A violent sense of oppression pressed in from all directions. I stared quietly at the Asura King. All three of his heads turned forward, and he glared furiously at the Saint of the Underworld, his six fists clenched tight.
The Six Paths truly are the last resort of the underworld, and the Asuras can be a formidable force. At this moment, I noticed the ghosts who had emerged from the Six Paths, fighting against the beasts and the emperor gods. When they died, they did not turn to dust, but transformed into gentle white light. The black fragments on their bodies faded away, and they began to ascend.
The entire Netherhell lit up, as if countless fireflies were rising. Streams of light soared in waves, some near, some far. Indeed, after those beings died, they did not turn to dust, but just as the Saint of the Underworld said, they went to another realm—the Western Pure Land.
At this moment, the Asura King looked at me. I stared back at him.
"Shouldn't you have been dealt with by Hell already?"
I laughed.
"You should be worrying about yourself. If you die, you'll end up just like them."
As I spoke, the Asura King swept past the Saint of the Underworld with a whoosh, like a shadow welcoming him.
"Remember what you said, Ksitigarbha."
With a thunderous boom, I heard a deafening roar. Suddenly, gigantic fists tore through the black-green clouds in the sky, crashing down like falling meteors, accompanied by specks of light descending from above.
The sound of pounding echoed—indistinguishable, relentless attacks. At this moment, countless three-headed, six-armed Asuras burst out from the Asura Realm, rushing toward the battlefield.
"Unleash your dissatisfaction, your rage—anger will become your strength, your source! Let it all out! This is the feast of the living, the final stage!"
Six arms were raised high in the air, unleashing thunderous roars. Instantly, streaks of black shot past me like meteors. I smiled faintly, for I sensed a familiar presence among them.
With a whoosh, Mr. Brown was already standing before us.
"Long time no see, Earth Soul."
I nodded.
"Mr. Brown, you too. You went to the Six Paths for this, didn't you?"
I spoke with a joyful smile. Now, with the Asuras joining the fray, the entire battle had reversed. Those evil souls suppressed within the Six Paths were now freed, brimming with energy. I glanced at the Saint of the Underworld and smiled.
"I didn't expect you'd agree to John Chou's strategy. It's a strange feeling, honestly."
The Saint of the Underworld shook his head.
"The method provided by John Chou is only the last resort. But now there's no other way. I watched as the Human Realm and Divine Law descended—these two paths alone have yet to unleash any power."
"Indeed, the young master wanted me to persuade the Asura King, but it still required the Saint of the Underworld's approval. Earth Soul, I'm a bit worried about the young master's situation, so I'll head over now."
I responded with a grunt. Instantly, Mr. Brown radiated intense ghostly energy, transforming into a green streak and shooting off into the distance. The battle in Netherhell was growing fiercer. The emperor gods must have anticipated the underworld would release the Six Paths, but if the underworld delayed using this final trump card, it would be pointless. So they purposely used Weak Water to force the underworld's hand.
"Divine Law and Human Realm have yet to unleash any power—who are they saving it for?"
I asked, but the Saint of the Underworld didn't answer. Judge Bao of the Fifth Tribunal glanced at me; after I nodded, he transformed into a swift red beam and flew toward the Fourth Tribunal.
"Only eleven Buddha Statue of Visions?"
I asked. At this moment, I noticed one Buddha Statue of Visions radiating a presence far stronger than the other eleven. I gazed at it in awe.
"Back at Hidden Falls Temple, Master Abbot Fortune cared for me often. Now, Hidden Falls Temple no longer exists."
For a moment, sadness welled up in me. I clenched my fists, remembering the days at Hidden Falls Temple—they were truly happy times. Every day, Elder Frank Yuan would share stories with me, many of them fascinating.
"Abbot Fortune has fulfilled his selfless sacrifice—his worries were needless after all."
I responded with a grunt, but I was still puzzled about the whereabouts of the last Buddha Statue of Visions. I didn't dare ask.
"The last Buddha Statue of Visions will come. At the right moment, all twelve will gather together. This is our Buddhist sect's final strength and means."
"Is it to deal with the Wraithlord? Such power may not be enough!"
The Saint of the Underworld smiled and shook his head.
"Amitabha. The predecessors plant the trees, and the successors enjoy the shade."
With that, the Saint of the Underworld quietly sat down cross-legged. I looked back at the battlefield—there were still many beasts and ghosts attacking from other places, but we were no longer as passive. The battle now favored us, yet I couldn't figure out what the Immortality Society truly wanted.
I glanced again at the Saint of the Underworld, then decided to return to Lady Meng for a while—her condition was truly dire.
I began leaping through space, swiftly traversing the Netherhell battlefield. Forces from all sides clashed in chaos. The underworld's army, though still sizable, had retreated to the far side of the Styx River, seemingly regrouping.
Gradually, I reached the Styx Gate. Isabelle Frost was already there, her face deathly pale and her ghostly aura severely weakened. Mr. Brown's presence still lingered—he must have just left.
I landed beside Lady Meng. Isabelle Frost was crouched next to her. Lady Meng's body had begun to crack again—she would soon die, and she seemed to have lost her will to live. Isabelle Frost looked deeply worried.
"Xiao Yi, I've told you everything you need to know, and taught you all I could. Now, it's up to you. Guiding lost souls to reincarnation is crucial—let go of everything. If the outcome is good, all will be well; if not, there's nothing more we can do."
Isabelle Frost nodded, saying nothing. She seemed to have lived at the Bridge of Remorse for a long time, but I'd never heard her mention it. She and Lady Meng appeared to share a deep bond.
"I... understand, Lady Meng."
Isabelle Frost nodded. Lady Meng peacefully closed her eyes. My eyes widened as a gentle breeze swept past, leaving behind only a strange cane. Isabelle Frost grabbed it, and I sensed a change within her—the quality of her ghostly aura was different. Orange-red ghostly threads drifted around her as she gazed toward hell.
"Are you planning to go, Miss Yi?"
I asked, but Isabelle Frost drifted away without a word. Instantly, I teleported to her side, following her in flight. It was clear her emotions were in turmoil, even though she said nothing. I smiled at the road ahead, dark lightning crackling in my hand.
"Help me evade them if you can. My power can't truly affect Emperor God and Tan Tian, but at least I can find their weak points and link them together. If I can trap them for a moment, that'll be enough."
As I spoke, Isabelle Frost shook her head.
"You'd better hurry back to the Nether Syndicate. Things are dire there. Emperor God and his allies aren't just preparing a simple mirror above the city in the Yang Realm."