Exploring Myriad Souls Cave, Encountering Netherworld; Soul-Suppressing Bloodline Displays Its Divine Might

After leaving Sky Burning Volcano, the red glow of the Evil Suppressing Jade Pendant gradually faded, replaced by a pale violet halo—the next ancient Martial Immortal ruin pointed toward Myriad Souls Cave in the northern realm. Legend had it that this place was once the sacred ground where the ancient Martial Immortal Dizang suppressed departed souls. Dizang purified the world's evil entities with Soul Suppressing Power, ultimately condensing his martial insights into the Soul Suppressing Seal and hiding it within the Soul Suppressing Hall at the deepest reaches of Myriad Souls Cave. Unlike the scorching heat of Sky Burning Volcano, Myriad Souls Cave was shrouded in chilling mist year-round, filled with the howls of departed souls. Any ordinary cultivator who approached would have their mind corroded by those souls and become a walking corpse.

When the Qi and Blood Ship landed on the wasteland outside Myriad Souls Cave, the air was already thick with a chilling aura that made their hearts quail. In the distance, Myriad Souls Cave resembled a slumbering colossal beast. The mist at its entrance was an eerie deep purple, and countless blurred shadows of departed souls could vaguely be seen drifting within it.

"This place is way too sinister. I keep feeling like someone's watching us." Lin Xiaohu clutched Chen Fan's sleeve tightly. The qi and blood within him tensed involuntarily, and even his breathing became cautious.

Chen Fan circulated Three Meridians Power. The earth-yellow Earth Vein Power formed a heavy barrier around him, cutting off the chill outside. "The departed souls in Myriad Souls Cave are bound by ancient restrictions. As long as we don't provoke them, there shouldn't be any danger for now. But the Soul Suppressing Seal is connected to the origin of those souls. To obtain it, we must first pass the test of the 'Soul Restriction' and purify the evil power within the cave."

Holding the Evil Suppressing Jade Pendant, Su Muxue watched as it emitted a pale violet glow that resonated with the aura of Myriad Souls Cave. "According to the pendant's sensing, Soul Suppressing Hall lies five hundred zhang into the depths of Myriad Souls Cave. But not only will departed souls block the way there, there is also a Netherworld Restriction. That restriction can only be broken with Soul Suppressing Power. And..." She paused, a trace of gravity flashing through her eyes. "I can sense the aura of other cultivators within the cave. They're likely remnants of the Spiritual Root system."

The moment her words fell, the mist around Myriad Souls Cave churned violently. Countless black shadows charged out of the fog and surrounded Chen Fan's group. They wore black robes, surrounded by chilling spiritual energy, and held Netherworld Banners capable of absorbing the power of departed souls—the disciples of Netherworld Sect, the last diehard force of the Spiritual Root system!

At their head stood a pale-faced middle-aged man. His spiritual energy carried a dense aura of death, and he gripped a black longsword. He was Netherworld Son, the sect master of Netherworld Sect and a Late Soul Transformation immortal cultivator. "Chen Fan, you really did come." Netherworld Son's voice was cold and ghostly. "Netherworld Sect worships the departed souls above all else. You martial-path heretics dare dream of destroying the Spiritual Root order? Today, your souls will become nourishment for the departed souls of Myriad Souls Cave!"

The Netherworld Sect disciples waved their Netherworld Banners, sending countless streams of black departed-soul power hurtling toward Chen Fan's group. Unlike ordinary spells, this power could directly corrode a cultivator's mind. The moment several sect disciples came into contact with it, their eyes turned dull, clearly affected by the departed-soul power.

"Miss Su, use the Evil Suppressing Jade Pendant to purify the departed-soul power. Li Mo, lead the disciples and protect their minds. I'll deal with Netherworld Son!" Chen Fan roared. Three Meridians Power surged around him as earth-yellow Earth Vein Power, blue Sea Vein Power, and red Flame Power intertwined into a three-colored shield that blocked the incoming departed-soul power. At the same time, he flashed forward toward Netherworld Son, Three Meridians Power condensing in his hand into a Three Meridians Battle Spear.

Netherworld Son had not expected Chen Fan to be so fast. He hurriedly swung his black longsword, sending a massive departed-soul Sword Qi slashing toward Chen Fan. "Netherworld secret art—Myriad Souls Devour Heart!" Countless shadows of departed souls filled the Sword Qi, letting out shrill howls as though they wanted to swallow Chen Fan's mind whole.

A sharp light flashed through Chen Fan's eyes. His Three Meridians Battle Spear thrust forward, and red Flame Power erupted at once, forming a massive wall of fire that purified every departed-soul shadow within the Sword Qi. Taking the opportunity, he rushed before Netherworld Son, his battle spear aimed straight at the man's chest.

Netherworld Son's expression changed drastically. He hastily summoned departed-soul power into a shield before him. Yet the Evil-Breaking Power contained within the Three Meridians Battle Spear easily pierced through it, leaving a bone-deep wound in his chest. "Impossible! How can your qi and blood power purify departed-soul power?" Netherworld Son's eyes were filled with disbelief. Never before had Netherworld Sect's departed-soul arts been broken so easily by martial qi and blood.

"Because martial power originates from the world's source, while your departed-soul power is nothing more than 'false evil' twisted by the Will of the Heavenly Dao." Chen Fan sneered and thrust the Three Meridians Battle Spear again. Blue Sea Vein Power instantly froze the departed-soul power around Netherworld Son, while earth-yellow Earth Vein Power sealed his meridians.

"No! I refuse to accept this!" Netherworld Son howled, trying to detonate the departed-soul power within himself and perish together with Chen Fan. But Chen Fan had long seen through his intent. Three Meridians Power poured into the man's body, instantly destroying his meridians and leaving him unable to mobilize even a shred of power.

"Netherworld Sect's era should end." Chen Fan's battle spear flashed, and Netherworld Son's head fell to the ground. His body collapsed upon the cold earth and was swiftly devoured by the departed-soul power of Myriad Souls Cave, turning into a pile of white bones. Seeing their sect master slain, the remaining Netherworld Sect disciples scattered in terror, only to be cut down one by one by Li Mo and the other disciples, clearing away every last obstacle.

After dealing with Netherworld Sect, Chen Fan's group advanced into the depths of Myriad Souls Cave. The passageways within were narrow and dark, with black runes covering the rock walls on either side. Occasionally, shadows of departed souls crawled from the cracks between the runes, attempting to corrode everyone's minds. Holding the Evil Suppressing Jade Pendant, Su Muxue continuously purified the departed-soul power around them with its pale violet light, opening a safe path for the group.

After walking for roughly half an hour, they arrived before a massive pool of departed souls. A floating stone stairway stood in its center, and at the end of the stairs was the entrance to Soul Suppressing Hall. Yet above the stairs flickered a black curtain of light—the Netherworld Restriction Su Muxue had mentioned.

"This Netherworld Restriction is too powerful. My Three Meridians Power can barely withstand it, let alone break it." Chen Fan tried injecting Three Meridians Power into the light curtain, but it was instantly rebounded. Departed-soul power even corroded his arm, leaving behind a black mark.

Su Muxue walked to the edge of the pool and looked thoughtfully at the departed-soul shadows within. "Martial Immortal Dizang entered the Dao through Soul Suppressing Power. The Soul Suppressing Seal must contain the origin power of soul suppression. Perhaps we need to find someone capable of controlling Soul Suppressing Power to break the restriction."

"Someone who can control Soul Suppressing Power? None of us can do that!" Lin Xiaohu paced in circles anxiously, his eyes full of worry.

Just then, a pale violet glow suddenly lit up on Lin Xiaohu's chest, and an ancient rune emerged from it—it was the Qi and Blood Condensation Art jade pendant previously given to him by Martial Immortal Zhao Lie. At this moment, it unexpectedly resonated with the Soul Suppressing Power of Myriad Souls Cave! "This is..." Lin Xiaohu stared at the rune on his chest in astonishment. The qi and blood power within him began circulating of its own accord, intertwining with the surrounding Soul Suppressing Power.

Delight flashed through Su Muxue's eyes. "Xiaohu, the rune on your body is the mark of the ancient Soul-Suppressing Bloodline! You are a descendant of the Ancient Martial Path Guardians, born with the ability to control Soul Suppressing Power!"

"Me?" Lin Xiaohu's eyes widened, unable to believe what he had heard. "I'm actually a descendant of the Martial Path Guardians?"

Chen Fan also revealed a gratified smile. "Xiaohu, this is your opportunity—and our hope. Only you can control Soul Suppressing Power, break the Netherworld Restriction, and obtain the Soul Suppressing Seal."

Lin Xiaohu took a deep breath. Though he was still nervous, seeing everyone's expectant gazes, he nodded firmly. "Brother Fan, Sister Su, I'll do my best!"

Lin Xiaohu walked to the edge of the pool of departed souls. Following the circulation path of the qi and blood power within his body, he began guiding the Soul Suppressing Power around him. Pale violet Soul Suppressing Power surged into his body like a tide, merging with the rune on his chest to form an enormous Soul Suppressing Pillar of Light. The pillar collided with the black light curtain of the Netherworld Restriction, unleashing an earth-shaking boom.

"Now! Xiaohu, use Soul Suppressing Power to purify the restriction!" Su Muxue urgently called out.

Lin Xiaohu nodded, and Soul Suppressing Power erupted around him. The Soul Suppressing Pillar of Light instantly pierced through the black curtain, beginning to purify the evil power within the restriction. Under the cleansing of Soul Suppressing Power, the black curtain gradually turned transparent before finally dispersing completely.

"Success!" Lin Xiaohu shouted excitedly. The group followed the stone stairs toward the entrance of Soul Suppressing Hall.

Within Soul Suppressing Hall, a pale violet jade seal floated above the central stone platform. Pure Soul Suppressing Power swirled around it—it was the Soul Suppressing Seal they had come seeking! Chen Fan stepped forward and grasped the seal. A vast surge of Soul Suppressing origin power poured into his body and completely merged with Three Meridians Power, giving him the Peak Late Earth Immortal combat strength of Four Meridians Convergence!

At that moment, the walls of Soul Suppressing Hall suddenly lit up, and mural after mural emerged. They depicted scenes of Ancient Martial Path Guardians fighting incarnations of the Will of the Heavenly Dao. In one mural, a youth bearing the same rune as the one on Lin Xiaohu's chest used Soul Suppressing Power to purify departed souls and protect peace throughout the world.

"This is... the history of the Ancient Martial Path Guardians!" Su Muxue's eyes were filled with excitement. "Xiaohu, you are not only a descendant of the Martial Path Guardians—you are also the reincarnation of an ancient Soul Suppressing Martial Immortal! Your mission is to gather the Nine Seals of Martial Arts with Chen Fan, oppose the Will of the Heavenly Dao, and protect peace in the world!"

Lin Xiaohu gazed at the murals, his eyes filled with resolve. He knew that he was no longer the child who could only hide behind Chen Fan. He now had his own mission, his own responsibility.

Chen Fan tucked the Soul Suppressing Seal into his robes and turned to the others. "We have already obtained four martial path seals. Five more await us. No matter what schemes the Will of the Heavenly Dao has, we must gather all nine seals as quickly as possible and prepare for the final battle!"

The group left Soul Suppressing Hall and headed toward the next ancient ruin. The departed souls of Myriad Souls Cave still howled, but their hearts were now filled with hope. Four Meridians Power surrounded Chen Fan, Lin Xiaohu had gained mastery over Soul Suppressing Power, and Su Muxue held the Evil Suppressing Jade Pendant. Like an unwavering Martial Dao Against Heaven team, they strode firmly down the path of uncovering the truth and defying the Heavenly Dao.

They knew the challenges ahead would be even more difficult. Incarnations of the Will of the Heavenly Dao could appear again at any moment, and the remnants of the Spiritual Root system could rise again like a storm returning. But they no longer feared, for they had companions fighting shoulder to shoulder, the martial will passed down through a thousand years, and an unwavering conviction to protect the world. They believed that one day, they would gather all nine martial path seals, use the power of Martial Path Convergence to shatter the incarnations of the Will of the Heavenly Dao, break the shackles of Spiritual Root Destiny, and return freedom and vitality to the world.