminate those evil spirits, but the State Preceptor also wishes to use the power of the Twelve Ghost Altars to separate White Jade City from this world, establishing a registry for achieving immortality."

"Too hasty."

He said to the Iron Steed Grand Hall Officer beside him, "Logically, after preparing in secret for twenty years, the State Preceptor shouldn't act so hastily. Even with the Hu Family's schemes involved, it shouldn't fluster him so greatly."

The Iron Steed Grand Hall Officer, after listening, raised his head to look at him. "Are you saying the State Preceptor is hiding things from the Ten Surnames?"

"Of course, he has secrets. Everyone knows it," Zhou Zhiming replied flatly. "Though the Meng Family is one of the Ten Surnames, he can still kick them out like a dog. Can't others be treated the same?"

"Naturally, the Ten Surnames Ancestral Hall is in Shangjing. As long as we are alive, we won't miss this opportunity. But the secret of the Twelve Ghost Altars is known only to him and those evil spirits, which is always unsettling."

「...」

Iron Steed spoke softly, "Was it for this reason that the Old Master previously enlightened the young Master of the Hu Family?"

"I enlightened him for future matters, not the present," Zhou Zhiming sighed lightly. "But now, the one I find problematic is him. Can he really not see? Once the Hu Family returns to Shangjing, the State Preceptor will definitely keep them. The Ten Surnames are all bound on this ship; they cannot escape."

The Iron Steed Grand Hall Officer listened, his heart stirring slightly. Can it be that he's hatching some other scheme?

"I can't guess either," Zhou Zhiming sighed once more. "I understand the power of those evil spirits and the temperament of the Hu Family. Yet, even after racking my brains, I can't fathom what confidence he has in returning this time..."

Saying this, he let out a wry smile. "Of course, if you're willing to consider it, I can remind you: don't assume it stems from intelligence..."

"The Hu Family's renown has never stemmed from their intelligence, but from their ruthlessness!"

「...」

Also, during this time when Shangjing City was bustling with activity, outside the city, under the cover of night, several figures quietly appeared. They gazed toward the towering city walls and the stern guards stationed before the city, clicking their tongues.

"So, that double agent is in this city? Perhaps he knows we're coming for him and has prepared such a formidable escort?"

「...」

Within Shangjing City, Miss White Wine had already hardened her resolve, risking everything to enter the secret grounds within the Life-Knowing Hall.

Meanwhile, seven or eight streets away from her, someone else had mingled with night soil collectors and infiltrated Shangjing City at dawn. While energetically scrubbing night soil buckets alongside others, this person quietly looked up.

Despite a small, filthy, and prematurely aged face, her eyes alone were bright and alert. She whispered softly to herself, I missed the previous good opportunities, but having come early this time, surely I won't miss out again, right?