Not only did they waste them, but they also inflicted physical punishments. The ghost king's tyranny had long stirred deep resentment among countless ghosts. However, due to the ghost king's unparalleled power and his supreme authority in the Underworld, where he could decide the life and death of even the smallest spirits, the ghosts could only harbor their anger silently, suppressing it deep within. Now, with the ghost king finally overthrown by the celestial envoy Gao Liang, it was a matter of great relief and satisfaction. Countless ghosts—male, female, large, and small—bowed in unison before Gao Liang and Ying'er, collectively praising the divine and boundless power of the God of Martial Might. Gao Liang, who had arrived in the Underworld by chance, unexpectedly rescued millions of suffering spirits oppressed by the ghost king. Immediately upon rescuing the ghost realm, Gao Liang unconditionally released the ghosts who had been unjustly sentenced in the eighteen levels of hell. He boldly appointed several ghosts who were principled, remorseful, and promising, and through a popular vote, the ghosts elected three of them. Three kinds of ghosts are as follows: Black Unchanging: Origin story: Legendary ghost messengers from the afterlife! Appearance: Tall and imposing, with a black face, wearing a high-crowned hat inscribed with "One Glimpse, Immediate Departure," and holding a hook to summon death. Harm index: 0. Prevention method: Visible to the dying, as they do not affect the living. In low-flame environments, they may be observed near those nearing the end of life. White Unchanging: Origin story: Legendary ghost messengers from the afterlife! Appearance: Similar to the Black Unchanging, only holding a mourning staff instead. Harm index: 0. Prevention method: Same as the Black Unchanging. Sounding Ghost: Origin story: Forms after a child's death. Appearance: When you blow a whistle, people will follow your sound, yet remain unseen. Harm index: 0. Prevention method: Simply a playful occurrence after a child's passing—does not pose any threat. These ghosts do not harm the living, though they embody the spirit of ghosts, and are selected among the multitude of spirits with a strong sense of humanity. Highlight appointed the three to jointly govern the Underworld and personally drafted the laws, regulations, and institutional codes—fair, open, and just. He established a system of separation of powers, ensuring the independence and mutual checks among legislative, executive, and judicial functions within the Underworld. Additionally, all agreed unanimously to recommend the Ghost of Repayment of Gratitude. Regarding this ghost: she emerged unintentionally due to accumulated negative energy. Her appearance is rare—among the good ghosts, encountering her brings constant ease and harmony. Her impact on others: a perfect 100. To prevent any disruption, treat her kindly; though she is a ghost of gratitude, she tends to depart soon, though some accounts report that one such ghost remained for as long as three years. After solidifying the senior management of the Underworld, all spirits—ranging from the black and white Unconstants, the Sentry Ghost, to the Ghost of Repayment of Gratitude—bowed respectfully before Highlight and Ying'er, collectively praising them as the great rulers. "Your Majesty! Your Grace! You are the supreme rulers of our Underworld. We are at your service. We shall faithfully carry out every command you give!" "Even if it meant climbing mountains of blades and descending into seas of fire, I would not hesitate!" Seeing countless ghosts bowing with reverence and chanting praises to them, Gao Liang and Ying'er felt an unparalleled sense of dignity. Immediately, Gao Liang nodded, as a king of the Underworld, gesturing for everyone to rise, and at once, the myriad minor spirits expressed their gratitude. Subsequently, Gao Liang boldly introduced reforms, abolishing the outdated and unjust punishments and laws of the original Underworld administration, liberating countless spirits and allowing them to live happily and contentedly in the Underworld. Gao Liang and Ying'er's mission in the Underworld was now complete. It was time to return. After arranging all matters in the Underworld, Gao Liang set off with Ying'er back to the Immortal Realm. Xingle Palace—our journey must now return. Gao Liang took Ying'er's jade hand and soared upward from the Underworld, the two of them rising steadily for nine thousand miles, ascending from the eighteen levels of hell to the Nine Heavens. At the Nine Heavens, within Xingle Palace, Gao Liang held Ying'er's hand and flew toward the In the Xingle Palace, the Heavenly Emperor and several consorts were enjoying themselves. The Emperor embraced one of the attendants, fondly caressing her chest. The attendant cried out in delight, "Emperor! No, please! No, please!" Though she spoke with urgency, her heart was filled with joy—being favored by the Emperor was precisely what she had longed for. "I shall stay at your quarters tonight! Hah! This time, Gao Liang is surely doomed. As for Ying, hmph! It's only because she didn't comply with me—she deserves to die! Hah!" The Emperor laughed heartily, his face glowing with pride and exhilaration. "Your Majesty, I risked much to entice Gao Liang and Ying to the back gardens of Xingle Palace. Yet today, my eyes have jumped—could this be an ill omen?" The attendant, held close in the Emperor's arms, expressed her concern. "Gao Liang! Ying! They both defied my will—dying is their fate! To date, every person who has passed through the back gardens of Xingle Palace on the day of Menghe has perished!" High Light, even someone far more capable than him, had been devoured by the great eagle or plunged into Meng River, boiled to maturity in hot water! Hah! Hah! Hah! No matter how capable High Light is, I believe he simply cannot create a miracle. If he truly could, he would have come back to find me!" At this moment, the Heavenly Emperor was indulged in luxury, living in a state of drunken bliss, holding his attendant with pride. As soon as he finished speaking, a voice rang out: "Dog Emperor! I'm here!" The Emperor and his attendant looked up in alarm—my goodness! It was indeed High Light and Ying'er arriving together, both descending from the sky, landing with a crisp sound right before the Emperor and his attendant. The attendant darted toward the Emperor, but the Emperor could not protect her; instead, he turned furious, shouting, "It's all your idea!" The attendant, by accident, said, "Your Majesty, even if I had the heart to do so, I lacked the courage. But as for Your Majesty's intention—" "High-light and Ying immediately realized that the attendant had been deliberately leading them to Meng He, behind the Xingle Palace—yet it was actually the Heavenly Emperor's own scheme. Unexpectedly, instead of harming them, the Heavenly Emperor had ended up helping High-light master the earth-element energy of the earthly realm, the spirit-element energy of the Underworld, and the five-element energies, which blended together to form a unique, harmonious composite energy—what they called the 'multi-element synergy energy.' This very synergy energy became High-light's decisive advantage in his battles against his opponents. The Heavenly Emperor grew pale with fear, trying to summon help, but High-light's short sword was firmly pressed against his throat. Though there were powerful attendants—Dali Jinjiang and Houyi—guarding beside him, they had already experienced High-light's strength firsthand and dared not advance, merely retreating to a safe distance. Even the junior officers and soldiers were too intimidated; upon seeing the true might of the Divine Warrior arrive, they scattered in panic. When the true heavenly deities arrived, everything else simply stepped aside." The momentum is unstoppable—anyone who dares to oppose me shall perish. These heavenly generals all know High Bright's formidable strength; they fear even the Heavenly Emperor, so they naturally revere and dread him. Many of them have fled in panic. Within Xingle Palace, High Bright feels as though he has entered a land untouched by anyone.