The Observer could never persuade them to save the Black Demon, nor did he try; instead, he used the opportunity to ignite a melee, leading everyone to seize resources in the chaos. If the Black Demon failed to escape during the brawl, they would never linger; if dead, then dead he was.

They had gathered to alleviate the pressure of survival, never willing to increase their burden for someone else, like a pack of lone wolves forced to huddle together for warmth during a blizzard. Should one freeze to death, they would be abandoned. However, they still had the strength to slap you awake when you fell down.

Ash had a hard time incorporating "Warm Winter" into the Heavenly Kingdom of Souls while Death Mad watched on and suddenly said, "Later, we stormed back into Warm Winter Palace and saw the defeat was inevitable. The Palace Master of Warm Winter would rather destroy the Wonder than leave it to us. That’s a regret often nagged by the Black Demon—for which she tortured the Palace Master of Warm Winter for three days and nights, and the entire Deep Blue Hell could hear his wails."

"Black Demon wanted this Wonder?"

"I don’t know." Death Mad flicked off some Smoke Ash, "But she was indeed quite concerned, after all, it’s a unique Wonder that can’t be replicated."

"Eh? Why can’t it be replicated?"

"Wonder Transformation." Death Mad spit out a new term: "Whenever Magic develops to a certain extent, the Void Realm would begin nurturing a new Secret Realm. If at this time, a public Wonder happens to match well with the new Secret Realm, the Wonder will automatically transform into the Secret Realm."

"Transformation is a lengthy process, even for a Demigod... However, before the transformation completes, the Wonder can acquire incredible powers. Like ’Warm Winter,’ which was originally just an ordinary Water Magic Wonder and now can exert mind powers that even a Divine Lord cannot resist. But once the Wonder collapses, it can’t trigger another transformation even if rebuilt. Thus, those in the transformation stage are called unique Wonders."

"By the way, when you put ’Warm Winter’ into the Heavenly Kingdom of Souls, its transformation ceased and it can no longer transform into a Secret Realm but can retain the power of a unique Wonder," Death Mad said leisurely: "The key requirement to trigger a Wonder’s transformation is that it must be an ownerless Wonder placed in the public world."

Ash opened his mouth, saying in frustration: "I feel like I’m wasting something..."

"If you’re talking feelings, then maybe. But if you’re talking about ’Warm Winter,’ then not at all," Death Mad shook her head: "Even if ’Warm Winter’ turns into a Secret Realm after a few thousand years, what does it have to do with you? Snow on your graves?"

"Let’s give ’Warm Winter’ to the Witch," Ash said: "Since the Black Demon cares so much, there must be a reason."

"Whatever you like."

Ash entered the palace interior and did not see the Knowledge Gem that a Demigod would drop after death. The palace’s interior was resplendent, but no cultivation resources were left behind.

"Apart from the initial piercing Wolf Palace, all the other palaces seemed to have evacuated in time," Ash said: "If we don’t know where they went, we’re likely left with nothing but the Wonder—"

"They must be in Gui Ming Palace," Death Mad asserted: "Gui Ming Palace is a force renowned for its Defense Wonder in Deep Blue Hell. Back when we planned to plunder all forces in the Deep Blue Hell before heading to the third level of Hell, we couldn’t shake Gui Ming Palace. Later, we found out their Wonder ’Gui Ming Sea Current’ connects the ocean with a Barrier, making it impossible to break through unless every drop of the sea is evaporated."

Ash: "Then we—"

"The route I’ve mapped out for you is to gather Wonders while heading toward Gui Ming Palace. Let’s go." Death Mad moved lightly, akin to a mermaid swimming in the Deep Sea, "The next stop is the Alchemy Bear Palace."

Ash spread his Void Wings and flew in front of her, looking back at her upside down, "You must have encountered many dangers in Hell, right?"

"I don’t remember our relationship being good enough for chatting," Death Mad coldly replied, "Either offer a hand or don’t block my path."

"I’m just curious." Ash swam alongside her with a smile: "Could it be that you fell into despair once and were saved by the Observer and the others?"

Death Mad couldn’t resist opening up, "Me, in despair? If it wasn’t for me bringing them in time that time, the Observer would have died in Hell eight hundred years ago!"

Ash thought she was quite easy to get talking, asking, "Don’t you hate the Observer? Why would you save him?"

Death Mad glanced at him and didn’t speak for a long time. Ash thought she wouldn’t answer, but when they reached the Alchemy Bear Palace, she finally spoke slowly, "Our first team collaboration was during an Angel Hunt."

"Back then, we were trapped in ruins, but had no intention of working together, even wanting to fight until only one remained: Black Demon had a deep grudge against the Mirror Demon, and I despised the Observer for his duplicitous ways. Youmo was not trusted by anyone. To gain our trust, the Observer cut open his chest and froze his heart, scooping it out to smash onto the ground."

"He said, anyone could crush it within ten seconds, if I’m still alive after ten seconds, stop and listen to me."

"Every time we think back, none of us don’t regret it," Death Mad’s face showed regret, "Such a precious opportunity slipped past us... If we had just lifted our foot to step on it, everything would have ended."

"But ten seconds passed quickly. I suspect it was just five seconds. Anyway, he survived, and we gave him a chance."

"He said he could bring us greater benefits."

With Death Mad’s description, Ash seemed to see the scene—

In the dark, crumbling ruins that could collapse at any moment, five people hidden in the shadows gathered together. A young man in a trench coat stuffed his heart back into his chest, sat cross-legged, and pointed at the ground with his fingers, saying, "I can bring you greater benefits."

A girl with messy hair held her head and asked, "But isn’t surviving the point right now? We’re about to die, everyone here will die! Hahaha, you’re finally going to die!"

"I can’t guarantee your survival," the trench-coated young man said, "but if you can seize the opportunity, you’ll survive by your own strength."

The gloomily dressed Elf asked, "Why should I believe you?"

"I don’t need you to believe me, but I do hope you watch my actions," the trench-coated young man said: "I will create opportunities for you."

A red-haired girl sneered, "Such a kind heart?"

"If you don’t survive, then neither can I," the trench-coated young man shook his head: "It has nothing to do with morals or ethics. I have ambitions, and I must survive."

The Mirror Demon, somewhat emotional, softly asked: "Can we still stand together?"

"Until the end."

*

Ash came back to his senses and asked, "Did the Observer succeed?"

Death Mad took a drag and looked up, exhaling smoke, "Why do you think we managed to reach a consensus to save him?"