Chapter 184

Hu Tao knew very well that the 'boundary of life and death' she was heading to was not the legendary 'hell' or 'underworld,' but merely a place similar to an 'immortal's secret realm' caused by the disorder of the earth's veins.

The restless souls who had obsessions with the living in this area of Liyue were unconsciously attracted here and remained. Every time she visited, the number and identity of these spirits would change, though she wasn't sure where those spirits eventually went.

She still remembered the first time she came here; it was during a time of shock and grief after her grandfather passed away. Though terrified of ghosts, she had mustered the courage to journey to the "resting place of the dead at the end of the boundary between life and death."

She came to realize that ghosts were not frightening, but were rather poor souls with unfinished business. However, she did not find her grandfather there, indicating he had no lingering regrets and had departed peacefully. That thought gave her comfort—both for her grandfather and herself.

After she returned from the 'boundary of life and death,' the Eye of God appeared in front of her.

Hu Tao carefully guided a few trembling souls onward, her peach-blossom pupils full of both nervousness and curiosity.

"Although this place was already spooky, today it has become extremely spooky! Could it be that a super powerful evil ghost has arrived at the 'resting place'?" She muttered, patting her chest, and walked forward with cautious courage.

The 'resting place,' originally resembling a secret realm, had now become a real, eerie land filled with yin energy. Even the natural sunlight had turned into a dull, gray hue. All the spirits that once gathered here had disappeared.

The floating island with ruins of ancient buildings at the end of the path had turned into a black square. In the center stood a towering, 100-meter-tall white iron gate, adorned with carvings depicting the deceased being thrown into a whirlpool for reincarnation.

There was something oddly sacred about the place, despite the darkness that surrounded it. On both sides of the white iron gate stood two massive, 30-meter-tall figures wearing Yaksha masks, each holding a large black hook spear.

As a girl who dealt with life and death daily, Hu Tao was not afraid. Instead, she curiously approached the square, with several balloon-like ghosts trembling behind her.

"Wow! When was this built here? How come I never knew about it? Were gods behind this? It must be—only gods could create such a thing."

Hu Tao walked to the front of the gigantic iron gate, looking up with sparkling eyes. "Wow, such a huge gate! And the carvings match so well with the theme of the Hall of Rebirth's door. If the Hall had a door like this, our customers would want to book more services on the spot!"

At that moment, the two massive stone statues slowly opened their eyes and lowered their heads.

*Click, click, click...*

Hu Tao was startled. "Whoa! The stone statues moved! Did I trigger a trap?!" She quickly raised her polearm in defense.

[Ahead lies the world of the dead.]

[Do you wish to enter?]

The two statues spoke in turn. The anticipated attack never came. Hu Tao blinked, studying the two stone figures curiously. "Were you two created by gods?"

[We are the guardians of the Gate of the Underworld.]

[Ahead lies the world of the dead.]

[Do you wish to enter?]

Hu Tao was stunned. "The Underworld? The actual Underworld?!"

Humans often fantasized about a place where the dead lived on, hoping they could find peace after passing away. Even Hu Tao didn't know whether such a place existed; she had never seen it before.

[Yes.]

[Do you wish to enter?]

The statues repeated mechanically.

Hu Tao pointed at herself, eyes wide. "Can I go to the Underworld?"

[Detecting identity...]

[Identity confirmed: Liyue native, holder of the Eye of God, Hu Tao, Ferryman.]

[Access granted.]

A creaking noise filled the air as the 100-meter-tall white iron gate began to open, just wide enough for someone to pass through.

*Buzz...*

Before Hu Tao could react, her Eye of God glowed brightly, transmitting a wealth of information into her mind.

'Underworld,' 'The Ferryman,' 'Rules of the Underworld,' 'Reincarnation,' 'Code of the Living'...

Hu Tao recovered from the initial shock. "So, there really is an Underworld. Ferrymen who maintain the boundary between life and death can guide lingering souls to the Underworld according to its rules!" She looked down at the Eye of God on her waist. "Rex Lapis allowed me to come here because he thought I could handle this responsibility?"

"The Underworld, it's the real Underworld!"

Hu Tao spoke with growing excitement, carefully guiding the few shivering souls toward the 'Gate of the Underworld.' She wasn't scared. The Eye of God was given to her by the gods, and if they said it was alright, then it must be.

What lay before her was a sky covered in black clouds. In mid-air, an endless procession of spirits floated in a single direction, without an end in sight. Aside from the river of souls in the sky, the landscape was barren, with no vegetation. Gray 'snowflakes' fell from the sky.

It was exactly like the Underworld from myth and legend.

Hu Tao was in awe. "Countless rivers made of souls floating in the sky! Do so many people die every day?"

Without her noticing, the restless souls she brought along had floated away, joining the river of souls in the sky.

*Buzz~*

The Eye of God on her waist flashed rhythmically, urging her to leave quickly. Hu Tao had no intention of exploring the Underworld—it was the realm where the dead were reincarnated, and everyone would come here eventually. Curiosity could wait.

"Goodbye! I hope you live freely in your next life."

Hu Tao waved at the few souls drifting toward the river of souls, then eagerly turned around to leave the 'Gate to the Underworld.'

"Hehe, what a bizarre and amazing experience. If I write a little booklet about my journey and hand it out, people will surely be intrigued by such a legendary experience. It'll definitely boost the business of the Hall of Rebirth!"

"I'll ask Keqing and Zhongli to help me polish it—the story will sell like hotcakes!"