Jiang Lin also noticed the changes in the human world.
Especially the decrease in suicides.
He even received a raise when the Underworld distributed year-end bonuses.
Although he wasn't short of Underworld currency, it was still a good thing.
Moreover, it was beneficial for his promotion to a first-class ghost messenger.
One day, Jiang Lin went to check on one of the reincarnated deities as usual.
Before he even got close, he heard a melodious, old-fashioned song from afar.
"Night Shanghai~ Night Shanghai~"
"You are a city that never sleeps~ Lights are on~ Music plays..."
...
The residential complex where this reincarnated deity lived was adjacent to a university.
Most of the residents were faculty members and some students studying there.
The environment of the complex wasn't particularly exquisite, but it was harmonious enough.
Retired faculty members would play chess under the trees, walk their dogs, and chat when they had free time.
Children, after finishing their homework, would ride their bicycles out to play.
A university student, engrossed in their phone, walked forward.
As they walked, they looked up and exclaimed, "Holy cow, isn't that our professor walking towards me?"
Was it too late to hide now?
While contemplating, they heard a strange song.
"Night Shanghai~ Night Shanghai~ You are a city that never sleeps~"
With the sound of flapping wings, a brightly colored parrot flew down from a nearby tree.
It circled the old professor twice before landing on his shoulder.
In that brief moment, the student missed the best opportunity to hide.
They had no choice but to brace themselves and walk forward, "Hello, Professor Xue."
Although the old professor was nearing retirement age, he still held considerable influence in the school.
Not to mention his academic achievements, many of his former students had returned to teach at the same university.
"Hmm?"
Professor Xue, nearly sixty, had white hair meticulously combed.
His attire was also well-chosen, giving him a stern impression.
Upon hearing the voice, Professor Xue looked over. Seeing a young face, he nodded and responded.
Then, the two passed each other.
After the student walked further away, they breathed a sigh of relief and went back to playing on their phone.
Professor Xue, meanwhile, slowly walked home, gently stroking the yellow head of the parrot on his shoulder.
The parrot nuzzled his finger, tilted its head, and continued to sing ecstatically:
"What a beautiful jasmine flower~ What a beautiful jasmine flower~"
"Fragrant and beautiful, it fills the branches~ Sweet and white, praised by all~"
A smile played on Professor Xue's lips, and he softly hummed along, "Let me~ pluck you~"
"And give you to someone else~"
As the man and the parrot sang together, Jiang Lin stood in the air nearby, listening quietly.
He couldn't help but recall the latter part of the song.
Jiang Lin often heard these old songs when he guided souls in the past. They had become less common in recent years.
Jiang Lin remembered one time when he was guiding a soul,
The person was dancing on a magnificent stage, passionately singing an old song.
They held on until the song ended before falling straight backward.
At that moment, the entire venue erupted in noise.
The lights became blinding.
She had died on the stage she loved most, singing her heart out until the very last moment of her life.
...
"Jasmine flower, oh jasmine flower~"
The man and the parrot, singing, returned home.
After Professor Xue went to change, Jiang Lin flew into the house.
Unlike the previous reincarnated individuals he had interacted with, this one was a somewhat intelligent parrot.
Seeing Jiang Lin appear after he had concealed his aura, the yellow-headed parrot tilted its head and spoke in parrot-speak:
"You again, you creepy fellow."
Jiang Lin raised his hand and pointed a finger at the parrot's yellow forehead, beginning to examine its body.
He asked, "How have you been feeling lately?"
Ah Parrot didn't answer, its eyes wide open, staring motionlessly at the finger so close to its face.
It felt so cold.
It felt like it was about to be poked into its brain at any second.
After a while, Jiang Lin withdrew his finger.
Ah Parrot quickly tilted its head back, shifting its claws to the side.
It avoided facing Jiang Lin directly.
Then, it replied, "How else? Just the same, eating and feeling great~"
Jiang Lin nodded, "Your internal condition has recovered well. I hope you can maintain this good mood."
Ah Parrot scratched an itch on its wing with its beak, "Of course."
It was a happy and handsome parrot.
Suddenly, it tilted its head as if listening, and fanned its wings towards Jiang Lin.
"The old man is coming out, you should leave now, creepy fellow."
Don't want the old man to catch any Underworld aura.
Jiang Lin said, "If anything comes up, remember to contact me."
"Got it, got it, hurry up and go~"
*Click—*
As soon as Jiang Lin left, Professor Xue emerged from the bathroom.
He had changed into loose, casual clothing.
Waving a fan, he sat down on the sofa and picked up the newspaper beside him.
By the window.
Ah Parrot shook its head and began to sing nonsensically:
"I have a little donkey~ I never ride it~ One day I rode it to go shopping~"
...
After leaving the complex, Jiang Lin didn't immediately return to the Underworld.
He had accepted a mission at the mission center yesterday and planned to scout the location today.
"Senior, Senior Jiang—"
As he flew over a villa area, a voice called out from below.
Jiang Lin looked down and saw Qi Yaoyao standing by a koi pond, waving at him.
Her cat, meanwhile, was staring intently at the red carp in the pond.
As if it were about to pounce at any moment.
When Jiang Lin flew down, Mao Youyou's fur instantly bristled.
Only then did it realize who had arrived.
It darted behind Qi Yaoyao, staring at the ground, pretending it didn't exist.
"Senior, long time no see~"
Qi Yaoyao said, nudging Mao Youyou behind her with her foot.
Stop hiding.
It's been so long, and you're still so timid when you see Senior.
Mao Youyou ignored her, staring at the ground like a statue.
Jiang Lin nodded, "Working around here?"
"Mhm, mhm!"
Qi Yaoyao pointed to a red carp in the pond, "I've recently been transferred to help out with the Gill Team."
The Gill Team was responsible for managing aquatic animals.
Intern ghost messengers were moved wherever they were needed.
In the past two years, thanks to the cultivation technique given by Senior, Qi Yaoyao's cultivation had improved significantly.
After accomplishing a minor deed not long ago, her work responsibilities had changed slightly.
Sometimes she was called upon to help guide the souls of small animals.
Just like now.
Jiang Lin's gaze swept over Qi Yaoyao, and he could discern her cultivation level, "Not bad..."
Before he could finish,
His eyes suddenly narrowed, and his expression became momentarily dazed.
A blurry image appeared in his mind, and a buzzing sound filled his ears.
In the image,
A black figure stood in the air, facing colossal beings.
A voice, filled with majesty and seemingly from ancient times, echoed through heaven and earth:
"Permitted... to transcend the Three Realms, to have independent reincarnation and inheritance routes... Henceforth..."
That voice carried a peculiar power, even resonating with heaven and earth.
The colossal beings before it all bowed in submission.
...
"Senior, Senior?" Qi Yaoyao's voice pulled Jiang Lin back.
The entire scene lasted only a few seconds, yet it felt as long as a century.
"Senior, if you have something to attend to, please go ahead."
"Mhm. Keep up the good work. Work diligently."
Jiang Lin said casually and then hurried away.
He didn't go to scout the mission location and returned directly to the Underworld.
What was that sudden image that appeared just now?
A delayed memory?
Or was it influenced by the presence of something nearby?
...
Just as Jiang Lin returned to the Underworld to investigate.
In the deep sea,
In a vast expanse where not a trace of light could be seen.
A colossal being gradually awakened.
A pair of enormous golden eyes, like two lamps, appeared in the darkness.
It opened its mouth,
And a strange sound traveled through the water.
...