The first light of dawn pierced the thin mist above the lake, refracting off the dew on the petals and scattering shimmering light across the entire shore.
"I slept so well," she said.
Isabelle Jiang had just stepped out of the wooden cabin. I rose, picked up a few fresh fish, and walked over. These past few days, I've been trying to cook something for her.
The power infused into the rocks of this island was beginning to take effect. Though it was only a faint trace, Isabelle Jiang told me her true form in the Living World could now draw strength from what I had imbued.
As long as we keep going, one day Isabelle Jiang will be able to bring the strength she’s gained in this world back to the Living World—the power left behind by the gods.
In these days, I’ve gradually come to understand much more. Everything I see possesses a soul. These souls are completely different from those of humans or ghosts—they’re the force that drives a world’s existence. If a world loses these souls, it cannot exist. They’re more like the foundation stones of reality itself.
Now, I see these things more and more clearly. I no longer rely on the power of Oblivion—I feel I’ve found the source of the world itself. As long as I wish, I can see these things.
Just then, a streak of blue-gray light approached us from afar. The Spirit of the Mountain landed gently by the lakeshore. I was still cleaning the fish, planning to cook some grilled fish for Isabelle Jiang. Her face was always lit up with a smile—she seemed truly happy.
"How are you feeling?"
The Spirit of the Mountain asked, and I nodded.
"I can almost see everything now. Did you succeed on your end?"
I asked, and the Spirit of the Mountain sat down on the ground, shaking his head.
"I tried communicating with the souls in other overlapping spaces, but unfortunately, I failed. Although I sensed their presence, something blocked me off."
It seems impossible to reach the worlds of other Forsaken in a short time. Now I gradually understand why this Oath Island exists in the Yang Realm. The island itself shouldn't exist, yet it hasn't been expelled by the laws of the Yang Realm. The only possible explanation is that the Infernal Will has reached some kind of agreement with the will of the Yang Realm. Only this theory makes sense.
This island serves as a conduit for Infernal Hell to keep watching over this world; I suspect it will remain part of Hell’s plan. I stood up. Isabelle Jiang had finished washing up and happily came over. I took a bottle of wine and a fish, sitting alone by the lake shore.
"Spirit of the Mountain, it's a pity you can't eat or drink. Otherwise, I’d share a good drink with you."
The Spirit of the Mountain smiled and shook his head. Souls like him have no physical form, like visible shadows, and possess no power. I once tried to harness their strength, but no matter how much it gathers, it amounts to nothing.
It seems I won’t be able to use their power anytime soon. After finishing a fish and a bottle of wine, I stood up.
"Take your time practicing. I’m going to walk on with the Spirit of the Mountain."
I spoke, and Isabelle Jiang nodded in satisfaction.