C1903 It Was Hard to Refuse the Invitation
Primal Vitality! Beyond the Primal Soul and Primal Blood, there exists Primal Vitality as well! Yu Yuan was astounded by this revelation. Han Qi had touched upon similar concepts during his time in the Annihilation Nebula. It appeared that those who practiced necromancy and had delved into the origins of the Lunar Meridian in the Wraithlands were gradually uncovering the truth. The human race was undeniably unique! From the moment of their creation, humans possessed the three souls of heaven, earth, and man. The cultivation of these souls advanced progressively, evolving towards the Lunar Spirit, the Solar Spirit, and the primordial spirit, each aligning with the three most enigmatic entities in this realm. Primal Soul, Primal Vitality, and Primal Blood.
In the Everlands, the human cultivation system meant that once the Lunar Spirit was formed, there was no need for further painstaking refinement. This implied that the path to the highest echelons through the Lunar Spirit was precluded early on. Han Qi was a rare exception in the Everlands. The formation of the human Solar Spirit, a fusion of the heaven soul and spiritual energy, lacked the refined and pure vital energy, making it impossible to ascend to the highest level. Thus, it was the Colddeath, often deemed heretical by the Everlands, that truly practiced the Way of Heaven, despite facing opposition at every turn.
The human race's cultivation system was ultimately designed to transform the dominant soul into the primordial spirit. The development of the Lunar Spirit, the Solar Spirit, and the physical body all served this transformation. This pivotal step was directly linked to the Primal Soul deep within the Everlands!
"Primal Vitality..." Yu Yuan mused, gazing at the ancient tree that Kaiya referred to as the Undead Lord, preparing to delve deeper into his inquiries.
"We'll discuss this later," Kaiya suggested, gesturing for Yu Yuan to take his time processing the information. Clad in a dark red gown, she stood beneath the ancient tree, her gaze lifting to the large leaves that resembled watchful eyes.
"The Origin Gate has transformed into the Maw of Oblivion in another world. Jihui, having descended into the Abyss, has reemerged with the Evil Gods..." Kaiya, able to connect with the devil soul, narrated the unfolding events within.
Yu Yuan's expression subtly shifted. His body, left behind in the Wraithlands, had seemingly established a soul connection with a Lunar Spirit of Ghost King caliber after Kaiya's narration. He became aware of Youyu's separation from the primal source, Jihui's fusion with it, and the convergence of three mighty God of Ghosts at the Maw of Oblivion's threshold.
Following her detailed account, Kaiya turned to the towering ancient tree, seeking guidance with genuine curiosity, "As the Undead Lord of the Wraithlands and a consciousness born of Primal Vitality, do you have any sound advice?" Her ability to commune with the devil soul meant she could relay the Undead Lord's insights to Matina. She trusted that the Undead Lord, deeply rooted in the Wraithlands and imbued with a fragment of Primal Vitality's sentience, would have a lucid assessment of the current state of affairs.
"My advice is to refrain from shattering the Abyssal Gate for now; we shouldn't allow the two realms to intermingle."
The Undead Lord, now an ancient tree, appeared to be contemplating calmly while scrutinizing Yu Yuan's soul.
"Furthermore, avoid falling into the Maw of Oblivion within the Origin Realm. Without a corporeal form, do not venture into the abyss. Only Bertain can navigate the abyss with ease; others are not so fortunate."
"If you cannot hold the Mindscape of the Dark Deity, return promptly."
"I'll monitor the Thornsnare. Han Qi won't escape. I will assist you in locating him so you can eliminate him."
After a moment of reflection, the Undead Lord added, "Allowing Han Qi to ascend as a God of Ghosts was intentional, as he hails from the Everlands. Primal Vitality seeks to understand the human condition through him."
"The human soul is too enigmatic, brimming with unknown mysteries."
With a hint of reluctance, the Undead Lord whispered, "Lord Taiyin, should Han Qi perish in the Wraithlands, I will aid in tempering your Lunar Spirit into a God of Ghosts." This proposition was akin to a bargaining chip; upon Han Qi's demise, Yu Yuan's Lunar Spirit would ascend in his stead.
"Why not me?" Kaiya lamented.
"You are unlike the others; you may have the body of a human, but your soul has been a devil soul from the start. You are the offspring of Lord Bertain, and your soul mark can never be severed from him." The leaves of the ancient tree, which appeared to have eyes of their own, finally settled on her. "Even with this, you will never become a God of Ghosts."
"Why are the humans of the Everlands so unique? So unfathomable?" Kaiya wondered.
"Perhaps that individual named Jihui already harbors the answer in his heart. Lord Bertain is likely to have discovered it as well. Once he returns from the Abyss, he will surely unveil the truth."
...
Elsewhere.
Within the Maw of Oblivion, Jihui summoned Evil Gods to encircle the region. He merged the part of the source that had been separated from Youyu into his own soul, cloaking his phantom in a green and black cape, shrouding him in an aura of ancient mystery.
He fixed his gaze on Yu Yuan. The notion of the Abyss and the Everlands collaborating sent shivers of dread through all beings.
He focused solely on Yu Yuan, paying no heed to Kaiya, Matina, or Youyu.
Yu Yuan, now a Lunar Spirit and having attained the stature of a Ghost King, felt uncertain despite his achievements. His physical form and Solar Spirit were absent, and before Jihui, he sensed a profound unease.
Could the Abyss and the Everlands truly join forces?
"Lord, what does it matter if you are merely a Lunar Spirit or have reached the heights of a Ghost King?"
Jihui pivoted, the mysterious symbol on his forehead glowing ominously. The Maw of Oblivion transformed once more into the Origin Gate. "Lord, I am aware of the myriad questions plaguing you. The place I've longed to take you to is the Abyss."
"Come with me for a glimpse, and I will reveal the truth to you."
He gestured toward the Origin Gate, now calm and no longer voraciously consuming the souls and ghosts, no longer draining the shadow energy from the Mindscape.
"Once you've seen it, you can decide your next move. Rest assured, I will ensure the return of your Lunar Spirit. After grasping the truth, I hope your Solar Spirit will join our cause."
"The will of the Everlands, too, must surely wish for you to witness the Abyss."
Jihui motioned for the Evil Gods to hold their advance, extending the invitation solely to Yu Yuan.
"Don't go."
Kaiya's voice rang out urgently, "The Undead Lord from beyond has warned me that you must not shatter the Abyssal Gate or bridge the two worlds."
"And whatever you do, do not venture into the Abyss as a soul!"
She, who could communicate with the devil souls of the Wraithlands, relayed the Undead Lord's advice to Yu Yuan without delay.
However, Yu Yuan's curiosity about the Abyss had been piqued by Jihui's persistent invitations, and his resolve began to waver.
"Alright!"
He glided forward.
"Don't go!"
Youyu and Wagner exclaimed in alarm.
Matina, an enchantress and God of Ghosts from the evilkind, merely frowned, seemingly unconcerned about Yu Yuan's Lunar Spirit. To her, if his unrefined Lunar Spirit perished in the Abyss, it was of little consequence.
Should this Lunar Spirit die, she could easily create another through Yu Yuan's dominant soul once she returned to the Wraithlands.
With the Lunar Spirit and earthly soul originating within Yu Yuan, it would be a simple task for Matina to conjure them anew.
"My lord, I too have awaited this day for quite some time."
Jihui gestured respectfully, signaling the Evil Gods to keep their distance from the Origin Gate.
"Allow me to show you."
Once Yu Yuan approached, Jihui led the way, his spirited body entering the Origin Gate, which seemed to reach into the Abyss itself.
The greenish-black cape, woven from the essence of the Origin, appeared to thirstily absorb the power emanating from the Abyss as it descended through the gate.
Yu Yuan witnessed this spectacle.
Indeed, the Origin energy from the Everlands was connected to the Abyss, influenced by the Abyssal Treasure!
"Let's go."
An increasingly astonished Yu Yuan hastened them on, and with Jihui's hearty laughter echoing, he too stepped through.
"Ladies and gentlemen, if you could kindly exercise a bit of patience and wait here."
An Evil God gestured for calm and reassured them with a smile, "Rest assured, Jihui and our esteemed lord won't linger long in the Abyss. They will return shortly."