Bitter Realm: My Feet Step Through the Flames of War

The surging ghostly currents swirled, condensing into an extremely fierce strike.

Boom!

With a loud bang, Shao Hao floated backward from the bamboo raft, while Di Longyin was pulled off by gravity and landed on the shallow, turbid riverbank.

Watching the two fight, Luo Hou pondered to himself that Emperor Longyin had two ways to return to the Poetic Heavenly City: either kill him and let him return as a dragon soul, or capture him and hand him over to Tian Dao Xiao Jian Dun to be sent back.

Whether the dragons of the Poetic Heavenly City would welcome this distant relative was not something Rahu considered.

If we kill him, Jun Fengtian's ghost will return to the Demon-Nourishing Pool. Who knows what kind of creature this ghost energy, imbued with the Empress's bloodline, will create? It would be better to capture him and send him back to his hometown, leaving the matter of the ghost's soul to the Heavenly Venerable Emperor's descendants.

After making up his mind, Luo Hou raised his hands to stop the two from continuing their fight.

“Emperor Dragon Yin, you are not a person of Yama Ghost Prison, but a killing tool created by the blood essence of the dragon pearl taken from your parents by the Demon World. Now that Ghost Prison has been destroyed, you should return to your identity as the Imperial Dragon Clan and return to the Poetic Heavenly City to reunite with your true family.”

"what are you saying?"

Emperor Longyin was shocked. Jun Fengtian had already puzzled him, and now the Imperial Dragon Clan had appeared.

“I promised you that if you didn’t die, I would tell you the truth. The truth is…”

"I am the descendant of the Dragon Emperor of the Poetic Heavenly City of the Four Realms? How is that possible? I have not a single memory of it."

Shao Hao put away the Death Scythes and looked at Di Longyin with sympathy. He had once been a tool created by others, and he understood Di Longyin's bitterness and confusion very well.

He couldn't help but speak up to comfort him: "Emperor Longyin, the Martial Lord never speaks falsely. Besides, the Heavenly Blade Laughing Sword of the Imperial Dragon Clan is in Tiandu. If you don't believe me, you can come back with us."

"Impossible! Even if it were true, I would not let a friend's grudge go unpunished!"

What friend? Just a petty person using him for revenge. If he hadn't arrived quickly, Emperor Longyin would have already died from Fu Yesheng's betrayal.

Ignorance is bliss.

Luo Hou smiled and said, "I will give you three chances. If you can knock me off the bamboo raft, you can come and go as you please. If you cannot, you must follow my instructions."

"Three moves? Then cherish your chance to live! Raging Dragon Breaks the Mountain - Eight Dragons Return to Heaven!"

Sensing its master's fighting spirit, the dark dragon flapped its wings and let out a deafening roar. Immediately, its demonic energy surged and its ghostly aura exploded, condensing into eight dragon bodies that surrounded and attacked Luo Hou from all sides.

The surging power shook the Ghost Prison land in an instant. Emperor Longyin's intention was not merely to knock Luo Hou off the bamboo raft; his fierce and murderous intent was clearly aimed at taking lives.

Luo Hou remained calm and composed, standing firmly on the bamboo raft. He put one hand behind his back, gently clenched the other into a fist, and threw it forward.

A devastating force suddenly arose, instantly spanning thousands of peaks and angrily pressing down on the sky.

Boom boom boom boom!

Amidst the continuous explosions of the clashes, the eight dragons collapsed one after another, their energy sweeping for miles, and sand and dust filling the sky.

The immense pressure forced Emperor Longyin to give it his all, but his body felt as if five mountains were pressing down on him, and his legs kept sinking into the mud.

But how could he admit defeat so easily? He mustered his true essence and raised the Black Dragon Spear high in anger, transforming it into its second form, the Emperor Dragon Blade. The hundred-mile riverbed immediately cracked open, and black and purple dragon energy burst forth from the ground.

"Slay Demons and Annihilate Gods - The Ultimate Demon Slayer!"

"As expected of the Twin Stars of Imperial Calamity, their strength combined with external advantages places them among the top in the martial arts world today."

Despite Emperor Longyin's overwhelming aura, Luo Hou remained calm and composed, offering leisurely praise.

"Take the move!"

"Erosion Palm".

The most basic palm technique, the simplest attack, was delivered with a flat strike. Yet, Emperor Longyin felt an unprecedented force pressing down upon him, a terrifying power akin to a demon destroying the world.

The pressure from this one person far surpassed that of Emperor Longyin facing a war with thousands of troops, and it was also the first time he had ever felt the breath of death.

As the two unleashed their powerful attacks, in an instant, the ground sank a thousand feet, the river split a hundred feet, and the formidable divine power pierced through the Ghost Prison. Even the adjacent Mud Goddess Dark Realm was affected by the energy, and a muffled thunderous echo resounded from the barrier.

With a flick of his sleeve, Shao Hao dispersed the dust and smoke before his eyes, revealing that Luo Houwen remained unmoved, while Di Longyin's chest was stained red with blood.

The mount Nightwind was more severely injured and fell to the ground with a thud, reverting to its dragon egg form.

The difference in strength is like the ends of the earth.

Luo Hou beckoned: "The third move, come on."

"No need, I will go with you to Tiandu."

Emperor Longyin bent down, picked up the dragon egg, and carefully placed it in his arms. He couldn't let anything happen to Ye Feng, otherwise he would lose his last friend in the world.

Luo Hou nodded and led the two back to the Bitter Realm through the Devouring Mouth.

"Hao'er, take Di Longyin back to see Xiao Jiandun. I am going to Dreamland to find Lie Hongjiao."

"Hao'er understands."

So far, progress has been relatively smooth. As long as Lie Hongjiao can be persuaded to return to manage the Ghost Prison, Luo Hou can then head to the Mahayana Lingyun Temple.

But will Lie Hongjiao live in a dream paradise?

Chapter 470 The Pear Soup in a Dreamlike Paradise

As the sun sets, the moon hangs in the distance over the mountains.

The ancient trees stand tall, their canopies obscuring half the night sky, with countless stars twinkling among their branches, creating a tranquil scene reminiscent of a dreamlike paradise.

Two figures, one tall and one short, gaze up at the towering tree from behind.

An elderly man with a plaster on his forehead walked over and proudly introduced himself to the two strangers.

"When the pear blossoms are in full bloom in early spring, guests will come again. At that time, the pear blossoms will cover the branches like snow, and they will be fragrant and sweet."

"Kaku-kun, shall we come again next spring?"

Xunmeng'er tugged at the hem of Lie Hongjiao's clothes, her face showing longing.

"What kind of tree is this?"

"The pears from the Jiaoli tree are the most delicious when boiled into soup."

The old man, He Wenjin, smacked his lips, as if recalling something.

"Would you like some pear soup?"

Lie Hongjiao suddenly stirred. These three words gave him a strange sense of familiarity. The Empress had sent him to Dreamland to plant the World-Forging Spawn. Could this place be related to him in some way?

He Wenjin replied, "A long time ago, a nobleman came here to stay with a dark-faced child. The pear soup that the child cooked was really delicious, and I still remember it fondly. Unfortunately, they never came back after they left."

"A black-faced child?"

Lie Hongjiao gently touched the faint blue marks on her face.

"It's really strange. The two of them give me a feeling similar to that of you and your servant... Sigh, when you get old, you just like to reminisce."

He Wenjin shook his head and went back to his thatched hut to rest.

The village had plenty of land but few people, so many rooms were vacant. He Wenjin found a clean room for Lie Hongjiao and Xunmeng'er to stay in.

After He Wenjin fell asleep, Lie Hongjiao raised his hand, picked a still green pear, and played with it in his hand.

"Jiao-kun, do you know how to make pear soup?"

"No, you do it."

Lie Hongjiao tossed the green pear to Xunmeng'er.

On the third day, a bowl of pear soup was placed on the stone table in front of Luo Hou, and Xun Meng'er looked at him fearfully.

"It is not the season for ripe pears to ripen at this time."

Luo Hou glanced at the large tree laden with green fruit, but still picked up the bowl and took a sip. It was very fragrant, but also astringent, unlike the rich and mellow pear soup from his other world.

He Wenjin stood to the side, grimacing and inhaling.

"This bowl of pear soup is perfect for relieving summer heat."

"Yes, I will continue to work hard to satisfy you, Mr. Jiao."

After Xunmeng'er finished putting away the dishes, Lie Hongjiao coldly asked, "Ghost Prison has been destroyed. What brings you here?"

“Lie Hongjiao, I would like to ask you to return to Ghost Prison.”

"Ok?"

"The details are as follows..."

Reborn from the Demon-Nourishing Pool, Lie Hongjiao had no memory of the Ghost Prison, nor any sense of belonging to it. After the Ghost Prison was destroyed, he left that dark underground world and came to the dreamlike paradise full of flowers and plants. Lie Hongjiao felt a sense of liberation.

At this moment, upon hearing Luo Hou entrust him with the lives of thousands of his people, a slight ripple appeared on his indifferent face.

"What will they do if I refuse?"

"The Ghost Clan thus disappeared into history."

Are Xunmeng'er's parents and family members still alive?

When Shi Zhijialan and others were taking inventory of the list, Luo Hou, considering the relationship between Lie Hongjiao and Xunmeng'er, specifically inquired about Xunmeng'er's family information.

"His parents and younger sister are still alive, but his two older brothers have both died in battle."

"Big brother! Second brother! Waaah~"

Although Xunmeng'er, who was hiding in the corner listening quietly, covered her mouth tightly, she still burst into tears.

Why choose me?

"To possess humanity while being a ghost, who else but you?"

"You seem to know me quite well?"

Luo Hou stood up and said calmly, "If you are willing to be the Lord of Ghost Prison, then go to the Western Buddhist Realm to bring back your people. If you are not willing, no one will disturb the tranquility of Dream Paradise."

It is a responsibility, but also a shackle; everything depends on Lie Hongjiao's own choice.

What if Lie Hongjiao refuses to take over Ghost Prison?

Luo Hou sighed regretfully in his heart, then left the Peach Blossom Spring in his Dreamland and headed to the Mahayana Lingyun Temple.

The Mahayana Lingyun Temple is a sacred Buddhist site where the legendary Buddha Su Henian practiced in the past. It belongs to the same lineage as the Western Buddhist Kingdom, along with the Western Huang Buddhist Realm and the Western Lotus Temple in the Dharma-ending Age.

Its chief abbot, Monk Baiyu Wangyun, was even of a higher generation than the four founders of the Dao.

Luo Hou's target was this White Feather Forget-Cloud Monk. Of the four creations, only the Supreme Imperial Confucian was left. This senior was still alive and had been guarding the mysterious White Feather Realm Heavenly Dao.

Entering the Heavenly Dao of the White Feather Realm is quite complicated. First, one must find the fictitious Sun Home, and to find the Sun Home, one must have a deep affinity with Buddhism.