After the Sower's projection dissipated, the Valley of Buried Soldiers did not immediately return to peace. Though the massive End Times Altar had stopped pulsing, it still stood in the center of the valley like an ugly tumor. Filthy black slime continuously seeped from the cracks on its surface, giving off a nauseating stench of decay. The remaining low-level demons in the valley had lost their unified command and now wandered about like headless flies, tearing at one another. Instead, they had become even more unpredictably dangerous than before.
"Clear a safe route first, then get out of here." Mo Hen warily surveyed the chaotic surroundings, several [Smoke Bomb]s and [Earthbind Mechanism]s clenched in his hand. "The altar may be destroyed, but the Breath of the End here remains dense. Staying too long could invite trouble."
Su Yan nodded, forcefully suppressing the dizziness caused by excessive spiritual energy expenditure and the impact of that final dark rune. He glanced at Star Vortex beside him. Its aura had stabilized at the level of a Level 35 leader, Star Maps flowing across its carapace and making it look exceptionally imposing. Su Yan felt somewhat relieved. After evolving, Star Vortex had not only grown vastly stronger; its intelligence seemed to have improved as well. It quietly guarded his side, the crystal in its vertical eye vigilantly sweeping the surroundings while the star vortex at its tail slowly rotated, exuding a cold warning for strangers to keep away.
"Fellow Daoist Su, how are you holding up?" Bai Zhi hurried forward, the Willow Branch in her hand wreathed in vibrant green light. A gentle [Universal Salvation] spell descended upon Su Yan, easing his fatigue.
"I'm fine. I just used up too much spiritual energy. A little rest will do." Su Yan gave Bai Zhi a grateful look, then turned to Yun Ji, whose face was still somewhat pale. "Fellow Daoist Yun Ji, thank you for stabilizing the Spiritual Energy earlier. Otherwise, I might not have activated the Compass's defense in time."
Yun Ji shook her head slightly, her voice behind the mist carrying an almost imperceptible weakness. "It was my duty. But those final words from the 'Sower'... the 'Well of Guixu' and 'coordinate record'—I fear they will bring no small disaster." Her gaze fell upon the Compass in Su Yan's hand. Though the black skull mark had been suppressed by the Compass's silver light, it still clung like a parasite to bone, faintly radiating ill omen.
"This needs careful consideration," Su Yan said in a low voice. "Our immediate priority is to leave this place, find somewhere safe to recover, and then discuss the matters of the Netherworld at length."
The four of them agreed. Mo Hen and Star Vortex, who were in relatively good condition, led the way. Su Yan and Bai Zhi stayed in the middle, while Yun Ji brought up the rear as they cautiously retraced their route. The scattered demons along the way did not require Su Yan to act at all. The evolved Star Vortex moved as swiftly as a phantom; a sweep of [Starlight Breath] wiped out entire groups. Whenever they encountered a thick-skinned [Buried Soldier Golem], one [Star Vortex Sky Rend Strike] easily pierced its core. Its efficiency was so great that even Mo Hen could not help but look askance.
"Tsk, tsk, Brother Su, your Star Vortex Guard is an incredible fighting force now. Once its level rises a little further, I'm afraid it could even take on an ordinary Level 40 leader one-on-one." Mo Hen spoke while setting mechanisms to slow any monsters that might swarm in from the sides, unable to hide his admiration.
Su Yan smiled as he watched Star Vortex's agile figure, pride filling his heart. This was the joy of raising a summoned beast. From an inconspicuous Sea Hairy Caterpillar to the majestic Star Vortex Guard it was now, that companionship and growth were things no top-tier equipment could replace.
When they safely withdrew from the Valley of Buried Soldiers and returned to the wilderness strewn with enormous bones, everyone finally breathed a true sigh of relief. The baleful aura on the wasteland was still dense, but compared to the suffocating deathly silence and filth within the valley, it was far more bearable.
They found a relatively concealed corner backed against a massive beast bone. Mo Hen swiftly set up several simple warning and concealment mechanisms, allowing the four of them to finally stop and properly tend to their injuries and recover.
Su Yan sat cross-legged and first examined his own gains. He had reached Level 31, and his attributes had increased again. More importantly, his battle against the Sower's projection—especially the final process in which the Compass defended on its own and guided his spiritual energy into a Star Map barrier—had given him a deeper understanding of the circulation of the Star Qi Drawing Art and Star Refining Body Art, as well as the use of the Power of Stars. He could feel that his spiritual energy had become more condensed, and his control over power had grown a touch more precise.
Next, he carefully sensed the Compass in his robes. After its restoration reached 59%, the Compass's silver body had become smoother and warmer, as if it contained life. The restored portion of the broken needle at its center seemed to have grown by the tiniest amount, almost impossible to notice without close inspection. The Star Map in his mind had become clearer, and its range had expanded considerably. Aside from the flashing [Netherworld Beacon] and the glaring black skull mark, several other blurred points of light had faintly appeared at the edge of the Mount War God region, seemingly representing locations with possible opportunities or quests.
This Compass seems to be unlocking more detection functions as it is restored... Su Yan mused. Once its restoration is higher, perhaps it will be able to actively detect special locations or resources over a wider area.
Then, he shifted his attention to Star Vortex at the other end of the Soul Link. He pulled up Star Vortex's new status panel and carefully examined it:
[Summoned Beast: Star Vortex (Star Vortex Guard · Beginner)] Level: 31 Race: Insect (Astral Mutation) Personality: Brave (Increases physical attack, decreases spell attack) Aptitudes: Attack Aptitude: 1580 (↑ Massive increase) Defense Aptitude: 1450 (↑ Significant increase) Vitality Aptitude: 1380 (↑ Significant increase) Mana Aptitude: 1050 (↑ Slight increase) Speed Aptitude: 1600 (↑ Massive increase) Evasion Aptitude: 1420 (↑ Significant increase) Growth: 1.275 (↑ Increased) ... Skills: [Advanced Life Drain] (Passive), [Starlight Resonance] (Talent Passive, enhanced), [Starlight Breath] (Active, evolved from Star Fire), [Star Vortex Sky Rend Strike] (Active, new), [Battle Intent Burn] (Passive, comprehended from War God's Baptism) ...
Looking at the row of massively increased aptitudes and powerful new skills, Su Yan was overjoyed. Star Vortex's role had become increasingly clear: ultimate single-target physical execution! [Star Vortex Sky Rend Strike] combined with [Advanced Life Drain] and [Battle Intent Burn] practically made it a BOSS killer! Moreover, the random negative status inflicted by [Starlight Breath] might produce unexpected results at crucial moments.
"Still, its consumption has increased after evolving." Su Yan noticed that the "loyalty" and spiritual energy Star Vortex used to maintain daily activity and cast skills had both increased considerably. He quickly took out the [Refined Pet Food] he had stored for high-level summoned beasts, along with several [Stardust Crystal]s containing stellar energy, and fed them to Star Vortex.
Star Vortex affectionately rubbed its forehead against Su Yan's hand before lowering its head to eat. Even the dangerous star vortex at its tail seemed to slow its rotation in contentment.
Watching this, Bai Zhi could not help but smile. "Big Brother Su, Star Vortex looks truly majestic now, but it is still so obedient around you."
Mo Hen also laughed. "Naturally. Brother Su is its most trusted master. But then again, although this trip was fraught with danger, our gains have been tremendous. Brother Su leveled up, Star Vortex evolved, the Compass's restoration increased greatly, and we even obtained a token recognized by heroic spirits. But..." His tone shifted, and his expression turned grave. "Those words the Sower spoke before it died are like a thorn lodged in my heart."
At the mention of this, the atmosphere immediately grew heavy.
Yun Ji slowly said, "The 'Well of Guixu' is mentioned briefly in the fragmentary ancient texts of my sect. It is rumored to be the final destination where heaven and earth return to silence and all things come to an end—an ultimate realm of deathly stillness beyond even the Netherworld Blood Sea. If the End Times Cult's source of power is related to it, then its threat far exceeds our previous estimates."
She looked at Su Yan. "As for the coordinate record... they have most likely used some method to lock onto you, Fellow Daoist Su. Or, more precisely, they have locked onto the 'relic of order' in your possession. When we enter the Netherworld in the future, we may face targeted encirclement and traps."
Su Yan rubbed the icy body of the Compass, sensing the faint chill emanating from the black skull mark. "Soldiers will block soldiers, earth will dam water. Since we have already been marked, worrying is useless. Strengthening ourselves is the foundation." He paused and looked at the others. "The matter of Mount War God is settled, and the Valley of Buried Soldiers' anchor point has been destroyed. Should we begin preparing to head for the Netherworld?"
By their original understanding, the Netherworld was a high-level map, far beyond the reach of people barely above Level 30. But circumstances now pressed them onward. Not only did they need to deal with the "Rule Tumor" indicated by the Compass, they had also been marked by a powerful enemy. It seemed they had no other choice.
Mo Hen pondered for a moment. "Entering the core area of the Netherworld directly is indeed dangerous. But as far as I know, the Yin-Yang Path connecting the human world and the Netherworld is not limited to a single route. There are some relatively stable secondary passages. They are dangerous as well, but perhaps they would allow us to operate in the peripheral regions. We need more detailed intelligence."
Bai Zhi nodded in agreement. "Yes, Big Brother Su. We need to understand the Netherworld's current situation: which regions are relatively 'safe,' and which are within the End Times Cult's sphere of activity. Charging in blindly would be no different from seeking death."
Yun Ji gave a slight nod. "I can try using Heavenly Secrets techniques to deduce a relatively safe route, but the heavenly laws of the Netherworld differ greatly from those of the human world, and the interference is extremely strong. We will need a specific medium or knowledge of an exact passage entrance to improve the odds of a successful deduction."
Seeing that everyone agreed their next destination would be the Netherworld, though thorough preparations were necessary, Su Yan formed a plan. He recalled that among the rewards his sect, Mount Fangcun, had given him after he completed the task of purifying Mount War God, there seemed to be a fragmentary map recording the ruins of an Ancient Battlefield. It was said that a brutal war between humans and ghosts had once erupted there, weakening the space. Perhaps there was a rift leading to the Netherworld.
"I may have a lead," Su Yan said. "My sect once granted me a fragmentary map pointing to the ruins of the 'Ancient Battlefield · Lanruo Temple.' There may be an unstable Yin-Yang Path there. We can investigate it first, gain experience fighting monsters with Netherworld attributes, and perhaps find an opportunity to enter the Netherworld."
"Lanruo Temple?" Mo Hen rubbed his chin. "I think I saw that name in the archives of Heavenly Secrets City. It is indeed an Ancient Battlefield ruin with extremely heavy yin energy. It is said that a Ghost King once dwelled there. Its level is around 35 to 40. It will still put us under pressure, but if we are careful, it is not impossible to explore."
With their next general direction decided, everyone felt somewhat more at ease. Over the following days, the four rested at this temporary base in the Outer Reaches of Mount War God. Su Yan consolidated his Level 31 cultivation and practiced the new sect skills he had learned: [Lightning Talisman], [Origin Return Incantation], and [Shrink Ground into Inches]. In particular, proper use of [Shrink Ground into Inches] in actual combat was vital for pursuit, escape, and adjusting one's position. At the same time, he began trying to combine the Compass's [Star Track Deduction] ability with his own spells. Though he remained far from Yun Ji's ability to anticipate enemies, it made his combat rhythm smoother.
Mo Hen used this time to repair and upgrade his Mechanical Beast and various mechanism tools. In particular, he modified a batch of [Soul-Breaking Crossbow Bolt]s and [Spirit-Suppressing Talisman]s for the spirit-type monsters they might encounter in the Netherworld.
Aside from cultivating, Bai Zhi organized and refined all kinds of pills, especially those that restored spiritual energy, dispelled yin-energy corrosion, and stabilized the mind, making full preparations for the coming journey into the Netherworld.
Yun Ji was relatively quiet. Most of her time was spent meditating and regulating her breath, restoring the vital energy damaged by her forced deductions. Occasionally, she exchanged insights with Su Yan about stellar movements and formation layouts, benefiting him greatly.
Star Vortex adapted to its evolved body and powers. It occasionally left the base alone to spar with monsters around Level 35 nearby, becoming increasingly proficient in using its new skills, [Star Vortex Sky Rend Strike] and [Starlight Breath]. Its astonishing rate of growth left everyone speechless.
On the evening of the fifth day of rest, Su Yan was practicing talisman arts when his heart suddenly stirred. He received a transmission talisman from his sect, Mount Fangcun. Sending his divine sense into it, he found a message from his master, Patriarch Bodhi. The contents were concise, yet they caused his expression to change slightly.
"Yan'er, changes have occurred in the Netherworld. Yin energy is flowing back, and some great being seems to be awakening. If you intend to go, remember this: enter no temples, skirt all towers, keep the Heart Lamp ever burning, and only then will you remain unharmed. Also, regarding the 'rule anomaly' you asked about earlier, I have searched through ancient texts and found that it seems connected to the secret of the ancient Heavenly Court's Fall... The clues are faint. Consider it carefully yourself."
The transmission ended there.
"Heavenly Court's Fall?" Su Yan furrowed his brow. This was not the first time he had heard the term. The waters of this world ran far deeper than he had imagined. The necessity of the journey into the Netherworld seemed to have increased by another layer.
He told the others the contents of the transmission, and the atmosphere grew even graver.
"It seems something major really has happened in the Netherworld," Mo Hen said in a low voice. "Even the patriarch of Mount Fangcun specifically sent a warning."
"Enter no temples, skirt all towers, keep the Heart Lamp ever burning..." Bai Zhi softly repeated the twelve-word admonition, thoughtful. "It sounds like it refers specifically to certain dangerous beings or places."
Yun Ji raised her eyes toward the direction of the Netherworld, mist faintly drifting around her. "The heavenly secrets have grown even more chaotic... a great being awakening... Perhaps the abnormal movements of that Rule Tumor are related to it. We must move quickly."
Their rest was over, their objective clear, and the road ahead perilous. Su Yan put away the transmission talisman, his gaze resolute.
"Make your preparations. We leave tomorrow for Lanruo Temple!"
Before you continue