The morning dew wine on the table gave off a seductive aroma. I raised my glass and drank occasionally. The turmoil in Hell had finally settled, and even the Hell Wardens had quieted down.
Eugene Smithson was still tirelessly forging swords, while Jade Zeng hovered at my side like a servant. I didn’t know how much longer I’d be trapped here. I had to return soon and use my current power to help Ms. Rachel, to guide the Styxwater toward Infernal Hell.
I tried to sense the exit of this place, but everywhere felt unbearably heavy—there was simply no way out. It seemed that only the two gates, the Hades Circle and the Ninefold Abyss, connected to the Underworld.
I was still pondering what Black Moon truly wanted. The conditions he offered were impossible for me to accept. I wasn’t as gullible as Ethan Zhang. Black Moon was certainly scheming something. Now that things had stabilized, I should be able to leave.
"Master, would you like me to bring you something to eat?"
Jade Zeng asked softly. I nodded, and she bowed before leaving at once. I stood up and quickly walked to Eugene Smithson’s sword-forging platform. The violet sword looked nearly finished, its blade radiating a fierce, supernatural aura.
"Mr. Smithson, do you know what they’re planning?"
I asked. Eugene Smithson glanced around, then shook his head.
"You must be careful, Ms. Rachel. All these Hell Wardens are far from ordinary. As for Black Moon, he’s the most devious among them."
I acknowledged with a quiet sound, planning to ask Black Moon to take me away when he arrived.
After a while, Jade Zeng returned with plenty of dishes. I ate and drank alone; Black Moon still hadn’t come back.
"What do you think I should do next?"
I asked. Jade Zeng looked puzzled, hesitated for a moment, then formally bowed before me.
"Master, I believe our current plan is immature. It would be better to plant spies in the major sects first. The same goes for the other worlds—we’ll need to send people in."
I nodded.
"Tell me your thoughts in detail."
Jade Zeng began to explain. At present, it’s impossible to know the situation with the Emperor God and that region of darkness—they’ve already sealed off all means of entry, making it extremely difficult to get in.
Meanwhile, the Living World has suffered such a catastrophe that all factions will surely join forces for a time, preparing countermeasures. Trying to deploy Infernal Weapons using fragments of Divine Law from the Yin-Yang realms will be difficult.
Hearing this, I was surprised. The place I sat in now did indeed emanate a trace of Divine Law, but Black Moon hadn’t told me about such a plan.
"So if I gave you an Infernal Weapon, what would you..."
As soon as I spoke, Jade Zeng shook her head.
"Those weapons choose their masters. Only lost souls who can draw the sword are worthy of owning one. Master, what’s gotten into you today? Please don’t mock your servant."
I smiled and shook my head.
"You don’t want to possess such a weapon?"
Jade Zeng shook her head.
"I am not qualified."
I fell into deep thought. Earlier, Yixue Han had told me that although the Divine Law and the Human Realm had already fallen, the materials for building the Six Paths remained. So, Yixue Han planned to use the original Divine Law and Human Realm to reconstruct the Reincarnation Passage.
The platform beneath me was a part of Divine Law. If the Reincarnation Passage in the Yin-Yang realms could be rebuilt, they could deploy those Infernal Weapons into the Living World.
At that moment, Black Moon finally returned. I gestured to Jade Zeng, who bowed and left. I stood up as Black Moon unfolded a barrier.
"What’s the matter, Rachel Lan? If you need anything, just let her bring it to you."
"Why didn’t you tell me about deploying Infernal Weapons?"
I asked, my tone somewhat harsh. Black Moon could only gesture helplessly.
"I didn’t think such a trivial matter was worth telling you."
I stared at Black Moon, and he immediately smiled.
"I’ll take you somewhere. Don’t doubt me, Rachel Lan. I told you it would only take a few more days. There are still a few wardens who don’t trust the situation and plan to come in person."
I nodded, still not trusting Black Moon.
Black Moon began to float. I followed, not knowing where he was taking me, but I was ready for battle at any moment. Wrapped in the power of Hell, my strength, now harmonized by the nine Ghost Souls, had transformed yet again.
"You might suspect I still have a plan, hiding something from you, or even trying to trap you in Hell. Unfortunately, with my current abilities, that’s impossible. You know better than I do just how powerful you are."
I nodded slightly.
"So how much longer before I can leave this place?"
"Three days at most, Rachel Lan. Trust me—we’re here."
At that moment, I saw a bright, mirror-like surface appear before me. Soon, a silhouette of a black dog’s head floated across its reflection.
"I’m taking you into the Mirror World. Zachary Justice has something important to tell you."
I murmured an acknowledgment. Black Moon raised a hand, and the dog’s head on the mirror dissolved into drifting black mist. As Black Moon stepped aside, I plunged into the mirror’s surface. The last time I entered the Mirror World, everything I experienced was still vivid in my memory.
After a flash of white light, I found myself in a good mood, gazing at a vast blue ocean and a pristine white beach. After just one day in Hell, I could barely stand its oppressive sights and the constant surge of negative emotions rising from the ground.
I stretched out comfortably, and a gentle breeze swept past, mingling with streams of white air. Zachary Justice appeared before me.
"Taoist, what is it you need to discuss with me?"
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Zachary Justice smiled and nodded, then took out a colorful stone resembling a dove egg and handed it to me. Without thinking, I accepted it—it was just an ordinary stone.
Zachary Justice didn’t answer, only smiled gently and nodded, as if telling me to keep the Rainbow Dove Stone. I had no idea what it was, but I nodded back. Then Zachary Justice turned into a stream of white air and vanished.
I gazed at the vast ocean, its surface sparkling with crystal light, and sat comfortably on the beach. I wondered why Zachary Justice hadn’t spoken to me—aside from the Rainbow Dove Stone he handed over, he was like the wind, vanishing after giving me the item.
"You can rest for a while, Rachel Lan. You haven’t slept in days, have you?"
Black Moon’s voice came from behind me. I lay down on the sand. After Black Moon exited through a door, he vanished. I did want to sleep, but felt I could go without it just fine.
Still, I decided to get a good sleep. The sunlight was warm but not hot, and a gentle current seemed to flow into my body as I placed the stone in my pocket.
Gradually, drowsiness crept in, and I soon fell asleep.
In a haze, I sensed a faint disturbance. I opened my eyes, instantly wide with shock.
"Mona Ouyang, is that you?"
I looked around, finding myself in a familiar dream I’d often visited—leaning against a tree by a small stream, surrounded by a sea of flowers and grass under a clear sky. I’d seen this scene many times before; it was Mona Ouyang’s Core Dream.
"Mona Ouyang!"
I called out again, but all around was silent except for the rustling of flowers and grass in the wind. I pinched my cheek—it hurt, but I knew I was truly inside Mona Ouyang’s Core Dream.