Before me stretches a vast expanse of brown earth, with the distant horizon painted in black and crimson. A ribbon of fire hangs just above the skyline. I have arrived at the Underworld Court, having crossed the Netherhell. Now, I am heading to where Lord Shenyan resides, so he can open the path of desire for me—I must enter the Forest of Desire.
For the first time, I feel the flames seething within my chest. It's not because of the Earth Soul's choice or anything else, but to warn him—the Wraithlord would never offer him an olive branch so easily.
This is what truly worries me now—the Earth Soul's hunger for power. The Wraithlord has seen this weakness, and I have both the duty and responsibility to warn him, though I don't know if he'll listen.
Beneath the sky, countless ghost soldiers march and drill. There are numerous lava pools forging weapons, with billows of black mist rising—wraith energy. The lesser quality wraith energy is driven from minerals long saturated with it using special methods.
Weapons and armor for ghosts are being forged, but it’s nowhere near enough to equip billions. Many hells that have accumulated for years are nearly excavated empty.
Preparations for war cannot wait. Yet this war between the realms of Yin and Yang is truly meaningless. All the problems stem from the Wraithlord, and I clench my fists, feeling more anxious and tormented than ever before—an unprecedented sensation.
Gradually, I approach the lava river that Lord Shenyan split with a single sword stroke, dividing all of Blazing Fields. There are dozens of cities of all sizes ahead, with the Underworld Court’s armies still stockpiling.
In the middle stands a massive black city, rebuilt and reinforced so thoroughly its original shape is unrecognizable. Sure enough, I soon see Lord Shenyan seated atop the city’s highest circular platform, jutting out over the lava river.
With a whoosh, I land on the platform. Lord Shenyan glances back at me, a hint of surprise in his eyes.
Such vast wraith energy and the negative emotions produced by the ghosts will shake Hell, which is already starving. The ghosts gathered by the Emperor God and his allies are like sacrificial offerings to Hell. If Hell consumes so much, it will be impossible to suppress, and no one can predict what will happen then.
I nod and walk over.
"Lord Shenyan, help me open the passage to the Forest of Desire. I need to go there."
Lord Shenyan seems to have noticed something from my grave expression.
"What are you planning, Heavenly Soul? I heard that in the world of the living, you’ve been with certain people. The Underworld Court has tried to contact you several times, but you ignored them. War is about to break out."
As Lord Shenyan spoke, I glanced ahead at the lava river. My eyes widened instantly and I swallowed hard. A vast encampment had been set up, with armies bearing red, blue, and gold banners gathering in force. I quietly watched a distant black platform, feeling a tremendous aura radiating from it—yet the platform itself was empty.
"The Emperor God has arrived here."
I stared at Lord Shenyan in surprise. I don’t fully understand the situation, but why is the Earth Soul able to cross from the Yin world to here?
Both sides are preparing for the imminent war, amassing troops without pause. The scale of this conflict is overwhelming—individual strength feels insignificant against the endless ghosts. I’ve heard that even after these ghosts die, they can be resurrected. This is likely the worst news for the Underworld Court.
The war won’t last long. Once the enemy charges, all their forces will overwhelm us. If the Emperor God and Sylvia Yan attack together, we won’t be able to hold out for long. A great battle is inevitable, and the invading enemy will flood into Hell. Once they set foot on Hell’s soil, it will be devastating.
Such vast ghost energy and the negative emotions produced by the ghosts will shake Hell, which is already starving. The ghosts gathered by the Emperor God and his allies are like sacrificial offerings to Hell. If Hell consumes so much, it will be impossible to suppress, and no one can predict what will happen then.
"Why haven’t they made a move yet?"
I asked, and Lord Shenyan shook his head.
"I’m not sure why, but I’ve already been there and even fought the Emperor God. His power isn’t what it was in the Heavenly Dao—he probably hasn’t fully crossed over yet."
I nodded.
Distant skies flicker with crimson lightning, and oppressive wraith energy steams over the Ghostrealm. Even the world of the living won’t be spared.
"It’s the same wherever the other Ghost Sovereigns are—the enemy keeps amassing forces, and no matter how many are killed, they never run out. Redmond already led a surprise attack, destroying many enemy strongholds, but all the ghosts killed in one night came back to life again."
I swallowed hard. The only explanation I can think of is that the ghosts’ ability to resurrect comes from repeated deals between the Yin world and the Dark Banquet, the result of millennia of experimentation. Breaking this cycle won’t be easy.
"Has something happened to the Earth Soul?"
Lord Shenyan sensed something, just as I expected. I nodded.
"I know he’s in the Forest of Desire—I can sense his aura. If there’s truly something that can’t be resolved, Heavenly Soul, the only way is to defeat him. There’s no other solution."
I murmured in response, intending to stay a while longer and sort out my thoughts.
Lord Shenyan began to explain the current situation.
The Underworld Court has decided to take the initiative. If we keep waiting, Old Hell’s forces will only grow stronger. We must drive them out of the Blazing Fields, then use the Animal Realm to deploy our troops straight to the Purelands, cutting off the enemy’s route.
Because the Underworld Court sees that the Emperor God’s power hasn’t fully crossed from the Yin world, they plan to act now. Waiting any longer isn’t an option—war may begin within a month.
(Irrelevant system message, skip translation.)
"Don’t the dead ghosts just come back to life? Even if you attack, it’s pointless. The ghosts here turn to ash and are sent to the Yin world... so..."
"No more ghosts will go to the Yin world after death. The Infernal Judges have blocked the branch between the River of Forgetfulness and the Styx Sea. Now, dead ghosts become sediment beneath the Six Paths."
I smiled helplessly, then shook my head.
"I don’t really understand the Underworld Court’s approach. If they truly care about both realms, they should focus their efforts on solving the Wraithlord problem."
Lord Shenyan looked at me, puzzled. I didn’t mention what the Deathbane Ghost told me, only shook my head.
I witnessed countless battles, but this time, there is no justice, no true victory or defeat—only winning or losing. No matter the outcome, neither realm will have a good ending.
I saw a trace of helplessness in Lord Shenyan’s eyes.
These things are never clear, never simple. Whether human or ghost, in the end, we’re all the same.
As soon as I finished speaking, a plume of black smoke appeared on Lord Shenyan’s shoulder, and Zhong Kui’s face slowly emerged.
What are you doing here, old Zhong Kui?
Lord Shenyan said bluntly, but Zhong Kui just laughed heartily.
This war isn’t meaningless—it’s the clash between old and new orders. The Underworld Court must not lose. If they do, the world is doomed. No one will survive. When it’s over, maybe even the Infernal Judges will vanish from existence.
I stared at Zhong Kui in shock as he turned to look at me.
Perhaps you’ve noticed—the Judges are exhausted, struggling to suppress Hell’s power. This beast, never satisfied, grows stronger every day. It wants to devour everything.
Lord Shenyan stood up, quietly gazing at the distant sky, shaking his head.
I’ll open the path to the Forest of Desire for you, Soul of Heaven. Remember what I told you.
I murmured in response. Lord Shenyan raised his hand, and a blazing red flame slowly gathered before my eyes. As wisps of blue smoke rose, I saw a multicolored passage and dove in without hesitation.
A surge of powerful desire pressed down on me. I quickly adjusted my mindset, and gradually the pressure eased. I felt lighter, back to my old self—free of desires. Soon, a forest appeared before my eyes, and behind me, I heard the rushing sound of water. Looking back, I remembered clearly that Zhang Qingyuan had trained here, every detail still vivid in my mind.
Everything looked so familiar. There was a path leading straight to where the Five Freaks used to sleep, and the octagonal tower built by Yixue Han still stood in the woods. I walked slowly, passing stone tables used for meals and broken human-shaped stone fragments scattered nearby.
Eventually, I reached a clearing. The Five Freaks’ old residence was still intact, and beside it was the octagonal tower made by Yixue Han. I stared quietly at the Soul of Earth descending before me—he looked at me in surprise.
Why did you come here, Soul of Heaven?
I glanced around and then asked:
Where’s the Wraithlord?
Soul of Earth’s expression suddenly turned anxious, his eyes darting as he forced a smile.
Of course, he’s beneath the Lake of Desire.
I shook my head and sat down against a tree.
You never used to tell lies, Soul of Earth. What changed you—or have you fallen?
Soul of Earth dropped his smile and sat across from me beneath a makeshift shelter, sighing helplessly.
I don’t know what you mean, Soul of Heaven. You seem different—what are you really trying to say? You didn’t need to come in person.