Chapter 286: Soul Restraining Technique

“Rise, you have shown loyalty and righteousness.”

The Flood Dragon Emperor’s calm voice rang out, causing the kneeling plump woman to instinctively stand up. She lifted her head to look at the man before her, who had now turned around.

This was also Lustful Ghost’s first time directly gazing upon the Flood Dragon Emperor.

His nose was straight and well-defined, his eyebrows sharp like swords, and his eyes shone like stars. He carried an innate authority, exuding an aura of dominance even without anger. He wore a simple, plain robe, which seemed somewhat out of place in the lavish palace.

Yet, an invisible force surrounded him, drawing the attention of those nearby, instilling an unconscious sense of reverence. No matter how modest his attire, one glance was enough to recognize that he was the master of this palace.

“What do you plan to do next?”

“Hei Shui granted you freedom, and you have delivered the message. Whether you choose to stay or leave is now entirely up to you.”

“If you wish to leave, I will pass on a technique for your protection.”

“If you choose to stay, then serve by my side. Should you have any questions regarding cultivation, you may ask me.”

The moment the Flood Dragon Emperor finished speaking, the plump woman immediately bowed and said, “I am willing to serve by Flood Dragon Emperor’s side!”

Flood Dragon Emperor was slightly surprised that she hadn’t even hesitated. He chuckled and said, “When I offered you freedom, I meant it sincerely, not as a test. You mustn’t think I would let you go, only to kill you afterward…”

“I would never dare think such a thing!” Lustful Ghost shuddered in fear and instinctively tried to kneel again, but before her knees could touch the ground, an invisible force lifted her up.

“I have always longed for freedom. After all, as a chang ghost, my every action has always been under my master’s control.”

“But in the end, I finally understood—Black King never saw me as a disposable pawn… That is why, even after gaining my freedom, I still rushed back to deliver the message!”

Saying this, the plump woman lifted her head, her expression solemn.

“My master treated me well. Now that he is dead, I lack the strength to avenge him, but all I ask is to serve by Flood Dragon Emperor’s side. I hope that one day, I will witness Flood Dragon Emperor slay that true immortal!”

After saying this, Lustful Ghost lowered her head once more.

Her heart was filled with complex emotions—on one hand, there was the desire for freedom; on the other, the chance to ascend further on the path of cultivation.

On her journey here, she had already considered her choice.

If she were to cultivate alone, she could, at most, regain the peak of her former self as a chang ghost. Advancing beyond that would be nearly impossible.

But if she stayed by Flood Dragon Emperor’s side, it would be an entirely different matter!

He was a true great demon, whose comprehension of the Dao was no weaker than that of a true immortal!

If she wished to live longer and walk further on her path, she had to find a way to remain by his side.

As for freedom… if one day her strength was great enough, wouldn’t she be able to roam freely, like a fish in the vast sea or a bird soaring in the endless sky?

“Then stay with me… As for revenge…”

Flood Dragon Emperor’s voice suddenly stopped. His gaze locked onto the white feather resting on Lustful Ghost’s head. He let out a mocking chuckle.

“A so-called true immortal, resorting to such underhanded eavesdropping?”

“Since you are here, why not show yourself?”

Upon hearing this, Lustful Ghost felt as if she had plunged into an icy abyss!

She never imagined that a true immortal had been spying on them nearby!

There were multiple true immortals in Great Wu, but at this particular moment, who else would come to Northern Huangtian?

Could it be that the white-robed man had been following her all along?

Whoosh—

A breeze swept through, dislodging the white feather from the plump woman’s hair.

As the feather gently touched the ground, a burst of white light flashed, and a hazy figure appeared before the two of them.

“This humble one is Gu Ning’an, greetings to you, Flood Dragon Emperor.”

Gu Ning’an cupped his hands and smiled.

The moment she saw the newcomer, the plump woman immediately stepped backward, exclaiming, “Flood Dragon Emperor, I… I did not bring him here!”

Flood Dragon Emperor glanced at her indifferently and said, “It does not matter. The gap in your cultivation levels is too vast—being watched was inevitable.”

“But as for you, Daoist Gu… since you have come, why hide in the shadows?”

Gu Ning’an smiled and said, “Flood Dragon Emperor, you are mistaken. I don’t know the way to Northern Huangtian, so I simply asked Lustful Ghost to lead the way.”

Flood Dragon Emperor snorted and continued, “It’s just a wisp of divine sense—you’re clearly not here to fight. So, what exactly have you come for?”

“I originally came just to take a look, but upon seeing Flood Dragon Emperor, I noticed something unusual.”

As he spoke, Gu Ning’an’s gaze sharpened, locking onto the barely perceptible gray thread above Flood Dragon Emperor’s head.

“Something unusual?”

Flood Dragon Emperor’s brows furrowed. “Speak plainly. The thing I hate most about you cultivators is your way of talking—always beating around the bush, pretending to be profound!”

Gu Ning’an paused before saying, “Has Flood Dragon Emperor ever seen a gray thread that directly connects heaven and earth?”

“A gray thread?”

“Connecting heaven and earth?”

Repeating the words, Flood Dragon Emperor’s impatience showed in his eyes. “If your true body were here, I would have already thrown you out of this palace for these constant riddles.”

Is it possible that, like Shi Yi, he himself was unable to perceive this gray thread?

But unlike Flood Dragon Emperor, Shi Yi at least knew what the gray thread was. Flood Dragon Emperor, on the other hand, appeared completely unaware.

Gu Ning’an shook his head with a smile. “If Flood Dragon Emperor does not know, then so be it. When I visit in person, we can discuss this matter further.”

“Heh… You seem quite confident in yourself. Do you truly dare to come in person?”

“And how do you propose I settle the score for Hei Shui’s death?”

Flood Dragon Emperor’s tone was calm, yet ripples of mystical light gathered around him.

Gu Ning’an said indifferently, “Flood Dragon Emperor need not waste effort trying to track my true body. First, you cannot leave Northern Huangtian.”

“Second, since I have said I will visit in person, then I will certainly do so.”

“When the time comes, however you wish to settle accounts, we can discuss it then.”

Hearing this, Flood Dragon Emperor sneered. “Daoist Gu, you underestimate me. I was not trying to locate your true body with this technique…”

In an instant, a massive silver net spread out soundlessly!

Countless shimmering threads intertwined, each one exuding a mysterious, ethereal radiance!

The net formed a dazzling barrier and swiftly descended upon Gu Ning’an’s divine soul.

“This is the Soul Restraining Technique!”

“I may not be able to leave Northern Huangtian for now, but since your divine soul is here, you need not leave either.”

“And if you don’t dare to come in person in the future, I can use your divine soul to find your location.”

“No matter where you flee—even to the ends of the earth—it will be useless.”

“Additionally, my Soul Restraining Technique transfers any damage suffered by your divine soul directly to your true body.”

As Flood Dragon Emperor finished speaking, the massive net had already enveloped Gu Ning’an’s spectral form entirely.

The latter remained silent and made no attempt to resist, as if he had already accepted his fate and simply chose to surrender.

Flood Dragon Emperor let out a cold laugh and clenched his hand.

“Seal!”