Chapter 1628 - 296:

What the Great Emperor reveals now is not particularly exaggerated, at least there are traces to follow, and Li Zhiyuan can attempt to do some superficial analysis and understanding.

But the Big Turtle deep in the East Sea, it can even let the real and the fake meet face to face, and both believe they are real, that is truly incredible.

"What are you thinking about?"

"Immortality."

"Do you want to live forever?"

"I don't want immortality."

Saying "Changsheng" is more appropriate, but Li Zhiyuan has to avoid the venerable's name.

"Indeed, immortality is not something you need to consider now."

"Hmm."

"First, try to survive until adulthood, it won't allow you to reach adulthood."

"I can sense it."

"Your body shows no signs of martial practice at all."

"Hmm, I don't want to prematurely exhaust my body, I want to train after reaching adulthood."

"Is it really like this?"

"Otherwise?"

"I thought you were afraid of provoking it, intentionally leaving yourself a weakness."

"Didn't consider that step."

"But by instinct, you made this decision; survival is a natural instinct.

Changsheng means avoiding its gaze.

Actually, you are already on the path to pursuing immortality.

Moreover,

you started much earlier than I did back then."

"I won't be immortal."

"Often, one cannot control the path they want to take, and when you are on it, all you can do is continue forward."

"There is another choice."

"Hmm?"

"Suicide."

The shadow fell silent.

This silence continued until they reached the next platform level.

There are ten palace complexes here, although severely damaged, besides the three completely collapsed, seven of them have their main halls preserved.

The reason those three did not survive, should be their masters were not inside the palace.

This reminded Li Zhiyuan of the three-color light that once entered the Tomb Master.

The three ruins were skipped, and next, the shadow led Li Zhiyuan into the first grand hall.

The grand hall was magnificent, with not only spaciousness but also all furnishings inside were oversized versions of reality.

Especially the desk and chair at the deepest point, they were virtually as large as a small mountain.

A decaying mountain of flesh sat on the chair, writhing as if desperately trying to reshape itself into human form.

On the ground, there were fragments of the official robe and a broken crown. Seeing these, you could "recognize" what it once was supposed to look like, how majestic it was.

But after the catastrophe brought in by the Bodhisattva, not only its palace but also its appearance was destroyed.

The thick and extremely terrifying stench of the corpse, the putrid fluids gushing, nauseating yet evoking fear.

Additionally, Li Zhiyuan also noticed iron chains firmly embedded within its folded, writhing flesh.

It was locked... onto this chair symbolizing power.

High above, it was merely a false appearance; the reality was that it could not control its own fate.

Why throughout history, Yin Cha who can emerge from the Underworld are of low rank, even Judges rarely appear in the mortal world, is because the truly high-ranking existences in the Underworld have no freedom, all suppressed.

If it weren't for entering here before, where the place was destroyed by the Bodhisattva and disguises torn away, Li Zhiyuan really would've had a hard time imagining the reality being actually like this.

At this moment, Li Zhiyuan finally understood why those with extremely high positions in the Underworld would choose to secretly plot against the Great Emperor, even teaming up with the Bodhisattva in the end.

If the Great Emperor treats his subordinates like this, then their betrayal is entirely too normal.

Back then during the three incense sticks, six out of ten showed up, those four who didn't act likely weren't loyal to the Great Emperor, but feared him.

In folklore, the ten of them were endowed with all sorts of special significance, even historical figures were inscribed into the records.

How could ordinary people ever think that the high and mighty Yama were actually living this kind of life all along.

Not only eternally suppressed with no chance of redemption, they also had to regulate the Underworld for the Great Emperor who personally suppressed them!

This was the situation in the first palace hall, and in the subsequent six palaces, it was basically the same situation.

The only difference, perhaps, was the one in the last palace having a bit more skin, not just decaying flesh writhing, but like a patched rag bag stirring there.

These existences did not resemble humans such that even Li Zhiyuan could not discern which statue in the temple they corresponded to.

After walking through every hall, the shadow once again led Li Zhiyuan upstream of the Yellow Springs, reaching the previous level.

There were five Barriers at this place, each located in a directional position.

The Barriers were destroyed, and the mountains and waters supposed to be inside were completely devastated, only colossal figures, dragging iron chains, lamenting and roaring endlessly after severe injury.

Wherever the shadow arrived, quietness descended and there was kneeling submission.

These colossal beings exhibited, not respect and reverence, but sheer fear.

Like pitiable animals facing their cruel tormentor.

And now Li Zhiyuan was the successor to the tormentor.

The five here were much better off than those on the lower level, merely a bloody mess, but still retaining human appearance.

Moreover, through their movements, Li Zhiyuan realized, in each grand hall he passed through on the lower level, the writhing was actually them saluting him.

It's just that their forms were so distorted that Li Zhiyuan did not grasp it immediately.