Nine Nether Demonic Heart

The Nine Nether Demonic Heart lay deep within the rift.

"What dense demonic energy..." Nangong Liuli's pretty face paled. A crimson flame lotus appeared in her palm, dispelling the dark-red mist that tried to corrode its way toward them. "This Demonic Heart... must be close to maturity."

Beiming Xue fixed her icy gaze on the rift and raised a slender hand. Pale moon-colored chill gathered around her, forming a crystalline shield. "Killing Intent and demonic energy have fused, forming a natural barrier. If we force our way through, we'll suffer a backlash."

Xiahou Jie pointed to an inconspicuous pile of bones on the eastern side of the rift. "There's a secret passage there. I secretly carved it out over the past thousand years. It can avoid most of the Killing Intent storms and lead straight to the bottom of the abyss. But... there's 'something' guarding the passage."

"What is it?" Huyan Lie asked gravely.

Xiahou Jie fell silent for a moment, then slowly uttered two words:

"Heroic Spirits."

Everyone froze.

"Those buried in Saint Burial Abyss aren't just Heavenly Demons, but also the ancient heroes of the Human Race." Xiahou Jie's voice carried an unspeakable sorrow. "Their remnant souls have been corrupted by Killing Intent for a thousand years, then intertwined with demonic energy. They've long since... become twisted. They attack anyone who trespasses, friend or foe."

He looked at Lin Hao. "Your Majesty, I can temporarily pacify the Heroic Spirits' remnant souls in the passage. But the 'Heart Guard' at the bottom of the abyss is something you'll have to fight your way past."

"The Heart Guard?" Lin Hao asked.

"A Demon Emperor Guard left behind when the Demon Emperor planted the Demonic Heart." A trace of apprehension flashed in Xiahou Jie's eyes. "At the peak of the True