"I choose the Huangquan Envoy," Ye Luo said without hesitation, as if she had already decided on this advancement choice long ago.
The Judge was rather surprised, "Little girl, don’t be so hasty to choose. You should know that each task, each strength, comes with its own price to pay.
Becoming the Venerable of Impermanence allows you to hook souls and control ghosts, but you must also obey the King’s orders, capture evil spirits, and manage the Yin spirits.
Becoming a Netherworld Steward allows you to judge life and death, reward good and punish evil, but you must also handle cases between the Yin and Yang, executing your duties impartially.
But becoming a Huangquan Envoy is even more significant. Know that this role holds the responsibility of maintaining the cycle of rebirth. Although not under the jurisdiction of the Netherworld, not even the Netherworld Emperor can restrain you. However, your fate will thus be bound to the Yellow Springs, and once a Huangquan Envoy, always a Huangquan Envoy. You will need to carry the will of the Yellow Springs, becoming a part of the life and death cycle. Even death will not release you. This destiny, whether good or bad, is unknown..."
"I’ve already made up my mind," said Ye Luo without hesitation. "I choose the Huangquan Envoy."
The Judge nodded slightly, "Very well, then this task is yours."
With that, the Judge put away the Merit Book and took out a vial of water from his robe, handing it over.
"This vial contains Water of the Yellow Springs. An ordinary person drinking it would instantly have their life span exhausted and die an unnatural death.
But you, as an Impermanence Walker listed on the Netherworld List, and protected by great merit, should be able to counteract the harm of the Yellow Springs’ water.
Drink this Water of the Yellow Springs, and I will perform the spell for your advancement."
Ye Luo did not hesitate. She took the Water of the Yellow Springs and drank it all.
A white light flashed on her body, and she suddenly became transparent, like a ghost.
A green, eerie light surrounded her, rising slowly from her feet.
The Judge quickly took out a Command Flag and began to wave it at Ye Luo. With each wave, her color changed.
First, she looked like a living person, but the colors kept fading from flesh to white, from white to gray, and from gray to black, until she was almost transparent.
Xiao Jie and I Want to Be Immortal watched with their hearts pounding. This ritual seemed a bit dangerous.
It looked like it was turning a living person into a dead one.
Finally, with one last wave of the Command Flag, a massive stele’s shadow appeared behind Ye Luo, accompanied by countless white lights of merit surrounding her.
Her nearly vanishing body quickly regained its flesh color, and the green light symbolizing the power of the Yellow Springs turned into a spiral symbol on her forehead, then flashed and disappeared completely.
System prompt: Advancement ritual complete, you have gained [Power of the Yellow Springs]...
The Judge nodded, "It’s done. However, even though you have acquired the power of the Huangquan Envoy and can use it, you still need further training and practice to fully master it. When you can summon the Power of the Yellow Springs at will, that will be the time you truly become a Huangquan Envoy.
With this matter settled, I shall take my leave."
Finishing his words, the Judge waved the Command Flag, and the gate of the Netherworld appeared behind him. He stepped into it and vanished.
Xiao Jie and I Want to Be Immortal hurried up to Ye Luo.
Xiao Jie asked in a somber tone, "Ye Luo, from what the Judge said earlier, it seems there are some negative consequences to being a Huangquan Envoy?"
Ye Luo smiled calmly, "Isn’t it true that everything in this world comes at a price? What I’m doing now is no different."
Xiao Jie wasn’t satisfied, "He said becoming a part of the cycle of life and death... What does that mean?"
Ye Luo chuckled, "Honestly, I’m not entirely sure. Perhaps it means I won’t be able to die in the future. Even if I do die, the Power of the Yellow Springs can revive me again so that I can continue maintaining the cycle eternally."
I Want to Be Immortal was surprised, "Isn’t that a good thing?"
Ye Luo smiled, "Yes, it is indeed a good thing."
Xiao Jie, however, found it not so simple, "What happens if you die? Will you revive on the spot?"
"Haha, it’s unlikely to be that easy. I guess I’ll probably turn into Yellow Springs water and become a part of it. The Yellow Springs represent death, and since I’ve become part of death, I naturally won’t die permanently."
Damn... that’s not immortality, that’s being deconstructed!
Xiao Jie frowned, "Why choose this advancement?"
Although it seems very powerful and prestigious, the side effects are too great.
"Naturally, I have my reasons. I’ll give you a surprise later. But for now, let’s help Cheng Xian complete his advancement task first."
Xiao Jie felt uneasy. Ye Luo’s choice seemed to have a particular purpose, but he knew there was no changing her mind, and what’s done is done. He couldn’t help but wonder what the surprise would be.
"Alright, let’s head to Xuanxu Palace then." Xiao Jie said, gathering his spirits.
The three of them summoned their mounts and sped towards Xuanxu Palace.
Along the way, the three remained silent. I Want to Be Immortal tried to ask several times, but Ye Luo diverted the conversation each time.
Half an hour later, the three arrived at the foot of East Sun Mountain.
Xiao Jie recalled the time when he and I Want to Be Immortal came to deliver the Demon Talisman. It seemed like just yesterday, but time has changed, and so have they. They were no longer the newbies they once were.