Yu Yuan walked on the vast road leading to the Netherworld, the Chaos Bell faintly floating above his head, casting a pale bronze glow, protecting his surroundings.
The rosy clouds at the horizon gradually receded, and the night sky turned as dark as ink.
Yu Yuan passed through numerous sacred mountains and finally arrived before Ghost Gate.
Here lay the boundary between the worlds of Yin and Yang, as well as being the entrance to the Underworld.
Ghost Gate was exceptionally solemn, with towering guardian statues on both sides—once warriors of the Witch Clan who ruled the land, now loyal protectors of the Underworld, guardians of the Yin World.
These Witch Clan warriors, each clad in armor and wielding long spears, had an alert look in their eyes.
The moment he stepped into Ghost Gate, a cold yin wind swept over him, the air filled with ancient resentment and the aroma of decay.
Upon seeing Yu Yuan, the warriors' eyes instantly turned ferocious, showing clear displeasure towards the Chaos Bell floating above his head.
The Chaos Bell was once the treasure of Donghuang Taiyi, a divine object of the Demon Clan Heavenly Court; countless Witch Clan warriors had perished under it.
For the Witch Clan, this was an ill-omened artifact, an evil presence that should not be before them.
Before they had a chance to question him, Yu Yuan stated in a clear tone: "I have urgent matters to attend to with the Saint of the Underworld, Lady Pingxin. Make haste and announce my arrival."
Before his words fell silent, several warriors roared and raised their long spears, crossing them in the air, intending to halt his advance.
Yu Yuan remained calm as usual, his movement a blur, with each step containing infinite profundity. The Chaos Bell trembled lightly, making all things in the world shudder at its vibrations, the sound echoing through the nine abysses and ten lands.
A formidable strength surged from within the bell, sending those Witch Clan warriors flying like kites with broken strings to land on the distant ground, creating no commotion.
Some of these warriors' armors shattered, some even passed out on the spot.
The ringing of the bell seemed to transform into an invisible force, instantly sweeping across those Witch Clan warriors.
The leading warrior, wielding his war spear, had not even come close to striking before he was repelled by a great force, thrown into the air like a rag doll.
The remaining warriors, furious, each employed their Secret Techniques attempting to fight back jointly, but their power was like brilliant fireworks, futile before the force field of the Chaos Bell.
Yu Yuan's figure seemed to pass through illusions, untraceable by the killing frost spikes or the flaming stones.
He appeared like a deity walking through emptiness, passing Ghost Gate under the disbelieving stares of the many warriors, heading straight into the depths of the Netherworld.
Behind him, the toppled warriors laid on the ground like fallen leaves of autumn, their fighting spirit not yet dissipated, yet they could only helplessly watch as Yu Yuan's figure swiftly receded. Thɪs chapter is updated by 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵•𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑒•𝙣𝙚𝙩
Yu Yuan sensed an invisible questioning and obstruction within the obscurity, as if the will of the entire Underworld scrutinized this intruder.
Yet, his resolve was steadfast as iron, unceasing in his steps, moving forward. The aura of the Chaos Bell around him became more pronounced, the Witch Clan warriors charged with guarding the Underworld powerless to rise again.
No one could block his path.
Passing through the gloomy Ghost Gate, one could see the murky waters of the River of Oblivion accompanied by the eerie sound of the wind extending into the depths of darkness, with Yu Yuan undeterred and unwavering along this path.
With the Chaos Bell above his head and carrying the supreme might of an immortal, he proceeded along the serpentine passage towards the depths of the Underworld. This bell, an Innate Treasure, can turn the sun and moon, adjust the order of time; even in perilous places as if entering a realm devoid of inhabitants.
Soon, Yu Yuan reached Naihe Bridge.
This sinister bridge spanning life and death was silent and cold as if it could sense every tremor and hesitation in the hearts of those who set foot upon it.
However, his forward steps came to an abrupt halt. Not far ahead, a flash of golden light suddenly shone, revealing the imposing figure of Taiyi the Saviour, Heavenly Venerate. He rode a nine-headed lion, each head with bared teeth and claws, eyes sharp and ferocity unmatched.
Taiyi the Saviour carried solemnity and authority within his brows, his voice as loud as bells and drums, "Fellow Daoist, please halt your steps! Lady Pingxin rarely meets outsiders.
What is the purpose of your visit? Please inform me so that I may relay your message."
Yu Yuan gazed at the Heavenly Venerate before him with a demeanor neither humble nor overbearing, replying, "I have urgent matters that require an audience with Saint Pingxin. If the fellow daoist still holds compassion, please allow me to pass without obstruction."
A flash of golden light appeared in Taiyi the Saviour's eyes, and the nine-headed lion growled continuously, displaying dissatisfaction and warning.
"The Underworld has its rules. Should you insist on forcing your way through, it would be a challenge to the dignity of the Underworld. As the ruler of the Underworld, I naturally cannot stand by idly."
As his voice fell, the nine-headed lion let out a thunderous roar, and a strong yin wind whipped up on the bridge surface, intending to push Yu Yuan back. But Yu Yuan stood firm like an ancient pine, the tremors of the Chaos Bell behind him quickly dissolving the yin wind.
Yu Yuan realized with clarity that this would likely be another test of strength.
He gathered all his strength, the vibration frequency of the Chaos Bell rapidly increasing, its unconscious aura alone enough to disarray the sands of time for miles around.
Yu Yuan's voice also carried an unwavering decisiveness: "Fellow Daoist, please step aside. Otherwise, I must force my passage."
Taiyi the Saviour's face first tightened, then he revealed a faint smile, one that held no trace of threat but instead brimmed with contemplation. He observed the changes in Yu Yuan, seemingly weighing something.