The Soul Severing Bridge was not a true bridge, but rather an alternative name for an extremely perilous stretch of the San Tu River surrounding Fengdu. The river surface here was wide, the currents unpredictable and swift, the riverbed densely packed with hidden reefs, and it was permeated by a "Soul Severing Baleful Qi" capable of eroding Soul Bodies. Spanning the river was only one ancient suspension bridge, constructed of countless massive chains connected by rotten wooden planks. It was one of the mandatory paths leading toward the Sea of Blood and served as an outpost where Fengdu's official forces monitored movements in the Sea of Blood.
When Judge Lu arrived at the head of the Soul Severing Bridge, guided by the Unity Talisman, it was already the time of "dusk" （ when the Nether Sun's radiance dimmed ）. The Yin Wind howled, causing the suspension bridge to shake violently, emitting a grating "creak." Below the bridge, the blood-yellow San Tu River Water roared and surged, churning up countless vortices, as if countless wronged souls were struggling within.
On one side of the bridgehead stood a fortress built from massive black stones, riddled with marks from axes and blades. This was the "Soul Severing Fortress," usually garrisoned by Ghost Soldiers from the Department of Punishing Evil.
At this moment, a dozen figures had already gathered in the open space before the fortress. Although the number was small, every individual exuded a concentrated and imposing aura, clearly representing the elite chosen from a hundred to one.
Judge Lu immediately spotted Fairy Lingbo standing at the front of the group. She was still clad in water-blue, but wore a silver soft armor over it for ease of movement. Her heroic and valiant bearing was matched by her cold gaze sweeping over the river surface, tinged with a hint of killing intent.
Standing beside Fairy Lingbo was a burly man with a leopard's head, round eyes, an iron mask, and a thick, curly beard. He wore a crimson official robe, but the hem was tucked into his waist, exposing his muscular arms. A Ghost Slaying Greatsword, the size of a door panel, hung at his waist. Just by standing there, an awe-inspiring righteousness and soaring Battle Intent capable of stopping ten thousand men rushed toward them!
It was Zhong Kui of the Department of Punishing Evil!
Next to Zhong Kui stood a middle-aged scholar, lean in appearance, with three long strands of beard and eyes sharp as a falcon's. He wore the dark official robes of a Judge, holding the Ledger of Good and Evil, which emitted a faint golden light. This was Lu Zhidao, a Judge from the Investigation Department. His aura was less domineering than Zhong Kui's, but far deeper and more inscrutable.
Besides these three core figures, the remaining dozen or so people included Ghost Marshals wearing the standard Soul Armor of the Department of Punishing Evil and carrying soul-reaping ropes; nimble scouts in the black robes of the Investigation Department; and two heavily armored Ghost Marshals, silent as mountains, who were clearly elites from King Songdi's "Iron Encirclement Mountain" contingent.
Upon seeing Judge Lu arrive, Fairy Lingbo nodded slightly. Zhong Kui's bell-like eyes swept over Judge Lu, and his voice boomed like a great bell, "You are Lu Zhiyuan? Hmm, your Soul Body is injured, but your foundation is solid. You're a tough one!" His tone was straightforward and appreciative.
Lu Zhidao merely glanced faintly at Judge Lu and nodded, acknowledging the greeting, before his gaze returned to the Ledger of Good and Evil in his hand, as if calculating something.
"Judge Lu, how is your injury?" Fairy Lingbo inquired.
"It is no longer serious; I am fit for battle," Judge Lu replied, cupping his hands. Sensing the heavy atmosphere here, a string in his heart also tightened.
"Good." Fairy Lingbo wasted no more words and got straight to the point. "The situation has changed. Three Netherworld Ghost Ships from the Northern Territory departed earlier than we anticipated. Furthermore, according to the latest intelligence, accompanying them are not only the Northern Territory's 'Blood Shark Ghost Marshal' and his elite subordinates, but also at least two 'Masters' from the Workshop, and... an unknown number of 'Moon-Erosion Beasts'!"
"Moon-Erosion Beasts?" Judge Lu felt a chill, recalling the mutilated remains in the laboratory, transformed and filled with a desire to devour.
"They are war Puppets created by the Workshop through the fusion and modification of Moon-Erosion Demonic Patterns and Nether Beasts. They fear no Death and possess extremely strong Energy-devouring and physical destructive capabilities," Fairy Lingbo explained. "It seems they are determined to succeed this time, deploying their true Core strength."
Zhong Kui snorted coldly and slapped the Ghost Slaying Greatsword at his waist. "Who cares if it's Blood Shark or Moon Erosion? If they run into my blade, I'll chop them all down!"
Lu Zhidao closed the Ledger of Good and Evil and analyzed calmly: "The enemy's strength is formidable, and they came prepared. A Fierce Attack is absolutely not the best strategy. Our objective is to obtain direct evidence of their collusion with the Workshop and their Taboo Experiments, and ideally, capture one or two Workshop 'Masters' alive."
"What Judge Lu says is absolutely correct." Fairy Lingbo agreed. "I have already planned: we will travel in batches aboard specially made Stealth Boats, infiltrating God Burial Bay. We will utilize the complex environment and spatial disturbances there to evade the enemy's main force and look for opportunities."
She pointed toward three slender small boats docked in a hidden spot beneath the fortress, almost blending into the River Water like shadows. "These boats were provided by His Highness King Biancheng. They are inscribed with the highest-tier Concealment Runes, capable of maximally evading Divine Sense and Magical Artifact detection."
"After reaching God Burial Bay, we will split into two groups," Fairy Lingbo continued to deploy. "Celestial Master Zhong, please lead the Department of Punishing Evil elites, along with the two Ghost Marshals from Iron Encirclement Mountain, to create chaos on the periphery and draw the attention of the Northern Territory's main force. The bigger the commotion, the better, but remember not to get bogged down in fighting; your role is containment."
Zhong Kui grinned, revealing his stark white teeth. "Turn everything upside down? That's what I do best!"
"Judge Lu （ Lu Zhidao ）, you will lead the Investigation Department scouts and be responsible for infiltrating the enemy's likely trading locations or temporary strongholds to search for evidence, and ideally, pinpoint the location of the Workshop 'Masters'." Fairy Lingbo looked toward Lu Zhidao.
Lu Zhidao nodded slightly. "It is my duty."
Finally, Fairy Lingbo looked at Judge Lu and herself. "Judge Lu and I will form one group, acting as mobile support, and at the same time... attempt to make contact with any Ruins potentially related to the 'Primordial Code.' If anything unusual is discovered, signal immediately for mutual Support."
The division of labor was clear, with everyone assigned their role. This plan considered creating chaos, gathering evidence, and exploring core secrets; it was thorough.
"Everyone," Fairy Lingbo's gaze swept over everyone present, her voice clear and firm, "This mission is fraught with extreme danger. Our opponents are the Northern Territory Ghost Emperor and the mysterious Netherworld Workshop, whose objective is enough to overturn the entire Underworld. Our actions today are not for personal gain, but to maintain the Cycle of Reincarnation Order and protect the Balance between Yin and Yang! I hope everyone will work together wholeheartedly and live up to your cultivation and responsibilities!"
Zhong Kui suddenly drew his Ghost Slaying Greatsword, pointing the tip toward the Sea of Blood, his spirit soaring: "Slaying demons and punishing evil, upholding the law—it is my undeniable duty!"
Lu Zhidao gently stroked the Ledger of Good and Evil, his tone calm but carrying undeniable force: "Investigating good and evil, discerning right from wrong—this is the duty of our generation."
The two Ghost Marshals of Iron Encirclement Mountain silently cupped their fists, their Battle Intent burning in their eyes. The other Ghost Generals and scouts also solemnly acknowledged the orders.
A tragic yet resolute atmosphere permeated the Soul Severing Bridgehead.
Looking at these comrades willing to risk danger for the continuation of the Underworld, a surge of passion rose in Judge Lu's chest, sweeping away his previous feelings of loneliness and powerlessness. He took a deep breath of the cold wind carrying the stench of the river and Baleful Qi, gripping the Judge's Brush hidden in his sleeve.
"Board the boats!"
Following Fairy Lingbo's command, the group silently divided into three teams and swiftly boarded the three Stealth Boats, which were as ghostly as shadows.
The small boats, without oars or sails, under the control of Fairy Lingbo and Lu Zhidao, slipped silently into the surging San Tu River like shadows merging with the water, moving against the current toward the sea area known as God Burial Bay, speeding away.
The night （ the Nether Sun completely vanished ） descended like a massive curtain, enveloping the river surface and concealing the movements of this small team burdened with a heavy mission. The Sea of Blood ahead was fraught with danger, yet it also hid the Key to uncovering all the mysteries.