"Then it's my turn!" As he spoke, Ye Xiu raised one hand, and instantly a colossal black dragon coiled itself around his arm. The dragon's hide exuded a bloody aura, signaling that the Nether Blood within Ye Xiu was taking effect. At this moment, the black flame, supercharged by the stench of Nether Blood, became overwhelmingly powerful and unstoppable.

"Rumble." After a violent tremor, the Ming Luo Sheng before them vanished like an illusion, blood seeping from his seven orifices. His lips twitched slightly, leaving behind a final utterance: "Body of the Different Born, we will meet again. I still wish to see what becomes of you, who carries the bloodline inheritance of the Death Realm, the Netherworld, and Kṣitigarbha. You people of this mortal realm probably cannot guard it. Hahahaha!"

"Damn it, he got away!" Old Liu only saw a streak of crimson flash past. Ming Luo Sheng disappeared entirely from the realm along with the blood-red, dazzling blade. He gasped, looking at the devastation all around. "Ye Xiu, has your power increased again? Your black flame seems to have acquired a touch of bright red. Is that Soul Energy?"

After unleashing such a move, Ye Xiu deflated like a pricked balloon. He collapsed onto the ground, panting heavily. "I don't know why, but after absorbing so much Nether Blood, I feel bloated, much like when I previously absorbed the Strength Soul and Speed Soul."

At this moment, wisps of faint purple mist drifted from the Jade Ring. Su Su used her spiritual energy to heal Ye Xiu. "Master, there truly is something inexplicable inside you. It’s not Soul Energy, yet it amplifies your black flame just as Soul Energy would. I truly do not know what it is."

"Hmph, why must you always appear at such critical moments, never earlier or later," Ye Xiu said, looking at the stunning Su Su without much reprimand. "By your analysis, has my strength advanced?"

"It has indeed reached the advanced stage of the Blood Artifact realm. However, there seems to be something inside you integrating this power. It’s truly hard to pinpoint," Su Su replied, looking troubled. She gently stroked the wounds on Ye Xiu’s body, her expression filled with concern.

Old Liu paid them no mind and rushed straight toward the fallen Birdman. "Hey, Birdman! Are you dead yet?"

"Not that easily. What a pity about Chang Kong..." The Birdman painfully struggled into a sitting position. Opposite him, only shreds of Chang Kong’s clothes remained. He began to mourn the process of getting to know this disciple of the Buddhist village, a wave of sadness washing over him. "I never imagined today would uncover so many deep roots. You two are deeply involved now; there is no turning back."

"Those who cultivate Buddhism speak of destiny. Did Chang Kong believe from the start that meeting me was predestined?" Ye Xiu was somewhat hazy about Chang Kong's death, but he knew the sacrifice of this tough man deserved respect. "There's no need to grieve. At least I have gained a further understanding of my own body, and the relationship between the Death Realm and the Netherworld is about to surface."

"It's just a shame your Death Scythe is broken." Old Liu finally sat down next to the Birdman, spreading his hands. "Those who should die and those who shouldn't have died. What do we do next? You two tell me..."

Ye Xiu shook his head helplessly. "Remember, Ming Luo Sheng mentioned someone named Yama. This fellow can repair the Death Scythe, but who knows where he might be."

"The Imperial Slash from the 'Slaughtering the World' is indeed a peerless treasure blade; it could easily cut through the Netherworld’s Yuantu," the Birdman worried. "From now on, this mortal realm probably won't be so peaceful. 'Slaughtering the World' must be returning to the Demon Realm now to recreate Jidu. When his power is fully realized, the demon armies will pour out, and war will face the mortal realm."

Old Liu, uncharacteristically, sighed as well. "Alas, as a faction of the mortal realm, this war will likely be unavoidable for you and me. But Ming Luo Sheng is cautious and cunning; who knows what moves the Netherworld will make next."

"And the threat of the Dark Death Gods!" Ye Xiu gritted his teeth. There must be a conspiracy from the Death God lineage behind Shun Yi. He had only been curious about the history of the Death Gods, but who would have known he would be dragged into such a catastrophe without realizing it? "No way to avoid it, no place to flee. You and I have no choice but to brace ourselves and charge in!"

"Bright Moon Crystal Wheels, appear!" Just then, a woman's figure flashed past the main entrance. Following a gentle voice, two light-blue trajectories struck toward Ye Xiu from both sides.

"Hmph, you think such speed can hit me?" Ye Xiu remained motionless, merely raising his hands to tightly grasp the two ring-shaped bladed weapons. He looked closely: the inner side of the wheels was blue, while the outer edge was sharp steel. Engraved upon the circular structure were the characters for a Nine-Headed Long Serpent—exquisitely crafted.

"Who are you!" Old Liu watched the newcomer with extreme vigilance, though he could tell from the force with which the woman threw the twin wheels that she didn't intend to injure them.

"Ye Xiu, are you surprised to see me here?" The woman then stood before them, clad in a tight yellow skirt. Her hair was still a mass of flowing, voluminous waves. Her sexy leather top clung to her figure, highlighting every curve. She had delicate features, slightly thick lips that curved upward slightly, and around her neck hung a particularly conspicuous long-bladed necklace. This woman was none other than Mei Yi!

"Mei Yi, why are you here? You..." Ye Xiu instantly sprang up, mouth agape. He couldn't believe that Mei Yi, whom he had always known as ordinary, a mere mortal, would appear in the Daoist domain of the Five-Pointed Buddhist Burial Mound. "How can this be? What is happening?"

"Oh, it seems your old flame isn't much better," Old Liu said, feeling utterly drained; even seeing the scantily clad beauty brought no trace of his usual teasing nature.

"Never underestimate anyone beside you. Your identity is a Death God; your duty is simply to reap the ordinary lives of mortals in the mortal realm according to your rules. Of course, this includes my father in the mortal world," Mei Yi replied without much sorrow; she was accustomed to life and death. "I came to Jiuhua Mountain only to trace the ruins of the Sea of Blood, seeking the whereabouts of Yama, the foremost Blacksmith of the Netherworld."

"Blacksmith Yama?" Ye Xiu’s nerves tightened upon hearing this, and he pressed, "Mei Yi, what is your identity?"

"The Dao of Sealing and Controlling the Universe Alliance. A cultivator who once followed the Great Vow of Kṣitigarbha into Jidu to foil the plot of the Tyrant Slaughtering the World." As Mei Yi finished speaking, she waved a hand, and the two crystal wheels flew back to her side like obedient pets, rocking back and forth. "Back then, when Kṣitigarbha’s Great Vow shattered Slaughtering the World, besides relying on his own divine power, he also depended on a divine weapon forged by Yama, the foremost Blacksmith of the Netherworld. And Yama, the foremost Blacksmith of the Netherworld, is the founder of my Dao of Sealing and Controlling the Universe Alliance."