In Nether City, a host of gods and demons soared over, gathering around Lord Hades. They peered down beneath the bridge, and when they saw the swirling vortex, many faces darkened in alarm, ready to strike—only for Lord Hades to raise a hand and say gravely, "No need. Let him go."
The many gods and demons of Nether City were left bewildered.
"The art beneath the bridge is a Netherworld technique. If the Netherworld comes to Nether City to snatch souls, how can we tolerate it?"
One of the gods and demons said, "If we let the Netherworld run amok, soon Nether City won't be safe! Lord Hades, let's counterattack!"
Lord Hades shook his head, his voice oddly resonant: "That person uses Netherworld arts, but he is not one of the Netherworld's gods or demons. He is a guest from Carefree Haven. I have seen that face before—it looks very similar... There is no need to pursue this."
Beneath his cloak of darkness, his gaze burned faintly like candlelight: "Someone from Carefree Haven has appeared. Old dreams from a past dynasty—I have waited for the old swallow to return, for a new nest to be built. But instead of the old swallow, it is the new swallow who has come."
Village Chief said, "It feels like I've seen that swallow return before. Old and new swallows—it's hard to tell them apart."
Lord Hades looked down at him, his cloak rippling and billowing above Nether City. As his figure drifted away, he vanished into the city below.
Village Chief gazed beneath the bridge and sighed, "I thought I would reunite with Apothecary and the others, but Quinn summoned them back instead. I don't know if their bodies have died. If they have, we'll likely meet again in Nether City... Master, what's the story with the river beneath Naihe Bridge?"
"Legend says this is a river of the Netherworld. We call it the River of Forgetting."
The previous Human Emperor stepped up beside him, bent to peer down at the bridge, and said, "There are countless stories hidden here, far too many to explain in one sitting. The river is thick with monsters—most hailing straight from Youdu itself, and they're terrifying. Just now, that soul-calling sorcerer who snatched those souls did it by tracing us through the River of Forgetting and using his soul-dao to seize people. You must know that caster well, don't you?"
He stared at Village Chief, his gaze sharp as he said, "You were closest just now; you heard that person's voice, but you didn't lift a finger to stop him."
Village Chief nodded, pride ringing in his voice: "He's my disciple—the current Human Emperor! So, old scoundrel, don't you think my pick is stronger than yours?"
"Pah! My disciple is you, you old fool!"
"Scoundrel, watch your mouth!"
...
In the Godsever Mountains, inside the Da Luo Heaven Star Domain, Apothecary, Crippled Joe, Whale King, and the others suddenly snapped their eyes open. Deaf blurted, "Oh no, my body’s already dead—I can’t hold my Primordial Spirit anymore!"
Whale King and Rat Immortal jolted awake too, their faces changing dramatically. Their Primordial Spirits had been away from their bodies far too long, and now their flesh was beginning to die!
Earlier, the Flood-Dragon King had sensed their lack of breath, and now the reason was clear—their bodies were dying, so their breath had vanished.
"Quinn, how long can you hold out?"