The Joyous Union Bell and the Love Obsession Curse

Bi Yao gripped the bell in her hand tightly, an unusual glint flickering in her eyes. She explained softly, "The Joyous Union Bell is one of the four great treasures of my Demonic Sect, and the heirloom of the Joyous Union Sect."

"Legend has it that it was forged by the founder of our Joyous Union Sect, Madam Golden Bell, using her own vital blood. It can capture a person's soul, soothe wandering spirits, and possesses infinite wondrous uses."

"However, eight hundred years ago, Madam Golden Bell and Elder Black Heart of the Blood Refining Hall explored the Abyss of the Dead together and both went missing. This Joyous Union Bell was lost along with them; I never expected to find it here."

As she spoke, her gaze fell upon the skeleton and the letter beside it.

Bi Yao reached out and picked up the yellowed letter.

She blew the dust off the surface and opened it with great care.

The handwriting on the letter was elegant and delicate, clearly written by a woman.

Bi Yao read it aloud in a soft voice.

"The Abyss of the Dead is treacherous. You and I have strayed into this place, and there is no hope of survival."

"But to be able to face the afterlife with you, I have no regrets in my heart."

"It is only that there is one lingering regret in my heart."

"My Joyous Union Sect possesses a supreme curse called the Love Obsession Curse. This curse can defy the heavens and change fate, saving a person from certain death, but the caster will surely have their soul scattered and never be reincarnated."

"I had intended to pass this curse to you, to give you the power to protect yourself."

"But this curse is too tragic; it cannot be cast by any but those of deep passion and true nature. I feared you would be burdened by me, so in the end, I did not speak of it."

"If there is an afterlife, I wish to no longer practice the demonic arts, but to be an ordinary woman, to accompany you and watch the prosperity of the world."

"Golden Bell, final words."

The content of the letter was not long, but between the lines, it was filled with love and resolution.

The entire stone chamber fell into silence.

The four of them could almost see the scene from eight hundred years ago, when that peerless Madam Golden Bell wrote this letter before her death.

Her face must have held a smile of both happiness and regret.

"Love Obsession Curse..."

Bi Yao murmured the name, her eyes shimmering with a strange light.

She turned her head to look at Li Xiaoyu and Zhang Xiaofan, suddenly asking, "Hey, if one day, the woman you love were to sacrifice her soul and forfeit her reincarnation just to save you, what would you do?"

Her question caught both Li Xiaoyu and Zhang Xiaofan off guard.

Zhang Xiaofan scratched his head, thought for a long time, and then replied honestly, "I wouldn't let her do that. If anyone is going to die, I should be the one to die first."

His words were simple, yet filled with sincerity.

As for Li Xiaoyu, he cast a deep look at Lu Xueqi beside him.

He did not answer Bi Yao's question, but his gaze said everything.

He would use his own life to protect the one he loved, and he would never let her suffer any harm.

Lu Xueqi felt his gaze, and her heart warmed; her cheeks flushed slightly, and she lowered her head.

Bi Yao looked at them and suddenly smiled.

That smile was somewhat poignant, yet also somewhat relieved.

"So, you righteous people aren't all heartless and unfeeling fellows after all."

She said this softly, then carefully put away the letter and the Joyous Union Bell.

"Let's go. We need to find a way out."

She turned first and walked out of the stone chamber.

Her back, illuminated by the firelight, appeared somewhat lonely.

Li Xiaoyu, Lu Xueqi, and Zhang Xiaofan exchanged glances and followed after her.

The relationship between the four had grown closer without them even realizing it.

The barrier between the righteous and the demonic seemed to have faded significantly.

After resting in the Blood-Dripping Cave for several days, the four of them had returned to their peak states.

Li Xiaoyu's injuries had completely healed under the dual effects of medicinal pills and the gourd, and his cultivation had even broken through to the seventh level of the Jade Purity Realm.

After contemplating the Heavenly Tome, Lu Xueqi and Bi Yao had gained a deeper understanding of their own Daoist arts, and their strength had improved considerably.

Zhang Xiaofan had undergone the greatest change. Not only had he broken through to the fifth level of the Jade Purity Realm, but because of the initial fusion of Buddhist and Daoist techniques, the spiritual energy within his body had become harmonious and unobstructed, devoid of the previous stagnation. His strength was more than ten times greater than before.

The four gathered once more to discuss their plans for departure.

"Although this Blood-Dripping Cave is safe, we cannot stay here forever."

Li Xiaoyu looked at the group and said in a deep voice, "We must find an exit and return to the surface."

"But this cave is full of twists and turns; how are we supposed to find it?"

Zhang Xiaofan asked with some concern.

Bi Yao's large eyes darted around as she pulled the golden Joyous Union Bell from her robes.

"I might have a way."

She channeled her spiritual power into the Joyous Union Bell.

Ding-ling.

A crisp chime rang out, and ripples of soft golden light radiated from the bell, spreading in all directions.

"The Joyous Union Bell can sense the flow of spiritual energy between heaven and earth. As long as we follow the direction where the spiritual energy is most active, we will definitely find the exit," Bi Yao explained.

This was indeed a good method.

Thus, guided by the Joyous Union Bell, the four of them embarked on their journey of exploration once more.

This time, their goal was much clearer.

They traversed deep, winding passages and bypassed countless forks, moving steadily toward the direction where the spiritual energy was densest.

They did not know how long they had walked when the sound of rushing water suddenly echoed from ahead.

The four of them perked up and quickened their pace.

At the end of the passage, a surging underground river appeared before them.

The water was as black as ink; it was the very same water from the Sea of Heartlessness.

On the opposite bank of the dark river, a cave entrance emitting a faint glow stood prominently.

That was the exit!

"Great! We finally found it!" Zhang Xiaofan shouted in excitement.

However, Li Xiaoyu's brows were tightly knitted.

He stared at the turbulent dark river and said solemnly, "Don't celebrate too early. This river won't be easy to cross."

He could sense that the water contained the lingering aura of the Black Water Profound Snake from before.

Although that giant beast had already fled, there might still be other dangers lurking within the river.

"What are you afraid of? With the four of us working together, surely we can cross a small river?" Bi Yao was unconcerned. She was the first to summon her magic treasure, preparing to force her way across.

Just as she was about to move, Zhang Xiaofan grabbed her.

"Don't be impulsive!"

Li Xiaoyu also shouted in a low, stern voice.

At that very moment, the calm surface of the river suddenly exploded.

Several massive black tentacles lunged out from the water, sweeping toward the four of them on the bank like venomous snakes.

"It's a Great Black Leech!" Bi Yao exclaimed, recognizing the ancient creature.

These monsters lived year-round in dark, subterranean caverns. They were enormous, possessed immense strength, and could spray highly corrosive venom from their mouths, making them incredibly troublesome to deal with.

"Attack!" Li Xiaoyu decided instantly, and the Autumn Water Sword unsheathed in a flash.

Lu Xueqi, Zhang Xiaofan, and Bi Yao also summoned their respective magic treasures at the same time.

Four rays of different colored light suddenly illuminated the dark underground space, meeting the sweeping black tentacles head-on.

A great battle erupted once again!