Three figures, all clad in pitch-black armor. The one on the left was immensely broad and powerfully built, standing a full three or four zhang tall, his skin the color of aged bronze, every muscle bulging beneath the surface. His face, scarred deeply by a diagonal slash, radiated a fierce and savage aura. The figure on the right was a tall, seductive woman, draped in scant, wild, and revealing black leather armor that covered only a few essential areas. Her legs were long and pale, her waist slender as a water snake, and her exposed chest was voluptuous and firm. Her charming, mature features were offset by a beauty mark near the corner of her mouth, and her eyes, seeming to smile yet simultaneously brimming with savage disdain, lent her an untamed, arrogant sexuality.

In the center, clearly the leader, was an extreme contrast: a figure barely three chi tall, resembling a dwarf or a small child. A large cloak covered his diminutive black armor, obscuring his head entirely, making it impossible to discern his age. Yet, the faint, pervasive danger and crushing pressure emanating from him suggested this short figure was the most perilous of the trio.

These three possessed distinct presences; though their forms varied wildly, a subtle, shifting aura of oppression clung to them, indicating they were no ordinary beings. The tragic scorpion, utterly inexperienced with arrivals from the civilized world, failed to perceive that these three were deliberately restraining their power. It lunged forth, claws snapping, its target squarely the largest, scar-faced brute, for such a massive prey—several zhang high—would offer a satisfying meal.

"Tee-hee, Dana, you’re lucky. The moment we arrive, some foolish little scorpion comes looking for trouble." The woman in leather armor flashed a seductive glance and let out a light, carefree laugh. Her tone clearly betrayed her utter disdain for the giant, ten-plus zhang long scorpion. That Giant Scorpion, at the peak of the Nascent Soul stage, could surely wreak catastrophic havoc if it ventured into Kang Prefecture.

"Hmph. Something that doesn't know when to quit," the scar on the brute's face twitched as he glanced sideways at the giant scorpion before kicking out with one foot. Though they were separated by dozens of zhang, that kick somehow traversed space, landing squarely on the scorpion's head. Pitiable sight—a full-blown, peak Nascent Soul Giant Scorpion had its skull crushed by a single kick from the scarred strongman. After a brief, mournful screech, its demonic infant soul escaped, manifesting as a translucent, meter-long miniature scorpion, which promptly bolted away in a panicked frenzy.

Snap!

With a sharp crack of leather, the leather-clad woman produced a whip seemingly from nowhere. It lashed out like a striking snake, not extending far before coiling around the fleeing demonic infant. The mature soul of the Giant Scorpion struggled violently, but barbs on the whip hooked deep into its very essence, trapping it utterly. Even with an insect's reputed endurance, it couldn't help but squeak in agony.

"Heh heh, little scorpion, if you could escape my Soul-Snatching Whip, then I'd take your surname," the alluring woman laughed wantonly. The more the scorpion soul thrashed in the barbs, the more excited she seemed, tightening her grip, inflicting ever greater pain.

"Mei She, enough. We don't have much time," the mysterious, cloaked figure of only three chi spoke, his voice somewhat hoarse. "Our journey to the Lower Realm involved the Master expending immense resources to forge these three avatars for us; no margin for error is allowed."

"Kou Ning, shorty, stop trying to press me with the Master’s name. I don't fall for that. While you lead this operation, my personal affairs are none of your business," the seductive, beautiful woman called Mei She scoffed discontentedly. Despite her protest, she still extended two serpent-like fangs, smack, swallowing the nearly dead Giant Scorpion soul whole. A look of deep satisfaction crossed her gorgeous, sharp features, followed by a loud burp. "This giant scorpion doesn't look like much, but its infant soul tastes rather good."

Seeing that she complied despite her complaints, the short figure chose not to argue further. In any corner of the world, strength reigns supreme. He knew his own power was only a hair’s breadth above his two companions—a gap too small to enforce absolute submission. He was prepared for his companions' inherent defiance. Blood Child spoke calmly, "Once fed, we proceed. This Gloomy Void is sparsely populated, but we must locate the Hades Relic and retrieve that item as soon as possible. Otherwise, if we delay the Master's plan... none of us will fare well." With that, he flicked his wrist and, without any visible effort, tore through the void, appearing miles away with uncanny suddenness. Space seemed utterly undisturbed, testament to his masterful control over spatial laws.

"Hmph. That dead shorty, that dead pervert. Always bringing up the Master to bully us; sooner or later, he’ll get a taste of his own medicine," Mei She grumbled, seemingly holding a deep grudge against Blood Child. She muttered one last time before dissolving into a wisp of demonic energy, trailing gracefully after the others.

As for Dana, the scarred strongman, he was a man of few words. He simply followed the pair using direct, straightforward flight. The air churned in his wake, causing the very space to tremble subtly. As soon as these three revealed their aura, all manner of beasts along their path scattered in terror, daring not to cross their path again.

Meanwhile, Lei Dong had fallen into the most peculiar state. For years, he had essentially been in a semi-comatose condition. Though his consciousness was hazy, it existed, and in vague glimpses, he could sense various external stimuli. For instance, Evil Phoenix's unswerving devotion and care over the years, continuously channeling Chaotic Spiritual Energy into him for healing—he heard it all.

But it was like being trapped in a dream; no matter how hard Lei Dong tried, he could not fully awaken. This was a bizarre state unlike any he had ever experienced. Ever since approaching this energy barrier, Lei Dong had felt something else—a distinct sensation that something within the barrier was calling to him, and his Chaos Soul Devouring Pagoda was vibrating faintly, suggesting it had encountered something unique.

This was not the first time Lei Dong had experienced such phenomena. In the past, the Chaos Soul Devouring Pagoda always reacted strangely upon encountering related components. However, this current reaction was unprecedentedly violent. Only when Evil Phoenix used an attack formation to forcibly breach the energy barrier and enter this miraculous locale did the Soul Devouring Pagoda truly sense something, shaking wildly and frantically.

Lei Dong also felt intense turbulence within his Nascent Soul. As this occurred, a miracle began to unfold: Lei Dong vaguely felt his consciousness clearing, as if something were constantly beckoning him forward.

Just at this moment, two massive waves of oppressive energy arose, signaling that something within the grand architecture seemed to be awakening. Evil Phoenix, amidst her awe, immediately detected this dangerous shift. Her face changed, and just as she prepared to retreat, she spun around only to find the forcefully breached opening had already healed by nearly half. Escape in the small flying boat was now impossible.

Although Evil Phoenix could easily flee in her small human form—her abilities were sufficient to withstand or evade the Extreme Yin Heavenly Thunder for a short time, likely suffering only minor injuries—the thought of Lei Dong still being on the ship stayed her hand. Biting her lip, she stomped her foot hard, then swiftly flashed into the chamber and snatched Lei Dong up.

As she attempted to flee with him, the external energy shield, seemingly triggered by some stimulus, activated its latent formation. The breach healed at an alarming rate, and even Evil Phoenix's power could no longer force a breakthrough with Lei Dong in tow. A single step, merely a moment too late—Evil Phoenix and Lei Dong were both trapped within the shield. No, and a Soul Transformation stage Netherworld Black Serpent was trapped with them.

In the grand plaza directly before the massive palace, twenty-four colossal bronze statues stood in solemn rows. Each statue towered dozens of zhang high, clad in armor, possessing unique yet incredibly lifelike expressions. The foremost two statues emitted loud, grating sounds, especially around the joints, as if they were beginning to move.

Suddenly, the massive eyes of these two titan-like statues, each scores of zhang tall, snapped open, revealing terrifying, sharp light. Having slept for an unknown eternity, they were instantly resurrected.

Thump-thump—

The two awakened statues pushed off with their giant legs, rising like twin mountains, tearing through the air as they swooped with precision and uncanny accuracy toward Evil Phoenix.

With her formidable divine sense, Evil Phoenix could not fail to perceive such an abnormal event. She immediately summoned her Twelve Black Phoenix Banners, which began to circle her protectively, accompanied by a sharp shout: "Black Serpent, revert to your true form and prepare for battle!"

This Netherworld Black Serpent had dwelled in this Gloomy Void for many years and was accustomed to fighting in its true form; adopting human shape would cripple more than half its combat effectiveness. This was the reason for Evil Phoenix's command. Though she didn't know what these two awakened entities were, she could clearly sense that they were exceptionally powerful.

In truth, it was so. What powerful being would set up such an elaborate arrangement only to guard this massive palace with mere trash-level beasts?