Chapter 1901: Chapter 1899: Lake-of-Hali
"Too immersed in the practice of the ’Book of Dead Spirit,’ I completely failed to notice the changes in the outside world. In the blink of an eye, I’ve arrived here... the world belonging to the Yellow Robe King - Carxa.
My consciousness once lingered among the lakes.
By the way, the numerous souls wandering and rooted here, are they because Carxa is the final resting place for Demon Spirits, or because they were plundered here by the Yellow Robe?"
Just as Han Dong muttered softly.
"Both," a voice responded by his ear.
Unknowingly, a yellow robe had settled by Han Dong’s side.
The returning Yellow Robe King, revealing a brand new demeanor,
a form that weakens defense, lowers mystique, and greatly enhances soul affinity, also known as "Prince of Souls of Carxa."
The yellow robe, originally enveloping the whole body, had transformed into a convenient bandage-like form, wrapping around the head, body trunk, and arms, with extra strands floating behind.
The light bandages distinctly exposed a thin body,
and between the gaps of the bandages, slender white tentacles wriggled.
Only the lower part of the robe’s structure remained, with a long hem dragging behind, exuding a sense of solemnity and nobility.
Moreover, when the yellow robe returned to the world it managed,
a pointed crown was placed among the bandaged head,
with slender, withered fingers pointing towards the cloud of souls that filled the sky,
some forming clouds,
some emitting light,
some becoming black mist raining down,
"In former days, the total soul number of Carxa was at least fifty times more than now... Due to the large amount of ’Land Deeds’ under my command being used for compensation and the segregation plan, this place had been left unmanaged for long.
Now it has declined so.
Of course, it’s slightly better than what I anticipated, at least the most fundamental system still exists.
Come with me. Although there’s nothing for you here, nor any place where you can be of use... but as my messenger, you still need to have a look around here.
Perhaps it will greatly assist your further study of the ’Book of Dead Spirit.’
Some things I no longer need, you can take them directly."
"Alright."
Upon hearing there were things to pick up, interest was immediately piqued.
As they stepped towards Lake-of-Hali, Han Dong also rather curiously asked: "When Demons die, do all their souls gather here? Or are they actively drawn by you?"
"If all Demon Spirits came voluntarily, I wouldn’t have ended up like this, forced to sign various restriction agreements, using a large number of Land Deeds as compensation.
Even my throne was almost overthrown.
But my management style back then indeed had issues.
Any that had seen the Yellow Mark while alive, or occasionally brushed past me, or dreamed of Carxa... so on.
As long as they had once directly or indirectly been associated with the ’Yellow Mark,’ their souls would be attracted to Carxa after death.
This naturally included some individuals under other Old Kings, which also led to conflicts.
Moreover, back then, I had quite a temper, if someone dared to demand souls from me, I would usually quote several times, even ten times the price.
Additionally.
I personally had a bit of selfish desire.
Although I didn’t like to train messengers, nor did I like establishing cults... but I had a huge demand for souls and brains.
You have seen part of the ’evil,’ you should be able to understand.
High-quality souls can make Carxa much stronger, while high-quality brains bring me immense satisfaction.
And so, things gradually escalated.
Even several old ones dared to join forces to suppress me~ however, now I can understand.
After all, consuming others’ descendants or exceptional disciples is indeed somewhat vile.
If, when you burst into the library, I had just drained you and Pope’s brains, then stitched your souls into a carpet and placed it in the office.
Comfortable, surely it would have been comfortable~
But I estimate that once the Void and Grey understood the situation, they would act against me immediately."
Upon hearing this, Han Dong recalled the scene of having his brain licked, and couldn’t help but shudder a little.
"Over these years, I have mostly figured it out. I must find a ’relatively friendly’ management mode for Carxa, striving to have foreign souls come here willingly."
"Are you planning to establish a cult?"
Han Dong bluntly pointed out the issue.
"After thinking it through, this seems to be the only way, although it bothers me, it is a must-do thing.
Establish the ’Yellow Seal Cult,’ occasionally granting certain blessings to the followers, or spiritual guidance, so that after they die, they willingly leave their souls in Carxa.
As long as the cult’s scale is large enough, the total soul aggregation in Carxa will naturally be sufficient."
"Do you need my help?"
"Establishing a cult is something that needs to be done gradually and I have quite sufficient time, so I can take it slow.
All you need to do is take care of the library and keep the ’Book of Dead Spirit’ stored in it."
It seemed that the Yellow Robe was well aware that Han Dong didn’t have much time, just simply brought him here for a tour.
Ahead lay the renowned ’Lake-of-Hali,’
rumored that all souls drawn to Carxa went through the baptism of Lake-of-Hali, washing away their obsessions from life, willingly staying here.
This could actually be seen as a ’memory wash and thought injection.’
Once bathed in the Lake-of-Hali, the spirit body would become Carxa’s slave.
From afar, on the opposite shore of the lake, lay an ancient city, both virtual and real.
Sometimes appearing as if surrounded by high yellow walls,
sometimes resembling towering ruined castles standing,
sometimes scattered villages and towns,
in short, due to the Yellow Robe King’s defeat and departure, the city had long turned to ruin.
Following that, ride upon a dilapidated wooden boat with the Yellow Robe King, slowly rowing through Lake-of-Hali... amidst the dense fog on the lake, a tentacle would occasionally emerge, as if spying on the two.
The lake wasn’t very large,
but Han Dong felt that no matter how he rowed, it was hard to reach the Other Shore, the ancient city on the other side was even more untouchable.
Unknowingly, an hour had passed on the lake.
Han Dong finally couldn’t help but speak up, "Senior, are we heading to the Other Shore? Rowing like this doesn’t seem to reach the end..."
"Indeed, the [Other Shore] didn’t exist from the start.
Lake-of-Hali itself is boundless, and what you see as the other side is merely a reflection of the lake from the shore we were previously on."
"If the Other Shore doesn’t exist, then what about the ancient city standing over there?"
"What you see may not be the truth, you should be able to see clearly with your eye? Given that the Other Shore is a reflection, the ’palace’ we are heading to follows the same principle.
Those images of the ancient city are just ’reflections in the lake.’
The true palace lies beneath Lake-of-Hali..."
At this moment, the scene zooms out.
Han Dong and the Yellow Robe’s boat were now in the depths of the endless lake.
A shadow in the lake slowly surfaced, compared to it, the boat was as insignificant as an ant... the entire lake trembled with its emergence,
numerous bubbles rose to the surface, creating more dense white mist.
"Here it comes, Nicholas~ be ready."
The Yellow Robe King had just issued a warning.
Immediately, a mass of white tentacles arose from the water, instantly dragging the boat into the depths, the sound of the wooden boat being crushed could even be heard.
Simultaneously,
an identical wooden boat reformed amid the white mist at the port.