223: Soul Prison Cage Dimension, Shadow City

During the National War, traveling to the Nether Prison Plane of the Jinhun Realm had taken a full ten years.

But this time, with only a few people, it took a mere half-year for Su Ling and his group to arrive at the Star Gate outside the Nether Prison Plane.

Thinking back carefully, besides the vast difference in numbers, it was also related to how the various major Sects intentionally slowed the journey to teach Formations along the way.

After all, for over a million Core Formation Cultivators to cross the starry sky, the amount of Spirit Stones consumed would undoubtedly be an astronomical figure if they relied entirely on Star Gate teleportation.

Over a hundred years had passed, and a fortress of considerable scale had already been erected outside the Star Gate.

Disciples of the Seven Sects bustled to and fro, and from time to time, large flying boats fully loaded with supplies would sail into the Star Gate or head toward the depths of some plane in the Jinhun Realm.

Stepping out from the Star Gate, Su Ling looked around.

In the distant deep space, a massive, dark-red solar star was quietly emitting light.

This was the first time they had seen the sun of the Jinhun Realm.

Previously, whether on the Nether Prison Plane or inside an immortal ship, they had never been able to see it.

That dark-red glow couldn't help but remind him of various scenes during the National War.

Many Disciples in the team were visiting this realm for the first time and were curiously observing their surroundings.

True Lord Lu Feng, Ye Feibai, flicked his sleeve, and a flying boat shaped like a sharp sword appeared in the air; he leaped straight onto it.

Without needing a reminder, the Disciples all leaped up to follow.

In the next moment, the flying boat suddenly broke through the air, traveling so fast it could be said to cover ten thousand miles in an instant.

They first passed the Nether Prison Plane, followed by the even vaster Burning Soul Scorched Earth Plane, then the Ember Ruin Wasteland Plane which had two companion stars orbiting it, before finally arriving at the Soul Prison Cage Plane, which possessed four subsidiary planes.

As for the two major planes furthest from the solar star, the Ghost Skeleton Mountain and the Vengeful Soul Mist, they hung quietly in the distant deep space.

As the flying boat rapidly approached, a layer of dark-purple atmospheric membrane enveloping the plane suddenly slammed into their vision.

It wasn't the pitch black of the vacuum of the Universe, but rather like heavy velvet soaked in congealed Soul blood, with faint dark-red electric patterns flowing along the edges, like the bars of a cage electrified to dispel evil.

Spiderweb-like cracks covered the membrane, and through the fissures, one could glimpse the dark-grey planetary surface inside.

There were many irregular cloud patterns occupying it, some like broken chains, some like curled-up human figures, and countless tiny points of light could be vaguely seen rapidly darting and colliding within them... those were the eternally imprisoned vengeful Souls.

The entire planet emitted a faint, ghastly white light, the bands of light refracted by the membrane and twisted like chains, firmly binding the countless vengeful Souls to the planetary body.

“The Soul Prison Cage Plane naturally possesses the Law of Imprisonment,”

Ye Feibai stood at the bow and explained calmly, “Cultivators, demons, and vengeful Souls below the Golden Immortal rank find it difficult to escape once they enter. However, that layer of membrane has been breached, and now it can only restrict Cultivators below the True Immortal Rank from escaping.”

“Junior Martial Uncle, in this plane... how many Lord-rank demons are left now?”

The only Body Integration Disciple in the team spoke up to ask.

“By rough estimation, there are still about a dozen or so.”

A trace of disdain flashed across the corner of Ye Feibai's mouth, “But they won't be jumping around for much longer.”

In this realm, Golden Immortal-rank demons are called Eighth-Order Demonic Sovereigns, while True Immortal Rank are Seventh-Order Demonic Lords, also known as Grand Commanders.

Soul Transformation and Body Integration ranks are collectively referred to as Fifth-Order and Sixth-Order Demonic Generals.

Now, in the entire Jinhun Realm, Sovereign-rank demons no longer exist.

Even if there were any, they were likely long ago subdued by the Seven Sects using secret methods.

There are still some Lord-rank demons, either hiding deep in the ocean not daring to show their faces, or having already been implanted with a Soul seal to become War Slaves.

Even those hiding in the deep sea now live in constant fear every day.

The Merfolk Clan and many sea races in the Boundless Sea region within the Shenwu Imperial Dynasty are being led by the newly ascended Peak Demon Immortal, Lady Chao Yin, to conduct a purge of these remnants.

It is expected that in another century or two, all sea regions of the Jinhun Realm will be under the control of the Seven Sects.

Su Ling stood quietly to the side, but a hint of doubt rose in his heart. Since the membrane could only restrict Cultivators below the True Immortal Rank, why didn't those demonic commanders in the sea flee into the starry sky instead of diving into the deep sea?

Fleeing into the starry sky would at least offer vast freedom;

Escaping into the deep sea, wouldn't they just be like turtles caught in a jar?

The flying boat tore through the void, rapidly heading towards the largest crack on the membrane.

A majestic pressure suddenly rushed towards them.

“Golden Immortal?!”

Su Ling and Lu Tao exchanged a glance, both shocked in their hearts.

Su Ling was especially familiar with this kind of aura; having spent much time with Clear Ripple, he was no longer a stranger to the pressure of the Golden Immortal level.

Yet the aura before them was completely unrestrained, released so grandly.

The flying boat penetrated the membrane and sailed into the interior of the plane.

A floating immortal mountain brimming with Spiritual Qi suddenly came into view.

The flying boat landed on the square at the mountain Peak, and Ye Feibai bowed toward the hall in front, “Disciple greets Junior Martial Uncle.”

“No need for formalities.”

A deep, powerful voice came from within the hall, “Make the arrangements yourself.”

“Yes.”

Ye Feibai turned to look at the Disciples, “Go to the Affairs Hall yourselves to receive your tasks. Su Ling and Lu Tao, stay behind.”

“As you command, Disciple.”

Everyone responded in unison, and as they left, the looks they cast at the two were filled with envy.

After the crowd had dispersed, Ye Feibai walked up to the two of them and said in a flat tone, “Junior Brother Su, your task has already been set. Take this token to Shadow City and find the Senior Brother stationed there to be assigned a specific post.”

After saying this, he handed over a token.

“Yes, Junior Martial Uncle.”

Su Ling took the token and sensed it slightly, immediately noticing that it contained a Divine Soul Restriction.

“The creatures in this realm are mostly dark-attribute demons and ghosts. The Restriction within the token has a deterrent effect on native organisms; you can experience it slowly for yourself.”

Ye Feibai paused for a moment, then looked at Lu Tao, his tone turning cold, “I have no time to look after you. During the mission, follow Su Ling's instructions in everything. If you are negligent, you will live in the Lava Pool from now on.”

“Disciple understands.”

Lu Tao's expression became solemn as he replied respectfully.

“Go on.”

Ye Feibai flicked his large sleeve and flew toward the main hall.

Only after his figure disappeared did Lu Tao lower his voice and give a cheer, “Let's go, time to pick up the mission!”

On the way there, the map of the Soul Prison Cage Plane had already been distributed. The location of Shadow City could be found with a quick check.

“Alright.”

Su Ling smiled slightly, and Lu Tao summoned the taixu boat. The two of them headed straight toward Shadow City, breaking through the air... Shadow City was situated among countless pitch-black mountain ranges.

Within the mountain rocks was a strange Ore called 'Color Soul Crystal.' From a distance, the entire mountain range looked like a crystal forest shimmering with seven-colored light, completely out of place with the overall dark-grey tone of the plane.

Color Soul Crystals contain abundant Soul energy and are excellent spiritual Materials for refining Soul-suppressing Magic Treasures.

But for the native creatures, this item is comparable to deadly poison.

If absorbed recklessly, demons or ghosts with slightly weaker strength would have their Soul bodies collapse.

Even if their cultivation is sufficient, forcing this type of Soul energy out of their bodies requires a great deal of effort and time.

However, the Soul Crystal Liquid condensed from countless Color Soul Crystals is a great tonic for any kind of creature.

The one who previously occupied this place was precisely a Sovereign-rank ghost.

It wasn't until the Cultivators of the Seven Sects invaded that this situation began to change.

Now, the highest quality Color Soul Crystals have become the best-selling Artifact Refining Materials in the Canglang Plane.

And the Soul Crystal Liquid has become an exclusive spiritual item for the Seven Sects.

It is of great use to certain Disciples who urgently need to strengthen their Divine Souls and are about to achieve a Breakthrough to Body Integration.