40: Chapter 40 Next Stop: Underworld?

After clearing out the Mirror Ghost, the biggest trouble, the remaining threats in the Bloody Hospital seemed insufficient before the eleven Underworld Soldiers (especially that Thousand-man Commander).

Lin Chen led the team, sweeping through the depths of the hospital as if strolling through his own backyard. During this time, they encountered some wandering "Medical Waste" Aberrations eroded by eerie energy or some residual low-level Wraiths, but all were easily crushed by the Underworld Soldiers, turning into nether talismans and miscellaneous materials that kept ticking up in Lin Chen's system.

The harvest was decent, but apart from that [Soul Ferry Boat Design Plan], no other key items directly related to the "Netherworld" were found. It seemed the core "specialty" of this Bloody Hospital was that design plan.

Having achieved his goal, Lin Chen had no intention of staying longer. He really couldn't bring himself to like the air and environment of this ghostly place.

"Withdraw."

At his command, the team turned around and returned the way they came.

On the way back, the atmosphere was somewhat subtly silent.

Lin Tian leaned on his crutch, struggling to keep up with the team. He kept his head down, seemingly still immersed in the fear brought by the Mirror Ghost, or perhaps silently processing everything he had seen and heard along the way. Only occasionally would he look up and steal a quick glance at Lin Chen's back; his gaze was complex and hard to decipher—there was dependence, admiration, and perhaps... a hint of something deeper, hidden with great effort.

The sole surviving team member followed closely behind the Underworld Soldiers, no longer daring to have any extra curiosity. The gaze he directed at Lin Chen was filled with the relief of a survivor and an even deeper sense of awe.

The cautiousness of their arrival stood in stark contrast to the unobstructed path of their return. The Bizarre Monsters along the way seemed to sense the lingering murderous aura on this group of death gods and avoided them from afar.

When the group stepped out of the hospital building, which looked like congealed foul blood, and bathed once again in the (albeit still dim) light of the outside world, everyone subconsciously breathed a sigh of relief, including Lin Tian.

The Fortress was already visible in the distance. Its towering silhouette and the faint blue glow emanating from the central [soul suppressing pagoda] were like a lighthouse guiding the way home amidst the apocalyptic wasteland.

Soon, the Fortress gates opened. Su Qingyu and Zhang Hao had already received word and were waiting at the entrance.

"Master! You're finally back!" Zhang Hao was the first to rush up, circling Lin Chen to confirm he was unharmed before grinning broadly. Then, he glared at the nearby Lin Tian, "You brat, you didn't cause any trouble for Master, did you?"

Lin Tian seemed startled by Zhang Hao's gruff voice, shrinking his neck and defending himself in a low voice, "No... no, I was very obedient."

Su Qingyu was more observant. She noticed Lin Chen looked as usual, but one team member was missing. Although Lin Tian seemed fine, his eyes appeared somewhat deeper than when they left. She didn't ask much, just stepped forward and said softly, "It's good that you're back. Did everything go smoothly?"

Lin Chen nodded and casually tossed the [Soul Ferry Boat Design Plan] to her. "Smoothly. Find reliable people to prepare the materials according to the plan."

Su Qingyu took the cold and peculiar blueprint. Although she couldn't understand the profound runes and structures on it, she could sense its extraordinary nature and solemnly replied, "Yes, I will arrange it as soon as possible."

Lin Chen ignored the others and climbed onto the main perimeter wall of the Fortress alone.

Standing atop the wall, his gaze passed over the busy and vibrant interior of the Fortress, casting toward the endless horizon shrouded in thick eerie mist and deep darkness. The light of the blood moon struggled to penetrate the clouds, dyeing that unknown land with sinister colors.

That place was a domain far more dangerous and vast than the abandoned city or the Bloody Hospital. According to the system prompts and existing clues, the so-called fragments of the "Ancient Netherworld" were likely scattered deep within those extreme bizarre domains or in certain peculiar spaces overlapping with the present world.

He fiddled with the [underworld general token] fragment he had obtained from Wang Kun, feeling the vast aura of order emanating from it—an aura completely out of place in this post-apocalyptic world.

A novice village?

Yes, for him, clearing out small fry like the Thousand Faces Cult, crushing minor bosses like Wang Kun, and building a relatively safe Fortress... these were all just novice village gameplay.

His "cheat code," his "nether domain asset system," destined his path to be far more than just seeking safety in a corner.

On the system map, the blurred area representing the "Netherworld" seemed to sense the aura of the token fragment in his hand. It flickered slightly, appearing to become a fraction clearer.

The corners of Lin Chen's mouth slowly curled into an arc. That smile carried an eager excitement and a solemnity as he was about to embark on a new journey.

He turned around and spoke to Su Qingyu, who had approached behind him at some point, as well as Zhang Hao and the others who were watching expectantly. His tone was calm yet earth-shattering:

"I'm tired of the novice village."

His gaze turned once more toward the depths of the nether, as if he could already see the broken palaces, the dried-up River Styx, and the countless souls wailing in chaos.

"It's time to go to the Netherworld..."

He paused, his tone carrying a matter-of-fact arrogance and the composure of a "whale" ready to sweep a dungeon.

"...and collect some debts."

(Chapter 40 End)