Seeing Li Ziyu’s figure, Liu Xingxing’s terrified heart suddenly calmed down. He stood up and stumbled over to his side.

"Xingxing, I’m afraid you’ve really found an incredible treasure this time," Li Ziyu said with a smile, patting Liu Xingxing’s shoulder.

"Don’t joke, Boss. This place is terrifying," Liu Xingxing didn’t like this kind of environment at all. Treasure should be gold bars or something similar. Surrounded by Corpse Remains, this wasn’t the kind of treasure he liked.

"Do you have any special way to light this place up? Something that can illuminate a large area? I want to confirm something," Li Ziyu asked.

Although the Soul Fire provided some light, in this vast, empty space, it was like a firefly in the dead of night, its illuminated area limited.

"I do, but I only get one shot," Liu Xingxing said as he pulled something resembling a flare from his backpack.

The item was called a Simple Emergency Flare, a product of the system, mainly used for signaling in survival situations.

With his limited resources, Liu Xingxing had only managed to make one.

"That’s enough. Light up the area. Let’s see if this place is what I think it is," said Li Ziyu.

Liu Xingxing nodded, gave it a hard twist, and the flare shot out, exploding in mid-air. A brilliant light illuminated everything around them.

Corpse Remains!

It was all Corpse Remains!

As far as the eye could see, there were only ghastly Skeletons piled up into mountains. The place where they stood was the bottom of a sunken corpse pit.

Sure enough.

Li Ziyu and Liu Xingxing stared dumbfounded at the surrounding Corpse Mountain.

This wasn’t a mountain range at all. It was a colossal pile of corpses—or rather, a mountain range built from bodies!

Countless bodies had been stacked together and, after untold ages, covered by dust, creating what appeared from the outside to be the mountainous terrain of the Wraith Mountain Range.

The lush vegetation was a result of the rotting corpses becoming nutrients. With so many bodies, of course the plants would flourish.

"Boss, is this the homeland of the Undead? Why are there so many bodies?" Liu Xingxing muttered unconsciously.

The flare’s light seemed to have disturbed something within the Corpse Mountain. Specks of green light began to emerge from the Skeletons. They somewhat resembled the Soul Fire of the Skeleton Undead, yet were completely different.

It was Wandering Souls!

One by one, glowing green Wandering Souls slipped out from between the bones, drifting aimlessly within the corpse pit and letting out ear-piercing shrieks.

[Congratulations! You have discovered the special location: Corpse Mountain Soul Gathering Ground. Building unlocked: Great Tomb.]

Just as Li Ziyu was staring blankly at the Wandering Souls, the sudden system prompt jolted him back to his senses.

’Holy shit, I’ve hit the jackpot!’

He hadn’t received any system prompt when he discovered the Swamp Graveyard before. But this place not only came with a prompt and a name, it even unlocked a building!

The aura of the living from Li Ziyu, Liu Xingxing, and the Catman attracted the Wandering Souls in the air. Their forms flickered as they abruptly turned and dove toward the living beings below, filled with a chilling killing intent.

"Oh no!"

"Help!"

"Mommy, meow~"

Just as Liu Xingxing and the Catman were in a complete panic, the Skeleton Undead rose to their feet one by one, forming a circle around them. Their Soul Fires pulsed violently, emitting a strange spiritual wave.

A song began to resonate within Li Ziyu’s soul.

Unlike the ethereal singing from before, the song of the Undead was solemn and dignified, grand yet deep. Li Ziyu couldn’t understand the lyrics, but he could feel the longing, comfort, and kinship of the song that echoed in his soul.

The diving Wandering Souls swerved violently in mid-air, scattering and once again drifting in the sky. They looked down in astonishment. Their originally ferocious and terrifying expressions gradually softened, becoming calm and serene as they gazed at the Undead.

This was the Song of the Dead, a song known to every Undead, a song only the Undead could understand. It was—the Requiem.

Amidst the song of the Requiem, a few Wandering Souls broke away and slowly descended, landing not far from the Undead. The Skeleton Undead then spontaneously parted, revealing Li Ziyu, Liu Xingxing, and the Catman to the Wandering Souls.

’We’re screwed! The Undead sold us out!’

Liu Xingxing felt a sense of dread as he watched those few Wandering Souls float slowly toward them.

Li Ziyu didn’t understand what was happening or why the Undead had parted ways. He felt a flicker of panic but forced himself to remain calm. He straightened his clothes and took a step forward, shielding Liu Xingxing and the Catman behind him.

A green light flashed over the Wandering Souls, revealing their true forms. They were Wandering Souls of various different Races: Humans, Beastmen, and even Elves.

The one floating at the very front was a Human Wandering Soul. He wore a magnificent robe covered in intricate patterns, a sword at his waist, and a golden crown on his head. However, he was not in good condition. His exposed skin was wrinkled and completely shriveled, and many parts had already rotted away, revealing the white Skeleton beneath.

Seemingly realizing his appearance was not very presentable, a light flashed over the King-like Wandering Soul again. He retracted his terrifying form and reverted to his living Human appearance: a refined and gentle old man.

"You are not Undead, yet the Undead are willing to protect you. Who are you, and why have you come here?" He came before Li Ziyu, looking him up and down before speaking slowly. His voice was gentle and without malice, yet filled with inquiry and curiosity.

"Allow me to introduce myself. I am an Undead City Lord. As you can see, I am a Human. I originally intended to mine for some ore here but wandered into this place by mistake, disturbing you all." Seeing that the Wandering Soul before him seemed quite reasonable, Li Ziyu lowered his guard a little and spoke earnestly.

’An Undead City Lord?’

The King of the Wraith scrutinized Li Ziyu, then turned to look at his companions behind him. They all seemed bewildered.

After a long moment of contemplation, the King of the Wraith asked with a complicated expression, "Have the Undead conquered the world? Did you betray humanity and throw in your lot with the Undead?"

Facing the King of the Wraith’s question, Li Ziyu simply shook his head. "The Undead have not conquered the world. I am their City Lord and possess an Undead Fortress. That is all."

The Wandering Souls looked at each other in confusion. They had been cut off from the outside world for too long, living only here. Earlier, they had sensed the aura of the Undead and were drawn to it, which is why they led Li Ziyu and his Undead deep into the Wraith Mountain Range to meet.

Regardless of what Race they were in life, they were now a type of Undead. As such, they felt a natural kinship with the Skeleton Undead, who were also Undead.

"What is the world outside like now? Is it peaceful?" The King of the Wraith didn’t press the issue of Li Ziyu’s identity, instead voicing his own question.

"It’s alright, I suppose. It’s peaceful for the most part, but there are still conflicts between the various Tribes. Have you all been here this entire time?" Li Ziyu organized his understanding of the Otherworld, shared his conclusions with the King of the Wraith, and then asked his question.

"Yes. We have always been here. We have never left, nor can we," the King of the Wraith said with a hint of desolation.

’Uh, so they’re a massive group of Earth-bound Spirits?’

Li Ziyu looked up at the sky, where the densely packed Wandering Souls were gathering in ever-increasing numbers, nearly forming a cloud of green light. The corner of his mouth twitched.