Chapter 414: No More Formalities, Let's Directly Merge with the Nine Provinces
The Chairman of the World Federation, the de facto global ruler, smiled upon seeing Luo Ying and Luo Zhu. “Grandmaster Luo Ying and Grandmaster Luo Zhu have arrived. Everyone, let’s give them a round of applause.”
The siblings nodded in acknowledgment and took their seats in the special guest section, positioned slightly higher than the representatives of various nations.
“The topic of today’s conference is something I believe everyone is already aware of.”
“Indeed, we’re still discussing how to deal with the Soul Reapers. Previous discussions yielded no useful conclusions. I hope this time will be different.”
As usual, the national representatives recited empty rhetoric that lacked substance—even if implemented, it would be utterly useless against the Soul Reapers.
However, some took an unconventional approach.
“I feel all this talk lacks any practical solution.”
The Chairman showed interest. “Representative Hong, please share your thoughts.”
“According to Grandmaster Luo Ying and Grandmaster Luo Zhu, the Netherworld is a place that follows rules and respects logic, correct?”
The siblings nodded. Their knowledge about the Netherworld came from Jiang Li, who had learned it from Immortal Elder Changcun. If not for the transmission of knowledge, Representative Hong’s understanding would be considered secondhand.
“Therefore, we should simply follow the rules.”
The Chairman asked, “Are you suggesting we explain to the Black and White Impermanence that our resurrection was an act of force majeure, hoping they’ll make an exception?”
Representative Hong shook his head. “Our legal system has provisions for voluntary surrender, a hallmark of civilized society. By extension, the Netherworld must have similar provisions.”
“So you’re saying…?”
“We should commit suicide and turn ourselves in at the Netherworld.”
“…”
Representative Hong continued, “With luck, we might reincarnate into the Human Path in our next lives.”
“Enough, stop talking.” The Chairman cut off Representative Hong’s impassioned speech.
“Does anyone else have suggestions?”
“I’ve heard the Netherworld operates on a system of hidden virtue. The more hidden virtue one accumulates, the better their treatment after death.”
“The more good deeds one does, the more hidden virtue they gain.”
“So your proposal is…?”
“I’ve already contacted livestock and aquaculture farms in our country to stop all slaughtering and release the animals. The entire nation will go vegetarian.”
“Releasing livestock and aquatic creatures counts as hidden virtue.”
“Moreover, our country has developed a Hidden Virtue Accumulator.”
The representative produced a device resembling an electric fan, with a fish tied to it and the bottom blades submerged in water.
“What is hidden virtue? Returning fish to water is hidden virtue.”
“By spinning this fan, the fish enters the water repeatedly, generating continuous hidden virtue.”
Luo Ying frowned. “But wouldn’t hidden virtue decrease when the fish leaves the water?”
“The fan makes the fish leave the water—why should my hidden virtue decrease?”
The Chairman: “…”
I’d rather hear more empty rhetoric.
“I have another idea.”
“Go on.”
“Don’t we often burn joss paper for the dead? Why not burn some for the Black and White Impermanence as bribes?”
“But would the Netherworld recognize our joss money? The King of Hell on our bills is fictional.”
“Then let’s print someone else’s image.”
“Who?”
“The Luo family ancestor—no, wait, I mean the benevolent Human Sovereign Jiang from the Nine Provinces. How about printing his image?”
“Didn’t Grandmaster Luo Ying say Human Sovereign Jiang’s hidden virtue fills the heavens? Such virtue must be rare even in the Netherworld. After death, he’d surely become an influential figure there. Using his image might make the money valid.”
Luo Ying shook his head. “Don’t bother. Mr. Jiang mentioned that the living world often burns billions in joss money for the Netherworld. If they recognized it, hyperinflation would’ve happened long ago.”
“That… makes sense.”
Luo Zhu felt discussing joss money burning at such a serious conference seemed rather odd.
“I think you should first consider whether your joss money can even reach the Netherworld.”
An unfamiliar voice echoed through the venue. Special agents from various countries tensed, drawing their pistols in high alert.
Only Luo Ying and Luo Zhu reacted differently—their faces lit up with joy.
“No need for such a welcome.” Jiang Li appeared silently, waving casually at the agents.
To their shock, an invisible force pressed down on their hands—gentle yet unyielding—forcing them to lower their weapons.
Jiang Li found their thought processes amusing, though he did wonder: could joss money with his image actually burn?
“Mr. Jiang!”
The siblings rushed down excitedly to greet him.
So this unassuming man was the legendary Human Sovereign of the Nine Provinces? The representatives straightened their postures.
During Jiang Li’s time in the zombie world, no images of him had circulated. The representatives had never seen him before.
But they’d heard countless legends about him from Luo Ying and Luo Zhu.
Though Luo Ying and Luo Zhu seemed powerful, in the Nine Provinces, Core Formation cultivators were commonplace.
Even Luo Ying’s Shadow King Buddha form only reached the Divine Transformation stage—equivalent to a minor kingdom’s ruler or major city’s governor in the Nine Provinces.
Their world’s strongest sixth-stage zombies wouldn’t even make a ripple in the Nine Provinces—a single Unity Stage cultivator could handle five or six effortlessly.
Above Unity Stage was Tribulation Transcendence, and above that—the Mahayana Stage, where the legendary Human Sovereign Jiang stood.
“Your cultivation progress is impressive—fast yet solid.” Jiang Li patted the siblings’ shoulders. Though only at Core Formation, their combat power could rival ordinary early Nascent Soul cultivators.
Truly worthy of his guidance.
“Mr. Jiang, can you really influence our world directly now?” Luo Ying asked excitedly.
“I met an expert in temporal dao who helped repair your River of Time.” In time-related arts, Emperor Shun surpassed even immortals.
“Greetings, Human Sovereign Jiang.” The Chairman clasped his fists instead of offering a handshake.
“So you’re this planet’s ruler?” Jiang Li had already scanned the zombie world’s current state with his spiritual sense.
“I wouldn’t say ruler—just honored to represent our world.” The Chairman remained humble before Jiang Li, not daring to claim high status.
At best, he was just a planetary leader—someone Jiang Li could obliterate with a finger.
“I came here to propose—”
The Chairman cut straight to the point: “We wish to merge with the Nine Provinces.”
“What I meant was maybe we should start with small-scale exchanges—”
“We wish to merge with the Nine Provinces.”
The Chairman’s eyes burned with determination. He and other leaders had long inquired with Luo Ying about merging with the Nine Provinces.
Luo Ying had advised unifying their world’s voices first to be recognized as a collective entity.
This was the true reason nations united to form the Federation.
Against the Soul Reapers, merging with the Nine Provinces was their most reliable protection.