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Trapped within the Scarlet Rock Forest, the Baleful Energy could not break free and eventually transformed into red rain, seeking to corrupt the forest and break open the dragons' Dragon Prison.

This also caused the sacrificed dragons to lose their sanity and become Fallen Dragons, periodically surfacing with resentment and unwillingness to attack the barriers they had once left behind.

"Since entering the Netherworld and regaining my senses, I will keep watch over this baleful entity. As long as it remains, I shall not depart." The Fallen Dragon's voice was icy. "Though I have fallen and taken this form, the duty I once carried will not be abandoned. You need not worry."

Ning Yuzhou nodded, as the Fallen Dragon's words matched his suspicions.

"Senior, did you once have an agreement with Tianshu Palace and the Wen family of Scarlet Forest Continent?"

The Fallen Dragon paused, its massive form coiling back around the stone pillar. "The Wen family are descendants of the Divine Lord Gouchen. He perished in the Three Realms War, and his descendants were scattered to the lower realm. The Gouchen Celestial Tome, formed from his bloodline, can connect the two realms. If the Dragon Prison I set can no longer hold back the red rain, the Wen family and Tianshu Palace would join forces to return me to the Netherworld."

"Is there more?"

The Fallen Dragon glanced at him again. "Tianshu Palace was responsible for bringing the Qingyu HeavenPassing Underworld Lantern into the Netherworld."

"Qingyu HeavenPassing Underworld Lantern? Is it a divine weapon made by the Qingyu Clan?" Ning Yuzhou asked.

The Fallen Dragon snorted. "You know quite a bit."

The little Qilin interjected, "I told Brother Ning! The underground palace I slept in also had a divine weapon left by the Qingyu Clan—the Qingyu Concealing Sun Lantern. But I gave it to the Star Map's spirit to help it recover."

Ignoring the little Qilin, the Fallen Dragon continued, "While the Qingyu Clan specialized in making divine weapons, they also created divine artifacts—the Qingyu HeavenPassing Underworld Lantern, guarded by Tianshu Palace."

Ning Yuzhou finally understood the mission borne by Tianshu Palace and the Wen family, as well as their plan to save the Scarlet Forest Continent.

He couldn't help but look at the Fallen Dragon, wanting to speak but ultimately remaining silent.

Having spoken so much, the Fallen Dragon grew impatient. "If there are no more questions, I will send you up now, so you won't be in the way."

Ning Yuzhou gave a slight nod. "Thank you for explaining, Senior. I have no further questions."

The Fallen Dragon snorted and uncoiled from the stone pillar, flying above the Red Lotus Karmic Fire. "Red Lotus Karmic Fire, lend me your flames."

From within the azure flames tinged with eerie crimson light, a childlike voice answered, "Are you really sending them away?"

"Why should I keep them here?" the Fallen Dragon retorted irritably.

The Red Lotus Karmic Fire said, "To talk, of course! With them here, you've spoken so much more."

"Nonsense! I was forced to speak by them."

"You're just embarrassed."

The Fallen Dragon ignored it—these brats never listen.

Knowing it couldn't change the Fallen Dragon's mind, the Red Lotus Karmic Fire said to Wen Qiao and the others, "Come see me sometime! Talk to me, about anything at all. It hasn't been this lively here in ages. I really enjoyed it... hehe~"

Being told "I like you" by the Sinful Karmic Fire would make any normal person's scalp tingle.

As the Sinful Karmic Fire, no living being wanted to go near it, enduring the torment of soul-scorching. Those who once sought to claim it ultimately fled, unable to bear the torment.

These two Human Cultivators were the only ones to come here since it became sentient.

The Red Lotus Karmic Fire was truly happy about their arrival.

Chapter 435

The Fallen Dragon resolved to use the Red Lotus Karmic Fire to open a path.

The Red Lotus Karmic Fire split off on its own a wisp of its flames, a mix of deep blue and crimson, which arced through the air before the Fallen Dragon opened its maw and swallowed it whole.

This was a strand of karmic fire willingly detached by the Red Lotus Karmic Fire. The Fallen Dragon isolated it with its Death Qi, ensuring it wouldn’t be burned by the flames.

Then, the Fallen Dragon snapped irritably at Wen Qiao and the others, "Are you not boarding yet?"

Watching it reluctantly lower its massive body, its enormous dragon eyes glinting icily as it stared at the two Human Cultivators, it was clear how unwilling it was. Yet no matter how reluctant, since it had agreed, it wouldn’t go back on its word.

The Baby Phoenix let out a cheerful chirp, flapping its tiny wings as it eagerly hopped onto the dragon’s fearsome head first.

"Cheep cheep~" The Baby Phoenix called out happily to Wen Qiao and Ning Yuzhou, as if beckoning them over.

Ignoring the Fallen Dragon’s displeasure, Wen Qiao happily pulled Ning Yuzhou along and vaulted onto its head—the safest spot. It seemed this Fallen Dragon was kind-hearted after all, choosing to protect them in the most secure place. Under normal circumstances, dragons would never allow any creature other than their mates or offspring to climb onto their heads.

Seething with irritation, the Fallen Dragon only wanted to send them away as quickly as possible. Without wasting words, its magnificent form surged upward into the air.

From the fiery pool below, the uncanny flame-formed red lotus suddenly surged upward, its childish voice calling out, "You must come back to play with us later~"

Wen Qiao waved at it. "If we get the chance, we’ll come visit you. Keep up the good work!"

"Very well~ I won’t let any Baleful Energy escape to harm people~"

Ning Yuzhou merely smiled without responding.

The Fallen Dragon cut short their farewells, swiftly darting into a passageway.

The little qilin clamped onto its tail, grunting with effort as it clambered up the dragon’s body.

The Fallen Dragon moved at incredible speed. In an instant, the surrounding space became filled with dark evil qi.

Within the black mist, ghostly shapes flickered, as if cultivators were active there.

When those figures sensed the presence of Human Cultivators and lunged forward, Wen Qiao and the others tensed.

These were cultivators whose flesh had completely withered, their gray-dead skin clinging to their bones, their eyes nothing but murky white orbs. When they opened their mouths to snarl, jagged rows of blackened fangs were revealed.

These were no longer normal cultivators—they had been transformed into monsters after being devoured by Baleful Energy. Devoid of reason, they acted purely on instinct, their entire bodies exuding a foul, malevolent aura, much like the thick Death Qi surrounding the Fallen Dragon.