"Are you sure that you want to do this? I mean...what about your mates? If they found out then..."
Kara did not need to finish her sentence as both she and Li Ming were clearly aware of what would happen if the Immortals found out about the stupid plan that the latter had come up with.
But the current situation demanded Li Ming take this risky bait. She was hundred percent sure that her plan would work as long as Kara could successfully do her part of the job.
"They are currently busy in the Heaven Realm. Both of us know that they will never allow me to take this risk since there are many casualties, but I need to do this. Since they are not here, this is the best time to start our plan. Now stop questioning and help me complete this hologram." Li Ming explained as she kept her focus on the hologram that she had been trying to draw on the floor of her living room in the magical mansion.
"Li, can you please not do this?" Snowy could not hold anymore as he begged his Master to stop before it was too late.
"Did not I tell you to accompany Mallow for Academy's inspection?" Li Ming asked as she kept her attention on her work.
There was silence for the next few moments but her familiar eventually answered her question, though it was not an actual answer.
"You just want to keep both of us away so that you can continue with this stupid plan of yours!"
The accusation and complaint were clear in his voice while his face was covered in a sad expression.
"Since you know then why are you wasting my time? Please return to your work. I'll call you back after I'm done here. You will only worry if you stayed here." Li Ming said as she finished drawing the last circle of the hologram.
"I'll still worry if I won't stay here. Why are you not listening to..."
Snowy did not get the opportunity to finish his question because with a single flick of Li Ming's sleeve, his silhouette disappeared from the living room.
"Why being so mean? He's just worried about you." Kara could not stop herself from pointing out as she looked at the girl who was busy setting up the magical charms around the living room.
"Because if he would have stayed here, I won't be even able to finish all his in time. That's why it's better for him to not be here during the next few hours while we are busy." Li Ming replied as she settled the last piece of charm on the small coffee table.
When Kara did not speak at all even after a while, Li Ming decided to explain as she let out a sigh before speaking, "I'm well aware of his worry for me. You don't have to remind me of how much Snowy loves and cares about me. After all, he's been by my side for the longest time. No one knows me better than him, no one understands me better than him. He's the first one who got bonded with me."
She was silent for a few seconds as she appeared to be thinking about something. A sad but determined expression was visible on her face as she continued, "Even though I understand his worry and protectiveness towards me, I don't have the privilege of backing down now. We don't have time to waste."
The living room was filled with silence for the next couple of moments as neither of the two women spoke for a while. They both were lost in their thoughts at the moment but then after a while, the banshee eventually sighed as she nodded her head in acceptance.
"Alright! Let's get started!"
***
As Li Ming's eyes slowly fluttered open, she found herself looking at a dark emptiness that was stretched to miles. She immediately recognized the ceilingless room with grey walls and hard cold floor where she had met her ancestors a few years ago.
Her eyes flew around the room to see or hear any sort of movements but unfortunately, she found nothing.
At least, the first part of her plan was successful. She had safely landed in the world of the dead and would probably complete her second part too. The problem was the third and the final part of the plan - bringing her soul back to the Immortal World and in her body. And all that depended on how well the Banshee would perform.
"Look who's here!"
Li Ming finally heard the familiar voice of the old woman who kept reprimanding her the last time she was here.
Though she could see no one in the room, she knew that her so-called ancestors had finally appeared. She bowed her head and greeted them as politely as possible even though she kept hearing the giggles of a child and murmurs of the others who were complaining about exactly how impulsive she was.
"I know that you all are not really happy to see me here. After all, I'm wasting your efforts of saving my life again and again. But I really need to ask some very important questions from you," Li Ming said as she kept her eyes trained on a spot on the grey wall in front of her while she kept her expressions neutral.
There was suddenly a deep ire silence before the old woman decided to speak, "You have a seer halfling as your companion. There's barely anything that she doesn't know. Then why you have to take such a big risk to come here?"
A small, almost unnoticeable twitch appeared on Li Ming's lips as she heard the question.
"Just like you said, she's a seer. There are things that she can't tell me even if she wants. That's why I'm here. I can't step into this war with half the information. It will not only end me but the rest of the Immortal World too."
Again there was silence for a few seconds before the old woman once again spoke, "Alright child, tell me what you wants to know."