Ren Qing guided the second Dream Seed along his meridians into his spine.
The spine, as the dwelling place of the Ghostly Spirit Root, was also the core of the Yellow Spring Immortal Bone, and in the future would even extend into the Yellow Spring Immortal Body.
Although it contained not the slightest trace of Nether Yuan, it was indeed endlessly mysterious.
The Dream Seed entered the spine without much resistance.
Ren Qing stared at the Dream Seed for a long time and found that it indeed had a nurturing effect.
Over time, it should be able to become a "Heavenly Dao Dream Seed."
He no longer paid it any mind and turned his attention to the Flesh Furnace.
The last Dream Seed had been absorbed within it; at first, Ren Qing worried it might be burned by the furnace's flame, but unexpectedly, the Dream Seed was like a fish in water.
Only, the Dream Seed could not absorb the flame and still needed to remain attached to the Fuel King.
After a period of burning, the Fuel King's appearance could no longer be recognized as that of a clock-shaped gourd; now it resembled a shriveled corpse.
Ren Qing activated the ability of Soul Robe, forcibly fusing the Dream Seed with the Fuel King, causing the latter to don a dark red robe of magic.
In this way, Ren Qing could not only use the Dream Seed to control the Fuel King but also use the embers of the flame to nurture his magical tools.
Ren Qing's three Dream Seeds each had a destination: the Heavenly Demon Dream Seed, the Heavenly Dao Dream Seed, and the Firewood Dream Seed.
Differences would definitely arise among the Dream Seeds, but only after some time of nurturing could they be known.
His remaining lifespan was insufficient to complete the rest of the techniques' grotesque transformations, and as for promoting Twin Nightmare Ghosts to Lord of Absolute Darkness, the lifespan required had increased fourfold, reaching two hundred years.
Ren Qing felt somewhat helpless about this, but the lifespan required for each promotion did increase exponentially, showing that the cost of exemption was by no means simple.
He then chose to leave seclusion.
The Ghost Market was already nearing its end; outside the Great Dream Forging Pavilion were only a few people.
But just as Ren Qing was preparing to go replenish resources at the Great Dream Pavilion, he suddenly noticed that the surrounding Restraint Officers were looking at him strangely.
Ren Qing immediately realized.
Looking around, almost all the Restraint Officers wore skull-shaped magical tools on their heads.
Ren Qing stood out conspicuously.
He shook his head helplessly and had no choice but to add another layer of protection using a skull magical tool, otherwise he would draw too much attention.
The Great Dream Forging Pavilion had just finished receiving the last few Restraint Officers and then closed its doors.
Taking advantage of the little free time remaining, Ren Qing went to the tavern and indeed found Huang Ziwan there, already dead drunk.
There were quite a few Restraint Officers like Huang Ziwan, making the atmosphere in the tavern livelier than on the streets of the Ghost Market.
Ren Qing had no time to drink; since he had earned too many blood crystals, he simply bought a few jars and stored them in the Prison Within the Abdomen.
From the changes in Huang Ziwan's body, it could be seen that the latter had already undergone a second grotesque transformation, and should thus have a bit more chance at survival.
Just as Ren Qing was about to go greet him, the Ghost Market suddenly became hazy and indistinct.
Ren Qing signaled his split soul to return to his main body, then stood in place quietly waiting.
The surroundings turned into desolate rocky soil.
Flocks of crows let out low cries.
The figure of Sun appeared high in the sky, and as her wings flapped, Nether Feathers fell like raindrops, accompanied by a great many Nether Crows.
Huang Ziwan sobered up more than halfway at once. Upon seeing Ren Qing not far away, he immediately came over.
Before the two could speak, another change occurred.
The Restraint Officers did not dare to make a sound; they quickly retreated dozens of meters, then stared blankly at a single point of light that had appeared in the open space.
When carrying out missions, Restraint Officers were inevitably exposed to the Yin Runner Realm, but that did not include the Great Dream True Person, who had never appeared in public.
But now, he had arrived.
The point of light began to twist continuously, eventually forming a two-meter-tall humanoid silhouette.
Ren Qing couldn't help but turn his head away, it was truly soporific to look at for long. This showed just how terrifying a Great Dream True Person at the peak of the Yin Runner Realm was.
He also noticed a familiar aura on the Great Dream True Person.
It was clearly the Double Pupils of the Blindless Method. He didn't know what level the person had reached, but it felt like at least Half-Corpse Realm.
It seemed the Great Dream True Person, after realizing that Twin Nightmare Ghosts involved dream realms, had also mastered the Blindless Method.
The Great Dream True Person scanned the surroundings and paused on Ren Qing for a moment, then in a flash reappeared by the ribs.
He walked into the Nether Feather, his figure vanishing within Avici Hell.
The Nether Crows descended, and the missions for the many Restraint Officers had already been distributed.
Ren Qing picked up the paper slip; judging by the handwriting, it was left by Li Tiangang. The goal was to have him return to the outside world and participate in the matter of the Other Shore Flower.
He couldn't help but glance at the slip in Huang Ziwan's hand, only to see that the latter was assigned to the Stomach within the Stomach, tasked with guarding the Non-Toxic Soul.
"What's wrong, Old Huang, why do you look so pale?"
Huang Ziwan couldn't help but curse quietly a few times, then spoke: "From what I know, the Stomach within the Stomach is tied to Restraint Officers who have lost control due to mutation. Shui Hulu is very likely to be involved."
Ren Qing's expression showed some sympathy.
Shui Hulu might not blame Huang Ziwan for the Hundred Ghosts Parade incident, but his temperament was far too volatile.
And then there was that little person in the bottle to consider.
After a moment's thought, Ren Qing took out a bottle of Eerie Dust and handed it to Huang Ziwan.
Then he said in a low voice, "There's a Restraint Officer named Li Fangtan in the Stomach within the Stomach. Give him this Eerie Dust, say it came from the kid next door. That should earn you his protection."
Eerie Dust couldn't suppress soul mutation, but it had some use for the body.
Li Fangtan should understand what Ren Qing meant. Even for the slimmest of chances, he would likely try to help Huang Ziwan.
Huang Ziwan nodded. Great favors need no thanks. He cupped his fists and hurried toward his destination.
The many Restraint Officers also headed toward their assigned locations, with only a lucky few given city-guarding tasks.
Ren Qing walked to the border of the ribs and stomach wall. Just as he was about to leave Avici Hell, he saw Sun fly into the Nether Feather.
On her back were a dozen or so women, all temple attendants from the Fertility Goddess Temple who cultivated the Summer Grass Formula. It wasn't clear what their task was.
Ren Qing passed through the stomach wall to the outside world.
Sanxiang City had already disappeared, leaving behind only a vast expanse of open land. At some unknown point, temporary lodgings had been built.
Li Tiangang was sitting cross-legged among them, flipping through page after page of paper.
Ren Qing also spotted Song Zongwu, who was on a mountain in the northwest, seemingly surveying the terrain.
He waited for a while. More and more Restraint Officers gathered, over twenty in all.
Ren Qing only recognized Lin Cheng. The latter let out a sigh of relief and quickly came over, glad to have someone familiar.
Lin Cheng said a bit sheepishly, "Lord Ren, thanks for those materials."
"No problem."
Ren Qing glanced at Lin Cheng, his strength seemed to have improved quite a bit.
Lin Cheng's grotesque path was the same as Zhang Qiu's, called "Serpent Sniffer." It leaned more toward support, but was still quite useful.
After a while, Jiang Feng arrived at the camp and began directing the Restraint Officers to choose their lodgings.
Usually, two or three people shared a room. The Restraint Officers didn't object, as the severity of the mission was already apparent from the presence of the Yin Runner Realm.
Privately, Ren Qing chatted with Jiang Feng and asked that Lin Cheng be assigned to him.
Strength didn't matter, what mattered was familiarity.
The next day, Li Tiangang finally gathered all the Restraint Officers together.
He said flatly, "Let's make it clear now, any disobedience of orders will not be tolerated in the slightest."
Li Tiangang swept his gaze across the crowd. None of the Restraint Officers dared show any disagreement.
"After the ghost infant souls are gathered, the Yin Runner Realm will act. You are stationed to guard the area and prevent interference by beasts."
Beasts...
The Restraint Officers all looked confused.
The Yin Runner Realm would personally deal with the ghost infants, and with someone like Song Zongwu who could erase forbidden zones, why fear mere beasts?
"The attacking beasts will grow stronger over time. If you can't hold on, immediately use Nether Feather to contact nearby Restraint Officers."
Li Tiangang didn't elaborate further.
The Restraint Officers were divided into eight groups, averaging three per group, forming a massive circle around the open land where Sanxiang City had once stood.
Only Ren Qing had Lin Cheng under him.
He was fairly satisfied with that, but clearly, Li Tiangang didn't intend to let him off easy.
"Ren Qing, if any other area encounters danger, go assist immediately."
The Restraint Officers turned to look at Ren Qing. He appeared to be in his early twenties, how could he be held in such regard by the Yin Runner Realm?
Until someone whispered, "Ren Qing... Stomach within the Stomach..."
Everyone suddenly understood. No wonder the name sounded familiar.
To walk out of the Stomach within the Stomach and avoid losing control to mutation, he must be a ruthless one.
Ren Qing grinned awkwardly and nodded. Fortunately, the incident at the Forbidden Zone of the Food Immortals hadn't spread, or there'd be even more trouble.
"There's a stone mountain to the southeast. Within two days, a wall must be built to defend against the beasts."
The Restraint Officers followed Li Tiangang's instructions toward the stone mountain. As for the wooden cabins, they were sealed with slips of paper, left for the Officers to place as they wished.
With only two days, the Restraint Officers had to make the most of their time.
Under the looming threat of death, they quickly and wordlessly fell into sync with each other, working together like during the days of the Disaster-Dispelling Forbidden Zone.
Some Restraint Officers used techniques to cut the mountain rock.
Those with beastification techniques handled transport. Within moments, several tons of stone had been delivered to the site of Sanxiang City.
But compared to Ren Qing, they were somewhat overshadowed.
Ren Qing told Lin Cheng to go help the other Restraint Officers, then walked to the mountain wall.
A dozen curious eyes turned toward him as a long Dragon-Snake Spine extended from his hand. With a casual flick,
Cold light flashed; the chain threaded through the mountainside.
Dust rose into the air.
When Ren Qing stopped, hundreds of stone blocks fell in neat stacks, piling up like a small mountain, leaving everyone dumbfounded.
Then he extended his right hand; a whirlwind formed in his palm, and when they looked back, the stone blocks had vanished, taken by some unknown technique.
Ren Qing returned to the open ground. He didn't need to build anything himself, the shadows grabbed stone blocks deftly, and the beginnings of a city wall quickly took shape.
Two or three more trips should be enough.
Jiang Feng shook his head. Every time he saw Ren Qing, his idea of what talent meant had to be revised.
He stood at the center of the open space. Two Yin Runner Realm cultivators stared unblinkingly at Ren Qing's busy figure, seemingly already used to it.
"Jiang Feng, step back a bit."
Jiang Feng quickly stepped back several meters.
His technique was known for wide field of vision, and he could contact Restraint Officers at any time, so his job was to assist the Yin Runner Realm in issuing orders.
Li Tiangang took out a glass vial from his robes. When he opened the cap, some black-gray dust drifted out.
The dust slowly fell into the soil. It seemed that some kind of fungus had begun to spread.
"Tai Sui, Tai Sui..."