In a daze, I opened my eyes and caught the scent of something delicious. Clutching my rumbling stomach, I got up.
"Time to eat, Roxie. I made your favorite fish today."
I murmured a response and crawled out of bed. The exhaustion had faded. After coming home, I’d slept for two whole days. Outside, there was a burst of noise. My mom pulled open the curtains—the sunlight was harsh.
I sat quietly for a while. My mom didn’t say anything, just set out the bowls and chopsticks before preparing to leave.
"Mom, why did the Hades Circle guides come last night?"
I asked.
"Just rest, we’ll handle it."
I stood up and grabbed my mom’s hand. She turned, looking at me with worry. I shook my head.
"It’s fine, Mom. Is it about Hell?"
My mom nodded and began to explain. The Sixfold Cycle has already collapsed. Under the influence of the Wraithlord’s power, the structure that once maintained the Sixfold Cycle is now useless. Right now, though Isabelle Frost rules Hell, she’s powerless to rebuild the passage for reincarnation. That’s why people from the Hades Circle, as well as the Buddhist and Daoist sects, are heading to Hell today for negotiations. And those Asuras, who have completely broken away from the Asura Realm, are now a major problem in Hell.
All sides plan to go to Hell first to assess the situation and begin building a new Sixfold Cycle System. Otherwise, when people in the Living World die, there’s nowhere for their souls to go. Over time, they’ll become ghosts. Lately, the Hades Circle has been busy, collecting souls everywhere. If those souls can’t be sent to Hell, it’ll affect the Living World too.
"I’ll go with you."
I said. My mom looked at me with worry, but I smiled and shook my head.
"I... I'm not a child anymore, Mom!"
After breakfast, I took a relaxing shower and planned to rest a bit more before heading out with my mom. My dad had gone elsewhere to discuss matters with the Underworld Agents. Over at Snowridge Springs, many members of the Arcane Society had arrived, intent on continuing their research.
Around 2 p.m., my mom and I left the house. Seeing everything on the street as usual, I smiled.
"Roxie, if you’re too tired, maybe you shouldn’t go."
I shook my head. My power might be useful—I have to help Isabelle Frost establish the new Hell.
I absolutely can’t stop now—especially at a time like this. Before the Emperor God and his forces arrive, we need to be ready.
As our car crossed an overpass, I asked my mom to pull over to the side of the road.
"Forget it, Roxie. There should be Hades Circle people nearby. It’s fine."
I looked at a small building beside the overpass—there was a ghost inside. I sensed it from far away; its aura was that of a Yellow Ghost. I hadn’t expected ghosts to appear in just a few days. Not only here, but farther away I could sense faint traces of ghostly energy. Anger welled up inside me.
"Roxie, hurry—go to the place where the old apartment building used to be. That spot is now directly connected to the main gate of Haven City."
I pressed my hand to my head, not sure why, but whenever I thought of ghosts, I was filled with loathing. I knew I shouldn’t feel that way, but I just couldn’t calm myself down.
After a brief standoff with my mom, I got back in the car. We drove slowly down the highway, passing familiar streets. Thinking about it, I realized that even after all this time with Ethan Zhang, we’d never gone shopping together—only in that ring-shaped city of darkness.
A little after 3 p.m., we arrived at the base of the old apartment complex. Before me was a desolate hillside. I could already see Samuel Young standing there. After we took a small path up, we found Master Jianyun was there too.
"Miss Roxie, how are you feeling?"
As soon as I got up there, Samuel Young came over. I nodded. The guides hadn’t arrived yet.
"Amitabha."
Master Jianyun smiled at me as I sat down.