Tension crackled in the air, the atmosphere sharp as drawn swords.
"Quickly, carve me a copy of Thousand Mechanisms Debate, and hand over the treasures of the Meng clan. Tell me everything!"
The Mahayana cultivator's eyes glinted with malice as he pressed the soul to surrender what he desired.
The soul only gave a cold, disdainful smile, silent, staring at him as though he were nothing more than a ridiculous clown.
Fury surged through the Mahayana cultivator. He slapped the soul's face again and again, snarling threats. "Do you believe I will not slaughter every last descendant of your Meng clan? You would be branded the eternal sinner of the Meng clan!"
He had schemed for years just to meet this soul, just to pry out the secrets he craved. But this woman refused to yield. Even if she was dead, he wanted to lash her corpse. Yet the soul's gaze only grew colder, mocking. "In this lifetime, you will never succeed… Forever impossible…"
"Wretch!!!"
The Mahayana cultivator erupted in fury, unleashing frenzied attacks upon the soul, desperate to force out the truth.
That expression of scorn carved into her fading spirit seared his eyes like a blade. But even as the soul dispersed completely, he still gained nothing of what he sought.
It drove him nearly mad.
He had plotted for countless years, every move made to wrest the secret from her. To end like this? How could he accept it?
"No. I must seize that Rebirth Flower!"
Now, only one option remained. With the Rebirth Flower, he could summon another soul of the Meng clan.
Therefore, he had to take it, no matter the cost. A vicious gleam flashed in his eyes. The Mahayana cultivator resolved to shadow Song Wanníng's every step.
The moment she appeared, he would strike her down without mercy.
…
Three months passed in the blink of an eye.
At last, the side hall's doors creaked open.
Song Wanníng stepped out. Her aura had grown calmer, tempered, refined. Sensing her presence, King Yama abandoned his duties and hurried over. These past months, her words had lingered in his mind. To his own surprise, a sliver of hope had taken root. If the passage could truly be opened, the Underworld might see a new dawn. And once he ascended, he could face his master with pride.
Thus, upon seeing Song Wanníng emerge, joy surged in his chest.
"How is it?"
He leaned in, eyes alight with expectation.
"Perhaps it can be tried."
Song Wanníng's lips curved in a faint smile. In three months, she had carefully followed every method, unraveling all thirty formations. Now, all that remained was to test it in reality.
But even so, she could not be absolutely certain. No one could predict what might unfold.
"Good! Try boldly. Even if you fail, it matters not. Do not feel pressured!"
King Yama offered reassurance. The two exchanged a few more words before he led her to the site where the Underworld had once been sealed. It was a desolate land, barren and lifeless, cliffs plunging on every side, seldom visited by any soul.
"This is the place where our Ancestor sealed the passage. Beyond this barrier lies the seal left by that Immortal. Do not act recklessly. Safety above all."
A flicker of worry crossed his features. Though ages had passed, who could measure the methods of an Immortal?
"Rest assured, Senior. I will not force myself."
Song Wanníng nodded, striding forward toward the barrier.
King Yama did not follow, but from afar he watched closely, guarding her silently.
…
Song Wanníng stood motionless in one corner, unmoving for two whole hours. At last, she perceived the barrier's intricate veins, tracing them fully in her mind. To her delight, the formation matched one of the methods she had studied.
That meant she truly had a chance to break it.
A glint of cold light passed through her eyes. If her guess was right, the Immortal who had sealed it in wrath was none other than Mu Zixu. He was an Alchemist. Arrays were not his strongest domain. If she attempted it, there truly was hope to open the passage.
Suppressing her surging ambition, she calmed her heart before beginning step by step.
First, she must locate the corresponding nodes, the formation's core, the life gate. It was a long and grueling process. One mistake could ruin all. Without vast spiritual power, it was impossible. Now that she had confidence, Song Wanníng threw herself fully into the work.
King Yama watched her diligent movements. His hope grew steadily. He remained vigilant, eyes scanning the surroundings, while also following her progress.
Three hours later, he saw her take out one supreme-grade spirit stone after another, striking them into carefully chosen positions.
The process lasted another half-hour before stopping. King Yama's eyes swam, dazzled by the intricacy, yet his admiration for her deepened.
At the moment the final spirit stone sank into the formation's core, a surge of blinding white runes erupted all around. The vast array enveloped the entire Underworld, sealing every channel as tightly as iron.
Song Wanníng's gaze sharpened. She drew out another spirit stone, holding it between her fingers, then hurled it forward with all her might.
"Break!"
Her voice rang like thunder.
The formation shuddered violently, twisting in distortion before shattering apart with a resounding crash. The remnant energy scattered like drifting stars, dissolving into the night.
King Yama's mouth parted in shock. He stared at Song Wanníng in disbelief.
So easily broken?
Her mastery of formations was at such a terrifying level?
Truly monstrous.
The instant the barrier broke, every being in the Underworld sensed the strange ripple of power. Yet with one more layer of seal still intact, few understood what had happened. They merely gathered in groups, speculating.
Song Wanníng withdrew her hand, her face pale. She hurriedly swallowed several pills to restore her spiritual and mental strength.
When she opened her eyes again, King Yama's gaze burned upon her, as if staring at a succulent feast.
"Excellent! Little girl, you truly unraveled the seal! Now only the outer layer remains. Perhaps I will truly see the Underworld unbound!"
His eyes reddened with excitement, his voice shaking.
He too longed to see the world beyond, to glimpse the Spirit Realm.
Song Wanníng stood, joy flickering in her eyes.
Who would have thought that she, once utterly ignorant of formations, would reach this day?
Soon, she perceived the outer seal. Yet…
That seal was woven with Immortal qi. Spirit stones alone could never undo it. In such a case, she could only attempt to channel her own Immortal qi to dismantle the array.
At that moment, clarity dawned upon her. This formation, for anyone else, was indeed impossible. Her every step, though seemingly unpredictable, had in truth been guided by the Heavenly Dao.
As she grew stronger bit by bit, she was also preparing the path for the unification of the two realms.