Chapter 298: Underworld Ascension

Black and white divide, reincarnation begins.

Starlight illuminates the Big Dipper!

By infusing Dao Fruit energy with Star Wood and the essence of the 【Chess Sage】 Dao Fruit, the mask forged is what Li Che has designated as the Underworld Yama Mask.

He has infused the Dao Fruit’s qi into the mask. With a Level 5 Chess Sage Dao Fruit, Li Che is confident

that even an exalted Martial Saint from the Heavenly Gate would find it nearly impossible to discern his qi.

This marks the first time Li Che has merged the Dao Fruit’s power with an external object – the Yama Mask appears to transform into a unique divine weapon.

With a flick of his fingers, he pressed the mask onto his face.

Left dark, right light – starlight gleaming, his eyes like shining stars and a luminous moon!

His jet-black hair whipped wildly from behind him, soaring like a cape. Li Che’s entire aura seemed to grow elusive, as if imperceptible.

He closed his eyes, then opened them again.

Strictly speaking, this is Li Che’s first mask after the Ogre, Ma Mian, Divine Monkey, and Thunder Dragon – marking a new identity.

It carries a concept and significance distinct from Black and White Wuchang, the Wine-Sword Immortal, You Liqing, Cat Face, and others.

What is a Yama? As the supreme presence in the Underworld, he governs the life and death of souls, the cycles of reincarnation, and the six moralities – key to maintaining cosmic order.

The Underworld Yama is intended by Li Che to be among the top-tier powerhouses of the Underworld.

Wearing the Yama Mask with his eyes closed, Li Che’s aura began to become ethereal.

The Underworld lacks top-tier combat power – indeed, it might not even possess peak strength at all. This is a consensus among all factions.

For up to now, no one has seen in the Underworld any existence, such as a Heavenly Gate Martial Saint or a Divine Nucleus Great God, standing at the pinnacle of cultivation in the Great Realm.

This has greatly diminished the Underworld’s reputation.

Slowly opening his eyes, Li Che’s pupils suddenly surged with interweaving lines and colors of a chessboard, as if the heavens and earth in his eyes had become cold, desolate, and utterly barren.

What his eyes beheld did not seem like the real world at all – it was the realm of the nether.

“Yama—”

Li Che stepped forward, and suddenly the Cosmic Chessboard soared upward above the room, spiraling at high velocity while severing all detectable qi, unnoticed by anyone.

At that moment, Li Che’s figure instantly shifted and vanished.

Then he reappeared.

Now he stood at the central origin point of the Cosmic Chessboard.

Seated in a lotus position.

An ancient, ink-dark city shrouded in the stench of death rose again and again, ever reaching upward—

While Li Che, wearing his black and white Yama Mask and an inky robe embroidered with gold lotus patterns, sat high atop the city walls as fierce winds howled.

“Such a Yama!”

Li Che exhaled a long breath.

Every breath he took…

With each inhalation and exhalation, a profound rhythm stirred as Li Che’s mind sank deep into his flesh, witnessing every inch of his blood coursing and every tendon intertwining.

His spine, like a dormant great dragon, lay hidden within his body, containing explosive power. Five meridian nodes, driven by qi and blood, would flow through five unique nodes infused with the Divine Seed,

bolstering his qi and blood massively – as if enhanced fivefold in succession.

After more than half a year, Li Che finally succeeded in opening the fifth Qimen Divine Seed node.

At this moment, having unlocked a total of five Qimen nodes, Li Che is extraordinarily rare.

Even someone like You Liqing, an unsurpassed grandmaster by natural talent, has only unlocked two Divine Seed nodes.

Li Che wonders if anyone in the world has ever succeeded in unlocking all eight major Qimen nodes to channel eight Divine Seeds.

Even if someone did, it would be extremely rare.

At least in the matter of channeling Divine Seeds, Li Che is ahead of his peers – few can compare or rival him.

The only shortcoming Li Che now faces is the gap in his own strength.

Because his foundations are so solid, breaking through to Martial Saint level would be even more difficult than for ordinary men.

Sensing the dormant potential of five Divine Seeds – what might happen if all five were to burst forth simultaneously?

What power would be unleashed if the five Qimen Divine Seeds detonated together?

Li Che did not know – he had never attempted it before—

For when You Liqing detonated two Divine Seeds, he met his end immediately; his mortal body could not withstand it and turned to dust.

And what of Li Che?

The breath he exhaled roiled like boiling, scorching steam.

Perched atop Mo City, Li Che resembled a Yama enthroned on the city walls, witnessing the endless cycles of life and death.

The cycle of six paths of reincarnation!

“But it’s still not enough——”

Li Che closed his eyes. The next moment, he suddenly opened them wide.

The explosion of the five Qimen Divine Seeds produced an impressive burst of power—

yet it was insufficient to represent the true might of the Underworld Yama.

To use this as the ultimate combat power of the Underworld—

Li Che felt it fell far short.

“The power of the Temple Spirit! That is the key——”

Li Che rose from atop Mo City. His raven-black hair whipped fiercely in the wind, striking the air with a resounding crack.

From beneath the Yama Mask, his eyes, cold and emotionless, flickered ever so slightly.

In an instant, his entire form executed a Feilei Shift.

He didn’t even need to perform the usual preparatory movements with the Feilei Chess Piece.

Buzz—!!!

In scarcely a moment, Li Che emerged from the Divine Sect Mountain Gate into the eerie recesses of the Two-Hearted Great Sage’s Bizarre Temple.

As his mind stirred,

four Temple Spirit Divine Chess Pieces, aglow with a subtle Buddhist radiance, began to float around him!

They were the pieces Li Che had extracted over the past several months from the Two-Hearted Great Sage, Divine Monkey, and Temple Spirit.

A total of four.

Beneath his Yama Mask, Li Che’s eyes shone with a mysterious gleam.

He had now channeled five Qimen Divine Seeds in total.

Could adding another five Temple Spirit Divine Chess Pieces while in Ascending Stance—

Such a state would be—

Li Che’s heart pounded wildly; even the mere thought sent his blood racing and his passion boiling with anticipation!

“Then it will be a fully enhanced Ascending Stance!”

“Let it be called the Yama Ascension Stance!”

Originally, Ascending Stance was a technique that relied on the power of the Temple Spirit to stimulate the body’s strength.

If one combined it with an unleashed Qimen Divine Seed’s bodily lock,

it might well represent the utmost state Li Che could ever achieve!

Suppressing the tumult of his racing heart into calmness.

Li Che’s gaze shifted toward the Temple Spirit statue on the altar, its candle flame flickering as if mirroring the storm within the Temple Spirit itself.

Beneath his mask, a slight smile curved at his lips.

The black and white mask sparkled with starlight. In the blink of an eye he vanished, only to reappear before the statue of the Temple Spirit.

With outstretched, jade-like fingers, he reached forward and gently stroked the forehead of the Two-Hearted Great Sage.

The touch was remarkably exquisite!

His Thousand Analysis Hand absorbed everything!

BOOM—!!!!

Within the Bizarre Temple, a raging storm erupted as violent gusts of wind and surging waves of qi swept through!

In roughly a month and a half, it took about that long to absorb one Divine Chess Piece.

Now, Li Che estimated that the fifth Temple Spirit Divine Chess Piece of the Two-Hearted Great Sage was about to manifest!

In the Bizarre Temple, white candle flames danced incessantly, hissing without a sound.

Slowly—

The candlelight ceased its dance and settled into a steady glow.

Meanwhile, Li Che’s hand now held an additional black Temple Spirit Divine Chess Piece, suffused with a soft Buddhist glow.

Twisted streams of qi contorted and collapsed into the void!

With the arrival of the fifth Temple Spirit Divine Chess Piece, the collection was complete.

Beneath the Yama Mask, intricate lines interwove, deep as a star-studded night sky.

With a snap of his fingers, the Temple Spirit Chess Piece plummeted into the Cosmic Chessboard, landing at the central origin,

collapsing the crisscrossed chessboard lines beneath it.

Li Che leaped down from the altar and glanced at the Temple Spirit statue, which was quivering but gradually calming.

“My apologies.”

Li Che clasped his fists and smiled.

Then, his entire being twisted and vanished into nothingness, leaving no trace within the Bizarre Temple.

Only a few flickering candle flames testified that someone had been there.

The Two-Hearted Great Sage Divine Monkey, draped in a kasaya, had eyes on the Divine Condor that shimmered with faint gold.

Qianyuan Divine Sect’s Disciple City.

The Elders’ Court.

Creak.

Li Qingshan, draped in a thin overcoat, glanced at the already slumbering Granny Mu before stepping out.

Night was deep, yet in the courtyard, a faint light shone.

Hunched over, he proceeded along the corridor. Beneath the black eaves, icicle-like stalactites dripped steadily like sharp stone needles.

Li Qingshan looked toward the Study – that very light was emanating from within.

Familiar with the ways of the Ogre, Li Qingshan narrowed his eyes slightly.

Today was XiXi’s birthday. Following Li Che’s usual actions, he would likely take the day off rather than laboring deep into the night in the Study.

He would spend time with his wife and daughter, enjoying a proper rest.

In other words—

Li Che – or rather, the Underworld – was about to make a move!

Li Qingshan, stooped and with a distant gaze, slowly released a breath.

With a soft clink, Li Qingshan retrieved a small lens from his waist.

It was the Underworld’s Divine Communication Mirror.

Glancing at it, his eyes lit up and his pupils trembled.

For within the Mirror, a newcomer had appeared.

[Yama]: Tonight’s target is the Su Family. To avoid any mishaps, I, the Yama, shall intervene.

[Ogre]: Roger that.

[Ma Mian]: Roger that.

[Divine Monkey]: Roger that.

[Thunder Dragon]: Roger that.

Li Qingshan stared blankly at the messages within the Divine Communication Mirror.

Listening to the speaker, his mind whirled with shock.

Who is this?!

Within the Underworld—could there really be a figure of such stature?!

The Underworld— Yama?!

With ‘King’ appended, is he the head of the Underworld?!

Li Qingshan’s heart thundered; had the Underworld’s upper echelon finally emerged?

Is he someone even higher than Thunder Dragon?

Let it be known: Thunder Dragon is capable of slaying a Martial Saint, so someone above him—

could it be an existence powerful enough to defeat a Martial Saint at the Qi Sea realm?!

This was the depth of the Underworld!

Li Qingshan had indeed heard numerous rumors circulating in Daocheng.

They claimed that despite its mystery and cunning methods, the Underworld was not to be feared – for it lacked a true, all-suppressing powerhouse!

Needless to say, compared to Lü Taibai – the invincible Martial Saint of Qianyuan Divine Sect, whose divine lineage ranked fifth, and the mighty guardian stationed at the Seventh Heavenly Gate –

the key pillars of power were those in the Temple Guardian Division, with figures like Feng Zhiqi; in the Imperial Watch, with witnesses like Hongshi Fo; and in the Dao Master Residence, with leaders like Yue Huanglong.

Yet conspicuously, the Underworld seemed to lack any figure capable of dominating the stage.

As a member of the Underworld, Li Qingshan was naturally indignant.

You know nothing about the Underworld’s legacy or its mysteries!

Even Cat Face was equally in the dark.

But judging by its mysterious methods, one could ascertain that a top-tier existence was indeed upholding the entire faction!

Take the Feilei Chess Piece for instance, whose teleportation power is unmatched – even techniques like the Divine Talisman and Calming the Wind would scarcely constrain it. How could a faction lacking profound foundations possess such capabilities?

And then there is Mo City—

the Underworld is simply unfathomable!

As a member of the Underworld, Li Qingshan took great pride; he could not abide the negative evaluations cast upon it!

Alas, Li Qingshan could do nothing to refute them, for he had never witnessed any high-ranking Underworld powerhouse.

And now—

They have come!

At last, they have arrived!

Every inch of Li Qingshan’s body trembled with anticipation!

Slowly, he retrieved the Cat Face Mask and placed it over his face!

Then, with measured steps, he responded through the Divine Communication Mirror.

[Cat Face]: Roger that!

With one graceful gesture, he vanished from the Elders’ Court.

Then he reappeared,

now standing in the courtyard of Liu Xiang Alley.

Clad in a blue robe, Li Qingshan peered through the Cat Face Mask at the courtyard – and his heart skipped a beat.

Within the courtyard, one figure after another stood in formation.

Ogre, Ma Mian, Divine Monkey, Thunder Dragon, along with Black and White Wuchang, the Wine-Sword Immortal, You Liqing, Dragon Queen, Xue Dufu, Long Tai, and Blue Bird—

nearly every member of the Underworld had congregated here.

Li Qingshan pressed his Cat Face Mask down and a faint smile appeared in his eyes.

Could this be the Underworld’s second full assembly?

Li Qingshan felt honored to have been invited to the Underworld Gathering for the second time.

He was about to greet Li Che – who, donning the Ogre Mask and towering like a mountain –

when suddenly Li Qingshan’s heart seemed to skip a beat.

A terrifying, overwhelming pressure suddenly enveloped the entire courtyard.

Li Qingshan’s neck stiffened as if time and space had frozen in that very instant.

The raging winds surged overhead, crashing relentlessly down upon him.

Straining to lift his head,

he saw above him an ink-dark city, brimming with deathly energy, materializing right before his eyes.

That was—

Mo City!

Atop the walls of Mo City.

Li Qingshan’s pupils dilated as if he had forgotten to breathe.

There, he saw a figure clad in an inky long robe, his jet-black hair swirling wildly in an endless flurry!

Yama!

This was none other than Yama!

Li Qingshan beheld Yama’s rotating black-and-white mask and eyes that seemed to encompass an entire starry sky.

With just one glance,

Li Qingshan felt as though he were facing a towering colossus that could envelop an entire planet with its presence.

Could there really be such an immense existence in this world?!

It was as if a colossal hound had been magnified to an unimaginable scale?!

Li Qingshan broke out in a cold sweat, his limbs growing weak as that towering figure’s single glance threatened to snuff out his very soul.

Terrifying!

This was the very pillar of the Underworld— Yama?!

Whoever said the Underworld lacked a dominant figure was gravely mistaken!

Li Qingshan’s emotions soared as he clasped his fists and bowed at a 90-degree angle.

“Underworld Cat Face, I pay my respects to Yama!”

Frozen clouds across the ridges, Suxue, and Xiao Ninghua.

The silhouettes of distant mountains were shrouded in mist, and the deep night resembled an inky painting split by brilliant strokes. Snowflakes whistled through the air, as if freezing the cold night in place.

Great snow swirled through the vast expanse, scattering across the land and startling even the drowsy crows.

Su Family Residence.

The sprawling Su Family Residence in Daocheng stretched over a vast area – a complex of palace-like structures partitioned into multiple sections, with rows of stately buildings and secluded courtyards enclosed by walls, narrating the rise and fall of the Su Family over three thousand years.

A family that maintains a robust system for transmission and steady development can endure for centuries.

And for a noble family, the most important aspect is that every generation produces a top-tier warrior.

Families like Yun, Zhong, and Zhou have been venerable for a thousand years in Daocheng; even before them, many families rose and fell in succession.

A five-hundred-year cycle, even a thousand-year milestone – a three-thousand-year lineage can be considered to have reached the pinnacle in the region.

Of course, they might pale in comparison to Divine Capital or many eternal families tied to the Divine Sect.

Yet the reason the Su Family has thrived in Daocheng for three millennia is because each generation has produced a Martial Saint and a Divine Nucleus.

For instance, in this generation, the former head, Su Wenxi, and Su Daoling – one a Martial Saint and the other a Divine Nucleus – with Su Daoling even rising to become a half-Saint of the Divine Talisman!

The Su Family now possessed even greater capital for advancement!

In the previous generation, the Su Family produced two Martial Saints – Su Lei Ba and Su Canghai, the latter reigning at the pinnacle of the Qi Sea from Divine Capital.

Su Canghai even had the potential to tread upon the Martial Pioneer Path, possessing the capital to scale great heights and glimpse the Heavenly Gate!

Once Su Canghai reached that realm, the Su Family would have the clout to challenge even a five-thousand-year lineage!

Sadly, this generation’s Su Wenxi had passed away.

Within the Master Hall,

Su Daoling sat upright on a chair. Oil lamps filled the space, illuminating the room as brightly as day.

Today, Su Lei Ba was tasked with overseeing two Bizarre Temples.

Most of the Su Family’s affairs rested on Su Daoling’s shoulders. Yet after a year of setbacks,

the Su Family was finally back on track.

However, the massacre by Huang Jianjiu, which claimed the lives of many of the Su Family’s young talents, was no small matter – many of the family’s assets had taken a hit.

But the greatest blow was the death of the newly ascended Martial Saint, Su Wenxi.

Leaning back in his chair, he massaged his temples.

Even for a Divine Nucleus Cultivator, dealing with mundane matters was vexing; the constant intrigues among the noble families, maneuvering between the Divine Sect and the Dao Master Residence, and maintaining cordial relations with the Temple Guardian Division and the Imperial Watch were all taxing.

For a great family to endure, balancing relations among the major factions was essential.

“Luckily, the Su Family and the Dao Master Residence have completely mended ties—” Although there were some losses, it wasn’t disastrous. At the very least, it secured the Su Family’s footing.

“As for the Zhou, Yun, and Zhong families who wish to erode the Su Family during this period – whatever they swallow will eventually be vomited out!”

“And what about those two – one being the Lie Shen Pavilion’s Star Killer and the other Long Zi Ao Lie of the Dragon God lineage? Why has there been no word? Did Lü Taibai shock them into silence?”

“Worthless – to think that his own sister was killed and his daughter slain, yet he cowers in fear.”

Su Daoling sneered under his breath.

He was still displeased with the newly ascended Divine Condor Half-Saint Li Che from the Divine Sect.

After all, originally that Divine Condor Half-Saint was supposed to appear from the Su Family – Su Huai Ming was the one the Su Family spent huge resources cultivating to become the Five Elders’ Divine Condor Master, yet in the end,

he fell at the final hurdle, assassinated by someone.

The Su Family believed that the death of Master Su Huai Ming was definitely connected to Li Che!

“Also, Lü Taibai’s direct disciple, Li Nuǎnxi of Qianyuan Divine Sect – I wonder how those two little ones are faring. We Su Family men are masters at the art of seduction – if we can win Li Nuǎnxi’s favor, the Su Family’s position in Daocheng will be unassailable, with enough leverage to support Divine Capital as well.”

“If the Third Prince can secure the crown prince’s position—” Then the Su Family’s status will soar,

ensuring a five-thousand-year lineage without question.

Su Daoling exhaled deeply. A recent message from Divine Capital mentioned that as the Empress’s Paotao Banquet drew near, the struggle for the crown prince’s position intensified.

The Third Prince held a significant advantage, prompting the Su Family to send resources to Divine Capital to support him.

Naturally, Su Daoling had no objections – he pooled resources to deliver to Divine Capital, aiming for a long-term achievement from the Dragon’s merit. Should it succeed, the Su Family might even have the chance to perform on the grand stage of Divine Capital,

rather than remain confined to a corner of Lingnan Path.

“Head of the Family, the four Elders from the inner circle of Qianyuan Divine Sect have arrived with Su Li.”

A guard outside whispered.

Su Daoling smiled and said, “Please, come in.”

Ji Heshan had established ties within the Divine Sect at great expense, even agreeing to sponsor his advance toward the Divine Nucleus realm.

Su Li had become Ji Heshan’s disciple, and Su Daoling had even asked Ji Heshan to create opportunities for Su Li to interact with Li Nuǎnxi.

Moments later,

Ji Heshan, clad in a simple ancient robe with billowing sleeves and accompanied by Su Li, slowly stepped into the Master Hall.

“Su Li pays respects to the Head of the Family,” Su Li said with sincere courtesy, clasping his fists.

Su Daoling, his face gentle and smiling, replied, “Su Li, you are the most talented youth in the Su Family. The future rise of the Su Family depends on you.”

“Even though you cannot use the Su Family’s secret techniques once you wed Li Nuǎnxi, her status and position bring benefits far greater than any secret technique. Your innate talent has already taken you to great heights.”

Su Daoling laughed.

Su Li’s heart stirred.

Ji Heshan sat opposite, chatting amiably with Su Daoling.

“That kid Su Chuyang isn’t all that – his mind is only set on defeating Li Nuǎnxi. So blunt.”

Ji Heshan shook his head.

Su Daoling nodded, “Then Su Chuyang’s resources shall go entirely to Su Li—”

“Elder Ji, try some of the tribute tea my beloved daughter sent back from Divine Capital. Only the dignitaries in the imperial palace can savor such tea.”

Su Daoling laughed.

Gurgle, gurgle.

The water in the stove boiled furiously, hissing and spouting steam.

Lifting the lid, he used a bamboo tweezers to scoop several tea leaves radiating spiritual energy and tossed them into the boiling water. In an instant, the leaves unfurled, their jade-green color rippling as a rich aroma filled the air.

Su Daoling inhaled deeply, a smile blossoming at the corners of his mouth.

He had been blessed with a wonderful daughter, granting him the opportunity to savor these exquisite flavors found only in the grand imperial palace.

Ji Heshan’s eyes lit up as well.

Things delivered to the imperial palace were always exemplary.

After pouring two cups of hot tea, with the essence of life swirling amidst the chill, the rich aroma seemed almost tangible.

Su Daoling, leaning back in his chair after handling the affairs of an enormous family, finally had a moment to rest – a time he cherished above all else.

As he raised the tea cup to his lips,

suddenly,

his eyes narrowed slightly.

Through the mirror-like gleam of the tea, he saw, without a sound, a figure having appeared behind him.

His hand twitched involuntarily.

The calm surface of the tea was disturbed, ripples forming suddenly!

“Who?!”

A chill struck Su Daoling’s heart and he roared in anger.

Ji Heshan, about to grasp the tea cup, trembled and looked up in confusion.

Beside him, Su Li was so frightened he nearly went numb.

A formidable surge of cosmic soul energy seemed to converge, as if an invisible, contorted form was channeling the force of heaven and earth behind him – swelling like an overinflated balloon in an instant!

But then he realized with horror that his roar had been stifled.

No sound escaped his lips.

Silence – an eerie, death-like silence!

“Who is there?!”

Su Daoling’s mind trembled.

This was the Su Family’s residence!

Yet due to the previous incident with Huang Jianjiu, Su Daoling himself had set up a formation of Divine Talismans throughout the residence.

Any intruder would be immediately alerted by the formation.

Unless—

unless the intruder’s strength far exceeded his own, capable of completely masking their cosmic soul!

And indeed, that was the case.

Had it not been for sheer chance, he wouldn’t have noticed anyone sneaking in through the tea’s reflection!

A cold aura surged up from the base of his neck.

An overwhelming burst of divine energy suddenly exploded from the Mud Pellet at his brow!

BOOM—!!!

The tea cup in his hand shattered instantly, and the entire table was obliterated into dust by the terrifying force.

In that split second, Su Daoling unleashed his Divine Nucleus transformation, laying bare the full extent of his cultivation – his inner organs, his divine fetus, everything was on display.

The Divine Essence Golden Pill began to float, its surface cracked, revealing the blurry form of his inner Divine Nucleus,

like a pulsating mass of flesh, with its heart, kidneys, and lungs so distinct that one could almost feel the divine energy pulsing like a current!

Clang, clang, clang!

One divine talisman after another materialized around Su Daoling.

As the talismans were activated, an overwhelming surge of divine energy, like rolling waves, exploded forth – a torrent of light and heat as if the great sun had risen.

The oppressive aura of the Divine Nucleus’s rank left Ji Heshan gasping for breath, while Su Li had already collapsed to the ground, utterly powerless.

Su Daoling tried to alert his family!

Or rather, to alert Su Lei Ba!

The great sun soared into the sky; in an instant, endless light and heat converged around him, coalescing into razor-sharp sword light that shot upward!

Half-saint Sword Talismans of the Five Elders!

The brilliance seemed to tear the surrounding light asunder!

And then—

Su Daoling suddenly felt his entire body stiffen.

His cosmic soul seemed to be suppressed by an overwhelming force, unable to transmit its signal.

His neck stiffened further as he slowly raised his head,

gazing upward.

There, above him, a sprawling chessboard emerged, its lines sprawling like a net.

A Chessboard?!

“Underworld—

—!!!”

Su Daoling roared.

In a flash, he recognized who had struck him.

It was the Underworld!

Su Daoling let out a long roar, his internal alarm pounding incessantly. With his fingers pressed together, he slashed violently at the void. The void rippled as if folding into millions of creases. From that single gesture, divine energy erupted in a torrential burst—

It had formed into a talisman, nearly as vast as the ceiling, resembling a mountain of characters!

It sought to break through the confines of the chessboard.

But then—

Just as the talisman was forming, he felt a momentary haze of drowsiness, like a tidal wave of sleep surging into his mind.

But in a heartbeat, he snapped back to alertness.

His eyes shone with murderous intent!

Yet in the next moment his entire body stiffened again.

When he opened his eyes once more,

he beheld a colossal, inky city materializing on the ceiling—a city seething with deathly and murderous energy!

And atop this dreadful city,

sat a lone figure wearing a black and white mask, cross-legged in total desolation.

His gaze was cold and disdainful,

regarding everything below with the detached cruelty of one who controls life and death.

Even more terrifying,

from behind that seated figure, Su Daoling glimpsed a monstrous beast that seemed capable of obliterating stars. The beast, having been low to the ground, slowly rose. Its enormity, unheard of and oppressive, caused the Divine Nucleus within him to tremble in sheer terror—

and it charged all at once!

What level of existence is this?!

A Martial Saint of the Mountain? Or—

a Divine Nucleus Great God?!

“You—… who are you?!

Does the Underworld truly harbor such a figure?!”

Su Daoling roared in defiance.

Then, his eyes caught the slightest movement of that figure. In that instant, the five Qimen Divine Seeds accidentally burst forth,

as if the very bonds that held together the heavens and earth shattered with a single, convulsive stretch.

In the next moment, countless torrents of qi and blood converged into a single fist!

It tore through the mountainous talisman, shattering his three-organ Divine Nucleus into pieces—

leaving his hair and the robes of the Head of the Family to flutter wildly, his face trembling as if struck by a tidal wave.

At that moment, Su Daoling was filled with bitter anguish.

Who said the Underworld lacked its apex?!

A single, devastating existence that could channel five Qimen Divine Seeds to incinerate him—

“Senior…”

“I, Su Daoling…

“What merit have I?”