Abyss.
As the ritual in the mortal realm began to operate, the nine overlapped worlds within the Abyss felt its resonance.
Unlike the Spirit Realm which corresponds directly with the surface and material worlds, if Hell and the mortal realm were to open a passage between them, a coordinate, an anchor point, was needed to connect the two. The ritual layout by Mephisto was undoubtedly such a marker.
It originated from the hand of Asmodeus, who as a former god of time and space, still had a profound understanding of it. At this moment, as the sensing with the coordinate became clearer, an illusory portal slowly emerged on the second layer of Hell.
Rolling lava churned across the land, influenced by the Flame Kingdom, some volcanoes and magma slowly came into existence within the Nine Hells. At this moment, Asmodeus and the former God of Meteorology, Crius, stood together, watching the illusory light gate gradually solidify.
The mortal realm and Hell were isolated from each other, which meant they were not very clear about what was happening on the other side. However, since Mephisto had opened the gateway as scheduled, everything likely went smoothly without any unforeseen events.
"If you wish, you can also go to the mortal realm, to Olympus. I know you've always harbored resentment regarding being cast into the Abyss," said the Lord of the Nine Hells with his hands clasped behind his back, smiling. Though it was his first return to the world he once ruled after the transition of eras, he bore no other emotions.
It was merely a matter of time, today was just the beginning.
"And what about you, Your Majesty, do you intend to go to the mortal realm as your former self or as you are now?"
A flicker of intent passed through his eyes, but Crius still spoke up.
"Formerly... heh, it's not the time yet. Although I have taken a small step, I'm still a far cry from my revered Mother Goddess. After all, the Nine Hells haven't been around for that long."
"Since I cannot overturn Olympus under the suppression of the laws of the mortal realm, there's no need to arouse more vigilance among others. Let's wait for the future. Compared to Zeus, I'd rather go and see my loyal subordinates."
"Greetings, Your Majesty, you have finally come," said Mephisto, bowing before the Lord of the Nine Hells who had been long awaited.
"My apologies for the wait, Mephisto. It seems your journey wasn't exactly smooth sailing," remarked the Lord of the Nine Hells as he surveyed his surroundings. Countless spiritual bodies, including those of humans as well as other creatures from the great plains, amassed in the millions, more than the entire Silver Humanity of the past.
However, he didn't immediately discuss them, given the somewhat unusual environment of their current meeting.
"It wasn't as difficult as imagined, Your Majesty. Humans and gods alike, they all like to be too clever for their own good," said Mephisto, with a slight smile.
"Apart from a few exceptions, the souls of the entire Bronze Humanity are here, along with quite a few of the beasts, whose souls are even superior to that of ordinary humans."
Mephisto proudly presented his achievement with a modest smile.
"All of them... how did you accomplish this?"
Asmodeus was somewhat taken aback and struggled to conceive how this Silver Human had gathered all the souls of humanity. Especially in the present conditions, such a sea swallowing up the land was within only the power of the Sea God.
"That's a long story, which I owe to the creator of mankind who provided me with this opportunity."
"But Your Majesty, regarding the details of my journey in the Mortal Realm, I will explain them to you in due course. However, I have recruited a special lady for the Nine Hells, and the commotion of contacting you may have attracted some attention..."
"I understand."
Nodding, Asmodeus wasn't oblivious to the commotion in the sky. He gestured behind him and the gateway they had just used turned into a vortex, to which the countless surrounding souls immediately began to surge in.