In the time that followed, Lou Xiaoxiao navigated the upper echelons of the Lou family, delving deeper into the study of various sorceries.
Lou Yangzi primarily served as her assistant, helping her find information and organize her thoughts.
After each research session, regardless of success or failure, Lou Xiaoxiao would recount the entire process to Lou Yangzi.
Over time, Lou Yangzi's understanding of sorcery grew increasingly profound, surpassing that of most "people" in the Lou family.
By the time Lou Xiaoxiao turned twenty-five, the Lou family's strength and territory had reached an unprecedented peak.
Bai Di City had expanded by more than three times, and the other founding families had almost become subsidiaries of the Lou family.
The number of people and ghosts drawn by their reputation was countless, many of whom possessed exceptional talent.
Lou Xiaoxiao recruited several of them, forming a sorcery research team.
In an instant, Lou family sorceries bloomed like bamboo shoots after a spring rain, one after another.
During this period, ghost envoys from the Underworld visited several times, but they were all skillfully fended off by the Lou family.
Watching Lou Xiaoxiao bury herself in sorcery day after day, Lou Yangzi harbored a strange premonition.
...
After having tea and listening to opera with Que Sixi once more, Lou Yangzi set down his empty tea cup, remaining silent for a long time.
Que Sixi sensed something was amiss and inquired kindly, "Brother Yangzi, do you have something on your mind?"
Lou Yangzi sighed inwardly and glanced out the window at the bustling street.
They always listened to opera on the second floor.
From there, they could clearly see the stage below and, with a turn of their heads, observe the scenes on the street.
"Lately, conflicts between the living world and the Underworld have been increasing."
Que Sixi had heard some of this as well. "Is it because of sorcery?"
Sorcery had evolved into various forms, finding diverse applications for both humans and ghosts.
This inevitably led to conflicts with certain regulations of the Underworld, affecting the work of some ghost envoys.
"Mm," Lou Yangzi responded, his gaze fixed on the parade of people and ghosts on the street.
Bai Di City was becoming more vibrant, but the hidden dangers were also growing.
He had a feeling that something significant was about to happen, requiring only a spark to ignite a cataclysm.
"Bai Di City is no longer a place to idly exist..."
Lou Yangzi turned to Que Sixi. "Brother Sixi, you and your wife should find a better place to go soon."
The smile on Que Sixi's face faded, leaving only seriousness on his round face.
"..."
...
Lou Yangzi had anticipated that Bai Di City would face upheaval, but he hadn't expected it to come so quickly, nor had he anticipated the decision made by the Lou family's high command.
Lou Xiaoxiao transformed into a ghost at the age of thirty.
Ten years after her transformation, the well-prepared Bai Di City officially declared war on the Underworld.
Of course, they were not foolish enough to issue a formal declaration of war.
Instead, they chose a surprise attack!
...
"This approach is foolish!"
In the sorcery research laboratory, Lou Yangzi slammed the table, his voice laced with anger.
The existence of the Underworld was not something that could be challenged overnight. Its profound foundation was beyond anything the Lou family could compare to!
Across the table, Lou Tianjiao maintained the appearance of her thirty-year-old self. Her long hair was tied back in a neat ponytail, and she wore a dark blue dress. Her figure was graceful, exuding a mature charm. However, her eyes still held that cold, distant look, giving off an aura of aloofness.
Facing Lou Yangzi's outburst, she remained composed.
"Those few have waited too long. They don't have any more time to spare."
"Rest assured, we've already tested it. It will work!"
Seeing her don her armor, Lou Yangzi was startled, his brow furrowed.
"You're going too?"
"Not only am I going, but I will also be the commander of this operation!"
Lou Tianjiao turned back, her gaze resolute. The strands of hair by her temples stirred as if moved by an unseen force, carrying an air of determination.
"This time, it's either death or victory!"
If they won, they would no longer be pawns in someone else's game. She intended to overturn the chessboard!
Lou Yangzi stared intently at her, his expression grim.
Confirming that she would not change her mind, he closed his eyes.
"Alright, I'll go with you!"
Over the years, the Lou family's sorcery had flourished, and his own aptitude had greatly improved, his cultivation reaching a considerable level. He wouldn't be a hindrance.
"No!"
As soon as he spoke, Lou Tianjiao rejected him. "You cannot go!"
Lou Yangzi frowned. "I am your contracted ghost!"
"You cannot go!" Lou Tianjiao's stance was firm. Then, as if recalling something, she softened her tone. "There are other matters that require your attention."
"What matters?"
Lou Tianjiao remained silent and approached the entrance of the sorcery research laboratory. She activated the sorceries within the room.
Instantly, Lou Yangzi was enveloped by the intricate patterns of various sorceries.
"What are you doing?" Lou Yangzi sensed something was wrong.
From beyond the layers of sorcery, Lou Tianjiao's voice echoed.
"Survive."
"If this fails... these things will erase your memories."
"You will be just an ordinary little ghost, with no connection to the Lou family, or to Lou Tianjiao."
He would no longer be bound, nor would he be treated as a pawn.
The method to feel the sunlight... she had also figured that out.
"You keep saying you'll succeed, so why this unnecessary step?!" Lou Yangzi exclaimed in anger, realizing her intentions. The thought of what might happen afterward sent a chill down his spine. A fire ignited in his chest.
"Lou Xiaoxiao! Don't think you're the only one who can manipulate these sorceries! I can break them too!"
"Who told you to do this! Who gave you permission to make choices for me!"
He yelled, all the while rapidly scanning the surrounding sorceries, searching for a way to break them. His actions were urgent and filled with rage.
The next moment, something struck him from above. Before he could react, he was plunged into darkness.
Before his consciousness faded, Lou Yangzi's last thought was: I must hang this wolf cub up and beat it once we get out! Although not a white-eyed wolf, she always managed to wound him. Her actions were more hurtful than any enemy's.
After he collapsed, Lou Xiaoxiao was silent for a moment before turning and leaving the room.
Bang!
The door closed.
...
As the door shut, within the Hall of the King of Hell.
The scenes along Star River Road had concluded.
Lou Yangzi stood on Star River Road, a lingering anger in his chest. His hands, hanging by his sides, clenched into fists as he gritted his teeth.
"Lou! Xiao! Xiao!"
He knew what happened next without needing to think. The Lou family, and indeed all of Bai Di City, had been defeated. He, meanwhile, was transferred to another location, where he encountered Brother Sixi, who had rushed back to invite him to a wedding feast. Eventually, he ended up in a small world left behind by Brother Sixi's master.
"So that's how it is!"
Just as Lou Yangzi was still fuming, the terrifying voice echoed once more within the sea of stars. Immediately after, the star sea before him shattered. Yan Luo was about to retract her power when, from the pitch-black darkness, a scene reappeared. In the image, a blurry figure emerged, but the voice was familiar.
— Lou Tianjiao!
"If you are discovered in the end, then you must be a very powerful individual."
"Perhaps human, perhaps from the Underworld."
"This also signifies that Bai Di City has failed."
"If you are also seeing these memories, then you should know that he was not involved from beginning to end."
"Do not harm him! He knows the usage and decryption methods for all of Bai Di City's sorceries! He is the 'key' to all sorceries. Whether you destroy sorcery or possess it, you cannot do without him!"
"But if you attempt to control him by force, I will never let you succeed!"
By the end of her statement, Lou Tianjiao's tone became sharp, carrying an air of deadly intent!
...