Within the Netherworld Ravine, black mist churned and icy winds cut to the bone. Han Li moved like smoke, creeping along the cold, slippery rock wall. The thunder of Qing Xuan's battle with Elder Ghost Jiu rolled down from the distant sky, shaking loose showers of gravel within the ravine while perfectly concealing his movements. He dared not let down his guard for an instant. Azure light flickered in his Profound Yin Spirit Eye, revealing the path ahead with perfect clarity.
Following Qing Xuan's directions, he avoided several areas with abnormal energy fluctuations. After winding through turn after turn, he finally reached the Cold Pool deep within the ravine. Its waters were black as ink and unfathomably deep, radiating a bone-piercing chill. The dense, pure netherworld energy had almost congealed into substance. Sure enough, three twisted Yinhun Willows with withered branches and leaves stood beside the pool in a triangular arrangement. Their hanging twigs stirred without wind, giving off faint sobs that unsettled the mind.
"This is the place." Han Li's gaze sharpened as his spiritual sense carefully swept over the Cold Pool and its surroundings. The water appeared calm, but fierce currents surged beneath its surface, and faint formation fluctuations permeated the area. He took out the Jade Slip Qing Xuan had given him and checked its contents against what he saw.
"The Nine Nether Soul-Locking Formation..." Han Li's expression grew grave. This was one of the Netherworld Cult's notorious entrapment-and-killing formations, capable of eroding the soul and suppressing spiritual power. It was exceedingly troublesome. The Jade Slip marked three relatively weak nodes and included an incantation that would temporarily grant passage. But Han Li did not act immediately. Instead, he brought his Profound Yin Spirit Eye to full strength and carefully observed the flow of energy through the