Prehistoric: The female saint Shiji, brilliant and talented

Thinking of this, Shi Ji accelerated and transformed into a streak of light, disappearing into the horizon.

The new journey has just begun.

Shi Ji said, "Who knows if you believe me or not? I only believe myself!"

Gongsun Linglong smiled sneer and said in a sharp tone, "You really are extremely self-righteous!"

Shi Ji didn't take it to heart, and instead replied indifferently, "It's not just self-righteousness, it's downright arrogance and awkwardness."

"Pfft-"

Gongsun Linglong couldn't help but laugh out loud, but then realized she had lost her composure and quickly pursed her lips.

Shi Ji pressed on, "You still haven't explained the origin of this skeleton to me. Does it belong to that person?"

Gongsun Linglong glanced at the stark white skeleton and shook her head: "It's not his. How could that person's remains be found so easily?"

Shi Ji's face showed surprise: "If it's not that key skeleton, why is there such a large amount of Netherworld Iron gathered here?"

"Legend has it that a shocking secret is hidden within the Nine Netherworld Iron,"

Gongsun Linglong lowered her voice, with a hint of mystery, "But what exactly the secret is, I'm afraid very few people in the world know."

"So it was because of the Netherworld Iron..."

Shi Ji nodded thoughtfully, then changed the subject, "Then do you know how to leave this awful place?"

"do not know."

Gongsun Linglong answered crisply and decisively.

Shi Ji couldn't help but roll her eyes and said irritably, "I thought you were quite capable, but how come you seem to know nothing?"

Gongsun Linglong immediately retorted, "I'm not a celestial being who can predict the future; how could I possibly know everything!"

The two talked as they carefully made their way forward.

A thick, opaque gray-white fog filled the surroundings, making the path beneath one's feet indistinct.

After walking for an unknown amount of time, a magnificent yet dilapidated hall suddenly appeared before our eyes.

The interior of the main hall was spacious and deep, with only nine ancient oil lamps silently suspended in mid-air, emitting a flickering, dim yellow light.

Beside the oil lamp stood a huge stone tablet covered in moss.

The stone tablet was covered with ancient inscriptions, recording the forging of two artifacts from Netherworld Iron—one named "Nine Netherworld"...

A heavy hammer, and a huge and eerie coffin.

The text is obscure, but the gist is that these two items are key components used to create the final Nine Netherworld Iron Coffin.

Shi Ji's gaze was firmly drawn to the coffin, which was pieced together from countless fragments of Netherworld Iron.

It stood silently in the center of the hall, its entire body black, radiating a chilling aura.

He instinctively reached out, wanting to touch the cold surface of the coffin.

However, just as his fingertips were about to touch the coffin, an indescribable sense of horror instantly permeated his entire body like ice water!
He seemed to see a pair of scarlet, savage eyes suddenly open deep inside the coffin, and a twisted, terrifying demonic shadow roared as it tried to pounce out!

Shi Ji was so frightened that she took several steps back, her face turned pale, and cold sweat instantly beaded on her forehead.

The sensation he felt just now was so terrifying that it chilled him to the bone.

Gongsun Linglong was startled by Shi Ji's violent reaction. She quickly stepped forward, grabbed his arm, and asked with concern, "Senior Brother Shi Ji, are you alright? What happened?"

Shi Ji took a deep breath, trying to calm her wildly beating heart, her voice trembling slightly: "No...it's nothing."

Just now, I think I saw an extremely terrifying evil spirit rush out of that coffin, trying to devour me.

"An evil spirit?"

Gongsun Linglong looked at the silent Nine Netherworld Iron Coffin with surprise and doubt.

Even through the thick coffin walls, she could almost feel the eerie, ancient, and powerful aura emanating from the being sleeping within.

"Then... what level of cultivation does that evil spirit possess?"

Her voice also lowered considerably.

"I don't know the specific level,"

Shi Ji's expression was solemn. "But that oppressive feeling that makes one feel utterly hopeless is probably... probably the work of an Immortal Emperor!"

"Celestial Emperor level?!"

Gongsun Linglong's pretty face instantly lost all color, and she cried out in shock.

A celestial emperor-level evil spirit is a terrifying existence capable of sweeping away an entire region. Even if her master, descendant, or ancestor were to arrive in person, they would probably have to give way and dare not easily confront its sharp edge!

"We can't stay here any longer, let's get out of here!"

Without hesitation, Shi Ji grabbed Gongsun Linglong's wrist and turned to leave.

But Gongsun Linglong stood still, without moving.

Shi Ji looked at her with a puzzled expression.

A strange light flashed in Gongsun Linglong's eyes. She stared intently at the coffin and whispered, "Wait!"
Senior Brother Shiji, you said the evil spirit sleeping in this coffin is at the level of an Immortal Emperor.

"Have you ever considered whether it's still alive? Or perhaps in a state of slumber?"

Shi Ji was shocked. She hadn't expected Gongsun Linglong to be so bold. Instead of running away immediately, she had set her sights on this terrifying evil spirit.

"unconfirmed."

Shi Ji analyzed in a deep voice, "But if it really is an evil spirit at the level of an Immortal Emperor, if we rashly run away now, making too much noise, we might wake it up, which would undoubtedly be courting death."

If it hasn't truly perished, but is merely dormant, our best option might be to hide and wait for the right opportunity.

We either escape the moment it awakens, or... we find a way to lure it out of the coffin and then try again together!

Speaking of "trying together"

At that moment, a resolute glint also flashed in Shi Ji's eyes.

Fortune favors the bold, and no one can remain completely unmoved when faced with an opportunity (or threat) at the level of a Celestial Emperor.

"it is good!

I agree!

Gongsun Linglong nodded immediately, a mixture of excitement and nervousness flashing in her eyes.

However, just as the two made their decision—

"Boom!"

!

! ”

The entire underground palace suddenly began to shake violently, as if a major earthquake had occurred!
Gravel and dust kept falling from above, and huge cracks began to appear on the surrounding walls, spreading rapidly.

"not good!
The underground palace is about to collapse!

Shi Ji exclaimed in surprise.

"What's going on? Did our conversation disturb the being inside the coffin?"

Gongsun Linglong's beautiful face paled.

"not necessarily!
Perhaps the Nine Netherworld Iron itself caused some kind of change!

As Shi Ji spoke, her gaze swept over the Nine Netherworld Iron Hammer that was floating to the side.

This giant hammer has an ancient and simple design, is entirely black, and contains unimaginable power; it is definitely a top-tier magical artifact.

With a thought, he quickly put it into his storage ring.

"Let's get out of here first!" Shi Ji shouted, grabbing Gongsun Linglong again. The two of them transformed into two streaks of light, braving the constantly falling boulders, and narrowly escaped the underground palace hall that was about to completely collapse.

When they stood outside the ruins and looked back, they saw that the once magnificent underground palace had been completely reduced to a pile of rubble, shrouded in smoke and dust.

"This...what the hell is going on?"

Looking at the scene before her, Gongsun Linglong asked with lingering fear.

Shi Ji frowned and pondered, "I suspect it's likely related to us taking the Nine Netherworld Iron Hammer or triggering some kind of restriction."

The Netherworld Iron is the core of this place; its movement affects the entire area.

He paused, then continued his analysis, "Now that this underground palace is destroyed, we need to find another way out."

I suspect this underground space isn't isolated; it's very likely connected to other areas, and might even... be the true resting place of that evil spirit from back then!

"What did you say? You suspect that this entire underground world is the tomb of that evil Immortal Emperor spirit?"

Gongsun Linglong was shocked by this bold guess.

"It's just speculation at the moment, but the possibility is not small."

Shi Ji said gravely, “We must be even more careful.”

After saying that, Shi Ji led Gongsun Linglong in a different direction than they had come from, and cautiously ventured into the depths of this underground space.

All that could be seen along the way was desolation and ruin, with an ancient and decaying atmosphere permeating the air.

After flying for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the scenery ahead gradually changed.

The fog gradually dissipated, revealing a relatively low-lying area.

Shi Ji slowed down and finally stopped at the entrance to a deep valley.

The valley is flanked by steep, dark rock walls. Inside, the light is dim, and jagged rocks are faintly visible. It is eerily silent, as if devoid of any life.

This is a valley.

The valley was pitch black, so dark you couldn't see your hand in front of your face.

It was an extreme darkness, seemingly capable of swallowing all light, to the point that even the superhuman eyesight of a cultivator was completely rendered useless.

Shi Ji tried to use his magic to perform some kind of secret technique to enhance his vision and explore his surroundings, but he soon discovered that his normally unaffected spiritual vision ability was completely ineffective here.

"Strange... My 'Insightful Eyes' can't see through the darkness here?"

Shi Ji felt a chill run down her spine and muttered to herself.

He tried again, his eyes flashing with a faint light, but all he could see was a chaotic darkness, as if some invisible force was blocking out all prying eyes.

He carefully sensed the root cause of his obstructed supernatural powers and discovered that it was not due to a lack of magical power, but rather because this space itself had a strange rule that greatly suppressed visual detection methods.

This discovery caused Shi Ji to frown deeply.

"There's definitely something strange about this place..."

He pondered to himself, becoming extremely vigilant.

Recalling the terrifying evil spirit he had encountered in the underground palace, he was almost certain that the anomalies in this valley were definitely related to that being.

Thinking of this, Shi Ji had a thought and took out an item from her storage magic treasure.

That wasn't the Nine Dragons Jade Pendant, but rather a pendant called the "Star Guide".

An ancient jade pendant.

This jade pendant is said to have been crafted from the core of a fallen star, possessing the miraculous effect of guiding direction and dispelling illusions. It is one of the sect's most prized treasures.

Shi Ji infused a wisp of magical power into "Star Guide".

In.

Instantly, the jade pendant emitted a soft and pure milky-white halo. This halo was not dazzling, but it carried a warm power, dispelling the darkness within a few feet around Shi Ji.

A halo enveloped Shiji, as if draping him in a hazy veil of light.

Then, a strange scene happened.

"Star Guide"

Instead of transforming into a ball of light, it projected an incredibly clear path of starlight, pointing straight into the depths of the valley.

This path of light is not a physical entity, but rather resembles a virtual passage paved with starlight, appearing exceptionally mystical in the absolute darkness.

"Huh? My eyes..."

The moment the starlight appeared, Shi Ji felt a cool sensation in her eyes, and her previously suppressed vision seemed to resonate with the starlight.

He gazed intently, and vaguely seemed to see subtle starlight flowing deep within his pupils, in harmony with the "Star Guide."

The light they emitted shone brightly.

The starlight faintly outlined some mysterious trajectory, seemingly connected to some ancient constellations in the distant sky.

"Star Guide, it truly lives up to its name."

Shi Ji admired it in her heart.

The power of this jade pendant far exceeded his expectations; it not only illuminated the path ahead but also seemed to enhance the holder's perception of surrounding energy fluctuations to some extent.

Without further hesitation, he carefully stepped into the depths of the valley, following the direction indicated by the starlight.

The deeper you go, the more significant the changes in the environment begin.

The surrounding temperature gradually rose, changing from the initial chill to a dry heat, and then a scorching, sulfurous smell filled the air.

Shi Ji felt as if she were walking step by step into a huge furnace, with waves of heat hitting her face, making it difficult to even breathe.

He estimated that the temperature here was probably several thousand degrees. If it weren't for the protection of magic, an ordinary flesh and blood body would be scorched instantly.

"Roar--!"

Suddenly, a deep, violent roar came from the depths of the heatwave.

Shi Ji immediately stopped and became alert.

A massive figure could be vaguely seen amidst the surging, scorching air currents ahead.

The figure stood several meters tall, its body covered in a dark red, hardened carapace resembling cooled lava, covered with jagged barbs. A pair of eyes, burning with eerie green flames, were fixed intently on Shi Ji, or more precisely, on the "Star Guide" before him.

The light it emits.

It was clearly a terrifying creature that had long lived in such an extremely hot environment, and it was attracted to the suddenly intruding "Star Guide" that carried a cool aura.

The light showed extreme hostility.

The monster suddenly stood up, opened its huge mouth full of fangs, and generated a scorching suction force, trying to devour the uncomfortable halo along with the stone.

However, "Star Guide"

As a secret treasure, it possesses its own spirituality.

The milky white halo suddenly solidified, forming a soft yet incredibly resilient light barrier that steadily resisted the terrifying devouring power.

The light barrier remained completely still, effectively neutralizing the monster's suction force.

Seeing this, the monster seemed to be enraged, letting out an even louder roar. Its massive body, carrying immense force, lunged at Shi Ji, its claws tearing through the air and creating sonic booms.

Shi Ji was prepared. She moved with lightning speed, sliding to the side and back. At the same time, she pointed her fingers like a sword and shot out a sharp sword aura, which accurately struck the monster's relatively vulnerable joint.

"boom!"

With a muffled thud, the monster's momentum faltered slightly, its claws carving deep furrows in the ground.

It seemed to be in pain, becoming even more agitated, and pounced again. (End of Chapter)