…… …… In the abyssal trench, a profound, cerulean radiance settled like a vast, inverted dome, sealing off the surrounding seawater across several li. At the center of this enclosed space, within a sunken pit, a colossal sword hovered, its exquisite, densely packed runes the source of the azure light.

This, precisely, was the threshold to the Underworld—the entrance to the Fallen Abyss. “Hum!” Suddenly, the massive sword, slowly revolving in the churning black miasma of the pit, gave a slight tremor, unleashing a resonant hum akin to a clap of thunder.

Following this blade’s cry, a dazzling spear of sapphire luminescence pierced the sword’s body and shot out like a meteor, streaking rapidly upward. In an instant, that blue beam sliced through the gloomy trench, breached the ocean surface, and illuminated the night sky across more than ten li in a brilliant wash of light.

“Whoosh!” Just then, a small, spherical violet shadow spiraled upward along the blue glow emanating from the sword. Upon bursting free of the pit, the speed of the violet shadow abruptly doubled, instantly escaping the perimeter of the blue light’s embrace.

It shot outward, tumbling roughly a hundred meters from the pit, rolling a few more times before settling. A moment later, the violet shadow unfurled rapidly, like a proud blossom in full bloom.

In a mere second or two, the shadow resolved into the form of the “Violet Illusion Spirit Incense,” and Nie Kong’s figure emerged from the tightly interwoven roots, stems, and leaves. “Grandma, I’m finally back!” Qing Yue burst from the beast-token tied at Nie Kong’s waist, hopping and skipping excitedly on his chest, her little face flushed with exhilaration.

Splash! Qing You poked its head out of Nie Kong’s chest, snuck over to the nearby ground, and, mimicking Nie Kong, stretched out flat on its back, limbs splayed wide.

“Aiya ya?” With a flash of purple light, Xiang Xiang also drifted out of the Spiritual Aperture. After looking around briefly with her tiny flower bud, she was grasped by a leaf and pulled over by Qing Yue.

They both landed on Qing You’s belly but were gently bounced off by him. The three little ones quickly became absorbed in their joyous play.

“I’m finally out!” Hearing the commotion beside him, Nie Kong closed his eyes and sighed in relief, too weary to even twitch a finger. Outside the God-Extinguishing Cave, Zhan Xinzi, Pill King Mo Huang, and two others were in a tense standoff with Bai Lian.

Before approaching Great Yama Spirit Venerable, Nie Kong had meticulously planned everything—the exact direction of his steps, the gaze of his eyes when speaking, even the precise pressure applied when his claws landed on Great Yama Spirit Venerable’s chest… Events unfolded exactly as Nie Kong had foreseen; in a flash, the infuriated Great Yama Spirit Venerable sent him hurtling into the God-Extinguishing Cave with a single palm strike. However, what Nie Kong had not anticipated was that in just four days, Great Yama Spirit Venerable’s power had already recovered to the Spirit Venerable realm.

At the moment Nie Kong grasped Great Yama Spirit Venerable’s vital and private areas, he unleashed both the "Crimson Star Battle Form" and the "Life Barrier." Although the lingjue of the Crimson Star race was only cultivated to the third level, it made Nie Kong’s body incredibly resilient. Under these conditions, employing the "Life Barrier" instantly multiplied his Crimson Star Battle Form’s resistance by four times, making him exceptionally formidable.

Yet, after that single palm strike from Great Yama Spirit Venerable, Nie Kong’s body nearly collapsed, and the little creature’s core medicinal power was almost completely depleted. Fortunately, Nie Kong managed to endure, and at the very instant the sword energy of that massive blade was agitated, he successfully released his Second Incarnation.

About a minute later, Nie Kong’s main body successfully returned to the Abyss entrance, while his Second Incarnation was shredded into motes of dust by the terrifying sword energy. Recalling the scene, Nie Kong still felt a lingering dread.

If Great Yama Spirit Venerable’s power had recovered even slightly more, his body, even if it hadn't disintegrated, would have been gravely wounded. Entering the God-Extinguishing Cave while unconscious, or conscious but immobilized, he likely wouldn't have even had a chance to release his Second Incarnation before being annihilated by that sword beam.

“The ‘Glancing Back Grass’ that was almost within reach is gone again. Great Yama Spirit Venerable must be driven mad,” Nie Kong mused, a faint smile touching his lips.

He was curious whether Great Yama Spirit Venerable and Zhan Xinzi’s group would retreat after his disappearance or engage in a full-scale battle. The latter seemed more likely, as Great Yama Spirit Venerable would surely vent her rage upon Zhan Xinzi and the others.

Nie Kong wasn't overly concerned about the safety of Zhan Xinzi’s group. With four Spirit Venerables against Great Yama Spirit Venerable and Bai Lian, even if they couldn't win, they would struggle to be killed.

Of course, if Great Yama Spirit Venerable could recover to her former peak strength, that would be another matter entirely, but that was not easily accomplished. This was because Great Yama Spirit Venerable’s Glancing Back Grass incarnation was not currently in her possession.

Having labored for millennia striving for the Grand Venerable realm, even though Nie Kong had brought the Grass out of the Underworld, she could not bring herself to sever the vital connection between her main body and the avatar. Great Yama Spirit Venerable would never abandon her incarnation!

As this thought crossed his mind, Nie Kong jolted, an idea suddenly surfacing: “If Great Yama Spirit Venerable and Zhan Xinzi’s faction cannot gain the upper hand over each other, perhaps Great Yama Spirit Venerable, in her haste to reclaim her incarnation, might cooperate with Zhan Xinzi and the others to shatter the Underworld’s seal, opening a passage between the Underworld and the Heavenly Spirit Continent!” If it were only Great Yama Spirit Venerable, perhaps she couldn't manage it, but the number of Spirit Venerables in the Underworld had now reached six, not to mention ancient Star Gods like Chi Lian and Pan Hu who hadn't truly perished. “If they manage to figure out a way to lift the seal, I’ll be in deep trouble!” Nie Kong felt an involuntary surge of urgency.

He had assumed that by leaving the Underworld, he would be free from Great Yama Spirit Venerable’s threat, but only now did he realize that her danger had not receded; instead, it had intensified. Outside the God-Extinguishing Cave, Great Yama Spirit Venerable had merely contemplated imprisoning him in the Spirit Venerable Hall.

But if she broke the seal and arrived on the Heavenly Spirit Continent, she would likely seek his immediate death upon meeting him. Facing her then, Nie Kong might not even have the power to resist.

Unless, before Great Yama Spirit Venerable reached the Heavenly Spirit Continent, Nie Kong could ascend to the Spirit God realm himself. He might find sanctuary under Wood Ancestor, but that would be no long-term solution.

“Spirit God…” Muttering those two words inwardly, Nie Kong suppressed the body-shattering pain, gritted his teeth, and sat up. With a thought, herbs and Nether Pills rained down beside him.

The little creature had consumed too much core medicinal power while casting the "Life Barrier"; replenishment was urgent. “Aiya ya!” The little creature instantly became excited.

Its roots trembled, shaking off Qing Yue, and it hopped into the midst of the medicine vials. It opened the stoppers with its spiritual apertures, hooking out a Nether Pill and absorbing its medicinal and fundamental power with the speed of a whirlwind, vanishing in the blink of an eye.

In moments, the dozens of Nether Pills had been sucked dry by the little one, leaving behind only piles of powder. After observing for a short while, Nie Kong also settled into a cross-legged position and quietly began circulating the “Yin-Yang Spirit Devouring Art”...

…… ……RO