Chapter 151 - 119: Ultimate, Peach Garden Celestial Official, Illusion as Truth!

Chapter 151: Chapter 119: Ultimate, Peach Garden Celestial Official, Illusion as Truth!

BOOM!

The golden barrier of light enveloping the General Temple flared brilliantly, managing to dilute the dense, impenetrable gray mist.

At the same time, upon hearing this line of song, the countless frantically howling ghosts let out a collective shriek of extreme agony.

Witnessing this scene, a thought suddenly flashed through Lu Jinghong’s mind.

’A single song to startle gods and ghosts!’

This was followed by the clang of a gong. Instantly, the sound waves from the tens of thousands of raging, howling ghosts outside the temple came to an abrupt halt.

Whether they were minor ghosts wandering the streets and alleys or Fierce Ghosts perched on the eaves, they all turned their heads in unison, fixing their empty eye sockets on the small stage in front of the General Temple.

Simultaneously, the music of silk strings and bamboo flutes began to play—a sorrowful, heart-rending sound, like the lament of soul-reaping chains being dragged along the road to the underworld.

Chen Ye, playing the role of the Judge, stood center stage as his song began anew.

"In the First Hall, King Qinguang judges life and death; before the Mirror of Misdeeds, no soul is wronged!"

He was no longer singing an opera libretto, but the principles of karma and reincarnation.

And aided by the combined forces at play, the lyrics of this opera resonated deep within the Spirit Body of every ghost.

Then, something almost miraculous happened. The endless tide of ghosts became the most focused audience for this performance.

The story within the opera began to awaken the memories that had been sealed away by their resentment.

The ghost of a scholar, murdered by a villain and dying with a grievance, shed two streams of black, bloody tears from its empty eye sockets.

The ghost of a Soldier, who had died on the battlefield with a lingering obsession, slowly loosened its death grip on a broken weapon, letting the blade fall to the ground.

"In the Second Hall, King Chujiang discerns good from evil; enter this gate and leave your grievances behind!"

For those Souls who had died of old age and were swept into the ghost tide merely because of minor lingering resentments, their bitter energy was the first to dissipate. Their ferocious forms softened, transforming into translucent, ethereal figures.

"In the Third Hall, King Songdi measures merit and sin; good and evil will ultimately receive their due!"

Meanwhile, the vicious souls who had committed evil in life and become Fierce Ghosts in death let out agonized howls amidst the song.

The overwhelming resentment clinging to them was like black snow scorched by a blazing sun—forcibly stripped away and purified!

The black tide of ghosts was shedding its ferocity at a visible rate.

Twisted limbs returned to their original shape, and countless ghosts reverted from monsters back to their living appearances.

By the time Chen Ye sang of the Tenth Hall, where the Wheel of Reincarnation determines the next life, the resentment blanketing the entire Sea Guardian Guard seemed to have been completely wiped away by an invisible hand.

Tens of thousands of purified souls transformed into a sky full of light motes, rising slowly like billions of fireflies, dotting the pitch-black heavens with a dreamlike, illusory beauty.

The scene was solemn and sacred, yet tinged with an ineffable sense of compassion.

However, inside the City God Temple, the Withered and Flourishing Daoist looked up at the rain of light filling the sky. Not only was there no trace of alarm on his face, but he burst into a fit of crazed laughter.

"HAHAHAHA... Excellent! What a magnificent way to channel the divine through opera! What a splendid ’Conquest of the Underworld’!"

He couldn’t care less that these minor ghosts were being purified. In his eyes, they were merely an appetizer, paving the way for the advent of that great ghostly being.

He had been plotting for this day for who knows how long, even turning himself into this wretched state, neither human nor ghost.

Seeing his grand plan about to come to fruition, how could he not be ecstatic?

"Come! I have prepared the finest meal for you!"

He spread his arms wide, like a believer welcoming one of the Deities.

The moment his voice fell, the earth began to tremble with unprecedented violence!

RUMBLE—!

Above the ruins of the City God Temple, the massive vortex of Ghost Qi spun wildly. At its center, a colossal shadow was slowly rising from beneath the ground!

An aura of immense terror descended, so potent it could freeze the very soul.

"ROAR—!"

A roar that did not belong in the mortal world erupted from the shadow.

Wherever the sound wave passed, the entire Sea Guardian Guard trembled, and the roof tiles of countless houses were shattered to pieces.

Then, a gigantic, pitch-black ghostly hand shot out from the Ghost Qi vortex and brutally tore it open.

Following that, a terrifying, mountain-sized ghost revealed itself completely to the world.

It had a green face and long fangs, its eyes two crimson blood moons. Endless black energy coiled around its body. Those with a weak will might fall into eternal madness just by glancing at it once.

At the same time, the Withered and Flourishing Daoist laughed maniacally. His figure flashed and reappeared on the ghost’s shoulder, from where he looked down upon the city below as if standing on a mountaintop.

"Witness, then, what true power is!"

Just then, several ancient Buddhist temples and Daoist Temples in the city simultaneously erupted with brilliant light.

"Amitabha!"

"Boundless Celestial Venerable!"

The Buddhist and Daoist chants echoed through the heavens as a massive Swastika Buddha Seal and a beam of azure Sword Light soared into the sky, hurtling toward the colossal ghost.

This was the last stand of the hidden Cultivators in the city!

However, the giant ghost merely seemed annoyed. It opened its massive mouth and let out a world-shaking, muffled roar.

Wherever the sound wave passed, the Swastika Buddha Seal shattered on the spot!

The azure Sword Light broke apart, inch by inch!

On the ancient Buddhist temples and Daoist Temples, the scriptures newly written in Cinnabar instantly burned to ash. The light held on for just a moment longer before being extinguished with a crash, followed by silence.

Then, the Withered and Flourishing Daoist raised a hand and pointed toward the distant General Temple. "Go. Over there."

Upon hearing this, the ghost strode toward the General Temple. Its body was so enormous that the streets and houses beneath its feet were like toys, crushed flat with each step.

When it arrived before the General Temple, the ghost glanced coldly at the terrified people inside the barrier of light, then raised its giant palm and brought it crashing down.

Atop the General Temple, the white-haired old abbot’s eyes widened in fury at the sight. He let out a furious roar: "The Grand General is here! Vile creature, you shall not run rampant!"