Volume One: Youthful Encounters in Subtle Times Chapter 109: The Great Battle Against the Netherbeasts, Part Two

The existence of the Netherworld Beast had always been a mystery—its origin, its great path, and its very being were the greatest secret besides the Heavenly Gate of Tianmen Town.

Previously, it believed that the reason for its birth would never be discovered by the other human clans. Unexpectedly, Lin Daoist managed to uncover its secret.

Once this secret was grasped, the Netherworld Beast would no longer be invincible. From that moment on, it had weaknesses and could be manipulated.

Surrounded tightly by the crowd, the Netherworld Beast actually had means to escape, but the Daoist had instructed it to feign captivity. The reason was never disclosed to the beast, but it was not so naive as to fail to suspect the Daoist’s cunning nature.

Seeing the beast appear resigned to its fate, the others thought their strategy had truly trapped it and began launching a series of attacks.

Since the Netherworld Beast itself possessed spirit, the Li family’s spirit-control techniques could affect it to some extent. Yet, that was the limit; no more significant effect could be achieved.

The Li family’s spirit-control techniques were inherently mysterious. Their lineage’s mastery was unparalleled, boasting the ability to command all spirits, able to control any living creature with spirit.

The Netherworld Beast was not originally a mortal being; some speculated it came from the immortal realm, but that was mere conjecture. Thus, there was no definitive answer about its true origin.

The only certainty Lin Daoist had was that since the beast was born from the Netherworld Sea, to know where it truly came from, one had to start from the Netherworld Sea itself.

What even Lin Daoist did not know was that since gaining awareness, the beast’s divine consciousness had manifested innate talents and divine repositories.

Among these repositories was a recorded technique—spirit-control art.

Feeling the Li family’s spirit-control techniques applied upon it, the Netherworld Beast was initially concerned. However, when it truly sensed their power, it grew suspicious. “Why is this so-called spirit-control technique so weak in their hands?”

Relaxing its mind to sense once more, it confirmed that the spirit-control the Li family wielded was not genuine—at least, it was far inferior to the terrifying spirit-control recorded in its divine repository.

The three from the Li family employed their highest-level spirit-control techniques by their current standards, yet the effect on the Netherworld Beast was negligible.

At first, seeing the beast motionless, they believed their efforts were effective, but soon felt something amiss. Why did the beast appear so calm, as if undisturbed?

After another round of spirit-control, they finally confirmed this was no effect at all—the beast was leisurely watching the spectacle unfold.

The leading woman, seeing their attacks fail to subdue the beast, snorted coldly. “If so, I had thought to be gentle with you. Since you are ungrateful, don’t blame me for being ruthless.”

She produced thirteen jet-black bone pins, each etched with mysterious runes, topped with a black skull. Under her spellcasting, each skull opened its eyes, revealing blood-red sinister light.

She then drove the pins into the Netherworld Beast’s body.

The Netherworld Beast had thought them mere trivial artifacts and paid little heed, planning to brush them off easily. But once the thirteen bone pins entered its body, they quickly sealed thirteen vital true-spirit acupoints, attempting to force its true spirit outward.

From that moment, the beast knew these thirteen bone pins were no ordinary objects.

Lin Daoist, watching the sequence of events unfold in the void, only changed his expression upon seeing the thirteen bone pins.

He thought, “Could these be from the Ghost Clan? Since when have the Li family colluded with the Ghost Clan?”

The existence of the Ghost Clan was equally shrouded in secrecy; few could recognize their artifacts.

Elsewhere in the void, an old crone who had emerged from an ancient tomb looked upon the thirteen bone pins with a sinister gaze and a wicked smile. “My Ghost Clan’s tools are not so easily wielded.”

After the pins were driven in, the beast began trembling and swaying. It knew the pins were venomous—while they wouldn’t kill it outright, removing them would take considerable effort, and the insertion had been agonizing.

Seeing the beast struggle to break free, the humans no longer hesitated. The three from the Li family urged the others, “If not now, then when?”

With that, the Six Harmonies True-Void Formation, composed of the six great sects and various independent cultivators, activated.

This formation not only sealed off all escape routes but employed the Way of Reality and Illusion to render the beast’s form no longer invulnerable or all-powerful.

Thus, due to its initial miscalculation, the Netherworld Beast found itself increasingly trapped. Its true spirit was sealed, unable to flee, and its proud defense began to slowly crumble.

Its ferocity erupted; no longer heeding Lin Daoist’s words, it vowed to devour all who had harmed it, seeking to quench its burning hatred.

As the beast struggled fiercely, others called to Xie Tong of Great Sword Green Mountain Sect, “Your Green Mountain Sect, act quickly!”

Xie Tong, watching the beast begin to show signs of pain, felt some pity. Yet, given the situation, Great Sword Green Mountain could not go against the tide.

He sighed, “Truly a senseless act of slaughter.”

“Don’t blame me. The chance will come. Whether you can escape depends on your own skill.”

After speaking, Elder Xie summoned the sword seal again. The seal could be used three times; the first had been used moments ago, this was the second.

Under Elder Xie’s command, the sword seal formed a phantom sword, slashing fiercely at the Netherworld Beast.

As expected, the beast’s body was cut open by a large wound. The watchers quickly collected the flowing blood, forming a blood orb in the air, containing a terrifying energy.

Yet the phantom sword’s strike did not cease, continuing forward and slicing a gap in the Six Harmonies True-Void Formation.

The beast sensed opportunity. Despite the pain from the sword wound, it hastily unleashed its Netherworld Great Path, wrapping itself and dashing beyond the formation.

The humans scrambled to stop it with magic, but the beast’s momentum was unstoppable.

Among them, the most anxious was Modi of the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect.

His purpose in coming to Tianmen Town, aside from the Heavenly Gate, was the Netherworld Beast in the Netherworld Sea.

Over the years in Tianmen Town, he had relentlessly gathered information on the beast. Learning of its long lifespan and unique Netherworld Great Path, his heart stirred with desire to capture it.

Having suffered cultivation stagnation for years, with no progress and his lifespan waning, he hid beneath Tianmen Town’s surface. Using a forbidden art of the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect, he transformed himself into a half-human, half-demon, absorbing the earth veins’ energy to avoid the calamity of the Five Declines of Celestial Man.

Upon discovering the Netherworld Beast and its uniqueness, his ambition grew fiercer.

If he could use the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect’s forbidden art to merge with the beast or become the beast itself, not only could his lifespan be extended, but his power might break through once more due to the Netherworld Great Path.

For years he had schemed, yet now the prize slipped away—how could he not be anxious and enraged?

Regarding the Heavenly Gate, Modi never expected to gain much. He knew that given his strength and status, even if the gate was opened, it would only benefit others, leaving little for himself.

Thus, he planned to advance on two fronts—Heavenly Gate and the Netherworld Beast—simultaneously plotting. Alas, man’s plans are no match for heaven’s will.

The humans watched in shock as the beast suddenly broke through their magical encirclement, its body emitting an inky night glow that aroused even greater curiosity.

Someone asked directly, “Does anyone know what technique or great path that is? Why do our attacks have no effect?”

Clearly, no one wished to answer. Their understanding of the Netherworld Great Path was limited—heard from elders or glimpsed in ancient texts. None truly comprehended it, and thus dared not speak recklessly.

Moreover, even if they understood, would they willingly share such knowledge? Human nature being what it is, treasures are hoarded selfishly; knowledge, once shared, feels like theft.

Thus, the Netherworld Beast escaped. No one saw it, but as it vanished into the sea, a slight disturbance rippled in a certain void direction, seeming to follow it.

Lin Daoist naturally sensed this. In fact, since the old crone hid in the void, he had sensed her but watched silently to see her intent.

Now, seeing the crone prepare to strike the beast, he sneered, “The Ghost Clan truly is reckless, forgetting the rules between life and death realms.”

He waved his hand casually, sending a golden talisman flying toward the Ghost Clan crone, disappearing into the sea.