Bitter Realm: My Feet Step Through the Flames of War

Soon, the red tide arrived.

Upon closer inspection, one realizes that the sound of countless insects flapping their wings is so immense, like thunder from the heavens, deafeningly loud.

These ants not only shook trees, but they shook everything on earth.

Applause from the Boundless Emperor could be heard outside the cave.

In an instant, a whirlwind of energy surged forth, its powerful force shaking the heavens and earth around the filthy pit, causing rubble to fall from the cave.

The Red Tide, seemingly enraged by the attack, added a sharp sound from its mouthparts to the flapping of its wings, creating a deafening roar that seemed to boil the heavens and earth.

"Six Ghost Howls - Wings of Destruction - Boundless Limit, Hah~"

Unwilling to yield, the Boundless Sovereign unleashed his strongest attack, his six wings unfurling and boundless power surging forth, creating a stalemate with the terrifying horde of alien insects.

Luo Hou shook his head. His own Brahma body and demonic form might be worth a try, but there was no need.

"Ugh~"

A moment later, the Boundless Emperor fled into the cave.

He wiped a streak of blood from his face and said in a disheveled manner, "The Crimson Tide of the Underworld truly lives up to its name."

"It is formed from turbid qi and merges with the resentment of the intermediate state. This insect is beyond human power to defeat."

How should the people of the intermediate state cope with the red tide?

"The appearance of the red tide should follow certain patterns and routes. When that happens, people can avoid it by staying at home."

The reason for bringing the Boundless Sovereign here is to prepare for taking over this strange realm. Enduring some hardship will be beneficial for future actions.

The two sat down to meditate and rest.

At midnight, the sound of the red tide flapping its wings finally disappeared, and then a mournful song began to play again.

The singing was like weeping and sobbing, evoking the deepest sorrow in one's heart.

"Block your hearing."

Having learned from the experience of the Red Tide, the Emperor immediately followed the Martial Lord's advice, sealed his hearing, and quickly entered a meditative state.

It's dawn.

The two stepped out of the cave and headed deeper into the Filthy Pit. Beyond the Filthy Pit lay the territory of the Wall of Despair.

"Lord Wu, what was that song from last night?"

"The song is related to a love-hate relationship in the underworld. The emperor's younger brother, Gu Cheng Bu Wei, had an affair with the empress's younger sister, Zeng Ming Xia. Gu Cheng Bu Wei's wife committed suicide in grief and indignation. The song is the curse of this wife."

"this?"

Before they had even left the filthy pit, a flash of light appeared before their eyes, and a gentle voice suddenly rang out: "Gentlemen, Madam Buxiao requests an audience with you two, the Mirror of Profound Mirrors."

"The Unsmiling Lady?"

"Indeed, please come this way. I await your arrival, gentlemen."

After the sound disappeared, the Emperor asked in bewilderment, "Who was that?"

"The Lady Who Doesn't Smile is none other than Zeng Mingxia."

"Those who secretly collude with the isolated city, which is not in danger!"

Zeng Mingxia can be described as a femme fatale, having affairs with many prominent figures in the underworld.

She was born into the Bibing Zeng clan and was the youngest daughter of the current head of the family. From a young age, she was loved by the brothers Zhou Wang and Gu Cheng Bu Wei.

However, because Yu Bi Hou Yue Cangfeng gave her medicine that cured her eye disease, she gradually developed feelings for Yue Cangfeng. Unexpectedly, the King of Zhou found out about this, and Yue Cangfeng was demoted to the Hidden Tomb.

Years later, Zeng Mingxia chose to leave the city in danger, but Zhou Wang refused to let go and preemptively married Ma Jing, the daughter of Yi Po Ma clan, to his own brother.

After Ma Jing married into the family, she learned of Gu Cheng Bu Wei's affair with Zeng Ming Xia and committed suicide in anger.

Zeng Mingxia felt deeply ashamed and exiled herself from the filthy pit, willingly choosing a life of neither sorrow nor joy, and was known as the Lady Who Never Smiles.

After listening to Luo Hou recount this secret history of the royal family, Wujie Zunhuang's contempt for Zeng Mingxia lessened somewhat, while his disgust for Zhou Wang gradually increased.

"All older brothers in the world like to interfere in their brothers' relationships!"

"The King of the Universe is driven by jealousy."

The emperor was still indignant: "What's the difference between something stemming from jealousy and something stemming from fear!"

The Emperor's resentment suggests that the trauma inflicted by the Celestial Being has not yet subsided.

Luo Hou had no intention of changing the Emperor's mind. If it were him, he would kill anyone who treated Yu Cixin and his son in that way.

I can endure being wronged, but my wife and children absolutely cannot.

Following the direction pointed out by Zeng Mingxia, the two quickly arrived at the deepest part of the filthy pit, the Deep Mirror Reflection.

Zeng Mingxia did not appear, but instead projected her beautiful image onto a huge, mirror-like rock. Although the reflection on the rock was not very clear, one could still see the beauty's stunning charm.

"Thank you both for coming. I am very grateful."

"No need for formalities. I am Rahu of the Bitter Realm, and this is the Supreme Emperor of the Boundless Kingdom of Death."

"I apologize for my intrusion, but having lived here for many years, this is the first time I have seen anyone venture into the depths of the Filthy Pit. Are you two heading to the Wall of Despair?"

"Of course."

Upon hearing about the Great Wall of Despair, the person in the mirror showed a hint of sorrow. Then, with a flick of her wrist, a pink flower shot out from the mirror and landed in Luo Hou's hand.

"Please take this flower to the head of the Bibingzeng family. I believe that with this, the Bibingzeng family will be more accommodating to you both."

Is this all you're asking?

"I am burdened with sin and unable to fulfill my filial duty to my father. I use this item to tell him that I am still alive, and this is enough for me."

"I will bring it."

"Thank you both, gentlemen."

Another flash of light, and the image in the mirror vanished, as the filthy pit came to an end.

Luo Hou and Zunhuang stepped out and found themselves in a dark passage. Ghostly mountains rose one after another, strange rocks were like phantoms, and deathly air swirled around them, devoid of any life.

The countless evil spirits that had been freed by the red tide have returned:

"Quickly enter the Ghostly Passage!"

"Once we get in, we can devour you all."

"Hooray! Hahaha!"

Having learned from the Red Tide's experience, the Emperor hesitated: "Martial Lord, what is the Myriad Ghosts' Secret Passage?"

"The stronghold of evil spirits and vengeful ghosts, no problem, let's go and fight our way in."

It was a real killing spree.

Luo Hou swung his Cang Er Blade, the purple dragon's aura roaring and shaking the heavens. With a few slashes, the Myriad Ghosts' Dark Passage almost collapsed, and countless evil ghosts and vengeful spirits perished under his blade.

The Emperor followed behind, his palms flying, sweeping away the remaining ghosts.

As they walked along, not a single ghost within the area of ​​effect of the attack escaped.

When they passed through the Ghostly Passage, not only did the two become completely silent, but the entire passage was also swept clean. It would be difficult for this place to gather ghosts again for hundreds of years.

A continuous gray wall appeared among the mountains, towering like a pillar and winding like a dragon, with an extraordinary presence.

Upon closer inspection, countless talismans are affixed to the city wall. Although they have been weathered by time and show signs of age, one can still feel the subtle fluctuations of spiritual energy.

In the middle section of the city wall, there is a pair of giant feet that reach the sky and stand on the ground. The giant feet are also made of gray stone, and because of their size, they seem to tread on the entire human world.

Just as the two stepped onto the city wall, their contact arrived; it was a woman dressed as a servant.

"Is the visitor Luo Hou from the Bitter Realm? I am Mei Sheng, sent by my master Ling Shou to greet you."

"I am Rahu, lead the way."

Meisheng quickly led the two to Xiaoyao Residence, where a luxurious mansion appeared beneath the Great Wall of Despair.

Ling Shou Duan Junheng came out to greet him: "I apologize, my movements are restricted and I cannot leave the Great Wall of Despair. I feel really bad that you have to come in person, Lord Wu."

"I'm here to make a deal, there's no need for formalities."

"This gentleman has an extraordinary presence. I wonder which famous person he is from the Bitter Realm?"

"I am the Supreme Emperor of the Boundless Land of Death."

Duan Junheng was slightly surprised, but still bowed respectfully.

"I am deeply honored that the head of the Five Venerable Ones of the Dead Kingdom has graced this lowly land with his presence."

The Venerable Emperor surveyed the luxurious furnishings of the Leisurely Abode, which were far more extravagant than the residence of the Five Venerables of the Dead Kingdom. He couldn't help but say, "Where is the lowliness? I think the furnishings here are comparable to my royal palace."

"This……"

The Emperor's straightforwardness left Duan Junheng speechless. At this moment, Black Nineteen entered the reception room and presented the Hidden Mystic Stone.

Duan Junheng took it and handed it to Luo Hou: "This is the Hidden Profound Soul Stone containing the Primordial Qi. Martial Lord can take it out from the stone."

"Thank you, here is the heart's blood you requested."

Duan Junheng took the jade bottle, uncorked it, and took a light sniff. His expression changed drastically: "This is the bloodline of the Demon Emperor!"

"how?"

"How could the Martial Lord possess the bloodline of the Demon Emperor?"

"Ha, that's outside the deal."

Duan Junheng was extremely excited: "The Demon Emperor's bloodline is better than the Demon Marrow. I thank you, Martial Lord!"

“Since you are satisfied with the Spirit Hunter, why don’t you tell me some information about the Great Wall of Despair and the Nili Forest Prison? I am interested in visiting the Nili Forest Prison.”

"Muddy Forest Prison? Even I, Duan, have never been to such a dangerous place. I've heard that it's teeming with demonic beasts. However, the Ji family, one of the five great spirit-controlling families, once sent a member named Ji Zhong deep into the Muddy Forest Prison. Perhaps you, Martial Lord, could meet him."

“Ji Zhong, um.”

"The Wall of Despair is a place of exile for criminals from the Bardo, such as myself."

"Ling Shou is too modest. Your carefree life surpasses that of kings and nobles."

"Hahaha! The builders of the Great Wall of Despair are unknown. I have also investigated it, but to no avail. All I know is that for a long time, the five great spirit-controlling families have had the same family rule: after a new family head takes over, he must come to the Great Wall of Despair to draw new talismans to strengthen the Great Wall's defensive power."

"Besides talismans, are there no other means of defense?"