The heavier the killing sin, the deeper the pain.
That was why no one wanted to come into contact with the Red Lotus Karmic Flame, and why fear of it ran deep in everyone's heart.
It seemed Mu Zixu had come here specifically to upgrade his immortal flame.
A glimmer of subtle light appeared in Song Wanníng's eyes. If she could seize the Red Lotus Karmic Flame, the Shenyou Mystic Flame would undoubtedly advance once more.
Although both flames targeted the Primordial Soul, the Red Lotus Karmic Flame's power was immense. If she handled it carefully, the Shenyou Mystic Flame could certainly absorb it.
…
Boom!
Another tremendous explosion erupted from the tower.
Song Wanníng stood outside the Eighteenth Layer of Hell, her expression becoming increasingly complex.
After all the detours, it was still this tower. It was here, in this very tower, that she had been engulfed in white light, transporting her to that spatial passage.
There had to be a connection between the two.
"This is outrageous. Are immortals really allowed to act so arrogantly?"
"An immortal, really? Can King Yama withstand this?"
"Ugh, all the big shots of the Underworld have entered. Who would have thought the intruder is an immortal? No matter how strong King Yama is, he cannot contend with an immortal!"
"How could an immortal enter our Underworld? Isn't it restricted by the Heavenly Dao rules?"
"..."
The crowd was restless, yet no one dared to storm the tower. Even the two ghost envoys who had shouted about avenging themselves went silent. Who would dare challenge an immortal?
Song Wanníng glanced at the tower.
The once-stable tower now shook violently, looking as if it might collapse at any moment.
Countless evil souls clustered at the first-floor entrance, struggling and crying for help, clearly terrified. If not for the barrier guarding it, the tower would likely have crumbled completely.
Yet Song Wanníng felt relieved.
The Heavenly Dao rules prevented beings from the Upper Realm from entering the Lower Realm, protecting the people below. Even if one sneaked in by other means, their cultivation would be suppressed to the highest level of the Lower Realm.
In other words, Mu Zixu could only exert the peak Mahayana stage right now.
That was why King Yama and others could still hold their own against him; otherwise, they would have long been dead.
Her cultivation in the Underworld also reached Mahayana level. A sly smile crossed Song Wanníng's face. Since that was the case, she would join the fray. She dashed through the crowd and vanished toward the tower.
The onlookers only saw a figure holding a red umbrella, quickly piercing the barrier and entering the precarious tower.
"Shh!"
Everyone gasped. Going in now seemed like a death wish.
…
"Do you think you can stop me? What a foolish dream!"
Mu Zixu's eyes brimmed with ridicule. Even with his cultivation suppressed, his foundation here made him untouchable.
"A mere King Yama, really taking yourself seriously?"
He mocked King Yama, barely giving him any attention.
Before he could savor his arrogance, a cold, slightly sarcastic voice cut through.
"An immortal comes to the Lower Realm to show off. I had no idea the disciple of Wuji Sect could be so shameless."
Song Wanníng stepped out slowly from the stairs, supporting her umbrella.
The umbrella tilted slightly, revealing her exquisite face, yet the coldness in her eyes drew every gaze. The crowd's expressions changed, particularly when they sensed her cultivation.
"What are you doing here? Get out of here!"
King Yama barked. Though he did not know Song Wanníng, she was a ghost cultivator and thus a citizen of the Underworld. She must not get involved.
Several nearby Mahayana-stage ghost cultivators frowned, as if scolding her for causing trouble.
"Yes, leave quickly. We have no time to save you!"
"This is no place for you to play around!"
Though harsh, they only spoke for her own safety.
An Out-of-Body-stage cultivator running here would be reckless.
Mu Zixu, however, narrowed his eyes and recognized Song Wanníng.
"Following me?"
If she had not been following him, how could she have come to the Underworld?
The passage was extremely hidden; ordinary people would never find it.
"Correct, but no reward for you."
Song Wanníng smirked, calmly retracting her red umbrella. In the next moment, a long sword appeared at her side. Her confidence stunned a few onlookers.
Where did such courage come from?
Mu Zixu laughed with anger.
"Fine, fine, a little girl from who knows where dares to speak to me like that. I must have been too lenient! A disciple favored by Dao Qing really is as shameless as him!"
He had never been generous. Song Wanníng had now completely offended him.
A killing intent flashed across his eyes. Mu Zixu no longer wasted words and launched an attack toward the group. He waved a golden long brush, and the surrounding space seemed to tear apart, as if countless trees had burst through.
Countless vines and branches transformed into tentacles, sweeping toward them.
King Yama and others turned serious and fought back, though all were injured and not as strong as before.
They worried most about Song Wanníng.
Especially now, having angered Mu Zixu, countless branches shot toward her, capable of piercing her head and heart in an instant.
Mu Zixu sneered, finding her arrogance laughable. This move alone would surely kill her. Yet in the next moment, his expression froze.
The expected bloodshed did not appear. Song Wanníng, wielding her long sword, slashed forward. At the same time, a rune appeared by her will, and a vacuum zone formed beside her.
The branches that had extended were shredded by an invisible force.
Her sword collided with sturdier branches, cutting them in half with ease. In the blink of an eye, the attack targeting Song Wanníng had been neutralized. Her eyes sharpened. She chose to go on the offensive. Several small allies flew out, coordinating their attack.
"I'll cover you."
Song Wanníng coldly spoke to King Yama, then charged toward Mu Zixu.
King Yama and others realized that this little girl was not merely Out-of-Body stage. They exchanged glances and attacked Mu Zixu together.
Mu Zixu's expression darkened. He focused on Song Wanníng, waving his hand. More vines and branches surged out.
No wonder she was so audacious—she was Mahayana stage!
But so what?
She was still useless.
Mu Zixu's gaze flicked to the Shenyou Mystic Flame with greedy intent. This stange flame could upgrade his immortal flame. What a delightful surprise. He suddenly swung, sending a murderous moon hook slashing toward Song Wanníng's neck.
The Shenyou Mystic Flame, the Red Lotus Karmic Flame—he intended to claim both.