"Going to the other sectors, we simply won't be able to reach the central area directly—absolutely impossible. There's no choice but to follow later and make our way there. Be careful not to be noticed. Once inside, as long as we take advantage of the time he's searching for treasures in this sector, we'll still be able to enter the central area ahead of him." Xiao Ming thought carefully and spoke slowly. "That's all we can do. However, the area chosen by the Three Sacred Witches of the Wuzhong Sect seems no ordinary choice—it appears to be the Blood Prison where Tian Ding True Person once used to contain his great adversary." Qingping Dharma Master nodded, then added with a touch of concern. "Of course we've noticed that. But right now, our current divisions prevent us from making it there ourselves. Though there may be precious relics left behind by past masters within the Blood Prison, it's still a matter of compromise when compared to securing the central area earlier." Xiao Ming furrowed his brows. "It's truly a pity." According to the lineage scriptures I have inherited, the Blood Prison originally subdued several ancient masters whose abilities and prowess were nearly on par with Tian Ding Zhiren. Though they have since passed away, the teachings and treasures they left behind are surely no ordinary matter." Qingping expressed a sense of regret. "We originally intended to target the Blood Prison as our second key location. Qingping, did the Wu Ling Three Saints already head directly to this region? Wouldn't they also be aware of the Blood Prison's significance?" Wan Hua Lady asked with a gloomy expression. "That's hard to say. While Tian Ding Zhiren's lineage has only passed through my branch, we can't be certain that other powerful figures from his era left behind any traces. Back then, the Blood Prison was renowned, having once dominated the entire Xue Tian Continent." Qingping's face remained uncertain. "Well, if we can't manage the Blood Prison side, there's no need to speculate further. The time has come—let us proceed. Xiao Ming glanced at the area where Han Li had first entered, and as the booming sounds gradually faded, he spoke solemnly. The Wan Hua Lady and Qingping Daoist naturally offered no objections. Thus, the three of them together activated their flight spells and surged into the region enclosed by the blue light curtain, though their chosen points were far removed from Han Li’s initial entry. “Cold. Extremely cold,” Han Li said, floating above a world covered in blue downy snow, his face displaying a strange expression. Sensing the unusual chill radiating from all around, even some parts of his body had the protective luminous aura of his spirit shield pierced by the cold, forming delicate blue frost crystals. Since the refinement of his Buddhist-Saint True Magic Power, such intense cold had been rare. Clearly, this region had created an environment of exceptional cold, indicating that its seal was far more powerful than those encountered in the earlier areas. After remaining still and suspended in place for a long time, Han Li suddenly heard a soft "pffft" sound as a layer of silvery flame instantly emerged on his body, instantly dispelling the previously piercing cold. As Han Li moved forward, his form gently drifting ahead, a sudden gust of wind surged from all directions. The dense snowflakes instantly solidified, forming thousands of blue ice sparrows that materialized seemingly out of thin air. Upon spreading their wings, each sparrow emitted a burst of bright blue light. Han Li, sensing the power of these light orbs, slightly frowned. With a new hand gesture, the silver flame on his body surged even more intensely, now thicker and more robust than before. At that very moment, the light orbs surged densely and struck the silver flame, bursting forth one after another. The silver teeth and blue glow intertwined, forming a massive hurricane that surged skyward. In another expanse of ice and snow, at a different direction, the three figures of Xiao Ming had summoned a dozen treasures, engaged in fierce combat against a dozen blue giants each the size of small mountains. These giants could directly shape armor and various colossal weapons from the ice and snow they commanded, and even when suffering heavy damage, as long as a trace of their bodies remained, they could instantly reconstitute themselves using the vast snowfall, exhibiting a resilience that surpassed ordinary invincible bodies. Thus, despite the fact that Xiao Ming's trio possessed far greater strength than these giants, they were momentarily held in place, unable to advance. These crimson pillars appear ordinary from a distance, yet upon approaching and examining them closely, one can observe countless crimson skull heads embedded in their surfaces, with a steady flow of blood cascading from top to bottom. "Master Yu, have we indeed arrived at the right place? Is this truly the entrance to the Blood Hell?" an elder seated upon the back of a colossal centipede asked his companion beside him, his voice carrying a subtle undercurrent of apprehension. "Brother Wu, rest assured. You yourself witnessed our effortless breakthrough of the outer defenses earlier. This alone confirms that the ancient stele's account is largely authentic—this place is indeed where Tian Ding True Person once subdued a powerful adversary. Hehe, back then, our Wuzhao lineage's foremost master, 'Tian Wu Grandmaster,' and Tian Ding True Person engaged in a seven-day, seven-night battle, ultimately being subdued and imprisoned within the Blood Hell in a single lapse. Had it not been for that, with Tian Wu Grandmaster's exceptional qualifications and divine abilities, he would surely have ascended to the Immortal Realm that very year." Another elder seated upon the black giant scorpion spoke with confidence. "This place indeed seems rather strange, which is no surprise that Wu brother has been concerned. However, our cultivation follows the Wuzhao Dao techniques, which are quite distinct from ordinary cultivation methods—thus, Tian Ding True Person's inherited techniques may not prove particularly effective for us. On the other hand, if we can obtain the Wuzhao people's techniques and treasures within the Blood Prison, that would be immensely beneficial, possibly even opening the path to ascending to the Immortal Realm. Therefore, despite the risks involved, we must venture into the Blood Prison." The final, thin-featured elder spoke calmly. "Indeed. Unfortunately, the stone stele must have undergone some unforeseen event in the past, leaving nearly half of it missing, and only recording methods to overcome the outer barriers. If it had also detailed ways to breach the inner barriers, we could have felt secure indeed." The elder with the surname Yu sighed. "Heh, knowing the precise location of the Blood Prison is already quite a fortunate circumstance." Even if there are some formidable seals within, won't we be able to dispel them with our combined efforts?" The Wu-family elder chuckled. "Indeed, once we've arrived here, there's no way back now. However, the young man we encountered outside who possesses a giant ape's true body—his abilities are truly impressive. Had it not been for the interruption caused by the arrival of the Xiao elder and his companions, we actually intended to fully assimilate him into a blood-muscle automaton." The Yu-family elder nodded, then suddenly shifted the topic, pointing toward the earlier encounter with Han and his companions. "The giant ape form he manifested indeed has an exceptionally strong physical body, but his subsequent transformation bears a distinct resemblance to the techniques of the demonic sect. Even with our combined strength, we likely wouldn't be able to subdue him within a short time. The reason we feigned a fierce battle was precisely to prevent him—and the others—from entering the Blood Prison with us." "Now that we've adopted such a stiff stance, I'm sure no one else will bother making any further awkward moves," the elder with the Wu surname said, with a cold laugh. "This strategy has been carefully planned in advance, and it's certainly proving effective. While others may not pose a serious threat, within Tian Ding Palace, only Xiao Ming's three disciples truly threaten us. Xiao Ming was once known as the 'Wild Demon,' no ordinary Great Transcendent Elder. With Wan Hua Lady and Qingping Daoist supporting him, if a confrontation arises, we won't stand a chance." The last elder added, his eyes flashing. "Our spies stationed behind have not reported any updates—so it seems Xiao Ming and his party have not come down. They must have another objective in mind. That's exactly what we wanted. Now, we can fully concentrate our efforts on the Blood Prison." The Wu surname elder said, with a solemn, grim smile. But just as others intended to respond, the three colossal creatures, which had been advancing, suddenly all emitted a strange cry, halted in their progress, and lowered their bodies, adopting a vigilant stance. The three elders immediately turned pale, their bodies radiating shimmering hues as various treasures shot forth, spiraling and dancing to form protective shields around them. Their eyes flashed with sharp intensity as they focused intently upon the direction ahead. Yet none of them noticed that the blood flowing through the blood-red pillars within the hall was gradually thickening and turning a deep crimson. A soft, rustling sound came from ahead. A moment later, in the somewhat dim space ahead, scattered green flames appeared, followed by a multitude of peculiar bone butterflies, each about the size of a thumb. These bone butterflies shimmered with phosphorescent light, their bodies composed entirely of white bone, appearing most strange. Their numbers were indeed vast—over ten thousand in total. "Not good—these are Bone Butterflies! Retreat now!" As the Wu elder clearly saw the appearance of the bone butterflies, he suddenly cried out in alarm. The other two elders also instantly turned pale. Together, they urged their massive insects and nearly simultaneously launched themselves backward, fleeing in a swift retreat. The bone butterflies, silent and unobtrusive, surged upward and swiftly pursued them. In moments, they had escaped hundreds of paces—over a hundred times faster than when they had arrived. A series of strange, grating laughter rang out. On the previously still blood-red cylinders, blackish-red blood suddenly coagulated, then black mist surged upward, and suddenly, one by one, blood-colored skull heads shot out from the surfaces. As soon as these skulls emerged, they expanded in the wind, swelling into wheel-sized forms, and immediately began to emit strange cries, rushing straight toward the three elders and closing off their path. "These are blood spirits—formed from the refined essences of the fallen warriors in the Blood Prison of old." My elder brother, swiftly deploy your spirit-guiding technique. I and the other two will serve as your protectors, temporarily holding off the Bone-Eating Butterflies and these blood spirits for now." Although the Wu surname elder's face was not particularly bright, he remained calm and said this with composure. "Very good. Thank you both for your assistance." The Wu surname elder proved to be quite decisive; upon hearing this, he immediately agreed and, after halting his centipede beneath him, promptly shook out his sleeves and settled into a meditative posture. Instantly, one after another, black and green jade tablets flew out from within his body, swiftly assembling into an eerie magical array that supported and lifted his form.