Reaching the second stage, though both were drained, as mental power experts they still sensed something stirring beneath the magma.
"Careful!" Hu Liena drew her short sword, stepping forward warily.
"Ten-Headed Fierce Yang Serpent, come out!" Tianlin called. "Bat King, pull it up—let's see who's the strongest monster here."
The bat king dove and a giant crimson snake emerged from the magma, biting one of the bat king's heads.
On its head and back were nine bulges, like red mushrooms, seemingly filled with flowing blood. Its belly was huge, rising above the narrow path, and its body was over ten meters long.
An ancient exotic beast—the Ten-Headed Fierce Yang Serpent, even stronger than a sixty-thousand-year soul beast. The bat king was no match and quickly overwhelmed, relying only on its regeneration to survive.
Frustrated, the snake sprayed its deadly venom.
"Want to play with snake venom? Let me show you the world's deadliest poison." Tianlin took out Dugu Bo's inner core, containing half of the Poison Douluo's power. If crushed, its poison would destroy everything here.
Of course, Tianlin wouldn't use it unless desperate. But he could use his soul power to channel its poison in battle.
"Jade phosphorous Serpent Emperor's Poison!"
A terrifying poison spread, clashing with the Ten-Headed Fierce Yang Serpent's venom. The two poisons neutralized each other.
Tianlin laughed, "As expected."
The Jade Phosporous Emperor's poison and the Ten-Headed Fierce Yang Serpent's were the same—snakes would avoid both. When they encountered each other, both were dispelled.
"Impressive, Lord Tianlin!" Hu Liena praised. "Now let me try!"
With her external soul bone, all attributes boosted, she charged at the snake, aiming her short sword at its tumor-like bulges—its power source and weakness.
Though now a puppet, as long as Tianlin didn't give her orders, Hu Liena was otherwise unchanged—her confidence ran deep.
With her and the bat king working together, the Ten-Headed Fierce Yang Serpent was continually damaged, and the snake's strongest poison was rendered useless against the Jade Phosphorous Emperor's.
Finally, the Ten Headed Fierce Yang Serpent showed fear. In desperation, it self-destructed—all nine tumors burst, releasing scarlet liquid that shot upward, merging into a golden-red orb.
This was its inner core. It tried to blow it up, hoping to die with Tianlin and Hu Liena.
"Seven Kill Sword Dao—one word: Kill!"
At that moment, Tianlin's killing intent exploded. Hu Liena saw him become the embodiment of the word "kill."
His body transformed into the "kill" character, charging at the snake.
The character sliced from the snake's head down its ten-meter body.
In Hu Liena's shocked gaze, the snake's body shattered like glass.
She'd tried her best and couldn't break a single scale, but Tianlin cut through it like paper.
No wonder his master was called the number-one attacker. The true Seven Kill Sword Dao was terrifying.
A drop of golden-red light fell. Tianlin caught the orb with a wave.
It was the Ten-Headed Fierce Yang Serpent's inner core. Its body might be gone, but the snake wasn't truly dead unless the core was crushed—then it could be used as a spirit ring.
Tianlin remembered this could be Ma Hongjun's seventh soul ring, further boosting his Phoenix Flame.
"Careful, it might be poisonous," Hu Liena warned.
Tianlin smiled, "It's fine. I've taken immortal herbs and have Dugu Bo's poison core for protection. This thing can't hurt me."
He wrapped the core and stored it in his soul tool. "Let's go. That's the second stage cleared."
Bibi Dong had told Hu Liena there were three stages in the Hell Road. Survive the last, and they'd gain the Deathgod Domain.
But on the way to the last stage, no more monsters appeared—only the heat intensified.
Hu Liena looked unwell. Though the wisdom skull helped her keep her cool, after so long under the Hell Road's influence, her killing intent was almost out of control.
"So, the final stage is a test of self-control," Tianlin realized.
To get through, you needed enough strength and speed; otherwise, the evil aura would drive you mad.
Tianlin was fine, but Hu Liena struggled.
"Five-Elemental Purification!"
Tianlin used the Holy Spirit Pearl again, cleansing all evil energy.
Hu Liena regained her wits, amazed. "You're a twin martial soul!"
"Yeah, that's how I saved you just now. Keep it secret, okay?" Tianlin said. With her now under control, he had nothing to hide.
"It's amazing—you barely used half your true strength in our previous fight," Hu Liena now showed only respect for Tianlin.
With the evil aura cleansed, the final stage was a breeze. They soon reached a white light curtain—the exit.
Tianlin sent the bat king back; his control was about to expire, and it would be trouble then. Since it had helped them, he let it go.
They looked back at the Hell Road—their two years of bloodshed were finally over. Those bloody days will never be forgotten!