Xue Wei's brows were furrowed as he listened to the history of the Ghost Realm. He had never expected that things would end up like this, but he did feel that this realm was not suitable to exist.
"The Ghost Realm was made with the best intentions in mind, but the Black Turtle Clan misjudged their own abilities. This is a realm on its own, but at the same time it is connected to the world of the living, and thus it can merely be considered a pocket dimension attached to the real world.
"Those who enter will have to constantly struggle to keep existing, but this realm is unable to accept anything living.
"I can imagine that plants, beasts, and even the Black Turtle Clan have ended up dying. The only trace of them left behind is likely this forgotten city."
Xue Wei narrowed his eyes and nodded his head. It was indeed true that no living beings had been seen since he entered the Ghost Realm, but he still felt that it was a sad fate.
The Black Turtle Clan wished to help others and give them hope even after death, but instead they created a world full of cruelty and constant despair.
Perhaps it was for the best that they had not lived to see the result of their hard work. They had so many good ideas, but reality proved that things often turned out differently.
It seemed that the voice was also well aware that his guess had been correct and a sigh resounded in the empty hall.
"I warned them long ago. If we were supposed to give these souls a chance for reincarnation, and life after death, then we had to become connected to Diyu, but those old fogies were unwilling, and refused to admit defeat.
"Look at us now, the old guys have become nothing, and I have been trapped within a pagoda for such a long time that I almost wish I could disappear as well."
Xue Wei did not doubt the truth of what the voice was saying. There was endless regret within each word, and he could feel that this soul no longer wished to continue taking over the position as a tower guardian.
"Senior, if you die in the world of the living, then you will come to the Ghost Realm, but if you die in the Ghost Realm, will you remain here, or will you dissipate and return to become energy for others to feast upon?"
The question was met with silence, but Xue Wei was not in a hurry for an answer. In fact, he was quite certain that even the owner of this voice did not know if the Black Turtles had become ghosts, or if they simply disappeared.
"In the end, it does not matter much which result the Black Turtle Clan faced. They would not remember anything, even if they had become lingering ghosts, and their initial intention would also vanish as they would be fighting for survival rather than intending to create a peaceful realm."
Xue Wei could merely nod his head in agreement as he looked around the hall. He had not spoken much since his arrival, but he had gotten the whole history of the Ghost Realm and also the one of this forgotten city.
Even so, he still did not know what he was supposed to do to escape this pagoda. He did hope that it was a chance for him to increase his strength, or the purity of his black turtle bloodline, but he also understood that due to the current circumstances with the Ghost Realm, it might no longer be possible for the pagoda to work as before.
"Little fellow, your bloodline purity is really quite pitiful, but it does exist, otherwise you would not be able to enter this pagoda. You gave me news about the world outside, and about the unfortunate loss of the Black Turtle Clan.
"I have a request, in fact it would be more of a trade really, that I hope you would consider.
"When the Black Turtle Clan migrated to the Ghost Realm, we left behind a branch of our clan within the world of the living. I would like to request of you to bring this Black Pagoda to the Black Turtle Clan within the world of the living.
"The Black Pagoda is a heritage treasure that was created by the first Black Turtle Ancestor, and it is also the most powerful tool to teach and forge the younger generation.
"This pagoda can only be handled by an Elder of the Black Turtle Clan, but since I am the pagoda spirit, I can shrink the size and allow for it to enter your storage treasure.
"I understand that this is an unreasonable request, so I will give you a great reward in advance. The blood in your veins is different from the common Black Turtle Blood.
"When a Black Turtle Descendant is born, their blood purity is very hard to change, but I can sense that yours can be upgraded by absorbing the essence blood of others.
"My spirit has long since left my body behind, and the essence blood, even the heart essence blood, has been left untouched below the pagoda.
"If you agree to my request, then, when the pagoda shrinks, you can take my body and extract some of the essence blood, and allow for your Black Turtle Bloodline to upgrade."
Xue Wei raised an eyebrow in surprise. This would, without a doubt, prove to be the most suitable solution for him, but he also felt somewhat perplexed.
Everything had been going extremely easily for them since they arrived in the Ghost Realm. It felt as if it was almost unreal.