"Mm, at least you're not too stupid. Still, I like dealing with clever people-the kind who understand without even needing a hint."
Gai Jiuyou floated a foot above Mu Ling'er's body, dark red light gently churning along the edges of her soul form as she spoke candidly.
"This Netherworld Cave was the escape route I prepared for myself a thousand years ago."
"The headquarters of the Ten Hells Gate lies deep within this mountain, surrounded by ten layers of restrictions. Each was founded on Nine Nether Mountain's Mountain-Guarding Secret Art, with the aura of the Myriad Souls Banner as its guide. Never mind entering-even a glance at this cave entrance would cause the restrictions to shred an outsider's soul."
"That is why, after a thousand years, this place remains forbidden ground, undisturbed."
She paused, her gaze sweeping over the stalactites hanging from the cavern ceiling, as though looking at an old possession.
"The Ten Hells Gate was a covert organization I founded with my own hands. It had few disciples, but every one was a warrior sworn to die, chosen from ten thousand. Later, when I was sealed, the Ten Hells Gate fell silent as well, its disciples scattered far and wide. Only this Netherworld Cave continued operating in secret, guarding my last thread of vitality."
Lin Shisan's heart sank a little. He understood what Gai Jiuyou meant.
This Netherworld Cave nourished not only Mu Ling'er's body, but Gai Jiuyou's own soul form as well. It was the ground from which her dragon would rise, the retreat she had left herself a thousand years ago. And what she wanted him to do was far more than simply revive Mu Ling'er.
"What do you want me to do?"
Gai Jiuyou's soul form slowly drifted closer. Dark red light fell across Lin