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At this moment, in the world of the Underworld, countless deceased from various worlds appeared on the snake paths. They lined up densely, marching forward in an endless procession.
These souls, still dazed and confused on the snake paths outside the Underworld, became fully aware as soon as they crossed the Underworld realm. Upon entry, their true spirits merged seamlessly with the Underworld, and they suddenly regained consciousness, recalling their memories from before their deaths. It was as if they had been reborn in that instant.
Emerging from them were the various laws of death that now governed their existence.
"What's going on? I was just in battle with an enemy race—how did I suddenly end up here?" one of the souls exclaimed, confused.
His memory lingered on the moment before death; he remembered being a fierce warrior in a brutal war against a rival race, slaughtering countless enemies. But then, he recalled the piercing pain as his body was struck, the world went dark, and he lost consciousness entirely.
He saw a desolate, barren landscape stretching out around him. He found himself on a massive, winding road, unsure where it would lead. Beside him flowed a boundless river, emanating a mysterious, powerful, and unfathomable aura—the Yellow Springs River, filled with the energy of death.
The presence of the river struck fear into him. He instinctively knew that falling into it would bring unimaginable consequences, ones he did not wish to face.
"Where is this place? I am the king of the Potter Kingdom! How dare you scoundrels bring me here? Do you plan to kidnap me? If you do, the armies of the Potter Kingdom will wipe you out!" another soul shouted angrily.
"What is this place? I was in seclusion, training, when I was ambushed and knocked out. I'm an Immemorial Golden Immortal! Can someone tell me where I am?" another dead man yelled, demanding answers.
"Who brought us here? Do you want money or treasures?"
"I'm a true disciple of the Luo Tian Sect! Release me now, or when the Sect Leader finds out, you'll all regret it!"
"I want to go home! I want to go home! What the hell is this place?"
The dead cried out in panic, anger, confusion, and disbelief. Some looked around in fear, others remained calm, while others still clung to denial—unaware that they had already passed away. They believed they had been kidnapped and brought to this strange place by some unknown power.
"Stop yelling, stop yapping! You're all dead—welcome to the Underworld."
At that moment, the massive figure of the Vajra Demonic Pig appeared in midair. Its enormous body radiated a terrifying demonic presence, instilling fear across light-years of space around it.
Holding a nine-toothed rake, the demonic pig was a fearsome sight, a being that many lives had come to fear.
"Dead? We're already dead?"
"Impossible! How could we be dead? This must be a joke!"
"If we're dead, how can we still be conscious?"
The souls cried out in disbelief, refusing to accept the words of the Vajra Demonic Pig. They thought they were under the influence of an illusion or had been taken captive in some strange place.
"Shut up! I don't care whether you believe me or not. Move along and stop blocking the path. There are plenty more dead souls queuing behind you, and I don't have time for your nonsense," the Vajra Demonic Pig snapped impatiently.
"Wait, you!" one of the dead began to protest.
"Out of my way!" the Vajra Demonic Pig roared, losing its patience.
It was not a demon god known for its good temper. If it hadn't been for the suppression it experienced in Chaos City for billions of epochs, which tempered some of its demonic nature, it might have devoured all the souls before it.
But these souls still dared to question it, doubting its words.
With a thunderous roar, the Vajra Demonic Pig unleashed a terrifying gust of wind.
!!!
In an instant, the souls couldn't withstand the force of the wind. They were blown off the snake path of the Underworld and hurled into the Yellow Springs River below.
"AHHHHH!!!!"
As they fell into the Yellow Springs River, they let out agonizing screams. The river's waters, like acid, corroded them instantly. The karma, evil power, and endless resentment within them were purified by the river's waters, causing indescribable pain and suffering.
"No, no! Help! Help us!"
"We're sorry! Please, pull us out!"
The dead screamed in terror, struggling desperately in the Yellow Springs River. But once they had fallen in, there was no escape. No matter how powerful they had been in life, the river claimed them, subjecting them to eternal torment as their vitality, karma, and evil power were eroded.
Once all the karma was purged, they would turn into skeletal remains, sink to the bottom of the river, and eventually become part of the Yellow Springs Riverbed.
"This river is the Yellow Springs River. Once you fall in, there's no coming back—not even I can save you. So if you want to die again, just jump in. I won't stop you. And if anyone dares to keep babbling here, I'll happily give you a push," the Vajra Demonic Pig sneered, its body radiating a boundless killing intent.
Hearing this, the souls were gripped with fear. They quickly moved to the center of the snake path, terrified of standing too close to the edge, knowing that falling would mean eternal suffering.
Some of the calmer souls finally began to remember their deaths. They realized that they were truly dead, and this was indeed the realm of the dead.
However, the realization brought no comfort. Instead, it deepened their dread. They had no idea what awaited them in this new and unknown world.
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