Mephisto

Across the crimson earth, spiderweb-like cracks from the parched ground stretched endlessly to the horizon. Visible green toxic gas drifted through them, billowing up along with the poison flowing across the ground.

The wails of countless dead souls and the roars of unknown creatures echoed through the sky, adding a touch of clamor to this underworld.

Stepping through the portal, Zhang Ye immediately sensed the frigid chill coming at him from all directions. It was like northeastern China in the depths of winter without heating; every breath he exhaled turned to crystals and scattered through the air.

A nauseating stench filled Zhang Ye’s nostrils. Looking around, he knew the toxins here had long since reached lethal levels. If not for the magic sustaining him, an ordinary human body could never withstand this environment.

"How should I put it? As expected of the Hell Dimension. Just one look, and the atmosphere is already through the roof." By the dim light from who knew where, Zhang Ye continually surveyed his surroundings.

Having lived two lives, this was his first time personally setting foot in the legendary "hell." Even if this was merely a border dimension of hell, the environment, so completely unlike the real world, still struck Zhang Ye as magnificent.

Perhaps because the anchor point had been positioned too remotely, Zhang Ye did not see a single demon. Even after activating Wizard’s Eye, the surroundings remained utterly barren, as though no intelligent life existed here at all.

The only things Zhang Ye could see were those unconscious fragments of the dead. The most precious parts of their souls had already been divided up by demons, leaving only negative consciousness scattered here, wandering through the wilderness like dandelion seeds.

These things were harmless to native creatures, but they remained highly dangerous to beings from other material planes. If an ordinary person came into contact with them, they would be affected by negative energy; in mild cases, they might fall ill, while in severe cases, they might even develop suicidal thoughts.

But with magical energy supporting him, those negative energies could not approach Zhang Ye. This also gave him an excellent opportunity to observe them.

Zhang Ye was in no hurry. Having set a time anchor, he had plenty of leisure to sightsee here.

He believed that the very instant he entered this dimension, he had already been noticed by the lord of the Hell Dimension who governed this place.

Rather than figuring out a way to search for the other party himself, he might as well wait quietly for the other party to come find him. It would depend on which of them had more patience.

Sure enough, before long, a man’s voice sounded from behind Zhang Ye.

"Well, well, look who it is. A lost wizard."

The fish had taken the bait.

Zhang Ye smiled faintly. It seemed the legendary Mephisto was not as patient as he had expected.

Turning around, he saw a middle-aged man in a red suit standing there at some unknown point. The man was exceptionally handsome and even wore a tie. His appearance was utterly mismatched with the surrounding environment, almost jarringly so.

Yet for some reason, this starkly contrasting scene seemed perfectly fitting in Zhang Ye’s eyes. It was as if the other party should be dressed this way and should appear here. There was nothing wrong with it at all.

After sharply noticing that something was off, Zhang Ye pondered it briefly and could not help but sigh. This was probably the strength of a Dimension Lord. The other party had clearly "merged into one" with this dimension. No matter how "out of place" he acted, it would be reasonable here.

"Mephisto?" Zhang Ye asked calmly.

"That’s me." The man nodded. While Zhang Ye observed Mephisto, Mephisto was likewise sizing Zhang Ye up.

Mephisto did not care about those human wizards who stole magical energy from the Hell Dimension. At his level, he had already transcended the mundane. Ordinary wizard wars and magic wars were nothing more than childish squabbles in his eyes, not even worth much attention.

But now, facing a wizard who could freely enter and leave the Hell Dimension, Mephisto could no longer remain indifferent.

No one could sleep soundly beside another’s bed. Mephisto understood that principle well. An existence like this, one who entered his territory without so much as a greeting, was undoubtedly signaling the start of a dimensional invasion.

However, the instant he saw Zhang Ye, Mephisto instinctively sensed a trace of threat.

It was not that Zhang Ye possessed the ability to threaten Mephisto. Rather, the aura—or perhaps the rules—emanating from Zhang Ye made Mephisto uncomfortable.

"…You do not belong to this world. There is something else on you." Mephisto frowned slightly, as though trying to recall where he had sensed this aura before.

"I truly do not belong here, nor do I belong to this universe. Strictly speaking, I do not belong to any universe." Zhang Ye replied calmly.

"Then what is your purpose in suddenly intruding upon my territory?" Unable to recall it, Mephisto stopped thinking about it and turned to Zhang Ye with interest.

"You are a Demon Lord, and this is the Hell Dimension. What other purpose could an outsider wizard like me have in coming here?" Rather than answering directly, Zhang Ye chuckled and responded with a question.

Seeing that Zhang Ye was not nervous in the slightest, Mephisto became even more interested. "You came to make a deal with me?"

At those words, Zhang Ye nodded heavily. "A big deal."

"Interesting. I can sense residual energy from at least four worlds on you. I am very curious—what could have happened for someone as capable as you to come seeking help from a demon like me?" Mephisto fixed his yellow eyes on Zhang Ye and sneered.

Zhang Ye did not waste words. With a wave of his hand, green magical energy instantly danced at his fingertips. Then, an exquisite box appeared in his hand—the magic box sealing Deadpool’s head.

Mephisto had been wearing a faintly mocking smile, but the moment he saw that box, the smile on his face froze. Then a flash of killing intent passed through Mephisto’s eyes.

"Looks like you know what this thing represents."

Although Mephisto’s expression had changed only for an instant, Zhang Ye still caught it.

"Don’t worry. This is a projection. That thing’s energy is not enough to cross the barrier of reality and affect this place."

"Hmph!" Mephisto’s teeth ground together, making a harsh sound. "You should be grateful that the Hell Dimensions have separated from the real world. Otherwise, let alone a projection, even discussing this matter would invite that thing’s corruption."

"So you really do know this thing’s origins." Zhang Ye paused, then directly dispelled the magical projection. "Can you explain it to me in detail?"