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Chapter 155: Treading the Yin and Yang

Although he couldn’t make sense of it, the soul could only follow Bowen’s kind reminder before his departure and quickly turn around, moving away from the riverbank just half a step from the water. He returned to the place he previously shared with Bowen, waiting once again.

He didn’t know what he was waiting for, but there was nothing else he could do but wait.

This waiting felt far longer than before.

In the realm of souls, there is no concept of time, but prolonged stagnation is enough to wear down both matter and spirit.

The soul was unaware of how long he had been sitting in that sea of Flower of the Other Shore.

All he remembered was seeing far too many souls pass away, drifting down like feathers from the heavens of the underworld, plunging into the mist-veiled River of Three Ways, drowned, and dissolved.

Be it ordinary people or creatures, or bizarre entities, majestic beasts, none could escape the fate of being washed away by the long river, turning to dust.

So many, for too long, had even dulled the heart of the swordsman, who could be described as resilient.

He didn’t know if this was enlightenment or simply numbness.

He felt an inner exhaustion more than once and wished to close his eyes and just sleep in the sea of flowers, but Bowen’s parting words echoed constantly in his heart, reminding him that if he gave up, it truly would all be over.

Though he still didn’t know exactly what he was waiting for, the lingering unwillingness and desire still supported this wavering, void-like soul.

He kept remembering the brilliance he longed to pursue, that beautiful figure accompanying the rain of light swords overshadowing the sky at the Tomb of the Fallen Sword, a pure yearning for the sublime that transcended flesh and gender, like a moth attracted to a flame.

Even if that brilliance would burn him, turning him to ashes.

So he waited, awaiting the ethereal future.

Waiting…

Waiting…

Waiting…

Then, just as his vision was about to blur and his form nearly dispersed into nothingness… a clear, lovely sound, distinct from the somberness of this underworld, like a bright moon in the night or a lighthouse on the sea—this sound rang out by the River of Three Ways.

*“Ding-a-ling~”*

A bell chimed, reminiscent of the long-ago seen Ferryman, imbued with ancient dignified intent, yet filled with the vitality and beauty of life, even the blood-red sea of the other shore gently swayed with the bell’s ring, blooming plump and vibrant petals, rejoicing.

A figure approached from afar.

It was a young girl wearing a white fox mask, with a pair of triangle-shaped pointed ears atop her head, her snow-like hair cascading down like a long waterfall, casting a clear reflection in the dim underworld river, her complex red-and-white long dress gracefully embellishing her exquisite dance.

She didn’t traverse like the Ferryman with a ferry, but rather seemed to step upon the River of Three Ways, which ought to drown everything, moving with light and elegant steps, slowly approaching from the distance.

*“Ding-a-ling~ Ding-a-ling~”*

The sound of silver bells echoed once more in the underworld.

As she walked, the misty river rippled magically, gently cradling the girl, and even the countless wandering souls eternally falling into the underworld vanished in this moment.

*“Ah… ah ah… this is…”*

As he soaked in this stunning scene, the soul’s consciousness was nearly fading, yet an ancient nursery rhyme suddenly surged in.

It was an almost universally known tale from his childhood back in his homeland, passed down through generations yet no one ever saw the truth of it, seemingly narrating an incredible, mythical story existing only in legends.

Subconsciously, he began to sing quietly.

*“In the world of the underworld, by the riverbank of the nether, on the other shore of the three paths… spiritual fox, the spiritual fox comes from the river… blooming like blood, eyes gazing far… fox… treading the yin and yang, ringing the bell and moving, ferrying souls away, known as… the Spiritual Fox Priestess…”*

*“To the west lies the immortal island, the spirit hidden upon the isle… the legend of the Spiritual Fox Priestess… it seems to all be true…”*

He smiled, feeling an overwhelming sense of joy and fulfillment, his thoughts connecting in that moment.

The soul’s consciousness came to a halt.

…

The soul’s consciousness awakened again.

*“Whoa!”*

He opened his eyes wide, rolling up from the pure white snow, looking around in confusion.

*“I’m awake! I’m really awake!”*

Before him, a girl kneeling on the ground, with gray bangs covering half of her eye, gazed up in surprise from eye level, letting out a delighted exclamation. Another girl, similar in appearance but with bangs falling to the right, along with a middle-aged man behind them wearing a poncho, his hat piled with snowflakes, also bore a relieved smile.

Who are they again?

Staring at those familiar faces, the soul wrinkled his brow, recalling for a long time, until distant memories slowly surfaced.

Wait, this wind and snow, and them…

Is this… the summit of the Heavenly Barrier?

The Gray-clothed Swordsman looked down at the seven long swords hanging at his side and the emerald ring on his left wrist, and more astonishment welled up inside him.

*“I’m not dead?”*

*“You still have the nerve to say that! If it hadn’t been for Miss Xī being merciful, you would’ve truly died, you know?!”*

As past memories surged forth, seeing the girl named Dark Lotus before him with a look of fear and anger, along with a worried expression, the young man, who was initially at a loss, eventually… simply sighed gently and ruffled her hair to comfort her.

*“How long was I unconscious? Were you all here looking after me during this time? Who’s managing the Merchant Association’s team now that everyone has come out?”*

He thought he could immediately get an answer and was even prepared for a loose talk about important matters, but as soon as the soul finished speaking, he noticed the other three suddenly looking at him with peculiar or even more worried expressions.

Finally, it was Dark Lotus who couldn’t hold back any longer and spoke up.

*“You idiot, did you hit your head when you fell just now? From the moment Miss Xī defeated you, only half a minute has passed!”*

*“…?”*

The clear sound of the silver bell-like girl rang out exactly at that moment.

*“It’s possible my ability allowed him to see some illusions, don’t worry, he’ll recover after resting for a bit.”*

Hearing this, the soul quickly turned his head in surprise, only to find the girl wearing the white fox mask standing at the edge of the mountain platform, her hands clasped behind her back, gazing into the vast sky over the clouds. The chilly wind from the North raised her snow-like hair, her elegant figure seemingly transcending the world.

As if sensing the Gray-clothed Swordsman’s gaze, the White Fox Girl turned around, her silver-blue eyes meeting his in the air, and her tone took on a hint of mischief.

*“It seems this move of mine was ultimately received by you.”*

*“Miss Xī…”*

The girl waved her sleeve, interrupting the soul’s attempts to speak.

*“No need to say more; you understand the matters involved yourself. The journey is not easy, so go back to rest with your companions for now. When the timing is right, I’ll come find you again. This training should be enough for you to digest for a while.”*

*“Hmm… by the way, that flight wing will be kept by you as agreed. You can use it, but don’t break it.”*

*“…”*

After being stunned for a long time, as if finally understanding something, a look of realization gradually appeared on the Gray-clothed Swordsman’s face, followed by an overwhelming sense of gratitude.

He gently waved off his companions’ assistance, stood up, faced the White Fox Girl who had turned back again, and respectfully performed three deep bows.

*“Thank you, Miss Xī, for bestowing me this supreme opportunity. The soul shall never forget your guidance!”*

*“…Go on.”*

*“Yes!”*

Then, the four of them proceeded through the already opened space portal, leaving towards the Expeditionary Army camp on the other side.

Until only the solitary figure of the girl remained atop the snowy peak, the White Fox Girl finally took off her mask, revealing hints of helplessness and curiosity beneath.

*“Strange… what exactly did this kid see earlier?”*