All of this is contradictory, irreconcilable contradictions. Humans may be born from ghosts, but ghosts threaten humans. Humans and ghosts can only exist separated by the boundaries of yin and yang, living in two different worlds.
"So, is there a solution? Have you thought of one?"
I asked, and the Serpent King shook his head.
"The Infernal Judges haven't revealed much to us."
I looked at the Serpent King in surprise.
"So, which side are you on in this war?"
"We won't participate in this war, but we'll assist from the sidelines. Most importantly, we'll protect the peace of the Animal Realm. There are too many ghosts here—if anything happens to the Animal Realm, they'll all die. Even though they can't reach reincarnation yet, someday there will be a way."
I sighed. My stomach was growling, but I had no appetite.
"Then what about all the new lives born in the Living World every year..."
"It's the power released by Divine Law that allows life to continually descend into the world. The supreme Divine Law holds absolute authority within the Six Paths."
"But those guys in the Asura Realm really are cruel. Faced with all this, they refuse to lend a hand—even though the Six Paths were created together."
The Tabby Cat King muttered, and I looked at the Serpent King.
"It's true. If the Asura Realm were willing to bear some responsibility, the pressure on the Three Evil Paths would be less. But for a thousand years, very few have entered the Asura Realm. I don't know what criteria they use to judge who qualifies, but if they allowed more of the bold and combative to enter, the power of the Hell Realm wouldn't be so strong. Right now, the Hell Realm is about to erupt—the most dangerous of all is the Hell Realm."
"It's too late to say anything now. When Ksitigarbha established the Six Paths, he only thought about equality for all beings—and he did save countless suffering souls by creating the Six Paths. But he never considered the burden each realm would bear. And the Buddhist world isn't an open door; only those who truly hear the Buddha can enter. As for the Tao, it's even stingier—only those of the Taoist sect can enter."
I looked at the Tabby Cat King, who seemed to be complaining. The Serpent King nodded.
"Under that shroud of darkness, the light of Buddhism and Taoism can no longer easily reach the Living World. Only those within the Buddhist and Taoist sects can sense and see their light."
As the Serpent King spoke, I thought of Zachary Justice. He was always kept outside the door of Tao, never recognized by it, and died without acceptance—never able to enter the Tao. Or maybe, he never truly accepted the Tao himself. Compared to Zachary Justice, many more souls are still struggling in the Three Evil Paths, unable to reincarnate, forced to endure everything forever.
"None of this makes sense. Doesn't the Divine Law..."
Suddenly, I thought of the Heavenly Soul. His gaze always remained detached, unwilling to get involved—an outsider to it all.
"The Divine Law cannot tolerate even a grain of sand. That's what it is—absolute power, like the ruler of the Six Paths. It turns a blind eye to everything below, just a vast machine designed to release pure power and ensure the birth of life in the world."
Now I finally understood what was wrong with the Six Paths.
"Ethan Zhang, maybe you really do have a way to change all of this."
"Me?"
I looked at the Serpent King in surprise. He didn't say more, only told me to wait here—he'd bring me something to eat later—and then left.
Once again, it was just me and the Tabby Cat King. I moved closer, and the Spirit Snake emerged from my body, its eyes coldly fixed on the Tabby Cat King.
"What you have to do probably isn't as simple as catching that rat, is it?"
The Tabby Cat King laughed, then stroked his whiskers.
"You really are a clever one, Snake. What I have to do isn't so simple—and as for what it is, that's none of your business. After all, I'm an outsider to you, forced to live in this sunless Animal Realm. If I want to leave, even Divine Law restricts me. It's really frustrating."
What the Tabby Cat King said made me think of Old Tom.
"I know someone born under the sign of the cat. Aren't cats excluded from the Zodiac Twelve? Why are there people born under the sign of the cat?"
The Tabby Cat King burst out laughing, then looked at me and spoke.
"Although I'm not part of the Zodiac Twelve, the gods originally chose thirteen zodiac spirits. We were all given power from the start. But when the final decision was made, I missed my appointment, so when the Twelve Earthly Branches system was established, I was excluded. Still, everything the gods gave me remains within me. That's why, every few years, someone born under the sign of the cat appears in this world. But as far as I know, all those born under the sign of the cat have been killed by Divine Law."
I swallowed, and the Tabby Cat King, intrigued, brought his plate-like round face closer to mine.
"The one you know who's born under the sign of the cat—is he still alive?"
I nodded, but I didn't mention that Old Tom was Tom Eternal.
"If I ever get the chance to leave, I'd really like to meet that guy!"
My stomach rumbled. I walked to the bucket and looked inside—not even a fragment of eggshell was left. Weakly gripping the bucket, I could only wait for the Serpent King to bring food. I felt sleepy.
"Sleep, Fat Cat. Sleeping is the best way to save energy. For you right now, you haven't slept in more than a day, have you?"
I nodded, found a spot, and lay down. But then I thought of something and immediately looked at the Tabby Cat King.
"Don't try anything while I'm asleep."