Amid a shrill scream, the seemingly flawless young girl suddenly transformed. In the blink of an eye, she vanished—replaced by a colossal jet-black python. This python stretched over a thousand zhang long, its body covered in dense, obsidian scales that made one's skin crawl with fear. And at that very moment, the Death Fishing Hook had latched onto the giant python.
"A seductive girl trying to tempt this Emperor... what a fine python you are. Since you're so eager to get on the bridge, then up you go!"
Seeing the girl turn into such a hideous serpent, Yi Tianxing's expression soured. That beautiful face was easy on the eyes, but this monster was revolting, a complete eyesore. With a darkened face, he gripped the Death Fishing Rod, intending to reel the python up.
But as he tugged on the rod, something strange happened.
From within the python surged an unimaginable power. It struggled with tremendous force. Pulling the rod felt like dragging a mountain. The fishing line stretched taut, on the verge of snapping.
Thankfully, the Death Fishing Rod was no ordinary rod, but a treasure born of the world itself—now ascended to Mystic Grade, a pinnacle among treasures. Empowered by the world's energy, it even rivaled Spirit Treasures. Each cast wielded vast power. Yet now, it could not budge the python—worse, it felt as though he himself might be dragged into the Nether Ruins.
"To resist the Death Hook's pull… this Nether Ruins is truly bizarre."
Yi Tianxing was inwardly shaken. The Death Fishing Hook acted directly on the soul—any soul caught by it would be gripped by pain and paralysis, unable to resist. Typically, it was effortless to reel them in. But now, things were completely reversed, raising serious doubts.
The python's expression was one of unbearable agony.
"I refuse to believe I can't reel you in! Up you come!"
A competitive spark ignited in Yi Tianxing's heart. With a thought, immense world power surged into the rod. It glowed with ancient divine light. At this strength, even a serpent ten thousand zhang long would be hauled up.
Yet the force pulling back still felt like an immovable mountain—completely unshakable.
ROAR!!
The python let out a bone-chilling shriek. Suddenly, under a terrifying force, its massive body shattered—splintered into fragments—vanishing before his eyes.
"It self-destructed…?"
Yi Tianxing frowned, clearly surprised by the development.
The Nether Ruins between Two Realms was indeed strange—full of unknown secrets. Why had he been unable to reel in this python?
That power—it should have dragged even a Yang god Realm cultivator up, even a True Spirit Realm expert. And yet, at the last moment, the python exploded.
"No, something's there."
Just as he was about to move on, Yi Tianxing noticed something left behind at the site of the serpent's demise: a pitch-black box.
Without hesitation, he cast out the Death Hook again, ensnaring the box and pulling it toward the bridge.
This time, it came easily—no resistance. He reeled it in without issue, stored the rod, and took the box in hand. It was neither metal nor jade—clearly uncarved, a naturally formed object.
He opened it.
Inside were nine drops of essence blood, each radiating a black divine glow. Ancient runes flickered within, endlessly shifting and intertwining. In the blood, he could see the image of a massive python—and occasionally, a beautiful woman's face. Not just one, but a myriad—male and female, young and old—all shifting endlessly.
"Blood of the Thousand-Faced Python… what a treasure! What a surprise."
Yi Tianxing immediately recognized the origin and nature of the blood.
Thousand-Faced Python Essence Blood: Originating from the mythical Thousand-Faced Python, its bloodline contains innate divine abilities. It can naturally transform into countless appearances—but to take on a new form, it must first consume the soul of a matching being. Thus, it requires a deep affinity with souls. For example, only by devouring the soul of an old man can it take on the old man's appearance. Because of this, it is also called the Soul-Devouring Python.
Cultivators can refine the blood, with a 1% chance of inheriting the Thousand-Faced Python's bloodline. If the bloodline does not awaken, it will still open a new Life Orifice, one related to the Thousand-Faced Python, without any side effects. This makes it a perfect orifice-opening treasure.
The Thousand-Faced Python's abilities go beyond just appearance-shifting. It includes the Thousand Faces Orifice, Soul-Devouring Orifice, Illusion Orifice, and more—all combining to define its terrifying divine arts.
"Nine drops of essence blood… priceless."
Yi Tianxing nodded. Any treasure that could directly open a Life Orifice was beyond value—like the legendary Gourmet Cells. Though this couldn't compare to those, it was still enough to drive countless cultivators mad with desire.
Stowing the blood away, he pressed forward.
Each step forward seemed to span eternity. Around him, the Nether Ruins teemed with eerie apparitions.
He caught glimpses of a red-bellied boy vanishing in a blink… an eight-armed female demon wandering near the Bridge of Yin and Yang… a ghostly black war chariot racing by, driven by a headless general… and a black-furred corpse lying in a coffin of ice.
Terrifying shrieks filled the air, chilling to the bone. For ordinary people, just hearing these sounds would be unbearable—driving them insane, or even killing them with fear.
The place was that deadly.
Still, Yi Tianxing refrained from striking out. The recent encounter reminded him just how deep the waters ran here. A reckless move might provoke disastrous consequences.
He had come to the underworld for a reason—best not to stir up trouble.
Step by step, he crossed the Bridge of Yin and Yang, drawn by an unseen force. Without knowing how, he reached the other side—standing at the threshold of a shadowy realm.
Without hesitation, he stepped forward.
At that moment, a dense aura of Nether Yin Qi enveloped him. To ordinary cultivators, this would be deadly poison. But Yi Tianxing welcomed it. The moment it entered his body, the Hongmeng Heavenly Emperor Pagoda absorbed and refined it. Even the Heavenly Emperor's Dragon Sutra could perfectly digest it.
"Back in the underworld again… This is Red Flame City!"
Yi Tianxing found himself in a dark corner. Looking closely, he realized it was none other than Red Flame City, where he had once left a spatial marker. The bridge had returned him exactly where he intended.
But the city had changed.
Not for the better.
It was a ruined wasteland.
Yes—completely destroyed. Broken rubble and shattered remains lay everywhere. It had been devastated long ago—at least several years had passed.
"Red Flame City… destroyed. And that aura—it's her. Ghostmother."
In the ruins, he sensed a familiar presence—deeply imprinted in his memory. It was the Ghostmother's aura. She likely destroyed the city with ease. For someone of her power, erasing Red Flame City would be effortless.
"Let's hope her attention has moved elsewhere. Otherwise, things could get messy."
After all, this time, his true body had come. Any danger would mean real risk—not just a projection. Of course, the Bridge of Yin and Yang still hovered overhead. With a single thought, he could retreat. Without this escape route, he wouldn't have dared set foot here.
Despite the destruction, the city wasn't entirely dead.
Underworld spirits still roamed. At its center, a cleared area stood.
There, an ancient Gate of Ghosts had been erected.
Ghost soldiers flanked either side. This had become a major transfer point for souls moving between the yin and yang worlds.
One could see underworld envoys (ghost messengers) coming and going, escorting vast numbers of souls. These souls faced many fates—some would linger in the underworld, some enter reincarnation, others vanish.
"Sigh… I wonder if Fellow Daoist Yi is even still alive. It's been so long. I failed the mission he entrusted to me… If we meet again, I honestly don't know how I'll face him."
From within the Gate of Ghosts, a fashionable man stepped out.
It was none other than Zhao Li.
His face was troubled, as if something weighed heavily on his mind.
"Fellow Daoist Zhao—long time no see. How have you been?"
Yi Tianxing stepped out from the shadows and greeted him with a smile.