At this moment, Abyssal Hell had completely become the domain of the Ghost Sovereigns. Countless skeletons wandered about, each now possessing self-awareness, and their memories no longer vanished with each shift in time and space.
More and more skeletons, influenced by Yuna Ji's power, continuously emerged from the underground caverns. The Ghost Sovereigns began to disperse, each focusing on strengthening their own abilities.
Where once they gathered weekly, now it was only once a month.
Every half-month, prisoners were escorted in. The skeletons imbued with Basil Bertram's power would go to receive them, and the Hell Registrars bringing the prisoners noticed nothing amiss.
Events were developing in unpredictable ways. The Underworld Court had never imagined that, while they intended to imprison the Seven Ghost Sovereigns forever, those very Sovereigns would find a way to turn Abyssal Hell into their own domain.
The Wraithlord and I watched everything quietly. Yuna Ji seemed like a different person now, as if influenced by another Yuna Ji within her. In just a few months, she had unified all the skeletons, imposing strict order and transforming them into an army.
Under the leadership of several army commanders, they had already begun actual combat drills, growing more and more like a real military force. The souls trapped in Abyssal Hell were far from weak.
"When the Underworld Court finally reacts, years will have passed, and it will be too late. That's how the world works—uncertainty is the only constant. Don't you agree, Earth Soul?"
The Wraithlord asked, and I nodded.
Suddenly, the scene before my eyes shifted. In an instant, I was standing inside a grand hall, facing Judge Bao of the Fifth Tribunal, who sat before me, his expression stern and commanding.
"How is your consciousness able to reach this place?"
I cried out in surprise, but quickly realized what was happening—this was an instinctive ability, allowing one's consciousness to traverse past and present memories.
"You don't need to worry about that. Under my influence, instinct can't function here. Otherwise, you might witness the Ghost Sovereigns' true instincts. But if they don't appear, can you sense or see them?"
I murmured in response, then the Wraithlord and I stepped aside. The Wraithlord's consciousness could even cover the Underworld Court, so he likely knew much more than he revealed. Just then, at the far end of the grand hall, a ghost drifted in through the doorway—Quentin Kue.
"Nathan Chung, you've gone to the Living World without permission again."
A hearty laugh echoed through the hall. Judge Bao's face showed a hint of anger as Quentin Kue landed and strode forward, clasping his hands and bowing respectfully.
"That's just my nature, Judge Bao. But why did things turn out differently from what we agreed upon? Those seven—if they could be reformed and used by us, it would be a blessing for the entire Underworld Court. Why did you sentence them to Abyssal Hell?"
Quentin Kue looked at Judge Bao, a hint of frustration in his eyes.
"Their deeds warranted their sentence to Abyssal Hell."
Quentin Kue sneered and shook his head.
"Judge Bao, there's no one else here. I want to hear your real reason. Without the Seven Ghost Sovereigns to maintain balance, chaos has erupted in the Living World. I've dealt with many rampaging ghosts along the way. Why does the Underworld Court turn a blind eye?"
Faced with Quentin Kue's question, Judge Bao remained silent, simply staring at him.
"Indeed, the Seven possess extraordinary power. If the Underworld Court could use them as agents in the Living World, they could help manage the ghosts. Nathan Chung, that's why you've never acted against them. But have you considered how many here in the Underworld Court share your view?"
Quentin Kue laughed.
"I can't ignore the ghosts causing havoc in the Living World. I've watched those seven for a long time—none show signs of rebellion. What they seek is different from ordinary ghosts, so I want to talk with them. It's all for lasting peace in the Living World."
"Great power often brings the collapse of order, Nathan Chung. None of those seven are the type to submit. Besides, there are many opportunists here in the Underworld Court looking to use them for their own ends. That's why I sentenced them to Abyssal Hell—it's the only way to ensure lasting peace. Nathan Chung, don't bring this up again."
The smile vanished from Quentin Kue's face, replaced by anger.
"Let me speak with them, Judge Bao. Tell me—where are they imprisoned, in which time and space?"
Judge Bao remained silent, and Quentin Kue stared at him in silence. After a long moment, Quentin Kue turned and walked away.
"Where are you going, Nathan Chung?"
"Slay the ghosts."
As he spoke, Quentin Kue drifted out of the Fifth Tribunal, instantly transforming into a streak of red light and vanishing. Judge Bao's face was full of mixed emotions, but above all, there was resignation in his eyes.
The scene shifted again. Suddenly, my eyes widened as I gazed down at a small city flooded with Yin energy. Everywhere, man-eating ghosts roamed, bones littered the ground, and all around, everything had withered away.
"This city is a reflection of the Living World back then. Ghosts began vying for supremacy, occupying every corner. Some practitioners tried to intervene and deal with these evil ghosts, but their efforts were nothing more than a drop in the ocean."
I stood silently beside the Wraithlord, watching as the world below kept changing. I saw countless ghosts wandering the Living World—even in broad daylight, some had already possessed humans. The entire world had fallen into utter chaos.
"Ghosts are obsessed with humans, because they once were human. You should know what death feels like."
I murmured in agreement. Indeed, when a person dies and becomes a ghost, it must be unbearable suffering. Ghosts are inherently hostile to humans. Thinking of Zhang Qingyuan's hope for coexistence, I realized it was nothing but a beautiful illusion.
This chapter is not over ^.^, please click next page to continue reading!
Ghosts and humans cannot coexist. Even if they do for a time, as history surges forward, they will inevitably stand opposed.
The chaos in the Living World lasted nearly ten years. Corpses lay everywhere, and more and more ghosts appeared. Yet the Underworld Court did little. I watched Quentin Kue move alone through the Living World, endlessly slaying ghosts that harmed people, always solitary.
Yet no matter what, the number of ghosts kept growing. Eventually, the practitioners joined forces. After nearly ten years of chaos, the Underworld Court finally acted—legions of Yin soldiers emerged to capture the rampaging ghosts in the Living World.
It was as if everything had been preordained. A new dynasty was founded, the wars ended, and peace returned to the Living World.
I silently watched the changes sweeping across the land, everything flashing rapidly before my eyes. The Wraithlord's smile grew even wider. Suddenly, the scene shifted again—we were back in Abyssal Hell.
I stared in surprise at a glowing green gate. Hordes of skeletons marched through it, and every soul in Abyssal Hell had become a soldier under Yuna Ji.
The Seven Ghost Sovereigns looked different now—their expressions had changed completely. Though only a century had passed, they had mastered their powers, and their instincts had awakened.
"Brother Yin, it's time to leave."
Basil Bertram spoke, and John Chou nodded. They had figured out how to escape: a Hell Registrar must enter from outside, bearing a Royal Edict from Judge Bao. Once inside, they would seize the Edict from the Registrar—only then could they leave.
John Chou raised a hand to his chest, and the other Ghost Sovereigns did the same. They planned to remove the Underworld Court's brand engraved on them. If they succeeded, the Court would know instantly.
"Get ready, everyone. Soon someone will come down. Whoever it is, stick to the plan we devised."
The last group of skeletons entered Yuna Ji's Nether Shadow Realm. She laughed with satisfaction, her voice echoing.
"John Chou, who do you think will come in? The Ten Marshals of Hades, or the Four Grand Judges? The word's already out—I'm sure the Underworld Court is aware."
Yuna Ji spoke, and John Chou shook his head.
"Hmph, whoever comes, I've been holding back my rage for over a century—it's time they felt it."
Redhair said, and Lord Shen Yan added.
"Don't underestimate them. Stick to the tactics we planned. Our goal is only to seize Judge Bao's Royal Edict, escape from Abyssal Hell, and return to the Living World."
At that, all the Ghost Sovereigns turned to Ouyang Meng.
"Brother Ouyang, are you sure the route is correct?"
Ouyang Meng smirked slyly.
"Don't worry. I've had Third Eye investigate the Styx Gate and Bridge of Remorse. Just remember the plan—when the time comes, we'll double back on the Underworld Path to the Living World. It's the safest way. Once we're in the Living World, no one can threaten us, not with our current power."
John Chou sneered, glancing at the doorway. Then, with a sudden motion, he erased the Underworld Court's brand from his chest. The other Ghost Sovereigns did the same.
"It's starting, everyone."
John Chou grinned fiercely. In that instant, the Seven Ghost Sovereigns vanished into ghostly mist. Abyssal Hell was empty now—only four torture pits remained, nothing else, not even a sound. It was as silent as a monstrous maw waiting for prey.