Nine Nether Palace
When the contest for the Greatlaw GoldPond came to an end, Nine Nether Palace was completely engulfed in celebration.
Every member of Nine Nether Palace wore an expression of barely contained excitement.
Over the past few years, due to Jiu You's disappearance, the status of Nine Nether Palace within the Great Heavenlaw Domain had steadily declined. Other factions had repeatedly suppressed them, yet they could only swallow their grievances and retreat again and again.
Fortunately, their patience had not been in vain.
Now, Jiu You had returned in a powerful manner, and the newly appointed commander had displayed unmatched dominance. Not only had he forcefully slain Cao Feng, eliminating a traitor for Nine Nether Palace and helping them reclaim their lost territories, he had even successfully cultivated the Daluo Golden Body—something no one had been able to do—shocking all the experts of the Great Heavenlaw Domain.
After this incident, no one in the Great Heavenlaw Domain would dare to look down on Nine Nether Palace as they once did. This was the glory of every person belonging to Nine Nether Palace!
In front of a grand hall within Nine Nether Palace, Jiu You felt a long-lost sense of ease. She turned her head to look at Liu Bai beside her and smiled faintly.
"Should I say thank you?"
The corner of Liu Bai's lips curled upward, revealing a hint of an ambiguous smile.
"Do we really need to draw lines between us?"
Tang Rou, who had just walked in, suddenly heard their conversation and froze on the spot. Her delicate face became blank with shock.
Although she had been mentally prepared, suddenly hearing the two of them "confessing" here still made the shy Tang Rou unable to handle it.
Seeing this, Jiu You's face flushed slightly. Her lips curved upward, and her cold, beautiful face appeared surprisingly gentle at this moment. Her slender, beautiful eyes seemed to ripple with light, making her especially captivating.
"What is it?" Jiu You asked calmly, as though nothing had happened.
Tang Rou snapped back to her senses and hurriedly said,
"Oh—Sister said it's about increasing the number of Nine Nether Guards…"
"Let Xiao Bing'er decide that matter herself. Originally, my plan was to recruit another thousand Nine Nether Guards and slowly cultivate them. But now, I have a new idea."
Liu Bai asked with some curiosity,
"What new idea?"
"I plan to directly expand the Nine Nether Guards to five thousand!"
Among the various kings, aside from the Nine Nether Guards, the forces under the other kings numbered no fewer than three thousand. For example, the Blood Hawk King's Blood Hawk Guards numbered five thousand, while those under the Asura King and the Mountain Splitting King were even more numerous.
Of course, this wasn't something that could be increased at will. The most important factor was having sufficient resources to support them. In addition, the soldiers' strength had to keep up—otherwise, they would just be a rabble.
Originally, the Nine Nether Guards had numbered three thousand. However, during the period when Jiu You was missing, they had been constantly suppressed, and Nine Nether Palace had suffered from a lack of resources. As a result, the number of Nine Nether Guards kept shrinking. In the end, the remaining thousand were preserved only because Tang Bing had sold everything she could to maintain them.
Moreover, since the Nine Nether Guards had always practiced an elimination-at-the-bottom system, even though their numbers had dropped to a thousand, there were still quite a few reserve candidates available. Thus, increasing their number by another thousand would not be too difficult, nor would it greatly weaken their overall strength.
But now that Jiu You was proposing an expansion to five thousand, the situation was completely different.
If it were Tang Bing, she would already be anxiously thinking of ways to persuade Jiu You not to act impulsively. However, Liu Bai did not react that way. Instead, he seriously considered it and nodded in agreement.
This made Jiu You smile once again, but it left Tang Rou beside them extremely anxious.
"Xiao Rou'er, don't panic yet. Listen to my analysis first…"
Liu Bai chuckled as he gently patted Tang Rou's head to comfort her.
"According to your sister's method, increasing the Nine Nether Guards to two thousand isn't difficult, and the impact won't be too great, right?"
Tang Rou nodded, then continued to look at Liu Bai eagerly, waiting for him to explain further.
"Don't forget, little girl—our Nine Nether Palace doesn't just have me as a commander now. We also have Commander Fang Lei!"
"His Lion Tiger Mountain is no ordinary force. It's strong enough to rival a major city like Demon Python City. Within the Great Heavenlaw Domain, it's considered a second-rate power just below the kings. Bringing over a thousand people from there to place under his command wouldn't be a problem. In fact, if not for concerns about maintaining balance within Nine Nether Palace, even two thousand would be manageable. With proper training over time, they would still become elite forces."
"If I'm not mistaken, our Sister Jiu You has probably already instructed Commander Fang to return and recruit people, hasn't she?"
As he spoke, Liu Bai smiled as he looked toward Jiu You, who was leaning there leisurely, listening to their conversation.
Hearing this, Jiu You's red lips curved upward. A charming smile appeared on her beautiful face as her slender, pale neck lifted proudly like that of a graceful swan.
"Oh, right! Nine Nether Palace has gained another commander. No wonder I haven't seen him—I was wondering where he went. So Sister Jiu You sent him out…"
Tang Rou said belatedly, smacking her forehead.
This little girl was nothing like her sister, who was sharp and capable. She was muddle-headed all day long, which instead made her rather adorable.
"But that only makes three thousand…"
Liu Bai waved his hand and said, "The remaining two thousand are easy. We'll just recruit them directly from the cities under our control. Although their strength may vary, we can recruit more and then take them out for a round of real action. When we come back, I guarantee each and every one of them will be elite soldiers!"
With a flicker of her eyes, Jiu You immediately understood what Liu Bai meant. This restless fellow was clearly plotting something again.
Sure enough, Liu Bai changed the topic and suddenly said to Jiu You,"Lion Tiger Mountain is located in the northwest of the Great Heavenlaw Domain, close to the border regions. Because it has been engaged in constant warfare with external enemies, most of its people are fierce and brave. If we want to truly subdue it, relying on Fang Lei alone won't be enough."
Although Fang Lei was a powerful figure in Lion Tiger Mountain, he was far from the only expert there. In fact, it was said that the leader of Lion Tiger Mountain was a Third Grade Sovereign, so some methods would be required to bring them fully under control.
Furthermore, Lion Tiger Mountain was separated from the cities under Nine Nether Palace's control by more than ten cities. Long-distance governance would be extremely troublesome.
"What do you want to do?"
Jiu You knew that since he had raised this issue, he must already have a plan in mind, so she asked directly.
"Very simple—just take control of the ten cities between Nine Nether Palace and Lion Tiger Mountain," Liu Bai said with a light smile.
This immediately startled Tang Rou, and even Jiu You could not help but frown.
"You brat, have you really become overconfident? Do you know what consequences occupying those ten cities would bring?"
Don't underestimate the significance of just ten cities. Their meaning was completely different from the previous fifty cities. In the latter case, Nine Nether Palace could still use the excuse of reclaiming lost territory, making the various kings hesitate and refrain from personally intervening.
But if Nine Nether Palace were to proactively attack other cities, then even the Three Emperors would likely not stand on their side.
Once the rule that kings could not personally take action was broken, Nine Nether Palace would face a joint assault from all sides. Unless Liu Bai could directly advance to the Seventh or Eighth-Grade Sovereign and become an existence comparable to the Three Emperors, no one would be able to protect Nine Nether Palace!
"Don't panic, don't panic. I never said we'd use force…"
Liu Bai waved his hands repeatedly, hurriedly explaining as he looked at the agitated pair.
"We can trade. We'll exchange cities of the same level or even more prosperous ones—with the various Kings in return for territory. As long as they don't have any deep grudges against Nine Nether Palace, they'll definitely be willing."
"In that way, Nine Nether Palace's territory will become fully connected, while they gain tangible benefits as well. It's a win-win."
"And more importantly, once that's done, we can use Lion Tiger Mountain as a springboard and directly launch an expedition into the Outer Domain. Since development within the Great Heavenlaw Domain has basically hit a ceiling, we might as well set our sights beyond it!"
Only now did Liu Bai truly reveal his real objective!
"An expedition into the Outer Domain? You really are bold!"
Jiu You stared deeply at Liu Bai, shock flashing uncontrollably in her violet eyes.
Since the establishment of the Great Heavenlaw Domain, aside from the conquest campaigns initiated by the Domain Lord, most strategies had been conservative. Even someone as powerful as the Asura King—the foremost among the Kings—generally only repelled powerful enemies rather than occupying territory.
That was because relying on individual strength made it nearly impossible to gain much. And even if some territory was seized, it often brought unpredictable dangers. The gains were far outweighed by the risks, so no one bothered with such thankless tasks.
Yet now, Liu Bai—a mere Great Commander—had developed such enormous ambitions!
"People need aspirations. Otherwise, how are they any different from salted fish?"
Liu Bai said with a grin.
Jiu You knew that this was just an excuse. His true motive had not been revealed at all.
"The Great Heavenlaw Domain doesn't forbid such actions, so if you truly wish to do this, you won't have to worry about internal suppression," Jiu You said after some thought.
"But one thing remains—are you really determined? The dangers involved may far exceed your expectations."
Liu Bai was actually quite helpless inside.
It wasn't that he wanted to show off in the Outer Domain—it was just that farming experience within the Great Heavenlaw Domain was both dangerous and inefficient. Compared to Outer Domain expeditions, the difference in rewards was enormous.
After all, he couldn't be sure whether Mandala would initiate a conquest war anytime soon, or whether it would only happen at the original timeline's point. He didn't have the luxury of waiting that long.
As for the Grand Hunting Battle… that occurred once every thirty years in the Northern Region, and the next one was still several years away—far too long to wait.
Fortunately, he now had backing. Ordinary threats could be handled by himself, or at worst with Jiu You's help. If truly powerful enemies appeared, he could invite the Three Emperors to intervene. He couldn't say for the other two, but calling on the Sky Vulture Emperor to save them at a critical moment was still feasible.
As for even stronger existences, only Mandala would suffice but that was still an unstable variable. Liu Bai lacked confidence for now. At the very least, he needed to "nurture" that ancient flower a bit longer—watering and fertilizing it properly.
That said, with their current strength, they wouldn't be provoking such terrifying figures anytime soon anyway.
Seeing that Liu Bai's resolve was firm, Jiu You ultimately did not object. Although there was a strict hierarchy between them, neither of them had ever truly cared about it.
For Jiu You as she was now, if not for Liu Bai, she would have long since abandoned this so-called position as Palace Master of Nine Nether Palace. Her best option would have been to return to her clan and receive superior cultivation.
After all, as the most talented princess of the Nine Nether Clan, and having independently completed her evolution, she was fully qualified to receive the clan's full support. Moreover, she was the first Nine Netherworld Sparrow in hundreds of years, and she had even awakened the Undying Flame…
All of this was more than enough for her to be treated as a treasured existence by the entire clan.
Yet she had temporarily given all of that up—because Jiu You knew that once she encountered the clan's experts, the bloodline connection between herself and Liu Bai would inevitably be exposed.
At that point, the clan would absolutely force her to sever that connection, and might even directly attempt to kill Liu Bai!
She didn't believe that Liu Bai currently possessed the ability to face the Nine Nether Clan—forget facing them, he didn't even qualify to earn their recognition.
It was only because Liu Bai's growth was so outrageously fast that Jiu You wasn't overly worried for now. Given enough time, she firmly believed that Liu Bai would not be inferior to any genius of the Nine Nether Clan and would even far exceed everyone's expectations!
Once Jiu You and Liu Bai agreed on the plan, Nine Nether Palace immediately went into full operation. The matter of the Nine Nether Guards was handed entirely to Liu Bai, the Great Commander, while Jiu You personally stepped forward to negotiate with the Spiritual Sword King and the Vajra King, who controlled the ten cities in question.
Fortunately, those two had not participated in the previous division of Nine Nether Palace's territory, so there was no existing conflict. Moreover, Jiu You offered concrete benefits, leaving them no reason to refuse.
In the end, for ten cities, Jiu You exchanged twelve cities under her control—granting each of them one additional city as a premium. The transaction was thus completed.
Naturally, Nine Nether Palace's actions did not escape the notice of the other Kings. However, most of them couldn't understand what Jiu You was planning. Why would she willingly accept a loss just to trade territory with the Spiritual Sword King and the Vajra King?
Was it really just to connect Lion Tiger Mountain with her own domain?
Did Jiu You value Fang Lei that much? That seemed completely unnecessary…
After all, a single city meant several thousand drops of Sovereign Spiritual Liquid each year—no small sum even for the Kings.
Yet Nine Nether Palace's actions didn't stop there. At this very moment, Liu Bai had already begun recruiting soldiers on a massive scale within their territory—two thousand at once. The requirements were stringent: only those who had reached the late Heaven Completion Realm or above were qualified to apply.
This series of moves clearly indicated one thing—
Nine Nether Palace was about to make a major move!
...
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