The Burial God Desert lies between the Vast Sea Gobi and the Western Extremity Wasteland. The further west one goes, the more desolate it becomes, until reaching the Abyssal Sea, where there is no path forward.
This is one of the areas most violently affected by the aftermath of the ancient Celestial Court’s fall. Countless deities plummeted from the Nine Heavens, buried deep within the earth, destroying the once-fertile land and turning it into a dead zone. Only after countless ages did life gradually re-emerge, forming a few scattered oases.
The shattered personal grotto-heavens of these buried deities leaked outward, creating ruins and secret sites, making the terrain of the Burial God Desert exceptionally complex. Moreover, the lingering obsessions of these deities, combined with the unique properties of the dead land, gave rise to terrifying vengeful spirits and malevolent ghosts. These entities cycled between existence and destruction, never truly vanishing, even under the scorching sun, their eerie wails still audible.
Because of this, the Burial God Desert is perilous even for those at the External Scenery level. Without sufficient strength, one can only traverse it by following the paths connecting the oases.
In one such oasis, where moisture was abundant and the air refreshing, stood towering structures resembling giant pagodas, bearing distinct Mohist architectural styles. Together with the local populace and the constant flow of travelers, they formed a city nearly as prosperous as those in the heartland of the Central Plains.
Tian Wanzhe chewed on a local sweet-root, leisurely strolling through the bustling market during his day off, his eyes lingering on the fiery and exotic Western Region girls.
Originally from Huanzhou, he hailed from a poor, mountainous county exploited by powerful clans, where survival was a daily struggle. Later, he obtained a free Myriad World Talisman, learned the Spark Great Method, and gradually improved his life and broadened his horizons. Unwilling to remain in the backwaters forever, he answered the Human Emperor’s call and joined a joint expedition by the Mohist Palace and the imperial court to the Western Regions, aiming to transform the desert into oases and create new prosperity.
Thanks to the collaboration between the Mohist Palace, the Myriad Manifestations Sect, and the Great Zhou court, an effective method to reclaim the desert was discovered in recent years. The oasis expanded rapidly, and through collective effort, it now covered an area comparable to a prefecture in the Central Plains.
“Huh, is the Myriad World Talisman running another free promotion?” Tian Wanzhe, now wealthy and respected, still retained his youthful habit of wandering the markets—though in the past, he could only look, unable to afford anything. His eyes lit up as he spotted a bright red banner, its message seemingly related to the Myriad World Talisman.
Focusing his vision, he read the fine print clearly:
“A groundbreaking new Myriad World Talisman, capable of soul-binding to eliminate loss or theft risks! Free exchange for old models—what are you waiting for?”
“Not bad…” Tian Wanzhe mused, deciding to exchange one for himself and his father. The losses from past talisman thefts still haunted him.
Of course, with his current knowledge, he guessed this promotion wouldn’t go smoothly. Who with power, status, and a bright martial future would willingly bind their soul to a Myriad World Talisman, effectively handing their life to the Jade Void Palace?
Shaking his head, Tian Wanzhe headed home to retrieve his father’s talisman. As for others, it wasn’t his concern, nor could he influence them.
When he first came to the Western Regions, he was accompanied by his parents. Now, his mother had passed, and his father, aged and physically worn from years of hardship, rarely ventured out, content to stay home with servants, his greatest joy being the Myriad World Talisman.
After smoothly exchanging and soul-binding the talismans, Tian Wanzhe set the matter aside, throwing himself into the dangerous work of expanding the oasis deeper into the treacherous Burial God Desert alongside the Mohist Palace and the Myriad Manifestations Sect.
Months passed, and Tian Wanzhe’s father finally succumbed to old age, passing away peacefully.
After the solemn funeral, the courtyard grew quiet, the servants waiting outside as Tian Wanzhe knelt alone before the altar.
Holding his father’s talisman, he forced a lighthearted tone: “Dad, life and death are fated. At least you enjoyed nearly a decade of wealth and comfort. Don’t be sad…”
His voice trembled slightly at the word “sad.” “Remember when we first arrived in the West? We had no place to sleep, just makeshift tents and dugouts. I thought I’d stay awake to guard against beasts, but I fell asleep anyway. When I woke up, I found you and Mom taking turns keeping watch, swatting away mosquitoes for me…”
His voice cracked as tears welled up. He took a deep breath. “Don’t worry, Dad. I’ve prepared plenty of joss paper and candles. Enjoy yourself in the underworld. If you meet Mom, send me a dream.”
“I know you loved browsing the Myriad World Network, reading serials, and watching live streams. So I commissioned a paper replica for you. It’s not much, but at least it looks the part…”
“As for your talisman, I’ll keep it. Maybe pass it down to my future kid. Heh, Dad, I feel oddly relieved now—at least I won’t be forced into an arranged marriage. The world’s too vast to settle down yet…”
His attempt at humor carried a tinge of sorrow. Tian Wanzhe knew death was final; his words were more for himself than his father.
As he reached for the paper talisman to burn, the white candles suddenly flickered violently, and a chilling wind swept through the hall.
Tian Wanzhe chuckled nervously. “What timing—almost scared me.”
Then, the Myriad World Talisman on the floor buzzed to life, glowing faintly.
“Who’s calling Dad now?” He picked it up, puzzled by the lack of caller ID. “Hello?”
“Wanzhe, it’s me, your dad!” came a wavering voice.
“Dad?” Tian Wanzhe was torn between anger and disbelief. Who would joke about this at a funeral?
The voice sounded eerily like his father’s, but the altar before him was real. He vowed to track down the prankster and teach them a lesson.
“I’m in the underworld. It’s terrifying—screams everywhere…” The voice paused. “You think I’m fake?”
Like father, like son.
Not just think—I know! Tian Wanzhe thought.
Before he could speak, the voice continued: “You wet the bed at three, nearly drowned at seven. I saved you and kept it from your mom to avoid scolding her. You refuse to marry because the girl you like doesn’t like you back…”
Each revelation sent chills down Tian Wanzhe’s spine. The pale candlelight cast a sickly green hue on his face.
Was this truly his father calling from the underworld?
I thought death was the end—only lingering obsessions remained, turning into ghosts. Am I talking to the dead?
Sweat beaded on his forehead as he stammered, “D-Dad, how are you contacting me… the living world?”
“I was dazed until the horrors here woke me. Then I felt a strange link to the talisman—maybe that soul-binding you mentioned?”
“Damn! Soul-binding works even after death? Into the underworld?!” Tian Wanzhe blurted, stunned.
This feature was insane!
His father gulped (or seemed to). “Wanzhe, I’m not afraid of death, but this place… Listen—that screaming is a ghost being fried in oil! There are iron trees that saw us apart, and… I can’t go on. Even dead, we’re tortured. The guards say we’ll be reincarnated—maybe as animals or eternally starving hungry ghosts…”
Tian Wanzhe stiffened. “D-Don’t panic. You just died; your turn won’t come soon. Let me find a monk or priest to liberate you. And Mom too.”
“Good, good. Just don’t forget. They say my turn’s in three months.” His father added, “The talisman’s limited here, and guards are everywhere. I can’t call often. Burn me the latest serial updates daily, record live streams—I’ll catch up once I’m out…”
Tian Wanzhe gaped. Since when did the dead make such demands?
What kind of world is this?!
“Oh, and Wanzhe, you’re not young. Forget romance—have kids. Someone must burn updates for you when you die…”
Tian Wanzhe’s expression went blank. Even in death, the pressure to marry continued!
The call ended. The eerie wind faded, the candles steadied, and silence returned as if it were all a dream.
But the residual warmth of the talisman in his hand confirmed the impossible truth.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage