060 The Companion Returns (1)

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Apart from the Earth Deity’s lineage, no other god had ever dared to challenge the Netherfire Barrier alone. While Quewu Jinlang felt a sense of admiration, there was one thing the Guardian could not accept: Fengming had actually dared to hide a fragment of divinity right under his nose, defying his authority. This was intolerable.

The Guardian’s gaze upon Nuoluo grew increasingly cold.

Nuoluo stared back at the Guardian. To obtain the Netherfire, she had to first overcome this formidable opponent. Once she possessed the Netherfire, she could seek support from the King of the Underworld and the divine realm. The mighty Guardian stood before her like an unyielding wall.

Their eyes met, the tension in the barrier thick with an eerie and unnatural aura; the slightest shift would shatter the surface calm.

The Guardian’s fingers curled slightly—a gesture Nuoluo knew all too well. It was the prelude to his attack.

Power gathered at Nuoluo’s fingertips as well. The protective barrier appeared again—a perfect fusion of ice and fire, radiating a dazzling light that filled her with an endless sorrow.

Once, her parents had reached this place with such a barrier. Now, one was gone forever, others soon to vanish, leaving her with nothing but endless memories. Every time she saw the barrier, she thought of them, and a soft sigh escaped her heart.

Neither the Guardian nor Nuoluo moved, yet the invisible contest between them continued, each waiting for the moment that would break the silence.

At that instant, two unexpected figures appeared within the barrier. Their arrival not only disrupted the uneasy calm but also shifted the balance of power.

Nuoluo nearly stepped back; her fingertips trembled. To seize the Netherfire by her own strength was now impossible. She had little confidence against the Guardian alone—let alone with these two joining the fray.

The newcomers were none other than the King of the Underworld and Lige.

Dark silhouettes, cold and merciless, true emissaries of the night—their intangible, shadowy power instantly filled the barrier.

Nuoluo caught her breath. Why hadn’t she thought they might also enter the Netherfire Barrier? Now, facing the Guardian, the King of the Underworld, and Lige—the greatest forces of the Netherworld gathered—what could she possibly do?

She had once thought that if she defeated the Guardian and claimed the Netherfire, she could find a way to win the King’s support. But now, before she obtained the fire, all her plans had crumbled.

How could she possibly overcome them all?

To her surprise, their presence brought no joy to the Guardian. His expression turned even more severe.

His gaze swept across the King of the Underworld and Lige; there was not a trace of respect for the King, and toward Lige, his gaze was colder still. “Who allowed you in here?” His voice carried a faint reproach.

Nuoluo looked at the Guardian in astonishment. “Is there discord among them? Without the Guardian’s permission, they cannot enter the Netherfire Barrier at will—but why? Is it that he fears they will endure the same torment as herself, or is there another secret within the barrier?” She pondered the possible answers. No wonder the King had only brought her to the entrance of the underworld, and no wonder Lige had stopped at the barrier’s edge. She had been puzzled then; now, the reason was clear.

Nuoluo’s gaze moved among them. Perhaps perceiving her reaction, the Guardian’s tone softened a little. “Why have you come?”

Nuoluo was equally puzzled. If they could not enter without his command, what had compelled them to do so? Had something happened outside the barrier?

An unnatural look flickered across Lige’s face. He bowed deeply, speaking with respect, “We are truly sorry to disturb you. Screams suddenly echoed within the barrier—we feared you might be in danger, so we hurried here!”

Lige cast a glance at Nuoluo.

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“Danger?” What a poor excuse. Weren’t they just eager to see the true face of the barrier? When had they ever cared so much for his well-being? The Guardian responded with a heavy snort.

Nuoluo, meanwhile, was intrigued by Lige’s manner. It was the first time she had seen him so deferential and polite. Could the Guardian’s status surpass even that of the King of the Underworld? This revelation astonished her. There were too many strange things about the Netherworld—she couldn’t make sense of them all.

The Guardian appeared to accept their presence, and now they faced a common enemy.

Since his arrival, the King of the Underworld had remained silent, merely watching Nuoluo in contemplation.

Nuoluo glanced at him, but quickly averted her gaze, avoiding his eyes.

There was an inscrutable glimmer in the King’s gaze, a tangle of complicated emotions impossible to describe. Under such scrutiny, Nuoluo felt an inexplicable pressure weighing heavily on her heart.

She looked at Lige, then back at the King, and suddenly she discovered a secret. No wonder she had found Lige so strange the first time they met.

When the King of the Underworld and Lige appeared separately, there was nothing unusual. But when they stood side by side, the resemblance was striking—their features, their bearing, even their regal presence almost identical. The difference was the King’s aura was more domineering, while Lige’s was more restrained.

It reminded her of the shock she’d felt seeing the Dream God and the God of Sleep together. What was their true relationship? Brothers?

The ever-aloof King finally showed a hint of change, his gaze fixed on Nuoluo’s palm. He sensed the awakening of the Underworld Butterfly there.

At last, the Guardian moved. A surge of tremendous power shot toward Nuoluo, so powerful it seemed it would shatter her in an instant.

She barely dodged the fatal blow; the protective barrier rang with a terrible crash, nearly breaking apart. If she hadn’t gained strength from the Blade of Ice and Snow, her fate would have been sealed.

Steadying herself, Nuoluo realized the Guardian had lost patience—he was striking to kill.

The King of the Underworld did not move, but his eyes locked onto Nuoluo. The aura of the Underworld Butterfly was truly awakening, manifesting around her.

Lige did not move either, but he looked at Nuoluo in surprise—her power had grown so quickly.

Lige and the King exchanged glances, then slowly shifted their positions, joining the Guardian in surrounding Nuoluo, cutting off all possible escape.

She was hemmed in by the Netherworld’s most powerful and shadowy forces; death’s shadow seemed to close around her.

Alone against three, the outcome was beyond doubt. Yet at this desperate moment, Nuoluo felt a strange sense of release. Things had reached their most dangerous point—having come this far, what was there left to fear?

She murmured to herself, “Whatever the outcome, I have already done my best.”

Raising her head once more, she displayed the courage and resolve of the Earth Deity’s lineage—vitality, fearlessness—ready to face the challenge.

In that moment, she found herself missing Niaoniao, the only companion who had accompanied her into the Netherworld, hoping it might safely escape.

Perhaps it was a matter of spiritual resonance, for Nuoluo thought she heard that familiar shrill cry.

“Niaoniao—it’s really Niaoniao!” Had it broken free of its bonds and regained consciousness? Or was it just her imagination?

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A figure, bright as red flame and brimming with boundless vitality, appeared before Nuoluo with an air of wild arrogance—it was indeed Niaoniao.

“Caw, caw, caw! Niaoniao is here, Niaoniao is here! Niaoniao is finally free!” The familiar voice, the brash cry—there was no mistake, it was truly Niaoniao.

Its appearance was the same as when it first entered the Netherworld, except now its hair blazed with the color of fire, burning freely, just as it had when it first took human form.

“Idiot, idiot! Nuoluo is such a fool—a real simpleton! How could you leave Niaoniao behind, how dare you leave Niaoniao!”

Niaoniao complained endlessly, but still leapt into Nuoluo’s arms. Its sudden arrival astonished the three within the barrier.

The Guardian stared at Niaoniao, trying to discern its nature—why did it feel so strange and yet so familiar?

The King of the Underworld and Lige had never seen anything so peculiar. What was it—a human? A god? It seemed to be neither; they could not see through its identity.

Niaoniao swept them with a disdainful glance. “There’s nothing good in this Netherworld! You even used those hateful things to bind my soul—if not for my quick wits, I would have fallen into your trap.”

Niaoniao’s appearance instantly muddled the situation. Nuoluo, who had thought all hope was lost, found the little one by her side at her loneliest moment.

Now returned, Niaoniao was even more unrestrained, challenging the very nerves of the Netherworld’s gods.

“How did you manage to escape the God of Sleep?” Nuoluo was genuinely curious.

“Who do you think I am? The invincible Niaoniao! How could I not handle something like that? You really underestimate me.”

As Niaoniao spoke, another figure appeared outside the barrier, watching anxiously—the God of Sleep. Even he, usually so composed, seemed nervous, his eyes filled with urgency.

That damned Niaoniao—it had broken free of his binding, regained clarity, and even managed to infiltrate the Netherfire Barrier. How had it known of this place?

What now? Should he enter the barrier or wait here? Without permission, even the King of the Underworld could not step inside at will—how could he?

All along the way, there had been no sign of the King, and the palace seemed greatly changed—especially the underground world, which bore new scars of destruction. The many layers of defenses outside the barrier had disappeared without a trace.

Outside, the barrier stood empty and silent—no sign of anyone. Could they have already entered?