Chapter 115: The Emergence of the Taboo

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Selling everything just to venture into the Netherworld of Japan, risking life and limb to cross into the unknown.
This is what is currently happening across most parts of the globe.
Although the Earth Home has opened up exchanges, not everyone qualifies; ninety percent of people have no loan limits, and those who do have them are quite low.
Moreover, forbidden zones remain tightly controlled by a select few, so to rise above the rest, one must take bold risks.
In the past, even seeking adventure was futile because there were no opportunities.
Now, Japan has emerged as a gateway. Although its culture differs, martial arts share a common thread, don’t they?
Anyone with even a glimmer of opportunity is unwilling to miss this grand chance; otherwise, they might be left with nothing.
Faced with Earth Home’s declaration that the Netherworld is open to all, Japan dares not defy global consensus; begrudgingly, it opens its borders and lets others in.
Within less than a month, the population around Mount Fuji has more than doubled over hundreds of miles.
Most of these newcomers are Japanese from other regions.
Tempted by sudden wealth, overnight fame, and the prospect of one day commanding global respect, even the elderly cannot resist.
Here, a portal has appeared, called the Netherworld Gate, the very entrance to the Netherworld beneath Mount Fuji.
There are now hundreds of counters, each backed by a virtual screen displaying the place to obtain Netherworld Spirit Tags. Anyone wishing to enter must purchase one—a tag costs one hundred points.
Not only that, Earth Home’s loans have been made available here too. Pass a test, and based on individual circumstances, one can take out loans of varying point amounts to exchange for martial arts skills, elixirs, protective items, and more.
This system was devised by Zhang Kai.
Since humanity is still in the nurturing and incubation phase, investment requires increasing everyone’s loan limits to better mobilize them in the future.
Zhang Kai cannot personally approach everyone, so he lets others come to him, then offers loans tailored to their qualifications, personality, and talents.
Ordinary people receive a few hundred points; those worth cultivating are marked so that Netherworld demons can keep watch, then are granted larger loans. As these people grow, so do their loans, eventually reaching significant sums.
Since the counters opened, there has been no respite: ten long lines, packed twenty-four hours a day, with batches of people entering Mount Fuji.
Following this surge, Zhang Kai noticed the sinister energy emanating from Mount Fuji spreading outward faster than before.
At this rate, in a few years, the entire Japan will be shrouded by the Netherworld.
But strangely, this upheaval has not triggered any response from the forbiddens.
Zhang Kai pondered deeply.
What is the true meaning behind the appearance of Japan’s Netherworld?
Could it be a conspiracy orchestrated by the forbiddens?
Unable to conclude, Zhang Kai resolves to proceed cautiously, sticking to his plan until more is understood.
Time passes slowly.

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The Netherworld in Japan remains bustling; countless souls have ventured inside.
Several gathering points have already been established within.
However, none have gained recognition, though many have perished.
After all, without perilous opportunities, how could one truly cherish them?
As for lost points, it is a trivial matter for Zhang Kai—it is merely data.
Meanwhile, as Japan’s Netherworld stabilizes, strange phenomena begin to emerge worldwide.
Similar to Japan’s Netherworld, a dozen or more places are now saturated with malevolent energies.
Zhang Kai investigates them one by one, discovering all are akin to Japan’s Netherworld—small spaces harboring clusters of legendary demons and spirits from various regions. In the past, these would have been hunted down relentlessly.
Yet now, they have all surfaced. Though none have broken free yet, the situation weighs heavily on Zhang Kai’s mind.
One might be an accident, but so many? There is only one explanation: the forbiddens have taken action.
They have deliberately exposed these small spaces—but for what purpose?
Feeling wary, Zhang Kai hesitates to exploit these spaces recklessly.
Otherwise, might he become a pawn of the forbiddens?
However, as Zhang Kai remains inactive, nations worldwide grow ecstatic. Impatient for action, they even prompt reminders in Earth Home:
“We have gods appearing here too. Have you contacted them? Can we establish relations? Should we start developing as well? We can’t wait!”
Faced with so many requests, Zhang Kai grows irritated.
“I am the mastermind behind the scenes! If I follow everyone else’s script, what am I?”
With a resolute heart, Zhang Kai decides to act.
He travels to the anomaly in Germany.
Here, too, nearly a hundred kilometers are veiled in sinister energy.
The evil here is peculiar, different from China’s, but no less malevolent.
Using mental perception, Zhang Kai finds an entrance similar to Japan’s Netherworld.
He steps inside, halting at the portal, then pulls a small sun from a virtual video and throws it in.
The small sun instantly enlarges, engulfing the entire space. No demon or spirit, no matter how fearsome, can stand before the true sun; they turn to ash in an instant, and the pervasive evil energy evaporates.
The next moment, the small space and the sun collapse together, vanishing without a trace.
Upon this act, Zhang Kai feels as if something is watching him from the shadows, a chilling coldness freezing him in place.

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“What the hell!”
“Is that the forbiddens?”
Zhang Kai looks to the sky, heart pounding like thunder.
After a long wait, nothing else happens.
Zhang Kai reflects deeply.
“Could it be the forbiddens cannot act openly? Only subtle moves?”
“If that’s the case!”
He moves on to the next anomaly, throws in another sun, and destroys another space.
Finally, a voice rings out.
“What exactly are you doing, kid?”
The voice is indistinct regarding gender, but clearly furious.
Hearing this, Zhang Kai calms himself and replies, “Is that you, forbiddens?”
“You know it’s me, and you’re not afraid?”
“Afraid? What good would it do? Even the countless gods and Buddhas dare not provoke you. The entire multiverse fears you. I’m just a mere human chess piece in your hands.”
“Then why not act like Japan did, instead of destroying these places?”
“Because I like it. Am I not allowed to have my own thoughts as a chess piece? If not, then take my power away and give it to someone else.” Zhang Kai tests.
“What? You think I don’t dare?”
“Come on.”
“Don’t get too cocky.”
“So what if I’m cocky? This is who I am. I refuse to be a tool. Do what you want. If you don’t stop me, I’ll blow up the next one.” Zhang Kai growls with fierce determination.
The voice fades away.
Zhang Kai contemplates.
The forbiddens cannot control him.
Perhaps this power is their doing, but even they cannot manipulate it.
With this realization, Zhang Kai feels exhilarated.
The greatest threat is lifted; he still retains some strength to resist. Salvation remains possible.