"What does Taoist Friend mean?" Luo Xuan looked over.

The Heart Venerable glanced at Ji Jingqiu and the Saint King, and the fissure where all the other saints had disappeared, with a look of shock and fear:

"Within this place is the birthplace of that Netherworld Lord from the Nether Ruins Lineage. It is also the remnant of the Underworld crafted by the Ancestor Master back in the day. The Ancestor Master once said that under Transcendence, no living person should enter!"

"Oh?"

Luo Xuan stood in the void, hands in his sleeves, clearly smiling, yet it only felt chilling and cold to others:

"Then there's all the more reason to go in and take a look."

He nearly gritted his teeth, speaking each word with emphasis:

"This time, I specifically went back to bring out the artifact left by my elder brother. I want to see just how muddled the waters of this Netherworld can be!"

Suddenly.

Luo Xuan turned back to look at the distant rear, his eyes shining with a peculiar light.

Was his beloved apprentice finally showing up, unable to restrain himself?

How could this make him decide?

Is it to swallow the World Venerate, or to swallow Taiyi?

"Long-lost blissful trouble," Luo Xuan sighed, "Is this a turning point in destiny? Having suffered in the Netherworld, now finding sweet relief in the same place—"

...

Yanhuang Federation.

The place where the Death Demon is sealed.

Qinglian cautiously communicated with the Nether Sea before him.

How could it be this "clear"?!

Such a clear color, and yet it somewhat resembles the Bitter Sea.

Qinglian couldn't help but look up at the Four Guardian Stars above him, suppressing him in this place.

With Mu Shitian's assistance, Qinglian once attempted to enter the Bitter Sea, and back in the day, there was even the grand scene of a green lotus emerging from the Bitter Sea.

For some reason, his Innate True Nature has a high resistance to the Bitter Sea, something unparalleled among ordinary True Saints. As long as the exposure time isn't long, he can recover and not be entangled by ensuing karma.

This was also the reason Mu Shitian assisted him back then, trying to understand the rationale behind it...

And thinking back now, perhaps it relates to his brother he has never met.

Qinglian sighed softly.

Though the Bitter Sea Water is said to cause all things to perish and fall into oblivion, at a glance, it actually looks exceptionally clear, even formless and colorless, so much so you can see the seabed with one look.

Only when it merges with the karma of all beings does it reveal its True Form, akin to a bloody rain.

The current appearance of the Nether Sea, unexpectedly, has several resemblances to the original Bitter Sea!

Perhaps, there truly is a link between the Nether Sea and the Bitter Sea...

Qinglian suddenly stood up, extending a hand, and the Dao Patterns of Qinglian spanned the heavens and the earth, while Dao Rhyme soared to the sky, yet was swallowed by a layer of darkness. That patch of darkness had appeared at some point around, quiet as a deep pool, heavy as Nine Nether, and severed his connection with the Four Guardian Stars above!

"Taoist Friend Qinglian, long time no see indeed."

A sigh sounded, which could hardly be called familiar——

"Tai, Yi!"

Qinglian enunciated each word.

The one who appeared before him was none other than Taiyi, with Ji Tianxing closely behind!

"Back then, I merely speculated that the background of the Taoist Friend might not be inferior to the Five Divine Lords. I didn't expect my vision still turned out too narrow," Taiyi said with emotion, "As the brother of the Ancestor Master of Qingming Heaven, that's an identity which truly makes us envious."

"Ji Tianxing, this is the Federation, above us is the Eye of Sea of Suffering, what exactly do you intend to do?!"

Qinglian ignored Taiyi, glared angrily at Ji Tianxing, and sternly questioned.

Ji Tianxing smiled gently, "Greetings, Taoist Friend Qinglian. You needn't worry; the Federation won't suffer an iota of harm in the events to come, and even Taoist Friend Taiyi lacks the courage to touch the Bitter Sea."

Taiyi nodded joyfully, "I indeed dread it like a tiger, so Taoist Friend Qinglian need not worry. This time, I'm only here for Yan."

Does Taiyi want to save Yan?!

Qinglian's face filled with alarm and anger, was about to speak when Yan, who was guarding underground, suddenly spoke, his voice indifferent:

"Taiyi, you've finally arrived."

Taiyi appeared solemn, bowed with hands folded in respect, "Taoist Friend, our agreement back in the day is destined to be honored today. With 'World Venerate' appearing, drawing eyes from all around, even he got his attention caught."

Yan coldly retorted, "You wish to swallow my True Form, why would I cooperate with you?"

"In this life, I attain the Tao, in the next I'll guide you across the river," Taiyi said, a serious tone and unprecedented earnestness in his voice.

Stationed underground, Yan fell silent, pondering; the name Taiyi was most familiar among them and not easy to trust.

Qinglian's expression grew ever more alarmed and suspicious, does Taiyi wish to swallow Yan's True Form?

What exactly was Ji Tianxing doing, bringing in wolves with evil intentions?!

He tried to connect with Ji Tianxing, who instead invited him to speak nearby.

Gritting his teeth for a moment, Qinglian agreed nonetheless.

With Taiyi alone, there was absolutely no chance of victory!

Once aside, Ji Tianxing began speaking, yet it was nothing but gibberish. Qinglian, impatient, utilized Spirit Communication, querying what the man truly intended.

But Ji Tianxing only consistently responded with one line:

Do not worry, Taoist Friend, everything is under control.

Qinglian felt no ease in his heart at this, but rather immense anger.

This rascal! Collaborating with Taiyi is no different than planning with a tiger, where everything is supposedly under control!

Did Ji Tianxing really consider his calculations to be unrivaled in the world?!

...

Ji Tianxing took Qinglian away, seemingly to provide a venue for Taiyi and Yan to converse.

"By that man's words, based on our guidance under him, the Taoist career laid down, it will be hard to prove and transcend," Yan suddenly spoke, voice heavy, "all roads... are dead ends!"

"I've long known this," Taiyi replied calmly, "however, birth from certain peril could mean there is still a path of life to tread."

Yan resettled with tranquility, "Indeed, among us, you are the smartest, undoubtedly you have long started to lay plans, what path have you found?"

"I have found where my Other Shore lies."

"Where?"

"It cannot be said, nor made clear."

After another prolonged silence.

From underground, there was only one word in response to Taiyi, indifferent to the extreme, as calm as utmost peace.

"Alright."

Hearing this, Qinglian turned back with a shock.