Netherworld Retrograde

The Returning Souls' pleasure lies in temptation, in manipulation, in the enjoyment of observing intelligent life stepping into the conclusion they set, driven by fear, curiosity, greed, or despair, despite knowing the rules.

Like the most skillful hunters, they are patient, graceful, even carrying a certain cruel fairness. They provide choices: staying on the train and dying from resource scarcity and internal strife.

Or stepping into the mansion, walking into their traps, as if providing a chance for survival.

...

Within the mansion, Returning Soul nobles from different regions were discussing recent events.

Which battlefield between humans and the Forbidden Zone had a surge of obsession, which area was easier for making transactions with humans and demanding their price. Or which force was keen to cooperate with the Returning Souls.

"Disaster Fog... what a pity, even we can't enter the Disaster Fog easily. Otherwise, how great would the gift be from such a massive death?"

"There's nothing to pity, those swallowed by the Nether River can't even release their obsession. Moreover, are you planning to meet the Champion?"

"Humans are still reproducing too slowly, they need to reproduce faster..."

"Battles and Catastrophes are the only ways to consistently create extreme obsessions, opportunities are too rare."

"And we cannot be contaminated by Chaos's faith, damn Chaos! Last time the transaction was going well, the other party inexplicably received Chaos Blessing, dismantling one of my Yin Soldiers!"

"Igniting the green flame, that's what's terrifying... damn Fifth God, shoving nails in our mouths."

The appearance of Returning Souls is closely related to humans.

The majority of them are formed by the explosion of obsession during massive human deaths.

From this perspective, Returning Souls do not wish for human extinction.

The remaining intelligent lives, including Forbidden Zone creatures and Forbidden Zone humans, can also provide them obsessions. But the restricted area order limits them, making them less desirable compared to humans.

Thus, they hope humans can flourish, develop strength without growing too strong, with maximum reproductive capability.

"Speaking of which, why suddenly start a banquet?"

This kind of banquet opens periodically, serving as channels for different Returning Souls to contact each other.

But the Grand Duke from other regions just finished their banquet not long ago. They were puzzled why Duke Yu Huo suddenly started the banquet.

Shouldn't the next banquet occur at least a month later?

Despite doubts, as 'prey' arrived, they temporarily shifted attention to the banquet.

Forget it, since the banquet has started, perhaps they can see if new companions can be born.

Moreover, for low-level Returning Souls, this was a rare feast.

Feeling the train finally stopped, according to their experience, some who saw the impending resource struggle would hasten to leave the train.

Or step into the mansion, becoming playthings manipulated by Returning Souls.

Or continue escaping, but all would eventually return here.

"Eat the food, become food. As for not eating..."

"Then you trigger my rule!"

"Look in the mirror and be dragged into it."

"My stone statue sits in front of your mirror, failing to look at the stone statue is an offense to me!"

"I want to plan a region where one cannot leave without making love, forcing humans to reproduce vigorously!"

"Best to break up pairs, the exploding emotions will be stronger."

"The numbers seem numerous, I seem to sense a Spiritual Ability User's fluctuation."

"That adds more fun; one-sided massacre is too dull. Some resistance will be a nice spice."

"This time's selector shows some intent. The last caravan guards added quite a lot of fun for us."

Returning Souls joked and laughed, each having their rules. Indeed, these rules limited them, but when they cooperated, it became an unavoidable trap and nightmare. Escaping one Returning Soul's rule meant stepping into another's boundary. Thus, no one could exit the banquet alive!

However, some Returning Soul frowned: "The train... have humans recovered enough to build trains? Previously, weren't they caravans?"

"Indeed, Boundary City has started building trains, seems like they have Taboo Items, opening paths between their Giant Cities. But not many classes."

"Touching Giant City's trains... will it attract Ye Boshou?"

"So what? Without our consent, the living can't find our ghost. Moreover, this is Duke Yu Huo's ghost."

"Be careful, humans will call friends, who knows, they could summon the Human Champion or Supreme."

"Stop speculating, why not start a game, bet how many will become our companions this time."

"Save your rules to deal with humans. Gambler."

Some Returning Soul chuckled: "Leave those Spiritual Ability Users to me, let me win their organs, companions, and finally enjoy their regret and despair!"

"Igniting the green flame, you'll cry."

Returning Souls discussed and laughed.

As the banquet's host, Duke Yu Huo conversed with several Marquises and Earls on critical matters from the high platform.

A Gui King started expanding their territory; as great nobles, they might also be involved in the struggle.

They must carefully choose sides; previously Duke Luoshan suffered for choosing the wrong side.

Disputes exist among Returning Souls too.

Low-level Returning Souls supply obsession to high-level ones, high-level ones supply to nobles, and nobles supply to Gui King...

In such circumstances, struggle is inevitable.

Duke Yu Huo started this banquet due to a suddenly intercepted piece of information, aiming to discuss it with other Returning Souls.

Casually letting subordinates pick humans to enter ghost. They didn't attend to the prey's movements.

As great nobles, they didn't need the banquet to strengthen themselves.

While other Returning Souls began anticipating the prey's entrance.

Their excitement blinded them to the thin mist shrouding their senses, causing Spiritual Energy Fluctuation and the rustling of certain cloaks to vanish without a trace.

However, at a certain moment.

The stopped train doors all opened, figures rushed out into the night. Black cloaks swayed like a flock of ravens, and they headed straight for the mansion without hesitation, passing the gate and stepping onto the courtyard lawn.

This surprised the Returning Souls; were there quite a few people?

Interesting, but such a rude gatecrash comes with a price. Without any salute or etiquette, certain Returning Souls' rules were directly triggered.

However, some Returning Souls suddenly retreated, faces marked with fear and disbelief.

They seemed to recognize something, yet some didn't notice any anomaly, their senses still oblivious to the danger.

They proceeded to attack the leading two figures!

Li Ye and Yang Chen, after getting off the train and entering the mansion, felt the indistinct Ghost Energy.

Li Ye couldn't help but speak: "Captain, would crashing the train into the mansion be better?"

Yang Chen shook his head: "Breaking it requires repair, let's not do that. Using my fists will be more effective."

"Are machines more important than flesh? Captain, your logic is flawed." Li Ye retorted.

"Mainly, ordinary machines aren't as hard as me." Yang Chen spread his hands: "Machines break and need repair, my fists can't break."

"I get it, this is the True Martial Path special, humans inferior to devices." Li Ye laughed.

The two chatted idly, swiftly moving toward the mansion's building entrance.

In the next second, they suddenly heard people calling behind them.

"Teammate, watch out."

"Ah Chen..."

Those were Cheese and Captain Cang Bai's voices.

The two frowned and turned around, only to see two incredibly skinny old men.

At the same time, those two old men exhaled toward them.

They are Blowing Lamp Ghost!

Once the target turns around, they are unrestricted in extinguishing the target's life flame.

However, until they attacked Li Ye and Yang Chen, the fog shrouding all humans quietly dispersed. The sound of the Champion Cloak's rustling echoed throughout the ghost!

Behind Yang Chen, the Returning Souls first felt the volcano-like vitality, a flame unquenchable by any means.

That violent vitality even ignited it!

Behind Li Ye, the Returning Souls saw... their nemesis...

A massive pale Qilin lowered its gaze, looking down at it...

The next moment, its head smashed into its chest.

At that moment, all Returning Souls felt fear and bewilderment. Two violent Blood Evil Energies soared to the sky.

At that moment, the faces of Returning Soul nobles deep within the mansion dramatically changed.

At that moment, Duke Yu Huo's incredulous voice rang out.

"What the hell did you let in here?"

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