Chen Chang'an took a deep breath. If the Nine Nether Emperor's beloved wife had truly done something that forced the Nine Nether Emperor to personally execute her, the likelihood of the pearl being buried with her would be extremely low.
The most terrifying possibility was that the Nine Nether Emperor's wife had not valued the pearl at all, which could lead to its loss once again.
No matter what, Chen Chang'an had to hurry to the Nine Nether Hall. However... the Nine Nether Emperor was in seclusion, which posed a problem.
"You two, return to the Luo Shen Palace first. I'll handle matters in the Nine Nether Ravine alone."
Chen Chang'an glanced at the two women. Though their cultivation had reached the Supreme Realm, it still wasn't enough for what lay ahead.
This was a high-stakes game—one they couldn't participate in.
"Yes, Palace Master."
The disciples of the Luo Shen Palace didn't argue and immediately obeyed Chen Chang'an's orders. Before leaving, they informed him of the Nine Nether Hall's location.
Chen Chang'an exchanged a look with Da Huang and headed straight for the Nine Nether Hall.
"Halt!"
"The Nine Nether Hall does not receive guests. Turn back."
As soon as Chen Chang'an arrived at the gates of the Nine Nether Hall, he was stopped by its disciples.
"Has the Nine Nether Emperor emerged from seclusion?" Chen Chang'an asked.
"Whether he has or hasn't is none of your concern."
"If you value your life, get lost," the disciple coldly replied.
"Death?"
"I wouldn't mind it, but you'd need the ability to deliver it first," Chen Chang'an said with a faint smile.
"Arrogant!"
The disciple's expression darkened, and he immediately attacked—only to freeze in place under Chen Chang'an's gaze.
"You... just who are you?"
A single glance had such power. The disciple was horrified—this man's strength was far beyond what it seemed.
"Nine Nether Emperor!"
"Chen Chang'an, disciple of Mu Yunyao, requests an audience!"
Chen Chang'an's voice was soft, yet it pierced straight into the soul. Every person in the Nine Nether Hall heard him clearly.
"Audacious!"
"Who dares disturb the Hall Master's seclusion?"
"What nerve! Who is Mu Yunyao? Never heard of her. A mere disciple dares to make a scene at the Nine Nether Hall?"
The Nine Nether Hall had existed for far too long—it could be called the oldest power in the Tai Xuan Realm.
Thus, the hall was filled with experts, all genuine Great Emperors who had ascended through their own strength—unlike the inferior Dragon Emperor Palace.
In the blink of an eye, dozens of Great Emperors appeared before Chen Chang'an, glaring at him with fury.
"Truly worthy of being the oldest power in the Tai Xuan Realm. I didn’t expect so many Great Emperors."
"Still, I have no interest in fighting you. You're no match for me."
"Stay put. I believe your Hall Master will appear soon."
Chen Chang'an wasn't confident in himself—but in the name "Mu Yunyao." Others might not understand its weight, but the Nine Nether Emperor surely would.
"Hahaha!"
"What an arrogant brat."
"With just the first level of the Supreme Realm, you dare act so boldly?"
"What gives you the right?"
Just as the Nine Nether Hall's experts prepared to strike, the Nine Nether Emperor's voice suddenly rang out.
"Let him in."
Huh?
The Hall Master's voice?
He actually emerged from seclusion?
And wants to see this arrogant kid?
The Nine Nether Hall's members were stunned. None had expected this kid's words to carry such weight.
Mu Yunyao?
Was it because of Mu Yunyao?
Just who was Mu Yunyao, to make the Hall Master take her so seriously?
"I told you he'd appear."
Chen Chang'an smirked at the crowd, then walked into the Nine Nether Hall with Da Huang.
The Nine Nether Emperor had already emerged from seclusion but hadn't gone to the main hall. Instead, he waited in his private courtyard for Chen Chang'an's arrival.
When Chen Chang'an appeared, the Nine Nether Emperor scrutinized him carefully.
"Your master is Mu Yunyao?"
"A genius like her hasn't ascended to the higher realm yet?"
After a moment of observation, the Nine Nether Emperor asked curiously. He had no real interest in Chen Chang'an—in fact, he barely acknowledged him.
If not for the mention of Mu Yunyao, the Nine Nether Emperor would never have emerged to meet him.
"My master has her reasons for not ascending."
"Senior Nine Nether Emperor, aren't you also the oldest powerhouse in the Tai Xuan Realm?"
"You haven't ascended either," Chen Chang'an replied with a smile.
"What a sharp-tongued brat."
"Do you really think having Mu Yunyao as your master gives you the right to disrespect me?"
The Nine Nether Emperor's expression darkened, and an overwhelming aura erupted from his body.
In an instant, the pressure engulfed the entire Nine Nether Ravine. Everyone trembled in fear, and many dropped to their knees.
"What... what's happening? The Nine Nether Emperor emerged?"
"Why such terrifying pressure all of a sudden? Did someone provoke him?"
"Damn it, who’s the fool that dared to offend the Nine Nether Emperor?"
Fear and anger spread among the crowd—they were suffering for no reason. Those with weaker cultivation couldn't withstand the Nine Nether Emperor's might.
Some fainted, while others suffered minor injuries. The worst off were the Nine Nether Hall's members, who stood closest to the source of the pressure.
"Enough. This trick might work on others."
"But not on me."
Facing the Nine Nether Emperor's crushing aura, Chen Chang'an remained unfazed. He casually took a seat on a nearby chair.
This reaction stunned the Nine Nether Emperor.
As expected of someone Mu Yunyao—that monster—would willingly take as a disciple. This kid was anything but ordinary.
At just the first level of the Supreme Realm, he could ignore his pressure?
Had Mu Yunyao trained him specifically for this?
Hmm?
That dog!
When the Nine Nether Emperor noticed Da Huang, his eyes widened in shock—one he couldn't hide.
Chen Chang'an being unaffected was one thing... but even this dog moved freely?
The Nine Nether Emperor had lived for countless years and thought he'd seen it all.
But today?
This was truly an eye-opener.
Retracting his pressure, the Nine Nether Emperor regarded Chen Chang'an with newfound seriousness.
"Did your master send you to find me? What does she want?" he asked, frowning.
"My master didn't send me. I came on my own business."
"I heard that when you married, you gifted your beloved wife a pearl."
"Where is that pearl now?" Chen Chang'an asked.
At the mention of his wife, the Nine Nether Emperor's expression shifted.
"You're also here for the pearl?"
Huh?
What did he mean, "also"?
Did that imply...
"Was your beloved wife after the pearl as well?"
d intelligence to keep the plot moving, and sometimes even the protagonists are forced into absurdly dumb decisions. Why does the A-list celebrity heroine in urban romance novels ditch the top-tier movie star and become a lovestruck fool for a pockmarked male lead? Why do the leads in historical tragedy novels keep dancing between love and death, only for the blind healer to end up suffering the most? And Gu Wei never expected that after finally landing a villain role to stir up trouble, she’d pick the wrong gender! No choice now—she’ll just have to crush the protagonists as a girl!
he colors of other people’s emotions. Light red meant anxiety. Gray meant exhaustion. Orange meant excitement. Yellow... meant repression. At the same time, he could gain unlimited control over one of those colors. Pale cyan: relaxation. Using this ability, he started offering “two-yuan hugs,” spending an afternoon exchanging emotional-color experiences with others. Then came his final female customer of the day— a girl whose emotional color was pure black... —— A week later, Xu Chuan had become skilled at using pale cyan—Relaxation—treating it like a bottle of menthol balm whenever he needed it. That was when he discovered he had unlocked another unlimited emotional color: Purple, the color of fear. So these emotional colors refresh every week? Fine, I take it back—I’ll never call you useless again... —— Much later, after Xu Chuan had accumulated countless emotional abilities, one night, he suddenly found himself inside someone else’s dream. There, he could use the emotional colors he possessed to paint. And in her dream, he painted her a shower of pink shooting stars, spreading across the depths of the night sky...
ions, keeping it grounded and realistic】 After quitting his job, office worker Su Yang accidentally binds with the "Enjoy Life System." As the name suggests, simply by indulging in life's pleasures, he can earn random rewards from the system—no need to spend money on beautiful women or grovel before anyone. Just enjoy, and the money follows, making it all about effortless fun. The system comes with a scanning feature, allowing him to establish a favorability bond with women rated 85 points or above. Every 20-point increase in favorability unlocks additional rewards. After suffering through over twenty years of hardship, Su Yang trembles with excitement, his dull eyes suddenly gleaming with newfound hope. "Enjoy life? How hard could that be?"
] [Lone Wolf, No Male Gaze] [Protagonist is pursued early on; extreme protagonist-stans, stay away!] The "Carnival Paradise" descends and slowly devours the real world in the form of a game. By chance, Zhu Yan awakens the talent [Roleplay], becoming one of the first beta players. He thought he could develop safely, but after clearing the first instance, he is branded by humanity as the chief culprit behind the game's spread—a traitorous villain. A villain? Who would ever... become one! He'll be the villain! From then on, Zhu Yan is not only a player but also a lackey for the Carnival Paradise. Between the straight path and the crooked path, he chooses the con. With his left hand, he dons the villain's mantle, staging scenes within instances, infuriating players who decry him as a despicable traitor, all while the game happily promotes him. With his right hand, he joins the non-human organization "Fangcun Mountain," which opposes the Carnival Paradise, transforming into a mysterious player who slaughters game bosses, earning cheers of "Long live the expert!" from fellow players. Gradually, Zhu Yan rises to become an S-rank human player in Fangcun Mountain's archives, while also being the Carnival Paradise's certified top game Boss. But when the final war erupts and both major factions place their hopes in him— Players tag his various aliases: "Experts, this offensive depends on you." The Carnival Paradise's supreme Boss throws an arm around his neck: "Bro, you're the iron, I'm the steel; you can't let me down again!"
