"What exactly does Captain Wan'er want me to do?" Xiao Yan didn't immediately agree to Qin Wan'er's offer. Though the Nine Nether Ice Crystal was useful, it wasn't something he couldn't live without. Even if she didn't give it to him, he had other ways of obtaining it. If she was trying to use it to force him into something unreasonable, he would naturally refuse.
"It's not a big deal," Qin Wan'er replied calmly. "I just want to invite you to complete a mission with me."
She added, "Relax. The reward for this mission is extremely generous. If we succeed together, each of us will receive about three million drops of Sovereign Spirit Liquid."
"Three million?" Xiao Yan was startled. He vaguely remembered that the Nine Nether Enforcement Squad's missions were divided into seven grades—the higher the grade, the greater the difficulty, but the rewards were also far richer. He couldn't help but wonder what level this mission of hers belonged to.
"It's only three million," Qin Wan'er said indifferently. "This mission is just Grade Five. If it were a top-tier Grade Seven mission, the reward would be over ten million Sovereign Spirit Liquid, plus the right to choose a divine ability from the Nine Nether Hall. But missions at that level can only be completed by Earth Sovereign experts at the very least."
Xiao Yan nodded in understanding. Qin Wan'er's strength was already at the peak of Seventh Grade Sovereign, likely able to match an Eighth Grade powerhouse. If even she needed a partner for a Grade Five mission, then the difficulty of a Grade Seven one could be imagined. Still, those rewards were more than enticing. Even ignoring the millions of Sovereign Spirit Liquid, just the divine technique reward was enough to drive anyone crazy.
"If the reward's that generous, I assume there were plenty of people eager to take it. Why ask me?" Xiao Yan asked.
"Because this mission requires someone proficient in fire-attribute spiritual energy," she explained. "The people who fit the requirement are either on other missions or in seclusion. Some, frankly, I don't like. And the rest are too weak. After eliminating all the unsuitable choices, you were the only one left."
During their last battle, the fiery lotus Xiao Yan unleashed had left a deep impression on her. In her estimation, the purity of that flame even surpassed some Nine Grade Sovereigns. That alone was reason enough to invite him. After all, she couldn't afford to invite an actual Nine Grade Sovereign.
Moreover, despite Xiao Yan being only Fifth or Sixth Grade Sovereign, his combat ability didn't fall short compared to hers. He only lacked a solid foundation. If he could pass the Nine Nether Secret Realm, then even if she broke through to Eighth Grade Sovereign, she might not be able to defeat him. His strength was nothing to scoff at.
"Alright then. Once I'm out of the secret realm, I'll come find you," Xiao Yan agreed after only a moment of consideration. Even without the Nine Nether Ice Crystal, the three million Sovereign Spirit Liquid was more than enough to tempt him. Though he'd only just arrived in the Great Thousand World, he already understood how essential this resource was. Since there was such an opportunity, there was no reason to refuse.
"Mm." Qin Wan'er nodded and didn't say anything further. Xiao Yan tried to probe for some details about the Nine Nether Secret Realm, but all she said was, "You'll understand when you get there," and refused to reveal anything else. Clearly, she had been warned not to divulge more.
So Xiao Yan dropped the matter. Soon, Qin Wan'er brought them to the foot of a mountain and left. Just as he and Qing Tan were examining their surroundings, Xiao Yan suddenly sensed something. He turned around to find Elder Tianling silently standing behind them, watching with a calm gaze.
"Your perception is sharper than I expected," she remarked. Then, with a gentle wave of her sleeve, the towering mountain before them began to twist and distort. Moments later, it transformed into a dark spatial portal, just wide enough for a few people to pass through, floating silently before them.
"Go in." Tianling's cold voice echoed behind them before they could get a clear look. Then, an overwhelming force surged forward, pushing both of them into the portal.
The moment they entered, before Xiao Yan could even register the environment, he was struck by an unimaginable gravitational pressure. Even with his powerful physique, he could barely withstand it. Fortunately, his unyielding will allowed him to remain standing.
Worried, he turned to check on Qing Tan. Given her much weaker physical strength, he feared she'd be overwhelmed—but to his surprise, she looked far more composed than he was.
What the… Could her physical body be stronger than mine?
Xiao Yan shook his head and dismissed the ridiculous thought. Then he realized the real issue: the Xuan Heavy Ruler on his back.
The gravity here was over ten thousand times stronger than the outside world, and it didn't just affect living beings—it applied to weapons as well. The Xuan Heavy Ruler, already terrifyingly heavy after being infused with Blood Fiend Aura, had now become absurdly burdensome. Were it not for his cultivation of the Void Demon Body, he might've been crushed flat by now.
"Welcome to the first level of the Nine Nether Secret Realm," Tianling's voice rang out ahead. Xiao Yan looked up and saw a massive mountain towering before them. Tianling stood calmly at the summit, gazing down at them.
"Your task is simple—reach me within three days," she said plainly.
Xiao Yan and Qing Tan both twitched slightly at her words. Under normal conditions, even if the mountain was tens of thousands of zhang tall, it would only take a few breaths' time to fly up there. But under this intense gravity, they couldn't even lift off the ground—let alone fly. They'd have to climb it step by step, and that made things much, much harder.
"Don't think that's all," Tianling said as her calm expression turned a shade colder. With a grip of her jade-like hand, the clouds above suddenly churned, and from them, countless bolts of violet lightning rained down, striking toward Xiao Yan and Qing Tan with overwhelming might.
"This… is just the beginning."
(End of Chapter)
---
A Huge Shoutout and Welcome to Freddy Perez for Joining us on Patreon and Becoming a Member of Diamond.
---
This Fanfiction Has Been Completed on Patreon, There is 2 Chapters Ahead of Release for Free Members on my Patreon.
Support me if you like this Fanfiction.
Patreon,com/Fallen_Archangel_
(Remove comma for dot.)
Leave a 5 star Review and a Power Stone.