Beyond the Aurora Calamity Boat, Zong Shou stood suspended in the void, utterly still. This locale was deep within a boundary river of the void, yet within less than a breath's evasion speed, one could witness endless bursts of spiritual energy exploding outwards.

Innumerable particles of fine dust were ceaselessly scoured and churned, burning and incinerating at extreme velocity, radiating astonishing thermal energy. The harshness of this environment was almost comparable to that of the Illusory Sea.

Zong Shou’s expression was exceedingly grim. Even after hearing Lu Wubing describe this place in detail before they arrived, only upon physically reaching this domain did he realize the malignancy of the Nine Absolute Death Prison far surpassed his imagination.

This was merely the outermost perimeter of the Nine Absolute Death Prison; they had not yet truly entered the death realm itself. He could not fathom the conditions within that prison world.

The moment he considered that his own mother had lived in such a place for over twenty years, shame washed over him—shame as a son— and he wondered what the Father had endured, day and night, for these two decades. He could only imagine a heart wracked with pain, finding no peace for sleep.

Yet, he made no haste to enter. Instead, a speck of blue light detached and hovered before him.

It was a liquid no larger than a speck of dust, yet it contained astonishing spiritual essence. He had utilized seven drops of the Heaven-Seizing Restoration Liquid back then, but Zong Shou had managed to secretly skim off a minuscule portion.

However, for the sole purpose of gathering the remnant soul of Lu Zi, this amount was more than sufficient. And the object used for the soul summoning were several magical artifacts Lu Zi carried at the time.

As Zong Shou’s magic power surged, he subtly delineated a spirit array in the void using his soul sense, and a fragmented spiritual body gradually coalesced before him. It was precisely Lu Zi’s former appearance, her expression blank, staring coldly at Zong Shou, seeming to recognize the one who had slain her.

Zong Shou saw no need for conversation; he formed another hand seal and chanted an esoteric verse. Instantly, a colossal Nether Gate boomed into existence before him.

He commanded the Way of Life and Death; communicating with the Underworld was an effortless matter. However, as wisps of nether soul power reached out, firmly locking onto Lu Zi’s nascent soul and dragging it toward the Nether Gate, fine beads of sweat appeared on Zong Shou’s brow.

Sending this woman into the Netherworld was easy; the difficulty lay in how to protect her through safe reincarnation. After all, a damaged spirit made reincarnation far more challenging than for an ordinary person's nascent soul.

Just as he felt he could barely sustain the effort, Lin Xuan Shuang’s mocking laughter echoed from beside him: “Overestimating your abilities! With your current cultivation, you dare attempt to control the path of life and death reincarnation?

Are you not afraid the backlash will consume you entirely? But who is this woman that she is worth wasting that bit of Heaven-Seizing Restoration Liquid on?

You should have given it all to me in the first place?” Her words were utterly abrasive, yet that potent will extended outward nonetheless. In an instant, the cycle of reincarnation was transformed, and the Nether Gate snapped shut.

Zong Shou rolled his eyes internally, thinking, I would say that I did this precisely because I knew you wouldn't stand by and watch. Before he could speak, Lu Wubing beside him offered an explanation: “This is the last wish of Lu Wushuang, my former sovereign, who fell beneath the Lord’s sword.

The Lord, being benevolent and kind-hearted, feels immensely indebted and speaks thanks on behalf of the former sovereign, Lu Wushuang.” Zong Shou gently shook his head. Benevolent and kind-hearted?

He, Zong Shou, was no saint. It had been a rare moment of pity, moved by the profound affection of Lu Wushuang.

He had regretted it afterward, but Zong Shou was a man who kept his word. Since he had spoken the promise, he was bound to fulfill it.

This journey was fraught with unknown peril and uncertainty; he didn't know if he would ever have another chance to fulfill this vow. By leveraging Lin Xuan Shuang’s aid, he carried it out prematurely.

Before coming from the Cloud Realm, he had told Kong Yao and Xuanyuan Yiren the same thing. If he did not return, they were to withdraw from the Cloud Realm as soon as possible and seek refuge under Master Long Ying.

This time, he was essentially prepared to die; even if he perished, he had to venture in and see what lay beyond! “Are all places within the Nine Absolute Death Prison like this?” “No!

This is a restriction set up by the Lu family. The death prison is perpetually assaulted by Yin power; it fears Yang fire the most.” Just as Zong Shou’s mind relaxed, Lu Wubing added, “However, the inside is not much better.

Here, one can die quickly; inside, it is slow flaying and dismemberment, a thousand cuts, gnawing at the bone and sucking the marrow—” Zong Shou’s expression instantly turned ashen, and Jing Yin could not help but close her eyes and chant a Buddhist invocation. “If that is truly the case, then I must see it even more.” In but a moment, Zong Shou regained his composure and bowed to Lin Xuan Shuang.

“Everything is entrusted to you, Master!” “Only now do you think to ask my help?” Lin Xuan Shuang chuckled, though her expression gradually sobered. “But you must think clearly!

Ten thousand years ago, I too entered the death prison with my husband, and Lu Wubing’s words are entirely true. Furthermore, if our luck turns poor this time and we startle those supreme realm elders of the Lu family, even I, your Master, cannot save you.” Lu Wubing, however, shook his head.

“Absolutely not. To those several elders guarding the hell gates for the Lu family, it is better to have one less complication than more.

Even if they harbor doubts, they will not rashly report it, but will wait until everything is investigated. Whether they handle it privately or request aid from the Holy Venerable, involving the Holy Venerable and seeking instruction from the Celestial Court would only make those elders appear incompetent.

What I fear is the moment of escaping the death prison.” Lin Xuan Shuang gazed fixedly at Lu Wubing for a moment, then nodded. “That makes considerable sense!

As for the matter of escape, you need not worry about that. Be cautious in everything; I am still waiting to hear the impressions of this woman when her past life wisdom awakens!

Whether she descends into madness or accepts her fate, it is truly something to anticipate—” Having spoken, she gave a soft laugh and led Jing Yin away toward the distant Aurora Calamity Boat. Jing Yin could do nothing but hastily salute Zong Shou and earnestly intone, “May the Buddhas of all heavens protect the future Buddha’s safe return.” After saying this, she felt it was amiss.

The future Buddha was not only a Buddha, but also the Lord of the Buddhas; it should have been he who protected the Buddhist path. Zong Shou smiled faintly, then no longer hesitated.

Together with Lu Wubing, he transformed into a streak of light and plunged directly into the raging fire and dust formation. The churning fire and dust scattered, becoming denser and denser.

Where the two passed, they left behind a cluster of dazzling, piercing red light-shadows. Just as the resistance increased, dozens of sword shadows whirled up around Zong Shou.

The Ten Absolute Dao-Guarding Extinction Sword Array was activated, unleashing countless sword glints that struck in all directions, greatly increasing the speed of their evasion, causing them to dart forward rapidly. Just as more fire and dust gathered, Lu Wubing’s brow suddenly lifted, a look of joy appearing.

“My Lord, it is here!” With a clap of his hand, a rift appeared before the two of them. Zong Shou immediately smiled and, without hesitation, plunged into it.

A moment later, they reappeared in another space thick with fire and dust. This single transit through a spatio-temporal rift saved them three breaths of time, preventing them from becoming entangled with the great formation.

What Lu Wubing specialized in was the True Method of the Rift; his skill in this area surpassed even Zong Shou’s. Looking ahead again, the barrier of the death prison was already within reach.

However, the next segment was the most perilous and difficult phase.