60: The Secret of the Soul-Gathering Lamp and the End of the Netherworld Cult

Leaving the Ten Thousand Demons Valley, Mo Chu carried the three of them eastward, flying towards the Eastern Region.

The wind in the night sky carried a sense of freedom, and Liu Zhi,lie on Mo Chu's broad back, watched the mountains and rivers rapidly passing below, excitedly waving his hands and feet.

"Mo Chu, you can fly so fast now, traveling will be much more convenient in the future!"

A hint of a smile flashed in Mo Chu's snake eyes, and he gently patted Liu Zhi's back with his tail, as if in response. He was now a complete Xuan Jin Snake, with strength comparable to an Early Stage Nascent Soul Cultivator, so his flying speed was naturally far beyond what it was before.

Liu Shan sat at Mo Chu's neck, playing with the complete Soul Gathering Lamp in his hand. The lamp was golden throughout, with intricate ancient runes carved on it, emitting a gentle soul Qi, but there were no special anomalies, as if it were just an ordinary ancient lamp.

"The Soul Gathering Lamp is complete, but besides nourishing spiritual bodies, it doesn't seem to have any special abilities," Liu Shan murmured, a little confused.

According to the gray-robed elder and the Demon King, the Soul Gathering Lamp was an ancient Magic Treasure, and once assembled, it should possess earth-shattering power.

Lin Qingxue leaned over to look and also shook her head: "Perhaps a specific method is needed to activate its power?"

Mo Chu's snake eyes stared at the Soul Gathering Lamp, conveying the thought, "There is a faint consciousness inside."

"Consciousness?" Liu Shan's heart stirred, and he injected spiritual power into the Soul Gathering Lamp.

"Buzz—"

The Soul Gathering Lamp once again burst forth with golden light. This time, a blurry phantom of an old man appeared in the light, with a benevolent face, dressed in an ancient Dao robe. It was the original owner of the Soul Gathering Lamp!

"Little one, I've finally waited for you," the old man's phantom spoke, his voice gentle and old.

Liu Shan and the other two were stunned, never expecting that the Soul Gathering Lamp still contained the consciousness of its original owner!

"Senior..."

"No need for formalities," the old man's phantom waved his hand, his gaze falling on Mo Chu, a hint of relief flashing in his eyes, "The Xuan Jin Snake has also recovered. Very good, very good."

He paused and began to recount the secret of the Soul Gathering Lamp:

"The Soul Gathering Lamp is not a Magic Treasure for combat, but an artifact used in ancient times to 'carry the Origin soul Qi of the world.' Back then, to prevent the Netherworld Sect Leader from absorbing soul Qi to Cultivate an evil Demonic Technique, this old man fought a great battle with him, ultimately detonating the Soul Gathering Lamp and scattering the soul Qi into seven fragments, thus preserving the Foundation of this world."

Liu Shan suddenly understood: "So that's it! No wonder the Netherworld Sect has always wanted to collect the fragments; they want to absorb soul Qi to Cultivate!"

"That's right," the old man's phantom nodded, "The Netherworld Sect Leader's 'Soul Devouring Demonic Technique' requires devouring a large amount of soul Qi to Breakthrough. If he obtains the complete Soul Gathering Lamp, all living beings in the entire Central Region and even the Eastern Region will be sucked dry into withered bones by him!"

Lin Qingxue's face changed drastically: "Then we must stop him!"

"He has already begun to act," the old man's phantom's voice became solemn, "This old man's remnant soul senses that he is setting up the 'Myriad Souls Formation' in the Netherworld Abyss, intending to forcibly extract the soul Qi from the Soul Gathering Lamp. You must destroy the Formation before he succeeds!"

"How do we destroy it?" Liu Shan asked.

"The soul Qi of the Soul Gathering Lamp is connected to this old man's remnant soul. If you take the lamp to the Netherworld Abyss, this old man can trigger the soul Qi to backlash, destroying the Formation. But in doing so, this old man's remnant soul will also completely dissipate, and the Soul Gathering Lamp will lose all its power, becoming an ordinary lamp."

Liu Shan did not hesitate: "Good! As long as we can stop him, even if the Soul Gathering Lamp becomes an ordinary lamp, it's worth it!"

The old man's phantom smiled with relief: "Good child, this old man did not misjudge you. Remember, you must arrive within three days, otherwise, it will be too late!"

With that, the old man's phantom gradually faded, and the light of the Soul Gathering Lamp also returned to normal.

"Let's go quickly!" Liu Shan decided immediately.

Mo Chu let out a hiss, changed direction, and flew towards the Netherworld Abyss, at several times the previous speed!

Three days later, above the Netherworld Abyss.

From afar, the core area of the Netherworld Abyss could be seen, enveloped in a thick black mist. Within the black mist, countless vengeful spirits could be vaguely seen struggling and roaring, which was a sign that the Myriad Souls Formation had been activated!

"Now!" Liu Shan took out the Soul Gathering Lamp and injected his spiritual power into it.

"Buzz—!"

The Soul Gathering Lamp once again burst forth with golden light. This time, the light carried a resolute power, surging directly into the black mist!

"Who is it?!"

The Netherworld Sect Leader's angry roar came from the Netherworld Abyss. The black mist violently churned, and a huge black shadow shot up into the sky. It was the Netherworld Sect Leader!

His aura was several times stronger than before, having reached the Late Stage Nascent Soul, with countless vengeful spiritsentanglement around him, his face ferocious and terrifying!

"Liu Shan! It's you again!" The Sect Leader saw Liu Shan, his eyes filled with venom, "You dare to deliver yourself to my doorstep again. This time, I will surely grind you to dust!"

He waved his hand and sent out a huge black Qi, carrying the power to devour everything, rushing towards Liu Shan!

"Mo Chu, stop him!" Liu Shan shouted.

Mo Chu's spiritual body let out a roar, his massive body blocking in front of Liu Shan, his black scales erupting with golden light, forcefully blocking the black Qi!

"Liu Zhi, Lin Qingxue, cover me!"

Liu Shan, holding the Soul Gathering Lamp, charged towards the core area of the Netherworld Abyss!

Liu Zhi and Wind Shadow Sword unsheathed, fighting with the Netherworld Sect Cultivators who rushed up!

Lin Qingxue also drew her long sword, her sword light like silk, cooperating with Liu Zhi to resist the enemies!

Above the Netherworld Abyss, a fierce battle once again ensued!

Liu Shan broke through layers of obstacles and finally reached the center of the Myriad Souls Formation.

At the center of the Formation was a black altar, with countless strange runes carved on it. Countless vengeful spirits were drawn by the runes, gathering towards the center of the altar.

"This is it!" Liu Shan placed the Soul Gathering Lamp on the altar, injecting all his spiritual power!

"Senior, do it!"

The Soul Gathering Lamp burst forth with brilliant golden light, and the old man's phantom reappeared, forming hand seals and activating the soul Qi within the lamp!

"Netherworld old dog, taste the backlash of soul Qi!"

"No! How dare you!" The Netherworld Sect Leader noticed something was wrong and frantically rushed towards the altar, but he was firmly entangled by Mo Chu!

"Awoo—!"

Mo Chu's huge tail swept across, sending the Sect Leader flying!

The golden light on the altar grew stronger and stronger, and the soul Qi backlashed like a tide. Countless vengeful spirits broke free from the restraints of the runes and rushed towards the Netherworld Sect Cultivators!

"Ah—!"

Screams rose and fell, one after another. The Netherworld Sect Cultivators were devoured by the vengeful spirits, instantly collapsing into disarray!

"Rumble—!"

The Myriad Souls Formation collapsed with a bang under the backlash of the soul Qi!

The Netherworld Sect Leader looked at the collapsing Formation, his eyes filled with despair and unwillingness, letting out a mournful roar: "I am unwilling—!"

He wanted to rush up and perish with Liu Shan, but Mo Chu bit him by the neck, and his golden venomous fangs pierced into his body!

"Ugh..."

The Sect Leader's body quickly stiffened, his aura growing weaker and weaker, until he completely lost all signs of life.

With the Sect Leader's death, the remaining Netherworld Sect Cultivators scattered. The Netherworld Sect, which once dominated the Central Region, was completely annihilated!

The golden light of the Soul Gathering Lamp gradually faded. The old man's phantom smiled at Liu Shan, then transformed into specks of starlight and dissipated into the air.

The lamp lost all its light, becoming an ordinary golden ancient lamp.

Liu Shan picked up the lamp, his heart filled with complex emotions—they had succeeded, but they had also lost a respectable Senior.

Mo Chu came to his side, his huge head gently nuzzling his cheek, conveying a sense of comfort.

Liu Zhi and Lin Qingxue also walked over, looking at the mess on the ground, both breathing a sigh of relief.

"It's over... everything is over," Lin Qingxue murmured.

Liu Shan nodded, looking at the Soul Gathering Lamp in his hand, then at his companions and family beside him, a relieved smile appearing on his face.

Although the Soul Gathering Lamp had lost its power, they had prevented disaster and protected the living beings of this world.

That was enough.

"Let's go home," Liu Shan said.

"Home!" Liu Zhi cheered.