"The Netherworld Passage has been opened?"

"How is that possible?"

As soon as Li Yan learned of the news, he immediately returned. Upon hearing his conjecture, everyone in the Twelve Primordial Spirits was shocked, as this matter was too bizarre.

Taishan devours Xihua, suppresses Nan Heng, rides Zhong Song, and surpasses Beiheng, standing as the leader of the Five Peaks. In mythology, after Pangu's death, his head transformed into Taishan.

It is rumored that this place can communicate with the heavens and has been a site for sacrificial rituals since ancient times.

It is also said to connect with the Netherworld, managed by the East Mountain Emperor.

But no matter how many rumors, no one has ever seen it.

Now, to say the Netherworld Passage has been opened, naturally baffles everyone.

Only Wang Daoxuan, after initial astonishment, furrowed his brows, stroked his beard, and said, "Brother Yan's guess might not be wrong. Taishan, as the sovereign of the Five Peaks and a Cave Heaven, is not ordinary. It's long said that 'When Taishan is stable, all under heaven is at peace.'"

"Such a disturbance can perhaps only be explained by the opening of the Netherworld Passage."

Li Yan nodded and said, "Whether it is or not, we must find out."

Having said that, he stepped aside and spoke to those behind him, "This is Elder Shoumingzi from the Jade Emperor Temple, who is very familiar with Taishan. I invited him here to guide us."

Behind him stood Shoumingzi.

Earlier, in the Jade Emperor Temple, after Li Yan inquired about the situation, he asked if anyone could act as a guide.

Others were hesitant, but Shoumingzi, having once been in charge of collecting Mystical Sect information from the pugilistic world before managing mountain security, knew of the Twelve Primordial Spirits' reputation.

Concerned at heart, he volunteered to guide them.

At this moment, his eyes were filled with shock, staring at the "Ruyi Treasure Pearl" and "Five Directions Luo Feng Flag." Upon hearing Li Yan, he quickly clasped his hands and said, "Of course, with you all climbing the mountain to resolve the crisis, how could I, a poor Daoist, be so afraid of death…"

Before he could finish, Li Yan interrupted, "Daoist, there's no need for pleasantries. Taishan is vast and has turned perilous; time is of the essence. Do share your insights."

Shoumingzi nodded and said, "I have been pondering on the way; Taishan is not small. According to direction and past records, there are five places worth suspecting."

"First is the 'Blood Maple Forest' in the northwest of Taishan Peak, once called 'Xinghou Platform.' The 'Strange Tales of Immortals of Taishan' records that Xing Hou fought evil spirits here, blood soaking the rock layers, turning the soil red, and thus the maple leaves remain crimson year-round. Three days ago, disciples reported a deep fissure opening here, emitting a sulfurous stench, but we haven't had time to investigate…"

"Second is the 'No-Word Stele Yin Cave' on the eastern slope of Jade Emperor Peak. It's rumored that Han Wu erected the Wordless Stele here to suppress the ominous 'Chiwen Abyss.' Years ago, a Fangshi dug under the stele base to steal Yin Soul Stones, causing a seven-day earthquake. Later, a Wei Jin mystic set up the 'Nine Springs Yin Refining Array' to quell the chaos. It's a place we watch closely…"

"Third is Yin Yang Creek's Kusong Creek. The 'Daishan Secret Record' states this was where Huang Chao's 'Ghost Soldiers' Passage' took place during the late Tang Dynasty. Thunderstorm nights see aligned phosphorus fire. Truth be told, that thief Shi Xuanming's magic artifact, the 'Withered Pine Dragon Staff,' was taken from the demon wood in the creek bottom. Now ghosts and fierce souls roam the mountain, likely because the seal there has been broken…"

"Fourth is the 'Fox Immortal Cave' on Father-in-law Peak. It is said that under Bixia Monarch's command, the White Fox once vanquished an evil cultivator here who devoured children. In the eighth year of Zhao Jianwu, a massive rock caught fire on the mountain, burning for eight days. It is a mystery of the Taishan Mystical Sect that we could not solve…"

"The last one is the Yin Yang Realm's 'Hanging Coffin Cliff.'"

Saying this, he suddenly lowered his voice, "This place is the most perilous; Qi and Lu once had the malevolent spirit 'Hundred Ghosts Lifting the Sedan' here, with a pernicious influence that's hard to eliminate, suppressed by many mystical experts."

These places are each more terrifying than the last, but no one seemed surprised.

In the Divine State, such malevolent spirits, hard to eliminate or with widespread harm, were often suppressed in the spiritual acupoints of Cave Heaven Blessed Lands, relying on Innate Astra Bane Qi to erode them.

The Mystical Sect managing these areas also had the duty of overseeing them.

If something happens at Taishan, those places are the real threat.

"Five places…"

Upon hearing this, Li Yan felt somewhat troubled.

He didn't expect there would be so many suspects.

But given the situation, they could only investigate each one by one.

Thinking of this, Li Yan hurriedly said, "Time is pressing; where should we go first? Daoist, being familiar with the terrain, please chart a path."

Shoumingzi took a deep breath, his eyes grave, and said, "The situation is urgent; I believe we should take the shortest route."

"From near to far, we should first explore the Blood Maple Forest, then the No-Word Stele Yin Cave, venture into Kusong Creek, head to Father-in-law Peak's Fox Immortal Cave, and finally... reach the Hanging Coffin Cliff!"

"This path may be perilous, but it can uncover the source of the disturbances fastest!"

"Alright! Let's explore according to this route!" Li Yan immediately decided.

Without any more words, Wang Daoxuan quickly formed a spell with his fingers, sending the Five Directions Luo Feng Flag into the air. It billowed and clattered, circling around, wrapping everyone's aura tightly.

The Ruyi Treasure Pearl was lifted high, becoming the only stable light in the darkness.

Under Shoumingzi's guidance, the team ventured deeper into the dark mist.

Just as the old Daoist said, the journey was fraught with danger.

The 'Ghost Wall' effect caused by rising yin energy, crazed wild beasts, reanimated Walking Corpses, and the roaming Yin Soul Fierce Ghosts in the mist were secondary.

The drop in temperature caused by dense Yin Sha Qi was the real trouble.

The ground began to freeze with frost, ice clung to everyone, the paths were slippery, and the yin wind whistled, making everyone's heads buzz.

But the most dangerous were those perilous places.

When everyone stepped into the depths of the Blood Maple Forest, where legends say Xing Hou's blood stained it and the maple trees remained fiery red year-round, the frost-covered ground suddenly arched and cracked as if alive!

A bloody wind hit their faces, and countless blood-colored vines, thick as barrels and soaked in sticky blood plasma, burst from the ground, entwining like hellish serpents strangling their prey.