Envoy from the Underworld

Within the basin, a scene of devastation was present, yet it also held a strange "cleanliness." The massive, distorted form of the Rule Tumor had vanished, leaving only traces of pure Netherworld essence slowly returning to the heavens and earth, nourishing the land that had been poisoned for so long. The ruins of collapsed altars silently recounted the horrors of before, and the turbulent energy flows in the air gradually subsided. Only a profound weariness and the silence of survival after a disaster enveloped Su Yan and the others.

They sat or lay, almost without the strength to speak, relying on instinct alone to slowly circulate their cultivation techniques, drawing in the thin, death-filled spiritual energy of the Netherworld, attempting to regain a sliver of their ability to act. Star Vortex lay beside Su Yan, too tired to even twitch its tail. Only the slight rise and fall of its shell proved it was still breathing. Its normally brilliant Star Map patterns were now dim and lifeless.

However, this deathly silence did not last long.

From afar, a uniform, heavy, and rhythmic sound of footsteps could be heard, as if thousands of troops were marching in formation, yet carrying a chilling and cold aura that did not belong to the armies of the living world. Accompanying the footsteps was a crisp, distant bell sound, capable of cleansing the soul and stirring reincarnation. It grew closer from afar, clearly reaching everyone's ears, carrying an undeniable order and majesty.

Su Yan forced himself to look up, towards the direction of the sound. At the edge of the basin, where the space barrier had once been distorted and blurred, a massive portal emitting a faint green light had opened at some unknown time. From within the portal, teams of Underworld Soldiers, clad in standard dark armor and wielding Dark Iron halberds that gleamed with cold light, emerged with precise steps. Their auras were condensed and lethal, their levels all above 35. Hundreds, even thousands of them, silently surrounded the entire basin, their movements swift and efficient, demonstrating high military discipline.

At the front of the Underworld Soldier formations were several Ghost Officials, riding Netherworld Warhorses whose flames burned like souls. They wore civilian robes but possessed unfathomable auras. The leader was a middle-aged scholar with an ancient, dignified face that radiated authority without anger. He wore a Black Gauze Hat and a crimson Judge's Robe embroidered with ferocious Xiezhi patterns. In his hands, he held a golden book and a brush that exuded the aura of reincarnation. He did not deliberately exude pressure, but merely by floating there, he seemed to become the center of this world. Even the inherent dim yellow light of the Netherworld seemed to brighten and become more orderly around him.

[Cui Jue (Underworld Chief Judge)]
Level: ???

The feedback from the detection spell was a series of heart-stopping question marks. His strength was clearly far beyond the scope that Su Yan and the others could comprehend.

People from the Underworld's official capacity had finally arrived! And it was the renowned Chief Judge himself—Cui Jue!

Cui Jue's gaze was like lightning as he slowly swept across the entire basin, passing over the pure Netherworld essence left after the Rule Tumor's dissipation, then over the collapsed altars, finally settling on Su Yan and his companions, who lay sprawled on the ground, in a sorry state. His gaze lingered for a moment on the Compass in Su Yan's hand, which had not yet been fully put away and still flowed with Starlight and ethereal light. A faint trace of surprise flickered across his usually placid face.

"A living being?" Cui Jue spoke, his voice calm yet carrying a soul-piercing authority, as if stating a law of heaven and earth. "You trespassed into the Netherworld, disturbed the balance of yin and yang, and caused the rules of this place to become unstable. Do you know your crime?"

His words were not an accusation but a plain statement, yet they caused Su Yan and the others to feel an invisible pressure descend. Even the surrounding Underworld Soldiers simultaneously turned their gazes, their cold killing intent as tangible as substance.

Mo Hen's face turned pale as he tried to explain, only to find that under this pressure, even making a sound was difficult. Bai Zhi clasped her hands together, chanting Buddhist scriptures to stabilize her mind with Buddhist dharma. Yun Ji's surrounding mist rippled slightly, as if resisting the pressure. Star Vortex let out a threatening growl. Though weak, it stubbornly stood in front of Su Yan.

Su Yan took a deep breath, forcing his almost broken body to stand straight with difficulty. He cupped his hands in a salute to Cui Jue in the air, his voice hoarse but clear: "This junior, Su Yan, along with my companions, did not intend to trespass into the Netherworld. We were actually pursuing the conspiracy of the 'End Times Cult' and trying to prevent them from using the 'Rule Tumor' to connect to the 'Well of Guixu' and wreak havoc on the three realms. The Rule Tumor you saw earlier was formed from the ancient Netherworld Emperor You Huan being corrupted by The End. We risked our lives to purify its core will, causing it to fall into dormancy, and we also killed the Nether Hall Master Ying Hai who was in charge here. The disturbance was truly unavoidable. We beg for your understanding, Judge."

His words were neither humble nor arrogant, directly laying out the cause and effect, and especially highlighting keywords like "End Times Cult," "Rule Tumor," "Well of Guixu," and "Netherworld Emperor You Huan." He believed that with the abilities of an Underworld Judge, the truth would be discernible.

Indeed, upon hearing "Netherworld Emperor You Huan" and "Well of Guixu," Cui Jue's ancient face finally showed a clear movement of emotion. The golden book in his hand turned pages by itself, rustling as if conducting some kind of verification and deduction. The Ghost Officials beside him exchanged glances, clearly shocked by the news.

A moment later, the pages stopped turning. Cui Jue looked at Su Yan and the others with less scrutiny and more complexity in his gaze.

"Netherworld Emperor You Huan... it is indeed an ancient matter. His whereabouts have been a mystery, and the Underworld has searched for him for many years. To think he would end up like this... lamentable, truly lamentable." Cui Jue's voice carried a hint of emotion, but he quickly regained his authority. "What you have said roughly aligns with the anomalies in heaven and earth and the causal connections recorded in the secondary volume of the Book of Life and Death. Purifying the Emperor's remains and eradicating the End Times' stronghold is a great merit, contributing to the order of heaven and earth."

He changed his tone. "However, the Netherworld is a sacred place with its own laws. Living beings lingering here is already a violation. Furthermore, you possess extraordinary treasures (his gaze swept over the Compass again), which involve great implications. The 'End Times Cult' and the 'Well of Guixu' you mentioned are secrets concerning the survival of the three realms. This matter is no longer something your small group of adventurers can handle alone."

Cui Jue paused, then made his decision. "Considering your merits to heaven and earth, your trespassing will be temporarily overlooked. However, you must accompany this official to Fengdu City to face King Yama and report in detail everything you know about this matter, especially concerning the 'End Times Cult' and the 'Well of Guixu.' The Underworld requires your 'assistance.'"

His tone was unquestionable. While it seemed like an invitation, it was in fact a command. Going to Fengdu City meant facing the highest echelons of the Underworld and "assisting" them in investigating the deeper conspiracy of the End Times Cult.

Su Yan and Mo Hen exchanged glances. They were in extremely poor condition and had no strength to resist a behemoth like the Underworld. Moreover, Cui Jue was right; the threat of the End Times Cult far exceeded their current capabilities. If they could leverage the Underworld's power, it would undoubtedly be a better choice. Fengdu City, as the core of the Underworld, would surely possess the safe environment, high-level supplies, and more comprehensive intelligence they desperately needed.

"This junior obeys," Su Yan replied respectfully. "However, we are still injured and in poor condition, which may delay our journey."

"It matters not." Cui Jue nodded slightly and gently pointed his reincarnation brush at Su Yan and the others.

A gentle yet pure radiance, imbued with the meaning of reincarnation and rebirth, descended and enveloped the four people and one pet. Su Yan immediately felt a warm current flow through his limbs. The hidden injuries from the battle, the depleted spiritual power and mental energy, were recovering at an astonishing rate. Even the scratches on Star Vortex's shell were slowly healing! Although full recovery was still some way off, they at least regained basic mobility and self-preservation abilities.

"Thank you, Judge!" everyone said in unison, their hearts filled with even greater awe for the Underworld's methods.

"Let's go," Cui Jue said no more, turning his horse and heading towards the massive green portal. The Underworld Soldier formation parted, silently watching Su Yan and the others.

Su Yan put away his Compass and, with his companions, followed the Underworld contingent into the portal leading to the heart of the Netherworld—Fengdu City.

Behind them lay the battlefield, which was gradually returning to peace, and a thrilling adventure. Ahead lay the strictly ordered Underworld, a larger power struggle, and deeper secrets about The End and Guixu waiting for them to uncover.

A new chapter had begun.