After the black-robed woman uttered those words, she turned and departed without another glance, leaving Xiao Yan and Qing Tan staring at each other in bewilderment. While they were still puzzling over the sudden turn of events, Tianhuang, the patriarch of the Nine Nether Bird Clan, once again appeared at their side. With a faint smile, he said, "To be assigned into the Nine Nether Secret Realm so quickly... it seems Tianling holds you both in high regard."
"Patriarch Tianhuang, what exactly is this Nine Nether Secret Realm?" Xiao Yan asked with curiosity.
"The Nine Nether Secret Realm is a special training ground opened up by the Nine Nether Enforcement Unit. Only those who have reached the Sovereign Stage are qualified to enter. However, the environment within is extremely unique—and dangerous. The rate of success is extremely low, but for those who manage to survive and pass through, their future accomplishments are always exceptional—unless they die halfway through." Tianhuang's tone was calm, but his words carried a cold truth.
"What happens if you don't make it through?" Xiao Yan followed up.
"If you fail?" Tianhuang paused slightly, then said frankly, "Then you die, of course. Don't think it too cruel—this Enforcement Unit lives on the edge of life and death. It is a force that exists to protect the entire clan. Without undergoing the tempering of blood and fire, you may as well be a gate guard."
"I understand," Xiao Yan nodded. He had come to the Great Thousand World precisely to pursue greater power—he didn't find such a trial cruel. In fact, hearing about the rewards one might earn from passing it only made him more determined.
"By the way, the Nine Nether Command Tokens you both received—keep them safe. They're not just symbols of your identity as members of the Enforcement Unit. Each of them is a pseudo-artifact with unique functions. For one, they're directly linked to our headquarters and can be used to transmit goods."
"Transmit goods?" Xiao Yan asked with a raised brow.
"Yes. As members of the Enforcement Unit, you are entitled to certain benefits. One of these is a monthly allocation of Sovereign Spiritual Liquid. The amount you receive depends on your cultivation rank. For instance, Qing Tan, at 1st Grade Sovereign, will receive 100,000 drops a month. You, Xiao Yan, are a 5th Grade Sovereign and will receive 500,000 drops."
Tianhuang had already explained to them the significance of Sovereign Spiritual Liquid. Without it, even a supreme genius would struggle to progress in cultivation. Xiao Yan had already been wondering how he would obtain such resources in this unfamiliar world—he hadn't expected the Enforcement Unit to provide them directly.
"There are other ways to earn Sovereign Spiritual Liquid, too. As a member, you can take on missions from the unit. Completing these tasks will reward you with more liquid. Furthermore, your Nine Nether Token is connected to the Nine Nether Pavilion, where you can exchange the spiritual liquid for all kinds of things—pills, divine arts, spiritual arrays, and even divine artifacts. You can also sell items there in exchange."
Hearing that, Xiao Yan was visibly surprised. They had only just arrived in this world, and much of what they carried was still from the lower planes. Compared to the Great Thousand World, their resources were outdated and limited. He had been hoping to acquire techniques and tools suited to his new path—now it turned out the Nine Nether Pavilion was exactly what he needed.
Still, why did this token seem so... familiar?
"Oh, and there's one more thing. As Enforcement Unit members, you're entitled to receive one divine art for free from the Pavilion," Tianhuang added with a grin. "That Ice Spirit Divine Art that Qin Wan'er used? That's how she got it."
"Joining this Enforcement Unit might have been the best decision I've made since ascending," Xiao Yan chuckled. Compared to others who had to find their way blind after arriving in the Great Thousand World, he and Qing Tan had clearly stumbled into good fortune.
Yet he still had lingering doubts. The Nine Nether Flame inside his body had been acquired at the moment of his rebirth, yet no such beast existed in the Dou Qi Continent. Why had such a flame appeared there?
And then there was the palace he'd seen in the Ruins of Reincarnation—the very place where his rebirth had begun. After breaking through to the Dou Di level, he had used spatial ancestral symbols and Emperor-level soul power to try and locate it, but had found no trace. What exactly was that place, and what power did it possess?
As Xiao Yan became lost in his thoughts, Tianhuang took his leave—he had other matters to attend to. Before departing, he gave instructions to have someone guide Xiao Yan and Qing Tan to their new accommodations. As Enforcement Unit members, they would be given private residences equipped with Grade 9 Spirit Gathering Arrays—an arrangement that would be considered luxurious even by the standards of the super clans.
However, there was... one small issue.
Their assigned residence was the same room.
"Why are we sharing a room?" Qing Tan complained, shutting the door behind them. The room was well-furnished, with elegant decor and even a private hot spring, but the moment she remembered she had to live with Xiao Yan, all of its appeal vanished.
"Well... I guess the clan patriarch saw us as a married couple and gave us special treatment," Xiao Yan said with a shrug.
"Why do we have to say we're married?! Couldn't we say we're siblings?"
"Come on, do you think they're dumb?" Xiao Yan rolled his eyes. "They can clearly sense clan bloodlines. I have it, you don't. If I said you were my sister, they'd never believe it. Calling you my wife at least gave us a valid excuse to keep you in."
"Tch, maybe you just had ulterior motives," Qing Tan muttered, narrowing her eyes.
"If I did, do you think I would've waited until now? I would've jumped you back in the Dou Qi Continent already," Xiao Yan said flatly.
"Like you didn't already," she retorted, biting her lip—clearly recalling what happened in the illusion of the Eternal Demon Flower.
"If you keep talking nonsense, I don't mind letting you experience it again—this time in the real world," Xiao Yan said coldly. "Besides, in three days, we'll be entering the Nine Nether Secret Realm. Tianhuang already told us how dangerous that place is. Instead of wasting your energy on nonsense, you should use these days to prepare."
"I don't need you to remind me," Qing Tan snorted, then sat cross-legged on one of the beds to cultivate.
Xiao Yan also sat down, pulling out his Nine Nether Token. He poured his spiritual power into it, curious to see what kind of treasures awaited inside the Nine Nether Pavilion.
(End of Chapter)
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