The funeral was drawing to an end when a large black cloud drifted in from the distant sky.
"It’s the Netherworld King!"
The Titled ones from the three academies and five great houses all felt a sinking feeling in their hearts.
They dared not release their spiritual power to sense, much less lift their heads to look closely... that large black cloud carried a repressive and gloomy aura wrapped in spiritual power.
Choosing to hold the ceremony here also involved a coincidental factor.
This was the mountain peak where Gu Shen first comprehended the Tomb Array Patterns and the furthest distance from which he could sense the "Netherworld King’s Spark."
It was from this mountain boundary that Mr. Gu Changzhi stepped into the "Pure Land" and then left forever.
Gu Shen could not possibly open up the Pure Land today at this funeral, to usher all these people into it.
What he could do was evoke a faint trace of power from the "Netherworld King’s Spark," which then summoned this black cloud.
After the black cloud congealed.
The already solemn funeral became even more oppressive.
Gu Shen’s control over the "Netherworld King’s Spark" was not adept, and it could even be said... he still couldn’t master the Power of Fire; what he could do for now, was summon this black cloud to pay homage to Mr. Gu Changzhi.
As for dispersing it...
This might take some time.
A long while later, the black cloud finally dispersed, making the funeral that should have ended, last much longer.
Because of the "Netherworld King’s" gaze, after the funeral ended, the Transcendents from the three academies and five great houses hurriedly left the cemetery under the guidance of their teachers and seniors. They actually wanted to stay longer, but the large black cloud overhead was truly frightening.
After the funeral ended, Shen Li left with Li Yu.
The master and disciple, along with Mr. Shan and his group, exuded an air of somber silence in the procession from the prison... but they left quite early. During the mourning process, Mr. Shan seemed to often look up at that black cloud, and right after the funeral ended, he was the first to issue the decree to leave the cemetery.
"Please, stay your steps."
A very light voice suddenly rang out.
Shen Li turned his head, meeting Gu Shen’s gaze.
By Gu Shen’s side was Miss Chu, who saved his life within the cemetery before, now bestowing a friendly smile upon him...
Shen Li hurriedly returned the smile, then whispered to Gu Shen, "This is..."
"Your sister-in-law," Gu Shen replied with an impassive face.
Shen Li silently gave a thumbs up.
He was about to say something.
When suddenly, he felt a tearing sensation in his mind.
"Teacher... I always feel like there’s something more inside my mind."
Shen Li uttered in distress, looking at his teacher with a slightly painful expression.
Li Yu was startled and asked with concern, "Are you feeling unwell?"
"No... I just feel like there’s some noise echoing."
Shen Li shook his head, rubbing his forehead, feeling his head swell.
Could it be that his memory hadn’t fully awakened?
This oddity drew the attention of many.
Li Yu stopped in his tracks, and his colleagues from the prison also halted, with several Judges gathering in front of Shen Li.
Everyone tried to sense with their spiritual power, but none felt anything unusual.
Even Mr. Shan quickly approached, "What’s the matter?"
Mr. Shan’s voice contained some confusion.
"Xiao Shen... he’s not feeling well," Li Yu said with a frown, speaking softly, "Grand Judge, might you be able to help take a look?"
Mr. Shan’s expression turned grave, he extended a palm, resting it on Shen Li’s shoulder, attempting to sense Shen Li’s spirit.
Shen Li, pale-faced, looked up at the vast black cloud in the sky.
The Grand Judge’s expression changed drastically.
For a fleeting moment, he seemed to see a black vertical pupil open before him!
That was... the Netherworld King’s gaze!
Ever since the black cloud descended, he had a nagging feeling that something was off. It might have been an illusion, or it might have been a real spiritual sensation... he felt something targeting him.
The only explanation, naturally, was the Netherworld King.
At that moment, a very light voice traveled along Shen Li’s spiritual power and entered Mr. Shan’s mind.
The voice did not possess any lethality.
What it did have was deterrence.
"It’s time to return what you borrowed."