What was Jian Chou’s cultivation level?

With a damaged soul, forcibly breaking through to the Soul Orb Realm, the soul orb she formed was probably the smallest in the Extreme Realm’s history.

At least in others’ understanding and judgment, with such strength, any random first-realm Spirit Nourishing ghost cultivator could knock her down.

Participate in the cauldron competition?

Impossible!

She would probably die cleanly the moment she entered.

Jian Chou did have trump cards, but others didn’t know about them.

Under such circumstances, this Lord Cui Jue actually said he came under orders to invite her?

Unbelievable!

Jian Chou looked at Cui Jue.

Cui Jue also looked at Jian Chou.

This scene was actually within expectations.

An ordinary cultivator with such strength participating in the cauldron competition? It was almost unthinkable.

But now Zhang Tang had brought him here, and he had indeed issued such an invitation, so it was no wonder Jian Chou didn’t dare believe it.

Cui Jue glanced at Jian Chou, his gaze lingering for a moment at her spiritual platform, then smiled slightly: “I’m looking for a new ghost who entered Wangsi City less than a hundred days ago, nameless, called Jian Chou. This is absolutely correct, no mistake.”

“…”

Is it too late for me to say I’m not called “Jian Chou”?

Jian Chou didn’t know what medicine this person was selling in his gourd, nor did she understand why the Eight Yama Palaces would target her, much less understand what connection this had to the cauldron competition.

Could it be that her existence had been discovered, so they had other schemes?

But Zhang Tang shouldn’t have no reaction at all.

Thinking this, Jian Chou instinctively looked toward Zhang Tang.

This was one of the few people in the Extreme Realm she could trust somewhat.

Cui Jue almost immediately noticed Jian Chou’s gaze shifting.

His mind stirred slightly, and he immediately remembered the earlier conflict between Zhang Tang and Chen Tingyan in front of this residence gate.

Subtle.

It seemed this female cultivator had quite a close relationship with Zhang Tang.

Zhang Tang hadn’t hidden his relationship with Jian Chou, though he vaguely sensed that Cui Jue seemed to have misunderstood something.

But this current “misunderstanding” was all benefit and no harm to him.

So Zhang Tang remained calm and didn’t explain half a sentence.

When Jian Chou looked over, he naturally saw it too.

Since he was already acquainted with Jian Chou, he stepped forward and said: “Fellow Daoist Jian Chou, Lord Cui’s words are absolutely true. It is indeed an order from the Eight Yama Palaces.”

As Zhang Tang spoke, his eyes showed not the slightest ripple.

Jian Chou roughly calmed down, though her face still showed hesitation.

Cui Jue looked left and right. Though this street was quiet, there were still a few pedestrians passing by. It really wasn’t a place for conversation.

He said: “Miss Jian Chou, could we move elsewhere to continue our discussion?”

There were many strange occurrences in the residence, concentrated in the study.

Jian Chou originally didn’t want to invite them inside, but such awkwardness might instead arouse suspicion. After brief consideration, she stepped aside and said: “It’s Jian Chou’s oversight, forgetting hospitality. Please enter, both lords.”

“You’re too kind.”

Cui Jue still maintained proper courtesy.

He thanked Jian Chou before stepping through the path she had cleared, entering the courtyard.

Zhang Tang walked behind Cui Jue, just meeting Jian Chou’s subtle glance. He nodded slightly to her, his expression completely calm.

Safe and sound.

From this minor gesture, Jian Chou immediately read the information she wanted.

She lowered her eyes without showing emotion, also walking in, gesturing toward the stone table under the ground orange tree in the central courtyard: “The residence is newly rented, and I’ve been busy cultivating, haven’t had time to tidy up. It’s hard to find a proper place to sit. I hope the two lords won’t laugh at me. Please sit here.”

Newly rented residence, busy cultivating.

All correct.

Cui Jue knew this, so he didn’t pay much attention to Jian Chou’s excuse and sat down.

Zhang Tang followed suit.

The cultivation world always respected strength above all. These two had higher status and position than her, so Jian Chou should have remained standing.

However, this was her residence and she was the host, so she didn’t stand on ceremony and sat down facing the two men.

“Jian Chou’s cultivation is meager. Since entering Wangsi City, I’ve never dared dream of participating in the cauldron competition.”

She cut straight to the point.

“The eight Yama Kings are existences I can barely look up to. Now Lord Cui says he comes under orders to find me for the cauldron competition… Jian Chou truly doesn’t understand. Could Lord Cui please enlighten me?”

This was exactly Cui Jue’s purpose.

This Jian Chou before him conducted herself with propriety, treated people with courtesy, and naturally possessed an elegant bearing different from ordinary people. She was probably no ordinary figure before her death.

But her cultivation…

Was truly bizarre.

However, that wasn’t within Cui Jue’s jurisdiction.

The several Yama Kings had already made their calculations. What he needed to do was simply get Jian Chou to participate in the cauldron competition.

“Your confusion, I’m afraid I can only resolve half of it.”

Various thoughts crossed his mind as Cui Jue spoke methodically.

“His Highness the Wheel-Turning King somehow learned that a female cultivator appeared in Wangsi City, whose soul orb was only as large as a speck of dust, almost invisible, yet her realm was genuinely that of the Soul Orb Realm—truly bizarre and extraordinary. So he suggested to His Highness Lord Qin Guang that you be selected to participate in the cauldron competition.”

The word “selected” was used masterfully.

She understood: whether it was the Eight Yama Palaces or Cui Jue himself, they all felt that inviting her to participate in the cauldron competition was honoring her.

Jian Chou didn’t refute and continued listening.

Seeing she didn’t question him, Cui Jue inwardly praised her composure and continued.

“By convention, those participating in the cauldron competition should at least be at the Soul Orb Peak to qualify. Most have already reached the fourth realm of Jade Nirvana to have a chance at competing for the cauldron’s primacy. Selecting you is against common sense. However, what the several Yama Kings value is precisely this defiance of common sense.”

Now this was getting interesting.

Jian Chou finally confirmed completely: at least on the surface, she indeed hadn’t exposed anything and hadn’t aroused suspicion from Cui Jue and the Eight Yama Palaces.

“Forgive my boldness, but Miss Jian Chou should be a sensible person.” Cui Jue spoke plainly. “People watch dragons fight tigers day after day, and no matter how exciting, they eventually grow tired. But sometimes, if a rabbit accidentally stumbles into a dragon’s den…”

For intelligent people, words never needed to be spoken completely.

Jian Chou understood almost instantly.

Chen Tingyan’s meaningful words from the past echoed in her ears.

So she felt an inexplicable absurdity: Was it really like this?

For those participating, the cauldron competition was a feast of slaughter, a ladder of advancement; for most of the Extreme Realm’s middle and lower classes not participating, it was a carnival to dispel boredom…

But for these few power holders of the Extreme Realm, this was an excellent platform for selecting talent, gathering wealth, and demonstrating existence.

Just like the competition for spots at the Eighteen Floors Above Ground, ordinary ghost cultivators needed to pay sufficient amounts of dark jade to enter.

One could imagine what else was involved.

If people grew tired of the same old cauldron competition year after year, how could the layers upon layers of forces that lived off it, waiting to profit from it, simply give up?

The Eight Yama Palaces, besides the eight Yama Kings, had various chief judges and judges below them.

They might be trusted confidants cultivated by the Yama Kings, or high talents selected from various cauldron competitions, but more often, they came from the Ten Great Ghost Clans.

The Ten Great Ghost Clans were like the advisor families of isolated islands in the mortal realm.

Each family’s chess pieces were scattered out, falling into the eight Yama Palaces in the eight cities.

Under these circumstances, the Yama Kings took turns controlling the cauldron competition.

One term, another term, and yet another term.

If one of the Yama Kings brought enormous benefits to everyone—

What followed would be countless followers, immense power!

So their need for someone like Jian Chou made perfect sense.

Having been influenced for so long in the Xie Marquis’s mansion, Jian Chou didn’t dare say she could outdo anyone in such power struggles, but seeing through them clearly wasn’t difficult.

Almost as soon as Cui Jue spoke those few words, she had already sorted everything out clearly.

Because interests and power revolved around the cauldron competition in interlocking circles, that “His Highness the Wheel-Turning King” would notice her.

This person must have an extremely close relationship with Lord Qin Guang to suggest this to him.

The weakest Soul Orb Realm female cultivator in the Extreme Realm’s history, with a soul orb like a speck of dust, was actually being pushed into the cauldron competition?

Who wouldn’t be curious upon hearing this?

What would happen when a rabbit entered a dragon’s den?

Death?

Or miraculous escape?

Light flickered in her eyes as Jian Chou considered more than just this.

She slowly curved her lips, seemingly no longer frightened by Cui Jue, and as if thinking of something interesting, she slowly spoke: “I understand Lord Cui’s meaning. The Eight Yama Palaces want a gimmick for this cauldron competition, and I happen to be it. But… if that rabbit enters the dragon’s den and dies immediately, wouldn’t this cauldron competition be meaningless?”

Coming because of interest in the “rabbit,” but the rabbit dies quickly.

However many people come would then leave.

Jian Chou’s words weren’t without reason.

Cui Jue had been a chief judge for quite some time. Even without experience, his original intelligence and wisdom were sufficient for judgment.

But…

“Hearing Miss Jian Chou’s words, it seems you have some ideas?”

“Correct.”

How could she not have ideas?

After confirming her current importance, Jian Chou, who had already fallen into a desperate situation, suddenly saw that ray of hope shining through the cracks!

The Yin-Yang Realm—she wasn’t without opportunity!

To return to Shijiu Zhou, she inevitably had to explore the Eighteen Levels of Hell, but her strength wasn’t enough yet.

The longer she stayed in Wangsi City, the greater the chance of revealing flaws.

As they say, short pain is better than long pain. When it was time to cut the Gordian knot, Jian Chou never hesitated.

Though the cauldron competition was cruel, it was also the best method to enter the Eighteen Levels of Hell—extremely natural, arousing no suspicion.

Moreover, given the current situation, she might not be unable to escape the cauldron competition unscathed.

This time, even if others were watching her die and had brought her a coffin, she would take that coffin, put it behind her head, and use it as a pillow to sleep on!

As for how much she could fight for and what degree she could achieve, that depended on her current maneuvering.

Jian Chou looked at Cui Jue candidly and sincerely: “Jian Chou’s strength is meager—I am that rabbit. Since it knows it’s about to enter a dragon’s den, not knowing whether it will live or die, why should it agree to abandon its life and enter the cauldron competition?”

Cui Jue’s brow furrowed tightly.

Even Zhang Tang couldn’t help raising his head, looking at Jian Chou with slight surprise in his eyes.

Who didn’t know that the Eight Yama Palaces possessed nearly terrifying authority in the Extreme Realm?

When the eight Yama Kings spoke, someone actually dared refuse?

Moreover, from her posture, it seemed she wanted to make demands?

Zhang Tang couldn’t figure out Jian Chou’s thinking for the moment and could only maintain silence.

Cui Jue stared at her, then slowly nodded, following her previous words: “Miss Jian Chou speaks reasonably. Then, how can we make this rabbit willingly enter the cauldron competition?”

“Lord Cui has hit the key point.”

Seeing Cui Jue so cooperative, Jian Chou couldn’t help squinting her eyes, smiling very amiably. But only she knew that cold sweat had already formed in her icy palms.

“Jian Chou thinks, first, this rabbit needs to feel that even with meager cultivation, someone will guarantee its life after entering the dragon’s den; second, great rewards motivate brave men…”

First, I want to survive;

Second, I want benefits!

Jian Chou’s words were clear and direct to the extreme, not even slightly concealed.

She thrust a naked blade straight forward!

Under many failed door-knocking attempts, Cui Jue had imagined many scenarios for discussing this matter with Jian Chou, but none matched the current situation!

This was the first time he’d seen someone dare to negotiate conditions with the Eight Yama Palaces!

Orders from Lord Qin Guang were always absolute commands that had to be carried out.

As a chief judge under him, Cui Jue also held considerable power, including in the cauldron competition and in Jian Chou’s matter.

So he didn’t immediately refuse or say he couldn’t make the decision, only saying: “First, throughout the entire cauldron competition process, no one in the Extreme Realm can interfere. Your life only relates to your opponents. Second, what do you want?”

“My life relates to my opponents, but the Eight Yama Palaces can influence those participating in the cauldron competition. If they don’t attack me, or protect me, at least my chances of survival would be greater.”

Jian Chou thought very clearly, having completely adopted a negotiating attitude.

An unprecedented opportunity lay before her!

She absolutely couldn’t miss it!

The Cui Jue before her—where was the life-demanding death judge from before?

At this moment, in Jian Chou’s eyes, he was simply a life-saving Buddha!

Looking up, she glanced at Cui Jue again.

Jian Chou discovered his eyebrow seemed to twitch, probably not expecting her to say such things.

But this wasn’t finished yet.

Jian Chou continued: “As for the second point… whether dark jade or protective magical artifacts… in any case, the Eight Yama Palaces must show some gesture to make this proper, right? After all, if Jian Chou participates, I’m risking my life to work for the eight Yama Kings.”

“…”

Cui Jue didn’t speak for a moment.

But his gaze toward Jian Chou was completely different from the casual indifference before.

He had thought this Miss Jian Chou would inevitably be terrified upon hearing the words “cauldron competition,” since it was a matter of life and death.

But after understanding the cause and effect, she actually showed great interest in the cauldron competition.

Was she unafraid of death?

Or did she truly not know the height of heaven and earth, wanting to use this opportunity to make a name for herself?

A rabbit?

Was she truly a rabbit?

The female cultivator before him still wore a proper smile, but Cui Jue only saw that greedily gaping maw with two rows of bloody fangs, attempting to tear off several chunks of flesh from the Eight Yama Palaces.

He hadn’t expected her to face him, face the Eight Yama Palaces, and still remain fearless.

He even less expected that he was wrong!

Where was it as simple as negotiating conditions?

This was clearly extortion!

And extorting the supreme Eight Yama Palaces of the Extreme Realm!

Bold enough, spirited enough.

Cui Jue’s twitching eye corner was slowly pressed down by his hand, as if he couldn’t calm his state of mind without doing so.

“To advance to the Soul Orb Realm with such meager cultivation, Miss Jian Chou is truly no ordinary person.”

Oh.

Did he think her extortion was too harsh?

Jian Chou felt her demands weren’t excessive: if she didn’t die, there would be greater spectacle, and the Eight Yama Palaces or His Highness Lord Qin Guang could gain maximum benefits.

Their interests could be said to be extremely unified.

Moreover…

“Lord Cui, I’ve already died once. If I die here, I’m afraid there won’t be another chance for reincarnation, right? I don’t resist participating in the cauldron competition, if it can bring fame and success. It’s just…”

Also afraid of losing her life.

This was an intentionally unfinished sentence that Cui Jue could understand.

Jian Chou clasped her hands together, and when drawing out those words “it’s just,” she displayed an extremely natural anxious state that made people involuntarily want to believe.

Zhang Tang nearby also felt his eyelid twitch.

If he didn’t already know what kind of person Jian Chou was, what abilities she had, and why she came to the Extreme Realm, he might also be deceived by her at this moment.

Her abilities were considerable, and her acting skills were also superb.

In his mind, he erased a corner of his original conception of Jian Chou and filled in something entirely new.

Cui Jue was different.

He had never known Jian Chou before and didn’t know what kind of special person she was. Considering Jian Chou as only slightly outstanding, he inevitably fell into the trap.

What’s more, it was such a completely reasonable trap?

In the Extreme Realm, there were excellent opportunities for fame and success.

Various forces, wealthy and powerful, casually recruiting a few famous people to keep as idle retainers was very normal.

This was why Cui Jue had previously suspected the phrase “fame and success.”

He slowly smiled and said: “Miss Jian Chou speaks very reasonably. However, interfering with the cauldron competition is still taboo. Please wait a moment.”

After speaking, he didn’t avoid Jian Chou and Zhang Tang, only pressing his left thumb across his other fingers, and a crimson two-inch jade talisman appeared in his hand.

This was a communication jade talisman exclusive to chief judges in the Eight Yama Palaces of the underworld.

Under normal circumstances, even across half the Extreme Realm, it could transmit information at any time.

Cui Jue concentrated his mind, waved his finger, and a trace of light disappeared into the jade talisman.

“I’ve already reported to His Highness Lord Qin Guang. With the cauldron competition imminent, if he’s not in seclusion, there will be a quick reply…”

Before he finished speaking, the jade talisman suddenly blazed!

Instantly, a ray of light flew from the jade talisman and disappeared into Cui Jue’s fingertip.

At that moment, his calm expression finally showed a crack…

He seemed not to have expected such a quick reply, or perhaps the content of the reply was beyond his expectations.

In any case, such an expression was definitely abnormal.

Jian Chou and Zhang Tang, who had been watching Cui Jue, saw this immediately.

But she didn’t directly ask, instead waiting for Cui Jue to speak himself.

Cui Jue’s gaze withdrew somewhat stiffly from the jade talisman, falling on Jian Chou’s face with indescribable meaning.

In his heart was an indescribable feeling, impossible to express fully.

Countless thoughts crossed his mind, and he finally spoke in a strange tone: “His Majesty Lord Qin Guang has agreed.”

Agreed!

So quickly, so simply!

Inconceivable!

Even Jian Chou showed surprise in her eyes.

She was slightly stunned, afraid she had misheard: “But… I still don’t know what I should ask for…”

“…You need not worry about this matter. The Eight Yama Palaces will certainly satisfy Miss Jian Chou.”

Heaven knows whether Cui Jue said these words while suppressing a mouthful of blood!

In any case, he felt his throat seemed to indeed carry a hint of metallic taste.

Lord Qin Guang’s reply was simple beyond simple—three words:

“Agree to her.”

Clear, definite, unquestionable.

Wasn’t this obvious enough?

As long as Jian Chou’s demands were within Lord Qin Guang’s tolerance, they would all be satisfied.

As for the so-called “great reward,” would the Eight Yama Palaces be so poor they couldn’t produce even this?

Jian Chou herself seemed to realize this, but also understood the meaning hidden in Cui Jue’s words: this matter would be handled by the Eight Yama Palaces, and she needn’t interfere.

One must know when to stop while ahead.

Cui Jue probably didn’t have a good impression of her.

Jian Chou had wanted to ask about the actual plans and arrangements after entering the cauldron competition, such as regarding her “life”—which people would be inserted to cover for her…

But seeing the subtle light in Cui Jue’s eyes, she automatically abandoned this thought.

“If so, how could Jian Chou dare have any reason not to agree to the cauldron competition? From now on, I’ll be troubling Lord Cui.”

When Cui Jue came, he was holding a scroll marked “cauldron competition,” and he happened to be under Lord Qin Guang, so the cauldron competition matters on Wangsi City’s side probably had considerable connection to him.

Seeing this point, Jian Chou said “troubling you.”

Cui Jue inwardly noted her careful and quick thinking, but somehow the strange feeling in his heart grew stronger.

Perhaps he felt this female cultivator was too bold?

“Miss Jian Chou is too kind. It’s good that matters have a result. With only ten days left until the cauldron competition, since you know the Eight Yama Palaces’ purpose, please exercise some restraint within these ten days. Subsequent arrangements will be handled through Lord Zhang, whom you’re familiar with. Please rest assured.”

He ultimately didn’t say much more, stood up, and prepared to leave.

The so-called “exercise restraint” meant at least for these ten days, don’t cultivate, maintain this weakest posture in the Extreme Realm, and enter the cauldron competition.

If she wanted rapid progress, please save it for during the cauldron competition.

By then, this would also become one of the “gimmicks.”

Jian Chou understood Cui Jue’s implied meaning, smiled, and also stood: “Please rest assured, Lord Cui.”

Cui Jue nodded and took leave of Jian Chou.

Zhang Tang then stood, but lagging behind Cui Jue, he glanced at Jian Chou. His rigid dead face showed no readable emotion.

Jian Chou waved him on, indicating he should go first while she followed to see them off.

As she stepped forward, she lowered her voice and asked: “His Majesty Lord Qin Guang agreed so readily—did I set my price too low?”

Zhang Tang’s eye corner twitched violently.

Cui Jue, who hadn’t gone far ahead, nearly stumbled!

Too low?!

This…

What kind of person was this!

Jian Chou glanced that way.

Cui Jue was still Cui Jue after all. His momentary loss of composure was immediately concealed, but he had no desire to linger any longer and walked directly out the gate.

Zhang Tang didn’t answer Jian Chou’s question, only saying “we’ll talk later” with a nod before stepping out of the old residence gate and disappearing onto the long street with Cui Jue.

Jian Chou stood at the door, watching until both figures vanished, before the suppressed joy finally jumped to her brows.

No matter whether you came to deliver coffins, they’ve all turned into pillow deliveries now!

The difficulties she’d been agonizing over were now unexpectedly resolved!

Rabbits must keep hopping to attract attention.

She didn’t expect the Eight Yama Palaces to value her existence highly—she was probably a dispensable casual stroke. That expenditure was nothing to them—no loss if they didn’t do it, but profit if they did.

As long as these Extreme Realm giants could make slight manipulations here, she dared gamble everything!

The Eight Yama Palaces might not be unaware of the strangeness in her cultivation, but with her in the Extreme Realm, no one would think she could escape.

Enter the cauldron competition and she dies—threat eliminated.

Exit the cauldron competition alive—she still falls into the Eight Yama Palaces’ hands.

So the eight Yama Kings sat high above without the slightest worry.

How could they know…

Passing through the Yin-Yang Realm was actually much simpler for her than ordinary ghost cultivators could imagine!

Brilliant light flowed in her eyes.

Jian Chou closed the door with both hands, reactivated the protective formation, and when she returned along the central courtyard to the study door, her smile could no longer be suppressed.

But the moment her fingertips touched the tightly closed room door, something surfaced in her heart…

That sound!

That window paper she had hidden with the formation!

When she had previously closed the door, the mysterious writing seemed to have begun again, but because she was urgently dealing with Cui Jue, she hadn’t had time to look immediately.

If nothing unexpected happened, those characters were still water marks that would gradually dry.

Her negotiations with Cui Jue weren’t long, but definitely weren’t short either…

Oh no!

Jian Chou’s heart jumped, and she directly pushed the door open with a “bang,” taking three steps in two, quickly entering the room, directly passing a row and coming before the two closed carved windows!

“Swish!”

A hand seal shot out!

The formation Jian Chou had previously laid instantly lifted like a fishing net, transforming into a ray of light that returned to her fingertip.

The window paper hidden under the formation was revealed again.

Indeed, there were traces scattered across the snow-white window paper…

However, Jian Chou’s complexion became ugly the moment she saw the situation clearly.

There were indeed traces on the window paper.

But those were all dried traces!

The writing that had fallen on the paper had already mostly disappeared during her absence, leaving only the window paper that had been moistened by water marks, appearing wrinkled in the light.

Exhausting all her perception and eyesight, Jian Chou could only make out a character “卩” in the middle position.

This character, pronounced “jie,” was a radical that should be the latter half of some character.

But she couldn’t see any more writing.

“Rustle…”

A breeze came, and the window paper fluttered.

The water marks on it dried even faster, and along with that final half character “卩,” like all the previous writing, it disappeared completely in this breeze.

Jian Chou’s heart, which had just heated up over the cauldron competition, gradually cooled and quietly sank…

That feeling of a powerful existence seeming to lurk outside the window had now completely dissipated.

Perhaps that mysterious person who left the writing had already left?

But…

She hadn’t been able to see that final sentence.

Half a character, 卩?