The Forbidden Path to Immortality - Chapter 148

Chapter 7 Turning Point

“Bullshit!”

Yan Biao finally found the strength to speak after a long pause.

He certainly didn’t have the nerve to fight Yao Feng, but he was certainly capable of unleashing a barrage of curses. However, before he could utter another curse word, a spark had already struck his forehead.

A flash of fire!

The orange-red hue against the eerie gray and white of Ghost Gate Lake had a refreshing effect.

But Yan Biao could no longer enjoy it.

The spark’s impact on his forehead sent a burst of flames piercing his protective Qi, nearly crushing his head. He was sent flying backwards, crashing into a stone statue behind him, where he collapsed.

None of the more than a dozen True Immortal-level masters near the altar had time to intervene.

Li Xun might have been an exception, but he didn’t want to waste his energy because Yao Feng had rarely shown mercy, sparing the scoundrel’s life.

This was perhaps the difference between the True One and True Immortal realms.

There were many precedents of the latter challenging the former in this world, but standing before a powerhouse like Yao Feng, at the pinnacle of cultivation, skill, and spirit, the difference between the two realms was truly immeasurable.

Yet, no matter how composed Madam Yan was, she found such behavior unbearable.

After taking two breaths to steady herself, Madam Yan finally spoke coldly, “Are you bullying us, Yuanjun, that our sect is empty?”

Yao Feng smiled, “Are there still members of the Ghost Devouring Shadow Sect after Mr. Ghost left?”

Before she finished speaking, Madam Yan had vanished from her spot.

Yao Feng uttered a soft “Oh,” and her body shifted slightly to the left. Three or five dancing purple flames ignited, and her long sleeves flitted through the blaze like colorful butterflies.

Madam Yan hummed softly, emerging from that spot and attempting to slant in, but her long sleeves, dancing with fire, held her back.

She spun again, and the purple flames pursued her like spirits, trailing behind her like a trail.

Madam Yan stumbled back, her white fingers flexing and retracting from her sleeves. With a hissing sound, the purple flames vanished

. A faint blush crept onto her pale face, a lasting lingering color.

The audience was once again silent. No one expected Madam Yan, known for her smoothness and lack of force, to react so violently.

Even the Demon Phoenix had to assess her with fresh eyes. Finally, focusing on her chest, she smiled, “I see you’ve made some preparations. But it’s not enough.”

As the words lingered in her ears, she took a step forward, landing half an inch off the ground.

The sight of the Demon Phoenix’s treading air had barely etched itself in everyone’s mind when a blazing white light erupted from Madam Yan’s front.

Madam Yan barely had time to raise her hands to shield herself before she was hurled back by a tremendous force. Wherever the force touched, it felt like boiling oil scorching her skin.

The Demon Phoenix charged forward without stopping, thrusting its force forward. Before Madam Yan could adjust her balance, her fingers had already struck, aiming for her forehead.

But the burning sensation ceased at her touch. By the time Madam Yan could react, the Demon Phoenix had already ripped open the sacrificial robes from her chest.

A throbbing buzz echoed from behind the Demon Phoenix, followed a fraction by the distinctive crackling sound of the Blue Luan palm blade.

Yao Feng’s mind shifted, and his hand, already halfway into the attack, suddenly lifted, avoiding the incoming blood.

Simultaneously, Madam Yan, swept away by the bloody shadow, was suddenly pulled away. A crimson glow flickered in Yao Feng’s eyes, but he didn’t pursue. Without a breath of air, several sparks flew from his sleeve, clinging to the bloody shadow.

Li Xun, with his keen senses, immediately sensed the terrifying energy contained within these sparks.

He groaned inwardly. If Li Xun had to choose between Yao Feng and Qing Luan as his opponent, he would undoubtedly choose the latter.

Yao Feng was a master of fire control, unparalleled in the world. His manipulation of flames was so versatile that he surpassed Qing Luan’s singular focus of brute force, making him Li Xun’s nemesis. As

a spark threatened the back of his head, Li Xun winked at Madam Yan in his arms, exerting force with his hands. After a slight collision, the two collided and flew in opposite directions.

The flying sparks, without a moment’s pause, exploded with a bang the moment they separated. A stream of crimson fire spread out in all directions, like the petals of an unfurling lotus, then instantly vanished.

Li Xun felt an itch etched across his face and arms, and a strange sizzling sound filled his ears. A quick glance revealed that the fire had burned his muscles.

His blood-shadow demonic body was extremely sensitive to this, and the fire surged, instantly creating large blisters that threatened to expand. With

a silent cry of “trouble,” Li Xun instantly activated his “Blood God Body Tempering” technique to dissipate the invading fire energy.

But then, a second and third wave of fire energy followed.

The flames were dazzling, yet their brightness and quality were subtly different. The layers of fire energy overlapped, generating a complexity so complex that it made Li Xun’s scalp tingle.

“The demon phoenix’s methods are like the construction of a grand palace, meticulously laid out and imbued with ingenuity. It can be powerful, yet delicate, fierce, yet gradual. The art of controlling fire is pure perfection.”

At this crucial moment, Li Xun couldn’t help but recall Qingming’s sigh after the battle with the demon phoenix.

Then, a blanket of flames engulfed him. The rapidly rising heat was secondary.

The most terrifying thing was the celestial pure fire within, even more powerful than Qingluan’s methods at that time.

The moment he made contact, Li Xun felt dizzy and nearly thought he was being roasted!

In a life-or-death situation, there was no room for careful consideration. Without a second thought, he unleashed the most effective method he remembered for dealing with this situation.

A clanging sound trembled in the air. Without a sword in his hand, his limbs swung, and as his subtle sword techniques, he harnessed his true energy and twisted it into a chilling sword aura, piercing his body.

His sword shattered a fiery sky, creating a gap. He rushed out, his beard singed and covered in blisters, but he had survived.

The Blood Shadow Demon Body’s powerful regenerative abilities immediately activated. After just two tumbles in the air, Li Xun’s injuries had healed by the time he was about to land.

Madam Yan, on the other side, was under less pressure than him and had escaped almost instantly, though she looked rather disheveled.

The short slit in her robe, opened by the demon phoenix’s fingers, let in a cool breeze, reminding her of the severity of her situation.

The demon phoenix didn’t pursue her again, and her face was slightly surprised. Her gaze fixed on Li Xun’s figure, clearly filled with confusion.

Li Xun didn’t care what the demon phoenix was thinking, but in his haste, he glanced at Madam Yan, who was clutching her chest, her eyes fixed on something incomprehensible. He then glanced at the other side of the lake island. The “evil guests” like the Seventh Cultivator Venerable had sinister expressions, seemingly observing a glimpse of their own motives.

If the situation continued to deteriorate without decisive action, the Ghost Devouring Shadow Sect might not survive this!

As soon as his feet touched the ground, he used the momentum to fly back, now mid-air, already shouting, “Disciples of the sect, follow the paths and return to your respective places. Disciples of prominent families, seize the Heavenly Stars and disperse to control the ‘Heavenly Barrier of the Nether Realm

.’ Elders, if you don’t activate the ‘Path to the Ghostly Ghosts’ now, when will you?… Huh!” The last utterance wasn’t about some powerful technique, but rather about him reaching into his bosom, hurling the Ghost Gate Token given to him by Netherfire Yama the day before into the air with all his might.

The scepter’s distinctive, dim light trailed a shimmering emerald trail through the air, and with this throw, all the thousands of forbidden spells within Ghost Gate Lake were activated.

Everyone felt a surge of yin energy sinking beneath them. Under the control of the activated forbidden technique, the immense amount of yin energy gradually broke free from its natural flow and began to flow in an orderly fashion through the surrounding forbidden pathways.

At this moment, Madam Yan finally regained consciousness. She looked up and saw the Ghost Gate Order, soaring to its highest point. Without hesitation, she immediately followed Li Xun’s words:

“When the sect is in distress, all cultivators within must unite to resist the external enemy! When the Nether Realm Sky Barrier is activated, any outsider cultivators remaining within Ghost Gate Lake will be considered our mortal enemies and must be killed without mercy!”

Before the last words had finished, the Ghost Gate Order suddenly blazed brightly in mid-air. Visible threads of light emanated from the scepter in all directions.

Upon contact with the external yin energy, the thousands of light threads suddenly expanded to the thickness of a little finger, enveloping the island in the middle of the lake and, ultimately, the entire Ghost Gate Lake, like a boundless net.

The key to unlocking the Nether Realm Sky Barrier had been activated. Only then did the numerous cultivators recover from their confusion and grasp the meaning of the Hundred Ghosts Taoist’s words.

A few astute individuals, their faces pale, bolted for their own quarters.

Soon, two thousand cultivators transformed into dozens of torrents, surging towards the depths of Ghost Gate Lake.

In a flash, the disciples along the lakeshore had dispersed. It wouldn’t be wrong to say they were fleeing for their lives.

Li Xun’s words truly only had two meaningful words: the Netherworld Heavenly Barrier and the Netherworld Ghost Road. The Netherworld

Heavenly Barrier was a minor undertaking, merely establishing a network of Qi-guiding energy covering Ghost Gate Lake, increasing the power of forbidden spells within its radius. The

truly fatal “Netherworld Ghost Road” was the “Netherworld Ghost Road.”

Normally, the Netherworld Ghost Road required the combined efforts of three True Person Realm cultivators.

But now, not counting the unconscious Yan Biao and Li Xun and Madam Yan, who were facing the enemy head-on, there were eight elders gathered here, and on the day of the Resurrection of Ghosts, the rift to the Nine Netherworld hung overhead.

Activating the Netherworld Ghost Road at this moment would have far more than simply a surge of Nine Netherworld Qi and the annihilation of all life within a hundred miles.

It was very possible that the spatial rift above would expand uncontrollably, swallowing most of Ghost Gate Lake into the Nine Netherworld!

Even supreme demons like Yao Feng and Qing Luan would likely face certain death in the Nine Netherworld.

This was a truly ruthless move, a surefire way to destroy both sides!

Venerable Qi Xiu’s face was as gloomy as water. In times of chaos, he believed in overcoming skill with force, carving a path with his magic sword. But with two demons present at the same time, no matter how arrogant he was, he had no assurance of victory.

He also doubted whether the elders below the altar had the courage to perish together. But lingering any longer would undoubtedly be a irritation to the elders.

God knows what those wavering and confused people would do under such a direct threat!

After weighing the pros and cons, Venerable Qi Xiu finally made a decision.

“Let’s go!”

“That’s right, retreat to advance. Since the Demon Phoenix and Blue Luan are at odds with Gu Yin, even if only two of them disrupted things, we’d be able to control the situation, but no matter what the outcome, we’ll still be the ones to clean up the mess.”

Che Zaichen’s cooperation was flawless, giving Qi Xiu some face.

The situation was truly dire. Everyone, including the most anxious Divine Lord Meng Zhang, nodded in agreement. Without further ado, Qi Xiu

led the group, who soared into the sky, instantly breaking through the growing Nether Realm Sky Barrier and escaping.

Li Xun breathed a sigh of relief at the “evil guest’s” escape.

Since they couldn’t count on a direct confrontation between Qi Xiu and the Demon Phoenix, fewer variables meant less. Madam Yan’s

thinking was sound. Only then did the prominent disciples on the lake’s central island begin to move.

Bi Shuijun’s six disciples were out of the question. The remaining twenty-one, at the signal of their respective masters, dragged their six restrained brothers, including the unconscious Elder Yan Biao, and flew away to occupy the celestial star positions across Ghost Gate Lake, overseeing the operation of the Nether Realm Sky Barrier.

In a flash, only the ten elders, including Madam Yan and Li Xun, and the Yaofeng family remained around the lake island.

Amidst the empty scene, the roar of the Nine Netherworld’s energy grew louder.

However, Li Xun and Madam Yan’s prestige clearly wasn’t yet such that their words could be carried out. After their shouts, only three elders joined together to activate the “Path to the Ghostly Ghosts.” The others hesitated, some watched…

and then they had no chance.

A green shadow flashed. Qingluan, who had been watching for a long time, finally took action. Her slender figure split the yin energy, which had solidified into a solid mass, and charged directly at the elders beneath the altar. Only then did the real difference between the numbers three and eight become apparent.

If everyone worked together, leveraging the favorable conditions naturally created by the spatial rift, the “Path to the Ghostly Ghosts” would take shape in a flash.

However, the efforts of just three were clearly no match for the power of a supreme demonic god.

Qingluan, gathering momentum, charged forward with her usual sharp momentum, and no one in the world dared to stand in her way.

Li Xun, already bearing the pressure of the demonic phoenix’s aura, could only momentarily activate a nearby barrier to block it.

The yin energy in the void suddenly ignited, condensing into a giant python-like whip that pierced the air with a sharp roar and lashed out. However, in an instant, it dissipated into thin air, never to be seen again.

The Qingluan, barely pausing, soared over the island and swooped down…

Li Xun didn’t have a chance to watch as the demonic phoenix’s attack followed him like a shadow. With one strike, Li Xun witnessed the majestic power of this supreme demon.

The surging flames completely ignored the surrounding yin energy, seemingly always finding a gap to flare and sparkle, even gradually drawing a wave of yin energy to dance with them.

Li Xun almost felt like he was being thrown into a sea of flames, finally witnessing what it meant to “burn everything”!

For a moment, he didn’t know how to resist, and could only dart around within the demonic phoenix’s circle, dodging the onslaught of the murderous aura.

Madam Yan’s muffled groans echoed not far away. Her current cultivation relied heavily on external forces, far inferior to Li Xun’s agility, and thus, she was even more utterly embarrassed.

Li Xun gritted his teeth, thrusting his Blood Shadow Demon Body with all his might, aiming straight at the raging flames.

Having advanced just over ten feet, he suddenly heard the Demon Phoenix whisper, “…She always plans before she acts, but this time, I managed to catch her off guard. I wonder what else she has to say to you?”

She repeatedly claimed to be tying Madam Yan to Gu Yin while simultaneously lowering her status. This approach mirrored Madam Yan’s tactic in rebutting Bishuijun, a truly ironic move.

Madam Yan’s response was a sharp whistle.

Before the whistle had even finished, Li Xun had already broken through the fire sea, bursting out bloody. His wounds twitched, but were rapidly healing.

It was a pity that his “loyal guardian” performance was not recognized by others.

While repelling Madam Yan’s desperate attacks, the Demon Phoenix glanced over and smiled, “What are you thinking about if you haven’t yet unleashed your full strength?”

Her gaze was directed at the empty space beside Li Xun. Li Xun immediately understood that she was referring to the still-unmanifested Youxuan puppet.

However, Qingluan had already expressed deep suspicion that day, and now that the Demon Phoenix was prepared, it would be foolish for him to use it again.

With a chuckle, Li Xun spread his ten fingers, piercing the air with his Blood God Tribulation Fingers, woven into a bloody net.

As soon as his fingers were released, the Qi within him had already transformed into a bottomless dark ring, leveraging the favorable timing and location to rapidly draw upon the Nine Netherworld Qi. This energy then burst forth, instantly merging with the external Yin Qi and activating another set of restrictions.

Thousands of Nine Netherworld sword energies burst forth from the earth, slashing through the air and absorbing vital energy. A ten-foot radius of land was transformed into a death zone, even slicing away a corner of the nearby lakeside underground palace.

Madam Yan retreated and then advanced again, grunting “good” at Li Xun’s grand gesture.

Perhaps the strong wind had blown her hood back from behind during the exchange, obscuring her expression. However, her coordination with Li Xun was seamless.

Several talismans flew through the air, and the nearly inexhaustible Yin Qi instantly transformed into dozens of invisible Qi locks, intent on immobilizing the demon phoenix and forcing her to face the unstoppable storm of sword energy.

The demon phoenix did indeed stop, but a faint glow shone beneath her feet.

As the storm of sword energy blew her skirt, a fiery crimson flame spun like a blossoming petal, tracing a smooth arc through the air and spinning wildly beneath the wind.

The delicate petals transformed into an impenetrable barrier, shattered by the Nine Nether Sword Qi storm. The swirling flames, like strangling blades, rapidly expanded from the demon phoenix’s body.

Li Xun, presiding over the forbidden technique, was a little slow to evade, and the flames grazed his arm, nearly dislodging it. Blood sprayed from his shoulder socket, and he groaned miserably as he stumbled backward.

A moment too late, Madam Yan stumbled back, struggling to stop herself, but the next wave of flames swept past her. She evaded with a low cry and fell to the ground.

The demon phoenix, with a wave of her hand, broke the combined attack of the two, floating untouched on the Fire Cloud Lotus Seat.

Madam Yan struggled, unable to rise. Li Xun had barely closed his ruptured tendons, bones, and blood vessels, but the demon phoenix showed no sign of advancing. He simply stared at Madam Yan and whispered, “Relying on external forces is ultimately not the right path. Your skills have reached their limit. At this point, if you offer me the Essence Pearl and resign as Sect Leader, I’ll spare your life, what’s the harm?”

Madam Yan struggled to straighten her back, her voice filtering through the hood.

“If I don’t become Sect Leader, someone else will. Is Yuanjun’s intention that as long as Gu Yin’s wishes aren’t met, anything’s fine?”

The demon phoenix laughed dumbly. “So…”

Madam Yan screamed, then lunged forward with a thunderous, lightning-fast blow. Her hand emerged from her sleeve, its snow-white skin instantly stained with a dark blue hue. Veins protruded, and her fingers, like knives, pierced the demon phoenix’s heart.

Seeing her ferocious attack, the demon phoenix was displeased: “You’re not asking for death!”

The flames flowed, easily blocking the blow.

In an instant, the demon phoenix’s expression changed dramatically.

A shadow, almost ethereal, seemed to detach from Madam Yan’s body, emptying itself and charging towards the center gate. The protective flames were ripped apart like thin paper.

Li Xun, who was about to respond, froze.

This scene was remarkably similar to his usual methods.

Moreover, this pulsing vitality and powerful surge of energy seamlessly blended with the environment of Ghost Gate Lake, a state of mind naturally blending into nothingness that was so familiar to him!

That fleeting glimpse of a figure by the pond in the pine forest… A flash of light flashed through Li Xun’s mind, illuminating the mystery that had been accumulating for days.

A puppet—a powerful puppet!

Li Xun finally remembered that Madam Yan’s tactical skills, in addition to the Jade Fire Flowing Crystal Mantra, were also the Corpse Exorcism Puppetry Technique!

He had been Madam Yan’s disciple for decades, yet he had never seen a puppet she had crafted. She was also extremely secretive about it…

And now, the answer to his question finally lay.

The demon phoenix, attacked through the center palace, remained calm. The Fire Cloud Lotus Seat beneath her feet re-opened, and the flaming blades strangled the figure, finally stopping it.

However, from behind, Madam Yan’s cold and eerie chanting began. Talismans and the Book of Void drew Yin energy, one after another, slamming into the back of the puppet in front. A

constant humming sound echoed through the air, and the puppet seemed to be draped in a garment woven from grayish-white flames. Amidst the intertwining flames, a dense layer of lightning ripped the streams of fire, like a dense web of sharp barbs enveloping the puppet.

Such a ferocious and ferocious appearance chilled the heart even to the mere sight of it.

The demon phoenix was noticeably more cautious. After three exchanges, it launched itself into the air on a surging torrent of energy, engaging in another fierce battle. The newly established Netherworld Sky Barrier was shattered by the turbulent currents of the clash.

Li Xun watched in amazement. He finally understood why the sect’s masters often practiced both the Jade Fire Flowing Crystal Mantra and the Corpse Exorcism Puppetry Technique. The combination of the two could produce such astonishing results.

Just as he was engrossed in the spectacle, a whisper echoed in his ear: “Stop Qingluan!”

Madam Yan had already passed by. Li Xun raised his eyebrows and scanned the surroundings, taking in the situation.

The demon phoenix was restrained by the puppet. Qingluan had already defeated five elders near the altar, and the remaining three were brought down in a flash.

However, the seemingly powerless young woman on the lake island was indeed alone.

Madam Yan’s intentions were clear.

The demon phoenix was unable to escape, while Qingluan could advance or retreat. She had been focusing her attention on Lin Wuyou, but seeing this, she silently turned and pursued.

Madam Yan’s actions had crossed her line, and her airborne momentum was unstoppable. Even approaching would require careful consideration, let alone blocking her.

Li Xun cursed Madam Yan for her madness, for underestimating the young woman. But he still obeyed her orders and stayed in the path of Qingluan.

A clanging sound echoed. Li Xun, using all his might, dismantled and dismantled the blade. Even at the cost of having half his neck severed by Qingluan’s palm blade, he finally managed to stop the blade’s advance. He was then sent flying, crashing into the outer wall of the lake’s underground palace, his entire body buried beneath the ground.

By the time he struggled to emerge, coughing and choking, the situation on the lake’s central island had come to a standstill.

Madam Yan stood behind Lin Wuyou, one hand locked around the young woman’s throat, her body held straight. However, blood streamed from her head and face.

Qingluan’s sharp palm blade pierced through her hood, nearly piercing her skull. She lacked Li Xun’s near-immortality, and it was a miracle she could even stand.

Even more terrifying was this.

Without the obstruction of her hood, Madam Yan’s appearance was clearly visible. Though stained with blood, her complexion was no longer her usual fair and delicate white.

A dark blue color recklessly covered her face, neck, and all exposed skin, with veins and tendons protruding from them, slicing her surface into countless jagged fragments. Some joints even protruded with spikes, hideously hideous and terrifying, even more demonic than a demon!

The spikes on the second joint of her left index finger were already halfway into Lin Wuyou’s fair skin.

Li Xun slowly inhaled the cool air between his teeth; such a scene was truly a test of one’s endurance. He vaguely suspected that this was definitely

related to the “Golden Pill Divine Mud” embedded in Madam Yan’s chest and the “living creature” sealed within.

The demon phoenix was still entangled by the puppet, its violent concussions threatening to upend Ghost Gate Lake. Qingluan stood several feet in front of Madam Yan.

Normally, this was a distance she could cover a thousand times in a single breath, but she didn’t dare challenge the speed of Madam Yan’s finger twitching.

“Back off!”

Madam Yan’s voice was faint, yet it carried an undeniable resolve. “The farther the better… Back off!”

Qingluan’s pure cyan pupils fixed on Madam Yan’s ugly face, her expression unwavering as she retreated step by step.

The atmosphere was tense to the point of exploding, and even Li Xun didn’t dare to make any unnecessary movements.

Qingluan gradually retreated ten feet, her heels almost touching the edge of the island in the middle of the lake. Blood from Madam Yan’s forehead dripped onto Lin Wuyou’s head, the strange sensation making the girl feel uneasy.

She raised her face, seemingly oblivious to the long, bloody wound her throat had ripped open due to the twisting of her neck. As the blood oozed out, the girl’s face remained innocent. “Aunt Yan, are you going to play with me?”

Madam Yan dropped her eyes in surprise. At that moment, the blood kiss in Lin Wuyou’s arms suddenly lunged forward, its maw wide open, revealing four dark red fangs.

“Evil creature!”

Madam Yan’s eyes flashed with murderous intent. While one hand still gripped Lin Wuyou’s throat, the other thrust out like lightning, ready to slay the beast

right then and there. Suddenly, two rays of red light shot from the cat’s round eyes, piercing through the gaps between her fingers and illuminating Madam Yan’s vision.

Time froze in that moment.

Madam Yan instinctively moved her fingers to kill the strange girl, but the piercing red light instantly stripped her of all power.

The girl seemed unaware of Madam Yan’s appearance. She simply grinned as she emerged from her arms, her delicate white hand resting on Madam Yan’s ample breasts. Her pinky finger slipped through the cracks, playfully rubbing them.

Li Xun stood there stunned, watching Qingluan’s lips curl with sarcasm as she stepped forward again, her mind completely bewildered.

Lin Wuyou’s eyes smiled like crescent moons. Within that smile, she thrust her entire hand into the crack and yanked it out…

With a scream from Madam Yan, the gleaming golden bead landed in the young girl’s palm, its flesh still faintly bloodstained.

Madam Yan’s strength drained from her, and she collapsed to the ground. However, her appearance had instantly returned to normal. Her rough, dark skin had become smooth and white, and her protruding veins and bone spurs had returned to normal.

Within a few breaths, Madam Yan, curled up on the ground, had completely returned to her former self. Her frail, helpless form was truly pathetic.

It was a pity there were so few people who could show sympathy for women.

Lin Wuyou tossed the golden bead and casually handed it to Qingluan. Xuan squatted down again, considerately straightening Madam Yan’s body and stopping the bleeding. He casually said, “Aunt Yan, you trust my cousin too much. She told you that the Golden Pill Divine Mud contains the essence of my dog’s inner elixir, right?

” “But my cousin loves to lie, how could you believe me? It’s not just the inner elixir, it’s the dog’s too! And mother said dogs are actually mice, and mice are afraid of cats… Cat, don’t you think so?”

“Cat,” curled up beside Lin Wuyou’s shoulder and meowed lazily, resembling an ordinary cat. But to Madam Yan, this was undoubtedly the most vicious mockery.

She smiled miserably, closed her eyes, and said nothing.

With a loud “thump,” the mid-air puppet was struck down by the demonic phoenix, sinking several feet into the ground. While still in mid-air, the electric and fiery armor surrounding the puppet dissipated, announcing Madam Yan’s complete defeat.

The demon phoenix gracefully descended, adjusting her clothing slightly. Her gaze focused on the altar, revealing only two of the eight elders still standing. Li Xun, standing on the lake’s island, also stared blankly.

The situation was completely under control. She stepped forward, took the golden bead from Qingluan’s hand, and after examining it briefly, she smiled. “Gu Yin’s cleverness backfired. She had ill intentions in giving you this bead, but she never imagined it would actually be of such great benefit to me… Madam Yan, do you still remember what you thought of Gu Yin when you first met?”

Madam Yan opened her eyes, only to gaze at the increasingly dark sky. The

demon phoenix shook her head and smiled. Just as she was about to speak, she sensed something, and turned with Qingluan, just as they saw the altar rising from the lake’s surface. A tall figure slowly emerged from the gloomy fire. Before they could see its face, they could hear its voice.

“Yan Yuan, you already had a friendship with Gu Yin before the forty-ninth tribulation. In terms of the longevity of your wiring, Bishui is truly far behind. But you probably couldn’t have foreseen the situation now!”

His voice was hoarse, dry, and gurgling, as if it might be cut off by the surging phlegm at any moment.

Yet, the indescribable intensity within it pierced the listener’s heart.

“Hehe, the sect is empty, the sect is empty… It really is empty after Junior Brother Ghost left. The sect is a bunch of losers, and I’m the leader. Qixia Yuanjun, Qingluan Fairy, and the Seven Demons of the World probably see them all as losers, too.”

With a low laugh, Hellfire Yama parted the soaring flames, slowly stepped out, and stood firmly at the edge of the blaze, legs slightly apart. His

eyes, blazing like the sun, streamed across everyone’s face. Then he took a deep breath, drawing the air from his abdomen and simmering in his chest for a moment before it transformed into a mighty sound wave that burst forth.

“You Li, you bastard, are you waiting for everyone on my side to be killed before you fucking jump out?”

The sound wave rippled in all directions, rippling the lake and rustling the trees wherever it passed. Just as the echo was still lingering, a long laugh echoed through the air, completely suppressing the lingering sound.

Please continue to look forward to the exciting sequel to the second part of Netherworld Immortal Journey.