As time passed, Hell was seamlessly integrated into the underworld, resulting in the emergence of the Ninth Prison, Yan Mo Hell. Unlike the eight great prisons, Yan Mo Hell stands independently, accessible via a single, thick bridge. However, the question remains: can this bridge withstand the weight of souls seeking passage to the Ninth Prison?
No one knows.
"Ah! Help!"
Undead souls began to cross the bridge, but it crumbled beneath them, causing their anguished cries to echo as they plummeted into the endless abyss below. They faced the prospect of falling into the Styx River, enduring eternal torment—this is the challenge of reaching the Ninth Hell.
Those harboring darkness in their hearts, any evildoer, would find the path to the Ninth Hell forever closed. This realm would become the true kingdom of the underworld, accessible only to the chosen.
Their souls would then enter the underworld's domain, illuminated by the artifact of faith, merging into the fabric of the Kingdom of Yellow Springs.
Yan Moai, situated at the Styx River, observed the souls cascading into its depths, ferrying them with quiet resolve. Such occurrences were common now, as the Ninth Hell introduced a new opportunity.
For those dissatisfied with their judgments, the underworld offered a chance: cross the bridge to reach the Ninth Hell, where two paths lay open. The first option allowed souls to enter the kingdom of the underworld, becoming its citizens. The second offered an even simpler route: immediate reincarnation, wiping away all punishments.
For souls trapped in perpetual suffering, the fear of failure faded. This was their only chance, a chance they could not afford to squander. Thus, countless souls endeavored to traverse the bridge, time and again, escaping the horrific agony of Hell.
Ghost Messenger Hei sighed, expressing regret: "It's truly unfortunate. Given his crimes, he could have endured ten years of suffering before reincarnation. Now, he faces eternal torment in the Styx River."
"Indeed," replied Gui Shibai, his demeanor indifferent. The two brothers complemented each other—one lively, the other aloof. Gui Shibai added, "Let's move on; there's work to be done."
With that, they departed, their responsibilities growing heavier with the integration of Hell into the underworld. Managing the souls of two great worlds simultaneously was no small feat, but their duties were vital.
Yet, with this burden came rewards. The ghost messengers, along with Bull Head and Horse Face, had ascended to the level of Titan main gods.
This contrasted sharply with the gods of the underworld like Hypnos and Thanatos, who focused primarily on their personal cultivation—whether through the Kingdom of God, faith, or law. Their path to strength was solitary.
In contrast, the underworld deities—Yan Moai, the ghost messengers, Bull Head, Horse Face, the Ten Kings, and the Judges—were driven by duty. Their merit was earned through diligent service, accumulating divine power and perfecting their own laws.
After the fusion, they formed a brand-new underworld, achieving complete status as Titan main gods. The Ten Kings managed the realm while the Judges oversaw the life and death records, fulfilling their roles with certainty.
Originally, Hades envisioned 108 underworld fighters to manage both the eight prisons and the underworld. However, the reality revealed a shortage, with only ten to twenty ghost fighters available at any time. Thus, the souls selected for temporary roles became the norm.
The guardians of Yellow Spring Biliangsaka were now the twin gods, Cerberus and Biganhua. As for the Styx River, Charon was off duty, leaving Yan Moai to take charge, while other devils overseeing Hell also enjoyed their respite.
With the integration of Hell, the challenges within the underworld were adeptly handled by the gods, leading to a rare sense of satisfaction despite the increased workload.
Although exhausting, the workers took pride in their progress. The once-idle gods found purpose in their roles, especially those at the Star Demon Palace. Hades had created this palace but had never intended to assign guards, as it seemed futile.
If an enemy could reach the palace, the idea of guardianship was meaningless—akin to a sanctuary without true protection.
As the gods began to relax, Hades opted to assign those idle deities to guard the Star Demon Palace, effectively repurposing their time.
Meanwhile, Hypnos, Thanatos, and the 3,000 Dream Gods remained diligent in their duties. They too were busy and, with the fusion of Hell, experienced their own promotions, bringing them joy.
After all, the deeper one ventured into the cultivation of the gods, the more arduous the journey became.