Xiao Meiying found herself back in the hall, the haunting echoes of the trial still reverberating in her mind. She quickly got up from the ground, her eyes void of emotion, like a girl who had just committed a murder—which, in a sense, she had. Her movements were mechanical as she walked towards Feng Lou, who also stood in the hall, looking weathered and introspective from his own trial.
Before Xiao Meiying could say anything, the two ghostly figures materialized before them, their ethereal presence commanding attention.
The white figure spoke first, its voice resonant and solemn. "Feng Lou, you have passed the Will Trial. We were not able to spectate your trial for some reason, and we considered disqualifying you for that. However, the Crown of the Underworld intervened on your behalf."
The black figure stepped forward, a crown materializing in its hands. The crown looked rusted and old, but it exuded a regal aura that commanded respect and fear. It was intricately designed with dark, twisted metal that seemed to pulse with a weird energy. Skeletal motifs adorned the crown, with small, ghostly flames flickering in the hollow eye sockets of the skulls. The base of the crown was encrusted with blackened jewels that shimmered with an eerie light, reminiscent of the souls trapped within the underworld.
"From now on, after you wear this crown, you shall be the King of the Underworld," the black figure declared. "This crown embodies the essence of the underworld, granting you dominion over the entire underworld city with just a flick of your mind. You will have the power to control the spirits, command the dead, and shape the very fabric of the underworld to your will."
Feng Lou felt a mixture of awe and trepidation as he looked at the crown. He reached out and took the crown from the black figure's hands, feeling its cold metal pulse with a life of its own.
As Feng Lou placed the crown on his head, a surge of weird energy that he couldn't recognize coursed through him, connecting him to the underworld in a profound and intimate way. He could feel the presence of every soul, the whispers of the dead, and the currents of dark energy that flowed through the city. With a mere thought, he realized he could bend these elements to his will, commanding the underworld with an authority that was both absolute and terrifying.
Feng Lou thought to himself that, just like in the previous world, the Chaos Bell would ask him if he wanted to absorb the crown. But this time, it remained silent. Puzzled, he delved deeper into his connection with the Chaos Bell and discovered the reason. It turned out that the Chaos Bell had made an agreement with the Way of Heaven of this world: it would not take away any significant artifacts, such as the Crown of the Underworld, from this world's Way of Heaven.
He also learned that if he chose to break the agreement, he could indeed take the crown into the Chaos Bell, but at a great cost. He would forfeit the opportunity to obtain the law fragments he so desperately desired. The law fragments were crucial for his growth, that could elevate his strength to unimaginable levels.
While Feng Lou was deep in thought, the ghostly figures turned to Xiao Meiying. To her shock, they spoke, their voices resonating with an unexpected proclamation. "Xiao Meiying, Since you have also passed the trial. After much contemplation, The Crown of the Underworld has decided to make you the Queen of the Underworld."
Xiao Meiying stood frozen, her mind reeling from the unexpected twist. She was certain she had failed the trial. The vivid memories of her descent into madness, the uncontrollable rage, and the act of violence she had committed still haunted her. Why were they saying she passed?
She wanted to protest, to voice her confusion and disbelief, but as she opened her mouth to speak, no sound emerged. It was as if an unseen force was silencing her, a magic that stilled her voice and prevented her from questioning the verdict.
The black figure stepped forward, holding a crown that matched Feng Lou's in its eerie majesty. This crown, too, was dark and ancient, adorned with intricate designs that embodied the essence of the underworld. It glimmered with an unsettling light, the ghostly flames within the skull motifs flickering in a sinister dance.
"You, too, shall wear the Crown of the Underworld," the black figure declared, placing the crown upon Xiao Meiying's head. As it settled in place, she felt a rush of energy similar to what Feng Lou had experienced. The connection to the underworld surged through her, filling her with a power that was both intoxicating and overwhelming.
Emotions long buried began to surface in Xiao Meiying. Confusion, anger—so much anger—flooded her mind. She felt manipulated, cornered by a destiny she hadn't chosen. Despite her earlier descent into darkness, the crown recognized something within her that merited this role, but it felt like a cruel twist of fate.
The ghostly figure continued, its tone devoid of empathy. "As Queen of the Underworld, you have the power to influence and command the souls within it, just like the King. However, your primary duty is to serve the King. His word is absolute. You cannot refuse him. If he commands you to die, you must comply. But rest assured, no king has ever killed his queen."
Xiao Meiying's shock deepened. A torrent of anger surged through her, fueled by the queen's voice screaming in her mind, "These bastards! They've made you Feng Lou's slave! Did they find the bead? What is happening? Even I am confused. You were not supposed to pass the trial. This was not in my plan!"
Xiao Meiying's thoughts raced. She had been thrust into a role that demanded subservience, her autonomy stripped away. The queen's rage resonated with her own, amplifying her feelings of betrayal and helplessness.
She looked at Feng Lou, whose concern was evident. He reached out, trying to offer comfort, but Xiao Meiying recoiled. The thought of being subjugated to his will, regardless of his intentions, was too much to bear.
The ghostly figure observed Xiao Meiying's reaction and continued, its tone unyielding. "The unity between the King and Queen is crucial for maintaining the balance of the underworld. If you don't comply, the crown will make you comply. Even if the King is kind enough not to give you commands, that doesn't mean the crown won't enforce its own will and make you more obedient, even yearning for the king's touch."
Xiao Meiying's eyes widened with a mixture of horror and defiance. The oppressive weight of the crown felt more suffocating with every passing moment. She turned to Feng Lou, her voice trembling with a mixture of anger and desperation. "I will be happy to serve you, my king," She bowed slightly, though every fiber of her being rebelled against the words. Yet, the queen's voice in her mind urged compliance, pushing her to play the role she was being forced into.
Feng Lou's discomfort grew with each passing moment. While having Xiao Meiying as the queen of the underworld would undoubtedly aid his mission, a sense of unease gnawed at him. It was a familiar feeling, one he had experienced when he discovered that certain saints were altering his destiny or when the witch race manipulated humans to sow discord between Goddess Nuwa and the Monster Race.
Though he recognized the strategic advantage of having Xiao Meiying by his side, He couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this situation than met the eye, that perhaps unseen forces were at play, pulling strings in ways he couldn't fully comprehend.