Within the ancient tomb, Wang Lin plunged through a swirling mist, its tendrils whispering malice in his ears, twisting into ephemeral serpents that danced around him. His face remained serene, his divine sense unfurled, a watchful shroud against the unknown dangers.

Wang Lin knew the mist held arcane secrets and monstrous denizens he’d faced before. With practiced grace, he alternated between swift descent and careful hesitation, skirting the edges of lurking horrors, his destination the penultimate layer of this abyss. It was there he had sensed a terrifying aura, one that stirred a buried memory from the third soul of the Seven-Colored Immortal: the ultimate technique, the puppet known as the “Already-Dead!”

Since entering the core of the tomb, Wang Lin had performed soul sacrifices after each kill, following the arcane rites imprinted within the third soul. With each offering, a tenuous link formed between him and the Already-Dead. Now, with numerous souls offered, Wang Lin held an eightfold certainty: the dreadful presence in the second-to-last layer was indeed the Already-Dead!

“This ancient tomb itself may have been cultivated by the Seven-Colored Immortal, a vessel to nurture the Already-Dead, a being wrought over a lifetime of sacrifice, perfected only after the death of Ye Mo,” Wang Lin mused, his eyes alight with understanding, piecing together the fragmented memories. As he descended, the mist thinned, revealing glimpses of the path to the next layer. Soon, the ethereal veil vanished altogether, unveiling a vast, obsidian plain stretched beneath him.

This endless expanse was choked with black, algae-like vegetation, swaying rhythmically, releasing wisps of ebony vapor into the air. Without sun, the only illumination came from the phosphorescent glow of the alien flora, revealing the desolate landscape.

Silence reigned, unbroken by any sound. Even Wang Lin’s arrival did not disturb the swaying vegetation or its somber exhalations.

His senses sharpened, Wang Lin scanned the black expanse, wary of the tomb’s treacherous nature. Divine sense encircled him, and he ventured forward with caution.

According to the map etched in his memory, the passage to the next layer lay not far ahead.

After a time, a change appeared on the horizon. Ten thousand feet distant, a desolate patch of ground revealed an ancient teleportation array, bathed in an unearthly glow.

The array, aged beyond measure, still hummed with dormant power, its arcane runes pulsed with an oppressive weight.

As Wang Lin approached, a thunderous roar erupted from the portal, a shockwave of pure terror that pierced his mind. The land trembled as the black vegetation writhed, expelling a torrent of dark vapor. The very ground surged like a tempestuous sea. The roar subsided, leaving Wang Lin pale and shaken. After a long silence, he looked up, determination etched on his face.

“If my analysis holds true, the danger here is not insurmountable. In truth, it may be a great opportunity! The Already-Dead…” Without hesitation, Wang Lin stepped into the ancient teleportation array. As his foot touched the runes, the array roared to life, its ethereal light piercing the heavens, illuminating the surrounding mist for leagues.

Within the fog, the Third Concubine paused, drawn by the sudden burst of light. Sensing a path, she carefully navigated towards the emanating glow.

An hour later, she found the ancient teleportation array, now silent and empty. After a moment of hesitation, the Third Concubine steeled herself and stepped into the swirling portal.

In the tomb’s penultimate layer, the mist was less dense, tinged with a crimson hue that cast the world in the semblance of a blood-soaked hell. Whispers of torment echoed through the air, accompanied by pairs of scarlet eyes that burned from the mist, fixating on Wang Lin. However, the aura of his Daogu heritage repelled the spectral beasts, for Wang Lin was no longer the man he once was. With careful steps, he avoided any danger for now.

Suddenly, the crimson mist churned wildly. A deafening roar erupted from ahead, shaking the very foundations of this layer.

Wang Lin halted, as if a physical force struck him with the roar. He stumbled back a hundred feet, his face drained of color. Yet, within his eyes, a spark ignited. “What strength… If this is truly the Already-Dead, and I can bend it to my will…” Wang Lin moved forward once more. As he drew nearer to the source of the roar, he saw it: a mountain!

The mountain was not tall, but it was enshrouded in swirling crimson mist. As Wang Lin approached, the mist shifted and coalesced into a monstrous, bald head.

The head had no hair, its features blurred and indistinct. But its mouth opened, unleashing another earth-shattering roar!

Instantly, Wang Lin wove a series of hand seals, unleashing the power of his Daogu heritage to shield himself.

Even from thousands of feet away, the roar washed over him like a raging storm. Barriers formed of primordial energy buckled and shattered, driving Wang Lin back another thousand feet. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth before the echoes faded and the crimson head dissolved back into the misty mountain.

“It is the Already-Dead!” Wang Lin stared at the mountain, confirming his suspicions through the faint mental link he had forged.

“Alas, I have not sacrificed enough souls… To control this being, I need the soul of a Grand Magus!” Frowning, Wang Lin scanned the distance, his senses alert. “She comes…” With a flicker, he vanished, becoming one with the shadows.

Moments later, a golden light illuminated the crimson sky, revealing a massive golden gate floating through the air. Behind it, the Third Concubine sat in meditation, her face pale, blood staining her lips.

She gazed at the crimson mountain, her eyes filled with fear. She had never imagined such a terrifying entity could exist within the tomb’s depths.

Forcing herself forward, the Third Concubine rose to her feet and called out into the silence.

“Wang Lin, I know you are here! I mean you no harm. I believe my power and abilities could be of assistance to you. Please, reveal yourself!” Only the distant mountain responded, its mist churning with a low rumble.

When no answer came, the Third Concubine’s face fell. She shook her head, preparing to retreat to another part of the tomb.

Just then, the mist around the mountain stirred once more, forming the bald head, and another roar shook the heavens.

Invisible waves of force swept across the land, making the earth tremble and the sky twist. The Third Concubine’s eyes widened. She bit her tongue, spitting a gout of blood onto her golden gate.

The gate erupted with blinding light, but it was torn asunder by the force of the roar. Stumbling backward, the Third Concubine frantically formed four more golden gates, positioning them before her.

Each gate shattered in turn, buying her precious moments to escape the roaring wave. As she prepared to unleash another protective spell, a voice broke through the chaos.

“What is it you want with me, Wang Lin?” Wang Lin materialized before her, raising a hand to deflect the remaining force of the roar. His body, hardened by countless battles, was enough to withstand the lingering shockwave.

“Wang Lin!” Relief washed over the Third Concubine’s face, but she quickly masked it. “You… you helped me once in this tomb. I wish to return the favor.”

“That is unnecessary. This place is dangerous. You should not linger here.” Wang Lin gave her a cold look, turning away to search for a Grand Magus to sacrifice.

“I can help you!” The Third Concubine bit her lip, holding out her wrist, revealing a string of golden beads. “These were given to me by my master. They can summon seven golden gates simultaneously. If you wish to approach the mountain, these can protect you!”