109: Shattering the Netherworld

The Devilish Qi rift completely closed, and the Death Qi in the cavern dissipated, leaving behind only collapsed debris.

Lin Jingyu didn't even look at Tu Gang and the others, who were still shaken, but sat down cross-legged and sank his consciousness into his Storage Ring.

The Dark Gold Exuviae lay quietly, its lava-like Qi and blood force surging powerfully, making his blood boil even across the space.

“Refine it!”

His will locked onto the Exuviae.

[Ding! Detected a Dharma Aspect Realm Exuviae containing immense Qi and blood and faint Star Origin power. Refine and absorb?]

“Yes!”

Boom—!

An unimaginably terrifying torrent suddenly rushed from the Storage Ring into Lin Jingyu's body!

This torrent was scorching, violent, and heavy, carrying a vast will reminiscent of star annihilation!

“Hmph!” Lin Jingyu groaned. The brilliant stellar silver glow on his body surface was instantly dyed a layer of dark gold!

His muscles, bones, internal organs, and even bone marrow were frantically trembling, tearing, and restructuring! The intense pain was overwhelming!

“Chaos Heaven Opening Art! Suppress!”

He roared internally, fully activating this tyrannical Cultivation Technique.

Inside his Dantian, the Chaos Qi vortex spun at an unprecedented speed, like a millstone, frantically grinding and devouring the violent Qi and blood of the Exuviae!

The Star Gangsha brought by the Perfection of the Star Body Tempering Method also activated spontaneously, turning into threads of dark silver light carrying an aura of destruction, merging into his flesh, blood, tendons, and bones for deeper refinement!

“Not fast enough! System, add points for a Breakthrough!”

[Ding! Consuming 200,000 evolution points! Assisting in refining the Exuviae and charging toward Dharma Aspect Realm Second Layer!]

Massive evolution points transformed into incomparably pure Origin energy, injecting into the Chaos Qi vortex like the highest-grade fuel!

RUMBLE!

It was as if stars were exploding inside Lin Jingyu!

The Chaos Qi vortex suddenly expanded, and its grinding efficiency soared! The violent torrent of Qi and blood from the Exuviae was rapidly subdued, purified, and absorbed!

Every single cell was greedily devouring this power, undergoing earth-shattering transformation!

The interwoven dark gold and silver glow on his body surface grew brighter and brighter, finally transforming into a thick pillar of light that shot straight into the sky!

It forcibly pierced through the entire collapsed ceiling of the cavern, reaching the surface!

A terrifying pressure, like a physical tsunami, spread out centered on Lin Jingyu!

“Thump!” “Thump!”

Tu Gang, Chaplain Li, and the others, who had just retreated to the entrance Seal node and were still shaken, were violently struck by this sudden terrifying pressure!

It was as if an invisible giant mountain had pressed down upon them. One by one, their faces turned pale, they spat blood, and immediately prostrated themselves, glued to the ground, unable to move even a finger!

“Dha... Dharma Aspect Realm Breakthrough?! This... this pressure...” Tu Gang's eyes bulged, and immense shock surged in his heart!

He had witnessed the Breakthroughs of Dharma Aspect Realm Chaplains within the Demon Suppression Division, but none were this terrifying! What kind of monster was this Lin Jingyu?!

“Such... such terrifying Qi and blood...” Chaplain Li, holding his Water Dividing Dagger, felt his Soul trembling. “He... he is refining that Exuviae?!”

The pillar of light lasted for about half an incense stick's time before slowly receding.

In the center of the cavern, Lin Jingyu's figure reappeared.

He was still sitting cross-legged, but his entire aura had undergone an earth-shattering change.

His sturdy physique seemed to have grown slightly taller, his muscle lines were more perfectly restrained, containing explosive power.

A dark gold and silver interwoven luster faintly flowed beneath his skin, as if forged from divine iron.

Threads of dark silver Gangsha Qi coiled around him, emitting the terrifying aura of star destruction.

He opened his eyes, and a sharp light flashed like lightning, piercing the darkness!

“Dharma Aspect Realm, Second Layer!” Lin Jingyu clenched his fist. The air was crushed, emitting a muffled explosion.

Power! Unprecedented power surged and roared within him! It was several times stronger than when he was in the First Layer!

[Ding! Star Body Tempering Method (Perfection) has undergone Fusion with the Exuviae Origin, the Star Core is completely stabilized! Star Gangsha has been condensed! Physical Body strength, power, and recovery are greatly enhanced! Sensitivity to and absorption efficiency of Star Power are doubled!]

[Ding! Chaos Heaven Opening Art (Major Achievement) has refined the Exuviae's Qi and blood, and the Chaos Origin has grown stronger! Dharma Aspect power is more condensed and robust!]

[Ding! Realm Breakthrough! Dharma Aspect Realm Second Layer!]

[Remaining evolution points: 50,000 points]

He stood up, his gaze sweeping over the people prostrate on the ground.

When the pressure receded, Tu Gang and the others immediately felt the giant mountain disappear from their backs. They gasped heavily, struggled to get up, and looked at Lin Jingyu with unparalleled awe and terror, as if gazing upon a deity.

“Lord... Lord Lin! You... you broke through?!” Tu Gang's voice trembled.

Lin Jingyu did not answer. His gaze fell upon the damaged Seal node at the entrance. It had been assaulted by the Ghost King and eroded by the Demon General's Death Qi, and now its light was dim, on the verge of collapse.

He strode over.

“My Lord! This node requires special incantations and energy...” Chaplain Li hurriedly interjected.

Lin Jingyu paid no heed, raised his right fist, wrapped in dark silver Star Gangsha, and punched the core of the damaged node!

Boom!

There was no technique, only power refined to the extreme!

Where the fist wind passed, space warped! The remaining Death Qi and Devilish Qi melted away like ice and snow!

Bang!

The core of the damaged Seal node was forcibly stabilized by this terrifying power imbued with Star Gangsha!

The dim light brightened again. Although far weaker than the original, it was enough to maintain the stability of the passage!

Tu Gang and the others watched dumbfounded. Reinforcing a Seal... could it be done so violently?!

“Go.” Lin Jingyu spoke concisely and was the first to step into the return passage.

Refining the Exuviae, Breakthrough to the Second Layer, Star Body Tempering Method Perfection—his strength had skyrocketed! The gains from this trip to the Demon Cave far exceeded expectations!

The remaining 50,000 evolution points were perfectly saved for the Breakthrough of a critical Martial Skill.

The others dared not speak much, suppressing their injuries and shock, and quickly followed.

The passage was deep and utterly silent. Only the heavy footsteps and rough breathing of the group could be heard.

Lin Jingyu walked at the front, but his mind was immersed in the System interface.

[ System Interface ]

[host]: Lin Jingyu

[Realm]: Dharma Aspect Realm Second Layer

[evolution points]: 50,000 points

[Cultivation Technique]:

Chaos Heaven Opening Art (Major Achievement) (Origin strengthened!)

Star Body Tempering Method (Perfection) (Star Core stabilized! Star Gangsha!)

Archaic God-Demon Visualization Chart (Major Achievement Peak)

Great Void Teleportation (Minor Achievement)

Star Shattering Finger (Minor Achievement)

[Dharma Aspect]: Star Annihilation Manifestation (Stabilized)

[Items]: yin prison token*1 (Damaged), Demon Suppression Division Guest Elder Token, Gold Notes, Origin Stones (Several)

[Status]: Qi and Blood are abundant! Gangsha protects the body!

'The Star Body Tempering Method is at Perfection, so defense is temporarily sufficient. Chaos Heaven Opening Art is at Major Achievement; upgrading it costs too much, 50,000 points is just a drop in the bucket. Archaic God-Demon Visualization Chart is at Major Achievement Peak, perhaps...'

His thoughts raced as he calculated the optimal use of the evolution points. 'The power of Star Shattering Finger at Minor Achievement is already so astonishing; if it reaches Major Achievement...'

Just then!

Buzz!

The yin prison token in his bosom began to vibrate violently without warning! It was ten times stronger than when it was near the Ghost King's lair entrance before!

A strange, icy, and deathly suction force, seemingly connected to the endless Netherworld, suddenly erupted from the token, aimed directly at—the front of the passage!

“Hm?” Lin Jingyu's eyes sharpened, and he stopped instantly! His massive Qi and blood and Star Gangsha burst forth, protecting the people behind him and isolating the strange suction force.

In the dark depths of the passage ahead, a faint, sickly green spectral light lit up, like a ghost fire.

Accompanied by a grating “creak... creak...” sound, as if rusty bones were rubbing together.

“Be... be careful! It's a Netherworld Bone Demon!” The voice of an experienced old Chaplain in the team trembled. “This thing... specializes in sucking Souls... physical attacks... are hard to wound it!”

The sickly green spectral light quickly approached, revealing its true form.

It was a massive skeleton over three meters tall!

Its bones were a ghastly white, having endured countless years, and its joints were wrapped in thick, ink-like Netherworld Death Qi.

Two clusters of sickly green Soul Fire burned in its eye sockets, locking tightly onto Lin Jingyu... or rather, onto the yin prison token in his bosom!

Its empty lower jaw opened and closed, letting out a silent roar. In its hand, it held a huge, rusty bone scythe, the blade of which flickered with a spectral light that devoured Souls!

“Creak... token... hand it over...” A raw, hoarse Soul voice sounded directly in everyone's minds, filled with greed and tyranny!

It was actually attracted by the aura of the yin prison token! The Netherworld Death Qi of a Dharma Aspect Realm First Layer being erupted, and the passage temperature instantly dropped to freezing point!

“Seeking death.” Lin Jingyu's eyes were cold. This was a perfect chance to test his post-Breakthrough strength!

He didn't waste words and didn't even use the Star Shattering Finger. To deal with this kind of ghost creature that seemed physically immune, he chose the most brutal method!

Boom!

The rock under Lin Jingyu's feet exploded! His figure instantly vanished from the spot! His speed was more than just a notch faster than before the Breakthrough! Only a circle of white air turbulence, breaking the sound barrier, was left behind!

The Netherworld Bone Demon's Soul Fire jumped; it seemed it hadn't anticipated such terrifying speed from its opponent!

It instinctively swung its huge bone scythe, raising a sickly green curtain of death light, slashing toward the space in front of it!

However, Lin Jingyu's target was not in front of it at all!

“Shatter!”

A cold shout exploded like thunder! Lin Jingyu's figure appeared directly above the Netherworld Bone Demon's head, as if through instantaneous movement!

His right fist was clenched, wrapped in dark silver Star Gangsha like flames. He didn't use any Martial Skill, just the combination of pure, extreme Physical Body power and Gangsha!

He punched down, aiming for the massive skull of the Bone Demon, where the Soul Fire burned!

The punch landed! Like a falling meteor striking the earth!

CRACK—!!!

An earth-shattering explosion!

The hard, ghastly white skull, wrapped in thick Netherworld Death Qi, instantly filled with spiderweb cracks, like cheap porcelain hit by a heavy hammer, under the disbelieving gazes of Tu Gang and the others! Immediately afterward, it exploded!

Countless ghastly white bone fragments mixed with viscous black Death Qi scattered everywhere!

The two clusters of sickly green Soul Fire inside the skull let out an extremely mournful, silent shriek. Exposed to the air, they flickered violently, looking as if they would extinguish at any moment!

“Extinguish!”

Lin Jingyu's expression was indifferent. He opened his mouth and inhaled! His chest heaved like bellows, and an overwhelmingly tyrannical suction force erupted along with his formidable Qi and blood power!

Whoosh—!

The two clusters of sickly green Soul Fire, representing the core Origin of the Netherworld Bone Demon, were sucked into Lin Jingyu's abdomen without any resistance, like candles in the wind!

“Ugh...” The Bone Demon's massive, headless skeleton instantly froze, having lost the support of its Soul Fire. The Netherworld Death Qi wrapped around it rapidly dissipated, like snow meeting boiling water.

The huge skeleton clattered as it scattered onto the ground, turning into a pile of true withered bones. The rusty bone scythe also clanged as it fell.

Silence!

The passage was deathly silent!

Tu Gang, Chaplain Li, and the others' eyes were practically bulging! Their mouths were wide enough to fit an egg!

That was a Netherworld Bone Demon! A terrifying demonic creature that was hard to wound physically and specialized in sucking Souls! And it was in the Dharma Aspect Realm First Layer!

Just like that... its head was smashed by a single punch? And its Soul Fire was swallowed alive?!

Is this... is this bastard even human?! This Physical Body... this power... he's practically an ancient God-Demon wearing human skin!

Lin Jingyu didn't even glance at the withered bones on the ground. He felt the two clusters of pure Soul Fire energy being rapidly refined by the Chaos Heaven Opening Art inside him, and nodded slightly. A mosquito's leg is still meat.

“System, convert the withered bone remnants.”

[Ding! Converting Dharma Aspect Realm First Layer Netherworld Bone Demon remnants! Gained evolution points: 80,000 points!]*

A white light flashed, and the withered bones vanished.

[Total evolution points: 130,000 points]

“Go.” Lin Jingyu uttered the cold word and continued forward.

The yin prison token in his bosom seemed slightly darker after absorbing some of the Death Qi scattered by the Bone Demon.

Tu Gang and the others awoke as if from a dream, looking at Lin Jingyu's mountainous back, which seemed to contain infinite power. Their awe was like an abyss, and without any distracting thoughts, they hurriedly followed.

The light at the end of the passage was already visible.

Lin Jingyu's thoughts raced: '130,000 points... enough to push Star Shattering Finger to Major Achievement! Or... reinforce the Archaic God-Demon Visualization Chart?'

A sharp glint flashed in his eyes. The waters of the Imperial Capital seemed deeper than imagined. The yin prison token... Heavenly Prison... Demon Kingdom General... this Exuviae, this token, is an Opportunity, but also the center of a vortex!

Strength! He needed greater strength!

The moment he stepped out of the passage, dazzling sunlight poured down.

Lin Jingyu squinted slightly, adjusting to the light.

However, at the precise moment this light descended—

“Attack!”

A sharp, fierce shout suddenly rang out!

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Three streaks of black light, moving at extreme speed, tore through the air, carrying ear-piercing shrieks. Forming a 'pin' shape, they instantly shot toward Lin Jingyu's face, throat, and heart! The angles were tricky and vicious, and the timing was grasped to Perfection! It was the exact moment he stepped out of the passage, when his mind was slightly relaxed and his vision had not fully adjusted!

Assassination! There was an ambush!