The Legend of the Netherworld

Lin Xiao was nervous, afraid of being recognized by the manager, so he turned around and wanted to leave quickly.

However, the steward's voice still rang out behind him: "You, come here!" Lin Xiao's heart tightened, thinking that he might be exposed. But when he turned around, he found that the steward did not recognize him. Instead, he pointed to the pile of dirt next to him and urged: "Go over there and pick up the dirt quickly, don't dawdle!"

Lin Xiao breathed a sigh of relief, noting that these maintenance workers weren't Feng Shui Academy disciples, but rather outsiders. Apparently, the academy's disciples were busy in seclusion, preparing for the martial arts conference three months later. With a sudden thought, he decided to work hard for a day, and finally, he filled the holes.

After completing his work, Lin Xiao took advantage of the situation and sneaked into the Sutra Library. This time, he headed straight for the fifth floor and selected a sword manual titled "Spiritual Sword Stab"—a book that describes precise stabbing strikes, where the sword is like a spirit snake, striking the enemy's vital points. After selecting the book, Lin Xiao made his way to the top of the sixth floor without hesitation.

Here, Lin Xiao knew he wouldn't be driven away, as there was a sweeping monk who lived on the top floor year-round. Upon seeing him arrive, the sweeping monk glanced at him casually before continuing to bury himself in his books. Lin Xiao understood what was happening, but he didn't want to talk to him. He found a corner and began to concentrate on studying the sword manual.

A tacit silence remained between the two until dusk fell and the administrator of the Sutra Repository did not arrive as promised. Lin Xiao continued to practice the "Spiritual Sword Stab" technique, using his hand as a sword. When he tired, he meditated and practiced the "Boundless Heart Sea" technique. The next morning, he continued studying the sword manual until the afternoon.

At that moment, the Sweeping Monk suddenly threw a sword manual at Lin Xiao, hitting him squarely in the chest. Lin Xiao was startled, then glanced down. It turned out to be "Continuous Rain of Swords"—a book that explained how to summon a rain of swords, unleashing a continuous barrage of attacks on enemies within an area. The Sweeping Monk said calmly, "After you've finished your studies, study this one." With that, he lowered his head and continued reading.

On the third day, Lin Xiao finally mastered the "Spirit Sword Stab" technique. He then began studying the "Sword Rain" technique given to him by the Sweeping Monk, delving deeply into it. On the night of the fifth day, the Sweeping Monk suddenly said to him, "Reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles."

"Then where should I go?" Lin Xiao asked puzzledly.

The Sweeping Monk did not answer immediately. Instead, he opened a window on the top floor of the Sutra Pagoda and said calmly, "You know where you are going."

So Lin Xiao jumped out of the window, he also knew where he was going.

Lin Xiao leaped out of the window and rushed through the night toward the ancient forest, reaching its entrance only at daybreak. He surveyed his surroundings and first visited a nearby stall, purchasing a set of ordinary clothes. He then changed out of his Taoist robe, packed it, and carried it on his back. He then purchased some rations and prepared to embark on this unknown forest.

At the entrance, Lin Xiao noticed a group of bounty hunters gathering to form a team. A man wearing a tiger skin, with a knife hanging from his waist, invited Lin Xiao: "Little brother, do you want to join us?"

"Thank you, but I want to solo the Ancient Forest." Lin Xiao refused, secretly determined in his heart.

Without hesitation, he approached the first level, facing the Cobalt Guardian, who was at the Jiazi Fifth Stage. The demon beast raised its axe and chopped at Lin Xiao, but Lin Xiao responded calmly, using his phantom form to instantly appear behind the Cobalt Guardian and knock him down with a Dragon Shadow Fist, successfully entering the outskirts of the Ancient Forest.

Lin Xiao didn't plan to go straight into the middle layer, but instead planned to fight more monsters on the periphery to familiarize himself with the environment. As he walked along the road, he saw a tall tree and decided to hide his Taoist robe first.

Lin Xiao used the Dragon Swimming Across the Seas technique to quickly climb to the top of the tree. From the tree, he used his sword to point to the universe, making a hole and hiding his robe inside. He then used his sword to carve "2024" under the tree as a marker and left, satisfied.

After setting a plan to "kill monsters the second they appear," Lin Xiao began to wander around the periphery, killing any monsters he encountered. At this moment, he looked up and spotted a squirrel in a tree. With a sudden thought, he immediately unleashed his sword and pointed it at the Heavenly Realm, accurately killing the squirrel, who was at the first level of spiritual enlightenment. He felt secretly proud of himself.

However, just after he finished hunting the squirrels, he heard the roar of a bear in the distance.

Lin Xiao's heart tightened, and he immediately used the Dragon Swimming Across the Seas technique and quickly rushed towards the source of the sound.

Passing through the dense bushes, he soon saw what was ahead.

Four bounty hunters are besieging a black bear demon at the eighth level of spiritual enlightenment, while the black bear demon has transformed into a human form, standing upright on the ground, confronting them.

Lin Xiao saw that the Black Bear Demon had knocked two of the hunters unconscious, and the scene was in chaos. The remaining two were extremely nervous. The Black Bear Demon's extraordinary strength had obviously forced them into a desperate situation.

The black bear demon transformed into a dark shadow and quickly pounced on one of the men holding a gun. The man was caught off guard and was hit by the shadow. He fell to the ground in a panic, his face showing fear.

The black bear demon turned in mid-air and charged towards the other man holding a knife. Its powerful aura was terrifying. At this critical moment, Lin Xiao realized that he could no longer stand by and decided to help.

He used the Dragon Swimming Across the Seas technique and instantly appeared in front of the man. He then swung out a Dragon Shadow Fist. The fist struck the black shadow like lightning, instantly dispersing it and revealing the true Black Bear Demon.

Seeing this, the black bear demon stood up angrily, slapped his chest with both palms, and let out a deafening roar, shaking the surrounding leaves into flying pieces. Then he attacked Lin Xiao at an astonishing speed.

Lin Xiao's heart tightened and he quickly dodged to the side.

The black bear demon's counterattack followed closely, and the other bear paw followed closely behind, as if to beat him into a meat patty.

Lin Xiao dodged again, quickly adjusted his stance, and used the Tiger Roar Palm, knocking the black bear monster to the ground with a fierce blow. However, the black bear monster was only knocked down, and quickly stood up again, appearing to be extremely tenacious.

At this time, the man with a knife who was originally responsible for support saw that the black bear monster had diverted his attention, and hurried to take care of his fallen teammate.

Lin Xiao looked at the black bear demon and found that it was afraid of his strength. It stopped standing and got on all fours, ready to launch a more ferocious attack.

Lin Xiao did not hesitate and immediately used his hidden weapon. The sword in his hand flashed and the sharp sword light reflected Lin Xiao's determined eyes.

Seeing this, the black bear monster suddenly spewed out a ball of fire from its mouth, and the flames came like a raging wave. Lin Xiao was startled by the sudden flames, but he reacted quickly and dodged in time, so he did not suffer any substantial harm.

Lin Xiao's heartbeat quickened, and he could feel the tension growing. He took a deep breath and began to counterattack, wielding his spirit sword like a snake, he thrust towards the black bear. The black bear reacted with incredible speed, dodging nimbly before lunging at him with astonishing speed, baring sharp fangs, ready to bite Lin Xiao.

Lin Xiao's heart tightened and he hurriedly used his sword to block it. The sword collided with the bear's fangs, making a crisp sound and sparks flying.

Lin Xiao didn't expect the black bear demon to react so quickly. He injected his strength into the sword and forcibly broke the black bear demon's teeth. The black bear demon roared in pain and stared at Lin Xiao angrily and unwillingly.

Lin Xiao felt the Black Bear Demon's rage, and a slight pressure in his heart, but he immediately focused his mind. The Black Bear Demon endured the pain and roared angrily. The sound waves hit him like a raging wave. Lin Xiao was shaken and felt a little dizzy. His ears were buzzing and he could hardly focus.

At this moment, the black bear monster pounced on him with all four limbs. Lin Xiao instantly used the sword formation to protect his body. The sword light surrounded him, forming a layer of protective net to resist the attack of the black bear monster.

However, the black bear demon transformed into a black shadow again and instantly appeared in front of Lin Xiao, catching him off guard. Lin Xiao was attacked by the black shadow and fell to the ground, his clothes were torn, but Lin Xiao's invincible body was not substantially damaged at all.

Lin Xiao secretly rejoiced in his heart, and immediately stood up, unleashing a continuous rain of swords. Dozens of swords suddenly appeared behind him, as if gathering the power of heaven and earth.

The black shadow attacked Lin Xiao head-on again. Lin Xiao had an idea and quickly directed the rain of swords. The sword lights flew out like raindrops and all shot towards the black bear monster.

The black bear demon was hit by the dense rain of swords and screamed as if it was being torn apart. It fell heavily to the ground, and the surrounding trees trembled because of this powerful force.

With the last scream, the black bear demon's body gradually dissipated and turned into a bear relic that sparkled with mysterious light.

Lin Xiao walked forward excitedly and picked up the treasure. This was the first time he had seen such a spiritual object, and a sense of pride surged in his heart.

At this moment, the bounty hunter nearby saw the bear relic and rushed over excitedly. He knelt in front of Lin Xiao and said with gratitude, "My benefactor, my great benefactor!