The entity clearly hadn't expected them to survive!
"You are still alive?"
Gu Qianying glanced dismissively, simultaneously forming a hand seal and channeling her power forward urgently.
"I'm still alive even after you're dead. How dare you lay a hand on my husband? You're seeking death."
Soon, the combined strength of their group surged.
The malevolent spirits were unable to cope and could only flee in disarray.
Nangong Mo's body had suffered minor damage, but it was only due to his haste earlier, which had suddenly led to the incident.
After Gu Qianying's healing, he quickly returned to normal.
Everyone knew that this was no place to linger. If the entity failed to achieve its goal, it would surely return with renewed force.
They had to enter the first level immediately.
The Nine Levels of Hell, as the name suggested, comprised nine layers.
Bai Xianhua's true form, the Dan, was located on the perilous ninth level.
Within the infernal realms, each level had a designated guardian at its entrance. To reach the ninth level, there were no shortcuts; they had to carve a bloody path and force their way in.
With no more malevolent spirits obstructing them, they soon arrived at the first level.
What met their eyes were vast expanses of flames. Fire spirits floated in the air, seemingly having sensed their arrival and already waiting at the entrance.
Flanked by the others was the Fire Ghost King.
His eyes, mouth, and nose were all engulfed in flames, and even his hair floated in the air in a fiery semblance.
"Who goes there? How dare you trespass into the Nine Levels of Hell? Have you come prepared to die today?"
The Fire Ghost King finally emerged.
His movements were exceptionally swift, soon placing him less than a step away from Gu Qianying.
He showed no fear of these individuals.
Anyone who dared to come to the Nine Levels of Hell was merely inviting their own demise. His task was to ensure these people died a fitting death.
He let out a sneer, speaking as he spat fire outwards.
"To die by my hand is your good fortune. In that case,"
He twisted his neck, his body remaining still, but his head turned backward.
"My subordinates, capture these foolish beings. We shall then burn them directly. Their flesh and blood are valuable; once they are slain, everyone can partake."
The fire spirits behind him erupted in revelry, having not tasted fresh blood and flesh for a long time.
Each fire spirit was consumed by greed and charged forward madly.
Gu Qianying's expression shifted, and she formed a hand seal, unleashing immense spiritual energy.
"You think you can devour us? You little ones, you overestimate yourselves."
The Fire Ghost King rose simultaneously, bringing his hands together, which quickly generated waves of flames. These flames were laced with resentment, further augmenting the entity's power.
This wave of flames refused to dissipate, continuously raging in the air.
Transforming into fiery dragons, they sought to engulf the four of them.
The four individuals landed, scattering in two directions.
The lesser fire spirits followed, blocking their paths.
"Our boss wants you dead, and you still dare to move? Today, we will not let you go."
These beings charged forward.
Although their power was not formidable, the flames they carried were not to be underestimated.
Gu Qianying suddenly realized that the Fire Ghost King above them was losing power, which was flowing downwards.
Meanwhile, the lesser fire spirits below seemed to possess an inexhaustible supply of strength, showing no fear of anything else.
Gu Qianying slapped her forehead. So that was it!
The one they needed to kill today was the Fire Ghost King.
Gu Qianying shouted to the others beside her, "To catch a thief, first catch the king. Once the Fire Ghost King is dealt with, these subordinates won't be so arrogant for long."
The others' eyes widened. Upon hearing Gu Qianying's words, they instantly changed their formations, leaping from the ground and launching a concerted attack.
The Fire Ghost King had initially thought things would be more entertaining.
However, they were too clever, seeing through the situation so quickly, which only fueled his anger.
He roared, spitting flames, his sharp voice piercing the air.
"You shouldn't have figured it out so soon. It's so boring."
Gu Qianying sneered, slowly turning her body, drawing her blade and thrusting it forward.
"Nonsense! This is a matter of life and death. What use is entertainment? Today, I kill you, and entering the ninth level of hell will be truly interesting."
Meng Qinghua followed closely, forming a hand seal and dispelling all the flames before them. He then used his blood to conjure a formation around them.
Soon, the Fire Ghost King was surrounded and attacked by the four of them.
The outer fire spirits, seeing their leader in distress, repeatedly slammed into the formation.
They continuously scorched it with their flames.
However, the flames that landed within the formation caused no disturbance whatsoever.
The resentment within them also dissipated.
They soon fell to the ground, unable to support themselves.
Witnessing this scene, the Fire Ghost King's eyes widened. In his entire existence, he had never been pushed into such a predicament.
"What have you done?"
Meng Qinghua floated in the air, flicking the talismans on his hand.
"Water overcomes fire. Such a simple principle, and you, as the Fire Ghost King, don't even know this? No wonder you're confined to the first level. Useless."
Gu Qianying chuckled, giving Meng Qinghua a thumbs-up of approval.
"Remarkable!"
Meng Qinghua even had time to return the gesture, "Not at all, merely a group of weaklings. Falling into our hands is effortless."
The Fire Ghost King, repeatedly provoked, could no longer tolerate the insults.
"I am the strongest being in the Three Realms! I am the Fire Ghost King! You mere ants should die by my hand. How dare you be so arrogant!"
He roared, and the flames around him surged rapidly. This power was exceptionally potent, even dyeing the originally dim first level of hell a crimson hue.
The temperature within the formation also began to rise.
Sweat dripped from the foreheads of Gu Qianying and the others.
The Fire Ghost King laughed maniacally, "You forced me to do this. With my flames burning, your spiritual energy will be utterly shattered, and your souls scattered."
"Hahahaha!"
The flames grew larger and larger.
The space left for Gu Qianying and the others was barely a corner.
As the flames encroached, they had no retreat.
Gu Qianying refused to yield. They had descended from above and successfully entered the Nine Levels of Hell; how could they return empty-handed?
The other four shared the same sentiment.
A mere flame formed by resentment, what were they afraid of?
Soon, using their own power as shields, they charged directly into the flames, advancing towards the Fire Ghost King.
The Fire Ghost King had never expected this.
That they could break through the flames emanating from his resentment.
"How is this possible? How could you enter? Why are you still alive?"
Gu Qianying sneered, "As I said earlier, you may die, but we will not."
She rapidly unleashed her power, directly striking the Fire Ghost King's chest.