“Since the master has already made up his mind, Jin Ling can rest easy. However, how will the master handle the spiritual wood’s main body when venturing into the Netherworld River this time?” The gray ape hesitated for a moment before asking about the matter that had been weighing on its mind.
“I have already considered this. I plan to take the main body of the spiritual wood with me,” Mu Qing replied calmly.
“Master, how can this be? The Netherworld River is an extremely dangerous place. If the master were to be trapped or meet with misfortune there, having the main body outside would allow for the possibility of reforming and reviving, even if it took many years. But if it is also trapped in the Netherworld River, wouldn’t that completely eliminate such an opportunity? Moreover, the spiritual wood’s main body cannot survive for long in a storage space, and the Netherworld River is barren, making it impossible to plant it there,” the golden ape said with evident concern.
“Rest assured, since I dare to bring the main body into the Netherworld River, it is because I am now more than seventy to eighty percent confident of returning unscathed. For this purpose, I have specially refined a storage bead that can sustain the spiritual wood for several years. Otherwise, how could I feel at ease leaving the main body alone in the outside world? Though your abilities are considerable, and you are only a step away from joining our ranks, if someone were determined to scheme against us, you wouldn’t be able to protect my main body for long,” Mu Qing shook her head and walked over to the giant black tree, gently stroking its trunk with her palm.
“Since the master has made her decision, Jin Ling will accompany her into the Netherworld River to lend a hand,” the golden ape said after a moment of contemplation, sensing the resolve in Mu Qing’s words.
“Hehe, even if you hadn’t mentioned it, I would have asked you to come. Over the years, though I’ve recruited several capable subordinates, you are the only one I truly trust. Once we enter the Netherworld River, I won’t ask you to do anything else—just keep an eye on that Han kid. Of course, you must also protect his life if he’s in danger,” Mu Qing said with a radiant smile.
“Han kid? The one the master brought back these past two years?” The golden ape’s eyes flashed coldly as it sought confirmation.
“Indeed. Not only is he crucial for breaking the Netherworld River’s restrictions, but he is also vital for my rapid recovery of the main body’s vitality,” Mu Qing nodded gravely.
“I will make sure to keep a close watch on him,” the golden ape thumped its chest in assurance.
“Before we officially enter the Netherworld River, you needn’t worry too much about his safety. Even if we don’t intervene, others who need him to break the restrictions won’t harm a single hair on his head. But once inside the Netherworld River, I’ll rely on you to be vigilant,” Mu Qing said after a brief pause.
“Master need not worry. Jin Ling understands,” the golden ape replied solemnly.
“Good, that puts my mind at ease. For now, I’ll leave this place under your care. I’ll summon you when it’s time to depart,” Mu Qing exhaled deeply, her face revealing a confident expression.
…
In the massive barrier beneath the Blood Flame Palace, two blood-robed figures stood side by side. Before them loomed the colossal purple-blood puppet, as massive as a mountain.
At this moment, the puppet’s four demonic eyes were wide open, glowing with an eerie crimson light as it stared at the two blood-robed figures.
The two figures remained motionless, but their eyes, locked with the puppet’s, shimmered with a hazy, chaotic glow.
After a long while, a deep sigh emerged from the puppet’s mouth.
“So, Mu Qing and the Ghost Granny have clearly struck some kind of deal, planning to use that kid to divide the treasures of the Demon Tomb. Hmph, fortunately, I anticipated this and had Han Li refine this Evil-Warding Battle Armor for us in advance. As long as that kid carries those spirit attendants with him, who controls whom remains to be seen. Moreover, no matter how cunning Six-Legged and the Ghost Granny are, they’d never expect that I’ve long abandoned my original Twin Fiend Demon Body, merging my primary soul with this puppet. What remains in the demon body is merely a secondary soul, rendering me immune to Evil-Warding Divine Thunder. Once we enter the Netherworld River and obtain that item to advance the puppet further, it will no longer be a mere dream for me to pursue the Great Dao through this puppet body. Hehe, the treasures of the Demon Tomb certainly won’t be theirs alone.”
A strange male voice echoed from the purple-red puppet, its vibrations causing the entire barrier to hum.
The two blood-robed figures, now clear-eyed, stood silently with their hands at their sides.
…
Deeper in the Earth Abyss, within a canyon where black winds howled, a white-haired beauty hovered mid-air, idly toying with an object as her gaze swept indifferently below.
In the dark, raging winds beneath her, countless shadowy figures stood tall, each several zhang in height, clad in bizarre black armor, their faces indistinct.
After observing the figures for a while, the white-haired beauty withdrew her gaze and focused on the object in her hand.
It was an exceptionally emerald-green orb, exuding an extraordinarily pure wood-attribute spiritual energy. Yet, her expression remained unsettled, as if she couldn’t make up her mind about something.
…
At the heart of the mysterious mountain range in the first layer of the Earth Abyss, atop a hundred-zhang-high altar, the colossal gray-white eyeball continued to spew countless gray threads, dancing wildly and absorbing the surrounding yin energy.
Six-Leg, cloaked in a black mantle, paid no heed to this spectacle. With his hands clasped behind his back, he gazed fixedly at the unfathomably high sky, his form utterly still.
The pair of hands protruding from his black mantle were unusually rough, covered in cracks of varying sizes and shades of gray-white.
…
Elsewhere, above a desolate black wasteland, a streak of azure light glided steadily through the air.
Within the light was a young man in a blue robe—none other than Han Li, who had not long ago departed from Mu Qing.
Though the marks left by the four demon kings ensured he could never hide from them, no matter where he sought seclusion, Han Li still wished to find a remote place to settle down.
As for the idea of escaping, it remained just a thought. Without resolving the marks on his body, he could never break free from the demon kings’ control.
The time they had given him was not ample, but a few years were sufficient for him to refine the small vial of Five-Colored Peacock spirit blood he had recently obtained, mastering the transformation technique of this true spirit.
Normally, integrating true spirit blood was no simple matter, requiring either a special bloodline or unique secret techniques to assist.
Yet the Twelve Earthly Branches Transformation resolved this monumental challenge with a single set of techniques—a testament to the extraordinary genius of the Skywing Clan’s elder who created it.
Though Han Li knew that even mastering this technique wouldn’t make him a match for a Body Integration-level being, it would at least grant him more means of survival in the Netherworld River.
Of course, if during this time he could devise a permanent method to quietly erase the marks, he wouldn’t hesitate to flee immediately.
From the few words Mu Qing had shared about the Netherworld River, it was clear that even Body Integration-level demon kings could perish there—a testament to its danger.
Lost in thought, Han Li flew for over half a month before finally stopping before a small mountain range.
These mountains lay countless miles from Mu Qing’s abode, rich in spiritual energy and devoid of high-level demonic creatures.
After circling the range for some time, Han Li nodded in satisfaction and descended onto a tall peak at its center.
Within hours, he had hollowed out the mountain’s belly, carving out a simple cave abode.
Entering the cave, he immediately set up restrictions, releasing a mist that enveloped the entire mountain.
Han Li then entered a secluded chamber within the cave, sealing its doors behind him as if preparing for a long seclusion.
Time passed steadily. The mountains where Han Li resided experienced the full cycle of seasons—spring to summer, autumn to winter—alternating between lush greenery and snow-capped peaks.
Mu Qing and the others seemed to have completely forgotten about Han Li, each preoccupied with their own affairs.
Two years later, on a certain day, Han Li sat cross-legged on a cushion in his chamber, idly twirling a seemingly ordinary wooden stick.
One end of the stick was slightly blunt, the other flat as if cut by a knife. Its surface was adorned with mysterious emerald-green patterns.
This was the Xuantian Fruit he had painstakingly nurtured, yet its purpose remained unknown.
Over the years, he had continued to drip the mysterious small vial’s liquid onto it. Despite this, its appearance remained unchanged.
Only the milky-white light hidden within had grown several times larger, shimmering conspicuously.
Han Li had attempted multiple times to activate it with magic power or even his essence blood, but to no avail. This latest attempt proved equally fruitless.
With a sigh, he stowed the “wooden stick” back into his storage bracelet and lowered his head in contemplation.
Over these two years, he had successfully integrated the Five-Colored Peacock’s spirit blood into his body using the Earthly Branches Transformation, mastering its transformation. To his surprise, his cultivation had advanced significantly—an unexpected boon.
Had he possessed the transformation techniques for the True Dragon and Heavenly Phoenix, he might have attempted to integrate their spirit blood as well, curious to see how much his power could grow.
During this time, he had also begun consuming the True Toad Spirit Liquid. Unfortunately, despite its remarkable effects, the short duration meant it couldn’t drastically boost his cultivation.
As for the four demon kings’ marks within him, they remained as intractable as ever.
Thus, it seemed his journey into the Netherworld River was inevitable.
At this thought, a shadow of gloom flickered across Han Li’s brow.
But moments later, his expression shifted. He raised his head abruptly, his gaze snapping toward the sealed chamber door, a strange look crossing his face.
Suddenly, he reached out toward the door with one hand.
With a soft “pfft,” the restrictions on the door rippled, and a black object shot through, landing squarely in his palm.
Han Li examined the object closely, and his face instantly darkened. He sprang to his feet with a sharp inhale.
It was a foot-long wooden box, its surface charred, rough, and pockmarked—utterly unsightly.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage