Chen Chang'an?
Hearing these three words, Ye Zhiqiu's heart trembled—this person actually knew his master?
"You truly know my master?" Ye Zhiqiu asked with a frown.
"Of course, we were together not long ago and just parted ways."
"Don’t believe me? Then what about Da Huang? Surely you’d trust that?"
Da Huang?
At the mention of Da Huang, Ye Zhiqiu knew Xuan Wudao was definitely acquainted with Chen Chang'an.
After all, while many knew of Chen Chang'an, few paid attention to Da Huang by his side—some didn’t even know of Da Huang’s existence.
"Ye Zhiqiu greets Senior."
Since he was a friend of Chen Chang'an, Ye Zhiqiu naturally treated him with courtesy.
However, the Sect Master of the Wuji Sect was puzzled—what was Xuan Wudao up to? What was the purpose of inviting Ye Zhiqiu to the Wuji Sect?
"Junior Brother, what’s the meaning of this?" the Sect Master transmitted via voice.
"Are you stupid? Ye Zhiqiu, ranked second on the Human Leaderboard, possesses heaven-defying combat prowess."
"This is a perfect opportunity to win him over. How did you even become Sect Master?"
"Do you have any unmarried female relatives at home?"
"Granddaughters, great-granddaughters, or even grandnieces—bring them all out."
"If this succeeds, our Wuji Sect will have a powerful backer."
"And do you think it’s just Ye Zhiqiu? No, it’s Chen Chang'an too."
Hearing Xuan Wudao’s transmission, the Sect Master’s eyes lit up—why hadn’t he thought of that?
Watching Ye Zhiqiu leave with the Wuji Sect, the crowd suddenly realized what had happened.
"Damn!"
"The Wuji Sect is shameless! They just took Ye Zhiqiu away like that?"
"Nothing we can do. That person from the Wuji Sect knows Ye Zhiqiu’s master."
"Tch, the Wuji Sect must be trying to recruit him."
"No doubt about it!"
Meanwhile, the Grand Elder of the Jiuxiao Sect glanced at his Sect Master and said indifferently, "Your reaction was inferior to those two from the Wuji Sect."
"Ye Zhiqiu came to our Jiuxiao Sect, yet you failed to seize the chance to win him over."
Hmm?
Though the Jiuxiao Sect Master also regretted it, he couldn’t agree with the Grand Elder’s words. If he hadn’t acted, what about the Grand Elder himself?
As the Grand Elder, hadn’t he also failed to react?
Now that the opportunity was lost, he was shifting blame?
Elsewhere, Chen Chang'an had already arrived at the Nine Nether Ravine with Da Huang.
As Luo Yiyi had said, the Nine Nether Ravine was highly unwelcoming to outsiders.
The place carried a unique aura, and those who lived there long-term naturally absorbed it, making it easy to distinguish outsiders.
The disciples sent by the Goddess of Luo Palace were originally from the Nine Nether Ravine, so they could move more freely without facing much hostility.
"Been here so long, and not a single person has acknowledged you."
"Though at least they haven’t kicked you out—that’s already polite, I suppose?"
"Who would’ve thought this place would be so hostile to outsiders?"
Da Huang was also curious. Even in a place like Beast God Province, where outsiders weren’t exactly welcomed, the locals were still relatively friendly as long as one didn’t offend the Beast God.
But the people of the Nine Nether Ravine? Each one looked like they were owed a debt, their faces sour as could be.
"Luo Yiyi mentioned that the Nine Nether Ravine is a closed-off society. To them, outsiders don’t belong here, so they won’t give them a friendly reception."
"Don’t mind them. We’re not here to make friends anyway."
After entering the Nine Nether Ravine, Chen Chang'an headed straight for the address Luo Yiyi had provided.
Seeing a man approach, the two disciples from the Goddess of Luo Palace immediately frowned, their expressions unfriendly.
"I am the Palace Master of the Goddess of Luo Palace—"
"Outrageous! How dare you impersonate—"
"See for yourselves!"
Without wasting words, Chen Chang'an crushed a jade pendant, releasing two beams of golden light that shot into the disciples’ foreheads.
After absorbing the information within, though shocked, they had no choice but to comply.
"Greetings, Palace Master."
"Our earlier disrespect was inexcusable. Please forgive us."
Chen Chang'an waved it off, unbothered by their initial reaction. Without confirmation of his identity, their caution was understandable.
"My purpose here should’ve been relayed by Vice Palace Master Luo."
"What have you uncovered so far?" Chen Chang'an asked.
"Reporting to the Palace Master, we haven’t confirmed whether the bead is in the tomb of the Nine Nether Emperor’s late wife."
"However, we did discover something else."
Oh?
"What is it?" Chen Chang'an asked.
"A thousand years ago, the Nine Nether Emperor personally killed his young wife."
What?
Killed his wife to prove his Dao?
The Nine Nether Emperor had never married in his long life, yet he suddenly took a young wife—already strange. Now, killing her with his own hands? Even stranger.
This bastard… did he also cultivate some twisted technique?
What, was he trying to sever emotions and desires?
"Wasn’t it said that the Nine Nether Emperor doted on this young wife?"
"Why would he kill her himself?" Chen Chang'an asked curiously.
"According to rumors in the Nine Nether Ravine, the Nine Nether Emperor never married but had over a hundred adopted sons."
"Each of these sons was exceptionally powerful."
"After taking a wife, the Nine Nether Emperor went into seclusion for a century. Unable to endure the loneliness, his young wife… engaged in affairs with these adopted sons."
"It’s said she was involved with dozens of them."
"When the Nine Nether Emperor discovered it, he personally executed this unfaithful woman."
Hearing this rumor, Chen Chang'an felt something was off. Even if the young wife was unfaithful, were the adopted sons idiots?
Daring to lay hands on the Nine Nether Emperor’s wife? That was like holding a lantern in an outhouse—asking for death.
It wasn’t as if there were no other women around. If they were that desperate, they could’ve sought others outside. Why take such a risk?
Was it… for the thrill?
"How credible do you think this rumor is?"
"The Nine Nether Emperor’s adopted sons were no fools. They wouldn’t act so recklessly, would they?" Chen Chang'an frowned.
"We doubted it too, but… dozens of these adopted sons have indeed vanished since then."
"Many suspect the Nine Nether Emperor executed them as well."
"After this incident, the Nine Nether Emperor himself entered seclusion and hasn’t emerged for nearly a thousand years."
Always in seclusion?
Logically, with the Nine Nether Emperor’s strength, his talent shouldn’t be lacking. Why, after all these years, hadn’t he ascended?
Did he not want to? Or was something holding him back?
"Palace Master, what are you thinking?"
"Nothing much. Just that this matter is rather peculiar."
"Regardless… it seems we’ll have to pay a visit to the Nine Nether Palace."