The Legend of the Netherworld

Lin Xiao once again carefully examined the map, which he had already memorized so well that he knew even the wrinkles on it like the back of his hand. He looked at Lin Jiao, his face filled with confusion. "Still no changes. Where are the features you mentioned?"

Lin Jiao raised the corners of her mouth slightly, and a force came out of her hand, which was injected into the map, making it hang in the air in front of her. Then she cast spells with both hands at the same time, releasing the "Fire Control Technique and Water Control Technique". The flames and water flow hit the two sides of the map respectively, just like quenching and sublimation.

As the temperature difference increased, a magical scene occurred: clearly arranged patterns and text slowly emerged on the map. Lin Xiao was shocked and couldn't help but open his mouth, even wanting to scream, but Lin Jiao stopped him in time.

Lin Jiao looked at Lin Xiao, who was full of surprise, with a smug smile on her face. She said happily, "Brother Lin Xiao, quickly record it. These patterns and words will disappear instantly once the flames and water disappear."

Lin Xiao nodded happily, and without hesitation, he quickly circulated the energy in his body, using the stone table as paper and his hand as a pen to carve the patterns and words that appeared on the map onto the stone table.

After a moment, Lin Jiao saw that the map had appeared on the stone table. She nodded slightly to Lin Xiao and stopped releasing the flames and water. The pattern on the map then disappeared and gently fell onto the stone table, like a wet rag, emitting a burnt smell.

"Since its secret has been engraved on this stone table, why don't you use the "fire control technique" to burn it and let this secret disappear completely from the world," Lin Xiao said lightly.

Lin Jiao nodded and cast a spell. A blazing flame instantly erupted, and the map before them vanished, leaving behind a small pile of powder. Seeing this, Lin Xiao waved his hand, and a strong wind arrived, carrying the secret of the map away with it, completely dissipating.

The two looked at the patterns left on the stone table and carefully analyzed the mysteries contained therein.

"When the six treasures merge into one, the mysterious wonders will naturally emerge." Lin Jiao observed for a moment, then read the clearest words on the stone table. She spoke with a puzzled look on her face, "This means we need to collect six treasures to unlock the true secret."

Lin Xiao nodded in agreement.

"Netherworld" Lin Xiao then looked at the text in the center of the pattern, pointed at the text and whispered: "Could this be the secret entrance, and the rugged lines under the text are the route to this "Netherworld"?" His tone was full of speculation and uncertainty.

"That should be the case," Lin Jiao responded.

Lin Jiao turned her gaze to the patterns on the stone table, pointing to the outermost circle, and asked doubtfully, "The large circle here should correspond to the outer layer of the ancient forest, the middle circle to the middle layer, and the inner circle to the core layer. So what's this outer layer with the cliff and pool of water?"

Lin Xiao looked at the two patterns she pointed at, pondered for a moment, then suddenly opened his eyes and whispered, "If I'm guessing correctly, this cliff and pool correspond to the Black Wind Cliff of the Shadow Wolf King and the Green Water Pool of the Green Water Snake Queen."

"Then the flowers and trees depicted in the middle circle should correspond to the Flower Sea Forest and the Fairy Vine Palace, while the valleys and plains in the inner circle should be the Forget-Me-Not Valley and the Thunder Plain," Lin Jiao said by analogy.

Lin Xiao nodded thoughtfully. Combining the wolf relics and snake gallstones dropped by the Shadow Wolf King and the Jade Water Snake after he killed them, he guessed that they should be two of the six treasures. He said, "If our analysis is correct, these six treasures correspond to the six demon kings in the ancient forest. Killing them will drop corresponding treasures."

Lin Jiao was shocked when she heard that six demon kings needed to be killed. She spoke with concern, "If we want to kill the two demon kings in the outer circle, we should be able to take them down if we invite Senior Brother Ye Xuan to join us. As for the Green Forest Flower Demon and the Ancient Tree Spirit Lord in the middle circle, I'm afraid we'll need the Sect Master and all the elders to take action. As for the Thunder Tiger King and the Shadow Monkey King in the inner circle, I'm not sure what to do."

Lin Xiao nodded and said, "This is a secret that we cannot disclose. We can deal with the matter of the Demon King later. Let's first figure out where the entrance to this 'Netherworld' is."

"It seems that these are the only secrets of the map. The only way to find the rest is to enter the ancient forest and explore it slowly," Lin Jiao said.

"I'll go to the Sutra Library to look for clues and see if I can find any records about the 'Netherworld'," Lin Xiao said calmly.

"Hmm," Lin Jiao nodded thoughtfully. Suddenly, as if remembering something important, she pointed at the cliff and the pool and spoke excitedly, "Some bad news. Three months ago, a bald, knife-faced human youth killed the Shadow Wolf King and the Jade Water Snake Queen. He must have taken the treasures as well. We're a step too late."

Lin Xiao heard this and smiled slightly. He said, "I thought it was something else. Come here and I'll tell you a secret."

Lin Jiao approached Lin Xiao, and Lin Xiao whispered proudly into Lin Jiao's ear: "Actually, the bald boy with the scar is right in front of you." His tone was full of pride.

Lin Jiao's eyes were filled with shock. She stared at Lin Xiao's face, trying to find any scars. "But you don't have any scars on your face?"

Lin Xiao then took out the wolf relic and snake gallstone he had brought with him, and said with a proud look on his face, "Let me show you, they're genuine."

Picking up the two treasures Lin Xiao had given her, Lin Jiao examined them carefully, but her eyes were still filled with confusion. "Then why are the scars on your face gone, and your hair has grown back? It's completely different from what was said in the ancient forest?"

"This is a long story. I unexpectedly received a spell from a master who restored me to my original appearance," Lin Xiao said with a proud look on his face.

"Oh oh." Lin Jiao returned the treasure in her hand to Lin Xiao, thinking in her heart: "Brother Lin Xiao's reminder, combined with the poems about the six realms of Jiazi that circulated from the ancient forest at that time, is completely consistent with his realm."

Lin Jiao's eyes immediately revealed a hint of disbelief and admiration, and she said admiringly, "Brother Lin Xiao, you are amazing. But next time you go to the Ancient Forest, you must call me so that we can fight together."

"Definitely," Lin Xiao replied firmly.

At this time, the night has quietly fallen, and the moonlight is like water, gently falling on the rugged stone table, covering this hard place with a layer of soft silver gauze.

Seeing that it was getting late, Lin Xiao said, "Let's stop here for now. I want to go to the Sutra Pagoda to look for clues about the Netherworld. Do you want to come with me?"

"I won't go. Disciples are not allowed to enter the Sutra Pagoda at night." Lin Jiao smiled.

Lin Xiao nodded, turned, and left, heading for the Sutra Pagoda. After Lin Xiao left, Lin Jiao went inside, took out a pen and paper, and copied the map on the stone table again. Then, she gently placed her hand on the stone table, infusing it with energy. A puff of powder instantly covered the stone table, and a gust of wind blew past, carrying away the final secret of the map.