Ling Luo Yi looked at the reflection of her face on the water's surface. After a long while, she sighed. She had known from the start that without that body, she would have no connection to the Ling family. Despite being prepared, she still felt a pang of reluctance upon arriving here.
Two lifetimes, and she still had no family by her side. She wondered if her previous life had been like this too.
Seeing the dejected figure in the water, Ling Luo Yi suddenly smiled at her and said softly, "Hello there, Luo Yi. You'll have to get used to your new name from now on, Ling Luo Yi."
Even though she had realized she was no longer connected to the Ling family, Ling Luo Yi had no intention of changing back to her original name. Just as she had told Chu Xi, it was just a name. The eldest miss of the Ling family could use it, and so could the King of Assassins.
The figure in the water smiled again, then fell into sadness. Even she herself found this face unfamiliar. Would he still recognize her? And what about Ah Yuan? She would keep her distance from the friends of the Ling family's eldest miss, but would the friends of the King of Assassins recognize her?
Ling Luo Yi recalled Qiu Yuan Xi, who had clutched her bracelet and wept. This was her first and only friend in this world. Would she recognize her? Saintess Master said it had been two hundred years since she died. Ah Yuan should still be around, right? Perhaps Ling Luo Chen had already arrived on the Cang Lan Continent, and they might even be married by now.
What about the five students she had taken in on the Gu Ling Continent? Were they still there? If so, had they become renowned alchemists?
And her four senior brothers, with whom she hadn't interacted much. Given the eldest senior brother's talent, he should have made a name for himself on the Gu Xuan Continent.
What about the old man? Was he still around? Madam Wen should have found her missing husband and son by now. Both of these people had been very kind to Ling Luo Yi, and she truly hoped they were doing well.
Seeing the emotions that didn't belong to her surface on the figure in the water, Ling Luo Yi quickly snapped back to her senses. What did it matter? They were all grown up. She should go and see the King of the Underworld first.
Ling Luo Yi flew away. As soon as she entered the Underworld, she saw countless souls lining up to enter the city. Apart from being somewhat eerie, it was quite similar to the city gates in the human world.
As soon as Ling Luo Yi appeared, two ghost officers approached her. Recognizing the divine power she possessed, they respectfully asked, "Welcome, Divine Envoy, to the Underworld. Is there anything we can assist you with?"
"Greetings, elder ghost officers. I have matters to discuss with the King of the Underworld. This is my first time in the Underworld, so I would appreciate it if you could lead the way."
The two ghost officers appeared flustered. "We dare not accept such a title from a Divine Envoy. You flatter us, Divine Envoy."
Ling Luo Yi was polite to the ghost officers because they were polite to her. Not understanding why they were so nervous, she didn't pry and asked, "Would you be so kind as to lead the way?"
The two ghost officers exchanged glances. One of them asked, "May we know the Divine Envoy's name, if you don't mind telling us?"
"Ling Luo Yi."
Upon hearing the name, the two ghost officers suddenly smiled and said, "Please follow us, Divine Envoy."
Ling Luo Yi paid no mind to the change in the ghost officers' attitude, as long as she could meet the King of the Underworld.
Another ghost officer chimed in, "Divine Envoy, you have finally arrived. The King of the Underworld has been waiting for you for a long time."
Ling Luo Yi was somewhat surprised and asked, "According to what the ghost officers are saying, the King of the Underworld knows I am coming?"
"Indeed. The King of the Underworld rarely receives guests, yet a hundred years ago, he issued an order that if a girl named 'Ling Luo Yi' or 'Luo Yi' arrived, regardless of whether she was a god or a demon, she was to be brought to him. My brother and I have been waiting at the city gates for so long, and finally, we have found the Divine Envoy."
Hearing this, Ling Luo Yi's eyes narrowed. What did the King of the Underworld mean by this?
Ling Luo Yi suppressed her suspicion and followed the two ghost officers towards the most magnificent palace in Youdu.
The King of the Underworld's palace was located in the northern part of Youdu. Ling Luo Yi had entered from the south gate, meaning she had to traverse the entire Youdu. Since Ling Luo Yi hadn't asked the ghost officers to prepare a sedan chair, and they hadn't offered, they walked the entire way.
The inhabitants of the Underworld cultivated Yin energy, so the Underworld was perpetually gloomy. However, Ling Luo Yi was now a god, and the Yin energy could not erode her body.
As Ling Luo Yi walked, she suddenly stopped as she passed a marketplace. She saw a soul, who seemed to be inquiring about something.
The two ghost officers, not hearing any movement, also stopped. Following Ling Luo Yi's gaze, they saw it was the soul of an ordinary person. "Divine Envoy, is something wrong?"
Ling Luo Yi came back to her senses and pointed at the soul who was searching for someone, asking, "Elder ghost officers, what is his situation?"
The two ghost officers quickly checked their records and replied, "Divine Envoy, he is from a low-level continent in the human world. He died many years ago, of illness. He should have reincarnated over a hundred and forty years ago, but he refused, saying he wanted to find his son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter, and was inquiring about their whereabouts everywhere.
Divine Envoy, as you know, many souls enter Youdu daily, and many souls are reincarnated. It is estimated that apart from the King of the Underworld and a few responsible officials, no one knows the whereabouts of his son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter. He is merely a mortal and is not qualified to meet the King of the Underworld. The officials would not appear without reason, so he has been asking around."
Died of illness?
Ling Luo Yi understood. Given the Ling family's supply of elixirs and their environment, it was impossible for him to have died of illness. The only possibility was that he himself had refused the medicine.
Watching him inquire repeatedly without success, then inquire again, Ling Luo Yi suddenly said, "Elder ghost officer, please do me a favor."
"Whatever the Divine Envoy wishes, please say it. I will do my best to fulfill it."
"Please tell him that his son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter reincarnated over two hundred years ago."
"Reincarnated? Divine Envoy, how do you know this? Isn't this your first time in the Underworld?"
"Because over two hundred years ago, I saw their reincarnation, and they were living very happily." As for whether they were still alive now, Ling Luo Yi didn't know.
"Understood."
One ghost officer walked over and conveyed Ling Luo Yi's words to him. At first, he was somewhat disbelieving, but upon hearing that they were living very happily, he was moved to tears. After bowing to the ghost officer, he left. Later, the King of the Underworld told her that he had gone to reincarnate, in the same family as them now.
However, the current Ling Luo Yi did not know this. Looking at his departing back, she thought, so you knew too.
"Divine Envoy, the matter is handled."
The ghost officer's voice reporting back brought Ling Luo Yi back to reality. He had already left her sight.
Ling Luo Yi withdrew her gaze and said, "Please continue to lead the way, ghost officers."
Before leaving, Ling Luo Yi glanced back in the direction he had gone. She could still only sense his soul, but not see his figure. Ling Luo Yi sighed and followed the two ghost officers, continuing towards the King of the Underworld's palace.
Along the way, Ling Luo Yi's mood was quite somber. She had prepared herself not to see the Ling family again, but she hadn't expected to see him in the Underworld.
As Ling Luo Yi got closer to the King of the Underworld's palace, the silver-black orb in the King of the Underworld's hand shone brighter. Seeing its reaction, the King of the Underworld smiled and looked at the figure opposite him, saying softly, "She has arrived."
Without naming names, both understood who 'she' was.
Upon hearing this, the figure opposite the King of the Underworld's fingers trembled, and a black stone fell onto the chessboard. But he paid it no mind, his entire being filled with immense excitement and anticipation.
Two hundred years. She had finally returned!