Beside the Underworld Bridge, space began to collapse, and endless void energy started to gather.
A tower-like structure quickly formed under the guidance of the Heavenly Dao. In just a moment, it was complete.
The tower had eighteen levels. According to Xu Zimo’s design, each person would be sent to a different floor of Hell depending on the sins they committed in life.
As for how Hell would operate internally, Xu Zimo left that to Bai Changfeng to handle.
Xu Zimo wouldn’t interfere with that part. After all, anyone who ended up in Hell had to be extremely wicked or evil. Good people and ordinary folks could walk straight across the Underworld Bridge and head into reincarnation.
After explaining everything to Bai Changfeng, Xu Zimo left the God World.
Now that Bai Changfeng was part of his world, there was no way for him to leave.
When Xu Zimo’s world fully matured in the future, he would decide whether Bai Changfeng could reincarnate, based on his performance.
Xu Zimo had previously asked Bai Changfeng how he died. The answer was because of cultivating the Three Thousand Years of Dreams.
When he finally woke from the dream, time had already passed, and his physical body had rotted away. This also showed how dangerous that technique was. Though it was powerful in tempering the Dao Heart, a single mistake could cause one to fall into the dream forever and die without realizing it.
After leaving the God World, Xu Zimo exited the Slaughter God Tower.
He placed the True God Sword’s fragments inside the God World.
At that moment, the five fragments floated in a circle, sword energy flowing between them. The sharp aura gradually built up from weak to strong.
But even though the energy was forming, the sword couldn’t fully take shape. After a long attempt, the fragments slowly scattered again.
"What’s going on?" Xu Zimo turned to ask Bluesoul.
Bluesoul was the first sword fragment he had obtained, and it had developed its own consciousness.
"Master, after the True God Sword was broken, it’s nearly impossible for it to rebuild itself. You must find the Nine-Curve God Flame and the Supreme God Hammer to reforge it," Bluesoul explained. "And once reforged, it still lacks a sword spirit."
"This complicated?" Xu Zimo frowned.
"Master, the True God Sword is the key to the Ancient Celestial Court," Bluesoul said. "Back when the Holy Progenitor hid many secrets, it was never meant to be easily reclaimed. Otherwise, after so many ages since the Desolate Era, someone would have already found it."
"Where can I find those things?" Xu Zimo asked.
"I can only sense the sword spirit when it’s close by, so I don’t know yet," Bluesoul replied.
"But according to legends, the Supreme God Hammer is in the hands of the Stone Race from the Wild Era, and the Nine-Curve God Flame may be inside the Heavenly Dao Academy.""Alright, alright, one step at a time," Xu Zimo sighed.
He had no clues about the Stone Tribe for now, but Heaven’s Path Academy was worth a visit. After all, it was the number one academy on the continent.
...
After leaving the Slaughter God Tower, most of the scattered cultivators outside had already left. Only a few remained, and when they saw Xu Zimo come out, they quietly slipped inside, hoping to find anything left behind.
Xu Zimo then headed toward Void Valley.
Located between the Ninelands Region and the Skyluan Region, Void Valley was hidden within a pocket of space.
That afternoon, the sky was gloomy.
Such weather was rare in spring. A fierce wind was blowing, and the trees on both sides of the road swayed violently in the wind.
The rain came down in a cold drizzle, refreshing and steady.
Not far ahead, the outline of a canyon slowly came into view.
From above, the canyon resembled a winding dragon, coiling through the world.
"Dragon Ridge Mountains."
At the mountain’s entrance stood an ancient stone monument.
The surface of the stone was cracked, and at the base were several lines of small text.
"Dragon Ridge Mountains, established during the era of the Desolate Dragon Emperor. It spans 18,400 meters. Legend has it that dragon bones are buried within."
The rest of the small characters described the mountain range’s history, but Xu Zimo didn’t read further. He stepped directly into the mountains.
This mountain range was considered the final barrier of the Skyluan Region. Once crossed, he would enter the territory of the Ninelands Region, where Void Valley was located.
Due to the increasing rain, Xu Zimo found a large, leafy tree with thick branches to rest under. He decided to wait until the rain eased up before continuing.
Spring rain had a charm of its own. In the quiet canyon, he enjoyed the rain alone.
No one disturbed him. Only the sound of rain falling on leaves echoed in the background.
...
Spring rain is worth more than oil,
It floods the streets as it falls.A scholar slips and hits the ground,The cows nearby laugh out loud.Xu Zimo remembered this old playful rhyme. He leaned against the tree, closing his eyes.
At that moment, the wind carried a new sound, several figures flew through the sky toward him.
Leading them was a young man in blue, followed by seven or eight others around his age.
They all wore the same style of clothing, marking them as disciples of the Grand River God Sect.
Xu Zimo recalled their Saintess, Luo Shengqing, the one he almost killed earlier. Though she escaped, she was seriously injured. Even with help, recovery wouldn’t come quickly.
Xu Zimo guessed that these people might be here for revenge.
As he was thinking that, the young man in blue stopped in front of the Dragon Ridge Mountains.
"Senior brother, based on his speed, he shouldn't have left the Skyluan Region yet."
"Could he have known we were coming for revenge and fled ahead of time?"
The disciples speculated among themselves.
The blue-robed youth said nothing. He looked deep into the thick forest ahead.
With a wave of his hand, a few insects flew from his sleeve.
"Shadow-chasing bugs," one disciple murmured in surprise.
"Senior brother Ruhuai, with this rain, wouldn’t all traces be washed away? The bugs probably won’t work."
"You don’t understand," another disciple replied. "These are mutated tracking bugs that senior brother Ruhuai bred himself. Within a ten-mile range, they can find anything living."
As soon as he finished speaking, the bugs started trembling restlessly.
They flew toward where Xu Zimo was hiding.
"He’s nearby," Wang Ruhuai narrowed his eyes and took off.
The others followed quickly.
Xu Zimo glanced at the bugs buzzing above his head and smiled.
Looks like they really are here for me.
Eight figures quickly flew over and landed in front of him.