Wang Guiyuan looked helplessly at the hand Lei Jun had placed on his shoulder.

The two of them traveled together through the void, stepping onto a path that seemed to lead straight into the underworld.

A chilling, deathly aura filled the air around them.

This aura, usually cold and lifeless, now stirred restlessly, exuding hostility towards any living being that dared enter its domain.

For cultivators of the Middle Three Heavens like them, entering Luoyuan at this stage felt like courting death. It was as if an invisible force clutched at their hearts, making it hard to breathe.

Looking ahead, Lei Jun and Wang Guiyuan could already see a large number of beast corpses scattered across the desolate Nether Sea.

From their perspective, it was clear that these creatures had only just perished.

These low-tier demon beasts hadn't been slain by Luoyuan's greater demons, but rather had fallen victim to the chaos within Luoyuan, collateral damage caught in the storm.

Although Lei Jun and Wang Guiyuan hadn't directly opened the gate to Luoyuan, merely constructing a special passage, it still seemed as though Luoyuan had found an outlet to vent its rage.

The turbulent waves of the Nether Sea surged toward them, crashing like a tidal wave.

Lei Jun, however, stood firm, his cultivation power circulating around him. He had no fear of this mindless surge of energy from the Nether Sea.

With his power, he sealed off and suppressed the raging waves, preventing them from spilling into the mortal world.

It wasn't until Lei Jun and Wang Guiyuan fully stepped into Luoyuan and severed their connection with the mortal realm that the chaotic outflow from the Nether Sea finally subsided.

Yet the many abysses within Luoyuan remained in turmoil.

The entire world lay silent and dead, yet it radiated an overwhelming sense of terror and distortion.

With Lei Jun by his side, Wang Guiyuan, as a Daoist cultivator of the Middle Three Heavens, had little to fear in this place.

Still, his form slowly began to shift, a serene Buddhist glow emanating from his body.

Wang Guiyuan turned to look at Lei Jun.

Lei Jun gave a subtle nod, and a stream of light rose into the air above Luoyuan.

Even in this turbulent and dark netherworld, the Yu Qing Universal Mirror remained stable, having accompanied Lei Jun into this place.

Compared to earlier years, the mirror's stability and perceptive abilities in such environments had greatly improved.

Partly due to Lei Jun’s own growing strength, and partly because of his years spent traversing treacherous places like the Earthsea and the Yellow Springs.

Through constant adaptation, refinement, and tempering, the Yu Qing Universal Mirror was now capable of functioning even in Luoyuan, one of the Ten Earths, though it still needed some time to fully adapt.

The mirror's light briefly flickered across the sky, then disappeared without a trace.

Meanwhile, Lei Jun’s eyes shone with the flow of Daoist talismans, radiating a brilliant light.

“This way.”

After a moment, Lei Jun called out softly to Wang Guiyuan, and the two quietly navigated through the chaotic abysses of the Nether Sea.

In the distance, faint traces of purple flames flickered.

The flames were by no means weak, but the vast distance made them appear dim.

Through the Yu Qing Universal Mirror, Lei Jun was able to discern what was happening.

“Just as we expected,” Lei Jun said to Wang Guiyuan. “Other great demons of Luoyuan have returned, challenging Lord Youluo for control. They’re locked in a fierce battle.”

Previously, multiple great demons had occupied Luoyuan.

Although Lord Youluo possessed formidable strength and could even tap into the power of Luoyuan to flood Chang’an in the past, he wasn’t yet an undisputed ruler, unable to fully dominate this netherworld among the Ten Earths.

It wasn’t until Mu Weizi, representing Daoist Zhou Tian, entered Luoyuan and mediated between Lord Youluo, the Bone Jiao Emperor, and the Nether Moss, that a fragile alliance was formed.

With Mu Weizi’s support—and the shadowy presence of Daoist Zhou Tian—Luoyuan’s power dynamic finally shifted.

The other two top demon clan powerhouses, the Silvermoon Nether Phoenix and the Nether Tortoise of the Abyss, were forced to retreat and abandon their claim.

This allowed Lord Youluo, the Bone Jiao Emperor, and the Nether Moss to strengthen their grip on Luoyuan.

Later, after both the Bone Jiao Emperor and the Nether Moss suffered heavy losses from venturing into the Tang realm, Lord Youluo’s control grew even stronger.

He finally began to embody the air of Luoyuan’s master.

Yet, even he was soon repelled and defeated by the Tianshi Mansion of Mount Longhu, and the backlash from Luoyuan’s chaotic tides wounded him as well.

Daoist Zhou Tian suffered heavy losses in the Han Dynasty too.

Now, with the Silvermoon Nether Phoenix and the Nether Tortoise of the Abyss returning, Luoyuan’s situation was poised for upheaval once again.

That was why Jiang Nan, Daoist Zhou Tian’s other disciple, had urgently sought out Mu Weizi.

At this moment, Lei Jun focused his Yu Qing Universal Mirror on another target.

Compared to the direct approach of the Silvermoon Nether Phoenix, the Nether Tortoise of the Abyss did not confront Lord Youluo head-on.

Instead, it occupied a different part of the abyssal sea, its massive body resembling an island, dotted with numerous faint, dark lights.

This great demon was contesting Lord Youluo for control of Luoyuan in its own way, seeking to reclaim a portion of its authority.

It was precisely because of the Nether Tortoise’s interference that Lord Youluo struggled to focus entirely on his battle with the Silvermoon Nether Phoenix.

Lei Jun observed the dark lights on the tortoise's back, studying their arrangement with a thoughtful expression.

His gaze sharpened as the Yu Qing Universal Mirror revealed that others were approaching the Nether Tortoise.

Surrounding the Nether Tortoise were various other demon clans, loyal to it.

Unlike the solitary Silvermoon Nether Phoenix, the Nether Tortoise had always been accompanied by followers in Luoyuan.

Although its forces had scattered after its retreat from Luoyuan, some had since regrouped to welcome its return.

The human cultivators approaching the Nether Tortoise drew the attention of the surrounding demons.

Among them were two Daoists.

One of them, looking elegant and exuding an air of immortality, was none other than Mu Weizi, who had previously helped Lord Youluo, the Bone Jiao Emperor, and the Nether Moss expel the Nether Tortoise.

“Daoist friend, your return is cause for celebration,” Mu Weizi greeted without the slightest hint of awkwardness, his expression calm.

The Nether Tortoise of the Abyss showed no immediate hostility. It spoke in a deep, calm voice:

“You’re here to help that ghost tiger?”

Mu Weizi locked eyes with the tortoise and replied softly, “Daoist friend, have you perhaps visited the Kunpeng Demon Saint in Guixu?”

Beside him, Jiang Nan’s eyes flickered, though he said nothing, silently understanding why Mu Weizi had urgently summoned him to Luoyuan.

“Yes.”

The Nether Tortoise answered simply.

Mu Weizi spoke, “Daoist friend, if you seek to seize control of Luoyuan, my fellow disciples and I are willing to lend our support.”

The Nether Tortoise fell silent, not immediately responding.

Its surrounding demons stirred with restlessness.

The massive tortoise’s gaze swept across Mu Weizi and Jiang Nan.

From what it knew, Ancestor Zhou Tian had indeed suffered losses at the hands of the Tianshi Mansion of Mount Longhu, even being forced to retreat from Kunlun.

But there were no confirmed reports of his death.

Compared to the experts of the Tianshi Mansion, the Nether Tortoise wasn’t about to test Ancestor Zhou Tian’s might directly.

At the same time, it had no intention of submitting fully to the Kunpeng Demon Saint in Guixu.

Though it had met the Kunpeng and gained some support, the Nether Tortoise had no desire for the Kunpeng to rule Luoyuan.

If the Kunpeng did take over Luoyuan, it would likely leave Guixu without a Ninefold Heaven-level demon to oversee it.

No matter the outcome, the Nether Tortoise had to weigh its options.

Other Ninefold Heaven-level demons existed in Guixu—some of whom were the Kunpeng’s closest allies.

Even if the Nether Tortoise handed Luoyuan over, its future remained uncertain.

As for Mu Weizi and Jiang Nan...

The Nether Tortoise’s gaze lingered on the two Daoists.

It was easy to see that while Ancestor Zhou Tian hadn’t perished, his situation was precarious at best.

If he were in good shape, he would have stormed into Luoyuan himself by now.

For the Nether Tortoise, this was the perfect opportunity.

If not for this, it would never have had the chance to reclaim Luoyuan.

For Mu Weizi and Jiang Nan, the choice was just as clear—abandon Lord Youluo and side with the Nether Tortoise.

Otherwise, the Nether Tortoise would bring the Kunpeng Demon Saint from Guixu into Luoyuan.

Of course, they could walk away from it all.

But after their many setbacks in the mortal realms of the Jin and Tang Dynasties, Mu Weizi and his allies had no desire to fight for the sake of pride.

If the Kunpeng didn’t enter Luoyuan, the realm would remain under the control of Ninefold Heaven-level demons, which was far more favorable for them and Daoist Zhou Tian.

“You say you can help me? Maybe…”

The Nether Tortoise had already made up its mind, but it spoke with measured words:

“…But you could also bring trouble to me and Luoyuan—trouble like the Tang Dynasty.”

The points of light on the Nether Tortoise’s back continued to flicker as it spoke with Mu Weizi and Jiang Nan, all while maintaining its struggle for control of Luoyuan against Lord Youluo.

“It’s precisely because of your cooperation that the ghost tiger, the Bone Jiao, and the Nether Moss suffered heavy losses, plunging Luoyuan into chaos.”

The Nether Tortoise stated the facts plainly.

If not for this, neither the Nether Tortoise nor the Silvermoon Nether Phoenix would have had the chance to return.

Even though it had secretly contacted the Kunpeng Demon Saint of Guixu, if Luoyuan had been united, just like how the Earthsea and Datong once shut out the Golden Khan Ongqinfu, the Kunpeng wouldn’t have been able to enter easily.

It was only because Lord Youluo and the others had been wounded and Luoyuan was in turmoil that the Silvermoon Nether Phoenix and the Nether Tortoise could use the marks they had left in Luoyuan over the years to make their comeback.

But everyone knew the risks involved.

Though Lord Youluo and Mu Weizi’s group had been repelled in the mortal Tang realm, who could say whether the Tang Dynasty’s experts wouldn’t come knocking on Luoyuan’s gates again?

At that moment, whether it was the Silvermoon Nether Phoenix or the Nether Tortoise of the Abyss, both had to face this formidable enemy in Luoyuan.

“The Tianshi Mansion of Mount Longhu does indeed have the Reversing Yuan Heart Fruit.”

Mu Weizi spoke calmly, “But unfortunately, their methods toward the various great demons are ruthless, and they’ve never cooperated with demonkind.”

The Nether Tortoise of the Abyss fell silent.

After much observation and study, how could he not know this was the biggest problem?

If not for that, why would he overlook the obvious stronger powers like the Tianshi Mansion of Mount Longhu and the Tang Dynasty’s cultivation world, both capable of defeating the Zhou Tian Daoist faction, and instead opt to ally with Zhou Tian Daoist, Mu Weizi, and the like to counterbalance the demons of Guixu?

Though it was Lord Youluo and his group who led the direct attack against the Tang Dynasty, the Nether Tortoise of the Abyss had no part in that.

But he had no confidence in forming an alliance with the Tianshi Mansion of Mount Longhu and the Tang Dynasty's human realm.

Not to mention getting the Reversing Yuan Heart Fruit from them.

Cooperating with Zhou Tian Daoist and Mu Weizi might come with hidden dangers, but right now, securing Luoyuan was the top priority.

“Tianshi Mansion of Mount Longhu doesn’t just have the Reversing Yuan Heart Fruit,” the Nether Tortoise of the Abyss said coldly.

Mu Weizi replied calmly, “Indeed. We, too, have our own ambitions. But precisely because of this, we have a foundation for cooperation. The Ancient Heavenly Palace embraces all—whether spirit or demon, it makes no distinction.”

The Nether Tortoise of the Abyss growled, “The Bone Flood Dragon and the Nether Moss—aren’t they still aligned with you?”

Mu Weizi and Jiangnan, standing side by side, showed no change in expression. “The Dragon King and Fellow Daoist Nether Moss have both clearly stated they will not compete with you.”

To be exact, they weren’t even in a position to compete.

During the earlier incursion into the Tang Dynasty’s human realm, the Bone Dragon King was injured by Chu Yu and Xing Feng, the Sect Master of the Tang Dynasty’s Blood River Sect.

Barely making it back to Luoyuan due to his sturdy body, he narrowly escaped.

Chu Yu and Xing Feng stayed in the human realm and didn’t pursue, giving the Bone Dragon King a chance to catch his breath. Still, his injuries were severe.

As for the Nether Moss, a large expanse of its mossy terrain had been incinerated. While it was more like an extension of its body, losing so much at once still inflicted significant damage to its vitality.

Worse yet, the opponent’s terrifying powers seemed to have wounded the Nether Moss’s soul through its extensions, harming its main body as well.

It was precisely because both the Bone Dragon King and the Nether Moss were heavily injured that Lord Youluo gained an opportunity to dominate, allowing him to mobilize more of Luoyuan’s power than before.

Mu Weizi himself had only escaped back to Luoyuan thanks to Lord Youluo’s assistance, after being besieged by Yuan Mobai and Chu Yu.

Although taking the healing treasure pill personally refined by Zhou Tian Daoist had stabilized his injuries, Mu Weizi had yet to fully recover.

That was why he had urgently summoned his junior brother Jiangnan to Luoyuan.

Neither the Bone Dragon King nor the Nether Moss had any intention of submitting, whether it was to Lord Youluo or the Nether Tortoise of the Abyss.

But given their current injuries, they had both chosen to remain silent.

Neither of them came with Mu Weizi and Jiangnan to see the Nether Tortoise of the Abyss—they, too, didn’t want to provoke him into drawing the Guixu demons into Luoyuan.

Luoyuan could shift between the hands of Lord Youluo, the Nether Tortoise of the Abyss, or even the Silvermoon Nether Phoenix, but they certainly didn’t want the Kunpeng Demon Saint or Ancestor Zhou Tian to be brought in for real.

For now, the Bone Dragon King and the Nether Moss intended to wait until their injuries healed before making any further moves.

“Given that, Fellow Daoist, forgive me.”

Mu Weizi cupped his hands in a Daoist salute and gracefully floated forward, landing directly on the vast, island-like back of the Nether Tortoise of the Abyss.

The Nether Tortoise of the Abyss remained still and silent, tacitly allowing the action.

The other Luoyuan demons who stood guard by his side didn’t interfere either.

Standing atop the tortoise’s back, Mu Weizi pulled out a compass and held it in one hand, while forming a hand seal with the other in front of his chest.

The compass spun rapidly.

Jiangnan didn’t approach the Nether Tortoise of the Abyss but remained at a distance, standing guard for both the tortoise and Mu Weizi, alert to the surroundings.

Tiny starlight scattered across the compass’s surface, drifting into the cold, lifeless Luoyuan Nether Prison.

The starlight resonated with the radiance on the back of the Nether Tortoise of the Abyss, spreading outward, dissolving into the darkness, seemingly vanishing, yet subtly interacting with the icy, desolate heavens and earth of Luoyuan.

Meanwhile, in the distance, Lord Youluo multitasked.

While engaging the Silvermoon Nether Phoenix in battle and suppressing the Nether Tortoise of the Abyss’s resurgence, he also kept watch over other parts of Luoyuan.

Within the swirling black mist, the towering demon tiger’s blood-red pupils suddenly gleamed, its pupils narrowing.

Though injured from the earlier failed attempt to flood Mount Longhu with the Nether Sea, Lord Youluo, as the highest-ranking great demon in Luoyuan, retained the deepest connection to the realm.

Compared to other Luoyuan demons, Lord Youluo keenly sensed the presence of another powerful enemy entering Luoyuan.

The enemy even felt… familiar.

Though their prior encounter had been brief, Lord Youluo had been managing Luoyuan ever since that battle, constantly dealing with the aftermath.

That aura—it was the force of Wujian!

That Tang Dynasty monk had used the lingering connection from their previous clash to track them down in Luoyuan.

Lord Youluo didn’t have time to investigate thoroughly, but he could guess that aside from the monk who had stirred up Wujian, there were likely other Tang Dynasty cultivators with him.

When it rains, it pours.

Just as Lord Youluo sensed Wang Guiyuan’s entry into Luoyuan, he also noticed the increasing disturbance on the Nether Tortoise of the Abyss’s side.

…The Nether Moss, Bone Dragon King, and that Mu Weizi—have they all betrayed me?

Lord Youluo seethed with anger but wasn’t entirely surprised.

Though they had been allies days ago, Lord Youluo had always been wary of them.

Lei Jun and Wang Guiyuan had yet to find their way here, but Lord Youluo already felt the threat of enemies on multiple fronts.

The fierce, brooding tiger demon let out a deafening roar that shook the heavens.

Luoyuan trembled in response.

Across all the Nether Seas and Abysses, the tides surged in reverse.

A boundless, deathly aura filled Luoyuan, sparking an even stronger storm of destruction.

Lei Jun and Wang Guiyuan, caught within it, immediately noticed the change.

If, moments before, they were like lonely boats tossed in a raging sea, at least they had been within the sea.

Now, they were more like specks of dust, rejected by the entire realm, being expelled as foreign matter.

Lei Jun glanced at his senior brother Wang Guiyuan with interest, shifting slightly to give him space and gesturing for him to go first.

Wang Guiyuan shook his head helplessly but said nothing.

“Amitabha.”

He pressed his palms together, and as Buddha light surged around him, his appearance began to change.

The young monk Fa Qing of Tianlong Temple vanished.

In his place was a middle-aged monk, clad in pristine white robes, seated upon a white lotus. His features were serene and compassionate, exuding a sense of peace and warmth.

But the moment this monk appeared, the surroundings transformed.

An endless flood of destruction erupted around him, mirroring Luoyuan’s deathly environment.

This was Wujian—like Luoyuan, one of the Ten Realms of Hell, but far more violent and apocalyptic.

While Luoyuan remained cold and silent even in turmoil, Wujian was sheer chaos and devastation, like the end of days itself.

Dark energies swirled with disaster spirits and strange creatures, flooding outward in all directions.

Luoyuan’s deathly aura fueled their fury.

But rather than being pacified by the presence of similar energies, the disasters of Wujian became even more frenzied, intensifying their assault.

This influx stirred Luoyuan into an even greater frenzy, sparking a ferocious counterattack against the intruders.

The Nether Seas and Abysses surged in defiance.

Hell and the Nether Realms clashed in every corner, their elemental forces violently colliding.

At that moment, Luoyuan seemed to take on a life and will of its own, fiercely rejecting Wujian while treating it as a mortal enemy, striking back with the intent to destroy.

In this chaos, Lord Youluo, the Silvermoon Nether Phoenix, the Nether Tortoise of the Abyss, and Mu Weizi all felt their control over Luoyuan slipping away.

The violent backlash was so intense, it nearly made them cough up blood.

For Lord Youluo, who had the deepest connection with Luoyuan, the impact was even more devastating.

Yet what pained him most wasn’t the injuries, but the loss of control over Luoyuan.

Years of hard work, all washed away.

The Abysses and Nether Seas he had once tamed now turned on him, surrounding him relentlessly and leaving him scrambling to respond.

The Nether Tortoise of the Abyss and Mu Weizi fared no better.

On the colossal, island-like back of the Nether Tortoise of the Abyss, the scattered starlight suddenly exploded, dispersing in all directions and vanishing.

Where once the starlight had merged with Luoyuan to deepen their connection, now, it was swept away by a tidal wave-like eruption from within, snuffed out without resistance.

Mu Weizi swayed atop the tortoise’s back as his compass shattered into dust.

A massive, invisible force hurled him away.

If not for Jiangnan rushing forward to help, Mu Weizi would have been engulfed by the surging Nether Sea waves.

The Nether Tortoise of the Abyss, not as deeply attuned to Luoyuan as Lord Youluo, nor experienced in dealing with Wujian, couldn’t determine exactly what had happened.

But he could sense one thing clearly—an immense power had invaded Luoyuan, triggering this violent reaction.

What was it?

Who was it?

The Nether Tortoise of the Abyss tried to sink into the Abyssal Sea but was repelled by the surging waves.

Carried by the currents, he drifted away and vanished from the area.

Already wary of Mu Weizi and Jiangnan, the Nether Tortoise of the Abyss had no desire to interact further until he understood the situation.

Mu Weizi and Jiangnan tried to stop him, but the chaos in Luoyuan left them barely able to stand.

They gradually adapted to the turbulence but could no longer find any trace of the Nether Tortoise of the Abyss.

Even the Luoyuan demons who had followed the tortoise had scattered.

Left with no choice, Mu Weizi and Jiangnan struggled forward, eventually finding the Bone Dragon King and the Nether Moss waiting in the distance.

The Nether Moss remained silent.

The Bone Dragon King, with its massive, skeletal frame, spoke. “What’s happening? Has the Kunpeng from Guixu arrived?”

Mu Weizi replied, “It’s hard to say yet, but it doesn’t feel like that.”

Both the Bone Dragon King and Jiangnan turned their gaze toward Mu Weizi.

The strain on Mu Weizi’s old injuries left his face pale. “It feels… vaguely familiar. Like when Wujian and Luoyuan clashed before!”

Mu Weizi wasn’t as deeply attuned to Luoyuan as Lord Youluo or the Nether Tortoise of the Abyss.

But when the Wujian Gate had suddenly opened in the Tang Dynasty’s human realm, flooding Luoyuan with a hellish torrent, Mu Weizi had been by Lord Youluo’s side, witnessing everything firsthand.

The Bone Dragon King and Jiangnan’s faces turned pale with shock.

From the silent mossy ground below, countless voices suddenly spoke in unison: “It’s the Tang Dynasty’s people. They came sooner than expected!”

Before Mu Weizi could say more, he noticed his junior brother Jiangnan’s face abruptly change.

In the already dim and turbulent Luoyuan, the world seemed to grow even darker.

A shadow loomed over them.

…A Daoist of the Talisman Sect, a Ninefold Heaven cultivator at the Great Ascension level!

Mu Weizi and Jiangnan, both Daoist Great Ascension cultivators, sensed it instantly.

But the enemy’s arrival had been silent, without the slightest sign.

All four of them—Mu Weizi, the Bone Dragon King, the Nether Moss, and Jiangnan—were Ninefold Heaven powerhouses, yet none of them had noticed in time.

By the time that massive, opaque black sphere, like a celestial body, unfolded, it was too late for Mu Weizi and the Bone Dragon King to escape.

Only Jiangnan managed to flash away, moving at blinding speed.

符箓 (Talisman) energy surged over his body, forming a radiant celestial figure—massive and luminous, like a cosmic star god. Though colossal in form, his speed was as swift as a meteor, streaking beyond the black sphere’s range.

As a fellow disciple of Zhou Tian Daoist, Jiangnan had chosen a different path than Mu Weizi and Ji Daocheng for his core divine abilities.

A Ninefold Heaven master of the Talisman Sect, he had specialized in the Dou Division’s techniques.

The Four Saints Talisman of Doumu.

The Seven Luminaries Talisman of Doumu.

The Central Heaven Talisman of Doumu.

With these three divine talismans combined, Jiangnan was Zhou Tian Daoist’s foremost disciple in the art of physical cultivation.

At this moment, he had fully integrated the Four Saints Diagram, Seven Luminaries Diagram, and North Star Diagram into himself.

He had even fused other talismans into his being, amplifying his power to the utmost—his physical and life force abilities standing at the pinnacle among the Ninefold Heaven masters, surpassed only by Martial Saints.

Even so, at full strength, Jiangnan could only save himself—he had no way to take his senior brother Mu Weizi with him.

As for the Bone Dragon King, he didn’t even try.

Seeing Mu Weizi about to be captured by the Great Ascension Daoist, Jiangnan flicked his wrist and sent a streak of green light flying.

It was a Jade Ruyi Scepter.

Just like the one Mu Weizi used when he was in the mortal world of the Great Tang.

Mu Weizi’s Jade Ruyi had already been consumed. Jiang Nan still had such a life-saving treasure in his hands, so he summoned it to help Mu Weizi out of danger.

As long as the emerald light formed from the shattering of the Jade Ruyi could block the Grand Dao Manifestation for a moment, Mu Weizi and the Bone Flood Dragon King would have a chance to escape.

But before the Jade Ruyi could shatter, it was blocked mid-air by something else.

Jiang Nan and Mu Weizi focused their eyes—and saw a nine-section green bamboo staff radiating purple and gold light.

The green bamboo staff struck through the air, smashing the Jade Ruyi, causing it to lose its luster and fall to the ground. It didn’t shatter, nor did it achieve the effect Jiang Nan and his senior brother had expected.

Jiang Nan could only watch helplessly as the Grand Dao Manifestation closed in, enveloping Mu Weizi and the Bone Flood Dragon King together.

Opposite that sudden, silent, and opaque massive black sphere, in the sky above the Abyss, another ball of light began to expand, growing from small to large.

It was like a blazing sun, suddenly appearing within the Abyss, descending from the heavens, and smashing down squarely onto the vast tundra.

In an instant, the center of the tundra was blasted into an empty crater, with dazzling white light spreading outward in all directions.

It was as if endless light and heat devoured and consumed the tundra around the explosion’s center.

Within the tundra, it was as though countless voices were screaming and wailing in agony all at once.

That spell again!

Having already suffered from it once, the Nether Moss was in excruciating pain after taking another hit.

As the blazing sun crashed and exploded, a tall young Daoist in a nine-colored Dao robe appeared above the Abyss and the Nether Sea.

This time, the Nether Moss finally confirmed the identity of the one who had nearly killed him back in the mortal world of the Great Tang.

Or rather, it wasn’t all that surprising.

The current Celestial Master of Mount Longhu—Xuan Xiaozi, Lei Jun!

Jiang Nan was now too powerless to save his fellow disciple Mu Weizi and could only flee as fast as he could.

But no matter how fast he was, Lei Jun was even faster.

With twin dragons of purple and black swirling around him, Lei Jun, who seemed like a celestial deity incarnate, caught up to Jiang Nan in an instant.

Jiang Nan’s heart sank to rock bottom.

If his speed was enough to barely challenge the average level of a Martial Saint at the same cultivation stage, then this opponent’s speed was far beyond most Martial Saints!

Among the martial cultivators, in terms of speed, this Celestial Master of Mount Longhu, who had killed Ji Daocheng and Xiang Jing, was among the absolute top tier.

Not to mention, in terms of minor realms within the Ninth Heaven, Lei Jun’s cultivation level was even higher than Jiang Nan’s.

Jiang Nan and Mu Weizi had heard quite a few rumors about Lei Jun.

For example, the fact that Lei Jun possessed two Grand Dao Manifestations!

One Grand Dao Manifestation had captured Mu Weizi and the Bone Flood Dragon King, while Lei Jun himself stepped out of it, instantly catching up to Jiang Nan.

Jiang Nan didn’t need to think to know how this would end.

Sure enough, Lei Jun’s second Xuanhuang Universe unfolded, swallowing Jiang Nan in an instant.

Seeing no way to escape, Jiang Nan had no choice but to fight with all his might and unleash his own Grand Dao Manifestation.

But it was as if two worlds were colliding—he was immediately suppressed, watching helplessly as his Grand Dao Manifestation was crushed by the Xuanhuang Universe and eventually captured within it.

At this moment, Jiang Nan fully realized how terrifying Lei Jun’s physical strength and life force were.

Floating within the dark cosmic void, he was on high alert.

Lei Jun’s speed was so fast, Jiang Nan had no confidence in how many strikes he could withstand.

But the void around him was empty—Lei Jun was nowhere to be seen.

Jiang Nan couldn’t tell whether his opponent had gone to the other Grand Dao Manifestation to deal with Mu Weizi and the Bone Flood Dragon King first.

Yet he didn’t dare to let his guard down, for fear of being ambushed by Lei Jun.

Just as he was filled with uncertainty, a thunderclap exploded deep within his mind.

Jiang Nan’s heart trembled, and his mind almost went blank.

In that instant, blades and swords began to materialize in the cosmic void.

First appeared an ominous-looking blade, its edge pitch black, trembling with magnetic star trails, its tip pointed straight at Jiang Nan.

Caught off guard by Lei Jun’s Nine Heavens Mind Thunder, Jiang Nan, though startled, instinctively dodged to the side.

Having been on edge for a sudden attack, Jiang Nan didn’t dare to be the slightest bit careless.

The continuous bursts of Nine Heavens Mind Thunder pounded him, making his head feel like it would split open.

Yet he forced himself to stay focused, watching all directions.

What he didn’t expect was that part of the illusory Nine Heavens Mind Thunder actually solidified, turning into threads of electric serpents that coiled across his body.

Just as Jiang Nan tried to expel them, a buzzing sound rang in his ears.

With almost no time to react, the Wujin Blade was already at his face.

Jiang Nan, relying on his strong body and life force, barely dodged but was still slashed by that eerie weapon. In an instant, starlight scattered, flesh and blood flying.

Where was Lei Jun?

Jiang Nan had no time to think about the bizarre and domineering nature of Lei Jun’s techniques—he could only dodge as best he could, evading the next attacks.

But he soon realized that the Wujin Blade was not something he could take lightly.

Though Lei Jun wasn’t a master of the Witchcraft Path, the wounds inflicted by the Wujin Blade not only burned with thunderfire but also gave rise to strands of black energy.

These black tendrils tangled around Jiang Nan, further slowing his already impaired movements.

The next moment, icy waters of the Solitary Aspect surged in from all directions, further limiting Jiang Nan’s movement and speed.

Jiang Nan scanned his surroundings.

Still no sign of Lei Jun.

But in addition to the Wujin Blade that had injured him, the void was now filled with top-tier magic weapons like the Guangmo Sword, Hanhai Sword, Beiji Sword, and Taiyi Poque Sword.

Thinking back to the Wujin Blade’s attack pattern, Jiang Nan, trapped within the waters of the Solitary Aspect, began to show a look of despair in his eyes.

Even worse, having reached this desperate state, he hadn’t even seen Lei Jun’s face!

After capturing Jiang Nan with the second Grand Dao Manifestation, Lei Jun didn’t enter it but instead turned and walked back.

Beside him, flames soared into the sky, and smoke swirled endlessly.

The Yin-Yang Wuji Star Blaze had already spread into a boundless sea of fire across the area.

The tundra was vast, but the sea of fire seemed endless.

Within the Abyss, thanks to the presence of the Nether Sea, the Nether Moss actually had an easier time facing the Yin-Yang Wuji Star Blaze than in the mortal realm.

With countless clones scattered across the deep layers of the Nether Sea, he could, under normal circumstances, simply abandon this batch of clones.

Even if the flames kept chasing, the Nether Moss could retreat deeper into the Nether Sea to evade the enemy’s pursuit.

Among the top-level Great Demons in the Ninth Heaven layer of the Abyss, the Nether Moss wasn’t the strongest in terms of combat power.

But in terms of survival ability, he was far stronger than the likes of Lord Youluo, the Silvermoon Nether Phoenix, the Nether Tortoise of the Abyss, and the Bone Flood Dragon King.

Much stronger, in fact.

Yet, at this moment, the Abyss was in an unprecedented state of upheaval—everything was upended, and the turbulent sea currents swept in all directions.

The Nether Moss couldn’t hide within the depths of the Abyss. In fact, the many clones hidden in the deep layers were instead churned up by the waves and exposed to the world.

What was even more terrifying to him was Lei Jun.

Aside from his survival skills, the Nether Moss’s greatest strength was his ability to detect threats. With countless clones spread everywhere, it was almost impossible for an enemy to sneak up on him.

Yet earlier, he hadn’t detected even the slightest trace of Lei Jun. How did Lei Jun do it?!

Lei Jun paid the Nether Moss no mind and casually unleashed another Yin-Yang Wuji Star Blaze at him.

The blazing sun fell, covering the surroundings in light, while Lei Jun himself stepped into the first Grand Dao Manifestation.

Within the Xuanhuang Universe, thunder dragons swam everywhere.

Golden, silver, purple, and black thunder dragons appeared one after another. Regardless of their yin or yang properties, they were majestic and grand, facing off from a distance against the sinister and cold Bone Flood Dragon King.

“It was you who killed Chen Yi.”

The hollow sockets in the Bone Flood Dragon King’s skull-like head flickered with eerie, cold red light. “He wasn’t an ordinary person. You’ve stirred up major trouble—worse than with Ancestor Zhou Tian.”

Lei Jun didn’t respond, merely gesturing casually toward the Bone Flood Dragon King.

The thunder dragons surrounded him.

Four grand and magnificent thunder dragons formed a sea of lightning, engulfing the Bone Flood Dragon King completely.

For a moment, only glimpses of white bones could be seen amid the thunder sea.

Already wounded, the Bone Flood Dragon King couldn’t withstand Lei Jun’s lightning attack, further empowered by the addition of sevenfold white radiance. Soon, the number of visible bone fragments in the thunder sea rapidly decreased.

Lei Jun himself turned to face Mu Weizi.

Mu Weizi looked at Lei Jun with a slightly complicated gaze, but it quickly settled into calmness:

“You arrived fast. This match—you win.”

He glanced at the thunder sea beside them. “Tang Huang—or should I say, Master Tianrui—her ritual has sealed Biluotian. For now, Grandmaster Gao Tian and the others can’t get out.

But there are experts outside of Biluotian. The Bone Flood Dragon King wasn’t lying. That friend of Chen Yi’s has deep ties.”

Lei Jun asked, “Then where are the people he’s connected to?”

Mu Weizi shook his head. “I don’t know, but they’re not in Biluotian.”

Lei Jun shook his head slightly. “It seems like you don’t know as much as I do.”

With that, he took a single step forward and appeared instantly in front of Mu Weizi.

Unlike Jiang Nan, who primarily cultivated physical strength and life force, Mu Weizi’s path was different. After being wounded by Yuan Mobai and Chu Yu earlier, he was already weakened.

Jiang Nan couldn’t even land a punch on Lei Jun, but Mu Weizi was about to receive special treatment.

In a way, Lei Jun was specifically targeting the crippled leg of an already limping opponent today.

Mu Weizi barely had time to react before it felt like a star had crashed into him.

His Heaven and Earth Form was shattered almost instantly.

Before he could regain his footing, a vast purple radiance surged before his eyes.

Lei Jun drew his Celestial Master’s Sword and cleaved downward, splitting Mu Weizi in two on the spot!

Mu Weizi’s body broke apart, light and shadows flickering.

From within his shattered soul, traces of Buddhist aura emerged.

“A reincarnator, not like Daoist Zhou Tian who changed paths, but like the Empress—reborn to cultivate again...”

Lei Jun nodded slightly. “Similar to our Eldest Senior Brother’s path—originally from the Buddhist lineage, vowed in a previous life.”

While speaking, he didn’t pause. Another flash of sword light severed Mu Weizi’s soul completely.

Meanwhile, the thunder sea dissipated.

The golden pure yang thunder dragon and silver pure yin thunder dragon intertwined in a ring, locking down the Bone Flood Dragon King.

His once-sturdy skeletal body was now covered in cracks.

The purple yang thunder dragon and black yin thunder dragon merged, their violent thunderlight, though not manifesting the Yin-Yang Divine Lightning, still surging in a chaotic, yin-yang force. The huge pillar of purple-black light shot down, striking directly at the Bone Flood Dragon King’s skull.

Already injured, the Bone Flood Dragon King’s entire skeletal structure shattered as the intertwined purple-black beam blasted straight through his body.