Hearing Yang Xiao’s words, Jiushan Cangxuan’s eyes brightened significantly. "Well said! You have a keen eye, and your judgment is very accurate, indeed!"

"The biggest difference between the Ghost Sect and your Patrol Defense Office lies here. To put it bluntly, even if one day your Chief Yue unfortunately passes away, someone will immediately take his place, and the Patrol Defense Office will not fall into chaos."

"But the Ghost Sect is different. Once the Master of the Ghost Sect dies, no, he doesn’t even need to die, even if he is only seriously injured, the morale of those below will be disturbed, and he won’t be able to hold it together."

"At that time, external enemies won’t even need to attack, the Ghost Sect itself will collapse and disintegrate. Then, with forces vying for power, order will completely collapse, and the scenario of the Warring States era will be repeated," Jiushan Cangxuan said with a solemn expression.

"Truly, at that time, Senior Jiushan, you could come out, raise your arm, and command the heroes," Yang Xiao followed up.

Unexpectedly, Jiushan Cangxuan sighed and slowly shook his head, "Yang Xiao, you are wrong. I don’t wish to see such a scenario either, but circumstances are forcing this direction."

"Prolonged pain is worse than short pain. If we let him continue leading the Ghost Sect recklessly, causing catastrophe in the future would truly lead to national destruction and extinction."

"Japan is too small, no matter what we do or who does it, we will not be your match. To survive and leave a way for our descendants, the only way is to coexist peacefully with you."

"Yang Xiao, although I am Japanese, I am not evasive on this point. I have also discussed this matter openly with your Chief Yue, and he thinks the same."

"I don’t want war, especially not with your Huazhu Clan. I just want to provide a stable and comfortable life for my descendants, letting them thrive on the land where their ancestors lived, living carefree."

"My homeland is small, but I love every blade of grass and tree, every mountain and stream here. I won’t allow anyone to destroy it, whether from outside or from our own Japan."

"Even if one day, people from your Patrol Defense Office come to seize our land and destroy our lives, I can tell you now, I, Jiushan Cangxuan, will stand here and fight to the end with my clansmen."

Feeling the touch of dominance in Jiushan Cangxuan, Yang Xiao felt no offense, but rather grew more respectful, unable to resist raising his teacup as an act of engagement, "I admire the senior’s frankness!"

"I believe our Patrol Defense Office has no intention to attack your homeland, but the premise is that both parties become good neighbors and remain harmonious, and no one causes trouble."

"I also return your words to you: If one day you lead a team onto my Huazhu Clan’s land, I, Yang Xiao, will risk my life to make sure you stay," Yang Xiao said seriously.

"Hahaha!!" Jiushan Cangxuan laughed heartily; his tone grew more bold: "Refreshing! For so many years, few young people have dared to speak to me like this. Yang Xiao, you are a character with great potential in the future!"

"I’ll be content if I can match even a fraction of the senior’s grace." Yang Xiao laughed along, taking the opportunity to flatter him.

As the laughter subsided, Jiushan Cangxuan sized up Yang Xiao, and the pressure from his gaze almost overwhelmed Yang Xiao.

At this moment, Yang Xiao recalled the formidable nature of the person before him. Perhaps because the two had gotten along well recently, he even subconsciously did not consider the old man in front of him as a peerless master.

Now he recalled that not long ago, it was this very old man who led his team to repel five Netherworld Realm masters led by the Half Compassion Purple Body Buddha.

With five against five, and under a sudden attack, the Jiu Mountain Family even managed to counter-kill two opponents. This strength is the confidence of the Jiu Mountain Family to stand against the Ghost Sect.

Moreover, Jiushan Cangxuan spoke of his own Chief Yue as if they were peers, while Dean Sheng mentioned Chief Yue with great respect and humility.

Now Yang Xiao is already qualified to come into contact with some genuine big figures, and the doors to the Apostle World are officially opening to him.

This world is not a beautiful one, filled with intrigue and schemes, the law of the jungle, where everything respects strength.

But this world is equally fascinating, which Yang Xiao loves. He is slowly grasping and trying to leverage the rules of this world to help himself move forward step by step.

He has already obtained the entrance ticket to this world, and in the future, there will undoubtedly be a place for him, Yang Xiao, in this marvelous and bloody world.

He is a person who understands gratitude. Throughout his journey, he has met many benefactors. Director Nalan, Cannibal Buddha, Second Demon Uncle, Dean Sheng, and Jiu Mountain Clan Leader Jiushan Cangxuan, along with a large group of friends... all these people have been his benefactors, providing him with different help at different stages of his life.

Actually, the good sister counts too—half anyway—but Yang Xiao is in a good mood now, unwilling to mention that filthy thing.

"Yang Xiao, congratulations, your spiritual power level has now reached the Upper Ghost Level," Jiushan Cangxuan nodded, unable to help but exclaim, "That’s remarkable."

This sentence made Yang Xiao freeze for a moment because, having just left the Nightmare World and his body still weak, he hadn’t yet had time to check his current state. Hearing this news suddenly left him quite caught off guard.

But upon reflection, he felt relieved, as it was expected.

Previously, he had been stuck at Mid-stage Ghost Level for some time, and having experienced several temperings in the Nightmare World, it was time to improve a bit, being a reward for his diligence.

Though he didn’t do it voluntarily, like this time, he was purely sent in by that beast, the Half Compassion Purple Body Buddha.

"Yang Xiao, if I remember correctly, when you first arrived, you had just stepped into Mid-stage Ghost Level, right?" Jiushan Cangxuan said.

"It’s all thanks to the senior’s care. The senior’s kindness, I will remember in my heart," Yang Xiao expressed with complete sincerity.

He felt a sense of gratitude towards the Jiu Mountain Family, especially towards Jiushan Cangxuan personally. No matter how you put it, the other side really helped him a lot, and Yang Xiao considered himself indebted to them.

The Jiu Mountain Family helped him fend off the Half Compassion Purple Body Buddha, removed the curse afflicting him, and accepted Tong Han to remedy the backlash caused by that ring. All these acts were etched in Yang Xiao’s memory.

"Yang Xiao, the radio you brought back this time has been taken away by my order. There is a problem with it. Although it’s intact, it’s severely damaged and very dangerous to keep around."

Seeing Jiushan Cangxuan bring up the topic, Yang Xiao followed along and said, "I appreciate it, Senior. In my opinion, it’s better left with you. I feel at ease with it under your care."

One must eventually repay kindness received. Yang Xiao noticed the Jiu Mountain Family’s interest in the item and was happy to offer the radio as a gift to them.

The counterpart had saved him more than once. Wasn’t his life worth more than a dubious radio?

But Jiushan Cangxuan gently declined Yang Xiao’s goodwill, waving his hand and saying, "You’ve misunderstood. As I said, I took it because it’s dangerous. This is your item, and I’m merely safeguarding it temporarily."

"I’ve arranged for the radio to be sealed. Once you leave, you can take it with you," Jiushan Cangxuan stated quite frankly.

At that moment, Yang Xiao was deeply moved, growing more appreciative of this Senior Jiu Shan. He had heard an old saying on his way over: there are no gentlemen in Japan, but Jiushan Cangxuan is an exception.

Seeing it firsthand now, those words were true. Yang Xiao believed he would undoubtedly have more interactions with this senior in the future.

"You are still very weak and need to rest. I won’t disturb you any longer." Jiushan Cangxuan slowly stood up, "Don’t rush things; once you recover, I will arrange for you to go back to your country, probably in three or four days."

"Thank you, Senior!" Yang Xiao thanked again.

Having said what needed to be said and reminding Yang Xiao to rest well, Jiushan Cangxuan left. Not long after he departed, Tong Han came in.

When Tong Han learned that Yang Xiao had successfully advanced to the Upper Ghost Level, she was even more excited than Yang Xiao. She always believed Yang Xiao would one day become a remarkable person.

"By the way, could you help me find the guards of the Jiu Mountain Family? I want their assistance in locating two people." Yang Xiao grabbed a pen and paper and wrote on it.

There were two names, along with their contact details.

One was Takagi Reina, the other was, of course, Yamamoto Chunai. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

He had actually wanted to mention this when Jiushan Cangxuan was present, but felt it disrespectful to bother such a prominent figure with a minor matter, so he refrained.

Now that Tong Han was present, she could assist with this task.

"Are these... two girls?" Tong Han asked, setting the paper down.

"Yes, they helped me a lot. I promised them I would offer them some compensation." Yang Xiao replied.

"What do you owe them? Is compensation necessary?" Tong Han questioned.

"This..." Tong Han’s sudden question caught Yang Xiao off guard.

Indeed, they had a mutual helping relationship in the Nightmare World. Truthfully, if matters of debt were to be assessed, it was these two who owed Yang Xiao, for without him, they’d struggle against ghosts, let alone deal with Yandeta Chiyoda and Watanabe Gou.

Yet, the Nightmare World was a space where reason didn’t hold. Without their assistance, Yang Xiao admitted it would have been tough to navigate through it alone.

If nothing else, during the last scenario on the bus, Yang Xiao had picked three of the five options incorrectly in a row, and had it not been for Takagi Reina’s brave reversal, they would all have been left there permanently.

Knowing he was at fault, after getting off the bus, when Takagi Reina slapped him, he didn’t dare to talk back.

"Nightmare matters should remain nightmares; both those girls are ordinary people and don’t need further contact."

"People like us are different from them; abrupt involvement will disrupt their otherwise peaceful lives," Tong Han earnestly advised.

"But... I already promised them." Yang Xiao blurted out without thinking.

Hearing this, Tong Han’s eyes briefly flashed with a hint of faint disappointment. After a moment, she softly said, "You’ve made too many promises in your life, many of which you haven’t fulfilled."

"I’ll take care of it; you don’t have to worry. What’s important for you now is to rest and recover." Tong Han folded the name-bearing paper once and casually slipped it into her pocket.

Noticing the awkward atmosphere, Yang Xiao suddenly brought up Jiushan Cangxuan’s arrangements, "By the way, Senior Jiu Shan said arrangements were being made for me to leave in three or four days, you..."

"Got it. If I have time, I’ll see you off." Tong Han interrupted Yang Xiao’s unfinished sentence and then turned and left alone.