Bi Yao gripped the bell in her hand tightly, her eyes shimmering with an unusual light. She explained softly, "The Joyous Union Bell is one of the four great treasures of the Demon Sect, and the treasured heirloom of the Joyous Union Sect."
"Legend has it that it was forged from the blood essence of Madam Golden Bell, the founding ancestor of the Joyous Union Sect. It can capture the soul, soothe the spirits of the dead, and has countless wondrous uses."
"Eight hundred years ago, however, Madam Golden Bell and Elder Black Heart of the Blood Refining Hall explored the Abyss of the Dead together and both vanished. The Joyous Union Bell was lost along with them. I never expected to find it here."
As she spoke, her gaze fell again on the skeleton and the letter beside it.
Bi Yao reached out and picked up the yellowed letter.
She blew the dust from it and carefully unfolded it.
The handwriting was graceful and delicate, clearly written by a woman.
Bi Yao began to read softly.
"The Abyss of the Dead is perilous. We stumbled into this place, and there is no hope that either of us will survive."
"But I have no regrets about going to the underworld with you."
"There is only one regret in my heart."
"My Joyous Union Sect possesses an unparalleled spell called the Love Obsession Curse. It can defy fate and save someone from certain death, but whoever casts it will have their soul scattered, never to be reborn."
"I had wanted to pass this curse on to you, so you would have the power to protect yourself."
"But the curse is too cruel. Only someone with the deepest and truest feelings can cast it. I feared you would be burdened for my sake, so in the end, I never spoke of it."
"If there is another life, I would give up cultivating demonic arts. I would be an ordinary woman, staying by your side and witnessing all the world's splendor with you."
"Golden Bell. My final words."
The letter was brief, but every word brimmed with love and resolve.
Silence settled over the stone chamber.
The four of them could almost see Madam Golden Bell, peerless and radiant, writing the letter on the verge of death eight hundred years ago.
There must have been a smile on her face, both happy and full of regret.
"The Love Obsession Curse..."
Bi Yao murmured the name, a strange light shimmering in her eyes.
She turned to Li Xiaoyu and Zhang Xiaofan, who stood nearby, and suddenly asked, "Hey, if one day the woman you love sacrificed her soul and gave up any chance of rebirth to save you, what would you do?"
Her question left both Li Xiaoyu and Zhang Xiaofan momentarily stunned.
Zhang Xiaofan scratched his head and thought for a long while before answering earnestly, "I wouldn't let her do that. If someone had to die, I'd die first."
His words were simple, but filled with sincerity.
Li Xiaoyu, meanwhile, cast a deep glance at Lu Xueqi beside him.
He didn't answer Bi Yao's question, but his eyes said everything.
He would protect the person he loved with his own life, and never let her suffer any harm.
Lu Xueqi felt his gaze. Warmth spread through her heart, and her cheeks flushed as she lowered her head.
Bi Yao looked at them and suddenly smiled.
Her smile was tinged with sorrow, yet also held a sense of release.
"So the people of the righteous path aren't all heartless and unfeeling after all."
She spoke softly, then carefully put away the letter and the Joyous Union Bell.
"Come on. We should look for a way out."
She turned and headed out of the stone chamber first.
In the firelight, her retreating figure looked a little lonely.
Li Xiaoyu, Lu Xueqi, and Zhang Xiaofan exchanged glances, then followed her.
Without realizing it, the four of them had grown closer.
The barrier between the righteous and demonic paths seemed to have faded, too.
After resting in the Blood-Dripping Cave for several days, all four had recovered to their peak.
With the combined effects of pills and the gourd, Li Xiaoyu's injuries had healed completely, and his Cultivation had advanced to the seventh layer of the Jade Purity Realm.
After comprehending the Heavenly Tome, Lu Xueqi and Bi Yao had gained a deeper understanding of their own techniques, and both had improved considerably.
Zhang Xiaofan had changed the most. Not only had he advanced to the fifth layer of the Jade Purity Realm, but the initial fusion of the Buddhist and Daoist arts had also made the spiritual energy within him flow freely and smoothly. The stagnation he had once felt was gone, and his strength had increased more than tenfold.
The four gathered again to discuss their plan to leave.
"Though the Blood-Dripping Cave is safe, we can't stay here for the rest of our lives."
Li Xiaoyu looked at the others and said gravely, "We have to find an exit and get back to the surface."
"But this cave twists and turns in every direction. How are we supposed to find our way?" Zhang Xiaofan asked worriedly.
Bi Yao's eyes darted about as she pulled the golden Joyous Union Bell from her robes.
"I might have a way."
She poured Spiritual Energy into the bell.
"Jingle."
A clear chime rang out, and soft golden ripples spread in every direction from the bell.
"The Joyous Union Bell can sense the flow of Spiritual Energy between heaven and earth. If we follow the direction where the energy is most active, we're sure to find an exit," Bi Yao explained.
It really was a good idea.
Guided by the Joyous Union Bell, the four set out to explore once more.
This time, they had a clear goal.
They crossed deep, shadowy passages, skirted countless forks in the tunnels, and pressed on toward the direction where Spiritual Energy was most concentrated.
After an unknown stretch of time, they suddenly heard the rushing sound of water ahead.
The four brightened and quickened their pace.
At the end of the passage, they found a swiftly flowing underground river.
Its waters were black as ink—the very same waters of the Sea of Heartlessness they had seen before.
And on the opposite bank stood a cave opening that glimmered faintly.
That was the exit!
"Fantastic! We finally found it!" Zhang Xiaofan cried excitedly.
But Li Xiaoyu's brow furrowed.
Looking at the surging underground river, he said gravely, "Don't celebrate too soon. That river won't be easy to cross."
He could sense traces of the Black Water Profound Snake lingering in the river.
The giant beast had fled, but there might still be other dangers lurking in the water.
"What's there to fear? The four of us can work together. Surely we can cross a little river," Bi Yao said dismissively. She was the first to summon her magical treasure, preparing to force her way across.
Just as she was about to move, Zhang Xiaofan grabbed her.
"Don't be reckless!"
Li Xiaoyu also shouted a warning.
At that moment, the still surface of the river suddenly exploded.
Several enormous black tentacles burst from the water, lashing toward the four on the bank like venomous snakes.
"It's a Great Black Leech!" Bi Yao cried, recognizing the ancient creature.
These monsters lived in dark underground caverns. They were enormous and immensely strong, and they could spit highly corrosive venom from their mouths. They were exceedingly difficult to deal with.
"Attack!"
Li Xiaoyu acted decisively, drawing the Autumn Water Sword in an instant.
Lu Xueqi, Zhang Xiaofan, and Bi Yao summoned their own magical treasures at the same time.
Four beams of light in different colors suddenly blazed through the dark underground space, meeting the black tentacles sweeping toward them.
Another great battle erupted!
Before you continue