I transmigrated to a chaotic world and became the sole player.

The moment you step into the cave, it's as if you've passed through an invisible membrane. The gray-black mist, the chaotic energy fluctuations, and even the pervasive sense of decay outside are all shut out. Inside, there is an absolute, suffocating silence and darkness. Only the faint light filtering through the entrance barely illuminates a few feet around the entrance; beyond that, it's pitch black.

Lu Zhao activated the "Refining Spirit Technique," his eyes gleaming with a faint, clear light. Combined with his spiritual perception, he could barely "see" his surroundings, which were only a few feet wide. The cave wasn't spacious, only allowing two or three people to walk side-by-side. The walls were smooth, seemingly carved by hand, covered with the same twisted gray patterns, but even denser and more complete, faintly forming some kind of incomplete array. An even more ancient, weathered aura, carrying an inescapable sorrow and resentment, permeated the air. Beneath his feet lay a thick layer of dust, accumulated over countless millennia, which moved silently with each step.

He moved with extreme caution, using his mental energy to probe the ground and cave walls before each step to ensure there were no traps or mechanisms. At the same time, he activated the [Return to Nothingness Concealment Technique] at full power, striving to conceal even the slightest trace of life force or spiritual energy. The fragment of the Nine Nether Token in his arms was still warm, guiding him—to the depths of the cave.

After traveling about a hundred paces, a fork in the road appeared ahead. One path continued straight down, into an unfathomable abyss; the other turned left, leading to the entrance of a relatively open stone chamber. The fragment of the Nine Nether Order pointed to the left-hand chamber.

Lu Zhao hesitated for a moment, then chose the left side. He first went to the entrance of the stone chamber and looked inside.

The stone chamber was small, about ten zhang square. The four walls were empty, except for a simple, ancient altar, about ten zhang high, carved from black jade, standing in the center. The altar was octagonal, its surface covered with densely packed gray runes, of the same origin as those on the cave walls, but even more intricate and mysterious. At each of the eight corners of the altar was a recessed hole, about the size of a fist, seemingly used to hold some kind of object.

At the top of the altar was an offering—a humanoid skeleton, only about a foot tall, entirely black and seemingly crafted from a mixture of metal and bone! The skeleton sat cross-legged, its hands forming a strange hand seal, its empty eye sockets facing the entrance. Though merely a small skeleton, it exuded a chilling aura of majesty, coldness, and a deathly stillness that sent shivers down one's spine.

"This is... an altar? Is it enshrining a skeleton? The remains of a predecessor from the Nine Netherworld Path? Or... some kind of symbol?" Lu Zhao wondered inwardly. He could sense that the black skeleton contained an extremely pure, yet perfectly restrained, aura of annihilation! Its quality far surpassed the mixed remnants within his own body! In fact, it was even more ancient and pure than the aura of the fragment of the Nine Netherworld Token in his possession!

At this moment, the fragment of the Nine Nether Order emitted a buzzing sound, seemingly resonating with the black skull! In the skull's empty eye sockets, two barely perceptible gray lights flashed and disappeared.

Lu Zhao's heart pounded, a mixture of wariness of the unknown and excitement at finding the "source." He cautiously, step by step, approached the altar. He stopped three zhang away. At this distance, he could clearly feel the invisible pressure emanating from the skeleton, making it difficult for him to breathe.

"Junior Lu Zhao, I have no intention of offending you. Guided by this fragment of the decree, I have come here to seek opportunities, with no ill intentions," Lu Zhao said loudly, bowing respectfully to the altar and the skeleton. He didn't know if the skeleton still possessed intelligence, but politeness was never a bad thing.

His voice echoed in the empty stone chamber, but there was no response. Only the skeleton continued to coldly "stare" at him.

Lu Zhao waited a moment, and seeing nothing amiss, tried to approach further. However, just as he stepped into the area within three zhang of the altar—

"Buzz—!"

The gray runes on the eight corners of the altar suddenly lit up simultaneously! Eight hazy gray beams of light shot into the sky from the eight holes, intertwining above the altar to instantly form an inverted bowl-shaped gray light shield, completely enveloping the entire altar and the surrounding three-zhang radius! A powerful, ancient, and restrictive pressure, filled with sealing and repulsive force, descended with a bang, pressing down heavily on Lu Zhao!

Lu Zhao's expression changed, and he tried to retreat, but found that his body was as if it were stuck in a sticky swamp, and his movements became extremely slow! The gray light shield not only isolated the inside from the outside, but also formed a powerful binding force field!

"Those who dare to challenge...die..."

A hoarse, dry voice, like two bones rubbing together, devoid of any emotion, resounded directly in Lu Zhao's mind! The source of the voice was none other than the black skeleton on the altar! The skeleton slowly and stiffly raised its drooping head, and two eerie gray flames, like will-o'-the-wisps, suddenly ignited in its empty eye sockets! A chilling, deathly, and terrifying aura filled with destructive intent erupted from the skeleton, instantly locking onto Lu Zhao!

This is not a living thing! It is a remnant of a soul, or rather, a protective restriction and obsession left behind by the skeleton's owner before death! Its aura is so strong that it has reached the Foundation Establishment stage! Although it may not be as powerful as it was at its peak due to the passage of time and insufficient energy, the essential pressure of the Foundation Establishment stage still made Lu Zhao feel a soul-freezing fear!

"Not good!" Alarm bells rang in Lu Zhao's mind, knowing that he had triggered the most terrifying defense mechanism! Without thinking, he immediately activated the several [Golden Light Talismans] and [Thick Earth Stone-Piercing Talismans] that he had already been holding, constructing layers of defense in front of him! At the same time, he frantically activated the [Flowing Cloud Step] under his feet, trying to break free from the force field and retreat!

However, the skeletal ghost was even faster! It simply raised its bony hand, which was forming a hand seal, and pointed it at Lu Zhao from afar!

"Nirvana..."

A single, incredibly concentrated speck of gray, no bigger than a grain of rice, yet radiating a terrifying aura that distorted and annihilated the surrounding light, shot from the skull's fingertip. Silent and swift as lightning, it instantly traversed several meters, striking Lu Zhao's brow! Wherever it passed, the golden light shield and earthen wall defenses Lu Zhao had erected crumbled and dissipated like paper, offering no resistance whatsoever! The annihilating power contained within that gray speck was extremely pure and domineering, far surpassing the mixed energy within Lu Zhao's body!

The shadow of death was clearer than ever before! Lu Zhao could even feel his soul and life force trembling and withering under the lock of those gray dots!

You can't dodge it! You can't stop it!

At the critical moment of life and death, a hint of madness flashed in Lu Zhao's eyes! He knew that any conventional methods would be futile against the "Annihilation Finger" of this Foundation Establishment stage soul shadow! The only option was... to take a gamble!

He no longer attempted to defend or dodge, but instead bit his tongue sharply, spitting out a mouthful of blood essence. At the same time, he used all his strength to hurl the violently vibrating fragment of the Nine Nether Token in his arms toward the incoming gray dot! Simultaneously, he mobilized the sealed wisp of annihilation energy within his body, along with all his spiritual will, frantically pouring it into the fragment through the faint connection he had with it, hissing and roaring with all his might:

"The Nine Netherworld Decree is here! Senior...please take a look!"

He didn't know if it would work, but it was the only way he could think of that might attract the "attention" or "hesitation" of the skeletal spirit! This skeleton was enshrined here, so it must have some connection with the Nine Netherworld Decree!

"Buzz—!"

The fragment of the Nine Nether Order flew out of his hand, and under the infusion of Lu Zhao's blood essence and spiritual power, it burst forth with an unprecedented, dazzling gray-black light! The twisted, painful face runes on the fragment seemed to come alive, emitting a wave of wailing and deathly silence!

No sooner said than done! The tiny, rice-grain-sized speck of annihilation collided violently with the fragment of the Nine Nether Order, which emitted a gray-black light, less than three feet in front of Lu Zhao!

There was no earth-shattering noise. Only a soft "pop" sound, like a bubble bursting.

Then, a strange scene unfolded.

The annihilating gray dot, capable of obliterating everything, suddenly paused the moment it touched the light of the Nine Nether Order fragment! The pure annihilating power within the gray dot clashed violently with the ancient and complex fluctuations emanating from the fragment, which shared the same origin! Instead of immediately annihilating the fragment, the gray dot seemed to sink into a quagmire, its speed greatly reduced, and the light on its surface flickered violently and erratically.

On the altar, the gray flames in the eye sockets of the skeletal spirit flickered suddenly! Its empty "gaze" seemed to be looking, for the first time, truly at the fragment of the Nine Nether Order, and... behind the fragment, at Lu Zhao, whose face was deathly pale and whose seven orifices were bleeding from exhaustion of spiritual power.

"Nine Nether... Order... Fragment..." A hoarse, dry voice echoed once more in Lu Zhao's mind, carrying a faint yet real sense of doubt, reminiscence, and... an indescribable sorrow.

"Who...possesses...the...fragment...and...who...is...the...person..." The voice of the ghost was intermittent, as if it might dissipate at any moment.

Despite the excruciating pain in his mind and the stiffness in his body, Lu Zhao hissed, "This junior, Lu Zhao, by chance obtained this fragment. My body is also tainted with the aura of annihilation, so I have come... to seek a solution, or... the inheritance of a senior!"

He dared not lie; before the spirit of such an existence, any falsehood could bring annihilation. He directly stated his predicament and purpose.

The skeletal spirit was silent (if it could be called silent). The gray flames in its eye sockets flickered uncertainly, as if it were pondering and judging. The obstructed gray dot of annihilation also hovered in mid-air, no longer advancing, but it did not dissipate either, still radiating a deadly threat.

After a long while, the hoarse voice rang out again, seemingly weaker than before, but with a hint of...complex emotion.

"Extinction... invaded the body... not dead... destined..."

"However...the inheritance...cannot be lightly passed on..."

"Three trials must be passed..."

"Through this... one might obtain... a sliver of... opportunity..."

"If I am defeated... my soul will fly away... my spirit will dissipate... and I will sleep with it..."

Three trials? Lu Zhao's heart skipped a beat. It really wasn't that simple. But he had no choice. The annihilation gray dot was still hanging in front of him. However, it seemed that due to the interference of the Nine Nether Order fragment and the "hesitation" of the soul shadow, his killing intent was temporarily restrained.

"This junior...is willing to try," Lu Zhao said through gritted teeth. He had no way out; if he didn't pass, he would probably be annihilated by the Soul Shadow's Annihilation Finger immediately.

"The first test... knocking on the heart..." the skeletal spirit said slowly, raising its bony hand and pointing at Lu Zhao once more.

This time, it wasn't an attack. A fainter, yet equally pure, gray light entered Lu Zhao's brow.

In an instant, Lu Zhao felt his consciousness being forcibly dragged into a strange, hazy, and boundless space. There was no up, down, left, or right, no concept of time, only endless grayness, and... countless broken, chaotic fragments of memories and torrents of emotions filled with pain, madness, destruction, resentment, and obsession, surging towards him like a tsunami!

These fragments seem to originate from the memories of this skeletal spirit in its previous life, or perhaps they are a collection of the remaining thoughts of countless Nine Netherworld Dao cultivators who perished here! They contain their understanding of "annihilation," their fear of "death," their obsession with the "Great Dao," their resentment towards "enemies," and their attachment to their "sects"... Complex, chaotic, and filled with a powerful spiritual pollution force!

"Question your true self... Amidst the endless desolation and the madness of obsession... Maintain... Your true self... Understand... Your Way..." The voice of the soul shadow seemed to come from beyond the heavens, ethereal yet stern.

This is a test of one's character! And it is the most direct and brutal cleansing of one's mental state! To maintain self-awareness and not lose one's way amidst such a complex and negative torrent of memories and emotions, and to find one's own "Tao" in the process, is ten or even a hundred times more difficult than the illusory path of the mind!

"Ah—!" Lu Zhao let out a painful groan, feeling as if his head was about to explode. Countless chaotic thoughts, images, and emotions, like billions of steel needles, pierced his sea of ​​consciousness! He saw mountains of corpses and seas of blood, the destruction of his sect, the fratricide among his fellow disciples, the collapse of the Great Dao, and endless darkness and despair...

A voice tempted him to give up resistance and merge into this eternal silence and peace...

A voice roared for revenge, for the destruction of everything...

A voice weeps with lingering affection, unwilling to fade away...

A voice coldly proclaims the "truth" that "annihilation is eternity"...

Lu Zhao's sea of ​​consciousness trembled violently. The mental barrier constructed by the [Refining Spirit Technique] was on the verge of collapse, and the [Purifying Heart Jade Pendant] had already exhausted its power. He felt that his consciousness was like a small boat in a storm, which could be swallowed up, torn apart, and assimilated by this terrifying torrent at any moment.

"No! I am Lu Zhao! I am not one of them!"

"I have my own path! I will survive! I will become stronger! I will figure everything out!"

"Nirvana... is not my path! Birth and death... reincarnation... are not either!"

"My path... is to live! It is to control! It is to transcend!"

"Whether in good times or bad, in life-or-death crises, no matter what forces befall me, I will live on and take control of my own destiny!"

In the final moments before his consciousness was about to completely succumb, deep within Lu Zhao's soul, that indomitable will to live, that fierce desire to "control his own destiny," ignited like a torch in the darkness! This will was unrelated to good or evil, unrelated to the path of righteousness or demonic nature; it was solely concerned with the most fundamental desire for his own existence!

This will, like a stabilizing force, forcefully stabilized his collapsing self-awareness amidst the raging torrent of memories and emotions! At the same time, the "Hibernating Dragon" within his body began to operate on its own, and a deep, restrained power containing endless dormancy and revitalizing vitality surged from the depths of his blood and qi, protecting the last bit of clarity in his mind.

He no longer tries to "understand" or "digest" those chaotic thoughts, but regards them as "external things" or "storms," ​​holding fast to the spark of his own mind, like a reef, unmoved by any storms!

After an unknown amount of time, the terrifying torrent of memories finally began to weaken and recede. The hazy space gradually became clearer.

Lu Zhao slowly "opened" his eyes (his eyes in his consciousness), finding himself still standing in that hazy space, but the chaotic mental attacks around him were gone. His consciousness, though exhausted and covered in "scars," remained clear; he was still himself. Moreover, after resisting and enduring that terrifying erosion, he felt as if his mental strength had been tempered and refined, becoming more concentrated and resilient! He even developed a vague but undeniable perception and resistance to the concepts of "annihilation," "death," and "obsession."

"Your temperament... is acceptable..." The ethereal voice of the skeletal spirit echoed again, seemingly carrying a hint of... extremely faint satisfaction? "However... you have only... maintained... your enlightenment..."

"Second stage... Body tempering..." As soon as the soul shadow finished speaking, countless fine, gray-black "wisps of annihilation energy" suddenly emerged from the hazy space, like living poisonous insects, frantically drilling towards Lu Zhao's consciousness (who at this moment felt as if he had a physical body)! These wisps of energy were a hundred times purer than the gray mist outside, containing a stronger power of erosion and decay!

"With your body...bear...annihilation...forge...refine..."

"If one can...endure...without collapsing...one can overcome..."

This is to directly use the energy of annihilation to erode and refine his physical body (the body projected by his consciousness)! This is more direct, more painful, and more dangerous than the test of mental discipline! If one is not careful, the "body" projected by his consciousness will be completely eroded and collapsed by the energy of annihilation, and his physical body in reality will also suffer severe damage, or even be directly cut off from life!

Lu Zhao's expression changed drastically, but it was too late to dodge. Countless strands of annihilating energy instantly burrowed into his "body." In an instant, he felt an indescribable pain, decay, and rotting sensation originating from the deepest part of every cell! It was as if countless ants were gnawing at his bone marrow, muscles, and meridians, trying to turn him into ashes from the inside out!

"Ughhhh—!" Lu Zhao let out a shrill scream (in his consciousness), curling up and trembling all over. He could clearly "feel" that his "body" was becoming gray, shriveled, and lifeless at a visible speed.

"No! I can't give up! 'Hibernating Dragon'! Spin it!" Lu Zhao roared frantically in his heart, desperately circulating "Hibernating Dragon"! In reality, his physical body, sitting cross-legged, was surging with blood and qi, and a faint dragon-shaped phantom was moving beneath his skin, radiating a strong vitality and resisting the erosion of the annihilating aura. In the space of consciousness, the reflected "body" also seemed to receive support, and the rate of decay slowed slightly.

At the same time, he attempted to guide the wisp of annihilation energy within his body, which had been initially sealed by the [Sealing and Refining Essence Technique], to contact, guide, and even... assimilate those purer wisps of annihilation energy that had penetrated his body! This was undoubtedly playing with fire! If not controlled properly, it could backfire and accelerate his own collapse.

But he had no choice. Only by trying to "understand," "adapt to," and even "control" a trace of the power of annihilation could he possibly survive this terrifying ordeal.

Excruciating pain, decay, struggle, resistance, attempts... time seemed to stretch infinitely. Every breath felt like enduring a treacherous ordeal. Amidst the extreme agony, Lu Zhao's consciousness strangely maintained a chilling clarity. He "observed" the process of the eroding energy of annihilation, sensed the resistance of the life force within the *Hibernating Dragon*, and attempted its insignificant guidance...

Gradually, he discovered that the wisps of annihilation energy that had seeped into his body were not entirely uncontrollable. When the life force of the Hidden Dragon's Sleep came into contact with, clashed with, and annihilated the annihilation energy, a strange and faint balance was created. And his own wisp of annihilation energy, in this environment, was like "a fish entering water," weak yet able to form a subtle connection and attraction with those external, purer wisps of energy.

He tried to use his own wisp of annihilation energy as a "guide" and the vitality of the "Sleeping Dragon" as a "foundation" to construct an extremely simple, fragile, and dynamic "Yin-Yang millstone" within his body. This allowed vitality and annihilation to consume and annihilate each other in the struggle, while maintaining a dangerous balance so that neither side would completely lose control and destroy his body.

This process requires extremely precise mental control and a profound understanding of the nature of the two forces. Lu Zhao was completely focused, pushing the [Refining Spirit Technique] and [Dividing Spirit Technique] to their limits, as if walking a tightrope; the slightest mistake would lead to utter destruction.

After an unknown amount of time, the endless, excruciating pain began to slowly subside. It wasn't that the aura of annihilation had disappeared, but rather that his "body" seemed to be adapting to this level of erosion. The "Yin-Yang Millstone," though rudimentary, barely maintained its balance. The aura of annihilation continued to erode, but the vitality of the *Hibernating Dragon* was also constantly generating, replenishing, and resisting. His "body," on the verge of destruction and rebirth, reached a dangerous, dynamic equilibrium.

"The tempering... is over..." The skeletal spirit's voice was weaker than before, almost inaudible, but still devoid of emotion. "Your body... now possesses... a trace of... resistance to annihilation..."

"The third trial... Asking the Way..." The voice of the ghostly figure was like a candle flickering in the wind, as if it would be extinguished completely at any moment. "What is... Nirvana... What is... Your Way..."

This time, there were no attacks, no tests. Just a simple question. But this question was more direct and to the core of the matter than the previous two.

Lu Zhao's "body" was still enduring the struggle between erosion and vitality, but his consciousness was lost in thought.

What is Nirvana? In the process of enduring the erosion and observing the resistance, he vaguely grasped a certain understanding. Nirvana is not simply "death" or "destruction," but rather an "inevitable trend" and "ultimate state" in which all things move towards their end, return to nothingness, dissipate energy, and collapse. It is cold, ruthless, and impartial, devouring everything, yet seemingly containing a certain...meaning of "purity" and "return." But this is not the "Tao" he sought.

What is your Way? His Way was already clear in the depths of his mind—it is to live, to take control, and to transcend. No matter what forces or circumstances one faces, one must live on, take control of one's destiny, constantly transcend oneself, seek the truth, and reach a higher level.

So, what is the relationship between Nirvana and his Dao? Are they opposites? Is it a tool? Or... some kind of "law" that can coexist or even be utilized?

Lu Zhao pondered for a long time before slowly speaking. His voice was hoarse with pain and exhaustion, yet it carried an unprecedented firmness:

"Nirvana is the destination of all things, the ultimate state of the Great Dao. It is neither what I seek nor what I fear."

"My path is solely 'I'. When annihilation descends upon me, I resist it with vitality; when fate is unpredictable, I overcome it with strength; when the road ahead is uncertain, I explore it with my heart."

"If annihilation obstructs my path, I will transform it into a blade to cut through the thorns; if it is unusable, I will find a new path and go around it."

"My path lies not in annihilation, nor in immortality, but in... my destiny is in my own hands, not in the hands of Heaven, nor in the hands of annihilation."

As the words fell, silence descended upon the stone chamber. On the altar, the gray flames in the skeletal spirit's eye sockets flickered violently a few times, then slowly, slowly... went out.

The gray light shield that enveloped the altar also dissipated. The annihilation gray dot hovering in front of Lu Zhao, as well as the fragment of the Nine Nether Token, dimmed simultaneously and fell to the ground.

The skeletal shadow, as if having exhausted its last strength, slowly lowered its head, returning to its initial seated posture, utterly silent and still. Only the small black skeleton still exuded an ancient and deathly aura.

Lu Zhao felt the binding force field and restrictive pressure exerted on him vanish instantly. His legs went weak, and he almost collapsed to the ground, quickly using his sword to support himself. His consciousness returned to his body; he felt a splitting headache, and his body felt completely drained, every cell radiating extreme fatigue and throbbing pain. Inside his body, the rudimentary "Yin-Yang Millstone" continued to operate on its own, maintaining a precarious balance between life force and the energy of annihilation. He sensed that his resistance to the energy of annihilation had indeed increased, and the wisp of annihilation within him seemed to have become "docile" and "tamed" slightly, its connection to him becoming even stronger.

He looked at the altar, then at the fragments of the Nine Nether Order on the ground and the now harmless, annihilated gray dot (which had now transformed into a gray bead that was neither gold nor jade).

"Did I...pass?" Lu Zhao asked breathlessly in a low voice.

There was no reply. The skeleton's spirit had vanished.

But Lu Zhao could sense that the restrictions surrounding the altar were no longer repelling him. He struggled forward and picked up the fragment of the Nine Nether Token and the gray bead. The bead was icy cold to the touch and contained pure annihilation power; it seemed to be a good material for refining weapons or cultivating.

Then he looked at the altar, at the holes in the eight corners, and at the black skull on top of the altar.

"Where is the opportunity...?" Lu Zhao frowned. The Soul Shadow only said that passing through would grant a glimmer of hope, but didn't specify what it was.

He tried to probe the black skull with his mental energy. This time, there was no resistance. The instant his mental energy touched the skull—

"Buzz!"

A tiny crack suddenly appeared between the black skull's eyebrows, and a bone fragment the size of a fingernail, completely black, with an extremely complex and eerie rune engraved on it, seemingly composed of countless tiny skulls, slowly floated out and hovered in front of Lu Zhao.

The bone fragment exuded an aura that was of the same origin as the fragment of the Nine Nether Order, but purer and more profound. Simultaneously, a stream of information directly entered Lu Zhao's sea of ​​consciousness:

"The Nine Netherworld Annihilation Scripture: Foundation Building Chapter (Fragment)"—one of the core inheritances of the Nine Netherworld Path, elucidating the secrets of foundation building for the Great Dao of Annihilation. It contains the [Method for Condensing Annihilation Spiritual Power], [Three Basic Annihilation Techniques], and [Key Techniques for Initial Control and Refinement of Annihilation Qi]. Cultivating this scripture allows one to truly embark on the Great Dao of Annihilation, but it is extremely dangerous and one can easily fall into Annihilation. Be careful! Be careful!"

A fragment of inherited bone material! And it's a core incomplete inheritance that leads directly to the Foundation Establishment stage!

Lu Zhao was shocked! This was the "one-way opportunity" that Hun Ying had mentioned! It was of immeasurable value to him in resolving the hidden dangers of the Qi of Annihilation within his body, and even to the path related to "Annihilation" that he might take in the future!

He did not immediately set the bone fragments, but instead solemnly bowed once more to the altar and the black skull.

"Thank you for bestowing this teaching upon me, senior. I will certainly cultivate diligently and live up to this opportunity."

After speaking, he reached out and caught the inheritance bone fragment. As soon as the fragment entered his hand, it transformed into a beam of black light, entered his brow, and was directly imprinted deep within his sea of ​​consciousness, ready for him to comprehend at any time.

Having received the inheritance, Lu Zhao did not leave immediately. He forced himself to search the stone chamber again, and in a hidden recess at the base of the altar, he discovered a small, black box, neither gold nor wood. The box was unlocked. Inside were three items: a black token engraved with the words "Nine Netherworlds" (much more complete than his fragment, but still seemingly only a part); an ancient leather scroll recording a partial map of the Cloud Sea Secret Realm and several marks resembling "Nine Netherworld Relics"; and... a small bottle of a grayish-green liquid radiating a rich vitality yet subtly carrying a sense of deathly balance, labeled: "Life and Death Liquid (Diluted)**, can balance life and death, repair wounds eroded by annihilation, and assist in cultivating the *Nine Netherworld Annihilation Scripture*."

"Good stuff!" Lu Zhao carefully put away the three items. The map and the "Life and Death Elixir" would be of great use to him in exploring the secret realm and healing his injuries.

Having done all this, he could no longer hold on and collapsed to the ground. He took out some pills, swallowed them, and began to focus all his energy on regulating his breathing to recover. This place was safe for the time being, and he needed to recover as quickly as possible before leaving this "Netherworld Tomb" to continue exploring the secret realm.

As he closed his eyes to meditate, he didn't notice that the black skull on the altar, after the inheritance bone fragment was removed, seemed to have dimmed its luster by a negligible amount. The skull's empty eye sockets seemed to still be "gazing" towards the entrance, watching the endless gray-black mist, as if waiting for something, or perhaps... sighing silently.