I am a late bloomer in the world of cultivating immortals

Meanwhile, on the other side...

Wei Tu, who had just stepped into the 'Slaying Netherworld', frowned slightly, seemingly because he had lost his connection with the 'Blood Ghost Split Soul'.

However, this change in expression came and went quickly. In just a moment, he regained his previous composure, as if nothing had happened.

"This boy is quite cunning."

However, Pei Laogui, who was following closely behind Wei Tu's escape light, noticed this scene and secretly sneered. His expression, like Wei Tu's, also turned slightly pale.

It seemed that it was the first time either of them had known that the 'Slaying Netherworld' had a restriction that prevented the 'soul splitting' of the outside world.

At this moment, Wei Tu, seeing that his performance had fooled Pei Laogui, stopped his escape light and carefully examined the unfamiliar place in front of him.

Just as it appears to the outside world, this realm is eerily cold and filled with an extremely strong aura of the dead, like the legendary underworld or the netherworld.

The only difference is...

At this moment, under his divine sense, it was difficult to see the archway that displayed the boundary of this world, or the sea of ​​spider lilies that faintly appeared on the banks of the turbid river.

Right now, there is only the mighty river, as vast, deep, and wide as the ocean.

The river water was murky, mixed with countless silt and sand, and in the river water... there were countless dead souls, constantly wailing, being 'washed' by the river water and carried downstream.

But it was only in that instant of his observation that he realized what was happening.

The next moment, the laws of this world descended upon him.

Soon, almost as if by teleportation, his physical body appeared within the 'Nether River'.

The soul suddenly became icy cold, like these 'dead souls' being constantly washed and soaked.

But this is not the end.

Suddenly, an extremely strong pulling force came from the bottom of this 'Nether River', as if countless ghostly hands were tightly gripping his legs... as if trying to drag his 'body' to the bottom of the river.

Even if he erected a 'magic shield', it was all in vain.

On one side, the soul is being washed away, carried downstream by the power of the river; on the other side, the 'physical body' is being held tightly by the water ghosts of the Nether River, being pulled towards the bottom of the river...

Under the influence of these two different 'rule forces'.

At this moment, even though Wei Tu was a Mahayana Immortal and an eighth-order Body Refiner, a trace of pain couldn't help but show on his face.

Moreover, in that short instant, the blood energy in his body began to dissipate rapidly, as if it wouldn't be long before he would be completely swallowed up by the 'Nether River', even if he wasn't taken to the bottom of the river by the water ghosts.

But what's even more terrifying is...

The surrounding 'dead souls,' whose auras were close to Mahayana level, also sensed his presence as a 'living person.' While being washed and submerged by the waters of the Nether River, they also greedily swam towards him.

It was as if by taking over his body, one could be reborn.

Fortunately, the force of the scouring waters of these dark rivers was strong enough that in the brief moment these souls noticed Wei Tu, they were swept further away, preventing them from immediately tearing into Wei Tu's body.

This gave Wei Tu a temporary 'peace'.

“However, this peace will not last long. If it continues to drag on…” Wei Tu’s face showed a hint of unease.

Of course, this is only on the surface.

Having prior knowledge of this realm, he also sensed, with a slight flicker in his eyes, the cleansing and refining effect of the Nether River water on his soul.

After being immersed in the waters of this dark river for only a few breaths, his soul visibly became clearer and more refined.

Even his 'Hun'e Evil Eye', the 'Soul Eye' he had refined, benefited from this, its power becoming extremely pure after being cleansed.

at the same time--

Wei Tu also vaguely understood why the Seven Treasures Demon Ancestor's true form would repeatedly travel back and forth to this 'Slaying Netherworld'.

Not only does this realm contain the 'secret of reincarnation' of this cultivation world, and it is suspected to be the work of an immortal... but it is also because the water of the Nether River in this realm has endless benefits for the soul.

With the waters of the Styx River, one's soul would not become obscure and impure after multiple reincarnations and possessions, making it difficult to hope for reaching the summit and transcending tribulations.

"If this fiend has not yet revealed a way to resist the power of the laws of the Nether River within half a day at most... we must leave this place first."

"Now is not the time to take action against them."

After suppressing his distracting thoughts, Wei Tuyi narrowed his eyes and looked at Old Ghost Pei, who had suddenly 'fallen' into the waters of the Nether River along with him.

Unlike his current helplessness.

This method of cultivation is much more effective here.

Although he was also using hand seals to struggle against the scouring force of the Youhe River and the pulling force from the riverbed, it was clear that he was not struggling as much as the other.

At this moment, Old Ghost Pei seemed to notice Wei Tu's gaze and the implicit 'hostility' in it. His expression immediately changed, becoming somewhat unpleasant, and he said:

“Fellow Daoist Wei, the dangers here far exceed my expectations… This is not a trap I deliberately set to deceive you…”

"However, Fellow Daoist Wei's difficulty in proceeding is likely due to the fact that your physical body is too powerful, unlike the ghost body of an old man like myself... After all, this 'Slaying Netherworld' is a hellish realm where the living are rejected and the dead are allowed to enter."

Pei Laogui hurriedly explained, as if afraid that Wei Tu would hold a grudge and attack him ruthlessly after seeing no hope of leaving this 'Zhan You Realm'.

“If Fellow Daoist Wei does not mind, I am willing to lend you the body of the Four-Eyed Ghost King once again.”

"This corpse should be enough for Fellow Daoist Wei to traverse the waters of this Nether River, just like I have."

A moment later, a look of pain flashed across Pei Laogui's face as he revealed the solution.

"Walking through this world in the body of a ghost? Perfect, a perfect way to shed my eighth-tier physical body?"

Upon hearing this, Wei Tu, realizing what Old Ghost Pei was up to in the dark, immediately revealed a cold smile.

of course.

In Pei Laogui's eyes, that cold laugh was Wei Tu's distrust of him.

"Very well! I'll do this good deed to the end..." Seeing this, Old Ghost Pei gave a wry smile, then his lips moved slightly as he told Wei Tu a method to resist the power of the laws of this world.

This method, however, is not the extreme approach of shedding one's physical body and using the corpse of a demon to walk in this world.

"The later part of the Corpse Shedding Technique?"

Wei Tu's heart stirred, and he sensed a subtle connection between this secret technique and the corpse-shedding technique of 'Transforming the Netherworld into Death' that Pei Laogui had previously taught him.

However, he did not relax at this moment.

After inspecting the place and finding no hidden doors or tampering, he began to perform the hand seals, following the secret technique that Pei Laogui had described, and instilled it into his body.

Several dozen breaths later.

As each incantation entered his body, his physical form seemed to be covered in dust, becoming extremely 'turbid', resembling a 'yin corpse', and exuding a sinister aura.

And this level is undoubtedly very different from the previous mere 'tainted by death'.

Almost at the same instant.

Wei Tu then felt his 'physical body' suddenly become much lighter, and he no longer needed to constantly resist the pulling force from the bottom of the river.

Moreover, those 'wandering souls' who coveted his body seemed to have lost their purpose at this moment, becoming confused and wailing incessantly in the waters of the Nether River.

but--

What Pei Laogui didn't see was...

At this moment, as the various incantations entered his body, Wei Tu's divine sense was also moving rapidly, performing incantations that were completely different from this 'Corpse Shedding Technique'.

This technique was naturally the method that the Seven Treasures Demon Ancestor's 'one incarnation' told him before entering the Netherworld, a way to resist the laws of the Nether River.

Therefore, he was confident that the method Pei Laogui had given him to resist the laws of the Nether River was not merely a matter of his soul being transferred to the corpse of the 'Four-Eyed Ghost King'.

as predicted.

After being frightened by him, Old Man Pei 'revealed everything'.

It's just unclear whether they were wary of his strength or coveted his 'immortal bones' and didn't want to damage them here... so they were just playing along with him.

"I've only ever heard of this 'Netherworld of Severance,' I've never actually entered it myself..."

"From now on, I hope Fellow Daoist Wei can stand with me through thick and thin and not suspect each other. At least, before we see that wisp of 'True Immortal Soul'... we won't have to fight each other."

Seeing that Wei Tu had stabilized his 'physical body', Pei Laogui sighed softly.

The desire for peace was evident in his words.

"That's natural. Before seeing that wisp of a true immortal's soul... I, Wei, would never be foolish enough to fight with Fellow Daoist Pei in this dangerous place..."

"However, if Fellow Daoist Pei's words are not true and there is anything he has concealed, I, Wei, will never let Fellow Daoist Pei go, even if it costs me my life."

Upon hearing this, Wei Tu's gaze turned cold for a moment, but he seemed unable to think of any further way to threaten Pei Laogui, so he could only give this cold warning.

After he finished speaking...

Still feeling it wasn't enough, Wei Tu flipped his hand and took out the 'blood-red silk net' that he had previously mortgaged to Pei Laogui, and immediately summoned it in his hand.

In an instant, a bloody light flashed in Wei Tu's palm, and the 'blood-red net' seemed poised to leap into the air at any moment and pounce on Old Ghost Pei not far away.

"Fellow Daoist Pei, please don't blame me for not warning you!"

"Given my current level of body refinement, even if Fellow Daoist Pei is at the mid-stage of the Mahayana realm, it's not certain he'll gain the upper hand in close combat..."

Wei Tu threatened him without any mercy.

The implication was that if Old Ghost Pei dared to leave his sight and had any intention of fleeing... he, an eighth-level body cultivator, would show no mercy.

"Fellow Daoist Wei, you have quite the big mouth."

But upon hearing this, Old Ghost Pei's expression also showed a hint of displeasure.

However, seemingly considering the dangers here and the imminent threat posed by Wei Tu... his expression shifted between light and dark for a moment before he could only let out a cold snort and end the conversation.

At the same time, this incident seems to have shattered the foundation of their friendship and mutual trust.

After that, Old Ghost Pei said no more. He narrowed his eyes and glanced at the waters of the Nether River, where the 'other shore' was nowhere to be seen. Then, he raised his hand and took out a black banner the size of a palm.

The black banner was accompanied by a chilling wind, and countless yin energies were swirling around it. One could also faintly hear the wails of the dead, like the waters of a ghostly river.

"Go!" Then, with a flick of his finger, two palm-sized 'green-headed imps' instantly appeared on the black banner. They carried the banner on their shoulders and quickly rushed towards the bank of the 'Nether River'.

But perhaps it's against the current.

Almost as soon as they left Pei Laogui's side, the two 'green-headed little devils' carrying black banners were almost swept downstream by the powerful scouring force of the Youhe River.

However, it was also at this time.

Suddenly, the black banner emitted a hazy celestial light and revealed several large celestial characters.

Under the blessing of this divine light and divine inscription, the 'green-headed brat' who was about to be dragged into the mire was immediately, as if divinely aided, and moved swiftly towards the riverbank, almost as if it were being moved horizontally.

Soon, the two traveling 'green-headed imps' shrank to the size of ants, becoming virtually invisible.

But until—

A few quarters of an hour later, then several hours later.

These two green-headed devils never returned to Old Man Pei's side.

At this moment, Pei Laogui's face was immediately filled with gloom.

"If nothing unexpected happens, the two of us should be trapped within the restrictions and formations of this 'Slaying Netherworld' right now... Without breaking this formation, we will not be able to see the other side."

Pei Laogui took a deep breath and said.

However, Wei Tu frowned slightly and said nothing more.

He raised his hand and summoned the gray-clad puppet he had taken from Yue Shenzi. With a flick of his fingers, he sent it downstream along the You River.

A quarter of an hour.

Half an hour...

Three hours later.

A tattered, dimly lit paper doll floated downstream and came to Wei Tu's side.

“No wonder there are so many powerful souls in this Nether River…it’s because they are constantly being washed away here…” Wei Tu pondered, a thoughtful look flashing across his face.

But at this moment, when Pei Laogui saw this scene, a deep sense of fear suddenly appeared in his eyes.

They seemed alarmed by Wei Tu's 'cleverness'.

How could an ordinary person be so vigilant... to immediately see the whole picture from a small part and discover the clues!
"That's it! A Mahayana Immortal and a Body Refining Ancient Saint who is less than ten thousand years old... If he didn't have an extraordinary mind, he would never have achieved what he has today..." Old Ghost Pei's eyes flickered slightly as he pondered to himself.

At the same time, Pei Laogui was also going through a lot of thoughts.

At this moment, Wei Tu suddenly flicked his sleeve and took out three magical objects, each about an inch in size, round at the bottom and shaped like jade chopsticks.

It hovered in front of Wei Tu, then landed in a peculiar formation, repeating this pattern over and over.

"The Divine Divination Chopsticks?" Old Ghost Pei raised an eyebrow slightly, recognizing this as a symbolic spiritual treasure belonging to the Eight Fiends of Flying Cloud Island.

However, at this moment, he also felt a sense of relief.

Wei Tu's unfamiliarity with this place will likely be his key to victory.

Thinking of this, Old Ghost Pei didn't remain idle any longer. His eyes flashed, and he took out several array plates, beginning to rapidly deduce the restrictions and formations within the Nether River, seemingly trying to find a way out. (End of Chapter)