The Immortal Sovereign of the Netherworld, The Source of Darkness!

As Hong Feng swallowed the strange wooden carving, Lu Xuan sensed a mysterious force descending, transforming Hong Feng into that monstrous form.

"Yes, Senior," He Zhao complied, stepping back.

Lu Xuan activated his power, slightly intervening. The human-faced beast's body exploded, turning into a bloody mess. At the moment of its death, a faint light tried to escape from the creature but was captured by a hand of spiritual energy.

"You can go back on your own, right?" Lu Xuan asked He Zhao.

"No problem, Senior," He Zhao replied. Now a Conviction warrior with the power of the Prison-Taming Scripture, he was more than capable of handling risks.

"Good," Lu Xuan nodded, releasing the captured spirit and following He Zhao back.

...

In the boundless darkness, a remnant soul chased by a wooden puppet, controlled by Lu Xuan, fled. Lu Xuan realized that this remnant soul was summoned by some power and was being drawn to a specific destination.