I quietly attune myself to everything around me. Streams of light in different colors brush past my side as I sit atop the roof, feeling the presence of souls nearby. All kinds of souls drift about, and over the past few days, I've gradually learned to communicate with them. My perception and understanding have become completely different from before.
Before my eyes is a vibrant, kaleidoscopic world. Everything I can see and feel is constantly evolving. Although my current power can't accomplish much, I know well enough that I just need to do as I always have—observe this world, understand it, and ultimately accept everything.
"Heavenly Soul, come eat something now."
I smile and open my eyes, seeing 001 behind me, already finished preparing food. Recently, I've learned to eat a little, though it hardly matters whether I do or not. There's not much to do in this world.
001 yawns, sets down the wine and some meat, and heads straight downstairs to sleep. Whenever she gets sleepy, I know it's daytime in the Living World.
"Thanks."
I said, and 001 waved her hand, heading downstairs. She's been happy these past few days because I promised her I wouldn't leave—not until we find a way to stop the Forsaken's power from leaking into the Living World.
I start eating. The taste is mediocre, but 001 has been working hard to prepare food lately, and I've been helping. Cooking isn't my strong suit; it always feels difficult. For me, I twist open the wine and take a sip—it tastes as unpleasant as ever. I don't really like it.
The sky gradually darkens. I tilt my head up and look at the moon, now visible. Every night, the moon is the same—round and bright. The Spirit of the Mountain has already left; these souls can't linger for long. After a while, they return to nature and fall into slumber.
I've already checked the stones formed from the dead gods. There's almost no power left in them. It seems the Emperor God took everything he could.
At that moment, I sensed something strange. Moonlight spilled across the tabletop, and a thin black shadow appeared.
I immediately looked up and noticed a dark shape moving across the moon—an animal-like shadow. I stood up, ready for battle, as the shadow suddenly shifted from the moon and moved toward me.
"Celestial Hound."
As I spoke, a large black dog with golden-red eyes stood before me, its long shadow stretching across the floor. I clenched my fist.
"Good evening, Heavenly Soul!"
"What are you here for?"
I stared at Black Moon, fist clenched. Though I have little power now, both the Celestial Hound and Black Moon are similarly weakened. Black Moon, as a minion of Hell, is my enemy.
Black Moon shook its head, then retreated several steps. I moved forward, raising a hand toward Black Moon's head, but suddenly saw a shadow—Celestial Hound bit my hand, but didn't clamp down.
"Wait, Heavenly Soul. We mean no harm."
I glared hungrily at Black Moon. Black Moon raised a hand and produced a bright white orb, covered in root-like tendrils that writhed and twisted.
"What do you mean by that?"
"I'm here to return this Origin instinct to you, of course."
I glared at Black Moon, teeth clenched. He raised his hand, and sure enough, what he held was the Origin instinct I once possessed.
"Hmph, since when are you so generous?"
Black Moon stepped up to me, and the Celestial Hound loosened its grip. I didn't accept it, because this instinct isn't truly mine—it's Hell's.
"Plans have changed. I can't keep this Origin instinct for long, because Hell has vanished."
My eyes widened as Black Moon beamed, holding the Origin out to me again.
"How did you even get here?"
I was curious about how Black Moon managed to come here. A being like him shouldn't be able to cross over, restricted by metaphysical laws. Black Moon shook his head.
"I truly couldn't have come here, but thanks to the Emperor God and his use of Dark Mirror Projection, I had a chance to enter this world and give you the Origin. Ethan Zhang has returned."
I looked at Black Moon in surprise.
"Wasn't he already devoured? His will?"
Black Moon shook his head.
"Unfortunately, that stubborn one has completely suppressed Hell's will and is preparing to return."
I looked at Black Moon with a hint of joy.
"Then what do you mean by all this? What exactly is Mirror Projection?"
Black Moon began explaining. I'd heard that Rachel Lan and Tan Tian destroyed the Shadow Realm, and it was true—unfortunately, all they destroyed was an empty shell. The Emperor God had already poured their stored power into the Styx Sea.
In the Styx Sea, countless dormant beasts lie in wait. Their forms are modeled after the beasts of the dreamscape, reflected through the Dark Mirror and then projected onto the transformed Yinfolk, turning them into true supernatural beasts able to appear in both the Yin and Yang worlds. Now, large-scale projections have begun, and the beasts will soon emerge from the Styx Sea, heading straight for the Bridge of Remorse.
"What's wrong, Heavenly Soul? Even if you go back now, you still can't stop anything. Hurry up and take it—I can only stay here at night, and the Emperor God has probably noticed. Next time, I won't be able to come."
I hesitated, looking at Black Moon.
"Don't worry, Heavenly Soul. For now, this instinct won't leave unless its true master fully awakens. Hell still needs a trigger to wake up."
I reached out, but quickly shook my head.
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"If you take the Origin, you'll at least be able to do many things. I don't know what kind of power you have now, but it can only help you, right?"
I was deeply unwilling to become Hell's tool again. Black Moon smiled faintly and leaned his head closer.
"Next time, just make sure this instinct doesn't disappear so easily."
I pressed my hand onto the Origin. Instantly, a familiar sensation flooded my body. In my mind, a forest of towering trees appeared. My body gained substance, and I felt power returning. But then I noticed a hand piercing my chest, pulling out a stream of black energy.
With a bang, I grabbed Black Moon's neck. The black substance in my hand was instantly sealed away by the power of the Origin.
"What do you mean by that?"
I asked, and Black Moon immediately shook his head innocently.