In the Immortal Spirit Realm, at the Nine Phoenix Immortal Palace, several Great Ascension Immortal Lords had gathered.
“Aid from the Demon Abyss?”
Zi Xiao Immortal Lord lightly tapped his fingertip, and the Jade Slip floating in the center of the hall shattered inch by inch. The image of Soul Erosion Demon Lord appeared, his voice hoarse and filled with sincerity as he pleaded, “Immortal Spirit Realm, Immortal Emperor, all Immortal Lords… the Demon Abyss is being eroded by the Netherworld, and the Heavenly Dao Law is collapsing… I beg for a ceasefire to fight together…”
The hall fell silent for a moment.
“Playing tricks!” Heavenly Punishment Immortal Lord sneered, his eyes gleaming with cold sword-like light. “The Demon Abyss has occupied the Spirit Realm for hundreds of years. Now they suddenly retreat and throw out such absurd talk of ‘Netherworld invasion,’ it’s nothing more than a ploy to catch their breath and regroup!”
“Not necessarily.” Xuan Ji Immortal Lord said with a solemn expression. “The Demon Abyss is connected to the Netherworld; this is no secret. A sudden invasion by the Netherworld is not impossible!”
“But that’s too much of a coincidence. A Netherworld invasion hasn’t happened for thousands of years, so why now? If such a thing truly happened, it certainly cannot be underestimated!” Qing Ming Immortal Lord frowned, his tone grave.
“Even if it’s true, what does it have to do with us?” Chi Xiao Immortal Lord scoffed. “Wouldn’t the destruction of the Demon Abyss be a heaven-sent opportunity for our Immortal Spirit Realm? Why should we rescue them?!”
“Foolish!” Tai Xu Immortal Lord suddenly slammed the table, causing the entire hall to tremble. “If the power of the Netherworld can truly erode the Demon Abyss, the next step will be the Spirit Realm, and then the Immortal Spirit Realm! This is a catastrophe for the Three Realms; how can we stand by and do nothing?!”
“Tai Xu Fellow Daoist is absolutely right.” Zi Xiao Immortal Lord said in a deep voice. “But this matter is strange; we cannot fully believe it, nor can we completely disbelieve it.”
“Then what is your opinion, Fellow Daoist?” Qing Ming Immortal Lord asked.
Zi Xiao Immortal Lord’s gaze narrowed slightly, and he slowly said, “Send one person into the Demon Abyss to investigate the truth.”
As soon as these words were spoken, the expressions of all the Immortal Lords in the hall changed slightly.
The Demon Abyss was a land of great peril. Even a Great Ascension Immortal Lord entering it faced the risk of falling, and now with the permeating Netherworld Qi, the danger was even greater than before!
“Who will go?” Heavenly Punishment Immortal Lord scanned the crowd, his tone icy.
After a moment of silence, Tai Xu Immortal Lord slowly rose, his sleeves fluttering without wind, and a faint golden light emanated from his body: “I will go.”
“Tai Xu Fellow Daoist?!” Qing Ming Immortal Lord was startled and quickly said, “Your Lifespan is nearing its end. If you enter the Demon Abyss, I’m afraid…”
Tai Xu Immortal Lord smiled calmly: “Precisely because my Lifespan is limited, this journey is most suitable. If there is a trick in the Demon Abyss, I can sacrifice myself to carve out a path back; if the Netherworld is real… then I will use my remaining body to fight for a glimmer of hope for the Three Realms.”
The Immortal Lords were silent.
“Should this matter… be reported to the two Immortal Emperors?” Xuan Ji Immortal Lord suddenly spoke.
The atmosphere in the hall suddenly solidified.
The two Immortal Emperors, Phoenix and Yu Lin, were in solemn closed-door cultivation, comprehending the Supreme Dao, and did not concern themselves with worldly affairs. If they were disturbed rashly, the consequences would be unpredictable.
“No!” Zi Xiao Immortal Lord shook his head. “The two Immortal Emperors had an edict before their closed-door cultivation: they were not to be disturbed unless it was a matter of great importance. The situation is unclear now, and reporting it rashly would be unwise.”
“But if the Netherworld is real…” Qing Ming Immortal Lord still hesitated.
“We can discuss it again after Tai Xu Fellow Daoist returns; it’s not too late.” Zi Xiao Immortal Lord made the final decision.
Tai Xu Immortal Lord nodded, then transformed into a golden light and flew towards the Three Realms Passage.
In the hall, the remaining five Immortal Lords exchanged glances, all seeing the solemnity in each other’s eyes. The Devil Abyss Army’s sudden complete withdrawal from the Spirit Realm, abandoning a thousand-year plan so readily, surely held an unknown secret, lending more credibility to the talk of a Netherworld invasion.
“The Netherworld! I hope it’s not true!” Zi Xiao Immortal Lord suddenly sighed heavily, saying with deep concern.
Chi Xiao Immortal Lord frowned, asking in confusion, “Is this Netherworld really that terrifying? I know very little about this matter; please enlighten me.”
“Chi Xiao Fellow Daoist, you don’t know.” Qing Ming Immortal Lord shook his head, his expression growing more solemn. “The danger of the Netherworld far exceeds our imagination. It’s a desperate realm where Law is twisted and time and space are chaotic. Even if we fall into it, we would find it difficult to extricate ourselves. Tai Xu Fellow Daoist’s journey is truly a risk of nine deaths to one life.”
“Indeed so. In ancient times, the Realm War was triggered by a sudden eruption from the Netherworld.” Zi Xiao Immortal Lord continued, “Within the Netherworld lurk countless terrifying existences beyond imagination. Some are formless and intangible, capable of eroding the minds of living beings, driving them into Eternal madness; others are grotesque in form, possessing powers that defy logic, capable of destroying heaven and earth in an instant. Even more, the power of the Netherworld can erode the Law of the Three Realms, causing the world to fall into disorder and all things to wither.”
Xuan Ji Immortal Lord nodded, saying in a deep voice, “Moreover, the power of the Netherworld is extremely bizarre. It seems to be able to perceive the fears and weaknesses in a living being’s heart, thereby manifesting various illusions to lure people deeper, until they fall. Even we Great Ascension Immortal Lords find it difficult to completely resist its temptation and erosion.”
“Do you know the structure of the Three Realms and the Three Thousand Worlds? The Demon Abyss, Immortal Spirit, and Spirit Realm, these Three Realms are actually a part of the Three Thousand Worlds, and the Netherworld is the fractured space between the Three Realms and the Three Thousand Worlds, a desperate domain of chaotic Law and distorted time and space.” Zi Xiao Immortal Lord looked at Chi Xiao Immortal Lord and explained.
“In ancient times, the Realm War was triggered by the sudden eruption of the Netherworld.” Xuan Ji Immortal Lord continued, “At that time, the power of the Netherworld erupted, eroding the boundaries of the Three Realms and the Three Thousand Worlds, leading to the collapse of countless realms and widespread devastation. In that great war, the powerhouses of the Three Realms and the Three Thousand Worlds joined forces to barely suppress the power of the Netherworld, but they paid a heavy price for it.”
Zi Xiao Immortal Lord sighed, saying, “Since then, the Netherworld has become a forbidden place between the Three Realms and the Three Thousand Worlds, which no one dares to easily step into. And the Demon Abyss, because it is connected to the Netherworld, has also become a land of great peril in the Three Realms. Now that the Netherworld has suddenly re-eroded the Demon Abyss, it is probably a prelude to another great catastrophe of a Realm War.”
After hearing this, Chi Xiao Immortal Lord’s expression grew even more solemn, and he quickly suggested, “Given this, this matter is indeed no small feat. Although we are Great Ascension Immortal Lords, we appear insignificant before the Netherworld. Perhaps we should ask a few Immortal Emperors to lead this matter.”
Qing Ming Immortal Lord shook his head, saying, “The two Immortal Emperors, Phoenix and Yu Lin, are in closed-door cultivation; this is an undeniable fact. We can only seek instructions from other Immortal Emperors.”
At this point, Qing Ming Immortal Lord paused, then continued, “However, the Azure Emperor has always disregarded worldly affairs, immersed in his own cultivation, and rarely concerns himself with the matters of the Three Realms. Even if we go to seek his instructions, it would be difficult to get a clear response.”
“As for the Star Emperor,” Qing Ming Immortal Lord continued, “his whereabouts are elusive, and he is skilled in the art of Heavenly Secrets. It’s impossible to determine his location, let alone ask for timely instructions.”
…
When speaking of the situations of the other Immortal Emperors, the Immortal Lords exchanged glances, all speechless for a moment.
…
Several days later, at the Three Realms Passage, the Void Realm twisted like a vortex. Four Demon Lords led the Devil Abyss Army to retreat and defend a few dead stars near the passage, caught between a rock and a hard place.
Just then, a golden light broke through the air from the Immortal Spirit Realm Passage, its speed slowly decreasing. It was none other than Tai Xu Immortal Lord, arriving on his sword, surrounded by immortal light. He gazed at the Demon Abyss Channel, his face filled with a solemn expression.
Immediately after, Qin Feng and Qi Xuanming from the Spirit Realm also arrived on their swords. Both had grave expressions, their eyes fixed on the depths of the channel.
The three factions, unexpectedly met at this moment.
In the past, the Demon Lords of the Demon Abyss would have already scoffed, or even directly attacked. But at this moment, Blood Demon Lord only remained silent for a moment, then spoke hoarsely: “…You have also come.”
Qin Feng snorted coldly, his hand on his sword hilt, but he did not draw his sword.
“I didn’t expect that the Netherworld invasion was actually true!”
Qi Xuanming sighed, his gaze profound as he looked towards the Demon Abyss Channel, and said solemnly, “As things stand, the safety of the Three Realms hangs by a thread. Let us temporarily put aside our grievances.”
Tai Xu Immortal Lord nodded, saying in a deep voice, “The Netherworld invasion is no small matter; no single side of the Three Realms can cope with it alone. We must join forces to have any hope of resisting this catastrophe.”
Upon hearing this, a complex look flashed in the eyes of the four Demon Lords. The Demon Abyss, Immortal Spirit Realm, and Spirit Realm had been in constant conflict, but at this moment, facing the threat of the Netherworld, they were like grasshoppers tied to a single rope.
Just as the Great Ascension Cultivators of the Three Realms put aside their prejudices and discussed countermeasures.
Just then, a wave of sword light suddenly surged from the horizon, like a raging tide. A sharp, unparalleled Aura emanated from the sword light. The Cultivators looked up and saw a towering figure approaching on a sword. His posture was tall and straight, his sword pointed at the sky, like a god of the sword, with a magnificent Aura.
Immediately following, points of starlight suddenly flickered in the Starry Sky. These starlights converged into a brilliant Starry Sky River, slowly flowing towards the Three Realms Passage. From within the Starry Sky River, an ancient and majestic figure slowly stepped out. He was dressed in a star robe, holding a star staff, his eyes gleaming with wisdom and ancient light.
Grand Profound Sword Revered and Star Dome Old Ancestor appeared simultaneously, immediately drawing the attention of the Great Ascension Cultivators of the Three Realms. They had all rushed from various places and, upon seeing these two supreme powerhouses, respectfully saluted them.
“Greetings to both Seniors!”
“Greetings, Star Emperor, greetings, Sword Emperor!”
The Great Ascension Cultivators of the Three Realms greeted them in unison, expressing their respect and reverence for these two powerhouses.
Grand Profound Sword Revered smiled slightly, his sword light receding. He scanned the surroundings, his gaze falling on Star Dome Old Ancestor, and he laughed, “Old turtle, I didn’t expect you to come too!”
Star Dome Old Ancestor, hearing this, was not angered; instead, he chuckled, “I can’t help it. At a time like this, how could I be absent?”
“Phoenix is recovering from injuries, why didn’t Yu Lin come?” Grand Profound Sword Revered asked Tai Xu Immortal Lord.
“The Emperor suddenly announced his closed-door cultivation, so!” Tai Xu Immortal Lord quickly replied.
“Oh!” Grand Profound Sword Revered nodded, his sword-like gaze sweeping over the four Demon Lords present, and he asked, “The Demon Abyss is in trouble, why haven’t Black Vulture Demon God and Eternal Demon God appeared yet?!”
As soon as Grand Profound Sword Revered spoke, the atmosphere in the field suddenly solidified. The four Demon Lords’ expressions changed slightly, and they exchanged a subtle glance.
Blood Demon Lord took a deep breath, stepped forward half a step, and cupped his fists, saying, “Reporting to Sword Revered,” his Adam’s apple bobbed several times, his voice growing even hoarser, “Since the day the strange mist first appeared, we have been unable to contact the two Demon God s.”
“What?!”
Several exclamations came from the Spirit Realm camp.
Qin Feng’s sword-like eyebrows shot up, and he sternly said, “The two Demon Gods are the Dominators of the Demon Abyss; how could they disappear without reason? Are you playing some trick?!”
Bone Prison Demon Lord hurriedly argued, “The Demon God Hall has been completely enveloped by the strange mist, and all communication secret techniques have failed. We, we can’t even sense the Origin Aura of the Demon God anymore!”
By the end, the voice of this notoriously fierce Demon Lord even trembled slightly.
Star Dome Old Ancestor suddenly struck his star staff into the Void Realm, and countless starlights transformed into fine threads, piercing into the bodies of the four Demon Lords. Soul Erosion Demon Lord grunted, but did not resist—this was the most direct truth-telling secret art.
“They didn’t lie.” Star Dome Old Ancestor withdrew his star staff, his face more solemn than ever, and he sighed, “The Demon God Origin Qi within them has dissipated. Eternal and Black Vulture Fellow Daoists have very likely fallen!”
“What?!”
Upon hearing this, all the Cultivators of the Three Realms were startled and utterly shocked.
Grand Profound Sword Revered frowned deeply, a hint of astonishment and disbelief flashing in his eyes, but it was immediately replaced by a heavy worry. Star Dome Old Ancestor’s truth-telling secret art had never been wrong, meaning that the two top powerhouses of the Demon Abyss, Eternal Demon God and Black Vulture Demon God, might truly have met with misfortune.
“This… how is this possible?” Qin Feng murmured, his face pale.
Qi Xuanming also had a look of disbelief, his gaze sweeping back and forth over the four Demon Lords, as if trying to find a trace of a lie in their expressions.
Tai Xu Immortal Lord was silent for a moment, then said solemnly, “Since the ancient Realm War, no supreme powerhouse has ever fallen… If this is truly the case, then the Netherworld is far more terrifying than we imagined.”
Grand Profound Sword Revered and Star Dome Old Ancestor exchanged glances, then simultaneously raised their hands to set up an isolation barrier. Starlight and Sword Qi intertwined, completely isolating them from the outside world.
“Old turtle, it seems that thing arrived faster than we expected.” Grand Profound Sword Revered lightly stroked his sword edge, a sharp glint in his eyes, and said solemnly, “Even Eternal and Black Vulture fell.”
Star Dome Old Ancestor lightly tapped his star staff, and a Starry Sky map of the Three Realms appeared in the Void Realm: “Three thousand years of deductions, seventy-two divinations, the results are all the same.”
Star Dome Old Ancestor looked towards the direction of the Demon Abyss. The stars in the Starry Sky map were extinguishing one by one. He said solemnly, “This time, the Netherworld is here to completely devour the Three Realms.”
“Is there a way to completely solve it? At present, the Heavenly Dao Will of the Demon Abyss can still resist. If the Demon Abyss completely falls, a permanent crack will appear in the Three Realms barrier, and the Spirit Realm and Immortal Spirit Realm will also find it difficult to survive!” Grand Profound Sword Revered looked at Star Dome Old Ancestor, asking with great expectation.
Upon hearing this, Star Dome Old Ancestor frowned deeply and sighed heavily: “A complete solution is out of the question at the moment! I am powerless!”
“However, if it can be sealed, someone will surely be able to solve it in the future!” Star Dome Old Ancestor changed the subject, indicating.
“Oh! Who has such ability?” Grand Profound Sword Revered looked at Star Dome Old Ancestor, asking in confusion.
“This person, you also know. The power of the Netherworld can only be restrained by the Chaotic Great Dao. It’s just a pity that his cultivation is still shallow, and he has not yet grasped the mysteries of the Chaotic Great Dao.” Star Dome Old Ancestor looked at Grand Profound Sword Revered, reminding him.
Grand Profound Sword Revered immediately understood, knowing who he was referring to.
“Indeed so, we can only wait for the future. For now, is there a way to suppress it?” Grand Profound Sword Revered continued to press. A complete solution was far off, but the immediate crisis was pressing, and a method to suppress the Netherworld’s invasion had to be found.
“It’s difficult, alas! The power of the Netherworld is bizarre and unpredictable. With the fall of Eternal Demon God and Black Vulture Demon God, their Origin must have been devoured by the Netherworld. If there are other Demon Gods who have been alienation, becoming part of its power, plus the demonic creatures from the Demon Abyss that have been alienation, to break through such power, find the convergence point of the two realms, and then completely seal it… it requires gathering the power of the Three Realms, and who knows how many lives must be sacrificed to gain a glimmer of opportunity!” Star Dome Old Ancestor was silent for a moment, his voice revealing deep helplessness, and he said in a deep voice. (End of Chapter)
