“Going to other branch palace areas won’t allow direct access to the central hub—absolutely impossible. There’s no other way; we’ll have to follow them later. Be cautious and avoid detection. Once inside, as long as we take advantage of his search for treasures in this area, we can still enter the central hub ahead of him.” Xiao Ming pondered for a moment before speaking slowly.
“That seems to be the only option. However, the area chosen earlier by the Three Saints of the Witch Spirit is also extraordinary—it appears to be the Blood Prison where the Tian Ding Zhenren suppressed his formidable enemies in the past.” Qingping Daoist nodded, then added with some concern.
“Naturally, I noticed. But right now, we’re too preoccupied to intervene, so we’ll have to let them go there. Although the Blood Prison might contain treasures left behind by past powerful figures, compared to gaining control of the central hub sooner, it’s an unavoidable compromise.” Xiao Ming frowned as he spoke.
“What a pity. According to the inherited texts I’ve received, the Blood Prison once suppressed several ancient powerhouses whose abilities were nearly on par with Tian Ding Zhenren. After so many years, even if they’ve perished, the relics and treasures they left behind must be extraordinary.” Qingping Daoist lamented.
“We originally planned to target the Blood Prison as our second objective. Fellow Daoist Qingping, do you think the Three Saints of the Witch Spirit headed straight for that area because they also know about the Blood Prison?” Lady Wanhua asked with a dark expression.
“It’s hard to say. Although the Tian Ding Zhenren’s legacy is only passed down through my lineage, we can’t rule out the possibility that other powerhouses from his era left behind clues. Back then, the Blood Prison was renowned and once dominated the entire Blood Sky Continent.” Qingping Daoist’s expression flickered uncertainly.
“Enough. Since we can’t attend to matters in the Blood Prison, there’s no point in further speculation. Time is running short; we should enter now.” Xiao Ming glanced toward the area Han Li had entered earlier, noticing that the rumbling sounds from within had gradually faded, and spoke solemnly.
Lady Wanhua and Qingping Daoist naturally had no objections.
With that, the three of them activated their escape lights and plunged into the blue light-shrouded area, though their entry point was deliberately far from Han Li’s.
…
“Cold. Extremely cold.”
Han Li hovered in the air above a glacial world blanketed by blue snowflakes, his face showing a peculiar expression as he sensed the strange chill permeating the surroundings. In some places on his body, the cold pierced through his protective spiritual light, forming crystalline blue frost.
Since achieving mastery in the True Devil Arts of the Brahma Saint, such an intense chill had become a rare experience.
The fact that this illusory environment could manifest such extreme cold suggested that the restrictions here were far more formidable than those in the areas he had previously traversed.
Han Li remained suspended in place for a long while before, with a soft *puff*, a layer of silver flames erupted around him, instantly dispelling the bone-piercing cold.
He began moving forward slowly, but after flying just a few miles, a fierce wind suddenly rose from all directions. The dense snowflakes abruptly condensed, transforming into thousands of blue ice sparrows.
With a flap of their wings, the sparrows unleashed a barrage of blue light orbs.
Han Li’s spiritual sense briefly assessed the power of these orbs, and his expression shifted slightly. With a single-handed seal, the silver flames around him flared intensely, becoming several times thicker than before.
The next moment, the light orbs struck the silver flames in a dense volley, exploding upon impact. Silver flames and blue light intertwined, forming a massive tornado that surged into the sky…
In another icy region, Xiao Ming and his two companions had summoned over a dozen treasures and were locked in fierce combat with a dozen blue giants, each as large as a small mountain.
These giants could manipulate ice and snow to conjure armor and massive weapons. Even when severely injured, as long as a fragment of their bodies remained, they could instantly regenerate using the endless snowfall, making them even more resilient than typical immortal bodies. Despite the trio’s superior strength, they found themselves temporarily pinned down.
…
In a vast hall filled with countless blood-red pillars, the Three Saints of the Witch Spirit cautiously advanced atop three giant insect spirit beasts, carefully avoiding the nearby pillars.
From a distance, the pillars appeared ordinary, but upon closer inspection, their surfaces were embedded with countless blood-red skulls, and rivulets of blood continuously flowed down them.
“Fellow Daoist Yu, are we in the right place? Is this truly the entrance to the Blood Prison?” asked an elderly man seated atop a giant centipede, his tone betraying a hint of unease.
“Brother Wu, rest assured. You witnessed how easily we dismantled the outer restrictions earlier. That alone confirms the authenticity of the ancient stele’s records—this is undoubtedly where Tian Ding Zhenren suppressed his enemies. Heh, back then, the strongest of our Witch Dao lineage, the ‘Celestial Witch,’ fought Tian Ding Zhenren for seven days and nights before losing by a single move and being sealed in the Blood Prison. Otherwise, with the Celestial Witch’s talent and abilities, he would have ascended to the immortal realm long ago.” Another elder, seated on a black scorpion, spoke with confidence.
“This place is indeed eerie, no wonder Brother Wu is concerned. However, our cultivation follows the Witch Dao, which is fundamentally incompatible with ordinary techniques. Tian Ding Zhenren’s legacy might not be of much use to us. But if we can obtain the Celestial Witch’s techniques and treasures in the Blood Prison, the benefits would be immense—perhaps even a chance at ascension. So, despite the risks, we must venture in.” The third elder, gaunt and frail, spoke calmly.
“Indeed. It’s a pity the stele was damaged, missing nearly half its content, leaving only the method to dismantle the outer restrictions. Had it included the inner restrictions as well, we could proceed without worry.” Elder Yu sighed.
“Heh, even knowing the Blood Prison’s exact location is a great fortune. As for the inner restrictions, with the three of us working together, what is there to fear?” Elder Wu chuckled.
“True. Now that we’re here, turning back is no longer an option. However, that young man with the giant ape body we encountered earlier was quite formidable. If not for Xiao Ming’s interference, I would have loved to refine him into a flesh puppet.” Elder Yu suddenly shifted the topic to Han Li.
“That giant ape’s physical strength was extraordinary, and his second transformation resembled demonic techniques. Even if the three of us joined forces, subduing him quickly would have been difficult. Our aggressive posturing was merely to deter him from following us into the Blood Prison. With our display, others likely won’t bother us further.” Elder Wu sneered.
“This was our agreed-upon strategy, and it should prove effective. Among those in the Tian Ding Palace, only Xiao Ming and his group pose a real threat. Xiao Ming, once known as the ‘Mad Demon,’ is no ordinary Great Ascension cultivator. Coupled with Lady Wanhua and Qingping Daoist, we’d stand little chance in a direct confrontation.” The third elder’s eyes gleamed.
“Since our rear scouts haven’t reported anything, it seems Xiao Ming’s group hasn’t followed us. They must have another target. This is ideal—we can focus entirely on the Blood Prison.” Elder Wu grinned darkly.
But just as the others were about to respond, the three giant insects suddenly let out eerie cries and halted, lowering their bodies into defensive postures.
The three elders’ expressions changed instantly. Protective lights swirled around them as treasures flew out, encircling them in defense.
Their eyes gleamed as they peered intently ahead.
Unnoticed by them, the blood flowing down the pillars had gradually thickened, its color darkening to a blackish-red.
A rustling sound came from ahead.
Moments later, amidst the dim void, tiny green flames flickered into existence, followed by the emergence of thousands of thumb-sized skeletal butterflies.
These eerie butterflies, their bones stark white and flickering with phosphorescent flames, numbered over ten thousand.
“Damn it, Bone-Devouring Butterflies! Retreat!” Elder Wu exclaimed in alarm.
The other two elders paled instantly.
With a command, their giant insects swiftly reversed course, fleeing at speeds a hundred times faster than before.
The butterflies pursued silently, closing in rapidly.
A cacophony of eerie laughter erupted as the blackish-red blood on the pillars coagulated, releasing rolling black mist. From it, blood-red skulls emerged, swelling to the size of cartwheels and hurtling toward the elders, blocking their escape.
“Blood Spirits—manifestations of the essence and blood of the fallen powerhouses in the Blood Prison! Brother Yu, activate the Spirit-Dispelling Grand Technique! We’ll hold off the butterflies and Blood Spirits!” Elder Wu, though grim-faced, remained composed.
“Understood. I leave it to you two.” Elder Yu acted decisively, halting his centipede and sitting cross-legged.
Black-green jade tablets flew from his body, forming an eerie array that lifted him into the air.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage