Chapter 2162: Underworld Realm

Zu An couldn't help but stare in astonishment. With their status and experience, they had seen countless magnificent statues. Even the Dragon God statue they had recently encountered was incredibly imposing. Yet, all the statues they had ever seen combined paled in comparison to the one before them.

This colossal statue stood on the far side of the endless abyss. Its entire body seemed to span heaven and earth; its feet were rooted in the chasm, while its head pierced directly into the firmament, as if it reached as high as the sky itself.

The statue wore an emperor's crown, complete with a beaded curtain that obscured its face, preventing anyone from discerning its features. Zu An frowned slightly. Beads, or even a real curtain, shouldn't have been able to block his vision, yet he couldn't make out its face. He could only feel an overwhelming sense of majesty and divinity. This entity was far stronger than he had imagined; the feeling it exuded was comparable even to the existence summoned by Qiu Honglei's Heaven and Earth Sacrifice Dance.

"Oh, this world actually has a human as powerful as you?" The colossal figure of heaven and earth seemed surprised that Zu An could perceive it and separate the thick, viscous death qi that was almost corporeal. It observed Zu An for a moment. "So, you're leveraging the dragon脉 energy of this place. No wonder the will of heaven and earth allows your existence."

Zu An was startled. This entity could even discern that? And what did it mean by its words? Did the will of heaven and earth in this world eliminate stronger beings?

"You also seem eager to participate in that trial?" the colossal figure then stated. Its voice alone inspired an urge to prostrate oneself in reverence. It was only due to Shang Liuyu's proud nature, coupled with Zu An deflecting most of the pressure for her, that she managed not to kneel.

Zu An didn't answer the question. Instead, he asked, "Who are you? Was it you who called to me earlier? And why do you call me a 'fated one'?"

"Who am I?" the colossus replied indifferently. "That cannot be said. Hearing my name would only lead to your demise."

Zu An's heart stirred. He had encountered some exceptionally powerful entities whose mere names could bring destruction. This one was clearly among them. "Empress Master, do you know who he is?" Zu An asked secretly. Unfortunately, it was like a stone sinking into the sea; Mi Li offered no response.

At that moment, the colossus continued, "Yes, it was I who called you. I sensed something on you that has a deep connection to me."

Zu An was puzzled, wondering what it could be. The calling hadn't started until he began healing. Could it be the Primordial Chaos Scripture? Wait, could this guy be Qin Shi Huang? He immediately dismissed the thought; he had met the First Emperor in a secret realm, and that figure was clearly different from this colossus.

"Oh?" The colossus, which had been observing Zu An, suddenly seemed to discover something, its tone remarkably surprised. Zu An and Shang Liuyu exchanged glances, both seeing confusion in the other's eyes. From the start, the entity's tone had been one of detached superiority, like a god deserving worship. But now, its surprised voice suggested it had discovered something or someone truly astonishing.

"So, it's you, old friend," the colossus sighed softly, a touch of warmth entering its voice.

"Old friend?" Shang Liuyu's eyes widened as she stared at Zu An. He was an old friend with an entity like this? Zu An was utterly dumbfounded. Although he wanted to feign recognition, the current situation left him no room to act. It was too preposterous!

"It seems you haven't recovered your memories," the colossus mused. "That makes sense. Though you are strong in this world now, you are still too weak compared to beings across the myriad realms. Recovering your memories would be far too dangerous."

Shang Liuyu's delicate brows furrowed as she scrutinized Zu An, finding him increasingly enigmatic. Zu An thought of Mi Li's previous vague remarks. Was this the reason? Could she also be an old friend of his from before?

"Let me see, your current state..." The colossus closed its eyes, seemingly perceiving something, then quickly opened them. "Ah, you are here to contend for this world's Law Beacon."

Zu An's emotions calmed slightly. Hearing this, he immediately asked, "Since we are friends, why don't you simply grant me that authority and help me obtain the world's Law Beacon?" If there was a shortcut, why bother competing with that Flaying Ghost King?

"I wish I could, but I am merely a wisp of a remnant now, bound by the rules established long ago. I cannot do that. To obtain the world's Law Beacon, you must thoroughly acquire the authority of this world," the colossus replied.

Zu An: "..." *What a waste of my emotions!* He certainly dared not utter that thought aloud. Instead, he asked, "How does one obtain this 'authority' you speak of?"

"By participating in the trial I left behind. Whoever achieves ultimate victory will master that authority, and the laws on the altar will permit their entry," the colossus answered.

"Is that Flaying Ghost King going to participate in that trial now?" Shang Liuyu quickly asked.

"Indeed," the colossus replied.

"A guy like him can participate in the trial? How exactly do you vet candidates?" Zu An was instantly displeased with this so-called old friend.

"Anyone who meets certain criteria I set long ago is qualified for the selection. That little imp indeed meets the conditions," the colossus responded.

"Little imp?" Kacheel was, after all, the mighty Flaying Ghost King, yet in the colossus's words, he became a "little imp." But for an existence like this, there truly wasn't much difference between a Ghost King and a little imp.

"What are the conditions exactly?" Zu An immediately asked, planning to try it himself. He absolutely could not let the Flaying Ghost King complete the trial.

"One must be a king of a certain region in the Underworld to qualify for the final trial," the colossus stated. Since he was called the Flaying Ghost King, he was most likely the king of the Flaying Hell, thus meeting the condition.

"Wait," Zu An's expression suddenly changed as he looked at the black abyss below the cliff. "I remember the Flaying Ghost King once said that only the deceased can enter here. So, am I destined not to participate in this trial?"

The colossus paused, then replied after a moment, "That is indeed true."

Zu An: "..."Shang Liuyu: "..."

"Then why did you call me here?" Zu An asked, agitated. He had never imagined such a trial existed and now he could only watch for the outcome from the Flaying Ghost King's side. If another entity passed the trial, it might not necessarily affect this world, but if the Flaying Ghost King actually succeeded, it would inevitably create unforeseen variables, and he hated variables most of all.

"Originally, I intended to grant you another opportunity. However, having recognized your identity, I have changed my mind. I think it would be better for you to win this trial," the colossus said.

Zu An frowned. "But I am a living person, not a deceased one. How can I enter the Underworld to participate in your trial?"

"It is indeed a problem. I will try my best to delay the start of the trial. You must quickly find something related to the Underworld during this time. Speed is essential; I am only a wisp of a remnant, after all, and cannot influence the trial for too long," the colossus quickly stated.

"Something related to the Underworld?" Zu An's heart stirred. He suddenly extended his hand, and a yellowish, somewhat bloody drop of water appeared before him. "Will this work?" This was something he had obtained from the War Priest earlier. He was genuinely grateful to the priest for dropping so many gold coins.

"Water of Oblivion? I never thought you would possess the Water of Oblivion. It seems fate truly wills it," the colossus said, a hint of excitement in its voice as it couldn't help but exclaim.

"What do I do next?" Zu An asked.

The colossus replied, "With this drop of Water of Oblivion as a medium, I can connect you to the Underworld and make you a member of it."

Shang Liuyu's face changed. "But everyone in the Underworld is deceased!" If saving the world required Zu An to sacrifice his life, what would be the point of such a salvation?