It is very easy for mortals to descend to the Netherworld; anyone can go there effortlessly, but trying to make the return journey back to the Mortal World is very difficult. Only a few Heavenly Gods have managed it, and they had to pay a great price.
Generally speaking, on the journey to the Underworld, every soul must pass through seven tightly closed gates. Each gate is guarded to prevent them from going the wrong way—that would mean horrific outcomes like being devoured by monsters or ravaged by demons. Only after paying the passage fee to the guards can the spirits continue forward. This is why the dead are buried in lavish attire, adorned with as much jewelry as possible. Even the poor will bring some coins to pay when the time comes.
But regardless of whether the dead were poor or wealthy, after passing through the sevenfold gates, they will lose all their wealth, status, and identity from their lifetimes, entering the realm of death in an equal state.
And when the spirits, now stripped of everything, reach the end of their trials, there is no good fortune waiting for them here.
Hell is a dark world, with no other source of light except for the Fever Temple established by Aile. The spirits, after drifting outside for a long time, usually begin to lose their sense of the outside world. More frightening still, the Netherworld is built upon the remains of the Divine Ancestor Apsu.
The power of death and decay fills the entire Netherworld, nearly cutting off all vitality.
The spirits’ living conditions in the Netherworld are extremely harsh, at best only slightly approaching their former life in the world.
The Sumerians believed that the spirits spent most of their time struggling in darkness, since there was no food here, they could only feed on dirt, crawling and creeping in the dust; they are forever thirsty because there is no clear water to drink.
And among the residents of the Babylonian underworld, there were also dead gods, as achieving immortality is very difficult, even gods can be killed.
Thus, the Babylonians and the Assyrians who came after the Sumerians also worried about spirits being attacked by demigods, monsters, and devils. These demigods, monsters, and devils sometimes escape to the surface world, bringing suffering and death to humans.
In short, the Netherworld of Babylon is not a pleasant world.
Gazing over this dark domain of hers, Aile’s face gradually became occupied by gloom and dejection:
"To be honest, not only you, but even I hate it here, hate the self that can only keep company with death."
Raising her fair hands in front of her eyes, she seemed to see dirty bloodstains and smell the stench of rotten corpses.
However, a sonorous, resonant voice interrupted this self-pity of the Netherworld Goddess:
"On the contrary, I think that [Death] is neither dirty nor shameful; it is not a curse but a gift."
"Why do you say that? Clearly, it deprives life!"
"Indeed, but while cruel, it is also a mercy. The greatest obstacle to survival is not fear and frailty, but arrogance. Scars and death will humble people, will make them grow. Ultimately, the bones of death pave a path to life for the entire tribe."
"But even if you say so, isn’t death something very tragic for the individual?"
"Tragic yet also songworthy!"
Luo En gazed over the Netherworld beneath his feet, his eyes deep as an abyss, his voice resonant as thunder,
"The reason why the journey is great, and why the epic is magnificent, is that all things must eventually pass. It is only with the existence of [Death] that life is cherished and becomes magnificent!"
Pausing for a moment, he turned to look at the Netherworld Goddess behind him, advising earnestly:
"So, do not despise your authority, and do not hate death; you can use it to do better things."
Aile was shaken by these words that upended her understanding, unable to remain calm for a long time.
Yet, the inertia of thought still made it difficult for her to detach from her entrenched pessimistic mindset:
"Better things? In this world shrouded in darkness and death, I can’t even grow a single flower, what can I do?"
"That’s because you haven’t chosen the right seed."
Luo En casually answered, providing an example,
"I once saw a kind of plant called the ’Golden Grain Flower.’ They do not fear the erosion of death’s aura and can bloom across an entire valley filled with the aura of death."
"Does such a thing really exist?" Aile was skeptical.
"Yes, I still have some seeds on hand."
Luo En said, taking a small packet of Golden Grain Flower seeds from the Magic Circle Diagram. It was the Netherworld Narcissus that bloomed in the Elysian Fields during the Age of Greek Gods.
Seeing the actual object, Aile snatched the seeds over, holding them excitedly to her chest:
"Now, my Netherworld can also see flowers, see life, wonderful..."
"The environment here is quite special, there might be some acclimatization issues. So, to cultivate these Golden Grain Flowers, you’ll need to put in a lot of effort, preferably with the help of a Plant God who understands flower planting."
Upon hearing the reminder, Aile glanced around, her eyes finally resting on Luo En.
Immediately, Aile shoved the seeds back into his hands, saying: "I’ll leave it to you, you must help me grow these flowers!"
Does this count as finding work for himself?
Luo En was torn between laughter and tears, somewhat regretting showing off those seeds.
Aile seemed to sense the reluctance, biting her lip, she said,
"Actually, I don’t necessarily need to see these flowers, I just wish for more vitality here, so the human spirits can see scenery different from death, and not be so pained."
Humans in the Babylonian Divine Era held a very low status, born with Original Sin, only fit to serve as livestock and slaves for the deities, not having a harmonious relationship with the deities.