Fortunately, the bickering between Arataki Itto and Paimon lightened the heavy atmosphere.
Yanfei turned to Xiao, who was resting nearby, her tone laced with concern:
"Great Yaksha, could you tell us what happened before you met us?"
Xiao shook his head and glanced around. Aside from the stone walls and campfire, only their group remained.
"No need for such formality—just call me Xiao. I came here to find someone… but that person wasn't quite what I expected."
Though Xiao spoke calmly, a faint trace of disappointment could be heard in his words.
Aether asked curiously:
"Who were you looking for?"
Xiao lowered his gaze and answered without hesitation:
"A Yaksha named Bosacius. Among the five Yakshas, Bosacius was the only one whose body was never found.
The last time I saw him was the day he lost his mind. After that, he disappeared—no one knew where he went."
Xiao paused for a moment, then reached out and touched the stone wall, feeling the rough, uneven texture beneath his fingers. His lips pressed together, and the force in his fingers gradually increased, as if he wanted to dig a hole straight through the rock.
"Bosacius was the eldest among us five. He once made a pact with us: given how often Yakshas are embroiled in battle, whether alive or dead, we must look out for one another and know each other's whereabouts.
Yet in the end, he was the only one who broke that promise…
As the one who survived, it's my duty to uncover the fate of all of them—including Bosacius."
Yelan seemed to understand. She stepped forward and analyzed:
"From what I know, during the great war five hundred years ago, the one who diverted the tide of monsters was a Yaksha. So you suspect that Yaksha was Bosacius?"
Xiao nodded, but his next words shocked everyone:
"Originally, I held no hope. All five of us had titles—if it had been Bosacius back then, there wouldn't have been an 'unnamed Yaksha.' But…"
Xiao cast a deep glance at his freshly bandaged wounds.
"The one who wounded me was Bosacius."
Paimon covered her mouth in shock. Xiao, as if steeling his resolve, clenched his fist.
"Because I've fought alongside Bosacius, I know just how dangerous this space is. I will expend every last ounce of my strength to tear open an exit and send all of you out."
Yanfei immediately objected.
"That would mean you'd be left behind! I oppose this plan!"
Rover stood to the side, deep in thought. Indeed, Xiao's plan was exactly what he had considered earlier. The reason he hadn't suggested it was because there were far too many uncertainties.
Sure enough, Yelan crossed her arms and turned her back to Xiao.
"So this is your plan? To me, a plan with no guarantee of success or safety is no different from suicide."
Xiao chuckled softly, as if recalling something.
"Perilous battlefields have always been like this. Even a single opportunity demands risking one's life. If you fear sacrifice and failure, victory will never be within reach."
These words made Jiyan freeze, as though he had been transported back to his conversation with Geshu Lin.
Just as Yelan was about to speak again, Jiyan interrupted, his expression grave as he looked at Xiao.
"No matter how dangerous, such methods should only be considered as a last resort.
Xiao, why not try placing your trust in those around you—in me, in Rover, in everyone?"
Xiao's lips parted slightly. Ever since the Yakshas had gone, he had grown accustomed to solving problems alone.
Rover's lips curled into a faint smile, and he gave everyone a reassuring look.
"No matter what happens, I'll get all of you out. That's my promise to you."
Yelan stepped in at the right moment.
"When self-sacrifice may not even be effective, words like that only hurt morale. Besides, if escaping requires losing someone, then we can't call it a success."
Xiao sat back down to tend to his injuries—it seemed he had been persuaded.
"Enough about sacrifice! This boss doesn't wanna hear it!"
Arataki Itto broke the silence—clearly, he had overheard the argument.
With a twist of his wrist, Itto walked up to one of the stone walls.
"If this space can be broken through, then I'll be the one to smash it! That way, no one has to die!"
Focusing his Geo energy into his fist, Itto unleashed a full-force punch against the wall. The stone shattered instantly, revealing a deeper passage.
"Hah… haha… see? Another way out…"
After exerting himself to the limit, Itto swayed unsteadily before Kuki Shinobu caught him.
Shinobu glanced at the unconscious Itto and shook her head slightly.
"This is just how the boss is. He hates internal conflict. Today, he did this because he considers all of you his comrades. What he did wasn't giving up on himself—it was believing he could overcome any obstacle."
Paimon looked at Itto with heartache.
"Fine, I won't call you 'bull-chucker' today. Honestly, how can someone be so stupid?"
Yelan examined the newly opened path—it led even deeper into the space.
"There might still be a chance. I'll scout ahead."
With that, Yelan ventured forward alone, and Xiao vanished on the spot.
"Jiyan, he's in your hands."
To ensure the safety of the group, Rover decided to stay behind. Jiyan carried Itto on his back, and the group slowly advanced further into the depths.
The path was pitch-black. They walked for what felt like an eternity until flickering lights appeared in the distance.
As they drew closer, they found Yelan and Xiao standing completely still.
"Wh-what's wrong…?"
Paimon grew nervous and instinctively hid behind Aether. Suddenly, Abby emerged.
"Rover… you need to brace yourself. I sense an unprecedented level of Abyssal energy ahead—far stronger than anything we've encountered before."
Even Abby had come out. Rover understood immediately. He slowly drew his blade, and Shinobu took Itto from Jiyan, who also prepared for battle.
"This… this is…"
Countless dark spirits were crashing against a massive golden barrier overhead. The seal was inscribed with countless glowing patterns that emitted a faint luminescence. Before them stood a platform, upon which a glowing banner was planted.
The howls and shrieks were unending, sending chills down their spines.
Beneath the barrier was a bottomless abyss—endless dark spirits surged upward, only to be blocked by the enormous seal.
"I recognize that seal—it's the same kind my ancestors used."
Yelan spoke, and as her voice faded, a pair of crimson eyes materialized, followed by countless others flickering like stars.
"The resentment and fury of the demonic beasts from five hundred years ago have yet to disperse. The Millelith have been suppressing them here all this time—even in death, they've become vengeful spirits."
Xiao raised a hand, signaling everyone not to advance further.
But then, golden spirits emerged around the banner and clashed with the dark entities.
"Those are… the souls of fallen Millelith!?"
Yanfei's eyes widened. After five hundred years, there were still Millelith holding fast to their convictions, standing guard here.
A distant voice echoed throughout the space:
"The rocks stand firm, the mountains unshaken! Shields and armor, we purge the evil!"
The united shouts of countless warriors made it seem as though an indomitable army stood before them.
"But these spirits won't last much longer. We need someone to take command and buy us time."
Yelan laid out the dire situation. True to her words, some of the golden spirits were already dimming.
"You mean…"
Rover frowned. Yanfei followed Yelan's gaze and spotted a floating artifact on the other side. She immediately exclaimed:
"It's the Fantastic Compass!"
Yelan nodded.
"Exactly. We need to seize the Fantastic Compass. I recognize it from my family records—it has the power to suppress evil and reinforce seals."
Xiao agreed.
"And we must act quickly. This seal won't hold much longer. We have to retrieve the Fantastic Compass before these dark spirits break free."
Paimon fretted anxiously.
"But to reach it, we'd have to charge straight through that tide of dark spirits! How is that even possible?"
Rover had an idea.
"No, there's another way—we take up that banner and command the Millelith to clear a path for us."
Aether stroked his chin, glanced around, and raised a question:
"Then… who among us knows how to lead an army?"
The moment he asked, everyone's eyes turned to Jiyan, who had been standing at the rear.
Jiyan stared at the sea of dark spirits and was suddenly transported back to the battle he could never forget—one that had also come down to a critical moment like this. When he blinked, he could almost see Geshu Lin standing beside the banner.
Jiyan finally understood the direction Geshu Lin had pointed to back then. It seemed this battle had been waiting for him all along.
"General Jiyan, step forward and prove it to me. Show me whether your so-called convictions can truly earn my faith."