The location of Midoriko's remains was deep within a cavern near the Demon Slayers' Village. The village itself had been established for this very purpose: to guard the Shikon Jewel and the physical shell of the legendary priestess.
Unfortunately, the mastermind behind the scenes had eventually spirited the jewel away, triggering a long chain of tragedies.
At the cave's entrance, Kagome channeled her spiritual power to dissolve the barrier, allowing Sango, Su Han, and the others to venture into the depths. As they reached the heart of the cavern, they were met with a grim sight: thousands of calcified corpses.
"The battle must have been horrific," Hu Tao remarked, looking at the piles of ancient monster bones. "No wonder you said this priestess was even more formidable than Kikyo when she was alive."
Su Han looked at Midoriko, who stood defiantly atop the mountain of skeletons. "Indeed. That is why her soul is the perfect candidate to guard the Star-Soul Tower."
He reached out, his hand grasping the empty air. With a sudden surge of power, the ancient remains shattered. Thousands of minor demon souls, previously trapped in an eternal stalemate with Midoriko, scattered into the air.
Seeing the living, the demons bared their fangs and lunged.
"Hmph... mere pests," Hu Tao scoffed. She performed a swift Requiem Seal, her spirit-fire sweeping through the cave. In an instant, the minor demons were purged, leaving only Midoriko's soul behind. Without her eternal combatants to anchor her, the priestess's spirit began to flicker and dim.
"Don't worry." Su Han produced the Star-Soul Tower and drew Midoriko's soul into the highest level. The moment her spiritual body entered the spire, it was nourished by the stolen Nether-soil, and her fading light began to stabilize.
"Is that it?" Hu Tao asked.
"Hardly. We still need to head to Wuwang Hill. If my plan works... your grandfather might finally be able to shed that 'border guard' status of his."
The Haunted Boundary
Returning to Teyvat, Su Han and Hu Tao flew straight to Wuwang Hill. Coming back to this haunted place felt different this time; before, Su Han had been frantic to save Hu Tao. Now, he came as a master of the elements, intent on claiming this twilight realm.
As they glided through the mist-choked valley, Hu Tao smiled. "I remember trekking through here right after Grandpa passed. I was so mad when they told me I couldn't see him."
"What do you think he'll say this time?"
"He'll probably say we're being reckless," she giggled. "But we're definitely going to give the old fossil a shock."
They crossed the threshold into the Border—the space between life and death. Su Han placed the Abyssal Star-Soul Tower upon the black earth and initiated the fusion. Unlike in the previous world, the tower didn't create a vortex. Instead, it pulsed with a rhythmic starlight, communicating with the essence of Teyvat's underworld. The tower grew until it stood a thousand meters tall.
Suddenly, a frustrated, familiar voice barked from the clouds. "You two again?! Can't a dead man get any peace and quiet?!"
"We're here on official business, Grandpa," Hu Tao chirped.
"Hmph! Every time I see you, trouble follows. Wait... what in the world is that?" The old man stared at the magnificent spire. He could feel a primal attraction pulling at his soul.
"The Star-Soul Tower," Su Han explained. "A treasure capable of housing and evolving souls. I'm merging it with this realm."
"Evolving souls? Are you mad?!" the old man gasped. "The cycle of life and death is the fundamental law. You'll cause a catastrophe!"
Su Han met the old man's gaze. "Does this world truly have a cycle of reincarnation? If so, where are the fallen Yakshas? Where are the dead Demon Gods? Why have they never been reborn? I've brought back Bosacius, Makoto, and Hanachirusato. When these legends died, they were simply... gone. Reincarnation is a lie. The truth is that souls come here to wither away until they turn back into raw energy."
"Sigh. I suppose there's no keeping secrets from you," the old man admitted. "Souls don't reincarnate; they simply dissolve into the world's power to be reshaped. Rebirth is a myth."
The old man explained that the Border was just the edge of Teyvat. He was merely an overseer, a bureaucrat of the dead. "So don't do anything risky. If the God of this realm gets angry, we're all doomed."
"Don't worry about the gods," Su Han said. "I have three Archons at my back. I'm here to patch the leaks in the border so the Abyss can't keep messing with us. I want to strengthen the defenses."
"You've put me in a difficult spot," the old man sighed. "I'm just a supervisor. I don't know where the 'leaks' are."
"If you wish to repair the borders," a crisp, hollow voice rang out from the mists, "I can help you."
A figure draped in black robes materialized. Their voice was genderless, and their frame was slight and ethereal.
"Who are you?" Su Han asked.
"I am a servant of this soul-land. I heard your conversation and wish to assist."
"And why should I trust you?"
"We can sign a God's Contract! A citizen of Liyue should understand the weight of such an oath."
Hu Tao whispered to her grandfather, "Do you know them?"
"No... but I've heard rumors. They say there are Soul Messengers living deep in the boundary. They are a mysterious lot..."
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