The sky was a relentless gray, heavy and unmoving. Its oppressive hue seeped into my heart, making it hard to breathe. I stared quietly at Hades Circle ahead, recalling what he'd just said: Hell was trembling because of Tantian.
The only thing that came to mind was the Immortality Society joining forces with Tantian to seize the Wraithlord's soul fragment from Ethan Zhang, attacking the Shadow Realm to do so.
"That's exactly it," he said, chuckling. "Earthly Soul, you'd better start figuring out how to escape. Because once you truly merge with Hell's Eye, you'll become just a part of it—never again able to break free."
"If you want, think of a way to get me out of here."
I smiled and spoke. Hades Circle rested his chin on one hand, pretending to ponder for a moment before breaking into a mischievous grin.
"Of course there's a way," I replied, "but why should I help you? What do I gain from it?"
"What do you want out of this?"
I've tried countless times—I can't escape Hell's Eye's grasp. My body, my soul, everything has already fused with it.
"If that's the case, why don't you give me your power?"
Hades Circle just grinned, and I immediately shook my head.
Everything here was just as real as the living world. The shadow denizens bustled about. Before, I'd only known this place through Ethan Zhang's memories—now, seeing it with my own eyes felt surreal. Especially that pale blue tower ahead—that had to be Phantom Sage's domain. I decided to go have a look.
With a thought, I was suddenly at the foot of the tower. Everything was clear in my mind, yet what puzzled me most was the lack of any sign of war. Instead, there was a strange calm—nothing out of the ordinary at all.
I looked up at the tower, and with another thought, I was hovering outside its top floor. At the summit, Phantom Sage sat slouched in a chair, unmoving, staring into the distance, lost in thought. I drew closer—he had no idea I was standing right in front of him.
"Is war really about to break out? He looks so relaxed."
I wondered if I should visit the nine islands—the testing grounds of the shadow world. I focused, recalling their shapes from Ethan Zhang's memories.
In a flash, I was at the edge of the spiraling nine floating islands. I smiled and tried to move forward, but with a sudden bang, something stopped me—like running into a wall.
No matter how many times I tried, I couldn't reach the islands. Just as I was getting frustrated, Lady Meng's voice rang out again.
"As expected, you still can't see it. Forget it—come back, Ethan Zhang."
I snorted, refusing to return. Right now, I was a thought-form—created by the power of this colossal eye, able to see the shadow world.
"I'll go back, but will you really let me go?"
I cursed, then noticed someone approaching—it was Lady Meng, drawing closer.
"Old woman, let me go."
Lady Meng landed, and I shouted at her. She just stared in silence for a long moment before finally speaking.
"You can't afford a single moment of carelessness. You've met Hades Circle, haven't you, Earthly Soul?"
I shook my head at once. Lady Meng raised her cane and tapped me on the forehead.
"I had no choice but to bring you here, Earthly Soul. Though you're trapped, if you calm yourself, you can see much. Through Hell's Eye, you'll witness everything in the living world. Maybe then you'll understand why you're being held here."
"What do you mean? You locked me up and expect me to be willing? That's absurd—especially with war about to erupt. If I'd known, I would've just agreed with Redcloak and joined forces with Emperor God and the others."
Lady Meng raised her cane again and tapped my forehead once more.
"That hurts, old woman. Don't go too far."
But suddenly, a wave of dizziness washed over me. Lady Meng looked at me, startled.
"You'll just have to bear with it."
With a thud, Lady Meng struck my forehead with her cane for the third time. My head spun and I gradually drifted into unconsciousness.
The instant I opened my eyes, I was stunned. I was floating above a city, able to see everything below with perfect clarity—and what I saw was the shadow world.
As I stared in disbelief, a voice rang in my ear.
"Take a good look and see what's really happening in the shadow world."
It was Lady Meng's voice. I glanced around, and with a thought, I found myself standing on the street.
"Why do I have to watch these things for you?"
I muttered, and Lady Meng replied.
"Just remember everything you see. If you can figure out what Emperor God and the others are planning, I'll let you go."
"You could've just said that from the start. It's not like I don't want to help—just not like this."
I asked.
"Come back and we'll talk."
"I don't want to go back. You won't let me go if I do. I'd rather stay here—at least there's something to see."
As I spoke, I tried to move back to the city, but suddenly I bumped into something soft. Just as I looked up, a hand pressed against my chest.
"Trying to learn our plans with such a crude method? Isn't that a bit naive?"
My eyes widened—it was Emperor God, his face tinged with anger. I couldn't move at all; no matter how I tried, I couldn't escape his grasp. On either side of me appeared a dreamy blue mist and a cloud of flames—Phantom Sage and Sylvia Yan had arrived.
In an instant, the scene shifted. I found myself on a platform, surrounded by beams of gold, red, and blue light. The beams wove together, forming a cage that trapped me completely.
Emperor God released his grip. As soon as I broke free, I tried to move, but crashed straight into the cage.
"It's useless, Earthly Soul. You can't escape. They wanted to use Hell's Eye to uncover our plans, but they've failed."
I turned away—Lady Meng's voice was gone.
I had no choice but to approach Emperor God directly.
"What exactly is going on?"
"Only powers of similar strength can peer into this place."
I looked at Emperor God, even more perplexed.
"Origin, coexistence, and end—all are bound to the powers of you three. This is the shadow world of the dead. Once, there was nothing but dust here, but the three of us survived and changed everything. Still, the essence hasn't changed; in other words, it's the same as the true nature of your Endbringer's Power."
I listened, a bit dazed, then sat down and looked at the three before me.
"So what do you intend to do with me?"
"Now you know what kind of creatures the Underworld truly harbors, don't you?"
I grunted in response.
"They really are a bunch who never keep their word. Maybe you three are better. I heard from Phantom Sage's men that you can descend into Hell in an instant—must be through Hell's Eye!"
Emperor God looked surprised. Sylvia Yan nodded.
"That's right. Through Hell's Eye. The Underworld used this trick to send your thought-form here, just to confirm it."
I shook my head helplessly.
"So what do you want me to do? Or what should I tell the Underworld when I return?"
"You're clever, Earthly Soul. Work with us. Everything we're doing is to end this war quickly. For you—and for all three of you—it's an incredible opportunity."
I stood up and looked seriously at Emperor God. He wasn't joking.
"Then tell me—what's this incredible opportunity you're offering?"
I acted as if I was all ears. Emperor God glanced at Phantom Sage, and the scene instantly changed. In the blink of an eye, I was standing by a sunlit lake, surrounded by birdsong and flowers. Behind me was a forest, before me a stream, and on a round table sat a bottle of wine.
"Please."
Emperor God gestured. I nodded and sat down.
"Where are Phantom Sage and Sylvia Yan?"
I asked, but the two were already gone.
"Everything I say represents them as well. Earthly Soul, I have a proposal: if you agree, once this conflict ends, you three can become the supreme rulers of Hell."
I stared, then burst out laughing.