Chapter 2163: Forgetting River Cause and Effect

The colossus replied, "Under normal circumstances, that would be true. However, I can always pull some strings. If he separates his soul, I can help imbue it with the properties of the deceased, allowing it to be accepted by the Underworld."

"Soul separation?" Zu An frowned. "Are you referring to the Yin Spirit, Yang Spirit, or Primordial Spirit?"

Immortals at the Earth Immortal realm already possess these special soul forms. Of course, his cultivation method is somewhat unique, making him less orthodox in this regard compared to veteran Earth Immortals like Zhao Hao.

"Yin Spirit, Yang Spirit, and Primordial Spirit are merely rough classifications in your world," the colossus replied. "Soul separation, simply put, is the fusion of these three spirits. Aside from lacking a physical body, you would be no different from your everyday self."

"But as far as I know, without the protection of a physical body, the soul becomes extremely vulnerable, like a rootless duckweed. Many spells become unusable," Shang Liuyu worried. "If he goes to the Underworld like that, won't he be at everyone's mercy?"

"You needn't worry about that. My secret technique is sufficient to keep him unaffected, except for a very few special skills, such as his undead purification technique. After all, he'll also have the properties of the undead by then, and using that could easily purify himself first," the colossus said with a laugh.

Hearing this, Shang Liuyu felt slightly relieved. She couldn't help but look at Zu An, waiting for his decision.

Zu An fell into deep thought, wondering if this mysterious individual was trustworthy. What if he was deliberately deceiving him, waiting for his soul to separate to seize the opportunity to kill him? It would be troublesome if his soul body wasn't as resilient as claimed.

Yet, what the colossus said sounded sincere, and everything seemed reasonable. He truly needed to stop the Skin-Peeling Ghost King.

At that moment, the colossus spoke again: "Oh, I just had a revelation. It seems there's someone at the River of Forgetfulness who shares a significant karmic connection with you."

"Who?" Zu An's heart stirred.

"I apologize, but this involves the power of the laws of heaven and earth, so I cannot reveal it to you," the colossus said. "Believe me, it is destined by heaven that you must go to the Underworld."

Zu An was speechless.

As he hesitated, Mi Li's voice suddenly echoed in his mind: "Trust him."

Zu An was startled and instinctively tried to ask her for more information, but Mi Li gave no further response.

After a moment of silence, Zu An nodded. "Alright!"

Shang Liuyu looked worried. "Ah Zu..."

Zu An gently patted her hand, reassuring her, "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

He didn't trust the mysterious colossus; rather, he trusted Mi Li. Although he had many confidantes around him, it seemed he had spent the most time with her. They knew each other inside out, and he had no secrets from her.

Of course, it seemed she had accumulated many secrets recently...

At this point, the colossus said, "Excellent. Relax your mind and do as I instruct..."

Following the colossus's guidance, Zu An sat cross-legged, with a drop of Netherworld River water hovering before him.

Not long after, a transparent, ethereal figure floated out from the top of his head. Zu An was surprised to find that he could see his own body, as well as Shang Liuyu anxiously guarding beside it.

Is this what it feels like after death?

Suddenly, his expression changed. He felt an irresistible force pulling him, as if trying to drag him into the dark abyss below.

It was the power of a fundamental law, utterly impossible to resist.

Just then, the colossus's voice boomed, "Halt! Return to your place at once!"

The drop of Netherworld River water suddenly emitted bursts of light, enveloping his soul. The immense pulling force on Zu An finally eased slightly, allowing him to at least stand firm.

Immediately after, the Netherworld River water merged into his soul body. Witnessing this, Zu An was horrified. He remembered that Netherworld River water could erase a person's entire life's memories. If he were to forget everyone and everything he had encountered in this life because of this, it would be truly cruel.

Unfortunately, he was utterly powerless to resist at this moment. He could only watch as the drop of Netherworld River water entered his body and seemingly completely fused with his soul.

Huh, wait, his memories didn't seem to have vanished?

It seems the colossus's secret technique was indeed powerful.

At the same time, Shang Liuyu felt Zu An's aura suddenly disappear and was immediately panic-stricken. "Ah Zu?"

She angrily raised her head and glared at the colossus. "Did you kill him?"

"Of course not. He's merely in a state of suspended animation right now. Once his soul returns, he'll be alive again." The colossus looked at Zu An and sighed faintly. "My old friend, I never expected you to be so different from before, with so many female confidantes by your side."

Zu An was bewildered.

Was he implying that Zu An used to be a saint who didn't get close to women?

No way!

At this moment, the colossus raised a finger, and a thick white mist enveloped Zu An's soul.

Zu An felt that this white mist was the purest death energy, yet it was completely different from any death energy he had encountered before; there was also a sense of divinity within it.

He truly couldn't associate these two completely different attributes, but it was nonetheless the reality.

Soon, his soul condensed and gradually materialized from the void, appearing almost no different from his usual self.

Only then did Shang Liuyu see him. She quickly looked at the physical body on the ground, then back at him, repeating the action several times with an utterly shocked expression.

Seeing the tears still welling in her beautiful eyes, Zu An couldn't help but step forward to wipe them away. "Sister Shang, are you crying for me?"

The colossus was stunned by this scene. Even at a moment like this, this guy couldn't forget to flirt...

"Ah Zu!" Hearing his familiar voice, Shang Liuyu could no longer restrain the intense emotions in her heart. She threw herself into his arms and held him tightly.

She held him incredibly tightly, as if afraid that if she let go, he would completely disappear.

Seeing Shang Liuyu so agitated was rare, and Zu An's heart warmed. He couldn't help but hug her back.

Feeling his body, which was almost as solid as flesh, save for the usual warmth, Shang Liuyu hastily asked, "Are you in danger right now? Can you change back?"

Zu An hummed. "I feel quite good right now, like I could return at any moment."

Just then, the colossus's voice rang out, "Absolutely not! It took considerable effort to condense you into this form. I don't have the energy for a second attempt."

"Thank you, esteemed sir. Though I still don't know your identity, I imagine you must have been a very good friend back then," Zu An said, cupping his hands in salute to the colossus.

"Heh, that has a hint of your old shamelessness," the colossus replied, leaving Zu An momentarily speechless.

"Uh, how do I participate in that trial? Do I just jump down from here?" Zu An looked at the incredibly deep black abyss below. Even with his vast experience, he couldn't help but feel a little daunted.

"Precisely. Given your karmic connection with the Netherworld River, the identity I've fabricated for you this time is related to it. You'll understand once you go down," the colossus replied. "If you win that trial, you'll naturally know how to return."

At this point, Shang Liuyu hastily asked, "But what if he doesn't win that trial? How will he return then?"

The colossus then fell silent, offering no reply to her question.

Shang Liuyu's heart immediately sank.