Beneath the Nether Pool, Xu Xian searched for Shadow Soul Stones in a world spanning thousands of miles.
Above the Nether Pool, the demon gods were also searching for Xu Xian across the vast expanse of the pool.
That underground world was vast, seemingly even larger than the Nether Pool itself.
In this world, there was nothing besides Xu Xian—not a single weed, a fallen leaf, or even a grain of dust...
Controlling his sword for thousands of miles, coming and going like the wind, he searched the entire area, but his efforts were ultimately in vain.
The youth sat squatting on that azure watery surface with a troubled expression, seemingly deep in thought.
"Master, what are you thinking about?"
Xu Xian gazed beneath the water's surface and said indifferently, "I'm thinking about how to empty the pockets of those ten demon gods."
The little book spirit rolled its eyes; it knew its master was up to no good again.
However, given the current situation, if he wanted to collect a million tons of Shadow Soul Stones, he really had no choice but to find another way.
If he couldn't mine them, he could only return to the Nether Capital to swindle, abduct, and rob... err, robbing probably wouldn't work.
He couldn't beat them!
Judging by the situation over the past few months, trying to earn money honestly was a difficult path to take.
He had to find a way to make the ten demon gods and the seven family heads willingly hand over their family fortunes.
Only then would it be possible to gather enough.
It suggested, "My suggestion is that you should just openly tell that Jin Qing you can condense nether fire. Doesn't the Nether Records say that one who can condense nether fire can become the Demon Lord? Just be the Demon Lord then. In the name of the Demon Lord, order them to hand over the Shadow Soul Stones. If they don't, then seize their properties."
Xu Xian curled his lip and grumbled, "I'm afraid I'd be killed by those unruly subjects before I even begin my reign."
The little book spirit spoke again, "Then go back to the sect and invite your Senior Brother here. Use the fact that they threw you into the Nether Pool as an excuse to demand reparations. If they don't pay, then crush them."
Xu Xian's eyes lit up with interest. "Hey, now that's an idea."
The little book spirit crossed its small arms, looking extremely proud. "Right? Hehe, I'm just that brilliant and wise."
Xu Xian immediately flicked its forehead, rolled his eyes, and said irritably, "You really think I'm praising you? What kind of terrible ideas are those?"
The little book spirit puffed out its cheeks in anger. He was the one who said it was good; how could someone change their face so quickly?
"Am I wrong?"
"Tsk... demand reparations? Even a rabbit will bite when cornered. Do you really think the Wendao Sword Sect is invincible under heaven?"
"Are they not?"
Xu Xian was too lazy to explain. Setting aside whether he could convince Senior Brother Lei to take the risk and try.
Even if his Senior Brother agreed, would the current Demon Abyss submissively comply?
Although this Demon Abyss was far inferior to the East Desolation and could not compare to how it was thousands of years ago, several of his senior brothers and sisters indeed had the power to sweep through it.
But do not forget, the Demon Abyss was not entirely without recourse.
The Nether Gate.
He had heard this term from Chi Ji more than once.
During the days he lived in that courtyard, he had also put in effort to gather some information.
He had gained a certain level of understanding and recognition regarding the Nether Gate.
Rumor had it that an ancient Nether Beast was sealed within the Nether Gate.
They were the true overlords of the Demon Abyss during ancient times.
Before he appeared, Jin Qing already had plans to open the Nether Gate; it was just that there were internal disagreements.
If the Wendao Sword Sect really decided to make things difficult for them at this time.
They would probably open the Nether Gate without a second thought.
And release the Nether Beast inside.
Xu Xian was unsure how strong the Nether Beast was, and it was precisely because of the unknown that he felt wary.
The battle in the East Desolation had indeed quieted the whole world.
But the Wendao Sword Sect had not escaped without losses either.
Senior Brother Yun Zheng had passed away, and the sect's middle-tier combat strength was depleted.
The new city in the East Desolation was in a state of neglect, and in the following years, it would consume a massive amount of resources.
Having lost the surveillance of the Spirit Eye, the Wendao Sword Sect was forced to redeploy more than half of its combat strength to guard that Demon Suppression Abyss.
Xu Xian had inadvertently heard Ye Xianyu mention that after she returned, it was Eighth Senior Brother Yao Xiqiao who took over for her to guard that city.
After all, the latest intelligence showed that Bai Ze was only heavily injured and not dead, and several beast gods had also fortunately survived.
Although they were currently like stray dogs.
To be honest, what one feared was precisely these stray dogs suddenly losing their minds and engaging in a desperate struggle to the death.
Regardless, they already had nothing left to lose.
The Wendao Sword Sect had to remain on guard.
The Central Plains was still watching like a tiger stalking its prey.
His actions in Demon-Slaying City, along with Sixth Senior Sister's obstruction at Broken Sword Peak, had further intensified the conflict.
They had also fought a battle in the North Sea, and the grudge formed was not small either.
He suspected that he wasn't the only one who knew the secrets hidden beneath the Wendao Sword Sect; even Lu Yuan could see some clues. He didn't believe that no one else in this world knew about the truth within.
They were likely all waiting for an opportunity to take a bite out of the Wendao Sword Sect at any moment.
At a time like this, as the Little Grand-Uncle, he did not yet have the strength to challenge the entire world alone, yet he was supposed to open a new battlefield in the Demon Abyss for his own selfish reasons.
And within the known factors, there were already unpredictable risks.
Unless Xu Xian was truly insane.
Otherwise, not even a fool would do such a thing.
He avoided the question and changed the subject, asking, "How do you think these Shadow Soul Stones are formed? There are none down here, and I didn't find any while diving. Where do they come from?"
The little book spirit analyzed with a serious expression, "It's very likely they are formed by the pressure of the Ruoshui under specific circumstances. After all, with such a large Nether Pool, the stone-salvagers from the Demon God Palace can only salvage a few thousand a day."
"That's true." Xu Xian muttered softly, then suddenly looked up at the aurora and said for no reason, "Hey, do you think it's possible they fall from up there, like meteorites?"
The little book spirit followed his lead, straining its head upward, its small brows furrowed as it rubbed its chin.
"It's not impossible, but there's nothing up there, and no starry sky. How could they fall?"
Xu Xian was also puzzled. He had flown up above the aurora to look, and there was nothing but endless mist inside.
As for the light above, it was produced by clouds and mist colliding with each other under the influence of a specific magnetic field.
There were no floating mountains or drifting star fragments.
It was empty!
"Hmm?" The little book spirit was suddenly alert, pointing its hand. "Master, what is that?"
Xu Xian focused his gaze, his pupils dilating slightly. "It looks like something is there?"
"Is it coming for us?"
"It really is?"
Looking up at the sky, above the aurora and within the churning mist, countless black dots abruptly fell, becoming closer and denser...
Densely packed, they were falling right toward the two of them.
To call them meteorites, they were too small.
To call them frost, they were too large.
Xu Xian didn't have time to think and quickly waved his hand, raising a protective barrier to envelop himself.
In the next second, countless black dots rained down like a curtain. Some landed on the water and slowly submerged, while others were bounced off by the spirit qi shield and fell back into the water, also slowly sinking.
Objects falling from a high altitude, silent and soundless, with only countless ripples intersecting one another.
Xu Xian was quick and reached out to catch one. Looking at it, he was instantly overjoyed. "Shadow Soul Stones?"
The little book spirit also reacted and shouted.
"Quick, pick them up!"
Rate on N.U.
