Yes, the east wind had finally come.

In that moment, Jian Chou almost laughed aloud.

Earlier she had been preparing to use bribery, but it seemed some accident had occurred in the meantime, preventing the Small-Headed Ghost from finding a suitable way to solve the “Heavenly Mandate Records” problem.

However, this worked out perfectly.

Jian Chou didn’t hide her happiness at all, showing a smile: “I can read, and I can help. But before helping, shouldn’t we discuss compensation?”

“…”

Although he had expected the other party to make demands, he hadn’t expected her to ask so directly: Where’s your shame?!

The Small-Headed Ghost was speechless for a while, and only after a long time did he suppress the urge to punch her, replying stiffly: “What compensation do you want?”

During last night, and even during the day when the little ghosts were away, Jian Chou had already thought everything through clearly.

Even if she still didn’t understand what kind of existence the entire Extreme Domain was, lacking sufficient understanding, one thing was certain: as a “living person,” she was absolutely an anomaly among anomalies in the Extreme Domain. Judging from the Big-Headed Ghost and Small-Headed Ghost’s plan to eat her, her situation was probably not optimistic.

First, she wanted to solve the problem with her spiritual power, and second, she needed to know how to leave this realm and return to Shijiu Zhou.

But knowing nothing meant she could do nothing.

She couldn’t risk going to others, but these two little ghosts before her were perfect candidates.

Jian Chou didn’t make excessive demands, simply saying: “I swear that I bear no ill will toward you two and don’t want to harm you. I can read and will help you solve the ‘Heavenly Mandate Records’ problem. In return, you untie me and let me out first. As for that sword and my other belongings, I promise not to ask for them back right now.”

This was an extremely simple request.

Such a formidable female cultivator – just that terrifying lightning from her body earlier was bone-chilling – yet their crude ropes could bind her, and Jian Chou couldn’t break free.

From this, it was clear that this female cultivator’s cultivation had definitely encountered problems. Even if they released her, there wouldn’t be any issues.

For the Big-Headed Ghost and Small-Headed Ghost, she truly posed no threat.

Moreover, she had started by saying “I swear,” and the word “swear” carried great weight for all cultivators.

The moment he heard this, the Small-Headed Ghost was somewhat stunned.

The Big-Headed Ghost, still aggrieved about his teeth, was even more confused, and couldn’t help but say with his toothless mouth, speaking like an old woman with missing teeth: “Are you stupid?”

Seeing his current comical appearance, Jian Chou nearly burst out laughing.

Coughing once, she looked at the Small-Headed Ghost: “What do you think? Or is even this request too excessive?”

Excessive?

If this request was considered excessive, then there would be no reasonable requests in the world.

Only then did the Small-Headed Ghost react: “No, no, no, this is good. You help us determine the ‘Heavenly Mandate Records,’ and we’ll untie you.”

After speaking, he was about to step forward to pull Jian Chou out, but halfway there he remembered something and waved his hand: “Big-Head, you go.”

The Big-Headed Ghost was stunned and looked at him, only to see the Small-Headed Ghost run directly to the thick dust in the corner and hang the long sword that couldn’t be drawn and the two small bags around his waist.

Such caution!

Even Jian Chou was impressed.

The Big-Headed Ghost here immediately understood the Small-Headed Ghost’s intention.

He did as told and climbed back onto the stove, but standing beside Jian Chou for the second time, he felt trembling with fear. He wanted to reach out to pull Jian Chou but was afraid of being electrocuted into an idiot like before.

He extended his hand several times, then pulled it back several times.

The Small-Headed Ghost turned around to see this scene and was immediately so angry he nearly had a heart attack: “Are you stupid? Just untie the rope – can’t she come out by herself?”

“Oh right!”

The Big-Headed Ghost slapped his forehead, amazed by this brilliant idea, his eyes lighting up as he clumsily made a hand seal.

Swish – a trace of faint light flashed.

The rope binding Jian Chou suddenly loosened, transforming into a long snake that flew back into the Big-Headed Ghost’s hands, folding itself neatly.

So there was a small spell involved.

Jian Chou observed this and noted it mentally.

The moment the rope was withdrawn, her hands were already freed from their bonds.

She rubbed her wrists, then looked at the skin on her palms – not the slightest damage, even more lustrous than when she first entered the sixth layer, with a soft jade-like beauty.

This was probably the residual effect of the starlight power from that final battle at the Buddha’s Crown on the One-Person Platform.

Although the spiritual power in her body couldn’t be used, with just her physical strength, Jian Chou could probably match weaker Golden Core stage cultivators. Getting out of a water tank was naturally no problem.

Bracing her hand against the sharp, broken edge of the water tank, Jian Chou stepped directly out.

Countless water droplets scattered, and her clothes instantly returned to being dry, without a trace of moisture.

The Small-Headed Ghost, with a sword and two bags hanging from his waist, stared wide-eyed: So even this clothing was a treasure!

Noticing his gaze, Jian Chou smiled somewhat embarrassedly: “Just ordinary cultivator clothing techniques, nothing special.”

Water and dust resistance were just the most basic functions – the kind that could defend against attacks was the most impressive.

Of course, Jian Chou never needed that.

Her physical body was too strong; such battle robes were useless to her.

Her tone was casual, but it almost made the Small-Headed Ghost want to strangle her.

His heart truly felt unbalanced – how could the underworld be so different from these cultivators?

As the sour feeling spread, the Small-Headed Ghost had to comfort himself.

Cultivators throughout the world – the more capable they were, the better they lived. Whether in the Extreme Domain or Shijiu Zhou, it was probably much the same. If it were a different cultivator, they probably couldn’t casually say such things like Jian Chou.

“By the way, we’ve known each other for two days now. My name is Jian Chou, from Shijiu Zhou. May I ask your distinguished names?”

After coming out, Jian Chou took a few steps around the room, seeing only dilapidation.

For these two little ghosts, “destitute with bare walls” really wasn’t just a saying.

The Small-Headed Ghost walked to the table, put down the two volumes of “Heavenly Mandate Records,” and replied: “I’m called Small-Head, he’s called Big-Head, he’s my older brother, but he has some problems with his head. Usually, if there’s anything, just talk to me.”

They’re actually brothers?

Jian Chou was slightly surprised, but hearing that dismissive “problems with his head,” she couldn’t help but look at the Big-Headed Ghost.

The Big-Headed Ghost said indignantly: “You’re talking nonsense again! A big head isn’t a problem – a small head is!”

“A big head is the problem.”

The Small-Headed Ghost replied coolly.

“Nonsense, a small head is!”

“Big head!”

“Small head!”

“Big head!”

“Small head!”

…

A heated argument with red faces and ears.

Standing nearby, Jian Chou was dumbfounded: When did having problems with one’s head become a matter of size?

She really didn’t know what to say.

Seeing these two little ghosts about to start fighting, Jian Chou timely intervened, also coming to the table and coughing twice: “Ahem, well, do the ‘Heavenly Mandate Records’ need to be submitted tomorrow morning?”

“…”

“…”

Instant silence.

It must be said that Jian Chou’s topic change was clumsy but remarkably effective.

The two immediately stopped arguing and hurriedly sat down on either side of Jian Chou.

The Big-Headed Ghost opened a volume of “Heavenly Mandate Records” and said urgently: “Yes, yes, we’re running out of time. Let’s hurry up.”

Looking at his toothless mouth, Jian Chou remembered this was because of her. Although it wasn’t her fault, she still felt a bit guilty.

She pointed: “Your… teeth…”

“They can grow back. Once you cultivate enough, everything can regrow – no problem, no problem.”

The Small-Headed Ghost directly answered for the Big-Headed Ghost.

The Big-Headed Ghost nodded quickly, showing a smile: “They’ll grow back.”

Just like a cultivator’s body, as long as vital parts weren’t damaged, regrowing wasn’t impossible – at most the cost would be a bit higher.

Since they could grow back, she felt relieved.

Jian Chou nodded and smiled faintly, then looked back at the “Heavenly Mandate Records” on the table.

This was the first time she had been so close to these two ledgers.

Two thick volumes, both brand new, densely packed with names.

The Small-Headed Ghost actively explained: “These are the underworld’s ‘Heavenly Mandate Records’ – all ghost souls who have been examined at the Karmic Mirror Platform. If you place your hand on them, you can see clearer details.”

Like Zhilin Sou’s jade tablet.

Jian Chou immediately understood, nodding to show she comprehended, then moved her finger to a name: Zhang Zongqian.

In that instant, a trace of crimson light passed over these three characters, about to brighten, but unexpectedly, the next moment that thread of crimson light disappeared completely.

Jian Chou was immediately surprised.

The Big-Headed Ghost and Small-Headed Ghost exclaimed even more: “How is that possible?”

Frowning, Jian Chou thought it was because she currently had no cultivation, or that living people couldn’t use it.

She reached out her hand: “Let me try again.”

The second time.

Still a trace of light flashed, still no reaction.

Jian Chou’s brow furrowed even tighter. She tried once more, with the same result.

It was as if the trace of light emanating from her fingertip couldn’t gain recognition from the “Heavenly Mandate Records.”

This situation was truly bizarre.

The Small-Headed Ghost muttered: “The ‘Heavenly Mandate Records’ sense soul aura to display content. Logically, anyone should be able to read them, but you… hmm?”

Soul aura?

In that moment, the Small-Headed Ghost suddenly seemed dazed.

His gaze at Jian Chou suddenly changed, and in his crimson eyes, a whirlpool seemed to open. His gaze appeared to penetrate through Jian Chou’s body directly to her soul.

…

Then he opened his mouth wide, as if seeing something ghostly.

“You, you, you actually have an incomplete soul!”

The moment the whirlpool in his eyes disappeared, the Small-Headed Ghost spoke in shock.

Jian Chou was also startled: “You can see that?”

In Shijiu Zhou, even Master Hengxu couldn’t casually examine others’ souls without special magical instruments.

Master Fudao had mentioned this to Jian Chou several times.

But here, even a random little ghost could see the problem?

The Small-Headed Ghost nodded, also frowning, as if encountering a difficult problem.

He said: “All ghosts in our Extreme Domain have only souls, and can only cultivate from the soul level. Only those who reach higher realms can cultivate physical bodies. So what special ability is needed to see others’ souls clearly?”

This should be the difference between Shijiu Zhou and the Extreme Domain.

Jian Chou thought to herself.

The Small-Headed Ghost continued: “However, with your three souls and seven spirits incomplete, you can actually cultivate? That’s really strange. Even in the Extreme Domain, in the underworld, your kind of soul is the lowest grade – barely able to cultivate. Most are thrown to the edges of the Extreme Domain, outside the underworld, to fend for themselves…”

In other words, souls with such defects wouldn’t be worth eating even if served to the most vicious demons – everyone would find them disgusting.

The Small-Headed Ghost looked at Jian Chou somewhat strangely.

The Big-Headed Ghost looked at her with even more sympathy.

But Jian Chou didn’t feel she was particularly miserable.

On the contrary, she was fortunate.

So after hearing the Small-Headed Ghost’s words, she actually smiled: “I understand my own soul. I’m very curious about how you in the Extreme Domain cultivate from the soul level. However, the pressing matter is still the ‘Heavenly Mandate Records.’ Since I can’t open them to read, you’ll have to do it.”

She passed the “Heavenly Mandate Records” over.

The Small-Headed Ghost was startled and quickly took them, not wanting to say more about the three souls and seven spirits, but keeping his doubts to himself.

He opened the ledger and placed his hand on a name.

A bright red light like blood penetrated into that name, and clear writing immediately appeared in the void.

“The first page of the ‘Heavenly Mandate Records’ shows the situations of various hells. We just need to write down which hell they should enter and for how long.”

Speaking thus, the Small-Headed Ghost opened another ledger, having the Big-Headed Ghost point to the dense, countless rules for reference.

For Jian Chou, this was very novel work.

She looked at the writing above and read: “Zhang Zongqian, merchant in life, cunning and deceitful, cheated an old woman of money, injured a child’s limb, died from being startled by a horse.”

“Trading fraud should be sent to the Fourth Palace, Lord Wu Guan’s Flesh-Stripping Blood Pool Hell. Cheating an old woman adds one degree to the crime, totaling… let me calculate, five years!”

The Big-Headed Ghost cross-referenced and quickly reported the numbers.

The Small-Headed Ghost listened and quickly touched the green brush in the void. Rather than writing, this was like inputting information into a jade slip – when the thought arrived, the determined punishment naturally went in.

The Big-Headed Ghost continued reading the rules: “There’s also injuring someone’s limb… injuring limbs…”

“Injuring limbs sends them to the Clothes-Stripping Pavilion Ice Hell. Injuring a child’s limb adds one degree to the crime, totaling five years.” Jian Chou glanced back and saw a line of text, then completed what the Big-Headed Ghost was going to say.

“How did you know?” The Big-Headed Ghost was surprised.

Jian Chou pointed somewhere, and a line of text clearly appeared. The Big-Headed Ghost looked and immediately stared wide-eyed.

“Second Palace of King Chu Jiang, Clothes-Stripping Pavilion Ice Hell, receives all those who in the mortal world injured people’s limbs or committed adultery, theft, and murder, pushing them into this hell.”

“It really is.”

The Small-Headed Ghost was also very surprised, but he quickly recorded Jian Chou’s judgment, thinking she just happened to have sharp eyes and spotted that line.

They both thought it was coincidence and quickly put the matter aside without further thought.

But then…

They completely realized they were wrong.

“Li Renzhi should be… should be…” Scratching his head, he couldn’t find it for a long time.

“Sixth Palace of King Taishan, extenuating circumstances, sentenced to two years, Mortar and Pestle Meat Sauce Hell.” She sighed helplessly and finished the sentence.

…

“Arson, hey, I remember seeing this just now…” frantically flipping through pages.

“Still Sixth Palace of King Taishan. Burned down a whole street, crime increased by two degrees, sentenced to eight years, Mortar and Pestle Meat Sauce Hell.” Her tone had become calm, as if resigned to fate.

“…”

“…”

They were dumbfounded.

Whether it was the Big-Headed Ghost or Small-Headed Ghost, they both realized something was wrong. Once or twice might be coincidence, but three times was definitely not coincidence!

“You…”

The Big-Headed Ghost pointed at her almost in terror.

“No way, you memorized it all?! How… how is that possible…”

Jian Chou kept a stiff face, blinked, thought expressionlessly for a moment, then said: “When I was still on the isolated island in the human world, I had what you might call photographic memory.”

What you might call photographic memory…

What you might call…

This is what you call “what you might call”?!

Whether it was the Big-Headed Ghost or Small-Headed Ghost, their mouths twitched wildly as they roared frantically in their hearts!

You only looked a few times!

This wasn’t just confirmed photographic memory – it was reading ten lines at a glance!

…Simply a perverted freak.

In just one moment, the Small-Headed Ghost mentally slapped a big label on Jian Chou’s forehead.

Forget ordinary people – even among cultivators, Jian Chou was probably an anomaly.

But Jian Chou herself didn’t think it was a big deal.

Her photographic memory had been with her since her time at the Xie Manor, but she never considered it much of an ability, because there had been the incredibly talented Third Young Master Xie.

Others might be able to read ten lines at a glance with photographic memory, already geniuses among geniuses.

But Xie Buchen could understand everything at a glance, even recite it backwards.

Originally she thought she wasn’t bad either, but after meeting such a person, she realized there were always higher mountains and more capable people – she wasn’t anything special.

Jian Chou lowered her gaze slightly, suddenly becoming somewhat silent.

After a while, she turned to look at the Small-Headed Ghost: “Your cultivation probably isn’t very high either? In Shijiu Zhou, as long as cultivators have strong enough spiritual consciousness, they can also have photographic memory – it just takes a little effort.”

In other words, ghost cultivators in the Extreme Domain should also be able to do this.

But what Jian Chou didn’t mention was that she currently couldn’t use her spiritual consciousness.

The Small-Headed Ghost couldn’t help but roll his eyes at Jian Chou.

His cultivation level…

Haha.

“Let’s hurry up. We still have these two thick volumes to process, and we have to submit them tomorrow morning.”

Both Jian Chou and the Big-Headed Ghost nodded. The three of them – or rather, one person and two ghosts – threw themselves wholeheartedly into determining the “Heavenly Mandate Records.”

Initially, the Small-Headed Ghost would look things up, Jian Chou would help interpret characters they didn’t recognize, and the Big-Headed Ghost would cross-reference rules to provide answers.

But they quickly discovered this was completely wasting Jian Chou’s presence, and the speed wasn’t fast enough.

So before long, it changed to Jian Chou using her excellent memory to help with determinations.

Eventually, Jian Chou didn’t need to reference the rules at all, because she had already memorized them backwards and forwards.

Finally, the Big-Headed Ghost and Small-Headed Ghost each flipped through a ledger while Jian Chou simultaneously told both of them the relevant determinations to input.

Under this almost insanely efficient method, the “Heavenly Mandate Records” flipped at an unimaginable speed.

“Rustle, rustle…”

Page after page, page after page.

Whether it was the Big-Headed Ghost or Small-Headed Ghost, they both felt their three souls and seven spirits were about to explode. Such high-intensity input consumed them tremendously.

Jian Chou noticed something was wrong midway and asked if they wanted to stop and rest.

But the two little ghosts looked at the sky – it really wasn’t early.

They simply didn’t have that much time to waste, so they just shook their heads and gritted their teeth to persevere.

The oil lamp was relit by the Small-Headed Ghost and burned most of the night until the oil in the lamp was almost exhausted.

That bean-sized flame had also become small, seemingly about to extinguish soon.

But fortunately, the two volumes of “Heavenly Mandate Records” were also nearing the end.

“This last one – theft in life, accidentally killed someone, but it was to save his mother. Crime reduced by one degree, should be sent to King Chu Jiang’s Palace, Clothes-Stripping Pavilion Ice Hell.”

Jian Chou’s tongue was already somewhat dry, but her mind still clearly showed what punishment this person should receive, reporting it to the Small-Headed Ghost.

The Small-Headed Ghost quickly input it. When the line of text glowing with pale blue light appeared in the void, he let out a long breath and glanced outside – the first ray of dawn was just emerging from the ground.

“We really finished…”

Dreamlike muttering sounds came from his mouth.

After a long time, he finally reacted, even jumping up with joy, grabbing the Big-Headed Ghost and shouting: “Big-Head, Big-Head! We really finished, hahaha we really finished!”

The Big-Headed Ghost was already barely holding on, about to fall asleep.

Being shaken by the Small-Headed Ghost like this, he didn’t become much more alert. He smiled foolishly and nodded along: “Mm, finished…”

“Hahaha, we won’t be driven away! Won’t be driven away!”

For the first time ever, the Small-Headed Ghost wasn’t discouraged by the Big-Headed Ghost’s confused state. He was in an extremely excited condition.

“This time I’ll make those bastards open their eyes wide and see, hahaha, let them be arrogant!”

Thinking of those people at the Reception Department, the Small-Headed Ghost immediately felt vindicated.

He was already imagining those people’s astonished expressions when they saw him.

Yesterday at the Reception Department, not one person had given them a good look, and with Zhang Tang absent, they had suffered all kinds of indignities.

This time, he must make those people’s jaws drop.

In his excitement and carried away by his success, the Small-Headed Ghost even forgot about Jian Chou’s identity. He actually reached out and patted Jian Chou’s shoulder casually, saying grandly: “From now on, you follow me. When I become a judge, I guarantee I’ll take you along to eat well and drink well!”

Uh…

Jian Chou was slightly startled.

But then the Small-Headed Ghost continued embracing the Big-Headed Ghost and laughing wildly.

She stood nearby, watching these two brothers strangely for a while, suddenly feeling an inexplicable emotion.

The slightly bright dawn light, reflected by the Extreme Domain’s gloomy sky, appeared dim yellow as it shone through the cracks into Jian Chou’s eyes.

In that moment, she couldn’t help but show a faint smile.

The Extreme Domain wasn’t as bad as she had thought.

She just didn’t know whether those old friends who used to laugh and joke so freely with her were still well.