Tunjiu squatted on the ground, brushed aside the fallen leaves with his hand, grabbed a handful of soil, squeezed it in his palm, and said.
"Who would have thought that this place was actually created by the Underworld?"
"Oh, looking at you, you must be a Buddhist cultivator. The resentment on you is too heavy. If this goes on, I'm afraid you'll fall into the Hell Realm."
"Master Kui, you don't need to tell me. As a monk, I know very well where I'll end up after death. The others here must also have some self-awareness."
I looked at the other four, all showing helpless expressions.
"And you, the aura on you isn't something a human should have. I didn't expect that after hundreds of years away from the mortal world, humans could become like this."
Zhong Kui was referring to Heimiàn. Heimiàn shrugged helplessly.
"What humans are capable of is far beyond your imagination. You were once human yourself, so you should know."
"Old Zhong Kui, enough talk. I have urgent matters to attend to. Please, go back."
Shen Yanjun said impatiently. Zhong Kui burst out laughing. I asked a question.
"Daoist Zhong Kui, what you said about Yin Chou using this place to find instinct—what exactly does that mean?"
As for Zhong Kui, all I know is from folklore. He is said to be the only deity who always answers prayers, so much so that even the King of Hell must show him respect. He is known for being upright and uncompromising.
"Hmph, Shen Yanjun, let me finish what I have to say before you go about your business. It won't take much time, and after all, this young man is closely connected to you seven."
As soon as Zhong Kui finished speaking, Shen Yanjun's face changed drastically, his gaze turning fierce. I anxiously looked at Zhong Kui, supporting Old Ren as I stood up.
"Because humans belong to the yang, possessing the seven emotions and six desires. After death, they must be judged in the underworld. Only after being sentenced and cast into the hells that cleanse their sins, and once their atonement is complete, can they reincarnate, starting from the lowest beasts and slowly working their way up to become human again."
I nodded. The others listened intently as Zhong Kui explained why this place exists.
According to Zhong Kui, once souls have suffered in hell and their sins are washed away, they can reincarnate. Before reincarnation, they must drink a bowl of Lady Meng's Elixir, because souls are among the purest entities in the world, containing no impurities.
Once a ghost drinks Lady Meng's Elixir, its scattered three souls will recondense, enter the Six Realms, and begin the cycle of rebirth. The purpose of the elixir is to purify the ghost, completely cleansing everything from its previous life. It's not about forgetting; the truth is far less obscure than folklore suggests.
A person's seven emotions and six desires—their most fundamental traits—will reemerge once they gain consciousness again. All the power generated from these desires is transferred to this world through Lady Meng's Elixir.
For hundreds of years, as human desires have continually been cleansed by Lady Meng's Elixir, and with the combined effort of the Ten Kings of Hell, those desires have flowed into this place. Bit by bit, this world was born. Hearing this, I asked a question.
"Then what would happen if this place was never created?"
Quentin Kue gave a low chuckle. "Heh, the world would descend into chaos." As he spoke, Lord Shenyan turned to face him.
"Old bastard, are you done rambling yet?"
"You know this as well as I do, Lord Shenyan. If the fundamental desires of these souls aren't entirely shifted into the Desire Realm, the consequences would be disastrous."
Everyone turned to Lord Shenyan. He responded coldly.
"Newborn souls are fragile. They simply can't bear the burden of all these desires. If we don't transfer them to this side, those reborn with the full weight of passion and longing might die at birth. Typically, after reincarnation, their first and only desire is to eat—to survive. It's a necessary step."
Quentin Kue continued, "This world grows ever larger—not because it is boundless, but because the desires that build it are endless. Human longing knows no limit."
Nearly a thousand years ago, seven malevolent ghosts escaped from Abyssal Hell—the Seven Ghost Sovereigns, including John Chou. Though powerful, they went into hiding to evade the Underworld Court's pursuit.
Back then, the Seven Ghost Sovereigns were nowhere near as strong as the Underworld Court.
"I fought all seven of them in Abyssal Hell and was gravely wounded. That battle dragged on for three years and seven months. In the end, I was left battered, and the seven escaped."
As Quentin Kue spoke, Lord Shenyan's face twisted in embarrassment. Then Quentin burst out laughing.
"You Seven Ghost Sovereigns are quite something, Lord Shenyan. Don't sell yourself short. That was the first time in the ghostly realm that I truly enjoyed a fight."
"Hmph. Quentin Kue, there's no point in talking anymore. The seven of us only joined forces against you out of desperation, after all..."
"You seven, locked away in a place like Abyssal Hell, must have been tormented to exhaustion. I heard you never confessed, no matter the torture. Out of mercy, I planned to plead with the other Yama Kings to send you to the Hell Path instead."
As Quentin Kue recounted this tale, Lord Shenyan's face darkened. I listened in silence, the story weighing heavily in the air.
In Abyssal Hell, there is only endless agony. Even if a sinner confesses, there is no release—only the fate of becoming part of the hell itself. But not one of the Seven Ghost Sovereigns ever admitted guilt. Eternal torment seemed almost routine for them.
Quentin Kue had descended into Abyssal Hell several times, even trying to persuade them to confess.
"Lord Shenyan, back then I noticed that woman—her power was strange. It was because of her that you managed to hold out against me for three years and seven months. But I never found a chance to take her out. You and Ber Ziran worked together to keep me at bay. Especially John Chou—he was truly cunning. Was it his idea to deal with me that way?"
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My heart skipped a beat as I recalled John Chou's ever-mocking smile. Lord Shenyan nodded slightly.