The origin of the soul loss incident lies in the apocalypse process's arrival in the post-mortem world. To compensate for its continuous collapse, the post-mortem world instinctively summoned souls from the Living World for supplementation. To be precise, this phenomenon of collapse and supplementation is limited to the human aspect of the post-mortem world, so the souls forcibly summoned are also limited to humans.

Although the current apocalyptic process in the post-mortem world is mostly manifested through the guise of the Naraku Gospel, Doomsday itself is an event that has a much easier time preemptively affecting the destruction of the human aspect of the post-mortem world. Even if there is a way to resolve the Naraku Gospel, it is merely a temporary solution. If Fa Zheng and the others want to truly resolve the soul loss incident, they must address Doomsday itself.

Little Bowl began treating me in the morning, and the treatment finally temporarily concluded after nightfall.

This round of treatment was much more prolonged than before, and Little Bowl looked quite exhausted.

Shan Liangyi's attacks on me at the True Spirit Layer were quite precise and deep, thus making the treatment seem much more difficult than it had been in the past. Little Bowl told me, my True Spirit actually has quite a few tiny concealed injuries. She needs to first recover her own Spirit, and afterward will need to treat me for at least one more night for it to be stable. And this result likely wasn't even Shan Liangyi's full effort.

I thought of the scene when Shan Liangyi managed to seize the Divine Seal Fragments that should have been impossible to grasp.

All of the Legendary Realm has some relationship, whether deep or shallow, with the self-verification of True Spirit, or rather, according to some information I've gathered in the past, to attain any Legendary Realm, one must first walk the path of self-verifying True Spirit.

The Legendary Realm "Reincarnation" that Shan Liangyi mastered actually requires a higher level of self-verifying True Spirit than "Manifestation." At that level, perhaps Shan Liangyi could use the True Spirit Power with some restrictions, just hadn't specifically shown it before. Then it makes perfect sense that he could access the two Divine Seal Fragments originally bound to me.

After Shan Liangyi snatched those two Divine Seal Fragments, I no longer was a Void Envoy. This brings both advantages and disadvantages. The advantage is that I am no longer subject to any potential restrictions from the Master of Divine Seal, but the disadvantage is that I cannot continue to use True Spirit Power.

If I want to completely kill Ming Zhuo in future battles, not having True Spirit Power is not an option.

The method to become a Void Envoy again exists, as long as I can recontact ownerless Divine Seal fragments and bind with them again. Since my first contact with the Divine Seal Fragment automatically bound us, it should be possible now as well. Mazao and Zhu Shi each have an ownerless Divine Seal fragment, I can just ask them for it.

As for the ten ownerless Divine Seal fragments stored in the small prototype Void Realm, I currently can't access them. Because unlocking it requires both the Power of Divine Seal Fragments and the Xuanming experience as a key. Xuanming should have stored some Power of Divine Seal Fragments in his lifetime, otherwise there'd be no way to access the small prototype Void Realm.

"I don't think becoming a Void Envoy again is a good thing, Brother Zhuang Cheng," Little Bowl raised an objection, "True Spirit Power doesn't truly enhance your combat ability; it merely gives you a condition to curb any Undying Body.

"Indeed, wanting to kill Ming Zhuo cannot be without True Spirit Power, but the current Ming Zhuo no longer has a reason to specifically target Sister Mazao, and his strength is significantly inferior to yours. Although he is with the opposing faction presently, resolving this threat doesn't necessarily have to be by killing him. To eradicate just this one enemy, Ming Zhuo, by paying the price of becoming a Void Envoy again, is really not worth it."

"I also acknowledge your viewpoint, but I more so want to actually kill Ming Zhuo," I said, "Of course, I'm not ignoring the point that the Master of Divine Seal could exert influence through the connection between me and the Divine Seal fragments, but Little Bowl, you could also sever the connection between me and the Divine Seal fragments, so I wouldn't remain a Void Envoy, right?"

Little Bowl understood my intention, "You're planning to become a Void Envoy again only when fighting Ming Zhuo, and after killing Ming Zhuo, you want me to immediately sever the connection? Although this is possible, I don't think such a borderline approach is proper.

"In the past, it might have been fine, but now Brother Zhuang Cheng has so many Divine Seal fragments, the Master of Divine Seal might actually take some action.

"I know Brother Zhuang Cheng would rather relish such an unknown dangerous situation, knowing full well the impending doom wouldn't turn and flee, so last time I didn't immediately suggest helping you voluntarily relinquish the identity of Void Envoy... But surely you're not someone who would knowingly step into a big pit, are you? Right now, it's better to go along with this improved situation rather than returning to such a disadvantageous state.

"Stepping back, at least don't do this for the near future. Facing just the threat from Shan Liangyi is challenging enough, adding the Master of Divine Seal to the equation isn't necessary to create more trouble for yourself."

Little Bowl's words aren't without reason. If it's merely to kill Ming Zhuo, there's a bit of insufficient motivation, but the thought of allowing someone who once nearly killed Mazao to escape death is unbearable. That compromising approach also doesn't suit my personality.

Even if I have to endure some risks for this, I must make Ming Zhuo pay with his life; it's my promise to Mazao. In another perspective, it's because Shan Liangyi left me powerless that I want to eliminate the enemy Ming Zhuo before I lose all my strength. At least this way, even if I fail and die, Mazao and the others might become relatively safer.

Upon confirming my thoughts, Little Bowl could only sigh helplessly, then showed a very serious expression.

"I understand, then, moving forward, I will carefully plan for Brother Zhuang Cheng, striving to find a way that can both realistically kill Ming Zhuo and eliminate the threat from the Master of Divine Seal," she said.

"Thank you."

Little Bowl said softly, "No matter how stubborn Brother Zhuang Cheng is, I'll accompany him to the ends of the earth. This was something I decided in the Post-mortem World."

Is it my illusion, or in this relationship with Little Bowl, it feels like I'm the more childish one.

"So, since the treatment is done, let's go find Sister Mazao next," Little Bowl said with a smile.

We left the guest room and found Mazao in another part of the mansion.

Mazao was currently meditating in the courtyard of the mansion, seemingly sensing the air currents, probably engaging in some sort of practice. As we approached, she sensed something and turned her head, opening her eyes to see me.

"—Zhuang Cheng!" she said cheerfully, "You're back!"

As she spoke, she rushed over to hug me excitedly.

I hugged Mazao tightly too, breathing in the fragrance from her hair, feeling the sensation of her body. Little Bowl stood beside us with a joyful smile, watching us.

We returned to the room for chatting, and Mazao looked at my body with concern, asking about everything I experienced in the Southern City. Little Bowl had mostly told her about my journey there, but probably only up to defeating Xuanming.

Although I appreciated having Little Bowl help me get sorted out before seeing Mazao, I didn't hide what happened next, admitting all my successes and failures and honestly explaining the small thoughts I had about seeking out Little Bowl first.

Maintaining her hold on me as she listened, Mazao's expression shifted between worry and seriousness. After hearing my final confession, she thought for a bit and then said, "Zhuang Cheng, next time you get hurt... No, if possible, it's better not to get hurt, but if it happens again, I want you to notify me first thing..."

She paused and continued, "I heard from Little Bowl that during your treatment, she would often hug you or let you rest on her lap, is that right?"

Didn't expect that Little Bowl even mentioned this to Mazao.

For some reason, I felt a bit guilty. Well, that's not entirely correct. It wasn't 'for some reason.'"

"Although I'm not like Little Bowl and can't heal your injuries, uh...," Mazao said with a red face, "I can also hug you or let you rest on my lap during your treatment."

I started feeling it was a mistake not to find Mazao right away after returning, just because of my pride.

In truth, even though it's not the scenario Mazao imagined, we're still clinging closely to each other. Whenever she has the chance, she always hugs me, often sticking close to me while sleeping, like a little cat trying to leave as much of her scent as possible on her target's body.

And I would always hug her petite, soft body tightly, feeling her warmth, letting her feel mine, as if attempting to mark her as my own. And indeed, I did just that; now Mazao is covered with my thermal energy marker.

Then, Mazao showed an immensely joyous expression and started telling me about her recent situation.

After taking the Great Demon God Gui Spirit Pill I brought, her soul was fully healed, meaning the final obstacle restricting her strength disappeared. She could attempt to use Little Bowl's Power of Blessing to sense the world's destiny vortex enveloping her and simulate the operation principle of the Human Dao Divine Weapon, gaining power akin to that of God.

Because it's a power strong enough to easily destroy its own user, Mazao and Little Bowl were extremely cautious in their attempts. But the result turned out to be much easier than expected, as if the world's destiny vortex itself was eagerly cooperating; Mazao quickly gained initial mastery over this force.

The overwhelmingly immense world destiny vortex, which we often refer to as the "扫帚 star power." Being able to control this power, Mazao has finally taken a key step in overcoming her curse.