In the depths of the Netherworld, atop a towering mountain, Ming He Tai sat leisurely on a stone chair. Behind him stood two figures, and in front, a man with a slight frown, appearing hesitant.
"What? With your strength, Ming Wen Zhai, are you afraid of a mere mid-level Realm Creation Realm brat? Though that kid is of equal cultivation to you, you are a disciple of our Great Elder's family. Your techniques and cultivation resources must be far more substantial than that Li family's. Facing such an unfavored disciple, you still hesitate?"
Seeing Ming He Tai pause his tea-drinking, Ming Wen Zhai quickly bowed. "Young Master, you misunderstand. That Li Xuan will be handled by me. I was merely contemplating whether to capture him alive for your disposal or to pulverize him to ashes for your satisfaction."
Ming He Tai gave Ming Wen Zhai a wry smile. "So that's it. I thought you were afraid of losing to that kid. Dispose of him as you see fit, I only want him dead within this Netherworld. If you fail, you know the consequences."
"Yes!" A ruthless glint flashed in Ming Wen Zhai's eyes, but he quickly suppressed it. After bowing again, he vanished into the void.
"Young Master, Ming Wen Zhai is ranked one hundred and twenty-three. Dealing with that Li family kid shouldn't be an issue, right? If you're worried, I can also secretly intervene." One of the men behind Ming He Tai spoke up, seeing his master's somber expression.
Ming He Tai waved his hand. "Why would our family need two people to deal with a mid-level Realm Creation Realm from a small family? If that kid dies by Ming Wen Zhai's hand, he won't be qualified to challenge me. If Ming Wen Zhai dies, I'll handle it myself. Let's see who in the Nine Nether Clan dares to lay a hand on me!"
...
"I never imagined the scenery inside here would be no less impressive than that of the Sacred Origin Continent. It seems the Nine Nether Clan does have some capable and extraordinary individuals." Li Xuan, now in the central region of the Netherworld, looked around in surprise.
The central area was beautiful, with lush grass and dense trees, and the spiritual energy was exceptionally rich. It was evident that creating such a space required someone with extremely high attainments in formations.
"Although I've reached the central region, finding a participant within the top two hundred will still require some effort. Well, the spiritual energy here is so potent, it's a good place for cultivation."
"Once ten thousand participants appear, the Netherworld Rankings will release all their information. Then, challenges can be issued with tokens. There's no need to rush."
Li Xuan thought this, then headed towards a lake below. After his observation, he clearly understood that the source of the spiritual energy here originated from this lake. Cultivating at this spring would be an excellent endeavor.
As time passed, Li Xuan had been meditating and absorbing energy within the spring for three days. Streams of spiritual energy, as tangible as substance, entered his body through his exposed skin, constantly compressing and refining, making his aura increasingly ethereal.
Boom!
On the fourth day of Li Xuan's cultivation within the lake's spring, a massive explosion jolted him awake. Li Xuan's eyes snapped open, and he immediately felt a sense of danger enveloping him. With a thought, he vanished from the spring.
As Li Xuan appeared in mid-air, the once calm lake surface was churning violently from the immense force. Waves crashed down, sending countless sprays of water into the air. Li Xuan paid no attention to any of this. His gaze, tinged with slight solemnity, fixed on the figure floating in mid-air, watching him.
"So you were hiding at the bottom of this lake. No wonder it took me four days to find you. But you should be content with having this place as your burial ground." The man glanced at Li Xuan, his eyes devoid of any ripple, as if Li Xuan was insignificant in his eyes.
Li Xuan chuckled. "It seems you are the one sent by Ming He Tai. With the background of the Great Elder's family, you certainly have the right to be arrogant. However, I'm curious, both of us being at the mid-level of the Realm Creation Realm, are you so sure you can defeat me?"
Although Ming Wen Zhai's expression remained unchanged, he was inwardly surprised by Li Xuan's reaction. Since Li Xuan knew the Young Master would send someone to deal with him, why wasn't he more fearful? And staying here, it was as if he was waiting for him.
Did this kid not fear the power of the Great Elder's family?
Or did this kid believe that by aligning himself with the Second Elder's family, he could disregard the Great Elder's family?
"The mere Li family, not to mention the Young Master, I don't even regard them. A frog in a well can only see the sky as big as the well's opening. Do you think that by cultivating to the mid-level of the Realm Creation Realm, you can compare to me?"
"Kid, if I were you, I would be thinking about how to beg for mercy right now. Perhaps if I'm in a better mood, I won't take your life." Ming Wen Zhai spoke indifferently.
Li Xuan burst into laughter. The world he had experienced was far grander than that of the man sent by Ming He Tai. If anyone was a frog in a well, it was likely this person.
However, Li Xuan was too lazy to argue. He then said, "I originally planned to wait for the Netherworld Rankings to appear before issuing challenges, but since you've shown yourself, let's start with you. By the way, your rank should be within the top two hundred, right?"
Ming Wen Zhai's eyelids twitched. Li Xuan's words made it seem as if he had already sealed his fate. He let out a cold snort. "My rank is one hundred and twenty-three. How could someone like you possibly defeat me? Kid, I'm in a bad mood right now. So, die!"
As soon as Ming Wen Zhai finished speaking, he shot towards Li Xuan like a sharp sword. The aura pressure of a mid-level Realm Creation Realm cultivator instantly permeated the air, causing the now calm lake surface to ripple again. His massive fist, radiating with fist light, clearly indicated the terrifying physical strength of Ming Wen Zhai.
Seeing this, Li Xuan immediately activated his transcendent realm physical strength. He then stomped his foot forcefully and threw a punch at Ming Wen Zhai.
Boom!
The two figures collided head-on in mid-air. As their fists met, a visible shockwave erupted. The lake below was once again hit by immense waves.
As the waves subsided, Ming Wen Zhai's previously calm expression changed drastically. He knew his physical strength well; even within large families, few could match him besides those in the Harmonious Realm.
Yet, after taking this punch from Li Xuan, there was no sign of exhaustion.
"I took one of your punches, now you take one of mine!"
While Ming Wen Zhai was still in shock, Li Xuan's fist suddenly retracted, and then he struck out again. The sky was filled with fist shadows, raining down on Ming Wen Zhai like raindrops.
Seeing this, Ming Wen Zhai frantically gathered his strength and, in a hasty move, also threw a punch at Li Xuan.
Bang!