Chapter 125

Chapter 125: Underworld River Empty Coffin

Lian Jiuyou’s gaze wavered.

Creak!

Lin Qianmo slightly exerted force with her palm, and the coffin lid slowly slid. Everyone’s eyes were unblinking, holding their breath, staring intently at the coffin.

Bang!

The coffin lid fell to the ground, making a dull sound.

Splash splash!

Following the fall of the coffin lid, a sound of flowing water came from it. Everyone focused their eyes and saw that inside the coffin was empty, as if it were an endless abyss.

"How could it be empty?"

Lan Youruo’s eyelashes trembled. "Since the coffin is empty, does that prove the Green Lotus Demon Emperor is still in the world?"

Lian Jiuyou was originally shocked and puzzled. Hearing Lan Youruo’s words, his eyes instantly became bright.

"Father hasn’t died?"

Ning Wudao, on the other hand, tightly frowned. If the Celestial Demon treasure roll was not in the coffin, then where could it be?

Moreover, an elder told Lian Jiuyou that the Green Lotus Demon Emperor had already perished, but right now there was no corpse. Could the elder be wrong?

"He is dead."

Lin Qianmo said lightly.

Lan Youruo, Lian Jiuyou, and the others all looked at her.

"If he died, why is there no skeleton?" Nangong Zhandao furrowed his brow. "This coffin is too strange; it does not seem like a normal coffin for the dead."

"Please, Daoist friend, enlighten us." Lian Jiuyou bowed respectfully.

"In fact, that Green Lotus in the imperial mausoleum is the body of the Green Lotus Demon Emperor." Lin Qianmo said with a sharp gaze. "His physical body perished, but his soul is nowhere to be found."

"Impossible."

Lian Jiuyou shook his head. "Father’s body was tempered through countless hardships; why would he easily abandon it?"

"Moreover, why would he place an empty coffin here?"

Lan Youruo’s Divine Sense surged into the empty coffin. Beneath the coffin lay an endless, profound expanse, seeming to lead to another world.

As soon as her Divine Sense surged in, it was devoured.

Following that, a tidal sound rang out.

Inside the coffin, it seemed to contain a river.

"In fact, from the moment you were able to break the Endless Cataclysm Formation with your blood, I had doubts." Lin Qianmo said. "Only upon seeing this coffin was I able to confirm it."

"The Green Lotus Demon Emperor did not die; he completed an escape and used this coffin to retreat into a marvelous world. Below this coffin is that world."

"All of this likely involves the mystery of reincarnation."

Everyone was extremely shocked.

The mystery of reincarnation has existed since ancient times, with Burial Soil being the most mysterious.

The reason why the Great Emperors and quasi-emperors of the Yuan Realm would spare no effort to be buried in Godfall Ridge was that it contained the power of Burial Soil, potentially granting them a second life.

Hence, cultivators pursuing rebirth in this manner came in an endless stream.

"Look, a box has floated up."

Suddenly, Lan Youruo stared at the coffin. A jade-green box, three chi square, had apparently been washed up by the water current and was now floating inside the coffin.

Lian Jiuyou swept his sleeve, lifting the box out.

He opened the jade container to find a dragon-shaped imperial jade seal and a parchment scroll inside, both exuding an ancient aura that clearly did not belong to this era.

Ning Wudao’s eyes brightened.

Rather than handing the scroll directly to Ning Wudao, Lian Jiuyou unfurled it first. After skimming its contents, he chuckled, "Truly an ingenious technique.

Pity it doesn’t quite suit me."

"Brother Ning, for you."

He tossed the parchment toward Ning Wudao.

Ning Wudao caught it mid-air. His gaze rapidly scanned the text, revealing clear delight.

This was precisely the second volume of the Celestial Demon treasure roll: the Celestial Demon Slaying Immortals Technique.

The cultivation technique recorded herein could elevate him to the Great Emperor realm.

Countless formidable divine abilities were also inscribed on its pages.

"The imperial jade seal…"

Lian Jiuyou’s eyes burned with desire. During the founding of the Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom, the Green Lotus Demon Emperor had distilled the earth vein dragon energy across the Western Region and harnessed its vital fortune to forge this imperial seal.

Wielding it would grant Lian Jiuyou command over the Western Region’s powers and control of its fortune, enabling him to even battle a Great Emperor.

This was the artifact he coveted most.

Evidently, the Green Lotus Demon Emperor had known its significance to Lian Jiuyou, hence deliberately leaving the seal within the coffin, designed to surface when opened.

"Senior Sister Lin, how did you know the coffin was empty?" Lian Jiuyou solemnly asked.

Lin Qianmo’s origins remained profoundly mysterious; seemingly omniscient, Lian Jiuyou regarded her only second to the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.

Thus, he viewed her with both reverence and deep wariness.

"When I stormed the Green Lotus Demon Emperor’s tomb years ago, I sensed a ripple of Underworld River energy. Yet the urgency of the situation prevented detailed investigation."

"Returning today, that power feels far more potent."

"Its source lies within this coffin."

Lin Qianmo fixed her gaze on the bizarre, vacant coffin and declared, "Its construction is unique—not intended as burial wood.

The inscriptions on the coffin lid served ritualistic purposes back in the Primordial Era.

Therefore, this coffin functions as an altar that connected both realms and drew upon the Underworld River."

Ning Wudao remained utterly perplexed.

Lian Jiuyou grasped only fragments of understanding.

"You’re suggesting… those watery echoes inside the coffin originate from the Underworld River?" Lian Jiuyou’s tone turned icy.

Within the Return to the Ruins flowed an Underworld River.

This Underworld River, utterly bizarre, had existed since the dawn of the Return to the Ruins. Its ultimate destination was unknown.

"Then where does this Underworld River lead?"

"If you want to know where it flows," Lin Qianmo laughed, "wouldn’t it become clear once you enter?"

The others shuddered involuntarily.

Entering an unknown place, even with their formidable strength, ignited fear within them.

None knew the peril hidden within the coffin.

"Sister, I’ll go with you," Lan Youruo said resolutely.

She knew Lin Qianmo. Lin Qianmo had grasped a reason. If she couldn’t get an answer, she wouldn’t leave willingly.

"Demon Emperor Lian," Lin Qianmo addressed him, "if you wish to depart, you may leave now."

Lian Jiuyou’s expression shifted, uncertain.

He was considering.

"I’ll enter with you," Lian Jiuyou clenched his teeth and agreed.

He also wanted to know where the coffin led, and even more, he sought the whereabouts of the Green Lotus Demon Emperor.

"Perhaps, I might encounter my father Emperor inside."

It was merely a hope.

Although faint, it was Lian Jiuyou’s motivation.

"Brother Ning, endure this confinement a while longer," Lian Jiuyou urged his magical power and drew Ning Wudao into his Purple Palace.

"Nangong," Lan Youruo asked, concern evident, "what about you? Will you enter my Purple Palace for shelter?"

"He doesn’t need to," Lin Qianmo intervened, her gaze peculiar. "He carries immense fortune, auspicious destiny. With us, he might even help avert potential dangers."

A child of fortune was always a blessing.

Lian Jiuyou looked at him with complex emotions.

After all, this was someone whom a Spirit Root had spontaneously chosen.

Such good fortune left him deeply envious.

"Don’t worry about me."

Nangong Zhandao gently took Lan Youruo’s delicate, boneless hand in his own, his expression tender as he smiled. "This journey will be safe."

Lan Youruo met his eyes and nodded without a word.

Whoosh!

The four transformed into streams of light and plunged into the coffin.

Boundless darkness engulfed them. An eerie power enveloped the surroundings, obliterating all sense of direction. They could only rely on their hearing, steadily drawing closer to the roar of the Underworld River.

Roar… Roar…

The sound grew steadily louder.

They edged ever nearer to the Underworld River.

Buzz!

Lin Qianmo summoned her magic power.

The green lamp flickered.

A wisp of flame trembled, casting a greenish-yellow glow that illuminated a small area.

A turbid, immense river coiled like a dragon.

Its waters flowed downstream between banks of cracked, blood-red earth.

Wisps of crimson mist coiled upon the river’s surface.

Lin Qianmo peered downstream;

the mist gradually thickened,

obscuring all sight beyond.

Gurgle… Groan…

Strange noises drifted from the downstream darkness.

Was it the rushing water, or perhaps the cry of a beast?

"What should we do?"

All eyes turned to Lin Qianmo.

"Naturally, we follow the current downstream," Lin Qianmo solemnly stated. "The waters of the Underworld River can corrode most artifacts and spiritual treasures. We shall need special means to drift upon it."