Chapter 1796: The Secret of the Underworld Inheritance
The method for leaving was relatively simple. To ensure safety, the exit only led back to the second layer—specifically, the location of the Brilliant River.
The exit was currently located within this cavern, beneath the high platform, but it only teleported one to a specific spot in the second layer. At the Brilliant River, there was another exit— a safe, one-way passage to the outside. The hand seals and location to open it were also recorded within the jade slip.
The methods Yan Qingchen and the Ming sisters had used to enter the second layer were merely other routes left behind by Erya, acting as clues for descendants to find their way. Otherwise, had no one been able to find it, the inheritance she left behind would have been entirely useless. However, once one reached the third layer, it was a path of no return—only entry, no exit.
One had to obtain the true inheritance to leave. Otherwise, even if one found the fifth layer, any attempt to forcibly break the Netherworld Cleansing Nirvana restriction would result in the complete collapse of the space. The intruder would either be cast into the Endless Void or, more likely, be directly annihilated along with the restriction.
“Senior…”
At that moment, Ming Qi’s delicate voice rang in Li Yan’s ear, disrupting his thoughts.
Ming Yu, her eyes still red, also looked toward Li Yan. They had managed to regain some of their composure.
However, the scene before them looked different in their eyes. They saw the elder simply staring at the silver sand on the platform. Ever since reading the jade slip, he had remained silent, making the sisters’ hearts feel increasingly anxious.
“I see. So, the inheritance here consists of that silver sand?”
Li Yan finally withdrew his gaze. He noticed the look of inner struggle on Ming Qi’s face and instantly formed a suspicion.
“Yes, Sen… Senior…”
Ming Qi bit her lower lip with her snow-white teeth. Her voice was slightly unstable, carrying a heavy, difficult-to-utter hesitation.
“You wish to take all the silver sand for yourselves? That was not our agreement.”
Li Yan’s expression turned cold instantly.
“But… but the inheritance here is tru… truly scarce. Even if we take all of it back, it will be barely enough for our clan…”
“Tell me about this silver sand. If I find that you are hiding anything, there will be no room for negotiation. We will abide strictly by the Blood Covenant!”
Li Yan spoke expressionlessly. He truly wanted to know the function of the sand. He had tested such sand many times before and found it impossible to refine into a magical treasure. Currently, the greatest use he had found for it was increasing the power of the Fuxi Disk.
He made no attempt to hide his ignorance. Since they already knew he was a human cultivator, it was only natural that he would not know the secrets of their race.
Ming Qi and Ming Yu exchanged a look. The gray-robed elder had not yet violated the Blood Covenant. This sparked a glimmer of hope within them despite their wariness. They naturally wanted to find a way to obtain more of the silver sand.
Although this was an Immortal Underworld Phoenix inheritance, at its core, it was a treasure left by an ancient cultivator. Since they had entered together, it was the “Immortal Fortune” of all three. Had this been a treasure left by a human cultivator, they certainly wouldn’t have been willing to let the elder enjoy it alone. They had to make the elder understand this.
“This silver sand is our inheritance. Senior surely knows that our inheritance is, in truth, a bloodline inheritance. Therefore, it can be obtained by absorbing essence blood. This is the most common method used among the demon beast races, though the stability of such an inheritance is never certain. Senior likely already knows this, as one cannot be sure of obtaining all innate abilities this way. Our true inheritance, the most orthodox form, is passed down through offspring. This reproductive inheritance is the correct way to stimulate all innate abilities.
Beyond that, there are other, non-traditional methods of inheritance, though they are exceptionally painful. One can leave behind a heart, bone marrow, or even the soul. Among these, the inheritance with the best continuity is refined from one’s soul, essence blood, and bone marrow. This is the method that preserves the maximum amount of innate abilities. However, if the entire soul is left behind, that Immortal Underworld Phoenix will vanish completely, without even a trace of soul left to enter reincarnation. Therefore, generally, only a portion of the soul is used, allowing the cultivator to still enter the cycle of rebirth, though the pain of splitting the soul is far more cruel.
The silver sand here is the ‘Inheritance Marrow’ refined from essence blood, a portion of the soul, and bone marrow! And what is the function of bone marrow? It is the fundamental root that alters the bloodline of a body. As long as we take this silver sand back, we can allow a portion of our clansmen to refine it. This will fundamentally change our bloodline; this is the true awakening of our inheritance.
But this method is dangerous. Elder Erya’s bloodline was ancient and pure, and her cultivation was immensely high. To endure such pure and massive marrow entering one’s body… the mortality rate is high. It depends on an individual’s state of mind, resilience, and cultivation. Even with our clansmen’s constitution, the chance of death is no lower than sixty percent. If there were also a heart here, the success rate would be greatly increased. We originally speculated that this was a complete inheritance, but now, there is only the Inheritance Marrow. Elder Erya did not leave behind a refined heart. The mortality rate for our clansmen will certainly be significant. If we divide it fur… further, the number of clansmen who successfully obtain the inheritance will be very few. Once this silver sand merges into the bones, if the process fails, it becomes cluttered and impure, making it impossible to use again. So…”
Ming Qi gritted her teeth and revealed the secret.
They did not dare to risk deceiving Li Yan. This wasn’t because they lacked wit, but because after traveling with this elder, they knew exactly how difficult he was to deal with. The gray-robed elder had been watching their every move, and more importantly, he had read the jade slip, which confirmed that an inheritance was here. There were only two things in this stone room. Could they really claim the silver sand was useless and then quietly take it away? Only if the elder were a fool.
Furthermore, he had shown no sign of attacking. As long as there was a chance, she wouldn’t trigger the Netherworld Cleansing Nirvana. However, this matter had to be settled quickly. The Netherworld Cleansing Nirvana restriction was already beginning to dissipate now that it was open. Time was running out, and soon they would lose their final trump card.
“I see. So this silver sand is refined Inheritance Marrow! But since absorbing it alone is so dangerous, and the Fourth Elder said she was leaving an inheritance, why didn’t she also leave her heart? Wouldn’t that have made it much easier for descendants to obtain the bloodline inheritance?”
At that moment, Li Yan’s eyes flickered several times. A nameless wave surged in his heart once more.
He had never imagined that this silver sand was actually the bone marrow of an Immortal Underworld Phoenix—a special type of refined Inheritance Marrow. No wonder Donglin Tingyue and he had been unable to refine it into a magical treasure no matter how they tested it; it was meant for an entirely different purpose.
Bone marrow was the source of all blood in the body. This was truly a method to change the bloodline of a race from its very roots—a genuine form of inheritance distinct from reproduction. It seemed only a demon beast could have devised such a method. However, based on Ming Qi’s words, she was clearly speculating on certain matters or deducing them based on known facts.
Ideally, both the heart and the marrow should exist together. Li Yan wouldn’t miss this opportunity to clarify his doubts, and he asked without reservation.
Ming Qi saw that after listening to her explanation, Li Yan didn’t immediately demand a share of the sand but continued to press for details. These were core secrets of the clan that she shouldn’t have revealed, but the elder possessed the essence blood of their race, making him clearly more interested. Moreover, her words indeed seemed to contradict the jade slip, making it appear as if she were lying.
However, the question the elder asked was not a secret in comparison. On the contrary, answering it might dispel some of his intentions. Ming Qi answered immediately.
“As I mentioned before, the heart and the marrow are two parts of a whole inheritance method. But if the Inheritance Marrow method is used, the heart is merely an auxiliary aid; the marrow is the foundation! Does Senior remember what I said earlier? This marrow requires the clan’s secret refining method to be truly useful; simply extracting one’s own marrow is not enough. And if a complete inheritance is to be refined, the heart must also be refined. In that case, the Immortal Underworld Phoenix’s soul would be entirely consumed, and she would never be able to enter reincarnation again.
Elder Erya’s intent in the jade slip was clear: she was unwilling to truly perish in soul and body. Therefore, she left behind half of her soul and only refined her bone marrow, allowing herself to enter the path of reincarnation. Her heart, naturally, dissolved along with her physical body long ago! However, this dissolution must have been intentional. Otherwise, the physical body of a Body Integration stage Immortal Underworld Phoenix would have remained intact for tens of millions of years, even after death…”
At this point, Ming Qi paused, her expression turning somber, as if she were deeply moved.
Li Yan didn’t need her to explain this; he understood perfectly. As long as a cultivator was powerful, their physical body could exist for a very long time. Unless they suffered an unnatural death, they would generally choose to let their bodies dissolve or transform into feathers upon death. This was to prevent their corpses from being discovered and used for unknown purposes by others.
Elder Erya certainly didn’t want her body to fall into the hands of others, even members of her own race; to her, that would be a desecration. A powerful physical body might bring unnecessary trouble to one’s spirit after death.
Ming Qi was likely thinking of her own future, wondering if she could eventually dissolve her body as completely as Elder Erya. This touched a chord in her, but she quickly continued.
“Beyond Elder Erya’s desire to enter reincarnation, I can guess two other reasons she chose this path. If the silver sand fell into the hands of an outsider, even if they knew its use, attempting to absorb this marrow would result in certain death. This Inheritance Marrow is different from essence blood. It is said to be a transformation that traces back to the source; only an Immortal Underworld Phoenix can absorb it. Even for our own kin, attempting the process without the aid of a refined heart requires an exceptionally resilient state of mind. Only those who succeed can become true peak experts!”
“Oh? According to you, I cannot absorb this marrow?”
After hearing Ming Qi’s explanation, Li Yan’s aged face wore a look that was half-smiling, half-serious.
“This… I dare not make a final judgment. I do not know if an outsider who possesses the essence blood of our race can absorb it. I dare not speak recklessly! After all, while I carry the clan’s mission, the clan would not tell me and my sister every secret. Especially an unexpected situation like meeting you… even the Great Elder could not have anticipated this!”
Faced with Li Yan’s seemingly teasing interrogation, Ming Qi remained composed and frank.
Li Yan swept his gaze over Ming Qi and Ming Yu. For a moment, he couldn’t be sure if she was telling the truth. He suddenly asked again.
“Then, do you know what shape a heart takes once it is refined?”
As he asked, his gaze swept over the surroundings. Ming Qi saw this and knew he didn’t entirely believe her. She spoke helplessly.
“A heart, once refined, should be a river of blood. Aside from the silver sand and the jade slip, this stone room is empty. It couldn’t have just vanished into spiritual energy, could it?”
After saying this, both she and Ming Yu looked around helplessly at the empty cavern.
When Li Yan asked this question, he appeared to be scanning the room, but he was already mentally prepared. After hearing Ming Qi’s slightly frustrated reply, his expression froze for a moment before returning to normal.
But in reality, a voice was echoing incessantly in his mind.
‘So that’s it! It truly is so!’
Li Yan’s heart was pounding violently. He had to force himself to suppress it, making sure the two sisters didn’t notice anything unusual.
He finally confirmed one thing: he knew exactly what that mysterious river of blood in his possession was. It was actually the refined heart of an Immortal Underworld Phoenix.
The answer had struck him like a bolt of lightning the moment Ming Qi spoke of the inheritance secrets. Since the silver sand before him was the Inheritance Marrow, he naturally thought of his other treasure—the mysterious blood river that could produce ‘Coldfire.’
Li Yan had never understood where that mysterious blood river came from. Its magical properties had always made him want to investigate its origin. But he had searched through countless ancient records and jade slips to no avail.
The moment Ming Qi said that a refined heart took the form of a blood river, all the questions that had troubled Li Yan for so long were instantly resolved.
The flames he called Coldfire were actually Phoenix Flames—the flames of the heart’s blood, which was why they were of the ultimate Yang;
The reason the silver pages could dissolve into essence blood was that the blood river was the heart of the phoenix;
The reason the silver sand from Donglin Tingyue could eventually form the Fuxi Disk with the blood river was that they were both original components of a single creature’s body.
The ultimate Yang of the Phoenix Flames and the ‘Yin from extreme Yang’ of the bone marrow were the perfect balance of Yin and Yang. This was the exact meaning of the Heavenly Dao that the Yin-Yang Chaos Sect sought to obtain!