Judge Lu recuperated for several more days in Fairy Lingbo's Secret Realm. The Profound Yin Qi here was abundant, and coupled with Fairy Lingbo sparing her treasured spiritual medicines, his injuries finally stabilized. Although he was far from recovering his combat strength, at least his movement was unimpeded, and his Soul Body was no longer continuously deteriorating.
During this period, Fairy Lingbo went out several times, clearly to contact King Biancheng and arrange their plans. Each time she returned, her expression grew more solemn.
“The situation is not optimistic,” one day, Fairy Lingbo returned, dismissed her attendants, and said to Judge Lu in a deep voice, “Although His Highness King Biancheng believes what we said, he also finds the matter extremely tricky. Within the Ten Halls, undercurrents are surging. The voices supporting the Northern Territory are louder than anticipated. King Chujiang is openly advocating for the Northern Territory to develop the Blood Sea Hunting Ground. King Pingdeng’s attitude is ambiguous, and even King Dushi, who has always been neutral, has recently had secret contact with a Northern Territory envoy.”
Judge Lu’s heart sank: “Could it be that they have all been won over by the Northern Territory?”
“Not necessarily all won over,” Fairy Lingbo shook her head. “Some are intimidated by the Northern Territory’s increasingly powerful military might, some are tempted by certain ‘benefits’ provided by the Workshop, and some… perhaps they were dissatisfied with the Order we maintain in the first place. The Northern Territory and the Workshop have skillfully exploited these cracks.”
She paused and continued, “More importantly, His Highness King Qinguang seems to have run into trouble as well. According to King Biancheng, several cases originally under the jurisdiction of the First Hall, involving Northern Territory officials, were forcibly transferred to other Halls, or even directly taken over by the Five Ghost Emperors’ Joint Council. King Qinguang’s authority is being subtly weakened and marginalized.”
Judge Lu clenched his fists; this must be the Northern Ghost Emperor pushing things from behind the scenes! He was gradually eroding the authority of the Ten Halls!
“Our plan must be accelerated,” Fairy Lingbo stated resolutely. “I have already used a secret channel to leak vague information regarding ‘an important transaction between the Northern Territory and a mysterious organization on the Nether Moon’s dark day, at the ‘God Burial Bay’ in the Blood Sea,’ to several suspicious targets.”
“The Nether Moon’s dark day? God Burial Bay?” Judge Lu noted these two key pieces of information. The Nether Moon’s dark day was the time when the Underworld’s Yin Qi was at its peak and most chaotic, indeed an excellent time for covert operations. And God Burial Bay was a notorious Dangerous Land in the Blood Sea, rumored to be the place where Ancient Gods and Demons perished, featuring chaotic Space and numerous Ruins, which closely matched the location of the ancient ruins mentioned in the Workshop’s data.
“This is just testing the waters,” Fairy Lingbo said. “We need to see what kind of chain reaction this news provokes. At the same time, we must begin gathering our own strength.”
“Our manpower…” Judge Lu felt some worry. Facing the Northern Territory Army and the mysterious Workshop, how much reliable strength could they mobilize?
“Don’t worry.” A flash of confident light appeared in Fairy Lingbo’s eyes. “In the Underworld, there are plenty of people who uphold justice and do not wish to see Order collapse. His Highness King Biancheng has secretly contacted King Songdi of the Third Hall （, who is known for being rigid and strict, but highly values rules ）, and King Zhuanlun of the Tenth Hall （, who manages Reincarnation and absolutely will not allow the foundation of Reincarnation to be shaken ）. Although they will not openly confront the Northern Territory, they will provide support when necessary.”
“Furthermore,” she lowered her voice, “I have also contacted several capable subordinates of the Department of Punishing Evil’s Zhong Kui and the Investigation Department’s Lu Zhidao （—who shares the surname Lu but is not the same person as Judge Lu ）. They despise evil and are fiercely protective of justice, and they possess independent law enforcement authority and elite forces; they are powerful allies we can rely on.”
Zhong Kui! Lu Zhidao! These were all powerful figures renowned in the Underworld, possessing formidable combat strength, and they had always remained aloof from factional disputes, loyal only to the law. Gaining their assistance would undoubtedly be a major reinforcement.
“As for high-end combat power…” Fairy Lingbo pondered. “I have attempted to send a message to the Dojo of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, ‘Cuiyun Palace,’ but whether we can persuade the Venerable to act is still unknown. As for Venerable Meng Po, perhaps Judge Lu can try to sound her out again?”
Judge Lu recalled Venerable Meng Po helping him forward the Jade Slip and nodded: “Although Venerable Meng Po seems detached from worldly affairs, she has her own principles. This junior will seek another opportunity to pay my respects.”
“Good!” Fairy Lingbo’s spirits lifted. “With this, we have a preliminary framework. Next, we wait for the fish to take the bait, and… prepare to strike at any moment.”
She took out a blue Jade Talisman emitting faint Spatial Fluctuations and handed it to Judge Lu: “This is a Unity Talisman. You and I share one talisman; regardless of the distance, we can transmit brief messages, and it is extremely difficult to intercept. Your injuries have not healed, so remain hidden here for now and closely monitor external developments. If there is anything unusual, notify me immediately. I need to go to King Biancheng’s Residence again to discuss specific details with His Highness.”
Judge Lu accepted the Jade Talisman, feeling the exquisite Talisman technique contained within, and carefully put it away: “Fairy, rest assured, I understand.”
After Fairy Lingbo departed, Judge Lu was once again alone in the Secret Realm. He sat cross-legged on the Cold Jade bed but could not calm his mind to heal. The sense of urgency burned in his heart like a raging fire.
He walked out of the Meditation Chamber and came to a high slope in the Secret Realm. This Secret Realm appeared to be a private Cave Mansion created by Fairy Lingbo by opening up Space. The sky was an eternal deep blue, without sun or moon, only dotted with shimmering, ice-crystal-like Runes that provided light and Energy. Below was a Profound Ice forest, where strange Ice Blue plants grew quietly, emitting a chilling aura.
The environment was tranquil and serene, like two different worlds compared to the Undercurrent Surging Fengdu outside.
But he knew this was merely the calm before the storm. The Nether Moon’s dark day, God Burial Bay… that place would likely become the first true flashpoint of this storm sweeping across the Underworld.
He took out the Unity Talisman, sinking his Divine Sense into it, and could vaguely sense the distant, hazy direction of the other talisman. Fairy Lingbo was running around trying to save the Underworld, and he could not just wait here idly.
He returned to the Meditation Chamber and began circulating his Cultivation Method with all his might, absorbing the Profound Yin Qi. Every bit of recovered strength meant one more point of self-preservation, and one more contribution, in the coming storm.
Time quietly slipped away amidst tense preparation and waiting. Periodically, the Unity Talisman would transmit a brief message from Fairy Lingbo:
“King Songdi has secretly dispatched the ‘Iron Encirclement Mountain’ Yin Soldiers to stand by.”
“Zhong Kui has agreed to intervene in Blood Sea affairs under the guise of pursuing wanted criminals, if necessary.”
“Cuiyun Palace has not responded…”
“Regarding the Northern Territory, troop movements are frequent, suggesting impending action…”
“King Chujiang’s Ghost Ships have entered and exited the Blood Sea multiple times recently…”
Every piece of information was like a piece of a puzzle, sketching out the suffocatingly oppressive scene before the storm arrived.
Judge Lu knew that the net they cast had already caused ripples. Now, all they could do was wait for the biggest fish to become restless and surface.
On this day, the Unity Talisman vibrated again, and Fairy Lingbo’s message was more urgent and brief than any before:
“The fish is startled! Three Netherworld Ghost Ships from the Northern Territory have suddenly left port, heading directly for God Burial Bay! A Workshop Master is suspected to be accompanying them! The plan moves up; meet quickly at the ‘Soul Severing Bridge’!”
Judge Lu’s eyes snapped open, a sharp glint flashing and vanishing.
The storm was finally coming!
He rose to his full height, feeling that roughly thirty to forty percent of his Soul Power had recovered. Though far from healed, he now possessed the strength to fight. He straightened his robes, tucked the Judge's Brush close to his body, glanced one last time at this temporary sanctuary, and then, without hesitation, turned and strode toward the Secret Realm exit—and toward the unknown battlefield.