No one understood the boundary between life and death better than Tyrian and his undead sailors.

The god of death, Bartok, had a door that anchored the boundary between life and death. In short, once the soul of the living passed through that door, it would enter the world of the dead, and the door was one-way. In other words, as long as one did not pass through that door, neither a temporary corpse reanimation nor a persistent undead curse could be considered a true resurrection.

Many people in the world confuse undead with dead, even thinking that the former have exploited a loophole in the god of deaths door. Tyrian turned his head, looking at the noisy sailors on the square, and spoke calmly, But in fact, they are just souls polluted and rejected by that door, stuck at the boundary between life and death. According to the strict concept of the Church of Death, undead actually belong to the world of the living.

Duncan didnt speak for a moment but recalled his own experience in the cemetery.

Waking up in the coffin, being called a restless one by the cemetery caretaker, a group of Annihilators came to steal the corpse, seeming to have anticipated that the body would stir; the sudden self-collapse of the body, as if reaching some kind of limit

Frost may not have experienced a real resurrection of the dead, but there may indeed be witnesses to the dead appearing in the city, and behind these incidents, it is very likely related to a group of Annihilators, Duncan said slowly after pondering. But its hard to say how much they have infiltrated and what they want to do.

Annihilators? Tyrian was surprised, not expecting the matter to suddenly involve cultists. How can you be sure its related to them?

They tried to take a corpse from the city-state cemetery, appeared well-prepared, and even anticipated in advance that the body would stir. Although the actual situation was a little different from what they expected.

Tyrian listened, his gaze shifting between doubt and surprise, looking at his father: Howdo you know this information? And in such detail

That corpse was me.

Tyrian: What?

Just an evening stroll when I happened upon the grave robbers, Duncan didnt elaborate further. Thats not important. Whats important is whether the return of the dead incidents are related to the deep sea beneath Frost.

Return of the dead and the deep sea? Tyrian frowned, having never associated the two things before. Hearing his father suddenly mention it, he couldnt help but be puzzled. Why do you say that? Whats the connection between these two things

Its simple. The body I borrowed experienced a bizarre collapse in the end, and the state it presented during the collapse was very similar to the clones that appeared in the Abyss Plan you described.

The state during the collapse? Tyrians tone was surprised, followed by confusion. Butthe clones of the Abyss Plan come from a depth of a thousand meters below the sea. How could the dead in the city be related to that place

He stopped, his face becoming complex and solemn. After a moment, he raised his head, Could it be that this replication power has already spread within the city, and the cultists you mentioned are the promoters? But there shouldnt be any connection between the cultists and the deep sea

Listening to Tyrians muttering, Duncan suddenly thought of another matter.

In the depths of the Obsidian, in the mouth of Captain Cristo, that small piece of flesh containing the aura of the Nether Lord!

If the ghost ship truly came from the deep sea beneath Frost, if Captain Cristo (regardless of whether he was a copy or the original) had truly come into contact with the Nether Lord then the cultists in the city would be connected to the deep sea!

Tyrian curiously looked at the reflection in the ice, Father, what are you thinking about?

What do you know about the Nether Lord? And the cultists? Duncan suddenly asked, How much have you dealt with them?

I havent dealt with them much. Although the Annihilators arent as elusive as the Enders, theyre still a low-profile and mysterious group. Theyre obsessed with researching demonic knowledge and purifying themselves through it, generally not involving outsiders.

Tyrian shook his head and continued, As for the Nether Lord I heard that its status is equivalent to that of a deity but without the authority of one. In a few descriptions, it is a massive flesh mass crawling in the depths of the Abyss Realm, guarding a great rift to subspace with countless tentacles. However, there are also claims that it is actually stuck in that rift, sealed there by some great power

Information on this subject has always been vague and bizarre since mortals in the world have almost no means to observe the situation in the Abyss Realm. All research in this area is based on indirect observation of spiritual projections and the soul interrogation of certain cultists.

At this point, Tyrian couldnt help but ask curiously, Why did you suddenly bring up the Nether Lord?

In the deepest part of the Obsidian, I found a small piece of flesh that most likely came from the Nether Lord.

Tyrian: ?

His astonishment tonight had clearly exceeded the number of times his father had been surprised when he saw twelve belly dancers dancing on stage earlier.

I know you dont believe me, but its true. Duncan could see the disbelief on Tyrians face, I have a shadow demon here that can help identify it.

Tyrian still sounded bewildered, A shadow demon? Help identify?

A dark hound youve seen him before, Duncan casually said, although you only caught a glimpse at the time.

Tyrian paused as if remembering something and then touched his forehead.

Duncan nodded, Yes, thats the one.

Tyrian didnt know what to say.

Duncan looked up, his gaze passing over Tyrians shoulder, looking in the direction of the square.

After several rounds of dancing, even the dancers who had taken the potion in advance needed to rest.

The conversation should end now, Duncan suddenly said, This matter seems more complicated than you and I imagined. Its difficult to come to any conclusions through this kind of discussion separated by a mirror.

You mean

Ill send a messenger to you. The messenger will take you to the Vanished. Here, we can talk more conveniently and let you see for yourself the things I brought out from the depths of the Obsidian.

Going to the Vanished?!

Despite the calm invitation, Tyrian couldnt help but feel a chill and tension.

He tried to control his facial expressions, but his momentary reaction still caught Duncans eye.

If you dont want to, I can come directly, the voice in the ice said indifferently, But that would require you to prepare your subordinates first.

Tyrians expression was somewhat tense.

To go to the Vanished himself or to let the Vanished enter the Sea Mist Fleets base?

Both options seemed challenging.

But after a brief weighing of options, he made a rational decision.

Send the messenger. Itll be more convenient for me to go there.

Tyrian looked openly at his father in the ice.

Reason told him that if his father had truly regained his humanity, then even the Vanished returning from subspace theoretically shouldnt be a dangerous forbidden place.

What was there not to go to?

He only needed to prepare himself mentally, but if he let the Vanished enter the port directly, then more than just him would need to be prepared.

He just needed to confront a little bit of nervous instinct.

Thats good, Duncan nodded, seemingly satisfied with Tyrians answer. He then took a slight step back, and his figure quickly faded and blurred in the ice, Ill leave first, theres still some business to attend to. Before the messenger departs, Ill notify you.

Tyrian slightly bowed in front of the ice that was gradually returning to normal. When the last trace of green flame disappeared, he stood up straight.

He then collected himself, turned around, and walked towards the square.

On the square, the late-night hustle and bustle had not yet subsided. The undead sailors were either feasting or talking merrily, and some rude people near the stage were trying to whistle at the dancers but because of leaks in their mouths or throats, they could only make funny sounds.

On the stage, the dancers had finished their performance. Under the direction of their leader, they stood in a row, seemingly waiting for the next dismissal order. The cold wind blew through the gaps between the bonfire and the windbreak, and several of the girls seemed to be shivering. In their numb and dull eyes, lively expressions gradually began to emerge.

The effects of the alchemical potion were about to end, and normal emotions would return to their minds.

Two of the girls gradually showed a bit of curiosity on their faces, but fear was what emerged in the eyes of many more.

The undead in various strange shapes and forms across the square even with mental preparation, this was not a scene that ordinary people could bear.

First Mate Aiden ran out. He had been keeping an eye on the activity on the stage and now came directly to the highest point of the square. With a hoarse voice, he shouted at the sailors who were still making a commotion, Disperse, disperse! No more dancing! Those with the scariest faces, cover them up! Those with missing arms and legs, crawl under the tables! The girls are leaving clear the path beside the stage Wilen! You get under the table! Your face scares me just looking at it!

The sailors on the square responded loudly, covering their faces and hiding where they could. Amidst the noise and laughter, the dance troupe leader on the stage first looked at the scene, somewhat bewildered. Then, realizing what was happening, she hastily and awkwardly bowed to Aiden and quickly led the girls off the stage.

The girls, with tense and fearful expressions, tried to hide behind others as they hurried towards their temporary accommodations.

However, two exceptionally brave girls deliberately stopped, blinking curiously at the undead on the square.

One girl even looked up as she passed Aiden, saying something with a smile that made the first mate feel incredibly awkward, almost falling off the platform.

Once the dancers from Cold Harbor had left the scene, Aiden finally noticed Tyrian who had come to the square.