The village was reduced to ruins along the path, a landscape dotted with bloodshed, slaughter, betrayal, and chilling apathy at the edges of these clan territories. Ye Xiu, holding Shuiyue, moved through the crowd, an absolute anomaly.

"The Sorceress is on the pleasure barge in the Qishui River." Shuiyue pointed toward the river ahead; beyond a cluster of broken trees, water indeed flowed—swift, yet strangely colored, likely a tributary of the Blood Maple River.

Ye Xiu set Shuiyue down at the river's edge. A fishy stench wafted on the wind. He looked up and saw a small pleasure barge on the water. "Has this Sorceress always lived on the water?"

Shuiyue nodded. "The Sorceress has an odd temper but is generous. My face was ruined by an enemy; it was thanks to her disguise that I can be seen now. Without her, I would surely be dead."

"Disguise?" Ye Xiu focused on Shuiyue's face. Her features were exquisite, but when brought together, they formed a familiar visage: the Myriad Demon Empress. "Have you ever seen the Sorceress's true appearance?"

Shuiyue pointed to the white barge. "There is always a pure white curtain blocking the view on the barge. Many come here to seek the Sorceress's counsel, but no one has ever entered behind that curtain. The barge isn't docked today, so if you have a question, you must cross the Qishui River yourself."

Ye Xiu looked at the river. The water usually surged with the wind, but around the barge, the water seemed perfectly still. Did that spot exist independently of the rest of the river? The Sorceress's cultivation must be profound. "If that is the case, you wait here. I will go ask the Sorceress."

As the words left his mouth, Ye Xiu activated the Soul of a Hundred Insects. His body moved lightly, skimming the water like a dragonfly landing on a lotus, when suddenly a wave rose, and a streak of blade light shot out from the barge.

"A swordsman?" Ye Xiu drew his Tianmiao Sword and blocked the attack, sending countless sprays of water into the air. Without pause, he used the water's surface to leap onto the pure white barge. "I didn't expect this barge to be so luxurious. The Sorceress truly enjoys the comforts of the mortal world."

Inside the barge, the pure white curtain floated in the breeze, revealing the faint outline of a graceful woman. She wore a veil, hiding her features completely. "On the Qishui River, we discuss neither sentimentality, nor life and death, nor nonsense. You have three chances."

Ye Xiu was stunned by her voice. He had intended to move past the curtain to investigate, but an invisible force held him back—a power he knew he could not easily overcome. "I am Ye Xiu, here to ask the Sorceress a few questions."

"You wish to know the direction of Aragu City?" The Sorceress smiled thinly, without ceremony. "Disappointing you. I do not know the answer to such a question, nor do I need to answer it."

Ye Xiu had intended to ask exactly that, but the Sorceress cut him off. He pivoted, driven by curiosity. "The Lady Shuiyue on the shore resembles a friend of mine. Does the Sorceress perhaps know her?"

"Those who hold someone dear will find aspects of that person reflected in people across the world—a similar personality, a familiar habit. This hardly qualifies as a question." The Sorceress shifted slightly, like a dancer. "One question remains."

Ye Xiu lowered his posture, still unable to see the Sorceress's face clearly. "Shuiyue said the Sorceress knows everything. I want to know where my friend, Old Liu, is."

"Omniscience does not extend to such trivialities." The Sorceress’s voice was languid, heavy with sleep. "The person you seek is currently in the Sumeru Realm. I only know that if you do not go soon, he might lose his life!"

"What?" Ye Xiu hesitated to trust the Sorceress’s words. It was an illogical premise, a mysterious woman's claim. Could Old Liu truly be in danger? He wavered, but at that moment, a gust of wind swept across the Qishui River, causing the entire barge to drift inward. Unable to advance, he leaped back to the riverbank. "Sorceress... Sorceress..."

Shuiyue watched the bizarre scene unfold. She walked to Ye Xiu's side and whispered, "Ye Xiu, what did the Sorceress tell you?"

Ye Xiu suspected the Sorceress’s identity, but the pure white barge was already carried away by the wind, vanishing from sight. "What is the Sumeru Realm? I must go verify what this woman said."

"It is regrettable that I know nothing of the world beyond the Qishui River. I cannot help you." Shuiyue looked apologetic toward Ye Xiu, but her very appearance stirred a mixture of love and hatred within him.

Ye Xiu bid farewell to the woman and began his journey alone. The ways to find information were simple: either with money or with force. For a man like Ye Xiu, the latter was often preferred, as the intelligence gained through coercion tended to be more reliable.

Mount Sumeru was the most peripheral region of the Netherworld. If the entire Netherworld were conceived as a massive bowl, Sumeru Mountain would be a corner along the rim. Legend held that this was the nexus connecting the Mortal Realm and the Netherworld—the location of the Crimson Cliff Graveyard.

Ye Xiu could not recall how he landed in the Corpse Demon Forest, far from this place. The only explanation was that the strange cloud ring had transported him and Old Liu to different locations. Mount Sumeru was perpetually snow-covered; even at the foot of the mountain, the cold was unbearable.

"Swish, swish..." Several travelers landed on the snow with rhythmic thuds. They resembled beasts, moving swiftly. One of them complained frequently to those around him. "What kind of entity is slaying the World-King? Elder Beast actually sent us here to assist that old fool, the Sovereign of Infinity, in intercepting foreign enemies."

"The blizzard on Mount Sumeru is already a natural chasm; did the Lord of the Demon Realm enter with an army?" The creatures mumbled amongst themselves as they passed Ye Xiu, casting scornful glances his way. "Look at this fellow, some unfortunate soul from an unknown sect, all alone here."

Hearing the name 'World-King,' Ye Xiu felt a jolt. He sped up to match their pace, attempting to glean information. "Are you also..."

"Who else would come to this frigid land if not for the Netherworld Frontline Alliance?" The fierce beast snarled at Ye Xiu, exhaling cold air. "Look at you, skinny as you are; never mind seeing a Demon Realm army, this ice and snow could swallow you whole."

Ye Xiu deliberately slowed down, falling to the rear. The Sovereign of Infinity they mentioned must be the Master of Myriad Paths Mountain, whom the masked man had mentioned. If so, the Netherworld's response to the World-King's incursion was swift. This area was a gathering point for various clans and individuals; perhaps he could find Old Liu here.

"Whoosh..." Suddenly, the snowstorm intensified, and a clamor echoed from the heavens. He looked up to see dozens of Taoists gliding through the sky on variously colored talismans. The leader held a blue book, and his feet rested upon actual white clouds. "I can't believe I arrived at this timing. These fellows are gathered at Mount Sumeru specifically to await the World-King's entry."

"Ye Xiu!" A voice suddenly rang across the clouds. A figure descended on a sword and tackled Ye Xiu into the snow. The figure wore a Taoist robe but was disheveled, looking like a mischievous young acolyte. As soon as he landed, he hugged Ye Xiu and patted him relentlessly. "Damn it, I thought you were dead! I never expected us to meet here!"

Ye Xiu felt dizzy from the impact. He finally scrambled to his feet and pushed the man away, only to see the accursed Old Liu. He took a deep breath, intending to speak, but found himself momentarily speechless.

"Hahahaha, what's wrong, you look stunned?" Old Liu exhaled warm breath and circled Ye Xiu several times. After confirming his brother was unharmed, he clapped him on the shoulder. "Long time no see, brother. How have you been?"

"Ha... Hooo..." Ye Xiu managed a smile and blew warm air toward Old Liu's head. Separated for so long in the Netherworld, they finally understood the preciousness of reunion. "It's a long story. How have you been getting by all this time?"

Old Liu pointed toward the departing group of Taoists and explained to Ye Xiu, "When we broke through the Crimson Cliff Graveyard and entered the Netherworld, we must have hit some kind of hurricane. That thing sent me down to the base of Myriad Paths Mountain. When I woke up, you weren't there, and I was rescued back to the mountain. What about you?"

"Myriad Paths Mountain is a major sect, after all. I was swept into the Corpse Demon Forest. There are many stories here; it's too much to tell in a few words." The physical and mental hardships Ye Xiu endured could not be summarized easily. "The World-King has issued a proclamation of submission to the Netherworld. I heard your group is here at Mount Sumeru to resist him."

"Forget resisting; I'm just here to watch the show." Old Liu hadn't changed, still timid and opportunistic. "I have witnessed the World-King's power, especially since our old rival is helping him this time."

Ye Xiu grew curious and pulled Old Liu along as they headed up the mountain. "Our old rival? I only know I ran into the Birdman here; he's certainly an old friend of ours."

"That guy from the Dark Death God lineage!" Old Liu stated confidently. "Remember Dao Wandeng, who guarded the Crimson Cliff Heavenly Tome? He was injured by the King of the Death Kingdom, Zhou. He's right ahead of our group. This time, the Netherworld has gathered major forces to oppose the World-King and the Death God. The outcome is uncertain, but I'm rooting for the World-King!"

Ye Xiu rolled his eyes at Old Liu; that was clearly undermining their own side while boosting the enemy. But then again, the state of the Netherworld had nothing to do with him. "If that's the case, why did you even come? How have things been? Did you learn any skills at the orthodox Myriad Paths Mountain?"

"Orthodox Myriad Paths Mountain? I realized when I got there that it’s filled entirely with curse-based exotic arts." Old Liu sounded annoyed. "Look at those guys—they all use talismans, brushes, and books. It turns out the Sword lineage of the Ancient Strange Arts remained in the Mortal Realm. Because the factions are different, the cultivation levels in the Spirit Realm cannot be consistent. I only managed to learn some superficial tricks and steal a few magic treasures. How about you?"

Ye Xiu spread his hands, deliberately trying to provoke Old Liu. "Should I tell you that I am already the Hall Master of the Demon Insect Sect, a honored guest of the Demon Fox Palace, and one of the Three Sovereigns of Aragu City?"

"Scram! Are you trying to fool me?" Old Liu knew Ye Xiu wasn't one to lie to him, but holding such titles suggested Ye Xiu had undergone far more experiences. For a calm, self-assured, and upright Death God to achieve this, one could only conclude that circumstances forge the man.

"Thunder Curse!" At that moment, thunder boomed from the heavens, and a bolt of lightning shot down, aiming directly for Ye Xiu. Ye Xiu activated the Soul of a Hundred Insects and glided across the ice, easily dodging the strike.

"Dao Wandeng, is that you again!" Old Liu was practically a member of the Myriad Paths Mountain faction, but given his bond with Ye Xiu, he would surely stand with him. "Why aren't you accompanying the Sovereign of Infinity? What are you doing here!"

Down feathers floated from Dao Wandeng's robe. His unbound hair was neat, and the 'Eye-Dotting Brush' in his hand spun constantly. "It has been many days, yet I am surprised the Death God's abilities have improved so much!"