"So that’s how it is..."

Sima Yan immediately understood in his heart.

This dark green stone block is actually a rare artifact that can store memories within it for a certain period.

He had anticipated the chance to retrieve his storage bag upon his rebirth through the Yin Wood Dharma Body, so he had prepared in advance.

At this moment:

He recovered all missing memories, from entering the Nether Abyss to being ambushed and killed, he knew it all clearly.

"Hmm..."

Sima Yan pondered for a moment, then looked at Zhang Yao and the Nether Abyss Ancestor, and spoke:

"Fellow Daoist Mingyuan, Fellow Daoist Qingxu."

"Many thanks to both of you for your assistance, I have retrieved the memories of my true self."

As he spoke, he paused for a moment, a hint of coldness creeping into his tone:

"I wonder if the two of you are willing to join forces with me to slay that Ascendant Tianying?"

Upon hearing this:

Zhang Yao and the Nether Abyss Ancestor exchanged glances, seeing the surprise in each other’s eyes.

They hadn’t expected that while they were still discussing how to gain Sima Yan’s trust and ally with him, he would proactively suggest teaming up!

Isn’t this like having someone offer a pillow when you’re sleepy?

"It seems he’s left some critical things in the storage bag..."

Zhang Yao’s mind raced with some speculation.

"That would certainly be the best!"

The Nether Abyss Ancestor laughed heartily and agreed readily.

"Good, then it’s decided!"

Upon hearing this, Sima Yan spoke solemnly.

Actually, for him, retrieving the storage bag was already a pleasant surprise, there was no need to risk going back to the Nether Abyss.

But he just couldn’t swallow his anger!

Being able to achieve the Golden Core Realm, every cultivator is a person of firm resolve, once Sima Yan made a decision, he naturally wouldn’t change it.

Soon:

Sima Yan’s incarnation disappeared, the ’true self’ of the Yin Wood Dharma Body emerged from the dark, arriving at the Li Yuan Sect’s mountain gate.

Zhang Yao and the Nether Abyss Ancestor sent others away, went to the rear hall for a private meeting with Sima Yan, and prepared to formulate various tactics and strategies against Ascendant Tianying.

During this period:

The Nether Abyss Ancestor finally revealed the truth about the underworld and the Zhuoxiu Tribe to Sima Yan.

After all, Sima Yan has now become their ally, he would have to enter the deep underworld sooner or later, hiding it wasn’t going to work, better to reveal it early.

"This..."

Sima Yan’s expression shifted several times, clearly shocked and shaken to the core.

"So that’s the truth..."

His eyes were dazed, muttering to himself:

"So the so-called Shadow Incarnation of Ascendant Tianying, and the secret behind his ability to control the Black Death Beast, are all means of the Zhuoxiu Tribe!"

Sima Yan came back to his senses, his gaze turned cold, and he spoke:

"As the saying goes, know your enemy and know yourself, and you can fight a hundred battles without danger."

"Now, his methods have been mostly exposed, and we still hold an advantage in this aspect."

He paused here, looking towards Zhang Yao and the Nether Abyss Ancestor, pointing to himself:

"Especially my existence!"

"He doesn’t have foresight, naturally, he wouldn’t know that I can be reborn through the Yin Wood Dharma Body. In his calculations, he likely only counted on you two opposing him."

"When we penetrate the extreme depths, if I can stay hidden and strike at the crucial moment, perhaps I can achieve great merit with one move!"

Zhang Yao pondered for a moment, then nodded:

"That indeed is a feasible route, at least it can catch him off guard."

"But more importantly, we must consider how to slay his true self, especially given that..."

The three discussed for more than half an hour, laying down several initial strategies before concluding their discussion.

Zhang Yao, the Nether Abyss Ancestor, and Sima Yan left the rear hall, continuing their previous action of modifying the grand array. With Sima Yan’s addition, the efficiency was naturally higher.

Several hours later.

With the tireless efforts of over a dozen Golden Core Cultivators, the grand array of the Li Yuan Sect’s mountain gate was reconstructed and reforged at the fastest speed.

After Zhang Yao’s testing, it was confirmed capable of withstanding an assault by over a dozen, even twenty Golden Core Cultivators, or three or four Late-stage Golden Core Powerhouses, holding out for at least several months.

Such a long time is enough for Jiuhua Ancestor to complete the refinement of the Sun Burning Celestial Sunflower and make a done deal, moreover, if everything goes smoothly, Zhang Yao and the others could return in just two or three days.

......

"Boom!" "Boom!"...

Five beams of escape light streaked across the sky, returning to the entrance of the Nether Abyss.

Zhang Yao, Sima Yan, and the Nether Abyss Ancestor flew side by side, followed by two mid-stage Golden Core Cultivators who seemed to be puppet corpse refinements.

Sima Yan seemed to notice the anomaly of these two, but wisely chose not to speak, pretending not to see.

A moment later:

The group’s escape light broke through the Black Tide smoothly, arriving at the first zone, pressing forward without stopping.

Half an hour later:

"Boom..."

The group’s escape light slowly came to a halt.

The surrounding Primordial Magnetic Power significantly intensified in suppression as they approached the third magnetic barrier.

Breaking through this layer of magnetic barrier leads to the infamous extreme depths of the Nether Abyss, a vast, magnificent underworld described by the Nether Abyss Ancestor.

Along the way, as they headed straight for the magnetic barrier, they hadn’t encountered other Golden Core Cultivators.

"That old coot Ascendant Tianying is probably waiting for us beneath this magnetic barrier."

Sima Yan sneered, looked at Zhang Yao, and spoke:

"Fellow Daoist Qingxu, let’s proceed according to plan."

"Hmm."

Zhang Yao nodded and spoke:

"Then let’s see what skills you have, Fellow Daoist Sima."

"Hahaha..."

Sima Yan laughed heartily, and suddenly a radiant dark green glow emanated from his body.

In the blink of an eye:

His entire body disappeared, and all that was left in place was a dry, blackened piece of wood, showing no signs of life.

"What a remarkable technique!"

Zhang Yao praised, with a wave of his sleeve, he collected the dry blackened wood.

This transformation technique didn’t seem to be Sima Yan’s Divine Technique, but rather a method of his reborn Yin Wood Dharma Body, yet it was exceedingly exquisite, even Divine Thought could hardly detect any flaw.

This kind of effect could likely deceive Ascendant Tianying’s insight and play a crucial role at a key moment.

Meanwhile, on the other side:

"Crack... Crack..."

Those two figures in black robes suddenly made a series of crisp sounds.

Their black robes suddenly shattered and drifted away like tattered strips of cloth, revealing the bodies beneath.

At that moment, Zhang Yao realized with surprise that these two were neither corpse refinements nor puppets, but actually two suits of armor!

Looking closely:

These two suits of armor were hollow with no one inside, yet they exuded an aura as if they were alive. When cloaked in the black robe, no one could associate them with dead objects.

"This is..."

Zhang Yao displayed a hint of astonishment and looked at the Nether Abyss Ancestor.

"This is one of the fortuitous encounters I had during my adventures on the Celestial Continent in my earlier years."

The Nether Abyss Ancestor slowly began to explain for the first time:

"These two suits of armor are said to be creations of an obscure school from the Ancient Era, capable of various wondrous uses, especially the means to substitute death is remarkable."

As he mentioned this, a hint of regret appeared in his eyes:

"Unfortunately, their level is not high enough. If their strength matched that of the ’Delusional Guard Armor’ comparable to the middle stage of the Golden Core, we wouldn’t have to fear Ascendant Tianying today!"

Zhang Yao’s expression shifted slightly, and he spoke:

"Are you planning to take them both into the extreme depths?"

The third layer of the Magnetic Barrier had long been breached by the fearsome Black Tide, theoretically allowing any Golden Core Stage Cultivator to descend.

However, most cultivators in the early to middle stages of the Golden Core lacked the strength to handle the perils of the extreme depths, with dire consequences anticipated, so few chose to venture downwards.

People as ruthless as the Nether Abyss Ancestor in those days were extremely rare.

Even among the current explorers, few dared to attempt such a feat due to Ascendant Tianying’s antics, extinguishing any thoughts of delving into the extreme depths.

"Of course not."

The Nether Abyss Ancestor shook his head and said:

"They require my focused control, otherwise their movements will be extremely rigid and robotic, unable to exert much power."

"Ascendant Tianying is old and crafty, with incredible strength. In a fierce battle, I can’t spare the mind to control them, turning these two Delusional Guard Armors into useless scrap!"

He took a deep breath before continuing slowly:

"I plan to employ a different method to unleash the power of these two armors!"

His words had just fallen:

"Boom!"

The two black suits of armor suddenly burst apart, transforming into different components and floated in mid-air.

"Assemble!"

The Nether Abyss Ancestor cast a spell, commanding the two suits of Delusional Guard Armor to dash towards himself and Zhang Yao.

Zhang Yao, registering this movement, did not resist, allowing the black armor to attach itself to him, assembling instantly and enclosing his entire body within.

"Hoo..."

The Nether Abyss Ancestor let out a breath, perspiring slightly on the forehead, seemingly expending a fair amount of magical power.

"It’s done!"

He exhaled turbid qi and said:

"I have fully activated the potential of these two Delusional Guard Armors this time!"

"With the support of the Delusional Guard Armors, both our magical battle capabilities have been slightly enhanced, and our defensive capabilities significantly increased."

"However, this thing is ultimately only at the middle stage of the Golden Core, markedly lacking compared to the late stage, serving merely as an auxiliary support, not as reliance."

"That will be enough!"

Zhang Yao smiled slightly and said:

"With these two Delusional Guard Armors and the assistance of Fellow Daoist Sima, even if Ascendant Tianying is ferocious, he won’t escape death!"

"I hope so!"

The Nether Abyss Ancestor’s eyes bore unresolved worry, but then he resolutely fixed his gaze:

"Let’s go!"

As the words were spoken:

"Boom!" "Boom!"

Zhang Yao and the Nether Abyss Ancestor simultaneously propelled themselves using Escape Light, charging fiercely towards the Magnetic Barrier below!

In an instant:

Zhang Yao felt his whole body tremble as if it shook thousands of times in a moment, his flesh, bones, nearly coming apart.

This third layer of the Magnetic Barrier was incredibly formidable, even now with its power merely a tenth of its original by the Black Tide’s breach, it could still disintegrate any cultivator below the Golden Core Stage, resulting in a gruesome death on the spot!

In what felt like both a brief moment and a time span of several days:

"Hoo!"

Zhang Yao felt a sudden lightness around him, arriving in a whole new territory.

Just as he penetrated the extreme depths, with no time to use his eyes or divine thought to discern the surroundings:

"Boom!"

A powerful palm suddenly crossed a mere three feet gap, striking him hard on the body!

"Die!!"