As everyone steeled themselves and opened the door to the ninth level of hell, the scene that greeted them left them momentarily stunned.
There was no eerie ghostly aura, nor any nauseating, foul smells. No blood, no spirits.
Instead, there were rockeries, green leaves, flowers, birds, plants, and the fragrant scent of blossoms, an atmosphere that refreshed the mind and heart.
The environment was beautiful, as if from a painter's celestial realm.
The situation here was truly puzzling.
This was, after all, within hell.
Yet, this ninth level was instead a picture of peace, with neat houses and boats floating by, truly like the Peach Blossom Spring described in books.
"A paradise on earth could be no more than this!"
Du Chun, disregarding the potential dangers of the place, was already captivated by the scenery before him, his heart filled with longing.
He clicked his tongue in amazement, "If this weren't hell, I would have thought it was the celestial realm."
But talk was talk; reality was something they had to face.
They knew very well that this scene was absolutely not the so-called ninth level of hell; there must be a trick involved.
Gu Qianying did not wish to expose it, as she was too exhausted from before and only wanted to sit down and rest.
Du Chun and Gu Qianying sat together, fiddling with the flowers and plants.
They relaxed their weary bodies, feeling as if their essence was floating, unable to cohere.
"I have an idea about this paradise on earth,"
Meng Qinghua suddenly tilted his head and spoke, a hint of expectation in his eyes, "Perhaps this place isn't as dangerous as it seems. What do you all think?"
Du Chun nodded in agreement.
He had also felt a sense of danger earlier.
But having been here for a while without anything attacking them, they had only felt peace and nothing else.
If even such a place harbored danger,
How could they dare to believe anything in reality?
Nangong Mo, though reluctant, could not help but break the illusion.
He calmly informed everyone, "I fear all of this is merely a disguise. What lies hidden behind it is likely something far more terrifying."
Gu Qianying agreed with his words. She was calm and rational.
They had been able to deceive themselves, but after this person spoke, the matter was exposed.
This paradise on earth before them was not a paradise on earth after all.
Though beautiful in its entirety, in their eyes, it was as if a veil had been lifted, revealing only decay and despair.
"I don't think so!" Meng Qinghua, usually taciturn, actually began to explain.
"I remember this place being peaceful. Deng Zhen, it's not as you say."
Du Chun, who had been wavering, no longer hesitated and closely followed Meng Qinghua, stating his agreement.
"I think so too."
The crowd harbored doubts about Nangong Mo, unwilling to believe that this place was dangerous.
Nangong Mo's blood could purify all the defilements in this world.
By washing their eyes with his blood,
Whether the scene before them was an illusion or reality, they could perceive it.
"I think we'd better not! It's too troublesome. Washing one's eyes with blood sounds creepy," Du Chun refused, waving his hands quickly.
Gu Qianying also showed some hesitation.
"If the evil spirits on the ninth level are truly fierce, why don't they actively attack us, but instead hide in such a paradise, allowing us to rest here!"
As her words were spoken, a gentle breeze stirred in the distance.
The everyone felt it, and became more convinced that this place might not be a paradise.
Who said the ninth level of hell must be a scene of misery?
It was simply that no one had come here before, thus the terrifying descriptions.
Influenced by the surrounding environment, and coupled with their extreme fatigue, they truly began to believe their own assertions.
Nangong Mo showed a pained expression. He never made demands habitually.
But today, he absolutely could not let everyone fall into this trap.
This place was definitely fake.
"You must do this!"
Seeing Nangong Mo's resolve, the others did not argue further and followed Nangong Mo's instructions, dabbing a drop of blood onto their eyelashes.
As the spiritual blood began to take effect,
A white light flashed before everyone's eyes. After this white light subsided, the true scene of the ninth level finally appeared before them.
Everyone's expression was one of astonishment.
What a desolate place!
Where was any paradise on earth?
The previous beauty was instantly shattered. This place was truly as Nangong Mo had said, not as it appeared on the surface.
This entire area was filled with old houses. The houses were covered in rust, the wood had completely rotted, and they hung limply in mid-air.
They were precarious.
As the evil energy surged through this place, these houses continuously shook, at risk of collapse at any moment.
And along their edges, countless bloodstains emerged from one side.
The blood, carrying a scent of decay, landed at Gu Qianying's feet.
Gu Qianying cried out in surprise.
She retreated backward in panic.
The blood had been there for a long time, and had solidified, leaving behind patches of blackness.
And within those houses, countless resentful beings resided.
They were unwilling to come out.
Gu Qianying and the others had no choice but to enter.
Upon entering, their expressions became even more astonished.
They were all old ghosts.
They had been old before they died, with only skeletons left on their bodies, their backs bent towards the ground.
Their inner strength was depleted, and for some unknown reason, they lingered here.
They looked extremely uncomfortable.
Coughs echoed, and with each cough, an old ghost would collapse to the ground.
They were ghosts, beings born of resentment.
After they died, they were resurrected again, becoming these lingering existences.
Their expressions were not visible.
It was numbness, despair, and pain.
They possessed no aggression, and seemed not to see others, walking along the path with faltering steps.
And at this moment, the sounds of many children could be heard from nearby.
It was known that among ghosts, these innocent and pure beings were the most terrifying.
The five of them quickly abandoned the previous area and hurried into the houses.
They were children, innocent and lively, completely free of worries. They cupped their little faces and tugged at their pigtails.
They were obediently acting cute in front of their mothers.
Their milky voices made Gu Qianying even forget that these children were ghosts.
Laughter echoed from within the houses.
There were also many pregnant women. These women had also died, their bellies large, dressed as ordinary women.
They smiled with great peace.
They playfully interacted with these young children.
"Mama, it's so fun outside! But it's all moonlight outside. I really want to see the sun. Can you help me, Mama?"
"My good child! Many people never get to see the moon in their entire lives. We get to see the moon every night, aren't you happy?"
The woman skillfully soothed her child.
The children understood nothing; they only felt happy.
"Yes! Let's go see the moon, let's go see the moon."
When the children ran to the doorway, they finally discovered the presence of Gu Qianying and the others...