Chapter 121: Similarities

Shaoguang and Shikong watched Siji in astonishment; how could she have done such a thing, and to a child of all things!

Nvluo was saddened by the child's fate and even more incensed by Siji’s actions. Her transgression was unforgivable.

Litian remained silent throughout, his thoughts occupied by the strange specter—the only one left who had not entered Fengdu City.

"Goddess of the Earth, it is time his matter was settled," Litian said, suddenly interrupting Nvluo.

When the specter of the Xiuyi tribe appeared, it was Siji who was most surprised. She could not believe that this spirit had not been taken away but had instead surfaced here. If he were here, did it mean the conspiracy had not been fully realized?

Nvluo’s gaze was fixed entirely on the specter. She had once speculated about his true nature, but seeing him in person was far more shocking than any conjecture. He did not behave like a mere spirit; he carried himself with the demeanor of a profoundly learned scholar. Though his clothes were tattered and it was evident he had endured unspeakable hardships, none of this diminished his elegant bearing. His eyes shone with a peaceful light, devoid of any despair or resentment.

The specter looked at the kneeling Siji, startled. How could a majestic Goddess be kneeling here? He then glanced at the expressionless Nvluo and Litian, guessing at their identities. He could not clearly see the child held in Nvluo’s arms.

"You are indeed extraordinary!" Nvluo felt a deep sense of relief to encounter such a human, tempered by regret; he should have been living under the sun, not reduced to a dark specter. Fortunately, his longing for life had not been extinguished. With such clear eyes, he would surely pass through the City of Reincarnation.

The specter was surprised to be considered "extraordinary" in the eyes of these gods. "May I ask who Your Highnesses are?" he inquired, curious. Since becoming a specter, he had been fortunate enough to see so many deities; he had once believed that death only led to the legendary world of darkness. Such an experience was rare indeed.

Nvluo, not expecting him to ask first, smiled slightly. "I am the Goddess of the Earth. And you?"

The specter thought for a moment. "I was the former chieftain of the Xiuyi tribe. I died in the recent blizzard in the mortal realm."

So he was a chieftain—that explained his composure. Nvluo picked up the child. "He is also of the Xiuyi tribe." Thinking of the cataclysm that had befallen the Xiuyi and the inexplicable disappearance of their other spirits, Nvluo pitied this "lucky survivor." If not for Litian’s intervention and Siji’s concealment, perhaps they would have vanished as well.

Suddenly, Nvluo witnessed a startling scene: the specter, who had remained calm, began to tremble uncontrollably upon seeing the child’s face. He pointed a shaking finger at the child. "Goddess of the Earth, how is he here?"

"You know him?"

"He is my son, the next chieftain of the Xiuyi tribe."

"What?" All eyes focused on him instantly. It was an incredible coincidence—they were father and son! The specter reached out to hold the child, and Nvluo, after a moment's thought, did not refuse.

No matter what form they took, the bonds of blood could never be severed. The specter stared painfully at the child in his arms, whose existence was fading away. This was his son, the continuation of his life. He had clearly escaped danger, so why was he here?

"Do not grieve too much. You still have one final chance. If you can successfully traverse the Path of Reincarnation, there is a chance for rebirth."

"Rebirth?" The specter had been imprisoned and did not know that Fengdu City had become the City of Reincarnation.

"This place has become the City of Reincarnation. If you navigate the path successfully, you can be reborn. I believe you will succeed."

"And him?" The specter pointed to the child. He had been hanging on every word Nvluo spoke, and a sense of foreboding welled up in him; he could not ignore the guilt in Nvluo’s eyes when she looked at the boy.

"I fear it is difficult. He is too young; I doubt he can withstand the dangers of the path." Nvluo did not hide the truth.

"Your Highness, is there really no other way?" The specter felt the weight of his own helplessness. He could not accept this reality. Nvluo felt a deep sense of pity for the family. Such an excellent family, suffering such a fate—but whose fault was it? Her silent response made his heart ache once more. There was no way.

"Your Highness, since the child is here, do you have any news of his mother? I want to know if she is still alive. Her name is Luoyun." Their lives had been brief; a once-happy family was now torn apart by life and death.

"She is dead."

What? Struck by another fatal blow, the specter found that while he had imagined this outcome, facing it was entirely different. "Your Highness, where is she? Does she have a chance at rebirth?"

"In the Underworld, in the River of Oblivion. She is not as fortunate as you." Nvluo had intended to hide this, but she finally saw the despair on his face. If death could not erode his thirst for life, only the death of his loved ones could truly break him.

The specter could not accept this. Only he could be reincarnated and reborn, but what of his wife and child? Were they to live in dark corners, hidden from the sun, suffering endless torment until they vanished forever?

The temple fell silent. Everyone was infected by the specter's sorrow, yet nothing could change their predetermined fate. Litian looked at Nvluo in surprise. Most spirits in the River of Oblivion turned into vengeful ghosts due to their obsessions; that she could still identify their identities was remarkable. How did she do it?

Siji lowered her head further. Her Highness had known all along. What else had she been hiding? It was laughable that she had overestimated her own abilities, engaging in such schemes and nearly betraying her mistress.

"Your Highness, I wish to abandon reincarnation!" The specter gave up what other spirits dreamed of with such determination.

"You wish to give it up?" Nvluo peered into his eyes, seeing only unwavering resolve.

"Even if I am reborn, what value does my life have? My wife and child are suffering; how can I walk the path of reincarnation with a clear conscience? If possible, please cast me into the River of Oblivion so we may be reunited."

"Go to the River of Oblivion? Do you even know what it is?" Litian was impressed by Nvluo—how could such a human appear in the mortal realm? He thought the River of Oblivion, a place that made even gods tremble, was a paradise? A fool, yet he felt a strange touch of respect for his devotion.

The specter shook his head; how could he know?

"You cannot go there. It is too dangerous." Nvluo had worked hard to build the Path of Reincarnation; she could not let such an excellent spirit enter that realm of darkness and hopelessness.

"If he wants to go, let him. If not for the Path of Reincarnation, he would have ended up there anyway." Litian offered a cold smile, interrupting whatever Nvluo was about to say.

The specter knelt suddenly. "I beg you, save my child!" His own fate could not be changed, but as long as there was a glimmer of hope, he could not abandon his son.

"Wouldn't it be better for the whole family to be reunited?" Litian wondered why he was suddenly so interested. He rarely intervened in the affairs of spirits. What prompted this sudden change?

"I beg you, save him! He is so small!" Litian stared coldly at the specter, deep in thought. Nvluo sensed something unusual. Litian had discovered something; his interest in this spirit must be linked to a discovery.

Litian had detected a power within the specter—one he hadn't noticed before, but which became prominent now that the specter was consumed by despair. He was no simple spirit.

Shaoguang and Shikong listened to the exchange in a stupor. Why was their mistress silent? They had the strange sensation that they were in the Underworld, and that Nvluo was... They looked at each other, sharing the same startling thought: the Goddess and the King of the Underworld—how could that be?

Nvluo gestured for them to leave; Litian likely had something to say. The temple was left with only Litian, Nvluo, and the two spirits.

Litian looked deeply at Nvluo; she knew his thoughts, a silent understanding between them. "Come here," Litian beckoned. The specter approached. With a wave of his hand, Litian unleashed a powerful force toward the specter, who instinctively shielded his child with his own body.

"Litian!" Nvluo wanted to stop him, but it was too late. Fortunately, Litian had no intention of killing him. Litian was now certain: the power in the specter was related to the mysterious energy remaining within Nvluo.

The specter did not understand what had happened or why he had been attacked; the ways of the gods were beyond him.

Litian was satisfied. "His essence shares a likeness with the hidden power inside you."

Now it was Nvluo’s turn to be shocked. This was Litian’s discovery. But she had met this specter for the first time today; how could they share similar power?

"Not just him," Litian added. "The child as well."

Nvluo fell into deep contemplation. The situation was bizarre. They were spirits of the Xiuyi tribe, and those who had disappeared previously were also of the Xiuyi. It was all too strange.

Nvluo stood up and walked to the specter, reaching out for the child. The specter recoiled, fearing she might hurt him. Though he did not understand Litian’s words, he sensed that something was connected to him.