Spoiled by Eight Uncles (Lily)

The woman couldn't help but express her despair, but when she opened her eyes and saw Cloud, she was speechless. He appeared full of vitality and never lost hope.

He was handsome, tall, and radiated purity. There was a hint of innocence in his eyes.

Whatever. If he has to die, it's better to die with hope. It's preferable compared to dying without hope, like me.

She expected him to die quickly so he wouldn't have to suffer as he watched hope fade with each passing day and struggled in agony as though he was trapped in hell, only to decay and perish in the end.

"Let's talk about the spiritual body," the woman decided to change the topic. "lf—" She paused for a moment before continuing, "If you manage to escape one day, you should change the way you cultivate and strive to achieve the spiritual body. In the final stage of ghost cultivators’ cultivation, they will probably have to undergo the Test of Thunder. Well, it's just my speculation. | once read from the ancient Stone Scroll that the Five Emperors of the Underworld needed to face the Test of Thunder to break through the last stage of their cultivation. Although people see them as mere legends, | spent some time researching and came to the conclusion that the statement is true. If someone ever reaches the final stage, they will eventually face the Test of Thunder.” When Cloud let out a surprised yelp, she turned to him and asked, "What's wrong?" He didn't want to interrupt her train of thought, and he wasn't sure if he could tell others about Lilly undergoing the Test of Thunder, so he dismissed her, saying, "It's nothing. Please continue.” As they spoke, the golden light inside him faded faster.

Cultivating had become a difficult task. He tried to circulate the power within his body, but he couldn't keep up with the draining energy.

The woman watched him in silence, conflicted within herself. Finally, she said, "I can show you how to stabilize the golden light in your body." "Thank you so much!" His eyes widened in surprise. After a pause, he added, "You're a kind person." She only stared at him speechlessly. I'm right. He's too trusting. She felt a pang in her chest. Showing him how to control the golden light only helps him last longer but does not allow him to avoid the inevitable.

The longer he was trapped inside the monster's belly, the more miserable he would become, as he could only watch hope slip away day by day.

The woman, nevertheless, ended up teaching him. She recited the first sentence of a formula, and Cloud repeated after her.

He repeated the formula in his mind after she finished chanting. He cultivated repeatedly according to the formula.

Soon, the golden light became more stable and faded at a slower rate.

The woman only watched without a word. Yet, she couldn't help but speak up, "Don't regret it. You can never leave. The longer you stay, the more desperate you'll become.” He grinned, revealing his bright white teeth. "It's okay. | won't give up until the very last moment.” The woman shrugged. "Suit yourself." As she fell silent again, he spoke up, "Let's continue the story. You just mentioned the Test of Thunder.” He was grateful for her help, so he wanted to distract her from the situation. Hopefully, | can give her hope by having a conversation.

The woman pondered for a while and finally continued, "Have you ever heard of Emperor Prosper's daughter?” Taken aback, he thought to himself, How could | not know her? She's my niece.

He eventually nodded. "Yes. I've heard about her." The woman elaborated, "She's a rare genius. The one who only appears once in a century. Yet, she failed the Test of Thunder.” Admiration was written all over her face as she explained, holding the legendary daughter of Emperor Prosper, whom she had never met, in great respect. She even saw Lilly as her guiding light even after her death.

He said nothing, so she took the opportunity to continue. "It shows that the Test of Thunder is almost impossible to overcome. If she can't even pass the test, how do you expect other ghost cultivators to stand a chance? Since we ghost cultivators are dead, we are the beings closest to the underworld. Meanwhile, the thunders, including the one in the underworld, possess the most energy from the mortal world. A ghost can't possibly fight against the thunder. It's our weakest point. Just one strike, and we are done for. In this sense, one might have a higher chance to pass the test if they remain human." Cloud strongly agreed with her statement. After all, Lilly had undergone the Test of Thunder in human form twice.

By contrast, Emperor Eastmount, the most powerful god in the underworld, had failed to pass the test.

It made Cloud wonder. Perhaps having a human body on the path of cultivation is more advantageous.

Meanwhile, the woman continued her story. "Only the deceased become ghosts. Their bodies have long turned to dust and no longer exist." As realization dawned on him, he exclaimed, "So, you have created your own path and achieved the spiritual body?" She nodded. "Yes." He was stunned. She spoke so casually as if it was nothing. However, he had spent time cultivating with Lilly, so he knew that what she just said was extremely difficult, even impossible.

What kind of monster is she? Even a woman like her has been trapped here for three years. Yet, she died alone here, and her remnants continue to nourish this place. She never gets to escape. Can | really make it out? The woman closed her eyes, not paying attention to his face as she continued speaking, "Even though I've attained the spiritual body, it's useless for now. | guess this is my destiny." "You've done noble things in life. Maybe you can really escape one day..." The woman couldn't help but chuckle.

It wasn't out of hope but because she found it ridiculous. She couldn't get out, and neither would he, a newly awakened ghost cultivator. I'm talking nonsense.

"Anyway, my days are numbered. I'll tell you the method to cultivate the spiritual body. At least you can pass it on if you manage to escape one day."