NOVPUBChapter 1163 -1162 Zhurong’s Inquiry, Battle of the Netherworld Realm
Bai Meng and the Seven-faced Demon General exchanged glances, each commanding half of the sea region, stirring the vast North Sea.
As more and more streams of water drew near, the boundaries of the Flame World grew increasingly smaller.
Bai Meng stepped into the void, his hands outstretched, and a long spear emitting thick Demonic Qi materialized in his palms.
“Demonic Spear: Heaven Slayer,” Bai Meng held the spear, piercing through all voids along the way, stirring the sea and the raging flames, aiming straight toward the Consciousness Entity.
“Suppression,” Xu Zimei infused the last bit of his strength into the Chaos Pearl.
The Chaos Pearl, which had nearly dimmed, burst forth with brilliance once again, subduing the Consciousness Entity.
With a deafening “Boom,” the flames were completely torn apart. The tip of the demon spear thrust directly into the Consciousness Entity’s brow.
Thunder and wind changed instantly, powerful gusts transformed into countless Demon Arrows, ruthlessly piercing through.
The Consciousness Entity let out an agonizing roar.
Under the control of the Seven-faced Demon General, the aura of the North Sea grew stronger and eventually annihilated the Flame World entirely.
The Consciousness Entity finally exploded, and the impact sent the group flying.
The Chaos Pearl returned to the True Fate World, and Xu Zimei collapsed.
“Master, are you alright?” Bai Meng supported him, asking with concern.
Xu Zimei waved him off and made an effort to stand upright.
He looked toward the spot where the Consciousness Entity had exploded. There appeared a fragmentary stone tablet and a flame.
“Bring it here for me to see,” Xu Zimei said.
The Seven-faced Demon General retrieved the stone tablet, and Xu Zimei’s eyes narrowed as he saw the characters “Zhurong’s Inquiry” carved prominently on it.
He stared at the stone tablet, and the world before him abruptly changed.
It felt as though his mind was pulled into a new realm.
When he regained his senses, scenes floated before his eyes.
A giant engulfed in flames stood upon a desolate landscape.
The fire consumed all, and he was revered as the Fire God.
Zhu Rong was the first Fire God of the world, and the flames he commanded bore his name: Zhurong’s Flame.
He lived in the Primordial Era, the most untamed age of the Nine Domains.
The Ancient Gods ruled, resources were sparse, and they were the leaders of the world.
The scenes in front of him shifted, prompting the question: What is fire?
Xu Zimei couldn’t help but wonder.
Some used fire to fight—it was destructive, furious, and blazing.
Others used fire for cooking and warmth.
Fire was tied inherently to one word: creation.
Whether it was the all-consuming flames or the faint spark that fueled cooking, fire was indispensable to human purpose.
Thus, fire was creation.
The images changed rapidly, and within seconds Xu Zimei felt as though he had experienced it all. His vision returned to the North Sea.
“Master, are you alright?” Bai Meng asked hurriedly.
“A bit weakened; I’ll likely need a long time to recover,” Xu Zimei replied with a shake of his head.
Ordinary losses were easy for him to recuperate from at his level, but the Chaos Pearl had drained him greatly.
Both mind and body, including his Essence Blood, were excessively depleted.
After the images vanished, the four grand characters “Zhurong’s Inquiry” on the stone tablet gradually faded away.
Meanwhile, a new Cultivation Technique emerged in Xu Zimei’s mind.
It was the Ancient Mysterious Skill of Zhurong’s Inquiry.
Zhu Rong mastered fire, and the technique naturally revolved entirely around the Way of Fire.
The nearby crimson flame was none other than Zhurong’s Flame.
Xu Zimei reached out and claimed Zhurong’s Flame.
Bai Meng and the Seven-faced Demon General returned to the Divine Continent, while Xu Zimei chose a relatively quiet place to recuperate for an extended period.
………
At this moment, in the Netherworld Realm.
This was also one of the Nine Domains.
The Illusionary Sea fluctuated, its surface as lifeless gray ash, stubbornly swallowing anything that came into contact with it, no matter how light.
Once touched by the Illusionary Sea, all objects sank instantly, with no possibility of resistance.
The Illusionary Sea itself was a world.
Beneath the Illusionary Sea lay the Netherworld, the final destination of all beings.
Here was the journey’s end, the ultimate resting place for everything.
This realm only welcomed the dead.
Death energy enveloped the entire world, and the Illusionary Sea was divided into eighteen layers.
These corresponded to the Avici Hell.
Here, distinctions of good and evil ceased to exist, and the souls of the deceased would proceed to the eighteenth level of hell.
Based on individual merits, they could ascend, eventually reaching the first level of hell, from which reincarnation would be granted.
Of course, reincarnation meant a completely new life; all traces of the past would vanish like smoke.
The first stop in the Netherworld Realm was Luofu Stronghold.
Further ahead was the Gathering Souls Pass.
At this moment, in front of Luofu Stronghold.
The souls of the departed had gathered here, lining up to have their identities marked before proceeding inside.
Suddenly, two beams of golden light burst across the firmament.
The Netherworld Realm usually remained shrouded in darkness.
The unexpected golden light was dazzling, immediately drawing everyone’s attention.
The firmament of the Netherworld Realm was torn open by two hands, revealing a figure clad in an Immortal Robe stepping through.
“By decree of the Holy Court, I am here to apprehend a particular soul. Lord of the Dead Spirits, I request your cooperation,” the figure declared solemnly, holding a scroll aloft.
As his words fell, the atmosphere became chaotic, but silence prevailed—no one dared offer a response.
“Where is the master of Luofu Stronghold?” The Immortal Robe-clad figure asked sharply.
“Who has come with such pomp?” A lazy voice rang out.
A middle-aged figure neither masculine nor feminine emerged above Luofu Stronghold.
Though clad in men’s attire, his appearance was oddly delicate—red lips, a charming nose, and a soft voice.
“The Holy Court requests a soul. Kindly cooperate and assist in locating them,” said the Immortal Robe figure.
“Since when does the Holy Court govern matters of the Netherworld Realm?” the middle-aged man retorted.
“This is an order from the Immortal Lord. Do you dare defy it?” The Immortal Robe figure sneered.
“Do not forget what happened 300,000 years ago.”
“If it’s the Immortal Lord’s order, have him come personally. Who do you think you are?” the middle-aged figure replied.
“Your impudence grows bolder in the Netherworld Realm. I’ll report this truthfully to the Immortal Lord,” the Immortal Robe figure pronounced coldly, his form shrouded in immortal mist.
“Prepare to bear the consequences.”
“Wait a moment,” the middle-aged figure called out as the Immortal Robe figure prepared to leave.
“What do you want?” The Immortal Robe figure frowned.
“This is the Netherworld Realm, the final destination for the dead. Do you think a living person can enter and leave as they please?” the middle-aged figure replied.
With arms outstretched, a vast portion of the Illusionary Sea surged forward.
Death energy swirled, accompanied by the Sea of Blood from Hell and unending screams.
“Do you dare rebel?” The Immortal Robe figure demanded furiously.
In an instant, immortal radiance emanated from him, transforming into an Immortal Sword and striking forward.
“We have never submitted; how could rebellion exist?” the middle-aged man retorted with a laugh.
“Outside this realm, you might hold your ground against me.
But here, in the Netherworld—you’re nothing but an insect.”
The Sea of Blood drowned the immortal light and enveloped the Immortal Robe figure entirely.
