After the two soul fragments entered Old Second's body and examined his soul, they found his soul curled up in a corner.
"You two are here," Old Second said in shock when he saw them.
"Old Second, what's wrong with you?" Old Eight asked.
"I... I don't know what that guy fed me, but after I ate it, I just couldn't wake up anymore," Old Second said.
"Can't wake up? How is that possible? Try again," Old Eight urged.
Old Second tried many times but still couldn't manage it. He shook his head helplessly and said, "Still no luck."
"Let's try outside and see if we can wake you up," Old Eight said. So he and Old Nine exited, opened their eyes outside, and tried to wake Old Second, but there was no reaction at all.
"Old Eight, what's up?" someone asked, genuinely confused.
Old Eight shook his head helplessly. "Damn it, this is troublesome. Looks like we can't wake him up."
"Then won't Old Second be stuck like this forever?" The others were shocked.
His soul's still there, but his body won't respond. Guess we'll need another solution," Old Eight muttered.
Suddenly, the whole mountain started shaking, and everyone jumped in shock.
"What's going on?" Old Eight shouted, startled.
"No clue. Let's check outside," Old Nine said. Old Eight and Old Nine went out, leaving the rest to wait in the cave.
Stepping outside, they froze—someone was standing in the void. Evan Yang pointed his sword at them and grinned, "Hey, everyone."
"Y-you..." Old Eight stammered, terrified.
"You’re not getting away today. Better tell me how to leave this place—maybe you’ll get to live. If not, well, that’s your problem," Evan Yang said with a smirk.
"Old Eight, I'll grab Big Brother. Hold things down here—if it gets bad, we use the backup plan," Old Nine said.
Old Eight nodded, and Old Nine left. Evan Yang raised an eyebrow, "What, going to snitch? Fine, I'll wait right here."
Soon, Old Nine came back to the cave. Big Brother had been woken by the shaking and saw Old Nine return. "What's happening?" he asked, puzzled.
"Don't ask, Big Brother. That guy's here," Old Nine said.
Everyone went pale. Big Brother frowned, "How did he find us? Does he have some kind of tracking skill?"
"Now’s not the time for that. Big Brother, figure out how to deal with him," Old Nine said, brow furrowed.
"We'll use the old plan—lure him over there," Big Brother said, wincing from his injuries.
Everyone headed outside, and the other seven appeared. Evan Yang smiled, "Hey again. Like I said, you can't run."
"I don't know how you tracked us down, but we don't want to fight anymore. Here's the deal: I'll tell you how to get to the Nether Sky Realm, and you let us go," Big Brother said.
"Huh?" Evan Yang blinked, surprised at their quick surrender, then smiled.
"Head east, keep walking—you'll see ten mountains. They surround a cave; go in and you'll reach the Nether Sky Realm," Big Brother explained.
"That easy?" Evan Yang asked, skeptical.
"Yep, that's all there is to it. Now you can go," Big Brother replied.
"Alright, I'm out. But if you're lying, I'll be back," Evan Yang said, flashing a grin before vanishing.
After Evan Yang left, Old Eight let out a shaky breath. "That guy's scary as hell," he muttered.
"Pack up! We need to get out of here. If he comes back, we're screwed," Big Brother said.
"Relax, Big Brother. He won't make it back. You know what kind of place that is? It's insanely dangerous—even his soul won't escape," Old Eight said, laughing.
"Just in case!" Big Brother said, still uneasy about Evan Yang.
They packed up and left with Old Second, while Evan Yang had already reached the so-called ten mountains.
At the foot of the ten mountains, Evan Yang saw a massive formation, its energy pulsing from every peak.
Evan Yang muttered, "That's some serious setup—ten mountains just for an entrance?"
Curious, Evan Yang stepped in to check out the formation, only to find himself in a world of swirling mist.
"A maze formation?" That was Evan Yang’s first thought. Then wild winds and rain hit, thunder roared, and lightning crashed down on him.