81: Royal fortifications, the might of the Underworld Emperor

Three days of rest passed in a flash.

The Cloud Court expeditionary force was like a sharpened blade, its edge even keener after tempering. The damaged divine arks had been repaired, depleted supplies replenished, and injured soldiers had mostly recovered thanks to Yun Qiao's Wood Spirit power and a large quantity of Medicinal Pills. The victory of the initial battle had washed away the new recruits' inexperience, replacing it with the composure and killing intent of seasoned veterans.

The fleet set off again, passing through the preliminarily cleared outer regions of the Nether Realm, truly entering its core Star Domain.

The deeper they went, the denser the deathly stillness became. Floating in the Void Realm were no longer scattered bones, but entire floating continents formed from the skeletons of unknown giant beasts, upon which countless twisted fortresses of bone and shadow were built. Gray, decaying branches of the Nether River snaked through the Star Domain like veins, emitting a Soul-corroding chill.

Occasionally, sporadic Nether Realm patrol teams appeared, but before the massive expeditionary force, they were like mantises trying to stop a chariot, instantly purified by dense artillery fire.

Finally, after about ten days of travel, a shocking sight appeared at the end of the expeditionary force's vision.

It was a palace complex so vast it defied description, entirely constructed from the glowing giant skulls of countless races, stretching for countless miles, like a kingdom of death suspended in the Void Realm. Surrounding the palace complex was an incredibly thick, almost solid, dark gray energy shield. Above the shield, countless pained, twisted Soul faces flickered in and out of existence, emitting silent wails—this was the core of the Nether Realm, the Skeleton Lord's lair, the Bone Throne Court!

Outside the Bone Throne Court, the dense Nether Realm army stood ready, their numbers far exceeding the ambushing forces encountered previously. Skeleton warriors, ghost mages, lich, gargoyles... various undead creatures formed an ocean of death, their Strictly kill Qi almost freezing the Void Realm.

And above the army, the Skeleton Lord's massive dark shadow manifested. He sat upon a throne made from a giant Dragon skull, his crimson Soul fire scanning the approaching Cloud Court fleet, his voice like ten thousand years of ice:

"Ants, to have made it this far, you possess some skill. But this place shall be your burial ground! His Majesty, the Nether Emperor has already learned of your transgression. When His Majesty emerges from seclusion, that will be the time of your Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering!"

He attempted to intimidate the Cloud Court army with the name of "His Majesty, the Nether Emperor."

Nie Li stood at the bow of the ship, his expression still calm despite the terrifying display. He declared loudly: "His Majesty, the Nether Emperor? If he is truly here, why does he not show himself? Do you truly think this city of stacked bones can block the Cloud Court's Sword Qi?"

"Arrogant!" the Skeleton Lord roared. "Activate the 'Myriad Skulls Barrier'! Let these living beings experience eternal despair!"

Buzz—!

At his command, the entire Bone Throne Court trembled, and the eye sockets of the countless skulls forming the palace simultaneously glowed with eerie light! The thick, dark gray shield suddenly solidified several times over. Countless giant skull phantoms, condensed from the power of Law, appeared on the shield, opening their massive mouths and emitting Soul-devouring shrieks!

This "Myriad Skulls Barrier" was clearly the Nether Realm's ultimate defensive measure, its strength far surpassing the previous "Myriad Souls Devouring Heaven Grand Array," radiating heart-palpitating Law fluctuations.

"All forces, heed my command!" Nie Li's eyes sharpened. "'Nine Heavens Demon-Shattering Battle Array,' maximum power, target—Myriad Skulls Barrier, fire!"

The energy cores of hundreds of divine arks operated at overload, and the massive war matrix lit up again, more dazzling than before! Countless thick beams of energy, mixed with thunder, world-purifying fire, and evil-breaking golden light, like a cosmic storm, slammed fiercely into the massive dark gray barrier!

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

Deafening explosions resounded ceaselessly, and energy shockwaves raged wildly in the Void Realm. The dark gray barrier vibrated violently, the skull phantoms appearing on it constantly collapsing under the furious assault, yet more were replenished from within the barrier. Amidst the flickering eerie light, it actually managed to withstand the expeditionary force's volley, which was powerful enough to destroy stars!

"Hahahahaha! It's useless! This barrier is connected to the entire Nether Realm's Origin, its energy is inexhaustible! You are merely wasting your strength!" The Skeleton Lord, seeing this, let out a triumphant cackle.

Nie Li's brow furrowed slightly; this defensive strength indeed exceeded his estimates.

Just then, a calm voice echoed in everyone's minds, carrying an undeniable authority:

"Connected to the Origin? Then sever its connection."

The moment the voice fell, a seemingly unadorned Chaos Sword Qi, as if born from nothingness, ignored spatial distance and appeared directly before the thick "Myriad Skulls Barrier."

The Sword Qi lightly touched a certain point on the barrier.

That point was precisely the most crucial Law node where the entire barrier's energy flowed and connected to the Nether Realm's Origin!

Crack—!

A crisp sound, like breaking glass, was exceptionally clear amidst the earth-shattering explosions.

To the horrified gazes of the Skeleton Lord and all Nether Realm beings, the incredibly sturdy "Myriad Skulls Barrier," with that point as its center, instantly became covered with countless cracks! Immediately after, it collapsed with a crash, transforming into fragments of death energy scattered across the sky!

Yun Feng had made his move!

Though not personally present, a wisp of his will, a single Sword Qi, easily dismantled the Nether Realm's proud ultimate defense!

The Bone Throne Court, its gates wide open!