Xiao Yifeng’s silhouette flickered, blurring into a phantom as he retreated. The air where he had stood a split-second prior shrieked, sliced apart by a sword edge radiating power that rivaled his own.
The opponent’s momentum was sharp, tyrannical, and relentless. To continue fighting passively would yield no advantage.
As he sped through the air, Xiao Yifeng’s brow furrowed. The entity chasing him possessed a cultivation base that was, at the very least, equal to his own—perhaps even suppressing him slightly.
A Mahayana expert.
In the urgency of the clash, he couldn't get a clear look at their Dharma Treasure, nor could he even discern if the assailant was male or female. But the thick, cloying scent of blood and the ghostly wails echoing from the crimson mist were unmistakable.
Demonic Sect.
He had been away from the secular world for too long. When had such a formidable figure emerged?
Xiao Yifeng stopped his retreat. He tossed the Slaying Immortal Sword into the air.
Hum!
The blade split into fragments of light, and a massive array diagram unfurled instantly. Thousands of sword shadows materialized, circling him in a protective vortex. relying solely on his own Qi, he had deployed a mountain-protecting sword formation that would typically require thousands of disciples to sustain.
Cocooned within the wall of blades, he finally felt a measure of safety.
His mind raced, analyzing the situation, but his voice remained calm and mocking. "For a dignified Mahayana expert, you certainly enjoy skulking in the shadows like a rat. You dare not show your face? Could it be that you are an old acquaintance? I wonder... which one?"
A hearty, distorted laugh echoed from the blood mist. "Is the mighty Blood Sword Demon Lord only capable of turtle tactics? Do you think this shell can keep me here? As for who I am... you’ll know when you reach Hell!"
Roar!
A rolling yellow river surged through the sky, crashing toward the sword formation.
It was not water. The liquid was thick and turbid, composed entirely of countless wronged souls. Beneath the surface, fierce ghosts clawed and wailed, their resentment forming a deafening cacophony.
The blood aura in the atmosphere spiked violently. As the yellow torrent poured onto the sword formation, the spiritual light sizzled. Every sword shadow the water touched was instantly corroded into nothingness.
Corrosive waters meant to destroy treasures.
Xiao Yifeng dared not be careless. He circulated his Qi to its limit, driving the formation into overdrive. Streams of sword light shot out like a reverse waterfall, colliding with the oncoming river of souls.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Spray flew in all directions. Sword lights shattered.
However, the wronged souls were merely scattered before being swept back into the current, reforming endlessly. Physical attacks and sword Qi were useless against them. It was a stalemate.
Xiao Yifeng’s eyes hardened. "Burst!"
BOOM!
The sword formation detonated. The shockwave was immense, forcing both the encroaching blood mist and the yellow river backward.
Taking advantage of the opening, Xiao Yifeng’s aura shifted. Golden light erupted from his body as he transformed into a massive Golden Buddha, illuminating the dark sky with holy radiance.
The giant Buddha stretched out a palm, grabbing the river of souls.
Sizzle!
Piercing shrieks rang out as the holy light met the ghosts. Upon contact with the Buddha's hand, countless souls were purified and liberated, dissolving into wisps of smoke.
"Detonate."
The figure in the mist made a ruthless decision.
BOOM!
The entire Yellow River exploded. The Golden Buddha, caught off guard by the suicidal attack, was blasted into fragments.
A massive white flood dragon materialized between heaven and earth—Xiao Bing, revealing his true form. He swooped down, catching the thrown-back Xiao Yifeng on his spine.
Xiao Yifeng stood atop the dragon’s head, his face pale and blood trickling from his lip. He was seriously injured.
But his opponent fared no better. The black figure was thrown backward, tumbling through the air. A muffled grunt of pain echoed from the blood mist.
"To think you could break my Yellow Springs technique... You have truly become formidable," the voice drifted out, eerie and hollow. "But it doesn't matter. I never intended to live alone. Yifeng... die with me! Nine Deaths Lead to the Netherworld!"
The voice had changed. It was no longer distorted. It was a woman’s voice.
It was a voice that was melodious and gentle, yet when it struck Xiao Yifeng’s ears, it hit him harder than any physical blow.
He froze, struck dumb by a chaotic mix of joy and devastating sorrow.
That voice...
Suddenly, a sharp, piercing shriek tore through the sky. A beam of blood-red light shot upward, piercing the clouds. It hung high in the firmament, transforming into a massive, crescent-shaped array diagram that locked down the entire region.
The surrounding blood mist churned violently, contracting toward the space between the two combatants. Visibility dropped to zero; Xiao Yifeng could see nothing but the red fog, hearing only the wailing of fierce ghosts from every direction.
But he saw the Dharma Treasure in the sky clearly.
It was a curved blade, shaped like a crescent moon.
Slash Longing.
The name surfaced in his heart, plunging his soul into an icy cellar. He stared blankly at the artifact spinning brilliantly above.
"Impossible..." Xiao Yifeng muttered, his voice trembling. "She is already dead. No matter who you are... daring to impersonate her... you are dead!"
His shock vanished, replaced by a blood-red rage. His eyes widened, murderous intent pouring off him. Yet, beneath the anger, confusion gnawed at him.
Why is the familiar feeling growing stronger?
While he stood dazed, the crescent moon shadow expanded, sealing off the space completely.
Behind the blood shadow, a colossal Stone Gate manifested, towering between heaven and earth. It was ancient, primal, and terrifying. The surface was carved with intricate reliefs: dragons, phoenixes, humans, demons, immortals, and devils—a chaotic tapestry of existence.
An aura of antiquity rushed forward, suppressing all Spiritual Qi in the area.
This gate... gave Xiao Yifeng an exceptionally familiar feeling.
Creak.
The Stone Gate cracked open. Massive chains shot out from the darkness within, striking like vipers.
They were impossibly fast. Xiao Yifeng slashed wildly with his sword, but his Qi passed harmlessly through the gaps in the links.
Clang!
Caught off guard, a cold iron cuff locked around his left wrist. A chilling frost rushed straight into his soul, freezing his very marrow. The chain pulled taut, dragging him toward the giant gate.
"Xiao Bing!"
Though startled, Xiao Yifeng did not panic. He held his sword aloft with his free hand. Fiery red patterns rapidly sketched a mysterious array in the sky.
ROAR!
A colossal Fire Dragon tore its way out of the formation, its head the size of a mountain.
The dragon lunged, claws bared, pouncing toward the blood shadow casting the spell. Endless golden flames rained from the heavens, turning into clusters of heavenly fire that smashed toward the mysterious figure.
Clatter! Clatter!
More chains erupted from the gate, wrapping around Xiao Yifeng’s limbs, binding him tight. The chains ignored Xiao Bing’s attacks completely, treating the flood dragon as if he were air.
Xiao Bing roared anxiously, circling helplessly as his master was dragged closer to the abyss.
The Fire Dragon, carrying the power to incinerate all things, crashed into the blood shadow standing before the Stone Gate. This was a desperate counter-attack—Xiao Yifeng knew that if he killed the caster, the chains would dissipate.
Whoosh!
The scorching flames incinerated the blood mist instantly. The golden fire burned a clear void between heaven and earth, turning the vicinity into a scene resembling the Apocalypse.
Fortunately, this mountain was desolate. Had there been mortals nearby, none would have survived the calamity.
As the mist burned away, the mysterious shadow finally revealed her true form.
Hovering in mid-air before the Stone Gate stood a peerless figure in red. It was as if all the Spiritual Qi in the world had gathered solely to sculpt her.
Ghostly mists swirled around her ankles. Her crimson dress fluttered violently in the heat of the raging flames, outlining a devilishly graceful silhouette. As the hem of her dress whipped in the wind, it revealed a pair of long, jade-like legs. Her bodice was torn slightly, exposing creamy, alabaster skin that contrasted starkly with the chaotic destruction around her.
In this apocalyptic scene, she looked like a celestial maiden banished from Heaven, yet also like a succubus rising from Hell.
"Now..." The woman’s exquisitely beautiful face bore a smile that was both mocking and heartbreakingly tender.
She ignored the Fire Dragon’s jaws snapping inches from her face. Her beautiful eyes were fixed solely on Xiao Yifeng, who was bound and dragged ever closer.
"Are you willing to fall into the Underworld with me forever? My Demon Lord?"