‘The legends speak true—the Other Shore Flowers do indeed come in two colors,’ Hun Lao remarked, gazing at the differently-colored blooms lining the sides of the green stone path.
‘That is correct,’ Huang Shang said. ‘The Other Shore Flowers have two varieties. The red ones are known as Manjusaka. They emit a foul, decaying odor that causes the deceased souls to recall their past life memories. Thus, when souls arrive on the Yellow Spring Road, they often cannot help but reminisce about the past.
Even some souls with particularly strong attachments, unable to let go of their past lives, will linger here on the Yellow Spring Road, eventually becoming part of the flowers themselves.
The white ones are called Mandarava. It is said they inspire in souls a longing for a beautiful future life.
The red Other Shore Flowers make souls cling to the past, while the white ones make them yearn for the future.
Once a soul steps onto the Yellow Spring Road, they are influenced by both types. They reminisce about the past while longing for the future.
Generally speaking, the yearning for the future overcomes the majority of souls, and they continue forward to enter the cycle of reincarnation.
Only a minority, with attachments to their past lives too strong to release, become trapped here, ultimately becoming fertilizer under the Other Shore Flowers.’
As a ghost cultivator, Huang Shang was quite knowledgeable about these kinds of legends concerning spirits.
‘I see,’ Ye Yunfei said in understanding after receiving Huang Shang’s sound transmission.
Since Ye Yunfei, Huang Shang, and the others were communicating via sound transmission, Qin Yuanyu was unaware of their exchange.
‘Brother Ye, this section of the Yellow Spring Road is likely the most intact part of this entire Reincarnation Path,’ Qin Yuanyu said to Ye Yunfei. ‘However, these Other Shore Flowers seem to have developed a… problem.
I intend to find the cause and repair them.’
‘Oh? What problem do these flowers have, Brother Qin?’ Ye Yunfei asked curiously.
‘Brother Ye, can’t you see? Some of the Other Shore Flowers actually have both blossoms and leaves present simultaneously! That’s not normal.
For the Other Shore Flower is famous for its characteristic: the flowers blossom without leaves, and leaves grow without flowers.
For flowers and leaves to appear together on a single plant indicates something has gone wrong.’
‘I see.’ Ye Yunfei observed closely and indeed found some of the flowers boasting both petals and leaves.
‘Other Shore Flowers with both blossoms and leaves! They truly exist! These are remarkable treasures!’ Hun Lao, hearing Qin Yuanyu’s words, also noticed this fact and immediately exclaimed via sound transmission to Ye Yunfei.
‘Oh? Old Hun, are flowers with both blossoms and leaves truly such remarkable treasures?’ Ye Yunfei asked promptly.
‘Yes. According to my racial memories, in ancient times, Other Shore Flowers bearing both blossoms and leaves were indeed exceptional treasures.
For the saying holds true: flowers appear without leaves, leaves grow without flowers.
For both to exist simultaneously is generally impossible. Once such an occurrence appears, it signifies the flower has mutated.
A mutated Other Shore Flower is a rare treasure. Some great powers of antiquity would specifically search for these dual-nature flowers to use in pill refinement.’
‘In that case, I should find an opportunity to pluck some of these flowers and take them with me,’ Ye Yunfei thought, his gaze falling upon the Other Shore Flowers lining the stone path as Hun Lao’s words sparked an idea.
‘One should never lightly pass up encountering such valuable treasures,’ Hun Lao said.
‘However, it seems this fellow doesn’t know how precious these dual-nature flowers are,’ the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm noted.
‘He is a descendant of the Reincarnation Lineage, but he’s too young. It’s normal he wouldn’t know,’ Hun Lao replied.
‘Alright. Let’s first retrieve the Reincarnation Ghost’s treasure, then we can harvest some flowers later,’ Ye Yunfei decided.
‘This fellow seems to be mesmerized by the flowers,’ Qin Yuanyu suddenly remarked.
Ahead, a deceased soul was staring at the crimson-red Other Shore Flowers by the roadside, its face filled with recollections, flickering between expressions of pain and joy.
‘It seems the Other Shore Flowers truly have the power to make souls recall their past lives,’ Huang Shang observed via transmission upon seeing the soul.
Soon, Qin Yuanyu and Ye Yunfei arrived beside the soul.
The soul was now utterly immersed in memories of its previous life, unable to extricate itself.
‘Brother Ye, let’s continue. This one is already enchanted by the flowers. Whether it can break free from its recollections depends on its own fate,’ Qin Yuanyu said.
Thus, Ye Yunfei and Qin Yuanyu bypassed the soul and pressed forward.
‘Look! Many soul flames—they are ignited spirits!’ Huang Shang suddenly exclaimed in surprise.
Ahead, amidst the thickets of Other Shore Flowers lining the green stone path, several eerie green flames flickered, dancing like emerald butterflies.
Huang Shang recognized with a single glance that each of those green flames was a deceased soul in the process of burning.
‘Perhaps those souls who cannot let go of their past lives meet their final end here—burning away, only to become nourishment for these Other Shore Flowers,’ Ye Yunfei murmured with a soft sigh, observing the green flames amidst the flowers.
‘I suppose every soul must cherish the memories of its past life. After all, who is truly willing to release an entire lifetime’s worth of recollections?
But if you cannot let go, you cannot continue forward to reincarnate. The rules of the Reincarnation Path are truly cruel, Master. Tell me, who established these rules? Could it have been the high-ranking members of the ancient Reincarnation Sect?
Why did they create such brutal regulations? Why couldn’t they treat the deceased souls with more kindness?’ Hu Miao said, a touch of sorrow and a surge of compassion coloring her voice as she watched the green flames. She directed her question to Ye Yunfei.
‘According to legend, the Samsara Lineage are merely the guardians of the Reincarnation Paths,’ Hun Lao explained. ‘Exactly who created the rules governing them is likely one of the greatest secrets of antiquity.
After all, the Samsara Lineage was itself the most enigmatic superpower of ancient times, and the paths they guarded are even more mysterious.’
‘Brother Ye, we’ve reached the end of the Yellow Spring Road. Ahead lies the Wangxiang Platform,’ Qin Yuanyu suddenly informed Ye Yunfei.
Ye Yunfei saw that the green stone path under their feet indeed came to an end.
Ahead stood a stone terrace, wider at the top and narrower at the base, shaped like a curved bow-back. It appeared exceedingly steep.
The platform surface was paved with dark-red stone slabs. The edges had no guardrails. A single, narrow stone staircase path wound its way tortuously to the summit.
This stone terrace precisely blocked the path forward. To continue, one had to ascend it and descend from the other side.
From a distance, the terrace looked not only steep and treacherous, but the path of stone steps was flanked by planted swords and blades, their sharp edges pointing forward, glinting with a faint, chilling light. An aura of sinister, ghostly energy permeated the entire structure, accompanied by the distant sounds of wailing ghosts and howling specters.
What was even more startling were the suffering souls impaled upon some of these blades and swords lining the stairway.
These souls all hung limply, writhing in agony as they emitted wretched, piercing screams.
‘Brother Ye, this Wangxiang Platform is rather severely damaged,’ Qin Yuanyu said as he led Ye Yunfei up the steps. ‘Originally, there was a pavilion atop this stone platform, but it has long since collapsed. Only the foundation remains. To restore it completely will require considerable time and effort.’
‘Master, I suddenly feel that for a soul to enter the Reincarnation Path and seek rebirth… it is an arduous and perilous journey,’ Hu Miao mused aloud, her gaze on the souls impaled upon the blades.
‘Yes. It truly is an arduous and perilous journey,’ Ye Yunfei nodded in agreement.
Soon, Ye Yunfei followed Qin Yuanyu to the platform’s summit.
At the top, the remnants of a foundation were visible, likely the base of the pavilion Qin Yuanyu mentioned.
Upon the platform also lay a stone stele inscribed with three large, ghostly-aura-emanating characters: Wangxiang Stone.
‘Brother Ye, look. A pavilion originally stood here, but it’s completely collapsed. I plan to find time to rebuild it someday.
However, the materials for the Wangxiang Platform’s pavilion must be sourced from within this very Reincarnation Path. Moreover, only stones of pure Yin nature can be used to construct it.
Merely gathering sufficient quantities of pure Yin stones will likely consume a considerable amount of time,’ Qin Yuanyu explained immediately after reaching the top, studying the ruins of the foundational platforms on either side.
It was clear that Qin Yuanyu was truly eager to restore this Reincarnation Path. Almost all his conversations revolved around the topic of repair.
‘With such determination, Brother Qin, I’m certain you will succeed,’ Ye Yunfei said with a smile, feeling a touch of admiration for Qin Yuanyu’s resolve and conviction.
‘Brother Ye, truthfully, my greatest hope is to complete this task together with you,’ Qin Yuanyu replied, his spirits visibly lifting upon hearing Ye Yunfei’s words. He immediately began his persuasive efforts once more.
Ye Yunfei simply avoided giving a direct answer. Otherwise, he’d be subjected to endless pestering.
‘We’re here. My treasure is concealed upon this Wangxiang Platform.’
At that moment, Ye Yunfei suddenly received the Reincarnation Ghost’s sound transmission.
‘Where?’ Ye Yunfei immediately asked.
‘Within a hidden Small World beside the Wangxiang Stone.’
Upon hearing this, Ye Yunfei ordered the ghost to point out the exact location and immediately focused his Soul Power to sense the area.
‘Indeed! There is a Small World here!’ Before Ye Yunfei could locate it, Hun Lao had already found it first.
‘I’ve discovered it too!’ Ye Yunfei confirmed, speaking with pleasant surprise.
‘Master, with him here, it’s a bit troublesome,’ Hu Miao said to Ye Yunfei via transmission. ‘If he finds out, he might also get ideas and want a share.’
‘I’ll send a Clone to accompany him onwards. My true body will remain here,’ Ye Yunfei contemplated for a moment before deciding.
Thus, Ye Yunfei secretly separated a single Clone. His true body discreetly activated an invisibility technique, concealing itself nearby while utilizing a jade artifact to mask his aura.
As a Divine King, even a single Clone from Ye Yunfei was difficult for Qin Yuanyu to distinguish as fake.
Subsequently, Qin Yuanyu and Ye Yunfei’s Clone descended the stone staircase on the other side of the Wangxiang Platform, proceeding onward along the path.
Ye Yunfei’s true body remained upon the Wangxiang Platform.
‘Excellent! We’ve finally shaken off that fellow,’ Hu Miao said with relief.
‘On this journey, we did benefit from his guidance, allowing us to reach this point without any major dangers. So he was helpful to us,’ Ye Yunfei replied with a smile.
‘True. If not for him guiding us, there would surely have been other twists and turns along the way,’ Hun Lao agreed. ‘Since he has been active on this Reincarnation Path recently, he’s familiar with many areas and has even begun repairs in some places. That’s how he could lead us here so effortlessly.
We must remember, this is a functioning Reincarnation Path. For living beings like us to move about freely here is no simple matter.’
‘Human, within this Small World lies my treasure cache. Enter, and you may claim my possessions. Go on, hurry inside.
Ah, I previously placed a special restriction upon the entrance. Only by knowing the specific incantation can one enter or exit. I will now impart this incantation to you.
Recite it as you enter,’ the Reincarnation Ghost instructed Ye Yunfei.
After finishing its explanation, it transmitted a series of particularly awkward-sounding, tongue-twisting syllables—the incantation—to Ye Yunfei.
‘Hurry up and go in. Retrieve the treasure and let’s leave this Reincarnation Path immediately. I always feel a sense of unease in a place like this,’ the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm urged.
‘Human, I have accumulated many fine items within this Small World. Once you enter, all my collection shall be yours,’ the Reincarnation Ghost added.
‘Something feels a bit off. This ghost seems overly anxious for you to enter,’ Hun Lao suddenly said. ‘Logically speaking, if his treasure is truly stored within, your entering and taking it would be a massive loss for him. Why is he so eager for you to go in?’
‘Yes, I also feel this Reincarnation Ghost seems a tad too hasty,’ Ye Yunfei replied. He had been about to employ a spatial secret technique to force his way into the Small World beside the Wangxiang Stone, but hearing Hun Lao’s words, he paused mid-step.
‘Perhaps he’s desperate for freedom. After all, he’s suppressed by that Samsara Token, enduring torment every moment,’ the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm suggested.
‘That’s also a possibility. However, caution is the mother of safety. No matter what, we must not let our guard down,’ Hun Lao advised.
‘Is there some trap awaiting me inside? You’d best confess honestly. If you conceal anything, I’ll immediately remove you from this Reincarnation Path and slowly grind you down until you dissipate into nothingness,’ Ye Yunfei demanded coldly, stepping in front of the trapped ghost.
‘A trap? Human, you misunderstand. Didn’t you want my treasure? My treasure is stored within this Small World. I specifically brought you here to retrieve it.
You get the treasure; I regain my freedom. This is a transaction. There is no trap.’
The Reincarnation Ghost seemed momentarily taken aback by Ye Yunfei’s question before answering.
‘Human, I only wish to quickly regain my freedom. How would I dare lead you into a trap? Go on in. Recite the incantation as you enter, and then all the treasures I’ve painstakingly collected over the years shall belong to you,’ the ghost continued.
‘He tells you to recite an incantation. Simply don’t recite it,’ the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm said to Ye Yunfei. ‘This Small World cannot hinder my progress. I can breach the restriction guarding its entrance.’
‘I have an idea,’ Hun Lao offered. ‘If you’re worried about a trap, don’t send your true body inside. Send a Clone in instead.’
‘Excellent suggestion! I have many Empyrean and True God Clones. Sending one in will suffice,’ Ye Yunfei’s eyes lit up.
‘Heheh… Human, go on in. A surprise awaits you. My treasure is not so easily obtained.’
At that moment, a barely perceptible, cold smirk briefly touched the corner of the Reincarnation Ghost’s mouth.