Nether Realm, Ye Dou.A gloomy hue veiled the entire Nether Realm.A cold wind blew by, and the bell hanging outside the gates of Ye Dou jingled softly—ding-ling-ling.
"Mo Lin, after spending seven years in Ye Dou, has achieved thirty-six major merits and six hundred and seventy-four minor ones. He is hereby conferred the title of Yin Division."A deep, solemn voice echoed across Ye Dou.The voice lingered in the air for a long time before it finally faded.
Over three hundred underworld enforcers gathered, all of their gazes locked onto the young man standing at the forefront—plain in appearance but impossible to ignore.In their eyes glimmered respect and envy.They all knew just how incredible it was to accomplish thirty-six major merits in seven years.Each of those missions was enough to turn any one of them into a Nie—a lost soul, erased from the Nether Realm.
Mo Lin's ascension wasn't just due to his master—it was also a result of his own relentless struggle and determination.
"Mo Lin, come forward to receive your title," said a man clad in a black robe, with a long beard and a voice that carried unshakable authority despite its calm tone.He wore a black hat adorned with several black feathers.
This was none other than the Yan King.Ever since the Ye Dou Emperor vanished a century ago, he had naturally assumed control of Ye Dou.
"Yes, sir."Mo Lin cupped his hands respectfully and stepped onto the high platform under the envious stares of the other ghost officers.
With a wave of the Yan King's hand, two men appeared in the distance, carrying a black sedan chair.It slowly moved forward—piled high with bundles of underworld currency.The entire space within the sedan was filled to the brim.There had to be at least one million coins—an enormous sum, even for Ye Dou.
Mo Lin kept his head down and said nothing, his gaze landing on the towering stacks of currency.He wasn't surprised at all—this much was required for a Yin Division appointment.He still remembered the time he was first appointed as a ghost officer. That had taken a hundred thousand coins.
"Bestow the Yin Robe."The Yan King held a thick tome in his right hand, chanting something under his breath, then flicked his wrist.
The bundles of currency in the red sedan disintegrated like snow meeting flame, instantly turning into a swirling black mist.The mist gathered above Mo Lin and began to glow red.It spiraled around his body, condensing and eventually forming a crimson ceremonial robe.
The robe was bright red with gold embroidery.Golden threads on the shoulders formed the shape of dragons. The sleeves were white, while the rest was a brilliant red—vastly different from the black uniforms of regular ghost officers, which bore the character "差" (enforcer).Mo Lin's new robes bore no characters, only the golden dragons.
Suddenly, Mo Lin shuddered as a mysterious power surged into his body.He could feel it—his strength had clearly increased, and it felt like there was now an endless flow of ghostly energy within him.
The Yan King reached into his sleeve and drew out a sword—long, crystalline blue, and elegantly carved with floral patterns on the sheath."Congratulations on becoming a Yin Division officer. This is a personal gift from me."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."Mo Lin took the sword with both hands, his eyes lighting up.This was a Yin Artifact—hundreds of times more powerful than ordinary ghost weapons.The fact that the Yan King gifted such a treasure showed how much he valued Mo Lin.
"Junior Mo Lin, congratulations on becoming a Yin Division officer."A woman with her hair pinned up in a coil and wearing similar robes approached and smiled.She was Mo Lin's senior sister.She was the first ghost he met when he arrived in the Nether Realm and had guided him into Ye Dou's Ghost Officer Academy.
"Senior Yunxiao, we're all family here. No need for formalities."Mo Lin replied politely.
"Here, a little something for you."Yunxiao flicked her wrist, and a golden hairpin flew through the air, landing gently in Mo Lin's hand."This trinket of mine isn't any worse than the Yan King's gift."
The pin was surprisingly heavy—it had to be a Yin Artifact as well.
Yunxiao turned and cast a cold glance at the hundreds of ghost officers below.They got the message immediately.
Over three hundred ghost officers dropped to one knee in unison."In respect to Lord Mo Lin, Yin Division!"
The scene was awe-inspiring.Since the Ghost Domain rebellion and the departure of the Judge, no new Yin Division had appeared in over seventy years.
Mo Lin's appointment shook all of Ye Dou—and the entire Nether Realm.
Ding! Congratulations, host. You have completed the mission to become a Yin Division officer. Ghost-Suppressing Book activated. Preparing to send host back to the mortal realm.A voice echoed from the depths of Mo Lin's mind.His eyes reddened with emotion.
Seven long years.The Ghost-Suppressing Book had finally responded.
Back then, Mo Lin had been a college student.On his way home one night, he saw a dark gray book on the ground.Its cover bore three bold characters: 镇鬼书 – Ghost-Suppressing Book.
Curious, he picked it up.The moment his fingers touched it, his mind was overwhelmed with dizziness.When he came to, he had already been brought to the Nether Realm.
The book gave him one mission:Become a Yin Division officer and return to the living world.
And for seven years, he had fought tooth and nail, banishing spirits to complete that task.Because he was human—not ghost.Life in the Nether Realm had been agonizing.
Seven years… finally, he could go home.
Just then, golden light enveloped his body.
Everyone, including the Yan King, was stunned.
"What? Even a Yin Division officer can return to the mortal world?"The Yan King's expression twisted with disbelief.
The path between the two worlds had collapsed seven years ago.Only lesser ghosts could sneak through.The stronger one's power, the harder it was to return.
For someone like Mo Lin, the cost of returning would be enormous—even heart-wrenching for the Yan King himself.
In the blink of an eye, two-thirds of Mo Lin's body had already vanished.
The Yan King hurriedly pulled out a scroll and tossed it toward him."Mo Lin, take this!"
Mo Lin reached out and caught the scroll—then his body disappeared completely.
Yunchuan City.
The Wanshan Mountain Scenic Area was deserted, wrapped in thick white fog.Though it was midday, the mist showed no sign of dissipating.
Two figures moved stealthily through the deep forest.
"Old Li, are you sure that thing's here?"A young woman in a white tracksuit asked, puzzled.She'd been searching the mountain for over three hours with no luck.
"Miss, I'm sure. It's probably hiding because it's daytime," the middle-aged man replied."According to my intel, the spirit lurking here is classified as perilous-grade."
At the mention of "perilous-grade," Wu Min's eyes lit up.
Her heart pounded.
If she could subdue a perilous-grade ghost, she could rise to the rank of Third-Class Ghost Tamer.With more investment, even Fourth-Class wouldn't be out of reach.