The Legend of the Netherworld

Lin Xiao walked steadily to the Cobalt Guardian, a Jiayin First Realm expert, knowing full well that this would be an extremely difficult battle. He took a deep breath, and the Overlord Divine Power within him instantly activated, increasing his strength and speed. His muscles and bones seemed to tremble slightly, preparing for the coming attack.

Guardian Cobalt swung his massive axe, launching a swift attack. The axe, like a mountain, descended upon Lin Xiao, its sharp edge pointed directly at his head. Lin Xiao was startled, but his movements remained composed. He swiftly unleashed the Dragon Swimming Across the Seas technique, dodging with the force of flowing water, practically sliding alongside the axe blade.

Seeing his strike miss, the Cobalt Guardian changed his tactics, sweeping his axe across with a whistling force. Lin Xiao's form was like a phantom, narrowly avoiding it again. But just as he was about to strike from behind, the Cobalt Guardian reacted even faster than expected, and his massive armor, like a fortress, blocked Lin Xiao's Dragon Shadow Fist.

"Bang!" Lin Xiao's fist clashed with the armor, leaving the Cobalt Guardian unscathed. Lin Xiao froze, realizing he couldn't break through the guard's defenses. Without giving him a moment to breathe, the Cobalt Guardian spun around, slashing down with another powerful axe.

Lin Xiao hurriedly distanced himself, thinking to himself, "His defense is too strong. A frontal attack will be ineffective. I must outsmart him."

At that moment, the Cobalt Guardian suddenly leaped into the air, his massive axe held high in both hands, and swooped down. The overwhelming pressure made the air around Lin Xiao stagnate. Lin Jiao stood nearby, a flicker of worry in her eyes, and she even clenched her fists, ready to strike at any moment, even if it meant breaking the rules of the Ancient Forest.

However, Lin Xiao didn't panic. He once again activated his Dragon Swimming Across the Seas technique, transforming his body into a stream of light to avoid the fatal blow. The axe blade slammed heavily onto the ground, sending gravel flying everywhere, and Lin Xiao counterattacked with a Tiger Roaring Palm.

However, this palm strike was easily deflected by the Cobalt Guardian, unable to shake his immense power. The Cobalt Guardian continued to slash at Lin Xiao, and Lin Xiao could only dodge. Sometimes the Cobalt Guardian would strike quickly, sometimes the rhythm would suddenly slow, and then suddenly become extremely fast. This change in rhythm made Lin Xiao's dodging very uncomfortable.

Just as Lin Xiao dodged again, he keenly noticed that while the Cobalt Guardian's armor was impeccable, the armor on the back of his calf was inadequately protected. A sudden flash of insight dawned on him, and he understood this weak spot. As long as they were at a sufficient distance, the Cobalt Guardian would always choose to leap and strike, and this was his opportunity to strike.

Lin Xiao quickly distanced himself from the Cobalt Guardian. As expected, the Cobalt Guardian leaped up again, axe in both hands, and struck at Lin Xiao. In that split second, Lin Xiao suddenly activated his Phantom Body Technique, vanishing from the spot like a phantom and instantly appearing behind the Cobalt Guardian.

"Now!" Lin Xiao's eyes focused, and he gathered momentum with his right leg. He suddenly unleashed a whirlwind kick, fiercely kicking the back of the Cobalt Guardian's exposed calf. The Cobalt Guardian reacted and tried to dodge, but it was too late. Lin Xiao's kick hit his weak spot, and the Cobalt Guardian's massive body lost balance and fell to the ground. The axe slipped from his hand and fell heavily to the ground.

"Bang!" With a loud bang, the Cobalt Guardian fell to the ground, sending clouds of dust flying. Lin Xiao breathed a sigh of relief, sweat trickling down his forehead. He had finally defeated the Jiayin-level Cobalt Guardian with his wits and speed.

Lin Xiao walked towards the gate and pushed open the door that led to the middle level of the ancient forest. As he passed through the gate, he saw Ye Xuan and Lin Jiao waiting for him. Lin Jiao smiled and walked towards them quickly: "Brother Lin Xiao, I knew he was no match for you!"

Lin Xiao chuckled, scratched his head, and said modestly, "It's nothing."

However, Ye Xuan stood aside, arms folded across her chest, and said calmly, "You're lucky this time. After all, the Cobalt Guardian is just a guardian deity and doesn't have much wisdom. If you were facing an ordinary Jiayin First Realm cultivator, you might not be able to win."

Lin Xiao, Lin Jiao, and Ye Xuan walked side by side into the middle layer of the ancient forest. A more abundant spiritual energy rushed towards them, and the air was filled with spiritual energy that was even purer than that outside.

The scene here was completely different from the outside world. Although the number of monsters had decreased, each one seemed even more powerful and majestic. The trees and plants in the forest were enormous, their crowns towering into the clouds, and the dense shadows seemed to block out the sun.

The three of them did not stay here for too long. They quickly moved towards the entrance of the core layer. Along the way, Lin Xiao's eyes were sharp, and his heart was full of vigilance and alertness towards this unfamiliar area. He knew that finding the dirty Taoist priest with a sword was their real goal.

Soon, they arrived at the entrance to the core layer. At the entrance, the third Cobalt Guardian stood majestically, his figure as burly as a mountain, holding a massive battle axe in his hand, his aura even more powerful than the previous guardians.

He was a powerful warrior of the fifth realm of Jiayin, and above the gate behind him was an ancient sword with a cold glow on the blade, as if it was a warning from the Shadow Monkey King to everyone.

Lin Xiao's gaze fell on the sword, and a strong desire and determination instantly surged in his heart. He took a step forward, ready to fight the Cobalt Guardian. However, just as he was about to reach him, Lin Jiao reached out and stopped him.

"Brother Lin Xiao, let me do it. I'll help you get the sword back." Lin Jiao said softly, her eyes firm and confident.

Lin Xiao hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded. He knew that if he weren't worried about exposing his invincible body to the numerous cultivators watching from the outside, he could have relied on his powerful body to confront the Cobalt Guardian and even defeat this Jiayin Fifth Realm Guardian.

However, at this moment, instead of holding the sword himself, Lin Xiao now only wants to practice quickly to improve his realm and then enter the core layer to kill the Shadow Monkey King and avenge the dirty Taoist and his former disciples.

Seeing that Lin Xiao agreed, Lin Jiao smiled slightly, then turned to look at Ye Xuan. Ye Xuan also nodded slightly, indicating that she should give it a try.

Lin Jiao stepped forward, unfazed by the powerful Cobalt Guardian. However, she knew full well that this Jiayin Fifth Realm Cobalt Guardian was even more terrifying than the Guardians she had encountered before, but she was at the Dingmao Sixth Realm, so taking it down wouldn't be a problem.

The giant axe in Guardian Cobalt's hand suddenly moved, slashing down at Lin Jiao like lightning. It was so fast that a sharp whistling sound filled the air. Lin Jiao's pupils shrank, and she quickly formed seals with her hands, using the Wings of Flame technique. Two flaming wings instantly condensed behind her, and she suddenly rose into the air, successfully avoiding the fatal blow.

Then Lin Jiao used the Frost Field in mid-air, and frost rained down on the head of the Cobalt Guardian, trying to slow down the Cobalt Guardian. As a result, the Cobalt Guardian directly stabbed the ground with his axe, which directly shattered the Frost Field. Then the Cobalt Guardian jumped high and chopped Lin Jiao in the air with an axe.

Seeing this, Lin Jiao immediately distanced herself, flying higher. With a wave of her hands, a raging whirlwind of flames erupted from her palms, summoning three massive whirlwinds of fire that fiercely attacked the Cobalt Guardian. The flames scorched the air, crackling and raging as if they were about to devour everything.

However, Guardian Cobalt showed no fear. He roared to the heavens, shaking the very earth. As he roared, three whirlwinds of fire suddenly turned mid-air and flew towards Lin Jiao.

Lin Jiao's expression changed, and she quickly spread her flaming wings to dodge, dodging the counterattack of the whirlwind of flames. However, Guardian Cobalt clearly had no intention of letting her go. With a hawk-like gaze, he gripped the axe again with both hands, stomped his feet hard on the ground, and leaped high into the air. The axe, with devastating force, anticipated Lin Jiao's evasive path and slashed down at her from mid-air.

"Bang!" The giant axe of the cobalt guard almost brushed past Lin Jiao's body and smashed in the direction she avoided. The violent force directly lifted a gust of air from her flaming wings, and she almost lost her balance.