CHAPTER 405: CHAPTER 171: TOOLS, CROSSING INTO THE NETHERWORLD (5K)_3

That game-developing Professional definitely never expected this—the Scorching Sun Department’s Iron Fist had already gone deep inside just as things were getting started.

He stayed excited for quite a while, then realized his "stamina" was spent. Probably couldn’t log in today, so he fished out his phone and dialed the number he’d just written down.

In less than twenty minutes, three cars pulled up downstairs at his building.

Feng Yao, wearing an administrative jacket with a square jaw that just screamed leadership, personally came knocking, brought people along, and—with a local uncle showing the way—took Fu Guangfei away.

Fu Guangfei still just felt like he was helping to crack a case, at most another Professional using their ability to mess around making games.

He simply followed Wen Yan’s instructions, answered everything truthfully, including that he’d met Wen Yan.

Once they made sure Wen Yan was all right—just temporarily trapped—plus Lord Zhu’s manor seemed to have gone over too, so nothing to really worry about for now, Feng Yao secretly let out a sigh of relief.

The message was quickly sent back to headquarters, and with new leads, tracking things became easier.

"Netherworld" had been set as a keyword since yesterday; in the early hours, the Cybersecurity Division in Scorching Sun Department caught wind of people discussing it.

Unfortunately, that was as far as it went.

Because the installation of that game wasn’t in the monitored range, and there was no server—like it just popped out of thin air.

They tried to install it. Most people couldn’t succeed; only a rare few managed to install it, but all that’s detected in their phone storage was a new icon and some prompt messages.

In the video conference.

The Old Celestial Master stared at the clues at hand, brows furrowed tight.

"This is a soul-crossing program, but it’s been simplified to the extreme. As long as you have this thing, that’s enough. No stringent requirements. In the end, you can use this game to trigger soul-crossing, have your soul leave the body.

And based on current tests, exiting before the time’s up leaves you with no aftereffects at all.

It really does feel like a game."

"Old Celestial Master, just tell us—is this actually a game or not?" Cai Qidong’s patience was wearing thin. Wen Yan had actually gone to the Netherworld, and since he wasn’t facing his subordinates, he didn’t need to pretend to keep his cool.

"In my humble opinion," said the Old Celestial Master, "you’d better treat this as a game, but at the same time, you’d better treat it as real too."

The Old Celestial Master looked at everyone else—expectation mixed with doubt in their eyes—then gave a helpless, bitter laugh.

"Don’t think too highly of this old Daoist. Every field has its own specialist.

If we’re talking Daoist rituals, opening an altar, spirit-binding with talismans, summoning and controlling the unusual, sect secrets and the like—

I know a thing or two.

But as for this game, to be honest, I’ve never played one. I really don’t get it.

For example, what’s up with stamina?

I just searched, and people say it’s a kind of attribute for game characters.

Others say stamina is designed by game companies to stop players from finishing content too quickly, to pad out playtime.

You’d better get some young people to help."

The General Director looked at the Old Celestial Master, then at himself, then at the two deputy ministers beside him, then at Cai Qidong on the video feed, and couldn’t help but laugh.

"True that. Not a single one of us old fogeys still has a full head of black hair.

To figure out how this thing really works, we really do need some youth with actual know-how."

The General Director looked at Cai Qidong.

"Qidong, the task of investigating the Nether Soul Realm is on you. Whatever manpower you need, just say the word."

The Old Celestial Master’s eyes flickered—wanted to say something, but in the end kept silent.

"Old Celestial Master, do you have something in mind?"

"No, I just feel like—the Nether Soul Realm and the Netherworld might not be the same thing.

Though the current clues show both the Nether Soul Realm and the Netherworld are barren wastelands, makes it seem like the Netherworld exists inside the Nether Soul Realm.

But don’t forget—back when King Guilong was around, he channeled a whole river into the Nether Soul Realm.

But in the Netherworld now, there isn’t even a hint of a river.

At least according to what we’ve got so far, there’s nothing.

That young man—it might not be so easy for him to get back."

The video conference ended. The Old Celestial Master let out a long sigh. Entering the Netherworld in the flesh—now that was really bizarre.

He’d have to talk to the people from Fuyu Mountain.

The Scorching Sun Department folks might not grasp what this means, but the Old Celestial Master sure did.

A naturally soulless person. That doesn’t mean what people usually say—of soul and flesh perfectly bonded, forming an exceptionally tight union—

But in the literal sense: a person without a soul.

And walking the Netherworld in the flesh, nothing out of the ordinary, moving about as they please. As far as he knew, there were only three possible explanations.

One was carrying the Scorching Sun, and having mastered it to a remarkably high realm.

But last time, he sensed it clearly—the young man who wielded his magic sword was a cultivation prodigy, a natural Daoist body. If Fuyu Mountain hadn’t snatched him up first, the Old Celestial Master would’ve brought him to the Celestial Master Mansion to groom as the next Heavenly Master.

Yet a soulless person, by rights, should have zero cultivation talent, shouldn’t they?

This whole thing is just strange.

...

In the northwestern desert, Gan Tang, vanished for a long time, frowned and stared at the endless sea of sand ahead.

Since last night, the desert had been bubbling up like it was boiling, constantly collapsing inward.

She was a bit unwilling. She’d finally found this place, but everything here seemed to sense her arrival—accompanied by a flash of green light, it vanished into thin air, as if it had a will of its own, fleeing in one piece.

...

The same day, in the priciest residential complex in Guanzhong County, a young man lay in bed, and didn’t wake up all day.

Until his family realized something was wrong and rushed him to the hospital, where he was swiftly placed in a special care ward.

The Guanzhong County Minister stood with Lord Zhu in the hospital room, looking at the young man in the bed.

"His life soul has left his body for too long. Based on everything we know, even if he’s not dead, his nether soul can’t come back." Lord Zhu frowned, giving his assessment.

"No hope at all?"

"Didn’t your people already ask? He brought all the right gadgets for soul-crossing, but the most crucial Soul Clothing—that’s what lets him come back—he used a brand-new shirt instead. He definitely won’t make it back."