"Hmph!" Chen Zheng merely scoffed and raised his hand to grip the air, causing the Yinsha Soul Locking Bell to tremble. An extremely domineering divine consciousness surged into the old crone's mind, instantly erasing the remnant Primordial Spirit brand within her!

WHOOSH!

In an instant, the Artifact Spirit within the Yinsha Soul Locking Bell awakened!

SWOOSH!

The old crone pounced forward, bent her knees, and knelt to Chen Zheng in worship!

"Your servant greets the Master!" Her head was respectfully bowed, her tone filled with fear, clearly terrified by the scene that had just unfolded.

"What is your name?" Chen Zheng casually waved his hand, helping the old crone up as he asked.

"Master, my true form is the Yinsha Soul Locking Bell, a sacred artifact inherited by the Yinsha Sect. My name is Yinsha Fairy. The creator of the Yinsha Sect was the Yinsha Ancestor, and I am formed from the final wisp of his remnant thoughts. Hence, the Yinsha Soul Locking Bell is mine," Yinsha Fairy replied respectfully.

"I see." Chen Zheng nodded. "This Yinsha Soul Locking Bell is not bad. Guard it well. If you encounter trouble, activate this bell for defense, and remember this: no one shall come near it!"

Yinsha Fairy was stunned at first, then her expression turned to one of excitement. "Rest assured, Master, your servant understands. I will protect this bell well!" she said, nodding repeatedly.

"You are a woman. Don't spend all day calling for fights and killings." Chen Zheng glanced at Yinsha Fairy nonchalantly. "I'm new here and have some matters to verify. Go and gather some information for me."

"Yes!" Yinsha Fairy was taken aback. Though puzzled, she promptly nodded, and her figure flickered as she darted out of the cave dwelling.

"What?"

"Where did that little girl go just now?"

"That little girl seemed to have changed her appearance. Why does she feel so strange?"

Outside the ruins of the Yinsha Sect, the three purple-robed Supreme Elders were astonished as they watched Yinsha Fairy emerge from the cave.

"The Yinsha Soul Locking Bell is a manifestation refined by our Ancestor, so its Artifact Spirit is naturally not the same as those from before!" the old crone of the Yinsha Sect spoke in a cold voice.

The Artifact Spirit of the Yinsha Soul Locking Bell! The spirit of this immortal artifact is very special; it possesses its own independent consciousness! In the history of the Yinsha Sect, there have been people who have refined the Artifact Spirit of the Yinsha Soul Locking Bell, but in that situation, they could never control the bell itself! Now that the Yinsha Soul Locking Bell has been taken by that junior with the surname Chen and the Yinsha Ancestor's manifestation has been consumed, it's feared that the Yinsha Sect has no hope of ever returning to the Netherworld!

"Sigh!" The three purple-robed Supreme Elders sighed, then their figures flickered as they left the place.

"Hehehe! Ancestor! Your manifestation has returned! You are the first-generation Ancestor of the Yinsha Sect! With your manifestation suppressing our sect's foundation, we will surely rise! Hehehe! The Yinsha Sect will unify the Netherworld, and then it will be the end of the Yin-Yang Sect! Haha! Long live the Ancestor, long live, long live!"

Seeing the return of their Ancestor, the disciples of the Yinsha Sect all showed expressions of joy. However, the Ancestor paid them no attention. Transforming into a streak of light, he entered the forbidden area of the Yinsha Sect and rushed into the Yinsha Ancestor's tombstone. Instantly, a cloud of Yinsha enveloped the forbidden area!

"Hm?"

"What is the Yinsha Sect Ancestor doing in the forbidden area?" the disciples of the Yinsha Sect asked, their expressions puzzled.

WHOOSH!

Suddenly, a wave of eerie fluctuations rippled outward!

"AH—"

A group of Yinsha Sect disciples let out horrific screams as their bodies instantly decayed. In the blink of an eye, thousands of Yinsha Sect disciples were utterly obliterated!

"Hehehe! The Yinsha Ancestor's manifestation has merged with the Yinsha Soul Locking Bell, making him surpass the level of the Yin-Yang Sect's Ancestors and become one of the top figures in the Netherworld!"

With the Yinsha Sect disciples annihilated, Yinsha Fairy flew out from the Yinsha Soul Locking Bell. Her body swayed, transforming into a young matron in a black dress, a seductive smile on her face.

"Artifact Spirit of the Yinsha Soul Locking Bell, this is your opportunity. Only by following me can you be completely unsealed and truly control the Yinsha Soul Locking Bell, making your power even stronger!" Chen Zheng stared at Yinsha Fairy, then lifted his right hand. A rune floated out. "This talisman, I bestow upon it the name Yinsha Soul-Locking Talisman. From now on, you will control the Yinsha Soul Locking Bell."

"Thank you for the Master's grace!" Yinsha Fairy was overjoyed. She hurriedly held the Yinsha Soul Locking Bell in her palms and bowed to Chen Zheng again. Her body swirled, turning into a wisp of black mist before entering the bell.

CRACKLE!

The Yinsha Soul Locking Bell emitted a crisp sound, releasing strange ripples as if an unfathomable, malevolent creature was hidden within, ready to erupt at any moment!

ROAR!

The very next moment, a fierce roar sounded from inside the Yinsha Soul Locking Bell!

"The Yinsha Soul Locking Bell is indeed formidable! When the Yinsha Ancestor crafted this bell, it was to suppress an extraordinarily sinister creature. That creature was extremely vile; unfortunately, those old geezers from the Yinsha Sect were all unable to suppress it and were killed in the backlash! However, the Yinsha Soul Locking Bell ultimately did manage to suppress the creature! Now that the Yinsha Ancestor's manifestation has been consumed and the Artifact Spirit of the Yinsha Soul Locking Bell has been awakened, that suppressed creature within the bell must have been affected. It certainly cannot defy the Yinsha Soul Locking Bell!" the black-robed man, a Supreme Elder of the Yinsha Sect, spoke in a deep voice, his eyes glittering with greed. Although he too coveted the Yinsha Soul Locking Bell, he knew it was not something he could claim. He was incapable of seizing the Yinsha Ancestor's manifestation!

"That creature is certainly troublesome, and the Yinsha Soul Locking Bell can only barely suppress it! Without the bell, the Yin-Sha Soul-Locking Curse has a limited effect on the creature. If the Yinsha Soul Locking Bell were to get out of control, all life within the Yinsha Sect would be doomed!" the Yinsha Ancestor's expression was extremely grave.

"Ancestor..."

"Don't worry. As soon as that creature breaks the seal, the three of us together will be enough to slay it. Then we can take the Yinsha Soul Locking Bell and lead the Yinsha Sect to reign over the Tian-Lan Realm once more, even dominate the myriad realms! The Ancestor's manifestation has descended into the Netherworld; he will certainly be able to crush all enemies! Ancestor! Please allow your disciples to offer you incense tea!"

When the three purple-robed Supreme Elders of the Yinsha Sect heard the Ancestor's conversation with Yinsha Fairy, their eyes lit up instantly.

"Hehehe! Your concern is appreciated!" The black-robed man flashed a fierce smile. He raised his hand and beckoned, and three ancient bronze lamps flew over, landing in his left hand.

WHOOSH!

The very next second, a stream of blood-red light surged from between his eyebrows, transforming into a fine thread that shot into the Yinsha Soul Locking Bell!

BOOM!

A loud booming followed immediately as the Yinsha Soul Locking Bell trembled and resonated!

SWOOSH!

The black-robed man took a step forward, directly tearing through the void and entering another space!

「...」

Deep in a valley of the Yinsha Sect, the Yinsha Soul Locking Bell hovered in midair. The Yinsha Ancestor's manifestation was motionless, while the bell itself vibrated. It was no longer the same treasure as before. The Yinsha Ancestor's manifestation had merged with the Yinsha Soul Locking Bell, and the bell had completely recognized its new master.

At this moment, the Artifact Spirit of the Yinsha Soul Locking Bell no longer belonged to the Yinsha Sect. It was no longer a possession of the Yinsha Sect, because the bell had been branded with the Yinsha Ancestor's divine consciousness. Both the bell and its Artifact Spirit were now under the control of that consciousness.

"Hehehe! I have regained my power! This time, I will suppress that vile creature for good! Hehehe!" Inside the Yinsha Soul Locking Bell, Yinsha Fairy laughed wildly. She was impatient, not only wanting to kill the creature but also to seize the Yinsha Ancestor's manifestation and restore the Yinsha Soul Locking Bell to its peak power!

The Yinsha Ancestor! He was a true and authentic Ancestor of the Yin-Yang Sect! Now that his manifestation has been devoured, that terrifying creature must have fallen into a coma! This is an excellent opportunity!

SWOOSH!

The Yinsha Soul Locking Bell suddenly shrank, transforming into a speck of dust that flew into Yinsha Fairy's body. With a single flash, she pierced through the void and arrived directly at the Yinsha Sect's ancestral grounds—the forbidden zone the Yinsha Soul Locking Bell had mentioned!

WHOOSH