Upon closer consideration, the scenario Lu Jueyan described, one that even he, a Saint Venerable of the Supreme Realm, could not easily manage, could only involve other Supreme Realm experts intervening to rescue Zong Shou from the Nine Death Prison.

Given the innate talent this youth has displayed, backed by the potential support of a Supreme Realm cultivator on the outside, this was not an impossible turn of events.

But even if he were to bear the responsibility for improper handling then, so what?

Glancing over the many positions within the Lu family, there was no posting worse than the Nine Death Prison.

Could they possibly cast him, Lu Tianqing, into the ninth and final layer of the Death Prison, the section specifically reserved for restraining Saint Realm cultivators?

As for Zong Shou, collusion with an outside enemy alone was sufficient grounds to ensure this boy could never return to the Lu family.

That old case from years past would absolutely see no reversal.

Having had his authority publicly slighted, this Jueyan Saint Venerable, and indeed the entire Lu family, could not possibly offer no reaction.

Furthermore, in this world, the number of individuals capable of definitively surpassing Jueyan and who would not fear offending the Lu family could be counted on one's fingers.

"Is that so? Then you must remember these words—"

The corner of Lu Jueyan's lip twitched; he seemed disinclined to continue this discussion with Lu Tianqing on the matter.

His gaze dropped, piercing through the void, settling upon the armored figure standing outside the gate of the Nether Prison Abyss and the surrounding storm in the eighth layer.

This person accompanied Zong Shou and, barring surprise, must be his subordinate.

An Immortal Rank peak expert, one foot already crossed into the Saint Realm. For some unknown reason, this individual held his attention significantly.

"Why does this person's aura feel somewhat familiar?"

After a brief moment of contemplation, Lu Jueyan understood the reason. A smile then touched his lips: "So it is him! This child. He managed to escape the bitter sea only to run right back. What is the purpose of this struggle? It seems his obsession runs deep—"

Lu Tianqing started slightly, then quickly processed the implication. A faint shadow crossed his eyes, swiftly replaced by contemplation: "It must be Lu Wubing! This boy was exiled by the Lord of Xuanye, following Lu Wushuang, yet now he stands beside Zong Shou. Could he have switched allegiance? I heard he was pursuing enemies alongside Lu Wushuang, but Lu Wushuang unfortunately perished at the hands of Buddhist sects. Lu Wubing's whereabouts then became unknown. By all rights, he should be dead—"

At this point, suspicion began to creep into his expression.

Lu Wubing was not dead, and instead had sworn fealty to Zong Shou. This then raised the question: was Lu Wushuang's death connected to Zong Shou?

He then let out a soft laugh. He was being overly troubled; whether there was a connection or not truly didn't matter.

What mattered was the consensus reached by the Lords and Elders within the Holy Court.

Slaughtering a direct lineage kinsman—that was another charge waiting to be levied.

"Lu Wushuang is dead? What a pity!"

Jueyan sighed mournfully, as if he hadn't quite grasped the implication hidden in Lu Tianqing's words.

"When I first saw that young man, I held him in high regard. Rising to that level from a collateral branch was truly no small feat."

"Indeed, a regrettable loss! I heard that after Lu Wushuang's death, the Lord of Xuanye entered solitary confinement for ten days and nights."

Lu Tianqing nodded slightly, his gaze fixed on the man beside the Nether Prison Abyss Gate like a viper's.

Killing intent surged within his eyes, yet he quickly suppressed it. Exterminating him now would grant him a swift death. It would be better to let this boy endure every torment within the Spirit Sea Death Prison.

The situation now was different from decades past; Lu Wubing's cultivation was sufficient now, allowing him to withstand the torments of the Spirit Sea Death Prison for a considerable time.

With that thought, Lu Tianqing dismissed the matter and turned back: "Saint Venerable, your junior is concerned about one other matter. Now that Zong Shou has entered the eighth layer of the Death Prison, should we move Lu Hanyan elsewhere?"

"Move her elsewhere?"

Lu Jueyan turned, casting a deep look at the red-robed elder behind him, then shook his head dismissively: "Hanyan has not seen her son since she gave birth. Moving her now would be somewhat inhumane; there is no need for such a measure—"

"Saint Venerable! Your junior merely worries about variables or unforeseen incidents. Lu Hanyan is, after all, that person's granddaughter, a descendant of Yan Yuan Saint Venerable. One cannot be certain she won't use some means to aid this boy in escaping."

Just as Lu Tianqing was about to press further, he saw Lu Jueyan wave his hand again, his tone leaving no room for debate: "There is no need for worry! I am counting on this boy to venture into the ninth layer of the Death Prison next. I will handle this matter myself—"

Hearing this, Lu Tianqing was instantly reassured, yet a fresh wave of confusion washed over him. Judging by Jueyan's words, he seemed surprisingly interested in, and greatly anticipating, Zong Shou's performance.

Has he been lonely for too long across ten thousand years? Has he found a new toy he is unwilling to let go of immediately?

Watching Lu Jueyan's retreating back with mingled apprehension and wonder, he heard the latter speak with renewed enthusiasm: "Who is guarding the entrance to the ninth layer now? And what about that Formless Shadow Demon? This boy's potential is limitless; he is but a single step away from the mid-stage of the Sword Intent Soul Realm. That Shadow Demon likely cannot hold him for long—"

As he spoke, he split the void and stepped inside.

Lu Tianqing raised an eyebrow. Having guarded the Death Prison for so long, this was the first time he had witnessed Lu Jueyan exhibit such excitement...

Upon entering the eighth layer, Zong Shou immediately felt the designation 'Nether Prison' was profoundly apt.

The place was indeed saturated with the power of death; everything visible was a landscape of pale desolation.

If he hadn't known this was merely one of the Lu family's nine layers of Death Prison, and instead believed this was the Underworld itself, Zong Shou would have readily believed it.

The moment he stepped in, Zong Shou sensed the vital energy and True Essence within him beginning to wane.

Zong Shou hesitated not at all, immediately beginning to circulate Lin Xuanshuang's Source Life Spiritual Breath Art.

His World-Shaking Spiritual Art was gradually reaching perfection, yet at this precise moment, it was far inferior to this life-sustaining technique, one that pointed directly toward the Supreme Realm, in its efficacy within the Nether Prison.

As a result, his body warmed, and a significant portion of his energy was restored.

"It's not just the invasion of deathly power; it actively plunders vitality. One day here equates to the consumption of ten days of lifespan—"

In other words, twenty years spent here would cost over two hundred years of his natural life—

Zong Shou involuntarily clenched his fists, his fingernails digging deep into his flesh.

He then forced himself to ignore the sensation and surveyed his surroundings.

"I wonder what the restrictive arts of this domain are? Lu Wubing has never been to this realm, and information about the prison's conditions cannot be gathered from the outside. Master Xuanshuang never informed me either."

He observed while contemplating.

In mere moments, Zong Shou showed a flicker of surprise. This prison world was much smaller than he had anticipated.

Judging by the sky, the size of this realm was less than one-tenth that of the Spirit Sea Death Prison.

Using the Instant Void Dao Seed, he estimated it would only take two or three hours to traverse from the southern edge to the northern edge of this land.

This meant that searching for someone within this realm would likely be much easier than he had initially expected.

However, since it was named Nether Prison and ranked as the eighth layer among the Nine Death Prisons, this world must also be extremely perilous. The restrictive arts here should surpass those of the Spirit Sea Death Prison.

Thinking of this, Zong Shou's heart gave an uncooperative, heavy thump.

Hope, belief, and a mixture of emotions rendered his feelings utterly complex.

After a long pause, he managed to suppress the tumultuous feelings. With a sweeping motion of his voluminous sleeve, he prepared to release the Sacred Fire Silver Ants en masse.