Centenarian Elder Gets Frightened Online

The Nine Nether Venerable was passionately arguing with netizens in a forum.

At first, countless users respected his status as a master of soul cultivation and engaged with him politely.

But no matter what others said, the Nine Nether Venerable stubbornly insisted that illusions were worthless in his presence, and those who chose illusions over his teachings were nothing but ignorant fools.

His words angered many.

If he had criticized the principles or techniques of cultivation, perhaps the game Phantom Ghost Town wouldn’t have been relevant.

But to dismiss overcoming fear?

His laughable test barrier was proof enough of his incompetence.

Not only did he attack the illusion itself, but he also insulted its players. The netizens immediately unleashed a torrent of verbal assaults.

[Nine Nether Venerable: Do you even know who I am?? I am the foremost authority on soul cultivation! No one has more say in this than me!]

[Elegant and Refined Ancestral Light: Then do you know who I am?]

[Nine Nether Venerable: No.]

[Elegant and Refined Ancestral Light: Good. Keep an eye on your family, old bastard, lest they mysteriously vanish.]

[Nine Nether Venerable: ???]

...

The Nine Nether Venerable was fuming.

Just as he was busy trading insults, Lu Ze himself appeared.

[Illusion Master Lu Ze: Very well, you shall have your wish.]

The moment Lu Ze showed up, the forum erupted.

Hundreds of replies flooded the thread in seconds.

[Holy shit, Old Demon Lu is here?!]

[No way, even Old Demon Lu wouldn’t dare play this illusion himself!!]

[First time I’m rooting for Old Demon Lu—punish this arrogant geezer!]

[Never seen the highest difficulty before—dying to watch!]

[Livestream! It has to be a livestream!]

[This old bastard’s gonna piss himself in fear.]

...

Seeing Lu Ze’s arrival, the Nine Nether Venerable’s eyes lit up.

This was his chance to prove his teachings were superior to illusions.

Since his previous test had failed, the only way left was to demonstrate his own strength—by surpassing the illusion itself.

Without hesitation, he accepted the challenge.

[Nine Nether Venerable: Fine, livestream it! Give me the highest difficulty—if my legs so much as tremble, I’ll renounce my title as Venerable!]

...

...

Lu Ze moved swiftly, ensuring the Nine Nether Venerable couldn’t back out.

He set up a dedicated livestream for him, prominently displayed at the top of the illusion game’s broadcast section.

The Nine Nether Venerable wasted no time, entering the illusion and activating the livestream.

Instantly, hordes of curious netizens flooded in.

"Hmph, it seems my reputation still draws quite the crowd."

The Nine Nether Venerable smirked in satisfaction.

His livestream title read: [Nine Nether Venerable Conquers the Highest Difficulty—Phantom Ghost Town].

Unbeknownst to him, the recommended title across all platforms was:

[Centenarian Geezer Gets Terrified—Click to Watch the Suffering Live.]

This was the Nine Nether Venerable’s first time in the illusion, and he looked utterly bewildered by the safe house’s mechanics.

Lu Ze, appearing as an administrator, stood beside him.

"Elder, are you certain you wish to challenge the highest [Ghost Immortal] difficulty? Perhaps you’d like to try a lower setting first?"

Lu Ze asked with a faint smile.

"Hah! What [Ghost Immortal] or [Earth Fiend] nonsense—just mortals exaggerating spirits! You, a cultivator, actually believe this?"

The Nine Nether Venerable scoffed, glaring disdainfully at Lu Ze.

"Isn’t this illusion just about scaring people? I fear nothing! Give me the highest difficulty—let’s see what dares call itself a Ghost Immortal. I’ll scatter its soul to the winds!"

"Elder, such words are unwise!"

Lu Ze hastily waved his hands, then set the difficulty to [Ghost Immortal].

"Elder... well, good luck."

Struggling to suppress his laughter, Lu Ze vanished into thin air.

"Good luck? Save it for your so-called Ghost Immortal!"

The Nine Nether Venerable strode confidently into the activation circle.

In the next moment, he was transported to a desolate village.

[Map: Sealed Gate Village]

[Difficulty: Ghost Immortal ★★★★★]

[Random Conditions Applied:]

[Initial Sanity: 60]

[Sanity Drain Rate: Fast]

[Discoverable Evidence: 0]

[Movement Speed: Slow]

[Paranormal Event Frequency: High]

[Ghost Movement Speed: Extremely Fast]

[Ghost Room Change Rate: Fast]

[Soul Cage: Disabled]

...

[Overall Difficulty Coefficient: 100]

[Optional Objectives:]

[1. Identify the Ghost Type]

[2. Survive One Hunt]

[3. Witness a Paranormal Event and Live]

[4. Capture a Ghost Photo]

The moment the difficulty settings appeared, the livestream audience was stunned.

[Holy hell—zero evidence to ID the ghost?!]

[Missing one piece of evidence already drives me insane... ZERO?!]

[Starting with 60 sanity... if you’re unlucky and meet a vengeful spirit, you’re dead on spawn.]

[No wonder it’s ‘Ghost Immortal’ difficulty... glad I never tried it! It’s suicide!]

[Ghost speed is max, player speed is snail... Old Demon Lu, you did this on purpose!]

[The scariest part? Soul Cage is disabled—no hiding!]

[Wonder what the paranormal events are like at this difficulty...]

[I think the closet just moved...]

...

"Pathetic tricks."

The Nine Nether Venerable ignored the floating comments, stepping off the carriage without a single tool.

Exiting the carriage meant leaving the safe zone.

With only 60 sanity, the Fear Resonance Array’s effects hit hard.

He shuddered uncontrollably—a primal, physiological terror.

After a brief hesitation, he turned back and carefully selected a few high-tier tools from the carriage’s stash.

Lu Ze had been generous, stocking only the best equipment.

He had full confidence in the Heavenly Fragment Spirit’s power—if the Nine Nether Venerable didn’t wet himself, it’d be a miracle.

Better to give him some gear... so the Heavenly Fragment Spirit could toy with him longer.

After all,

once this livestream blew over, no one would dare challenge [Ghost Immortal] difficulty for a while...

[Ghost Immortal] was a unique difficulty, separate from the original game’s design.

Beyond the randomized conditions, the paranormal events alone were enough to break players.

But the most terrifying part?

In [Ghost Immortal] mode, players couldn’t easily trigger their real-world spiritual energy to disconnect from fear.

If other difficulties set the fear threshold for involuntary disconnection at 50,

here, it was 100.

No escape.

This was true, unrelenting horror.

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