The sky quietly drifted down with snow.
White snow.
White snow blanketed the land that had long been divided but was now mostly unified.
The people of the Mortal World seemed to have finally awaited the dawn in the darkness, watching the light snow gently brush the fields with "salt frost."
A timely snow promises a good harvest, no matter how harsh the past, spring will always come.
They cried and laughed, their expressions complex yet joyful, looking forward to the new year.
And in the Puppet Sect, which the common people might view as a land of Immortals and Demons, there was also joy.
No!
It wasn’t the Puppet Sect that was joyous, but three people who were.
In the secret chamber, Gong Libai, usually the most ruthless and cruel, was now filled with an uncontrollable ecstasy; he hadn’t been this happy for a long time.
The last time was when he was accepted as a disciple by Gu Huangzi.
Now, in the secret room, Gong Libai was pacing like he had a disorder, rubbing his hands constantly, muttering: "Dead?"
"Truly dead?"
"Really dead?"
"How is it possible?"
"Hahaha, wonderful, wonderful!"
"Hahaha..."
"Wait, could it be faked?"
"Old Demon Song is incredibly cunning, even more so than Gu Huangzi, could it be an act?"
He was incoherent, experiencing a range of emotions, a sign of intense agitation.
Imagine you had resigned to being someone else’s dog for life, unable to turn your fate, but suddenly one day your master dies, the hand holding the leash loosens. Are you surprised, happy? Yet, this sudden freedom fills you with a touch of fear because your fear of your master is ingrained deep within you. Even seeing your master dead, you still find it hard to believe.
In the other corner of the secret chamber sat a tall dark shadow, a burly figure with short hair and a vicious face, appearing to ponder deeply. When he glanced up, his tone lost all warmth, his words devoid of the "me" idiom, replaced by a suppressed cruelty.
"We saw him enter a terrifying place, and Elder Zhang Han was dragged in as well. Afterward... I heard Zhang Han say something about perishing together, vanishing in soul."
Blood Cliff picked up the conversation, saying: "Then, the Cold Ice Hell Bracelet shattered, and the ghosts within perished. As a result, our three Cold Prison Floating Life Bracelets broke free and are now independent entities."
Bronze Whiskers laughed bitterly: "I thought we were ruthless enough, but compared to those old guys, we’re still lacking. Old Demon Song, Old Demon Zhang Han really taught us a lesson."
The three, although not participating in the great battle, understood little of its processes but intervened during the soul fight, learning a lot just from fragmented words.
Gong Libai was both happy and nervous beside them, suddenly asking: "What is the Sea of Suffering?"
Blood Cliff glanced at him, paused, and said: "I’ve heard this legend."
He clapped with joy.
For he had recognized the horror of the Sea of Suffering.
Anyone who falls in cannot possibly survive.
Blood Cliff’s wise old eyes shifted, and she said gravely, "This matter is known only to the three of us, and in the future, we are destined to be allies together. Now, let’s go take a look."
When they act, they act decisively, quickly reaching the Evil Land Core.
Yet, the core’s upheaval hasn’t ceased.
Previously, sixteen Elders barely managed to enter; now with just three, it’s extremely difficult.
After advancing several miles, Gong Libai was the first to be unable to bear it, requesting to return to the original place.
Blood Cliff and Bronze Whiskers also felt that continuing like this might lead to severe injury before discovering anything, so they retreated as well.
The three exchanged glances.
Bronze Whiskers took a deep breath and said in a booming voice, "Master, we are here to help you!"
His voice thundered into the core of the Evil Land but was met with silence, as if cast into the sea with no echo.
Blood Cliff said, "Let’s wait for now, until the upheaval calms slightly, then we’ll venture inside."
Bronze Whiskers gazed at the stormy world of the Slaughter Liquid, speaking in a pot-like voice, "We have no other choice."

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