Since the Heavenly Dao was aiding her, this formation was bound to open.
The light in Song Wanníng's eyes grew brighter. She focused intently on her surroundings, then drew out a wisp of celestial energy from within her body and thrust it into the air.
Immediately, it was as if a drop of cold water had been tossed into boiling oil. The atmosphere grew restless and chaotic in an instant.
Above the sky, a hazy barrier emerged, the energy it contained striking fear straight into one's heart.
King Yama's heart sank, a trace of murderous intent flashing in his eyes.
So this was the restriction set down by that Immortal?
A dignified Immortal, stooping to thievery, and even doing such despicable things. He clenched his fists, the chill radiating from his body intensifying. Once he ascended to the Immortal Realm in the future, he would drag that man out, no matter what.
While he was fuming, Song Wanníng had already moved on to the next step.
Without immortal stones, she could only rely on her own celestial energy to dismantle the array. The pressure was immense.
Fortunately, this place was brimming with yin energy, which she could channel through her dantian and refine into celestial energy. That ensured her output would not be interrupted. When unraveling such a formation, not even a breath of delay was allowed. Otherwise, all previous efforts would be wasted.
With this in mind, she immediately flipped through the manuals stored in her sea of consciousness, simulating the steps again and again.
Once she was certain she had committed every detail of the restriction to memory, Song Wanníng began running through the process of unraveling it. By the time she was ready to act, dawn had already broken.
Bathed in morning light, Song Wanníng finally began. She sent streaks of immortal energy flying from her fingertips, each one landing precisely on an array point. Her movements seemed erratic and unpredictable, yet every step was filled with hidden mysteries.
But this barrier was exceedingly powerful and complex. Even marking out the nodes of the formation was painstaking work. Sweat beaded across her brow, her spiritual energy draining rapidly, yet her gaze only grew more resolute.
From the side, King Yama stared at her, utterly transfixed. To him, Song Wanníng seemed to radiate boundless energy at that moment. Each gesture, each flick of her hand, carried a Dao-rhyme that he could not comprehend. It was as if she herself was glowing.
Once again, he was shaken.
A woman like this could never be confined to the Spirit Realm. Even the Immortal Realm would not hold her…
The more he thought, the faster his heart pounded. It was as if he had discovered a peerless ally.
In the Central Region, the Mahayana cultivator crept out of the passage in secret. Strange fluctuations had arisen from the Underworld earlier, and he worried something had gone awry. He had no choice but to retreat first.
If it turned out to be nothing, he could always return later.
But that wretched woman Song Wanníng had remained holed up in King Yama's palace all this time, denying him any chance to act. It was infuriating. He turned back toward the passage, tempted to seal it shut on the spot. But remembering that Song Wanníng would eventually emerge from it, he restrained himself. For now, the passage must stay.
The first thing he did after leaving was order his disciples to investigate Song Wanníng's identity. With someone of her ability, she could not possibly be an unknown. Once he uncovered her weakness, no matter how cunning she was, she would bow her head and obediently hand over the Rebirth Flower.
But within less than an hour, his disciples reported back. His face darkened instantly.
Song Wanníng was from the Four Regions?
That meant she had no kin in the Central Region.
His scheme had collapsed. He had intended to use her family as leverage…
"Hmph!"
He snorted coldly. "In that case, I'll borrow another's hand to deal with Song Wanníng!"
That woman was far too sinister. He had learned his lesson. There was no need to personally risk himself. Immediately, he sent a transmission talisman to an Ancestor of the Huo family, reporting that he had encountered Song Wanníng.
The Huo family, who had long been desperate to find her, finally received her whereabouts.
"Let me go and take her," Ancestor Huo Mian volunteered, his expression calm.
When Song Wanníng was mentioned, his face showed no emotion at all, as if she were beneath his notice.
"Good. Those useless fools have already let her slip through their fingers once. Don't let it happen again!"
"That's right. Go. With us here watching over the Huo family, nothing will go wrong."
The other two Ancestors nodded their approval.
"If our guess is correct, that fool Huo Jinchuan was completely manipulated. The treasure our Huo family lost is very likely in that woman's hands."
A cold gleam flickered in Huo Mian's eyes.
Huo Jinchuan had decent talent, but his cultivation progress was slow. They had never valued him highly. Who would have thought he would end up disgracing them all, making the Huo family a laughingstock?
Their anger ran deep.
"Indeed. We have no proof, but she is the most suspicious."
"Since she dares remain in the Central Region, she cannot blame us for showing no mercy."
After the three Ancestors reached an agreement, Huo Mian departed from the Huo family and headed toward the entrance of the Underworld.
The rest of the clan rejoiced at the news.
"Haha, that woman is doomed this time!"
"She should have died long ago. If not for her, how could we have become a laughingstock?"
"Exactly! This time, even if she kneels and begs for mercy, she will never escape a miserable death!"
"Let us just wait for Ancestor's good news!"
"Lao Bai, you are sure she will come out from here?"
Huo Mian glanced at the unremarkable spot before him, doubt flickering in his eyes.
"Yes. This is a perilous place. I encountered the woman your Huo family seeks inside…"
"Unfortunately, I only realized who she was after I came out. Otherwise, I would have captured her then and handed her over to you!"
The Mahayana cultivator shook his head, looking apologetic.
"But now the inside has become too dangerous. She will definitely come out soon. All you need to do is wait…"
He had carefully concealed the aura of the passage. After all, it was his doing. Huo Mian would never notice the truth.
Still, Huo Mian was not so easily fooled. He examined the passage at length, only giving up after he confirmed there was no way in. He peppered the Mahayana cultivator with questions, all of which were answered flawlessly. At last, he felt reassured.
He and Lao Bai had some history. The man had no reason to deceive him over such a small matter. Thus, he sat down with Lao Bai, chatting idly and playing chess while waiting for Song Wanníng to emerge.
Meanwhile, Song Wanníng was still struggling with the barrier, unaware that two men were lying in wait outside.
With the constant flow of immortal energy pouring in, the restriction had begun to tremble violently. The shift was so great that every ghost cultivator in the Underworld grew restless with dread. Everyone knew something momentous was about to happen.
At last, the most crucial step had arrived.
King Yama's heart leapt to his throat. He fixed his gaze upon her, not daring to utter a sound.
Song Wanníng's face was ghostly pale, her body heavy with exhaustion.
He prayed silently that nothing would go wrong at this final, critical moment.