I slowly swam to the shore, approaching that ghost. He looked utterly content, his hands leisurely propping up his body, legs spread comfortably to either side.
Suddenly, a mist-like substance appeared above the ghost’s head, and immediately, a vision materialized before my eyes.
I stared in surprise—a large fish was laying eggs among the riverbed’s algae, each egg crystal clear. Once the fish finished, it swam away.
After a while, the tiny fish inside the eggs began to break free. The vision froze on one little fish struggling to emerge from its shell.
Gradually, that little fish broke its bonds and started swimming joyfully in the water. It kept growing bigger and bigger.
“What is this?”
I stared in confusion. The scene shifted—a big fish swam in the current, then a fishing hook with bait appeared. The fish bit down without hesitation and was hauled up by someone.
A chill ran through me. Next, the fish’s belly was slit open, its organs scooped out. It thrashed, eyes rolling white, as it was chopped into pieces on the cutting board.
The vision ended. I stared at the ghost in shock as he gradually faded, turning into wisps of blue smoke that flowed into the Sanzu River.
I couldn’t make sense of it, but with no other choice, I climbed ashore again and rested for a minute. This time, I punched Desire Ghost, sending her flying into the water.
You're the most obedient, Desire Ghost. From now on, none of you are allowed to make a move—let Desire Ghost do it.
I said, Desire Ghost hit me in the chest, but it didn't hurt much.
As I swam, I encountered another ghost, this time a female spirit. She sat cross-legged on the riverbank, looking relaxed and carefree. I swam over and stopped.
Then, that white mist appeared again. This time, it showed an ant nest. I watched as a baby ant hatched from an egg and, like the others, joined the colony to search for food and bring it back.
The whole process happened quickly. Then, the vision shifted to what looked like a highway, where a group of laughing people walked by. With a sudden 'smack,' the ant was crushed underfoot, and the vision vanished.
The female ghost turned into a wisp of white smoke and entered the Sanzu River.
Could this be the next life?
I muttered to myself. After thinking it over, it must be the next life.
The third ghost I saw was an old spirit. His dream was to become a puppy, and he found a good home with a loving owner. In the end, he died of old age.
I swam, stopping from time to time, and witnessed scenes like this many times.
The Dream of Genesis and Finale—the dream of beginning and ending. Ethan, this is the dream of reincarnation.
I heard the voice—it was Grudge, from Grudgewood on the Road of the Yellow Springs, not far from the Sanzu River. He must know a lot; his voice carried a faint sadness.
Someday, when I am strong enough, I will make Grudgewood bloom with Red Spider Lilies again.
I said firmly. Grudge smiled. I kept swimming; now wasn't the time to dwell on reincarnation—I had to hurry to Netherhell and find Yuna Ji.
Still, I couldn't see the end. This river seemed endless.
I had no idea how many days had passed. All I could do was keep swimming, moving forward. Each time the scent of Red Spider Lily from the shore entranced me, the ghosts would knock me into the Sanzu River, and I'd snap out of it.
Now, whenever I set foot on shore, I lose all sense of myself. Maybe it's from inhaling too much Red Spider Lily scent. Even swimming in the river, I feel dizzy and sleepy.
I used up ghost energy much faster than my soul could replenish it, so I could only swim ten meters at a time before I had to go ashore to recover. But even holding my breath, the scent of Red Spider Lily still seeped into my nose.
I grew more exhausted. My eyelids began to tremble—I felt terrible. This up-and-down feeling, I hadn't felt tired like this since becoming a ghost.
Ethan, hang in there. We might be close.
Phoebe encouraged me. I grunted, paddled a few times, and with a splash, sank into the river. I snapped awake, surfaced, and spat out some water.
I can't go on. I need to rest on shore.
I said, then swam toward the shore.
Let me lie down for thirty seconds. Wake me up.
I said, but immediately, there was a series of slaps—Shadow Ghost gave me a few quick smacks. I didn't care; they didn't hurt. All I wanted was sleep.
Not even a second more, Ethan—wake up!
My mind was a hot, muddled mess. Soon, I closed my eyes, and my consciousness faded.
All around me was pitch black—nothing at all. I stared in surprise; I must have fallen asleep. Suddenly, I realized the danger: if I slept, I'd dream of reincarnation. I tried to wake up, pinched my cheeks, but nothing happened.
Just then, bursts of multicolored light flared around me. Bathed in the glow, the world before my eyes sharpened, but as it was about to take shape, the lights shattered and vanished with a crack.
Darkness—boundless darkness. Nothing at all.
Get out, you worthless thing.
I screamed, flailing in the icy river. My eyes snapped open and my limbs moved instinctively. What was that just now? The voice in my dream sounded furious, telling me to get out.
Ethan, you slept for hours—we were terrified, thought you'd reincarnated!
I smiled with relief. My body felt great and my ghost energy was fully restored.
Thank you, everyone.
I said, and kept swimming. I had no time to care about the ghosts dreaming of the Other Shore on the riverbank—I just swam forward with all my strength.
I must find Yuna Ji as soon as possible. The people in the magic world must have at least some intel on the Immortality Society, and Hu Tianshu will be there—he never misses a clue.
That was the only thought keeping me going. I had to find a way to save the Ghost Burial Squad, and I needed Vivian Ouyang to know that everyone would be safe.
Just then, I glimpsed a patch of black. I stared in surprise—it was a river mouth. On the left side of the Sanzu River, a tributary appeared, its water a ghostly green. It was the Styx River. I shouted with joy.
Finally made it.
I said, picking up my pace. On my left, I saw a sprawling range of rolling mountains, and the river flowed out from between them.
A few minutes later, I reached the river mouth and found that part of the Sanzu River flowed into the Styx River. This must be where Yuna Ji secretly dug an opening to the Sanzu River, trapping the ghosts killed in war in Netherhell to build her vast empire—hundreds of millions strong.
I clicked my tongue. With so many people, chaos was inevitable. Besides, Yuna Ji hadn't returned to Netherhell for a long time, and she'd even lost her power for a while.
She must be overwhelmed right now.
I looked around and swam into the river mouth leading to the Styx River. Oddly, the resistance disappeared. I couldn't fly, but swimming in this ghostly green water felt easy—still, I couldn't go ashore.
As I neared the mountains, I breathed a sigh of relief. I should be able to find Yuna Ji soon.
This river, dug to connect the Sanzu River, was over two meters wide. I smiled—Yuna Ji was clever, fighting the Underworld for souls right here. I heard they'd tried to wipe her out several times but failed. With undead residents and a steady supply of new soldiers, the Underworld couldn't win.
Soon, I entered the mountains. The mountains were black-green and barren, nothing on them. In the distance, I saw more rolling peaks.
I didn't know how long I'd been swimming when I heard a clanging sound, like metal striking metal—very clear. As I got closer, I saw groups of white skeletons busy at work. All around were domed huts made of bones. Many skeletons moved about, talking to each other.
Move faster! This base is key for sending out warriors. We’ll soon take Pink Fortress and end the reign of that foolish emperor, Yuna Ji. Let’s go, everyone!
Stunned, I stared at the skeletons. One giant skeleton with a horn on its back shouted loudly.
Many skeletons opened their jaws and shouted. I saw bone haulers pushing carts piled with bones—skulls, hands, feet. Ahead, a large pond, and by the pond, lots of crouching skeletons.
I think I’ve stumbled into somewhere really strange.
Then I saw a green flag marked with the character “West,” fluttering in the wind. Beneath it was a beheading image of a woman. I swallowed hard.