The giant hand composed of dark threads immediately dissolved into countless strands, lingering outside the array for a long while before finally dispersing.
Because of the existence of the Extreme Realm, Yun Che became the first Devouring Soul to enter a living world from the Nirvana Space. Although his divine sense had been refined into a single strand of Extreme Consciousness, the essence of a Devouring Soul still remained within him.
Yanfen Nation, a third-grade cultivation country, lay in the southern region of the Nether Phoenix Star, near the Nether Sea. There were not many sects within Yanfen—only four: the Nether God Hall, the Evil Demon Sect, the Luo River Gate, and a branch of the Nine Nether Ruins.
On this day, atop the Blazing Heaven Volcano at the center of Yanfen Nation, a massive teleportation array stood. Around it waited members of the Nether God Hall.
The Nether God Hall possessed six Nascent Soul experts and firmly held the position as the number one sect in Yanfen. When competing for the qualification to enter the Nether Battlefield, they had overwhelmed all rivals and obtained the sole access token.
The leader this time was not a Nascent Soul expert, but Elder Huo Hongfei, who had reached the early Core Formation stage. Perhaps due to long years cultivating the Nether Path, though already over two hundred years old, he did not appear elderly. With dignified features and refined bearing, he looked more like a man in his forties.
The Nether Path was the top cultivation secret art of the Nether God Hall. Only those who reached Foundation Establishment could practice it. It was said to increase the probability of forming a Core. As for its true effects, outsiders could not know.
Historically, however, the Nether God Hall had always led Yanfen Nation in the number of Core Formation and Nascent Soul experts—proof enough of the Nether Path’s marvels.
Naturally, such a technique drew envy. But the sect’s strength deterred any force from seizing it.
As the saying goes, “Bandits remember for three years; thieves covet for ten.” Eventually, the Nether God Hall compromised—every twenty years they would host a viewing conference. Any Foundation Establishment cultivator, sect-affiliated or not, could attend to study it. Whether enlightenment occurred depended on personal fortune. A fee in spirit stones was required.
Thus, the Nether God Hall gained both security and substantial income.
The Nether Path scripture itself contained fewer than a hundred characters—each obscure and difficult. Very few could truly comprehend it.
The technique Huo Hongfei cultivated had actually been derived over a thousand years ago by a prodigious disciple who spent half his life distilling it from the original text. It was powerful and, with prolonged practice, preserved one’s youthful appearance—making it popular among disciples.
Beside Huo Hongfei stood several individuals. Most eye-catching was a young married woman—graceful figure, phoenix-like eyes, and an exquisitely delicate face like a celestial maiden. Her lips were slightly parted as she softly spoke with a tall, handsome man beside her, tenderness in her gaze.
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Suddenly, the teleportation array lit up.
All eyes focused.
The light intensified. Three silhouettes gradually appeared within it and soon became clear.
Huo Hongfei frowned and sighed inwardly. He had already learned that the Nether Battlefield was unstable and might collapse at any time. He had prepared himself—few disciples would likely return alive. Still, seeing only three survivors stirred melancholy.
Yet when he recognized Zhou Zihong among them, his expression eased slightly. She was his disciple—strong-willed. He had once firmly refused her request to enter the Nether Battlefield. Yet she persisted. Reluctantly, after gifting her valuable treasures, he agreed. Seeing her safe now, he felt relieved.
After stepping out, Zhou Zihong and the others gazed upon the familiar surroundings with the feeling of being reborn. But after exchanging glances, their hearts grew heavy.
Yun Che’s life or death concerned them most. They had given him their soul essence blood. If he died, they would not escape death either.
After greeting Elder Huo, he examined them and nodded.
“Not bad. Your cultivation has greatly improved. Zihong and Yang Xiong have reached late Foundation Establishment. Lin Tao is close. Very good. After this tempering, your future progress will surely be substantial. It is just a pity so few returned…”
Zhou Zihong sighed and explained the battlefield’s sudden collapse and the mysterious creatures that annihilated souls upon contact. Survivors were fewer than one in ten.
Huo Hongfei waved it aside but frowned suddenly.
“Why have your appearances not changed?”
Time in the Nether Battlefield did not age one’s appearance. But upon leaving, fifty years would manifest instantly. Even with preservation techniques, it was impossible to remain unchanged.
Yang Xiong quickly answered that Junior Brother Ma Liang had possessed pills that preserved appearance for a hundred years. Each of them had taken two.
Envy flashed in the surrounding disciples’ eyes—especially the young woman, Xu Si.
“Senior Sister Zhou, are there any pills left?” she asked.
Zhou Zihong replied coolly, “Ask Junior Brother Ma Liang.”
Xu Si forced a smile but inwardly fumed. Ma Liang had once pursued her persistently. She had assumed he was dead.
Huo Hongfei soon announced they would return to the sect. The Ancestral Phoenix had emerged from seclusion and requested their report.
At that moment, Lin Tao hesitated and said Ma Liang was still behind them and would arrive shortly.
“Ma Liang? He survived?” Huo Hongfei asked, surprised.
Expressions turned strange. Xu Si even cried out in shock, “He’s not dead?”
Zhou Zihong replied meaningfully that Ma Liang was no longer the same person.
Just then—the teleportation array flashed again.
A thin figure slowly stepped out.
An inexplicable chill rose in the souls of all present. Not from the body—but from the soul, from divine sense.
As if the man before them were a block of ten-thousand-year profound ice capable of freezing souls.
The domineering divine sense of the Extreme Realm revealed itself subtly. The Nether God Hall disciples involuntarily inhaled sharply. Even Huo Hongfei’s pupils contracted in shock.
Xu Si trembled. The face was Ma Liang’s—but the temperament was worlds apart.
Yun Che stepped out, glanced at Huo Hongfei, sensed his cultivation level, and clasped his fists.
“Disciple Ma Liang greets Elder Huo.”
“Good that you returned. Let us go together,” Huo Hongfei said, eyes sharp.
“I have matters to attend to. I will return after handling them,” Yun Che replied calmly.
Before Huo could object, Yun Che tossed over a storage bag.
“These are the materials collected over fifty years. The magic treasures were destroyed.”
Then he leapt into the air, turning into a streak of light flying north.
Huo Hongfei scanned the bag—its contents were abundant. Looking up, Yun Che was already distant. After brief hesitation, he chose not to pursue. The soul-chilling aura earlier made him wary. Even forcibly detaining him might cost him face before juniors.
Thus, he abandoned the idea.
Yun Che flew north for hundreds of miles before landing on a desolate mountain. Sitting cross-legged, he examined within his divine sense—the pure strand of Extreme Consciousness.
Cold light flickered in his eyes.
“Teng Huayuan… wait for me.”
- Yun Che did not return to the sect—was this caution, pride, or the beginning of independence?
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The Nether God Hall clearly sensed his transformation. Do you think they will investigate him secretly?
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His divine sense now carries the imprint of the Extreme Realm—how will this affect future battles?
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With the essence of a Devouring Soul still within him, is Yun Che walking a dangerous path between worlds?