In Fengdu City, ten Daoist masters and eminent monks stood atop several rooftops, each channeling their enchanted power while loudly reciting the Shu Sword Sect's disciple literature in the direction of the battle between the fox fiend and the ferocious ghost.0 "In pursuit of freedom, we let our sword intent rise into the clouds…"0 With the snow-white fox pinning it down, the giant ghost couldn't get back up, no matter how hard it struggled. Its thrashing just destroyed more of Fengdu City.0 One of its arms had been torn off, and most of its neck was gone. The devilish qi enveloping it had also been pressed deep into its flesh. 0 It thrashed about like an oversized loach.0 The only thing left that could threaten the silver fox was the ghostly figure pulsing on its forehead. It unleashed high-pitched shrieks in waves, attempting to disturb her mind. However, her gaze remained icy cold. She tore and clawed at the ghost without pause.0 Gradually, streaks of the fox's fur began to turn orange-red. Though still sparse, there were enough to make Zhang Zikuang and the others tense up. They quickly joined the Shu Sword Sect elder in chanting the Freedom Mantra.0 The two methods Wang Sheng had mentioned earlier were things that Xi Lian had brought up during their journey.0 The Freedom Mantra proved effective. The streaks of orange-red fur quickly faded, and the bloodlust in the fox's eyes diminished significantly. She resumed tearing into the ferocious ghost.0 By the time Wang Sheng and Qing Yanzi descended from the sky, the giant ghost was at death's door. Both aiming for the ghost's forehead, Wang Sheng unleashed his Sword-Controlling Art through Flying Haze, while Qing Yanzi used Spiritless to attack with the Heavenly Ziwei Sword Art.0 Qing Yanzi's swordsmanship was by no means weak, but it could barely hold its ground against his second disciple's. Pure Yang Energy surged through his blade, firing out powerful waves of dark-golden sword phantasms.0 The two swiftly severed dozens of ghostly figures. When the giant ghost attempted to retaliate, the silver fox tore off its other arm and flung it outside the city, creating a scene so brutal that it shocked the soul. 0 Officials from the Hua Republic had now witnessed Xi Lian's ferocity. Thinking back to how Wang Sheng and Mu Wanxuan had once lived alongside such a fox for quite some time, the Special Warfare Unit, Special Investigation Unit, and Cultivation Research Institute all felt a pang of guilt toward the martial siblings.0 Even with Wang Sheng and Qing Yanzi joining the battle, the ferocious ghost still resisted for over ten minutes. Qing Yanzi was already slightly out of breath by the time the fierce ghost had stopped moving. Its misshapen body slowly dissolved into yin qi, which the Small Nether Realm's yin qi then swept away.0 Nevertheless, the silver fox did not stop shredding the ghost with her claws. The blood in her eyes flared from time to time, her mind seemingly lost to madness.0 "Big Sister! It's over!" Wang Sheng shouted as he jumped up onto the silver fox's back. "You can stop now!"0 A surge of orange-red light erupted from the fox. Qing Yanzi immediately called out, "Little Sheng, get back!"0 "It's alright, Master. Big Sister hasn't truly lost herself yet!"0 Wang Sheng simply sat down on her back and kept calling out to her. "Don't you want to find Daoist Master Lin Qinglin? Control yourself! When I become immortal, I promise I'll take you to him! Calm down already! Remember what you told me on the way here!"0 The fox suddenly jerked her head. She then looked up and let out a sorrowful wail. The fluctuating aura around her instantly disappeared; she had sealed off her own cultivation realm.0 With a silver flash, she transformed back into human form. Wang Sheng, now with nothing beneath him, flipped in the air and landed on the ruins below.0 Xi Lian had passed out, curled up and completely bare in a corner of the rubble.0 Her long silver hair barely covered the essential parts of her body. Wang Sheng immediately retrieved the Flowing Celestial Robe from his Crane-Spirit Treasure Pouch and draped it over her.0 Just as he was about to stand up, a soft hand grasped his wrist. Xi Lian slowly opened her charming eyes, her demeanor unusually gentle. "Little Fei Yu…"0 "I'm here, Big Sister. Don't worry. I'll train as hard as I can and become immortal someday!"0 "Quick, get me some water to rinse my mouth. That thing was disgusting…"0 Wang Sheng could not help laughing and crying at once. When he asked for a drink, a Daoist master tossed over a bottle of mineral water.0 Mu Wanxuan also rushed over to help. No one else dared approach; they all sat cross-legged a bit farther away.0 "Oh, come on!" Zhang Zikuang flopped onto the ground. He then muttered, "Watch, in a moment there's going to be another beam of immortal light—"0 Yan Zhengnan immediately lunged forward and covered his mouth. After chuckling, he scolded, "Don't jinx it. Who could handle that?"0 Zhang Zikuang gave a sheepish grin. "Heh."0 Two elderly monks nearby chanted a Buddhist verse and closed their eyes to meditate, quickly restoring their qi. Though the battle had been tough, two powerful allies had joined them. Now, their priority was to recover and prepare to explore the Eighteen Levels of Hell.0 Mu Wanxuan helped Xi Lian rinse her mouth, while Qing Yanzi casually formed a dark-golden concealment array, giving Xi Lian privacy to change clothes. Afterward, he sat down in a lotus position as well.0 "Master, let me transfer some primal qi to you. We'll both recover faster that way," Wang Sheng offered.0 Qing Yanzi simply smiled and shook his head. "Just keep watch. I'm not old enough to need you to feed me primal qi yet."0 Wang Sheng smiled back helplessly. Holding Spiritless, he surveyed the surroundings while quietly replenishing his enchanted power.0 Qing Yanzi removed his wristband and tossed it to Wang Sheng. "Get in touch with them. Let them know we're fine now, and have them send over the mapped layout of the Eighteen Levels of Hell."0 "Got it." Wang Sheng took the wristband and began fiddling with it. It was clearly a high-grade item, far more functional than the one he had lost who-knew-where.0 He soon established contact with the transfer station. There was no need to tell them that the situation was under control since the drones in the sky had already sent back real-time footage of the area.0 Speaking of which, what kind of battery do those military drones use? Their battery life is insane.0 Soon, the wristband received new data. It even had a 3D projection feature, casting a miniature, three-dimensional layout of the Eighteen Levels of Hell before him.0 The Eighteen Levels of Hell looked like an inverted pagoda wedged between the sides of a chasm. The areas already explored were marked in white. The unexplored ones were gray. The first seven levels had turned a light green, indicating that they were now safe.0 As Wang Sheng gestured, the projection rotated left and right, up and down. Worried about draining the wristband's battery, he quickly shut it off after studying the layout for a while. 0 "How long will it take you all to recover?" Xi Lian asked from nearby. She had reverted to the form of a young maiden and changed into one of Mu Wanxuan's traditional dresses.0 Though the hem dragged on the ground and the waist was a bit tight, the upper part… fit perfectly.0 "Around two hours," Wang Sheng replied.0 "Same here," Mu Wanxuan responded softly. 0 She then sat beside Wang Sheng and Qing Yanzi. As long as her yin and yang qi remained balanced, she could replenish her enchanted power quickly. For someone like her, shifting yin and yang was hardly a challenge.0 While Mu Wanxuan focused on recovery, Xi Lian winked and playfully smiled at Wang Sheng, her expression full of unspoken meaning.0 Unsure of what she meant, he simply smiled kindly at her. 0 Xi Lian winked again. Wang Sheng frowned.0 Is she trying to make me take responsibility? Sure, I saw her naked earlier, but I barely glanced before covering her. Does that already count? Wasn't society during the Tang Dynasty supposed to be pretty open-minded? Daoist Master Lin Qinglin, what should I do? Ah, no. I already have my senior sister. I must not allow the half-immortal fox to tempt me.0 Xi Lian pointed to the eleven great palaces floating on the horizon, licking her lips in delight. "Wanna sneak to the Yen Yanluo Palaces and the Stone of Reincarnation for a look? Aren't you curious?"0 Wang Sheng cleared his throat. "Uh, I'll check with the officials and the Hidden Earth Sect."0 The grand elder of the Hidden Earth Sect smiled. "If the two of you want to go up and look around, now's the time. There are barriers protecting the Ten Yanluo Palaces and the Palace of Reincarnation, though. You might end up coming back empty-handed."0 "How would we know if we don't try?" Xi Lian rolled her eyes and beckoned to Wang Sheng.0 Wang Sheng smiled helplessly. He summoned a flying sword for her to step on barefoot, while he stood on Flying Haze.0 "Everyone, rest here for now. I'll accompany Senior Xi Lian on a short trip," Wang Sheng said.0 "Just take a look; don't touch anything that the immortals have left behind," Qing Yanzi warned. 0 Wang Sheng nodded. Leaving the wristband behind, the two were just about to take off when Mu Wanxuan, now partially recovered, leaped up and landed on Ice Crystal. 0 She was curious about what the female immortal had said regarding reincarnation; that was the only reason she wanted to join them. It definitely had nothing to do with wanting to stay close to her junior brother.0 Qing Yanzi waved them off, allowing the three to go together. Perhaps they would discover something important up there.0 The two elders of the Hidden Earth Sect simply smiled in silence. As guardians of the Small Nether Realm, they did not attempt to stop them.0 Surely the restrictions that the immortals of the Small Nether Realm had left behind would not—wait, didn't the female immortal remove the restrictions on the eleven great palaces?0 "Aye." Zhang Zikuang scooted over to sit beside the Hidden Earth Sect's grand elder and cheerfully pressed the elder's rising arm down. "Let the kids have their adventure. Fei Yu and Bu Yu both have good judgment. They won't stir up trouble."0 The elder of the Shu Sword Sect chuckled. "My sect is willing to vouch for our honorary elder."0 "Ah, well…" The grand elder sighed. He exchanged a look and a bitter smile with the second elder.0 All they could do now was let Wang Sheng and the others go.0