Emperor Ming's divine spear, imbued with all of Xu Xiwang's power, pierced through the four enormous heads.

The monster's enormous body shattered again, splitting into the forms of Ox-Head, Horse-Face, and the Black and White Impermanence.

At this moment, they were so weak and disheveled, like candles that could be extinguished at any moment.

The four men were nailed to a towering ancient tree, their blood flowing and dripping onto the tree's branches.

The monster's body gradually dimmed, eventually turning into specks of light that dissipated in the wind.

Xu Xiwang collapsed to the ground, breathing heavily.

"Thank...thank you..."

Xu Xiwang said weakly.

He felt as if his whole body was falling apart, and the pain was excruciating.

"Cough cough~!"

He coughed a few times, and a mouthful of blood spilled from his mouth.

How are you?

Tuoba Yan Yan asked hurriedly.

Xu Xiwang shook his head: "It's nothing..."

"Go and take them out. I'll be fine after a rest. Don't let them recover."

Xu Xiwang forced himself to stand up.

Tuoba Yan Yan raised her longsword and walked towards the four Ghost Palace protectors. After killing them all, she threw the sword aside, then helped Xu Xiwang up. Looking at his pale face, she frowned and a look of worry flashed in her eyes.

She dared not touch Xu Xiwang, fearing that transferring her strength to him would worsen his injuries.

Are you really okay?

Xu Xiwang shook her head, "I'm fine!"

His voice trembled slightly, but he still forced himself to stay focused.

After resting for a while, the two continued on their way.

Along the way, they encountered quite a few ghosts, but they were all small fry and not particularly strong.

Two days later.

Xu Xiwang and Tuoba Yanyan finally arrived at a river filled with ghostly flames. The river water was an eerie dark green, like a piece of jade floating on the green surface, emitting a cold, eerie light.

Red phosphorescence flickered in the river from time to time, which looked particularly terrifying. Even the bluestone slabs under their feet could be clearly seen burning with phosphorescence.

Where is this place?

Xu Xiwang looked around and frowned. They stopped at the edge of a cliff, with a deep canyon below.

This place seems exactly like the legendary hell!

"I don't know either, but this river is called the 'River Styx.' Legend has it that ten thousand years ago, in the Nine Nether Hells, a fierce battle took place, resulting in countless deaths and injuries. In the end, the River Styx was polluted, and the souls of this world were no longer pure. Moreover, the temperature of this river is very strange; it can burn everything in the world. Anything that comes into contact with the river's water will turn into pus and blood."

Tuoba Yanyan whispered.

"Holy crap? That's dangerous? Is there a detour? Can't we just not go this way?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Xiwang couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth.

"This is the only way to reach the Land of Broken Souls."

Tuoba Yan Yan shook her head, "Passing through here means leaving the Ghost Palace's territory and truly entering the most forbidden place in the Nine Nether Hell."

"Then this river..."

Xu Xiwang pointed to the river.

"I can't do anything about this river. If we had a boat, perhaps we could give it a try."

Tuoba Yan Yan sighed softly, a hint of helplessness flashing in her eyes.

Let's go!

Tuoba Yan Yan held Xu Xiwang's hand and climbed up the riverbank.

Countless corpses floated on the river, the stench of decay growing stronger and more nauseating.

"Look, there seems to be a small raft over there."

Xu Xiwang looked into the distance and exclaimed with delight.

"Um."

Tuoba Yan Yan responded and, with Xu Xiwang in tow, quickly walked away.

The small raft drifted on the river, and it took an unknown amount of time before it finally reached the shore.

Xu Xiwang remained somewhat wary. He took out a top-grade spiritual weapon and gently threw it into the river. The sword, which could cut through iron like mud, instantly melted into water.

Xu Xiwang's eyes widened.

This is a top-grade spiritual artifact!

It was melted so easily?