Bitter Realm: My Feet Step Through the Flames of War

“Master, I have wasted so much time searching for Zoushan Qiyi. Let’s go our separate ways.”

The monk with deer antlers glanced at him and asked, "What are you going to do after you find Zoushan Qiyi?"

"Obtain information about the Mud Goddess's Dark Realm from her, and then return with her."

"Now that you've followed this humble monk throughout the dark realms of Nirvana, haven't you gained any information about this place?"

"Aside from seeing the four marquises fighting each other, I did not obtain any other useful information."

"Bah! Fool!"

"Master, please don't curse."

Having followed the monk for quite some time, Xuanming Shi had grown numb to his ramblings every day.

"If Heaven wishes to destroy someone, it first makes them mad."

"Can't understand."

"Haven't you noticed that the evil thoughts and resentment in the Mud Goddess's Dark Realm have become even stronger?"

"War has increased casualties. Although the Dark Realm of Mud is the place that manages the souls of the dead, the residents here are also living beings, and they naturally harbor resentment when they die."

Most of the residents here look just like the humans of the Bitter Realm, while a small number have unusual appearances, such as having an extra eye or an extra leg. It's hard to say whether they belong to the human race.

The biggest difference is that the ghost messengers, servants, and service personnel here do not eat human food, but live by absorbing the death energy in souls. Public officials are issued regularly by the four major purgatories, while other personnel are paid by providing various services.

The Xuanming clan came from the Ice Tower, one of the Four Wonders, which was also an alien realm. They were used to this situation and did not think there was anything wrong with it.

The four wonders had been as close as family for centuries, but in the end, they all perished because of a single primordial creation sphere that caused them to turn against each other.

War is nothing more than a struggle for interests; the victor is king and the loser is villain. Survival is a victory.

The monk with deer antlers shook his head and said to himself, "The moon wanes when it is full, and water overflows when it is full. The evil thoughts here have exceeded the limits of what the Mud Goddess Dark Realm can bear."

What happens when you push beyond your limits?

The monk drew a circle in the air with his emerald green staff, and then there was a loud "bang".

"Boom! The entire area exploded, and everything was destroyed."

"Then we must find Zou Shan Qi Yi before the explosion and bring her back to the Underworld."

"Don't worry, your backup team is on its way."

These words excited Xuanming. His sister had married the Demon Emperor Zhixin. Even if others couldn't care less about the affairs of the Mud Goddess Dark Realm, how could his sister ignore her brother? He believed that the time to leave this place was coming soon.

Where do we go next?

"Let's go meet another destined person."

Left with no other choice, Xuanming had to continue his journey with the monk.

After traveling for a short while, a dark desert appeared ahead, with yellow dust churning and sand swirling, devoid of trees and smoke.

Just as Xuanming was about to ask where this place was, suddenly, a giant, thin dog appeared in the yellow sand, its bells ringing out in sections, like a gentle call to souls.

"Wine in hand, I stroll along, my sleeves fluttering in the wind; withered grass, frosty falcons fall from the clear sky. My soul is lost in the setting sun. Regret seeps into my four strings, I grow old; dreams seek a thousand post stations, but my heart cannot reach them. Why did I not hurry then?"

As the poem began, a stunningly beautiful girl appeared before Xuanming Shi. She had long, light blue hair, wore a dark blue dress, and was also holding a staff. The silver bell on the staff was jingling, the source of the clear bell sound from earlier.

The beauty before me was exquisitely beautiful, yet she exuded a free and unrestrained spirit, her graceful steps revealing a unique and dashing air.

Xuanming had seen a fair number of beauties, but he was most vulnerable to those with a heroic and dashing appearance. Instantly, he was reminded of his beloved Chao Tianjiao, and for a moment, he was mesmerized and speechless.

Seeing that the two were speechless, the woman said again, "It is not advisable to go any further ahead. Where do you intend to go?"

"I……"

Xuanming hesitated, realizing that although the woman was beautiful, he did not know whether she was friend or foe, and he could not easily reveal his identity.

The monk bowed deeply: "I came for you."

"Oh? What business does the master have with me?"

"Please, female benefactor, perform a divination for this humble monk."

"Master, who do you wish to divine? And what do you wish to divine?"

"Where is Bu Suzhen now?"

The woman was startled, a hint of wariness appearing on her beautiful face. She coldly asked, "Who exactly are you, Master?"

"This humble monk is from Mount Muling, the original home of the Heavenly Buddha."

"So it is Muling Mountain, one of the three major lineages of humanity. I am Shezhiduo. Greetings, Master."

When Shezhiduo met Su Huanzhen, Ni Haichongfan's Tu Luo Formation had already been broken by Luo Hou and Yi Ye Shu. The Hundred Years of Dark Night in the Mortal World was just a rumor spread by a cult organization, and naturally had nothing to do with the Three Families.

However, Shezhiduo's true form is the Nine Dragons Wood, and she has lived in the Bitter Realm for countless years. Her non-participation in matters does not mean that she is unaware of them.

Upon hearing that it was Mu Lingshan, their wariness immediately dissipated.

"To be honest, Master, several months ago, my soul, along with Su Huanzhen and Qu Shitu, was separated from my body and trapped in the Mud World. Later, we were separated due to the war. Now that I have finished my own business, I am also looking for the two of them."

"Any clues?"

"The clues are constantly changing. I will perform another divination now. Please grant me your protection, Master."

After regaining her half-body, Shezhiduo originally intended to reunite with Su Huanzhen, but the surging evil energy of the Mud Goddess Dark Realm greatly affected her magic, otherwise she would not have stayed there.

Upon hearing Shezhiduo say that he wanted to perform divination, the skinny dog ​​beside him howled, appearing unusually angry.

"Purple Steed, don't be angry. I've already broken the laws of this place, so breaking a few more won't make things any worse."

Xuanming couldn't help but interject, "What's going on here?"

"Let bygones be bygones... In short, the Mud Goddess Dark Realm does not allow the use of any foreign magic, otherwise it will be treated as illegal immigrants. Master, let's begin."

Shezhi took out a black tortoise shell and shook it, from which came the sound of copper coins clinking.

Seeing this, Mu Lingshan waved his staff, creating a silent barrier that concealed the three of them and the strange activity caused by the divination.

Ding ding ding.

Three copper coins fell from the tortoise shell into Shezhiduo's palm, forming a formation that Xuanmingshi couldn't understand.

"The divination indicates that we must head north; it seems we must cross this sandstorm."

"Is there any danger?"

"This yellow sand is called Hungry Dog Sand. Once a soul enters it, it is like a hungry dog ​​being devoured, leaving not a trace. My constitution is different from ordinary people, so it is not a problem for me. I wonder what about you two?"

Xuanming said sadly, "I am already a dead man."

Chapter 486 Su Mou Helps You Conquer the World

The soul of a normal person cannot pass through the Hungry Dog Sand.

Shezhiduo was transformed from a spirit, and Xuanmingshi was already dead, so the two of them were naturally unharmed.

"Grandmaster?"

"For me, life is death, and death is life; life and death are inherently impermanent."

Again.

Xuanming shook his head and followed the two people and the dog into the yellow sand.

The purple pheasant seemed to know the way, sniffing and stopping as it led the way. After walking for several miles, apart from the yellow sand blinding them, there was no other movement.

Shezhiduo explained, "Hungry Dog Sand is located at the southernmost part of the Niva Dark Realm, which is also the border where it intersects with the Yama God's territory. You were actually already on the border line just now, but fortunately you did not disturb the guards on the Yama God's side."

"The God of Hell?"

"Indeed, the Sanzu River Basin is the largest and most powerful organization, with an army of millions, many of whom are highly skilled."

Mu Lingshan's eyes flashed as he asked, "How much do you know about the God of Hell?"

"Not many. It is said that Yama was injured in the last great battle and has not appeared in the world for a long time. He has not even been able to see his daughter."

How does the realm of Yama (the God of Hell) maintain its operation?

"The realm of Yama is managed by three chief leaders. The three cooperate well and are orderly, unlike the four marquises of the Mud God's Dark Realm who fight against each other."

"I see."

There are many more, but I can't say for sure. Apart from the Sanzu River, the three borders of the Yama realm are all surrounded by tall and thick walls, and the border troops patrol day and night, making it difficult for even a bird to cross.

Seeing the monk's keen interest in the realm of Yama, Xuanming couldn't help but ask, "Master, do you perhaps wish to go there?"

"I have this plan."

Shezhiduo pondered for a moment and said, "If we want to cross over by stealth, we can only go through the Sanzu River waterway, where we might find an opportunity."

"Thank you for telling me, young lady. Let's find Su Huanzhen first and then discuss it."

Half a day later, the three of them finally emerged from Hungry Dog Sand and saw a wide and winding passage, which was the Yin-Yang Post Road.

Purple Monkey was a strange beast that had evolved from the hungry dog ​​sand over millions of years. Naturally, it was inconvenient for it to continue following them. Under Shezhiduo's insistence, Purple Monkey reluctantly ran back to the yellow sand.

Shezhiduo took out the tortoise shell again, shook the copper coins, and determined a direction.

"It seems to be the Soul-Splitting Purgatory. Could it be that he and Qu Shitu are imprisoned there? This is bad!"

Shezhi became anxious and was about to rush forward when Mulingshan stopped her.

"The Yin-Yang Post Road is rife with chaotic troops. Rushing in would only backfire. It would be better to wait until it gets dark before setting off."

Mu Lingshan's words make sense. If they were in the Bitter Realm, with their combined fighting strength, even if they couldn't win, they could at least escape. But in the Mud Realm, their physical abilities were suppressed, and their souls were targeted by the strange magic here. If they encountered a large army, they would probably be devoured immediately.

Shezhi suppressed her inner worries and, together with Mulingshan and Xuanmingshi, found a secluded place to wait quietly for nightfall.

Although this is an underground world, it still has light and the sun, and can distinguish between day and night.

The reason why sunlight can penetrate the Bitter Realm and reach the ground is naturally due to the power of the cosmic laws of the sun god. He said, "There is light," and so there was light throughout the world.

Just as Mu Lingshan and Shezhiduo were searching for Su Huanzhen, Su Huanzhen stood before Li Wen through Zou Shanqiyi's introduction.

Within the Rift Soul Purgatory, there was another spacious and majestic royal palace. Li Wen sat high on the throne, his cold, bell-like eyes scrutinizing this renowned figure from the Bitter Realm.

"I have heard of the name of the sage, but your unauthorized entry is already a serious crime, let alone the fact that you are a living soul. You truly disregard the rules of my Dark Realm."

"I have also heard that among the four marquises of the Dark Realm, the Lord of the Soul-Splitting Purgatory is the most valiant and skilled in battle. Indeed, seeing is believing. The unparalleled demeanor of Marquis Wen in the battle for Platform Nine is unforgettable for me."

Flattery will get you everywhere, and upon hearing Su Huanzhen's words, Li Wen's expression indeed softened considerably.