Return to the Underworld

Had it not been for the two factors overlapping, Jing Yan could have completely [Verbal Domination] Bronya.

However, even though he failed, it was not without its gains.

He had three takeaways: first, he could essentially dominate anyone who did not follow the Path of "Harmony" like Bronya.

Second, he could manipulate others into falling for his schemes without them realizing it by adjusting his rhetoric.

Third, when using [Verbal Domination], he would unconsciously release a massive surge of "Eros" energy into his surroundings. If he disregarded the risk of causing permanent mental damage or trauma to the target, he could choose to maintain the pressure and force them to submit to him, though doing so might also cause them to break free or become catatonic.

"Alright, let's get moving." Jing Yan turned back and said to the Astral Express Trio.

"Where are we going next? And what exactly did you do to Commander Bronya just now? What was that, anyway? It couldn't have been hypnosis, could it?" Stelle asked from the side.

At this moment, Bronya's favorability toward Jing Yan increased.

[Bronya's favorability increased by 5%. Current favorability: 65%]

Looking at the panel before him, Jing Yan understood something.

It seemed that if he thought of someone who didn't know him, their favorability toward him was set to 0% by default. Once they became acquainted with him, it immediately jumped to around 60%, and if they had further contact and developed a positive impression, the favorability would gradually rise.

65%, not bad at all.

Jing Yan pondered.

At this moment, the Belobog broadcast had begun airing the latest emergency news. Due to an invasion by Fragmentum Monsters, citizens were urged to return home as soon as possible or follow the Silvermane Guards to designated safe zones for shelter.

People on the street hurried toward nearby buildings upon hearing the message.

Hearing the news, Jing Yan smiled. He knew one thing: the large-scale invasion of Fragmentum Creatures currently underway had nothing to do with him.

He had indeed controlled a few Fragmentum Creatures earlier to help draw the attention of the Silvermane Guards, but the number he had summoned was quite small and relatively controllable.

The numbers mentioned in the broadcast were far greater than what he had called forth; he guessed it was likely the result of Cocolia making a deal with the Stellaron.

"Hypnosis? You could interpret it as an ability of my Path," Jing Yan said vaguely.

Upon hearing this, the three felt somewhat confused.

Because, based on the eighteen Paths of the Aeons they had heard of so far, they had never heard of such an ability. However, the universe was vast and full of wonders; for instance...

It was possible that Jing Yan's Path was the mysterious "Mystery" or "Nihility," so possessing special effects or the ability to apply debuffs to others wasn't entirely incomprehensible.

Furthermore, rather than calling it the power of a Path, one couldn't rule out that Jing Yan possessed some kind of Curio. If he had unleashed the power of a Curio to influence Bronya, that wouldn't be impossible either.

In any case, Jing Yan was a person of mysterious origins and unique abilities, and everything he had said so far coincided with the goals of the Nameless of the Astral Express.

"You look so serious, but be honest with me—have you ever used this ability to do anything bad?" March 7th asked, blinking.

Jing Yan smiled and said nothing.

"Whatever you want to ask, we can talk about it later. But for now, how about you come with me to the Underworld?"

"The Underworld?" Only then did they recall Jing Yan mentioning earlier that he was from the Underworld. They hadn't thought much of it before, but after seeing Jing Yan move a manhole cover aside, they were stunned.

"The Underworld... is underground?"

Jing Yan didn't say much, instead leading them down. After bypassing an abandoned intersection, he opened a steel grate that seemed to have been sealed off. Below, there appeared to be even more layers beneath the sewers, stacked one after another, all made of dark steel, with massive gears turning.

Jing Yan jumped down directly and gestured for the three of them to follow.

"This... alright."

March 7th, Stelle, and Dan Heng jumped down one by one and were shocked.

They were currently near the Connection Tower close to the furnace, the boundary between the Underworld and the Overworld. The sky of the Underworld was a wall of steel, blotting out the sun—or rather, there was no sky at all.

The light was provided by orange Geomarrow ore exposed on the rocks.

The structures were arranged in jagged, spiral rows, resembling the structure of an inverted pine tree.

These Geomarrow ores made the three of them realize something immediately.

The shape of these ores was identical to the sculpture in the center of the Administrative District in the Overworld: the Monument of Everwinter.

However, the massive Monument of Everwinter was made of cerulean-blue Geomarrow, while the ones here were all orange.

"Welcome to the Underworld."

Jing Yan smiled.

The questions from above could be resolved later, but there was no rush.

Everyone could take a tour of the Underworld first.

Under Jing Yan's guidance, the Astral Express Trio descended from the dozens-of-meters-high Connection Tower near the furnace and reached the ground level of the Underworld.

The attire of the people here was distinctly different from those in the Overworld.

It was simpler, and the color palette of the surrounding buildings was the same.

However, the Underworld seemed to have a bit more human warmth, whereas the Overworld was more refined.

At this moment, the group arrived at Natasha's clinic.

There were already quite a few people gathered here.

They were primarily members of the "Underworld Fire" organization, along with a few children from The Moles.

"I heard something happened up there..."

Before the four of them could even get close, they heard the voices of the people ahead.

"Outworlders, wanted criminals, and Fragmentum monsters appearing at such a convenient time—this world is getting harder and harder to live in!"

Another Underworld citizen chimed in.

"Where did Jing Yan go? I heard he went to the Overworld to find Sampo. I hope nothing happened to him."

A miner spoke up.

Natasha's clinic frequently treated miners with work-related injuries, so Jing Yan had saved many of them and maintained a good relationship with the workers.

"That kid Jing Yan is really something... He just played the hero by saving Lady Seele, and now he's gone to the Overworld? This doesn't seem like his personality at all. Was he always this reckless?"

Someone asked.

Just then, the figures of Jing Yan and the Astral Express trio appeared, and the crowd immediately erupted into excited cheers.

Natasha walked over even faster, a look of relief on her face. There was a sheen of sweat on her forehead, as if she had been searching for him for quite some time.

Seeing that Jing Yan was safe and sound, she rushed up and hugged him, only to release him a moment later, mindful of the boundaries between men and women.

"What is wrong with you?!"

"I thought that..."

Natasha said with a blush and a tone of reproach.

"Haha." Jing Yan gave a sheepish laugh.