: Ascend the Altar, Seize the Bone!

They thought the same thing and decisively activated the Ten-Thousand-Mile Roaming Dragon, teleporting back to the Dark Cloud Battlefield.

The Dark Cloud Battlefield had already collapsed, leaving only the turbid gas barrier enveloping the altar battlefield.

However, after the previous fierce battle, and coupled with Zeng Jide directly stealing the Lung Turbidity Surge Barrier Screen at the Forgotten River Immortal City, the turbid gas barrier had become very thin. Moreover, the passage created earlier by the Black Sphere of Return to Ruin still existed and had not been repaired.

The Ten-Thousand-Li Roaming Dragon passed through the passage and flew into the altar battlefield.

Protected by formations here, the Ten-Thousand-Li Roaming Dragon couldn't directly teleport in.

Seeing this, the Forgotten River Prefect, far away in the Forgotten River Immortal City, immediately frowned deeply.

"Look, that bone is back on top of the altar again." Qing Chi exclaimed, then looked at Luo Si and Ning Zhuo, "How did you two guess it?"

Luo Si remained silent.

Ning Zhuo smiled slightly: "Simple. When the Earth Fiend Turbid Filth Deity fights, it receives replenished power, which is clearly due to formation teleportation."

"Although I can't identify the grand formation here, I already know it has teleportation capabilities."

"Another major clue is that after the Sky Ghost Skull flew out, the Forgotten River tributary didn't chase after it."

"Combining these two points suggests that the Forgotten River Prefect can likely use this grand formation to directly teleport the Sky Ghost Skull back from outside."

Qing Chi looked at Ning Zhuo admiringly: "Xiao Ma, you've become so smart! Much smarter than before!"

Ning Zhuo's gaze sharpened as he looked towards the altar: "The Buddha phantom has dissipated, and the Forgotten River Prefect has retrieved the Sky Ghost Skull. We absolutely cannot let him succeed!"

"Otherwise, all our previous efforts and sacrifices would be in vain."

Thinking of her father, Qing Chi's face showed anger and hatred: "Xiao Ma, you're right. We must not let the Forgotten River Prefect have his way!"

Luo Si was already concentrating on finding a way to break the situation.

The altar stood quietly at the center, stable as a mountain.

Around the altar flowed a tributary of the Forgotten River.

At the top of the altar lay the Sky Ghost Skull, no longer enveloped by the bloody glow. Instead, it was covered by a layer of hazy yellow dust, the remnants of the Earth Fiend Turbid Filth Deity's body.

Ning Zhuo faced the old problem again—how to cross the Forgotten River tributary!

However, compared to before, only the three of them remained in the altar battlefield. Of course, it was obvious that the Forgotten River Prefect must have already ordered troops to come. He himself was probably also on his way here.

So, Ning Zhuo didn't have much time.

He still had to race against time!

"Let's split into three directions first." Ning Zhuo thought for a moment and issued the command.

The three left the Mechanical Roaming Dragon, splitting into three directions, ready to charge in at any moment.

They communicated via divine sense and attacked simultaneously.

The Forgotten River Prefect focused intently, remotely controlling the Forgotten River tributary, blocking left and right. He would rather let Qing Chi and Luo Si through than block Ning Zhuo.

"To ascend the altar, three conditions must be met simultaneously."

"Among the three, I'm probably the only one who can do it!"

Ning Zhuo thought it was bad.

The previous Nirvana Buddha phantom fell into this trap and was successfully outmaneuvered by the Forgotten River Prefect.

Qing Chi and Luo Si were just decoys; Ning Zhuo was the key figure, the only one who could ascend the altar.

But the Forgotten River Prefect also saw this and was defending fiercely against Ning Zhuo!

"Fiercely attack the Forgotten River tributary? That consumes too much combat power and takes too long."

"Sigh, Boss Sun also meets the conditions. If only he were here!"

At this moment, Ning Zhuo missed Sun Lingtong immensely.

By the Forgotten River.

"Cough, cough, cough..." Zeng Jide bent over deeply, coughing violently, his ghost body trembling incessantly, spitting out a series of soul breaths.

His aura hit rock bottom, showing unprecedented weakness.

"Senior!" Sun Lingtong was extremely concerned.

Zeng Jide turned his head, looking deeply at Sun Lingtong: "You little ghost, going to the Forgotten River Immortal City, you had an ulterior motive, right?"

Sun Lingtong rubbed his nose and admitted frankly: "Senior saw through me. Yes, that's the case."

"Heh! So, you couldn't wait to try stealing these round stone cores, actually wanting to lure me into helping you." Zeng Jide took a deep breath to stabilize his aura.

Sun Lingtong smiled awkwardly: "Senior, it's my fault..."

Zeng Jide waved his hand: "Never thought I'd be schemed against by a little ghost like you. Hey, what deep grudge do you have with the Forgotten River Prefect to ruin his path?"

"Judging by the city lord's mansion's intense reaction, these little stones I stole, and the big one, must be very important!"

Sun Lingtong hesitated.

Zeng Jide frowned: "Forget it, no need to say."

"Our缘分 has ended. Let's part ways here."

Although he said that, Zeng Jide still took out a talisman and threw it to Sun Lingtong.

"Stick this talisman on yourself and run straight ahead, get as far away from the Forgotten River Netherworld as quickly as possible!"

"Never underestimate the strength and methods of a Prefect Lord."

"The reason we could cause such a ruckus in the Forgotten River Immortal City was also due to a coincidence—the Forgotten River Prefect was besieged on all sides, too busy to attend to us, and the entire Forgotten River Netherworld's power was greatly weakened, at its most vulnerable time."

Seeing that Zeng Jide was still willing to help him, Sun Lingtong showed a grateful expression: "Senior..."

"Hey, you stinky kid, you owe me a huge favor. We'll meet again if fate allows!" Zeng Jide waved his hand and vanished into thin air, leaving the small child Sun Lingtong standing lost by the wide riverbank.

Sun Lingtong tried to contact Ning Zhuo but still failed.

He thought for a moment, immediately took out the Black Blood Paper Horse, and galloped towards the Water Burial Valley.

"The task given by Buddhist Physician·Meng Yaoyin is probably completed. Letting things take their natural course... I should rendezvous with Ning Zhuo's mother!"

Altar Battlefield.

The Forgotten River tributary surged endlessly, weaving and flowing with extraordinary agility, blocking Ning Zhuo's several charges and thwarting all his breakthrough plans.

Ning Zhuo suddenly grinned, taking out the Spirit Communication Mirror.

The mirror light shot directly onto the altar, directly sending out the Shadow Blade·Night Tiger!

But the next moment, Meng Yehu's figure was enveloped by the yellow dust mist, actually cutting off his connection with Ning Zhuo.

"Damn." Ning Zhuo's expression changed slightly.

Luo Si transmitted a message via divine sense, reminding him: "Young master, this yellow earth dust is scattered by the Forgotten River Prefect's earth-element split spirit. It has the power to contaminate magical treasures and can even extinguish spirituality."

Ning Zhuo gritted his teeth; of course he knew, but he didn't expect the Earth Fiend Turbid Filth Deity had already dissipated, yet the remaining yellow dust still had such power.

"If it's like this for Meng Yehu, if I want to reach the altar top, I also have to pass through large areas of yellow dust. How to solve this problem?"

As Ning Zhuo asked himself, Luo Si suddenly made his move.

He summoned the remaining half-length Forgotten River Guiding Thread and once again used the fishing technique [Nine Abysses Water Release Net].

"Now!" Luo Si shouted loudly, controlling the Water Release Net to protect Ning Zhuo.

Ning Zhuo gritted his teeth, seized the opportunity, controlled the Cang Iron Han Armor, and shot forward.

In this battle, his flying ability helped him immensely. His modifications to the Cang Iron Han Armor were extremely crucial and meritorious!

The Forgotten River tributary was blocked by the Water Release Net; much of the flowing water leaked through the mesh towards other directions. Having lost too much flow, the previously vigorous tributary immediately slowed its charging and往返 force and speed.

Thus, Ning Zhuo charged onto the altar!

"Success!" Qing Chi cheered.

But a new trial was already imminent.

Ning Zhuo broke into the yellow dust, feeling difficulty breathing, stiff movement, and struggling to operate both his magic power and thoughts.

"All Phenomena Lamp Bright, Tribulation Self-Urged!"

Ning Zhuo felt a sudden inspiration, the prophetic poem flashing through his mind once again.

He took out the Field Lamp.

This lamp came from the All Phenomena Sect and was the object in Ning Zhuo's possession that best corresponded to "All Phenomena Lamp".

It was octagonal prism-shaped, four chi two cun tall, one chi eight cun thick. The top was穹窿-shaped, the bottom square,暗含 the principle of round heaven and square earth.

The lamp light was faint, yellowish, seemingly weak, but it easily parted the yellow dust!

This was because this lamp's specialty was greatly regulating the local earth qi, creating fertile fields and paths.

What the Earth Fiend Turbid Filth Deity turned into was mostly lung turbid gas—isn't that earth qi?

Most crucially, this split spirit had already dispersed. Unattended lung turbid gas, no matter how dense, was just a natural treasure material.

"NO!!!" At this moment, the Forgotten River Prefect's eyes widened, all grace gone.

Ahead of Ning Zhuo, the yellow dust and earth qi automatically parted with the lamp light, forming a spotless channel.

He stepped forward, his walking speed becoming slower and slower.

An invisible pressure weighed down like mountains, vast and mighty!

This was pressure from the ancient sacrificial rites, pointing directly at the source of life—it was heavenly might!

The pressure acted directly on his soul, causing Ning Zhuo to experience auditory hallucinations, as if hearing the wails, prayers, murmurs, and mad laughter of millions of living beings!

His divine sea shook violently, like raging waves.

Random thoughts surged, emotions frequently arose, seemingly about to淹没 Ning Zhuo's divine sea, preventing him from thinking calmly.

Ning Zhuo grunted; the military strength of the Qing Jiao Army receded like a tide, unable to provide support.

Ning Zhuo's soul, stimulated, although shaking violently, also began to emit a soul halo under the heavy pressure.

The halo wasn't vast, but it was condensed like refined steel!

Ning Zhuo was as firm as a reef in wild waves. Though his speed became slower and his steps shorter, he always moved forward, even if only bit by bit, inch by inch!

Ning Zhuo felt his feet as if filled with lead. Endless hatred and resentment钻入 his body, like millions of corrupt maggots gnawing at his flesh!

This was the curse upon heaven and earth, the jealousy towards living beings from the Sky Ghost's miserable death.

The venomous aura enveloped Ning Zhuo, causing green smoke to rise from his body, a scorched smell emerging, and heart-piercing pain.

Ning Zhuo let out a low shout, stirred the military baleful energy within his body, and fiercely erupted! Thick bloody baleful energy burst out from his body, fierce, sharp, filled with the决绝 will of battlefield slaughter.

The venomous jealousy and hatred energy was overwhelmed by the military baleful energy, retreating step by step.

Ning Zhuo was like an Asura clad in bloody battle armor. With each step, his feet炸开 a patch of blood light on the steps,艰难地 carving out a foothold!

The military baleful energy was rapidly consumed. His face turned from pale to red, blood seeped from his clenched teeth, but his steps gradually accelerated.

He endured the most difficult initial period and gradually adapted to this terrifying pressure.

His soul underwent a strict trial, becoming several times more condensed.

Halfway, he also retrieved Meng Yehu.

Meng Yehu was covered in yellow dust, its spirituality obscured, unresponsive to calls. Ning Zhuo had more important things to do, so he stored it away for later resolution.

Ning Zhuo finally stepped onto the last step, reaching the very top of the altar.

Ning Zhuo reached out and directly picked up the Sky Ghost Skull.

It wouldn't move!

Just a piece of skull, yet heavy as a mountain.

Simultaneously, a chill arose from the deepest part of Ning Zhuo's heart, a bone-piercing coldness, as if he was being judged by fate, scrutinized by heaven and earth.

This is not for you to take.

You are not worthy!

You have no right!!

Crack, crack...

The sound of cracking rang out.

Ning Zhuo looked down; cracks appeared on the dragon energy jade pendant on his belt. Dragon energy gushed out, converging into Ning Zhuo's body.

In an instant, Ning Zhuo suddenly lifted his hand. The Sky Ghost Skull became very light. Caught off guard, Ning Zhuo almost lost his balance and fell backward.

The deep blue skull was right before his eyes, emitting a mysterious aura that made Ning Zhuo dazed and lost.

"Be careful!" Qing Chi and Luo Si shouted together.

But the Forgotten River Prefect had long anticipated Ning Zhuo's reaction. At the critical moment, he exerted all his effort, pulling the Forgotten River tributary like a蛟龙 raising its head, directly climbing onto the altar and swallowing Ning Zhuo in one gulp.

Ning Zhuo had ultimately fallen into the Forgotten River tributary!

Swoosh.

The Forgotten River tributary retreated, becoming a winding river, head and tail connected, forming a circle around the altar.

The bead strand left by the Forgotten River Prefect had completely disintegrated. This made him lose all control over the Forgotten River tributary.

But he had achieved his goal.

Seeing the drowning Ning Zhuo, he muttered: "Die, die!"

"No!" Qing Chi,不顾一切, rushed towards Ning Zhuo.

Luo Si grabbed her shoulder: "Wait!"

"General Qing, calm down. I have a way to rescue the young master."

Qing Chi turned her head sharply: "You have a way? Tell me quickly!"

Luo Si took out a spare fishing rod, fishing line, and hook, quickly assembled them, and handed them to Qing Chi: "I'll teach you the fishing technique!"

Qing Chi was dumbfounded, then清醒过来: "Although I've fished before... your fishing skills must be higher than mine. You have a better chance of success!"

But Luo Si immediately shook his head, revealing the残酷 truth: "To fish in the Forgotten River, the bait must be memories and emotions,非同寻常."

"Right now, to save the young master, we must use memories and emotions related to him."

"But I haven't spent much time with the young master. Without weighty bait, it's impossible to钓 him up."

"General Qing, only you can be the young master's savior! Don't hesitate any longer, be quick!"

Qing Chi gritted her teeth, her heart full of panic as she took the fishing rod and, under Luo Si's guidance, cast the line.

This step went quite smoothly, after all, Qing Chi lived in the gloomy, dark, wet marsh and had relatively rich fishing experience.

The Forgotten River tributary was relatively clear; Qing Chi and Luo Si could see the fish hook enter the tributary and hook onto Ning Zhuo's body.

Qing Chi was overjoyed and immediately lifted the rod, wanting to钓 her lover back to shore.

The hook was firmly caught on Ning Zhuo's clothes. The rod bent, the line pulled taut, but it couldn't lift him even a bit. Instead, it sagged lower as Ning Zhuo sank.

Qing Chi's heart trembled, remembering Luo Si's earlier instructions.

She had to use past memories and emotions as bait to rescue her beloved!

(End of )