Chapter Five: Return to the River Styx (Part One)

As the sun dipped below the western horizon, the fiery clouds painted the vast lake with a thousand golden rays, causing the rippling waves to shimmer brilliantly. A gentle breeze stirred, carrying a subtle warmth amid the coolness, making one easily mistake this late autumn evening for the vibrant days of early spring.

A plump carp leapt high from the water’s surface, its golden-red scales sparkling under the sunset’s glow before it silently slipped back beneath the waves.

Stone Jun, clad in tattered clothes, lay deep on the lakebed in a slumber, while his spirit, detached from his body, wandered restlessly, scanning the surroundings of the lake.

Scenes from earlier at home replayed vividly in his mind, like fragments of a film flashing past...

After successfully performing the “Soul Departure Technique,” his body seemed to vanish, leaving only a faint spirit drifting through the living room. Stone Jun suddenly felt an indescribable lightness and freedom. Quietly observing the deeply contemplative Lie Jin, he then glanced toward his still-bound physical form.

Yet, strikingly, a multicolored phantom light beamed from his chest. Though small, it possessed immense penetrating power, with silver stars twinkling within the orb. A chill ran through his heart: Could that gaunt figure from the Demon Realm and the corpulent man from the Immortal Realm be tracking him through this manifestation? If so, even escape would be futile, as Uncle would inevitably pursue him. He must devise a plan.

“Among the Demon Realm, Immortal Realm, and Netherworld, the most formidable powers all reside within your body. Have you never sensed this?” A voice echoed faintly as he spoke with Lie Jin. Stone Jun suddenly recalled the three strange forces that had appeared within him during his battle with the Moon Ghost King and Soul Eater. His eyes brightened as a bold idea took shape. He silently exercised his inner senses to scrutinize his body’s condition, but to his disappointment, those three fierce, peculiar powers seemed to have vanished without a trace.

After a moment’s thought, Stone Jun resolved to act. Controlling his spirit, he “floated” into Qin Xiaoya’s bedroom. Seeing his mother’s steady breathing and peaceful sleep, he finally relaxed.

Returning to the living room, Stone Jun noticed that Lie Jin seemed oblivious to his recent actions. A trace of pride stirred within him—this fledgling youth had managed to deceive a mighty demon lord like Uncle. Truly, youth holds promise and boundless potential. Amused, he chuckled silently to himself.

Once his primordial spirit left his body, Stone Jun gradually felt the force that had once confined his spiritual energy dissipate. Realizing this, he inwardly rejoiced. Lie Jin still furrowed his brows, lost in thought, but Stone Jun’s mind raced. Gritting his teeth, he spread his hands wide, performing a complex hand seal, silently chanting, “Anudara Seal!”

Two strands of colorless, formless mist quietly dispersed, enveloping the absent-minded Lie Jin and the “True Yin Fire” respectively. The True Yin Fire suddenly halted, ceasing to burn but retaining its previous shape. Unwittingly, Lie Jin was caught in the “Shadowless Seal” Stone Jun had dared to cast, freezing his form.

In that brief half-second, Stone Jun seized the opportunity to swiftly teleport his physical body away, sending it deep beneath the northern lake on the city’s outskirts.

His primordial spirit followed closely, casting the Netherworld’s “Weak Water Curse” to protect the body, then surged upward to the lake’s surface. The sun’s afterglow shimmered across the waters, and with the curse’s concealment, the radiant phantom light was completely obscured. Only then did he exhale in relief and dive back beneath the waves to gaze at his “unconscious” physical form. For a moment, he felt as though he had died, reminiscent of the bewildered ghost in the film “Ghost,” who saw his own passing. He felt both amused and incredulous.

***

At first, Stone Jun worried that submerging his body in the lake’s depths might drown it. But after a while, monitoring his body with mental power, he realized his breathing remained steady and his condition normal. He relaxed, taking deep breaths and scanning the underwater surroundings.

Discovering he could move freely beneath the water, Stone Jun felt both curious and amazed. The water-based spells of the Netherworld alone were so formidable—he wondered if he might one day learn spells from the Immortal or Demon Realms as well. What marvels might he then wield? Unfortunately, his escape surely enraged Uncle to no end. He wondered if the promise to teach him Demon Realm spells still held.

He secretly felt fortunate: the “Shadowless Seal” and “Weak Water Curse” were advanced water-based spells. The former was a type of immobilization charm but with the ingenious ability to momentarily freeze time and space, even briefly reversing them, while allowing the caster to act freely outside the frozen moment. The latter was a powerful protective spell, condensing a rare, extremely thin liquid substance called “Weak Water” from the air, coating the body. This not only evaded enemy tracking but also resisted strong physical and magical attacks. Stone Jun’s first attempt was surprisingly successful, boosting his confidence.

Little did he know these daring maneuvers had caused him to circle several times near the gates of the Yama Court. Both spells carried formidable backlash. The “Shadowless Seal” demanded immense mental strength to halt time; without it, reckless use would shatter the body and soul, leaving no hope of survival. Fortunately, Stone Jun’s mental power was unparalleled, sparing him from such fate despite his rash casting.

However, the “Weak Water” was a potent, chronic mental toxin rivaling the Netherworld’s rare treasure—the “Sickness Powder.” This toxin lay dormant within the body but, upon intense emotional fluctuations, would induce uncontrollable madness, transforming the victim into a bloodthirsty fiend devoid of reason.

Fortunately, extracting “Weak Water” was extraordinarily difficult. Most cultivators could only gather a drop or two from the air with great effort, which was already formidable. Yet Stone Jun had summoned a vast amount, wrapping his body like a dumpling filling. Though his intention was to seal the phantom light and evade Uncle’s pursuit, he had not anticipated such severe consequences.

Now, immersed in the “Weak Water,” Stone Jun’s physical form unknowingly absorbed its poison, yet curiously, his skin remained unaffected, showing no purple-blue signs of poisoning.

Of course, Stone Jun was unaware of these details. Although the Netherworld Ancestor had imprinted the use and functions of water-based spells into his mind, he had not forewarned him of their drawbacks. At this moment, Stone Jun was still elated—having long learned these spells but unable to wield them, he now used them with ease. Furthermore, he had successfully evaded the formidable Uncle. Surely, his journey through the demon realm would be less arduous.

Laughing heartily, Stone Jun examined his body, preparing to depart. A casual glance suddenly froze him.

***

Since his spirit had left his body, all his senses had sharpened to their peak. His vision grew exceptionally keen, spotting a tiny silver-winged fly struggling as it fell into the water, flapping its wings laboriously to maintain balance as it swam toward him.

Stone Jun watched intently, a sudden inspiration striking him. As the insect neared, he extended a “hand,” using his mental power to support the marble-sized creature. With a grin, he teleported it away. Then, murmuring an incantation, he flipped his right palm, causing the dark mud beneath the lake’s embankment to slowly part. Wrapped in “Weak Water,” his body quietly sank into the bottomless depths of the thick sludge.

Before leaving, he resolved to prepare some supplies—better safe than sorry, whether they proved useful or not. With renewed vigor, Stone Jun broke through the water’s surface and sped through the city’s streets and alleys like a gale, exhilarated beyond measure. He resisted the urge to shout aloud, deciding to hold back—for now.