Qin Ye skirted around Arthis’ questions. Instead, he began to pace about with his hands behind his back. After a long time, he remarked, “This is no more than a mere speculation on my part arising out of a single statement from Lord Ksitigarbha himself.”

He recounted Ksitigarbha’s final ‘gift’ to Arthis with a frown on his face, “Answers? What answers? What’s the next course of action I’m supposed to undertake? What could it possibly be? Lord Ksitigarbha had even mentioned that this was of far greater importance than the Yin Beast Bell itself.”

Arthis also revealed a grave expression on her face.

Suppressing her curiosity about Lord Ksitigarbha’s appearances, she lowered her head and mulled over the situation. Both sides had their brows knitted tightly together. Several moments later, Arthis finally shook her head, “Give me more details. How did you encounter Lord Ksitigarbha? What exactly transpired? What exactly did he say? What were your surroundings like? Don’t miss a single detail.”

Qin Ye nodded. This time, he recounted everything for a full fifteen minutes, pausing only to address Arthis’ intermittent queries. After that, she massaged her temples and paced about the room with some measure of frustration.

“I’ve considered many possibilities, and even though I don’t wish to admit it, but… I sincerely believe that Lord Ksitigarbha’s word of caution is likely directed at the upcoming eastbound expedition. But what exactly could it be? What could be of such great importance that it warrants Lord Ksitigarbha’s word of...