Netherworld Ghostfire

Zhang You sat cross-legged on the ground.

He felt his entire body's blood, flesh, and bones being enveloped by an inexplicable force.

It was as if thousands of needles were working to purge the impurities within, the pain piercing to the very marrow of his bones.

But the effect was also extremely noticeable!

Black energy visibly began to emit from his body, and a layer of residual impurities, like black ash, slowly seeped from his skin.

Traces of blood were also mixed in.

At this moment, he could only divide a small portion of his attention to monitor the situation outside.

The majority was used to withstand the torment brought by the Great Body Tempering!

Just then, a group of Mist Ghosts gradually surrounded them again!

Upon seeing Zhang You's condition, the Qingyuan Old Daoist took a few pills to replenish his depleted spiritual energy and set up several layers of defensive talismans and formations.

Then, he began to clear out the Mist Ghosts surging from all sides.

Apart from the Head Mist Ghost and Tree Demon Mist Ghost that had been dealt with earlier, there were no others that could pose a threat.

Although the Old Daoist could handle them with ease, his stamina gradually began to falter!

Zhang You's side received a large amount of blue-white energy again, and the body tempering process sped up.

What should have taken half an hour was completed in less than fifteen minutes.

"Boundless Heavenly Lord!"

The Old Daoist's clothes were already tattered. After repelling an attack, he retreated.

"You've worked hard! Recover for a bit, I'll handle the Mist Ghosts!"

Suddenly, Zhang You patted the Old Daoist's shoulder and stepped forward.

The ninth Great Body Tempering was complete!

A surge of blood energy, even more potent than before, erupted.

With two punches, Zhang You turned large numbers of Mist Ghosts into ashes!

"This is a good place to farm experience!"

After several violent tremors, the surroundings fell silent.

Not long after, Zhang You returned.

The Yin energy in the surroundings had dropped several levels, and outside, only scattered Mist Ghosts were fleeing in all directions.

"It'll probably take at least ten years for the Mist Ghosts to recover to their previous numbers!"

The Old Daoist had already recovered half of his spiritual energy and came to Zhang You's side.

Soon, the Old Daoist controlled the Bewitching Ghost again and found the path to leave.

"Finally out!"

Zhang You looked at the houses not far ahead and then glanced back at the burial ground behind them.

The residential area ahead was not simple either; at least the density of Yin energy there rivaled the previous burial ground.

It was clearly not a good place either!

As they approached the clustered houses, they were shocked by the scene before them!

On the ground, there were many gray-black flames!

Even before getting close, they felt as if their souls were being scorched!

"This... this is..."

The Old Daoist's eyes widened, too astonished to speak!

"What is it?"

Zhang You was curious about what could make the Old Daoist so eager yet fearful!

Indeed, he saw shock, desire, and fear in the Old Daoist's eyes.

"If I'm not mistaken, this is the legendary Divine Fire - Netherworld Ghostfire!"

The Old Daoist swallowed, still finding it hard to believe.

How could the legendary Divine Fire appear in this place?

"Is it very powerful?"

Zhang You had no concept of this, but just by the name, he could tell it was something quite formidable!

"Nonsense! Netherworld Ghostfire, legend says it has existed since the beginning of the world. It's a unique Divine Fire of the underworld, especially potent against souls!"

The Old Daoist had only heard of it in some records.

If the outside world were to know of the existence of such a Divine Fire here, it would likely cause an uproar, and Xiaolin City would certainly not be able to remain secure!

"Do you know how to collect it?"

Zhang You's spirit surged, his face eager to try.

Who wouldn't want a divine artifact?

"Divine fires have spirits, depending on destiny, they cannot be forced!"

The Old Daoist, fearing Zhang You would rush in recklessly, quickly said.

"Damn! Then it's all about luck!"

Zhang You shook his head and sighed, his interest instantly dropping significantly!

"No one can say for sure about this thing! I don't know if this is an Origin Fire?"

After speaking, the Old Daoist found it somewhat laughable.

How could an Origin Divine Fire appear in such a small place!

"Origin Fire?"

Zhang You heard a key phrase.

"That's right, divine fires are divided into Origin Fires and Branch Fires.

Origin Fire is the core origin of the divine fire, equivalent to the true body of the divine fire, the most fundamental existence. As long as the origin is not extinguished, the divine fire will always exist.

Branch Fire is a wisp of flame separated from the divine fire.

Only Origin Fire deserves the title of Divine Fire.

Branch Fires are classified under Exotic Fires. Even so, they are already very powerful flames, possessing a trace of the original body's might!

They provide an additive effect for cultivation, combat, alchemy, artifact refining, etc., with infinite marvelous uses!

Branch Fires are controlled by the Origin Fire and can be recalled at any time!

I suspect what's here should be a Branch Fire of the Netherworld Ghostfire!"

The Old Daoist explained.

His knowledge of strange things increased again!

Zhang You nodded and looked around again.

Although they might be able to avoid the schemes of Shopkeeper Ling and the others here, there was no food or water. If they didn't leave soon, surviving for a few days was fine, but any longer and they might actually starve to death here, which would be utterly undignified!

Especially after the repeated battles, they had consumed a lot of vital energy and, without timely replenishment, he had already lost weight!

He had also eaten the Old Daoist's pills, but for him, they were poison!

Although he hadn't explicitly stated that he cultivated the Martial Path, the Old Daoist believed it was almost certain.

According to the Old Daoist, the current world was rejecting the Martial Path. The pills and spiritual herbs of the Immortal Path were like poison to those who practiced the Martial Path!

Moreover, Zhang You had a premonition that a great terror would descend during his next Great Body Tempering!

It was as if he had been targeted by some heavenly existence!

Stopping his wild thoughts, he mobilized a trace of vital energy for defense. As expected, the burning sensation in his soul disappeared!

To minimize consumption, Zhang You asked the Old Daoist to set up a defensive talisman formation, encircling them to resist that soul-burning sensation.

Afterward, they chose a direction and entered the cluster of houses.

The place was eerily quiet; apart from their footsteps, there were no other sounds.

Although all the houses were enveloped by the Netherworld Ghostfire, they were all preserved intact, showing no signs of being burned. They couldn't even hear the sound of burning.

In the depths of the area, there was a vast aura. Merely gazing into the distance, even with the protective formation, they could feel their souls being pricked.

Clearly, some powerful being occupied that area.

Zhang You believed that the only way out might be found there!

After walking only a few steps, he casually glanced around.

"Hm?"

He was slightly surprised and pulled the Old Daoist to a stop by the window of a house.

"What did you find?"

The Old Daoist looked around but found nothing special.

"These seem to record Martial Skills?"

Zhang You pointed to some paper pasted on the window.

"Wind God Leg! Oh, it is indeed a Martial Skill! To be precise, it's a Martial Technique!"

"The Immortal Path has spells, and the Martial Path has Martial Techniques!"

The Old Daoist nodded.

"Are the things that appear in the Ghost Domain real?"

After entering the house, Zhang You asked the question that concerned him the most.

Just as they were discussing the matter, the flames outside suddenly flickered a few times, as if brewing something!