leuan paused, then drew a jet-black token from his pouch. Twisted demonic markings crawled across its surface, exhaling a chill that pricked the skin. “This is the Demon Summoning Token I found among the late emperor’s relics. It is said to be able to communicate with the demonic soul sealed within. That, combined with Malevolent Path Hall’s Soul Corrosive Array and the blood essence of three hundred Earthly Immortal Realm cultivators, we might just be able to rip a seam in that ancient seal.’ Greed flashed across Stebarin’s crimson pupils as they locked on the ominous token.

After a long, tense breath, he nodded. “Very well. I will trust you just this once. Let’s meet at Netherworld Abyss tomorrow. If the plan fails, don’t blame me for being heartless!”

With that, Stebarin dissolved into a torrent of black mist and seeped through the stone wall, leaving only silence in his wake.

leuan watched the darkness vanish, a knife-edged smile carving his lips. “When the demonic soul rises, its first feast will be you, Stebarin!” he whispered.

Soon, a new day arrived.

Netherworld Abyss was Celestia’s most secretive forbidden ground, gaped beneath a sky of ashen clouds. Icy air wafted from the bottomless dark, and suspended at its heart hovered a colossal golden dome engraved with ancient runes. That, of course, was the seal that pinned the demonic soul to the void.

Beyond the shimmering barrier, leuan and Stebarin had etched a vast formation into the frost-bitten rock, its lines humming with grim intent.