Chapter 107: The Endless Cycle of Doubt

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Nuoluo had always been observing the changes of the four seasons. When she mentioned whether such a certain undead existed, a flicker of unease briefly crossed Siji’s eyes. The expression vanished quickly, and Siji soon returned to normal.

Siji felt guilty—indeed, that undead was still in her hands. Nuoluo was somewhat puzzled at this point: what did Siji intend to do with those undead?

Yet Nuoluo showed no outward reaction. She awaited news from Shaoguang, hoping this was all a misunderstanding. She hoped Siji was merely confused for the moment.

Nuoluo and Shikong once more confirmed the undead who would undergo reincarnation. They chose very carefully—the opportunity was precious. If the reincarnation failed, these undead would never have a chance to be reborn.

Siji trailed closely behind Nuoluo, occasionally offering her opinions. Nuoluo considered her suggestions earnestly. Everything seemed normal, but only Siji knew how worried she truly was.

What if His Highness discovered her secret? Would she really hand over that undead? The answer was no—Siji was unwilling.

Though she did not know what harm that undead might bring to the mortal realm, she could not leave any hidden danger. At that moment, Siji firmly believed her approach was right. If His Highness could not bear to do what was necessary, then she would.

What puzzled her most was that she could not make that undead disappear. She could only imprison him temporarily in a place only she could find. To this day, Siji had yet to discover a way to make him vanish.

With that undead, Siji sensed a reaction completely different from the others. He never showed despair—he quietly accepted everything, as if he were still human rather than an undead.

Like the wisest of sages among humans—wise and open-minded—his spirit remained unscathed despite his transformation.

Siji admired such an undead, but recalling the prophecy told by a mysterious figure, she had no choice but to treat him this way. No matter how outstanding he was, he could pose no threat to His Highness; otherwise, he was her enemy.

Siji thought of the mysterious figure who claimed to be from the divine realm, someone she had never encountered. She trusted his words but doubted his identity. Since that undead could not be handed over to him, he would remain under her control.

As for the undead child, Siji still had no method to destroy him. She never expected such a small child, even after death, to retain his undead form intact. Despite all her efforts, she could not affect him in the slightest. The Xiuyi clan was indeed strange, and His Highness placed great importance on them, mentioning them repeatedly.

“Siji!” Shikong’s voice rang in her ear.

Siji snapped back to reality, noticing Nuoluo and Shikong’s gaze fixed on her.

“What are you thinking about, Siji? You look so serious—tell us.”

Shikong smiled; Siji rarely showed such an expression.

“Nothing much, just marveling at how miraculous it is that the undead can reincarnate. I’ve hardly done anything! It feels strange to be absent from something so important.”

“Siji, don’t overthink it. We each have our roles. This time, Shikong worked harder. You can take on more duties in the future. Don’t worry about not having anything to do. Once the undead begin to reincarnate, that disaster can be considered at an end. Next, you must ensure the smoothness of the seasons—you’ll be very busy.”

“Yes, His Highness is right. If you feel useless or guilty, just take on more responsibilities later. But Siji, this doesn’t suit your nature. When have you ever volunteered to take responsibility?” Shikong teased her.

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“You’re blaming me in front of His Highness again! Shikong, you’re so mean!” Siji feigned anger.

“Oh, I’m just telling the truth. Weren’t you like this before?”

Nuoluo smiled softly from the side, watching the two bicker, feeling somewhat relieved. The undead chosen for reincarnation had been finalized. It was a rare moment of relaxation. She hoped their relationship would always remain like this.

After a while, Shikong and Siji stopped simultaneously. Both glanced at Nuoluo, a little embarrassed at their behavior before His Highness. In private, they always joked like sisters. Seeing Nuoluo’s smile, they knew that His Highness wished for them to keep this closeness.

Compared to the other three realms, the mortal realm was indeed the weakest, but its atmosphere was harmonious. This owed much to Nuoluo, who viewed her position lightly. As long as there were no major mistakes, she seldom punished her subordinates over trivial matters. Thus, Shikong’s respect for Nuoluo was sincere but without distance.

“All right, you’ve worked hard. Go back and rest well. Once the Sleep Goddess returns, the reincarnation can begin. Now is a rare, precious time to relax. After the reincarnation starts, no one can afford any mistakes.” Nuoluo led the way out, with Shikong and Siji following closely behind.

Back in their respective temples, Siji no longer felt the earlier ease. She paced restlessly, anxious.

She quietly slipped outside the hall, looking around cautiously. At this hour, she should not be noticed leaving. Although His Highness had ordered that no one leave Fengdu City temporarily, she decided to go anyway.

Siji did not expect that after she left, a shadowy figure appeared where she had just vanished, silently pondering for a long while before leaving reluctantly.

After leaving Fengdu City, Siji arrived at an ordinary human town. If not for occasional sounds, one might mistake it for another Fengdu City.

She stopped before a very simple civilian house. From the outside, it looked ordinary, common throughout the mortal realm. But inside, countless dangers were hidden.

This was the place Siji had prepared to imprison that strange undead. No one would suspect that such an undead lived there, but humans could never approach. The area was surrounded by Siji’s barriers, impenetrable even if discovered.

Siji felt helpless. Her pride in the changing seasons was perfectly embodied here—the barriers here surpassed all she had previously set.

Inside the house sat a single figure, quietly still. Only his back was visible, and even that seemed strange—not real, but a phantom.

He seemed to sense Siji’s arrival and slowly stood, turning around.

Compared to his back, his face appeared even more illusory. Against his white robes, he looked pale—pale without any blood. If such a person were found in the mortal realm, he would surely have little time left.

He showed none of the usual human fear, calmly gazing at Siji. A faint smile played on his lips, showing he was in a good mood. He was the mysterious undead Nuoluo had never met—the undead from the Xiuyi clan.

“You truly are strange. You feel no fear at all upon seeing me!”

“Fear?” The undead shook his head. “I’m not afraid to be alive; now that I’m undead, why should I be afraid? I only wonder why the Goddess has imprisoned me here.”

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To this day, he did not know Siji’s true identity. After dying in that disaster, he did not go to the fabled Underworld. Instead, the goddess before him had confined him here. Imprisonment was not entirely accurate; rather, he had assumed another form, continuing his existence.

He had seen other undead in Fengdu City. Why had the goddess brought only him here?

“You’ll be able to leave here soon!” Siji said venomously. She actually wanted him to disappear but found no way.

“Leave here, to the Underworld? That would be good.” The undead showed no fear, only a hint of anticipation.

He still retained memories of the mortal realm. Perhaps in the Underworld, he could find his deceased wife and children. He had never feared the Underworld. If his memories remained, could he reunite with his family there?

His attitude infuriated Siji.

Shikong had never seen such an undead—one who was not afraid of the Underworld. Even she, with her knowledge of death, felt some fear of that realm. Not everyone dared to challenge the Underworld as the Earth Goddess did.

Yet this undead before her feared nothing. Thinking of the unease his existence caused her, the potential threat to His Highness, and her failure to destroy him, Siji raised her hand.

The undead was slammed heavily to the ground. Though a spirit without a human body, Siji’s power was more than he could endure.

He felt shattered, taking a long time to rise.

Siji looked at him expressionlessly. An ordinary undead would have vanished long ago under such assault, but she could not shatter him.

The undead still smiled, as if nothing had happened.

Siji increased her force, her attacks fueled by anger, repeatedly striking the undead. He struggled to endure, falling countless times, his form growing ever more blurred. The only constant was the smile on his lips—so serene.

Finally, Siji ceased. She resigned herself to this result: this undead was beyond her power to destroy. Seeing his smile only stoked her fury. How could he smile? Was it mockery of her impotence?

What His Highness had said was true—there truly were beings who, regardless of their state, were extraordinary. They could even face death and everything that followed it with a smile.