Chapter 64: Submerged in Water, Completely Lost

“Ling-jiejie~ are you~ there?”

Ling Xiaoyou hopped to the door of Hong Lingyan’s Office, knocked, and called inside in a playful, cute voice.

But Ling Xiaoyou waited for a while and heard no response from inside, as if there was no one there at all.

She tilted her little head in confusion, about to push open the door to see what was going on.

But before she could act, she heard Hong Lingyan’s voice from behind her.

“Ah, Xiaoyou, you’re here so early. I thought you’d come later.”

“Eh, Ling-jiejie?”

Ling Xiaoyou turned her head toward the sound and saw Hong Lingyan walking over, tossing a Jade Bracelet in her hand like a toy.

“What’s that, Ling-jiejie?”

Ling Xiaoyou’s gaze followed the Jade Bracelet in Hong Lingyan’s hand, moving up and down with curiosity.

“This? It’s prepared for you.”

Hong Lingyan stopped tossing the Jade Bracelet.

“It contains materials to help you absorb the Nether Spring Ghost Crystal and also provides a good environment for your advancement.”

Ling Xiaoyou nodded knowingly, then asked,

“So, what kind of materials are inside?”

“Hmm, this…”

Hong Lingyan chuckled softly.

“I’ll keep it a secret for now.”

“Eh, why is it like that?”

***

The two of them arrived at the Training Field beneath the Ghostly Resentment Office.

After greeting Old Lady Li, who was in charge, they entered the Training Field.

“Wow, there are so many people here today.”

After entering, Ling Xiaoyou froze for a moment.

She saw many colleagues training in various Magic Arts, Martial Techniques, Sword Techniques, and so on.

Usually, even if Ling Xiaoyou came here occasionally, she never saw anyone else.

After all, the main job of the Ghostly Resentment Office wasn’t fighting, but scaring humans to collect Grievance Points.

Today was the first time Ling Xiaoyou had seen so many people since joining the Ghostly Resentment Office.

“After all, the Xuantian Martial Tournament is about to start. Everyone’s here to train harder, hoping to join the competition.”

Hong Lingyan explained and led Ling Xiaoyou into her own private room.

As the Chief of the Yuanqi Division, she naturally had her own independent room.

The last time she didn’t bring Ling Xiaoyou here was because no one was outside, so there was no need for privacy.

The private room had all the necessary equipment, but it was smaller than the main hall.

Of course, as Hong Lingyan’s exclusive room, even if it was smaller, it wasn’t that small—at least three-quarters the size of a football field.

“So, what are we doing first, Ling-jiejie?”

Ling Xiaoyou glanced at her surroundings, lost interest quickly, and looked expectantly at Hong Lingyan.

“Wait a moment, let me look at the Plan Book.”

Hong Lingyan gave Ling Xiaoyou a ‘be patient’ look, then took a thick stack of papers clipped together from her Space Ring.

Ling Xiaoyou was stunned by the Plan Book, staring blankly as Hong Lingyan opened the first page.

“Wait, Ling-jiejie, is the Plan Book really this thick?!”

Ling Xiaoyou felt like she’d returned to her student days, watching the teacher pull out a mountain of tests and exercises, leaving her dazed.

“This is a comprehensive strengthening plan for you, Xiaoyou! Of course it’s thick!”

Hong Lingyan said proudly.

She’d poured her heart into researching the perfect training plan for Ling Xiaoyou for days!

Of course she was proud!

But seeing Ling Xiaoyou’s adorable, dumbfounded look, Hong Lingyan hesitated, coughed lightly, and said,

“Of course, if you think it’s too much, I can lighten it…”

“No need, Ling-jiejie, let’s do it all.”

Before Hong Lingyan could finish, Ling Xiaoyou interrupted her.

Ling Xiaoyou liked slacking off, but she knew that when it came to getting stronger, you should never slack!

She also wanted to defeat Bai Shuanglian! If she didn’t work hard, how could she do that?!

Relying only on the System? Even if she won against Bai Shuanglian, it would feel unfair!

So, no matter how thick the training plan was, Ling Xiaoyou would finish it all!

Hong Lingyan paused, looking at Ling Xiaoyou, and saw a burning fire called ‘fighting spirit’ in her eyes.

As if understanding something, Hong Lingyan smiled with satisfaction, her smile mixed with the bittersweet feeling of a ‘mother’ watching her daughter grow.

Then, Hong Lingyan seemed to ignite as well.

“Good! Without further delay, let’s start by advancing you to the Soul Gathering Stage!”

“Okay!”

Ling Xiaoyou nodded energetically, taking out the Nether Spring Ghost Crystal given to her by Old Lady Li.

She lifted her head, ready to tell Hong Lingyan that she was ready, but at that moment, she saw a wave of deep blue water surging toward her.

Ling Xiaoyou: ???

In an instant, the entire private room became an ocean, the ghostly blue water flooding over Ling Xiaoyou, turning her intended words into ‘glub glub’ bubbles.

Ghosts weren’t affected by ordinary water, but that only applied to water from the human world.

Water from the Netherworld was a different story.

It could still drown you.

Of course, you couldn’t really die—after all, you’d already died once.

How could you die again?

But you couldn’t speak, and if you couldn’t swim, you could only sink to the bottom.

And unfortunately, Ling Xiaoyou couldn’t swim, so she flailed at the bottom, producing meaningless ‘glub glub’ noises.

“You don’t need to ask, Xiaoyou. I know what you want to say.”

Hong Lingyan stood before Ling Xiaoyou, completely unaffected, as if the water didn’t exist for her.

“This is the Youquan Essence. After my refining and mixing with various medicinal herbs, it became the ‘Medicine Bath’ you’re soaking in now.”

She paused, then continued.

“Since the Nether Spring Ghost Crystal was born in the Nether Spring, it can only reach its full potential when used together with the Nether Spring.”

“Only this way can you gain a new innate ability from the Nether Spring Ghost Crystal…”

“Ah, she’s already passed out.”

Hong Lingyan finished her explanation, but no reply came.

She saw that Ling Xiaoyou had already fainted.

The Ghost Crystal had melted into the ‘Medicine Bath,’ its deep blue glow wrapping Ling Xiaoyou in a cocoon of light.

Seeing this, Hong Lingyan nodded in understanding.

“Mm, Xiaoyou, take a nap. When you wake up, you’ll be at the Soul Gathering Stage.”

With that, she waited quietly at the side for Ling Xiaoyou to awaken.