It had been a long time since I’d slept so peacefully. Resting on Rachel Lan’s lap, I drifted off quietly, feeling truly at ease. Everything felt solid and real.
I no longer hope for miracles to occur again and again, but now I can only rely on this illusory thing—the birth of a miracle. In this world, those who come after enjoy the shade of trees planted by those before, you reap what you sow.
In the boundless black space, I once again drifted to that bright white wall leading to Rachel Lan’s dreamspace. I wanted to enter, but stopped myself—the curse power had entered Rachel’s dreamspace through me, so I could no longer step into that sacred, pure place. That curse wanted to destroy everything inside.
It was a place as fragile as a newborn child, unable to withstand any turmoil. There were many things I wanted to ask the Wraithlord. Back then, the person Lan Yin met must have been him.
As I gazed quietly at that bright white wall, I felt an unusual calm in my heart. My thoughts were clear, and a bold idea sprang to mind. Though absurd and laughable, as long as there was even the slightest chance, I had to try to change everything.
"Brother, you’re planning something reckless again, aren’t you?"
A familiar voice sounded behind me. John Chou walked slowly to my side. I smiled and nodded.
"Are you going to try to stop me?"
"Go for it. There’s nothing in this world that can’t be done—as long as you use the right method. Is Lan Yin still the same as ever?"
I gave a low hum in response and chatted with John Chou about the past few days, then asked him a question.
"Did you really save Lan Yin because you sensed he possessed two instincts?"
"Don't get me wrong, brother. Those who wish to die, let them be. It wasn't me who saved him, but he saved himself. Even though it looked like I used Bloodbane Power, Lan Yin bore everything himself and managed to break the ice between him and his son, regaining family love. Although things fell apart later, he succeeded in that moment. That's how I see it."
I let out an 'oh' and stood up, somewhat surprised, looking at John Chou.
"That's how people of the Hades Circle are—in endless cycles of cruelty and reincarnation. Brother, do you remember when you broke the Trial Marriage Stone, and that thing appeared?"
I nodded.
"That guy said back then, if you want to blame someone, blame those ten families for being too greedy. In other words, the reason the Hades Circle bears such a cruel fate started with the ancestors of those ten families."
John Chou nodded.
"I once tried to destroy the Sanzu, and entered the Six Paths of Reincarnation. What I discovered there was shocking. Guess what?"
I stared quietly at John Chou, and a chill suddenly rose from deep within me.
"The more powerful you are as a Hades Circle Born, the less chance you have of reincarnating. You're just sent back to the Hades Circle again. Don't you think it's strange, brother? The Hades Circle is the largest sect in the supernatural world, with countless so-called geniuses. It's not that simple—they're just exceptional talents who keep re-entering the massive cycle of the Hades Circle, endlessly repeating the lives of their previous incarnations without ever realizing it."
I swallowed hard, and gradually, a surge of anger erupted from deep within me.
"It's the Infernal Judges..."
John Chou shook his head.
"Just remember this, brother. Don't talk about it carelessly. As for who committed such cruelty, the only clue is the Oath Island you just mentioned, known only to the Guides."
After John Chou finished speaking, he showed a strange smile, and then his body slowly dissolved into blood-red particles.
"Things are getting more and more interesting. Brother, this intel about Oath Island is crucial. Heh, I finally understand why some things exist."
John Chou vanished. He said nothing more. Maybe he had already figured something out about Oath Island, but he would never tell me before everything was exposed.
"Ethan, Ethan..."
A frantic shout jolted me awake from my stupor. The dim, yellow sunlight slanted through the window. Rachel Lan stood by the window, face anxious, pointing outside. I rushed to open the door and ran out.
In an instant, the scene before me made my face twist in shock—a city of black and white interwoven, tall city walls, the gate tightly shut, and inside, a strange aura was emanating.