With the demise of Guan Chao Pavilion, the leader of the Qingzhou Righteous sect, Ghost Ridge Palace reached the pinnacle of Qingzhou and curtailed the Qingzhou Righteous sect, marking the beginning of a new phase in Qingzhou's development.

The first to spring into action were the Ghost Ridge Palace Disciples.

Disciples of Ghost Ridge Palace, who once lived only in remote wilderness, went down the mountains in droves, entered major cities in Qingzhou, and established specialized offices while acquiring various industries.

Moreover, four Flying Magical Boats were dispatched, carrying a group of Elders and inner disciples, to garrison throughout Qingzhou, asserting a formidable presence over the entire province.

Personnel from major righteous sects were also organized to provide manpower, financial resources, and efforts to assist Ghost Ridge Palace in their transformation of Qingzhou according to the Palace's plan.

The actions of Ghost Ridge Palace were not concealed, such significant movements could not be hidden.

The external world was very curious about the changes in Qingzhou, as the approach of Ghost Ridge Palace surpassed the boundaries of a sect and resembled more of a dynasty's rule over a region.

Sects generally managed the populace under their control loosely; their concerns were primarily recruiting disciples and maintaining production sites for various resources, with little regard for the lives of common folk, which was the government's responsibility.

Yet, Ghost Ridge Palace, contrary to norms, devolved power to the grassroots level and managed all aspects.

Qingzhou is a major grain-producing province of the Da Li Dynasty, with a population significantly larger than other states.

This population has already become a resource in the eyes of Ghost Ridge Palace, or rather, Su Jie.

People, too, are a kind of cultivation resource.

Thus, upon Su Jie's decree, a series of stringent laws like the "Qingzhou Law," "Sect Management Law," and "Cultivator's Code of Conduct" were enacted.

Including directives that Ghost Ridge Palace Disciples must not harm the people under their control without cause.

Such orders, not only within Qingzhou Righteous, even within Ghost Ridge Palace itself, caused dissatisfaction among many Elders.

........

In a secluded place within the deep mountains and forests of Qingzhou.

Su Jie sat cross-legged in meditation, looking like a statue, covered with dust and fallen leaves, even birds hopping on his shoulders, seemingly unfearful of him, regarding him as a dead tree or rock.

In another spot stood Han Ruyan, clad in a blood-colored wedding dress.

She did not disturb Su Jie, safeguarding him while reading a booklet.

This booklet was the one Su Jie once sought for her from the Heavenly Soul Sect, detailing the advancement path for a Ninth Grade Fierce Ghost.

According to the records of the Heavenly Soul Sect's successive ancestors, beyond the Ninth Grade Fierce Ghost, ghosts have reached a realm where yin and yang coexist, almost the pinnacle a ghost can achieve in its lifetime.

But this does not mean there is no way forward. To break through further as a Ninth Grade Fierce Ghost, one must find a method from the Tao River.

"Ninth Grade Fierce Ghost, the world cannot bear it, only by defying the heavens, using Ghost Heart to replace Heavenly Heart, Heavenly Eye to replace Ghost Eye, Heavenly Bones to replace Ghost Bones..."

Han Ruyan's brows furrowed slightly, the pearls atop her phoenix crown swaying, her bright red wedding dress moving with the wind.

She had an epiphany in her heart, based on the records of the Heavenly Soul Sect's successive ancestors.

The Heavenly Dao of Tianyuan World is nearing the limit of its tolerance for the Ninth Grade Fierce Ghost, which was evident from the Heavenly Tribulation Han Ruyan encountered during her breakthrough to Ninth Grade Fierce Ghost.

To progress further beyond the Ninth Grade Fierce Ghost, the power of the Tao River must be introduced.

Because the Tao River is impartial, treating all things as insignificant, it is a domain far deeper than the Heavenly Dao.

Be it Fierce Ghost, flying birds, beasts, humans, or spirits of mountains and wilderness, the Tao river looks at all equally, or rather the Tao River disdains targeting specifically.

Therefore, to surpass the Ninth Grade Fierce Ghost, one must closely integrate the Ghost Body with the Tao River, cutting out a part of the Tao River, incorporating it into oneself, refining it into a new Ghost Body, Ghost Heart, Ghost Eye, and soul to replace the former Ghost Body.

But it's easier said than done, not to mention what the Tao River is, where only the Yang God can barely operate, especially the Tao River on the side of Tianyuan World, where its intensity is beyond measure.

To fuse the Ghost Body with the Tao and cut out a portion, the difficulty is so high that those ghosts attempting this often get crushed to dust by the Tao River.

"Perhaps, there is hope on Blue Star."

Han Ruyan thought of Blue Star, the Tao River is different there.

If you think of the Tao River as a river with various water systems.

Then, the Tao River on Tianyuan World's side would be the mainstream water system, akin to the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers, turbulent with rushing waters.

In contrast, the Tao River on Blue Star's side would be like a tributary, a gentle stream with calm, serene waters.

With Han Ruyan's abilities, accomplishing integration with the Tao River, there is much more hope on the Blue Star side than on the Tianyuan World side.

And once the integration is truly accomplished, breaking through beyond the Ninth Grade Fierce Ghost.

At that realm, she would become a Yin Ruins Ghost King.

Meaning born by breaking the boundary, returning all things to the ruins, comparable to the Hollow Great Power, a king among ghosts.

The meaning of ruins often refers to places once inhabited but now abandoned, generally wastelands and graves.

The "void" in Cave Void Practitioner signifies vibrant grotto heavens, whereas the "ruins" in Yin Ruins Ghost King signifies desolate deadlands.

Cultivation, after all, leads to the same goal by different means; practitioners need to refine Grotto Heavens to achieve the Hollow, ghosts also need to cut and refine part of the Tao River to achieve Yin Ruins.

Han Ruyan's brows sometimes slightly wrinkled, sometimes relaxed, pondering various matters for future cultivation.

Whoosh!

Whoosh whoosh!

The wind in the forest grew more boisterous, Han Ruyan's heart was stirred, she looked up at the calmly seated, statue-like Su Jie.

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