110 Shadow Reborn

The Path of Reincarnation was filled with restless spirits. Though vast in number, they moved in absolute silence. These spirits were fortunate, as they were about to embark on the road to rebirth; yet, they were perhaps also unfortunate, for this was a path that had never existed before, leading toward a future fraught with even greater peril. Regardless, a glimmer of hope remained for them.

The spirits opened their eyes wide, surveying the path beneath their feet and the figure of Nv Luo with complex expressions. They retained the memories of their past lives, and the agony of their final moments remained an indelible mark upon their souls. Not all spirits possessed the courage of the Xiu-Yi tribe to face death with a smile.

Shi Kong felt a sense of unease. She glanced at Nv Luo from time to time; despite having prepared for so long, her heart remained heavy with uncertainty.

In the end, Si Ji had been unable to join them in the Underworld. After she requested to accompany them, Nv Luo had refused without hesitation.

"Shi Kong, are you nervous?"

"Yes, Your Highness. A little."

"Relax. If you are nervous, the spirits will only become more anxious."

Shi Kong nodded, but she could not suppress the intense agitation in her heart. Like Si Ji, she had never been to the Underworld; it was impossible not to feel apprehensive.

"When I first went to the Underworld, I was just as uneasy as you. I didn't know if I could escape unscathed. But once I arrived, I discovered that everything there was different from the rumors." Nv Luo had long since formed her own assessment: although the denizens of the Underworld lived in darkness, their hearts were filled with light. Everything in the Underworld seemed mysterious, yet it was absolutely devoid of such intricate schemes.

Shi Kong tried to set aside her internal turmoil. Observing Nv Luo’s composed expression, she thought to herself that with Her Highness present, she must not allow any further mistakes.

The God of Sleep had already returned to the Underworld; he did not need to appear on the Path of Reincarnation. Everything here remained under Nv Luo’s control.

The spirits finally began to move. Nv Luo and Shi Kong observed from the side, not missing a single detail.

The Path of Reincarnation, having been recast by Nv Luo, proved its immense value. With every step the spirits took, they gained a measure of vitality. The long procession moved without a sound, save for the soft rustle of footsteps recording their passage. Everything was proceeding according to Nv Luo’s plan.

Soon, the spirits reached the boundary crossing. This was the final step of the Path of Reincarnation and the beginning of the journey into the Underworld.

Nv Luo felt a flicker of anxiety. When she had passed through as a spirit, she had paid a heavy price. The recasting of the path was meant to grant these spirits more opportunities. Would they be able to pass through safely?

Shi Kong also watched the crossing. She was well aware of the dangers here and felt beads of sweat form on her brow, praying that the most tragic outcomes would not come to pass.

Before stepping onto the path, the spirits had been warned of the risks. Nv Luo had never hidden anything; if the spirits desired reincarnation and the chance at rebirth, they had to pay a price beyond imagination. While they were still in the mortal realm, Nv Luo could do her utmost to assist them, but once they stepped into the Underworld, they would have to rely on their own desperate thirst for life to survive the dangers ahead.

This boundary crossing was their first trial.

The dangers of the crossing required no explanation from Nv Luo; as the spirits drew near, they sensed the crisis themselves. A lethal aura of despair surged toward them, striking each spirit’s face and piercing their hearts, even though they had not yet entered the Underworld.

At that moment, the spirits were consumed by uncontrollable fear. They finally understood the true nature of that realm of death. They halted, their gazes fixed on the boundary—nearly invisible, yet undeniably real. One step forward meant entering the Underworld and drawing closer to rebirth. Yet, not a single spirit dared to take that step.

Nv Luo watched their reactions intently; the very thing she feared most had come to pass.

"Your Highness, what should we do?" Shi Kong wanted to help, but she awaited Nv Luo’s command.

"There is nothing to be done. They must rely on themselves. The path has been recast, using the most fertile soil of the mortal realm, solely to grant them vitality and hope. If they cannot pass this, how can they hope to walk the road of the Underworld?" Nv Luo yearned to intervene, but she could not. A spirit without a strong will to live did not deserve the chance at rebirth.

Suddenly, a scream erupted. One spirit finally gathered the courage to take the first step. Unfortunately, the powerful forces battered him until he was nearly shattered. He collapsed heavily, wailing in agony as he stared at his broken form.

Seeing this, the other spirits dared not attempt the crossing. Fear, undisguised and absolute, filled their eyes. The fallen spirit cried out helplessly, his miserable wails echoing through the void; he could only rely on the soil of the Path of Reincarnation to heal his wounds.

Gradually, the terrifying screams ceased. He found that his injuries were slowly mending—not erased, but sufficient to allow him to stand.

The spirit felt a wave of surprise as he rose once more. He looked gratefully at Nv Luo and attempted to move forward again.

Shi Kong was stunned. This was the reason Her Highness had insisted on replacing the soil—to help the spirits survive the critical moments of their trial.

The spirit fell and rose repeatedly, seemingly blind to the danger before him, until finally, he succeeded in moving forward.

A satisfied smile touched Nv Luo’s lips. This was the kind of spirit she had hoped to see; her efforts had not been in vain. Encouraged by his success, others began to challenge the crossing, falling and rising, falling and rising again. Some successfully crossed the threshold, finally reaching the Underworld.

However, not all spirits possessed such courage. More retreated instinctively, their ash-gray eyes filled with despair; they did not even dare to try. To retreat meant eternal death. They had abandoned their last chance at rebirth; hope did not always offer a second chance.

Nv Luo sighed inwardly as she watched them retreat. There was no path back. When the retreating spirits found themselves unable to move further back, they finally realized that forward was their only option.

They had no choice but to move forward.

Shi Kong began to understand why the Princess had done this. Spirits could not remain in the mortal realm; their ultimate destination was the Underworld, whether they were reincarnated or not. Since the catastrophe, the Princess had been busy, unable to deal with the chaos caused by the spirits, allowing them to linger in the mortal world. Now, everything was being set right.

Nv Luo had no choice. If the spirits remained in the mortal realm for too long, they threatened the living; some even preyed upon their own kind while endangering humanity. She had to seal off the path of retreat.

The spirits who could not retreat were forced forward, but unlike those who had struggled to pass, they were already paralyzed by fear before even reaching the threshold. They did not use the power of hope to overcome the aura of the Underworld, but instead passively accepted the danger. The outcome was predictable.

Countless spirits were torn into fragments, vanishing into the air like their own humble lives, leaving no trace behind.

Wails echoed incessantly, but who was to blame? When the opportunity stood before them, they chose fear over perseverance.

Nv Luo averted her gaze, refusing to listen to the tragic cries. Many others had successfully crossed the threshold and were now standing on the soil of the Underworld. She had to focus on them. Although more than half had fallen, the result was enough to satisfy her.

She and Shi Kong walked to the threshold, looking back at the spirits still struggling and wailing on the ground. She wanted to say something, but in the face of such a scene, words failed her. What was there to say? *You have wasted your final chance; wait here for your end?* It was better to say nothing. They had made their choices and had to bear the consequences.

Nv Luo took Shi Kong’s hand and walked quickly through the boundary. This gesture left Shi Kong stunned. She had felt the danger of the place, and the closer they got, the worse it felt; it was no wonder the spirits were so terrified.

Nv Luo had walked this path before and knew the danger; she feared that Shi Kong’s longing for the Underworld might cause her harm, so she guided her through.

Shi Kong could not describe the shock she felt. The hand in hers offered more than warmth; it was a silent comfort that washed away the last of her anxiety.

Nv Luo turned her gaze toward the first spirit to enter the Underworld. An idea she had long harbored returned to her mind: since he possessed such a strong will to live, some things could begin with him.

The Underworld lay before them. Shi Kong was instantly struck by the sight—the realm she had imagined countless times now stood before her in reality.

The spirits who had successfully crossed were also stunned. They realized more deeply that the hardship required for the Path of Reincarnation was many times greater than they had imagined. Only by coming here did they understand what the true world of death was like.