The Five Elders, powerful cultivators who share a single extraordinary heart, enter the perilous Blade Mountain Fiery Sea. Despite their combined strength and unique cultivation, they struggle against the enhanced environment. When they attempt to forge a path, blades forged from Heavenly Mysterious Cold Iron strike, piercing their chests. However, the elders reveal their true secret: their shared heart is hidden, making them impossible to kill as long as it remains undiscovered.
Accompanied by the triumphant laughter of the Five Elders, they traversed the path carved by the sea of fire. Reaching the end meant entry into the Netherworld Realm. However, in the next moment, the Heavenly Mysterious Cold Iron in the void ensnared them once more. These blades fractured, splitting into two, then three, then countless pieces, filling the firmament with a dazzling array of blade lights, each seeming to lash out. Xu Zimei observed the Five Elders' smug faces and gave a slight shake of his head. The heart severance tactic was effective against ordinary cultivators, but true powerhouses could trace the origin and locate the heart. While this tracing wasn't as profound as Xu Zimei's source annihilation, it was sufficient to sever a heart. Accompanied by a rumbling sound, the countless blade lights converged instead of striking the Five Elders. They coalesced into an immensely powerful beam, akin to the dawn sun's blade, piercing the void and vanishing into the unknown. The Five Elders exchanged glances, initially perplexed by the blades' inaction, but their expressions soon contorted in shock. "Oh no," their hearts quailed. Although their hearts were external, a connection remained. Any danger or change would be sensed. A sudden tug resonated within them as their hearts registered a crisis, sending continuous warnings. "What's happening?" Fire Elder anxiously inquired. The Five-orifices Glazed Glass Heart was their lifeblood, their ultimate trump card, and any threat to it was paramount. Elder Jin, gazing at the blade lights above, seemed to grasp the situation. They were not fools. He quickly exclaimed, "It's the Heavenly Mysterious Cold Blades; they're tracking our hearts! Quick, stop them!" Earth Elder acted first, disregarding all else. "Earth's Guard." He clapped his hands forcefully in the void, channeling a peculiar force through the earth and into the ether, enveloping the Five-orifices Glazed Glass Heart and automatically forming a protective shield. The others swiftly followed suit. Fire Elder unleashed dragons of fire, while Wood Elder transformed into vines, weaving an impenetrable wooden barrier. Water Elder summoned the ocean's might, raising colossal waves. The five elemental powers intertwined, forming unified protective circles. Yet, they had clearly underestimated the offensive power of the Heavenly Mysterious Cold Blade of Blade Mountain and overestimated their own capabilities. Despite wielding the unparalleled Power of the Five Elements, they were merely at the Taoist Fruit realm, their Three Flowers unbloomed and Three Corpses unsevered. A thunderous roar echoed as blade Qi churned through the firmament, obliterating all. A sharp crack signaled fragmentation. The Five Elders simultaneously coughed up blood. Their aging accelerated visibly. "Unconvinced, unconvinced!" they roared towards the heavens, their voices thick with profound regret. Their bodies, losing support, plummeted into the sea of fire. With their hearts shattered, their physical forms were mere soulless husks. Life eternal was theirs if the heart remained; without it, all was lost. Witnessing the failure of the Five Elders, the other outsiders turned ashen. The Five Elders were formidable adversaries, yet they had fallen. These outsiders were vastly outmatched. Some contemplated retreat, but the desire to resurrect loved ones left them hesitant. Amidst this, someone noticed Xu Zimei. "Look, someone's still inside." "Who is that? Does anyone know him?" The crowd murmured, bewildered. The Five Elders had failed, yet someone dared to venture deeper, a reckless act of the fearless. "Don't recognize him; he seems quite unknown." "Another one destined for an early demise." Xu Zimei paid no heed to the outsiders' chatter. He was slowly progressing toward the center of the Blade Mountain Fiery Sea. He understood that while mechanisms lacked sentience, this specific location was watched. Every action taken within was observed. Therefore, he felt no urgency to break through the Blade Mountain Fiery Sea. Instead, he raised his head, his gaze piercing through the shroud of the Blade Mountain Fiery Sea, fixing upon a particular point in the void.
Casually, he uttered, "I have no intention of wrecking this place. My arrival in the Netherworld Realm is to visit some old acquaintances. I trust none of you will stand in my way."
Deep within that void, beyond the fiery expanse.
Two figures were present.
They were the stewards of the Blade Mountain Fiery Sea, standing guard at the gateway to the Netherworld Realm.
The one on the left, clad in a blue Daoist robe, was presently seated in meditation, his hand seals formed, merging with the very essence of the Blade Mountain Fiery Sea.
He was an Elder, his demeanor serene, radiating an uncommon aura.
The other was a strapping man.
Donning crimson armor, the brawny man stood atop an erupting volcano, his expression unyielding and vigilant.
The Daoist-robed elder was known as Qingfeng.
The robust man in red armor was identified as Flame General.
Upon hearing Xu Zimei's declaration, and sensing his gaze upon them.
They immediately grasped the situation: they were facing a formidable opponent.
At the very least, his perception and power were not diminished, evidenced by his ability to pierce through the void.
Qingfeng's brow furrowed slightly.
He turned his attention to Flame General.
Inquiring, "What are your thoughts?"
"Should we truly grant him passage?"
"Absolutely not," Flame General scoffed.
He declared, "The Netherworld Realm has perpetually been a domain for the departed; mere words do not suffice for entry."
"To do so would be our negligence, and the Domain Master would hold us accountable. Should anything go awry, we couldn't possibly bear the consequences."
"In that case, why not subject him to a test?" Qingfeng nodded in agreement.
He found considerable merit in the other's reasoning.
Stating, "If he genuinely possesses strength, he shall gain entry through his own capabilities."
Meanwhile, on the exterior.
Xu Zimei perceived that his words had failed to stir the Blade Mountain Fiery Sea.
The fiery ocean suspended in space intensified its heat.
The Blade Qi emanating from the firmament grew considerably more acute.
This realization dawned on him: the adversary was clearly intent on conflict.
"Why court trouble? I had no plans to make a move," Xu Zimei remarked, shaking his head slightly.
"Since that is the case, I shall carve my path in. I only hope my friend, the Dead Spirits Taoist, will not hold it against me."
Concurrently, an individual outside overheard Xu Zimei's pronouncements.
Hearing his muddled words, as if addressing the gatekeepers in an attempt to gain entry.
They couldn't help but mock, "Truly, all sorts of people exist. If entry could be gained through mere words, wouldn't all these departed souls have perished in vain?"
