Xu Fang relentlessly pursued Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva from behind, the glimmering Immortal-Slaying Flying Blade illuminating the path. Ksitigarbha dared not look back!

  Remembering how Lu Ya had shone during the Investiture of the Gods with the Immortal-Slaying Flying Blade, it was well-known across the Three Realms that only a few powerful beings could withstand its might, leaving most trembling in fear!

  For instance, the Tathagata knew of the blade's true power; thus, he believed Xu Fang could not kill him.

  Unfortunately, Xu Fang's cultivation had delivered him a significant surprise!

  Ksitigarbha, however, lacked the Tathagata's insight. He had never witnessed the true power of the Immortal-Slaying Flying Blade. The fear he held towards it stemmed from Lu Ya's previous display of its brilliance.

  Now, as Xu Fang unveiled the blade, Ksitigarbha had no choice but to flee!

  But Xu Fang was right on his tail, which fueled Ksitigarbha's growing anger!

  Upon entering the Netherworld, he had commanded fear, his Buddhist light overwhelming, creating an air of superiority!

  Now, fleeing from Xu Fang, Ksitigarbha resembled a drenched dog, a stark irony indeed!

  “This fool has offended the Ancestor of the River of the Underworld; now he likely must escape to the Blood Sea of the Netherworld!”

  As Ksitigarbha fled, he pondered.

  With Xu Fang pursuing him, returning to the West was impossible. His only hope lay in the Blood Sea of the Netherworld!

  After all, the Blood Sea was the territory of the Asura Clan!

  And Xu Fang had a significant grudge against the Asuras!

  Having killed Tianwei, the foster son of the Ancestor of the River of the Underworld, and dispatched a manifestation of Tianbo, these deeds surely hadn’t escaped the Tathagata's notice!

  The Tathagata had urged Ksitigarbha to eliminate Xu Fang, sharing these facts, but the one detail he omitted was that Xu Fang possessed the Immortal-Slaying Flying Blade!

  Thus, if Ksitigarbha could lure Xu Fang into the Blood Sea, he could use the Asura’s strength to eliminate him!

  With this thought, Ksitigarbha’s escape became even more desperate!

  ……

  As Ksitigarbha fled, countless vengeful spirits and ghostly emissaries watched in bewilderment.

  They all recognized Ksitigarbha!

  For years, he had presided over the eighteen hells, his Buddhist teachings profound, inherently suppressing ghostly beings. To them, Ksitigarbha was an invincible force!

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  Yet now, he appeared to be running like a scared dog…

  The one pursuing Ksitigarbha must be a formidable figure known throughout the Three Realms!

  Due to Ksitigarbha’s long-standing position in the eighteen hells, the Buddhist sect had long aimed to infiltrate the Netherworld, seeking to control reincarnation, which had drawn the ire of its ghostly inhabitants.

  Seeing Ksitigarbha in such a disheveled state, they couldn't help but cheer!

  If only they had the strength, they might just charge at Ksitigarbha as well!

  ……

  Endlessly surrounded by countless vengeful spirits, Ksitigarbha dared not pause, leading Xu Fang toward the Blood Sea of the Netherworld.

  Yet Xu Fang felt no fear as he pursued.

  “Ha ha ha! You wretch, attempting to disrupt the Buddhist plans—I will not allow it! Now that you are in the Asura’s territory, let’s see you die…”

  Upon reaching the Blood Sea, Ksitigarbha suddenly halted, bursting into laughter!

  However, before he could finish, the bloodied waters of the Blood Sea began to churn violently!

  A group of blue-faced, fanged Asuras, covered in bone spikes, surged forth from the sea, quickly surrounding both Ksitigarbha and Xu Fang!

  “How dare you trespass into the Asura’s domain! Such boldness!”

  Ksitigarbha had long guarded the eighteen hells, partly to seize control of the Netherworld's reincarnation, and partly to block the Asura Clan!

  Thus, the Asuras harbored deep-seated animosity toward Ksitigarbha.

  Now that they encountered him, they showed no signs of friendliness!

  As for Xu Fang, he had once slain members of the Asura Clan and bore their blood on his hands. Anyone who intruded upon their territory deserved death!

  Countless Asuras continued to emerge from the Blood Sea, converging around Xu Fang and Ksitigarbha, encircling them tightly.

  The weakest among these Asuras were at the level of Mysterious Immortal, while the strongest had even reached the status of Supreme Golden Immortal!

  Xu Fang and Ksitigarbha's situation was growing increasingly perilous!

  Yet Ksitigarbha remained undaunted!

  His Buddhist powers inherently countered Asuras, so he felt no fear.

  Moreover, his goal was to use the Asuras to eliminate Xu Fang!

  Therefore, the higher the Asuras’ cultivation, the better!

  Once Xu Fang was slain, Ksitigarbha could unleash his light and escape from this place!

  However, just as Ksitigarbha was plotting in his mind, an unsettling feeling surged within him.

  He noticed that Xu Fang showed no signs of fear!

  In fact, a barely perceptible smile graced his face.

  This was all thanks to Xu Fang triggering another system task!

  “Ding! Congratulations, host, you have triggered a side quest: [Sign-In at the Blood Sea of the Netherworld]. Quest reward: Affinity with the Asura Clan, Mana +100.”

  The Affinity with the Asura Clan meant that, when facing the Asuras, they would inexplicably feel a strange sense of camaraderie towards him!

  “Sign in immediately!”

  Xu Fang instructed the system within his spiritual realm, and the system promptly complied.

  “Ding! Sign-in successful. Congratulations, host, you have gained the reward: Affinity with the Asura Clan, Mana +100.”

  In an instant, the attitudes of the encircling Asuras underwent a dramatic transformation!

  They sensed the blood of their fellow kin staining Xu Fang, and in their hearts, they believed the human cultivator and Ksitigarbha were equally guilty!

  Yet at that moment, for reasons unknown, they could not muster a shred of hostility towards Xu Fang!

  Conversely, all their ire was directed at Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva!

  Ksitigarbha was a figure of the Buddhist sect; to the Asura Clan, he was akin to a sworn enemy. Now that Ksitigarbha had intruded upon the Blood Sea, it played right into their hands!

  “Ksitigarbha! How dare you trespass into the Blood Sea of the Netherworld? You shall die!”

  “Ha ha ha! Ksitigarbha, instead of transcribing scriptures in hell, you dare to cross into my Blood Sea? You’re seeking death!”

  “Kill!”

  “Kill!”

  “Kill!”

  In an instant, countless Asura Clan members directed their full fury and murderous intent solely at Ksitigarbha!

  Ksitigarbha was momentarily stunned. He had ventured into the Blood Sea to use these Asuras as pawns, but why did it seem like they were entirely ignoring Xu Fang?

  “Are these fools blind? Can't they see Xu Fang's hands are stained with the blood of their kin?”