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墨書 Inktalez
"Xi Meng, I have decided to take you for training. Originally, this was something I planned to do later, but your talent is quite good, so I decided to bring you along early." The Prisoner stood by the window, sunlight shining on him like sparkling crystal. I stared at him blankly, lost in thought.
"Ouch." It hurt; the Prisoner hit my head hard.
"What are you thinking about? So focused. Did you hear what I said?"
"Hehe, I wasn't thinking about anything. Um, I heard you. Where are we going?"
"To the Underworld."
"Oh, okay." I replied in a panic, fearing the Prisoner would notice that I had been staring at him. But then I asked, "Wait, did you say where?"
"The Underworld." The Prisoner's voice was calm. However, it felt like I was frozen in place, my blood running cold as a deep chill pierced through me.
"You're joking, right? You know I'm timid and you're scaring me."
"Xi Meng, I'm not joking." The Prisoner frowned helplessly. "I've thought about this for a long time; going there will help you grow faster."
"Why? What about here? I mean, my life will be disrupted."
"It's fine; the two spaces won't conflict. After your training, you can continue your life here. Don't worry."
"But, Prisoner—"
"No buts, Xi Meng. You need to listen to me." I was still reluctant to find an excuse, but the Prisoner seemed determined to go through with this.
"Xi Meng, trust me, your time is limited. If you don't become stronger, she will eventually come after you."
"Is she the Ghost King? Do you know her?"
"Sort of. Alright, no more questions. We leave tonight; the path of training won't be easy. You need to be mentally prepared."
I didn't say anything more. I had many questions, but I knew the Prisoner would never tell me. What had happened in his past? What was his relationship with her, and why did he let me go? At that moment, I felt a bit lost. The Prisoner seemed so far away from me. How could I step into his world?
Night fell, and the moon tonight was so bright that it almost overshadowed the stars beside it. Just like how I felt beside the Prisoner, so ordinary and dull. He would always be the dazzling presence.
“Xi Meng, it's time to go,” the Prisoner said as he approached me.
“Prisoner, what is the Underworld like? Is it scary?”
“It's nothing much; you'll get used to it. It's the opposite of this space, just like the people here.”
“Will I adapt? Will ghosts eat me?” I immediately asked.
“That’s why I gave you Pure Sound. Pure Sound is the purest thing in the world; it can help you purify the darkness there. As for those ghosts, don’t worry; she said they won't harm you if you give them time.”
“You keep mentioning her. What’s her name? Can you tell me about her?” I was really curious about this person living in the Prisoner's world.
The Prisoner took a deep breath, exhaled gently, closed his eyes, and fell into memories. In a moment filled with blooming flowers, he encountered a beautiful and innocent girl who said her name was Siyimo. A rare expression appeared on the Prisoner's face. Perhaps it was that glance that destined their connection for several lifetimes.
I looked thoughtfully at the Prisoner lost in memories. That expression of his, always lonely, made my heart ache even more. It was a feeling similar to mine—lonely yet yearning for warmth.
“Her name is Siyimo.” It was almost a whisper, subtle yet piercing to my ears.
Siyimo? My heart involuntarily trembled. She is your connection.
Looking at the Prisoner before me, I lowered my head. Do you know? When you talk about that girl named Siyimo, you are so gentle. And your current loneliness is also because of her, right? Mentioning her makes you smile warmly without realizing it; she truly means a lot to you.
At this moment, deep in my heart, I remembered a name: Siyimo. Little did I know that this memory would last a lifetime and cost so much. Of course, that's another story.
Chapter Six: The Underworld
This place didn’t seem as terrifying as I had imagined. After all, in my previous world, those notions of Underworld were just fantasies. This was merely another space inhabited by beings different from humans—what we refer to as ghosts, demons, and monsters. They also have their own conditions for survival and environment; for instance, there seemed to be no sun, moon, or stars here—no distinction between day and night—always resembling dusk on Earth, with light but not enough of it. There were no seasonal changes either; wind and rain were rare occurrences. When they did happen, it signified the eruption of powerful forces or the arrival of Heavenly Tribulation.
In this place, one of the strongest factions is the Ghosts' Group; they could be considered the rulers of the Underworld. However, there are also powerful families within the Demon Realm, though their numbers are far fewer than those of the Demon Clan. This world gives me a sense of deathly silence—there's no trace of life at all. Such an environment feels somewhat frightening to me now, but I no longer resist it as I did before.
"The leader of the Demon Clan is known as the Demon Lord. No one has ever seen his face, and no one knows where he resides; he has likely lived for over a million years. The leader of the Demon Clan has become the Ghost King and plays a dominant role in the Underworld. The leader of the Demon Race is called the Demon Emperor, but you won't encounter any demons during your training here. Remember what I said earlier: all demons, spirits, and monsters are unified in the Underworld. Survival here relies entirely on your own cultivation; if you grow stronger, you can absorb the magical energy of those weaker than you. Your current level here does not qualify you as a strong individual, so if you encounter someone stronger, it's best to flee. Although this is her territory, no one can guarantee the loyalty of every ghost, just like human ambition. Moreover, to ghosts, you are like a potent elixir that can rapidly enhance their power; if a strong individual sets their sights on you, it could become problematic." As we walked, Qiu explained some basic survival rules to help me acclimate to this place.
"It's fine; you're here, right? You're so strong; who would dare to eat me?" I had always trusted Qiu, and besides, his strength was likely unmatched by many.
"Xi Meng, I must tell you this. Relying solely on me will not allow you to grow. This training is necessary not just for you but for every Dream Soul Master. It requires my absence during this period, but I will keep an eye on your situation; I just cannot appear. When your strength reaches the required level, that will be the time I take you away from here." Qiu's tone was serious as he placed his hands on my shoulders and looked intently into my eyes.
"Oh my god, do you mean you're going to leave me alone in a world full of ghosts, and I have to constantly worry about being eaten? No, I want to go back! Qiu, you can't do this!" I was genuinely agitated; I had never been very brave. Initially, coming to this Underworld seemed bearable because Qiu was there to protect me. But now that he couldn't appear, leaving me to survive among so many monsters felt like a joke!
"Xi Meng, you are not an ordinary person; you carry a mission on your shoulders. Not just you—every Dream Soul Master has gone through this experience. You have no choice because if you give up, it means that the Living Beings in the human realm will be devoured. Do you understand how important this is? Think about that little dog; think about your friends and family around you. Do you want them to be slowly consumed?"
Indeed, I had no rebuttal against Qiu's words; I needed to stay calm. As long as I survived, it meant I could protect the human realm better. If it came down to it, being eaten was less severe than the alternative.
Seeing that I had calmed down a bit, Qiu reassured me: "Xi Meng, it's not as terrifying as you think. Since I've brought you here, I have confidence in your safety. Have you forgotten that my responsibility is to protect you? Don't worry; soon I'll take you to see a ghost who is also considered a strong individual within the Demon Clan. With his presence, you'll be safer."
"Will he eat me? Can he be trusted?" Hearing Qiu's words made me feel more at ease, but I still didn't know much about that ghost.
"Humans have emotions; even gods do. Of course, ghosts have emotions too; they will keep their promises. Although going to the human realm is the fastest way to enhance one's power, not all ghosts choose that path because there are rules governing their actions. Just like your Dream Soul Masters and Onmyoji are no different from humans in their eyes but are seen as terrifying beings by wandering ghosts in the human realm. So here, ghosts are not afraid of you, and likewise, you need not fear them. Do you understand?"
"Okay, I'll be brave and cultivate here."
"Alright, Xi Meng; this is the place. I'll take you inside." Qiu stopped walking.
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