574: Lu Xueqi (51)

"Steady your mind!" Su Han let out a low shout. The Netherworld Mark shone brightly, forming a thin layer of dark gold light shield that enveloped the three of them, barely resisting the Soul impact.

"We must go in and reinforce the Seal!" Su Han's eyes were firm, and he took the lead, stepping through the massive gate leading into the depths of the Netherworld.

Lu Xueqi and Bi Yao followed closely behind.

As soon as the three entered, the bronze giant gate behind them let out a heavy thud and slowly closed, completely cutting off their retreat.

The world inside the gate was even vaster and more dilapidated than it appeared from the outside.

The sky was an eternal dusky yellow, devoid of sun, moon, or stars, only oppressive clouds hanging low.

Beneath their feet was cracked black earth, permeated with an aura of decay.

In the distance, the crumbling palaces cast flickering shadows, resembling dormant giant beasts.

But the most eye-catching sight was undoubtedly the terrifying existence sealed in the center of the ruins.

As the distance closed, the form of the Remnant Soul of the Soul Devouring Beast became clearer, and even more nauseating.

It had no fixed shape, resembling a mass of constantly churning, expanding black smoke, but within the smoke, sharp claws would occasionally condense, or giant eyes filled with blood would appear. More often, countless twisted, pained human faces surfaced on its exterior, howling, and then being swallowed again.

These faces were the residual imprints of the Souls it had devoured over its long years.

Its target of attack was a light shield composed of countless golden runes. The shield was already covered in web-like cracks, and there was even a distinct gap in the center, from which dense black Qi continuously surged out.

The source of the light shield was an ancient mirror fragment suspended directly above the Soul Devouring Beast. The edges of the mirror were severely damaged, and the surface was dim, but it still stubbornly radiated suppressing power.

"That is... a reincarnation mirror fragment?" Su Han received the information from the Netherworld Mark.

This Divine Artifact fragment was the core of the Seal here, but it was clearly nearing its limit.

As if sensing the approach of living beings, especially the aura of the Netherworld Mark on Su Han, which it both detested and craved, the attack of the Remnant Soul of the Soul Devouring Beast abruptly stopped.

The giant dark shadow slowly turned towards the three of them. The smoke churned, condensing into a colossal pupil made entirely of malice, staring intently at them.

A cold spiritual wave swept over, filled with greed and hunger.

"...Fresh... Souls... and... the scent of the Netherworld... Devour you all... complete My body... break this damned cage!"

Accompanied by this intermittent spiritual roar, the Remnant Soul of the Soul Devouring Beast violently split off a portion of its body, transforming into a giant black claw that tore through the air, carrying a shrill Soul-wail, and swooped down upon the three of them!

Before the claw arrived, the suction force that devoured Souls was already transmitted, causing their Divine Souls to become unstable, as if their Souls were about to leave their bodies!

"Attack!"

Su Han roared, no longer holding back. The spiritual power within his body surged like a river. He formed hand Seals, and the power of the Netherworld Mark was pushed to its extreme, condensing into a thick, dark gold shield inscribed with Netherworld runes in front of him, meeting the black claw head-on!

Boom!

The dark gold shield vibrated violently. The Netherworld runes on it flickered, largely neutralizing the devouring and corrosive power contained within the claw, but it was still forced back repeatedly by the immense force.

Taking this opportunity, Lu Xueqi made her move.

She transformed into a streak of light. The tianya divine sword erupted with an unprecedented azure brilliance, like the Milky Way pouring down from the Nine Heavens. A sword light condensed to the extreme, containing the righteous thunderous energy that slays demons and purifies all things, stabbing directly toward the core of the Remnant Soul of the Soul Devouring Beast!

"Nine Heavens Profound Barrier, transform into Divine Thunder! Majestic Heavenly might, guided by the sword!"

Although it was not the complete Divine Sword Lightning Leading True Skill, this strike drew upon the lightning power within the shattered Laws of this place. Where the sword light passed, even space rippled!

Sensing the threat from the tianya divine sword, the Remnant Soul of the Soul Devouring Beast let out a sharp screech. Several shields formed from compressed vengeful Souls instantly materialized on its massive body, blocking the sword light.

Hiss hiss hiss—!

The blue sword light violently collided with the Soul shields. The supreme Yang Sword Qi and the supreme Yin vengeful power annihilated each other, producing a grating sound.

The sword light pierced through like bamboo, successively penetrating three Soul shields before its radiance gradually dimmed, eventually being swallowed by the churning black Qi as it approached the main body of the Soul Devouring Beast.

However, this strike clearly caused the Soul Devouring Beast pain, and its screech became even sharper.

Bi Yao was not idle either. The heartbreak flower danced and circled, scattering flakes of pure white radiance. This radiance was like purifying lotus blossoms; wherever it passed, the various bizarre attacks condensed from pure Death Qi, attempting sneak attacks from the sides, dissolved one after another.

Simultaneously, she summoned the Hehuan Bell. The crisp bell sound sent out rings of invisible ripples, interfering with the mental fluctuations of the Soul Devouring Beast and alleviating its spiritual oppression on Su Han and Lu Xueqi.

"Its core is suppressed by the reincarnation mirror fragment, so the power it can mobilize is limited, but it is extremely difficult to deal with! Attack its main body, consume its power, and buy time to reinforce the Seal!" Su Han said quickly, while continuously urging the Netherworld Mark.

The light of the Mark resonated faintly with the reincarnation mirror fragment in the distance. A subtle golden light shot out from the mirror piece, attempting to merge into Su Han's Mark, transmitting some kind of information.

The Soul Devouring Beast clearly detected this and became even more frantic.

"Don't even think about... repairing the Seal! You... will all die!"

Its massive body rolled violently, and more black Qi separated, transforming into various weapons and hideous ghosts, surging toward the three like a tide.

There were skeleton knights burning with black flames, enchanting ghost maidens emitting mind-bewitching demonic sounds, and gigantic, immensely powerful Corpse Demons...

These were not true living beings, but monsters formed by the Soul Devouring Beast combining the memories and grievances of the Souls it had devoured with the Death Qi of this place. Each one possessed considerable strength.

For a time, the three were locked in a desperate battle.

Lu Xueqi's sword techniques were fierce, and the tianya sword light crisscrossed. Every sword strike could annihilate several ghosts, but her spiritual power consumption was enormous, and her complexion gradually turned somewhat pale.

Bi Yao's heartbreak flower and Hehuan Bell focused more on defense and support. Facing the tide of attacks, she defended flawlessly, but her counter-attack power was slightly insufficient.

Su Han primarily used the power of the Netherworld Mark to resist the mental erosion and Law suppression from the main body of the Soul Devouring Beast, while also launching attacks with exquisite Dao techniques, but the effect seemed less direct than Lu Xueqi's Nine Heavens Sword Qi.

The battle was exceptionally fierce, with roars, explosions, and ghostly wails sounding incessantly.

Black, filthy blood and shattered Soul bodies splashed everywhere, only to be instantly evaporated by the supreme Yang Sword Qi or purifying white light.

While fighting, Su Han did his utmost to communicate with the reincarnation mirror fragment.

The information transmitted by the fragment was intermittent, but it allowed him to understand the current predicament.

The Seal was severely damaged, and relying solely on the power of the reincarnation mirror fragment was no longer sufficient to completely repair it. (End of Chapter)