Nine Nether Bestows Treasure, Begins Seclusion

"Are you sure?"

Nine Nether's expression remained unchanged. She knew Lu Chen cultivated the Ancient Divine Technique, and in terms of spiritual energy quality, he far surpassed these Nine Nether Guards, who only cultivated Spirit Grade Upper spiritual techniques.

But battle did not rely on spiritual energy alone. Combat experience, offensive methods, mental state, battle strategy... all sorts of factors came into play. Lu Chen, who came from the Northern Spiritual Realm, might not necessarily be able to defeat these battle-hardened Nine Nether Guards.

What was more, he would be fighting across an entire major realm.

"I'm sure!"

Lu Chen grinned. He also wanted to see just how strong he had become.

"Good. Xue Yue, come out and spar with him."

Nine Nether nodded.

Then, the burly man built like an iron tower stepped out from the ranks.

Clad in black armor and holding an iron spear, he strode before Lu Chen with a resolute expression. Cupping his fists, he said, "Nine Nether Guard Xue Yue, please enlighten me!"

"Excuse me, then."

Lu Chen returned the gesture with cupped fists.

The two drew apart, and beneath the watchful eyes of thousands, the battle began.

"Begin!"

Tang Bing gave the order.

Xue Yue charged out almost instantly, moving as swiftly as a ghost. In the blink of an eye, he appeared before Lu Chen and struck with his palm. The wind from his palm rumbled like thunder as it flashed toward Lu Chen's vital points.

Sky-blue spiritual energy surged beneath his palm, carrying the sound of crashing waves.

"A Spirit Grade Upper movement technique..."

Almost instantly, Lu Chen judged the grade of the technique his opponent was using. He knew he could not evade it, and he had never cultivated any movement technique himself.

His thoughts raced. His hand suddenly clenched, purple spiritual energy covering his arm as wisps of purple flame rose fiercely. He threw a punch!

Vibration Fist!

Facing the full-force attack of a Heavenly Transformation Realm expert, he actually chose to meet it head-on!

Boom!

Fist and palm collided violently. A shocking surge of spiritual energy erupted from Lu Chen's fist. The powerful amplification of the Ancient Divine Technique combined with the Spirit Grade Lower Vibration Fist, allowing this seemingly ordinary punch to unleash power no weaker than a God Grade offensive spiritual technique.

Bang!

Xue Yue staggered backward, his palm charred black. The ground beneath his feet immediately split open with huge cracks.

Lu Chen did not move an inch. He gazed ahead calmly and said indifferently, "Do we still need to continue?"

"Again!"

Xue Yue gritted his teeth, unwilling to accept defeat.

What he did not know was that Lu Chen's lips had curled into a delighted smile. He was quite pleased that Xue Yue had willingly walked into his trap.

After all, he did not know any movement techniques. If someone kept him at range, things would become troublesome.

Buzz!

Xue Yue charged again. Lu Chen threw another punch, purple flames sweeping out as terrifying spiritual energy vibrations raged through Xue Yue's body.

Xue Yue's body shook, and he was sent flying back again in a sorry state. His feet scraped across the ground, leaving behind deep tracks.

"Again!"

Boom!

Xue Yue was blasted backward!

"Again!"

Xue Yue continued charging forward!

Not long afterward,

Xue Yue climbed up from the ground, panting heavily. He cupped his fists toward Lu Chen and said, "I, Old Xue, am convinced. Brother Lu, you're formidable!"

"I only won through a trick. Brother Xue, you flatter me."

Lu Chen returned the salute with cupped fists and smiled.

Afterward, Xue Yue returned to the ranks.

Lu Chen went back to Nine Nether's side.

Tang Bing gave Lu Chen a curious glance. With her insight, she could naturally tell that Lu Chen had only used a Spirit Grade Lower spiritual technique just now, yet the grade of his cultivation technique was extremely high. It was truly rather strange.

After all, cultivation techniques were generally far more precious than other spiritual techniques.

It made no sense to possess a high-grade cultivation technique while lacking a high-grade offensive spiritual technique.

Seeing Lu Chen win so easily, Nine Nether nodded slightly. A trace of approval flashed in her eyes as she said to him, "You know how to make use of your strengths and attack your enemy's weaknesses. Not bad. It seems your previous opportunity did not make you arrogant."

"I was worried you would become conceited. I originally intended to blunt your edge today, but it seems I was the shallow one."

"Little Bing, continue leading their training. Lu Chen, come with me."

Tang Bing nodded, then walked before the Nine Nether Guards and began the day's training.

Lu Chen followed Nine Nether toward the palace.

Inside the Nine Nether Palace,

Lu Chen followed Nine Nether to a side hall. Complex array patterns floated across the Bronze Gate of the side hall, mysterious beyond measure, faintly emitting exceptionally powerful spiritual energy fluctuations.

Nine Nether took out the Nine Nether Token and infused it with spiritual energy. A strange spiritual energy fluctuation immediately spread out from the token. The spiritual light on the Bronze Gate flickered for a moment before slowly fading away, and the gate opened as well.

"Come in. These are all the treasures collected by my Nine Nether Palace over the years. Take whatever catches your eye."

As soon as she finished speaking, Nine Nether took the lead and stepped into the hall.

Lu Chen's eyes lit up, and he quickly followed.

The moment Lu Chen passed through the Bronze Gate, light flickered before his eyes, and a faint dizziness rose in his mind.

By the time he came back to his senses, the scene before him had completely changed.

It was a dazzling river of light. Light surged past from every direction like a raging torrent, and as far as the eye could see, the brilliant river stretched to the end of his vision.

Lu Chen stared at the sight in astonishment. This was not what he had expected at all.

"There are countless spiritual treasures and spiritual techniques within that river of light. What you can obtain depends entirely on your own ability. Spiritual treasures possess their own spirituality. If you cannot subdue them, taking them is pointless."

"Since you performed well today, I'll allow you to choose any three items."

Nine Nether crossed her arms, a faint smile appearing on her face.

"Are there any God Grade movement techniques or divine artifacts in there?"

Rather than rushing to choose, Lu Chen thought for a moment before asking in return.

The smile on Nine Nether's face froze. She gritted her silver teeth and said resentfully, "Do you think this is a wishing pool? I don't even have a divine artifact myself. As for a God Grade movement technique, in terms of rarity, it can rank first among all God Grade techniques. There's only one Spirit Grade Upper movement technique here. Do you want it or not?"

"Then forget it."

Lu Chen shook his head in disappointment. Although he knew the Nine Nether Palace was poor, he had not expected it to be poor to this extent—not even possessing a single divine artifact.

As for God Grade techniques, the only thing he lacked at present was a movement technique. There was no need for him to cultivate God Grade offensive or defensive techniques, since after breaking through to the Supreme Realm, he could directly cultivate Divine Arts.

Their power far surpassed God Grade techniques, making them standard methods for those in the Supreme Realm.

It was just that Divine Arts for movement were rarely heard of, which was why he wanted to find a God Grade technique as a backup.

"Other than God Grade movement techniques and divine artifacts, what else do you want?"

Nine Nether asked somewhat gloomily.

She had originally wanted him to choose for himself, but the moment he opened his mouth, he asked for things she did not have. This left the always-proud Nine Nether completely deflated. She no longer bothered with letting him choose and simply asked what he wanted.

"Do you have Divine Wood Gang Lightning and Scarlet Flame Jade Marrow?"

Lu Chen did not mind it much and asked with a smile.

"I do, but aren't you still at the late Heaven Merging Realm? Those two spiritual treasures will only be useful when crossing the Three Minor Tribulations of the Sovereign."

Nine Nether asked doubtfully.

"I'll need them soon. Sister Nine Nether, I want those two."

"Next, I'll enter seclusion for two years and break through to the Supreme Realm. Do not let anyone disturb me."

Lu Chen smiled, his gaze resolute.

Two years was the deadline he had set for himself.

According to the memories of his previous life, Mu Chen had taken less than three years to break through to the Supreme Realm at the Northern Azure Spiritual Academy.

Although he had taken Nine Nether from Mu Chen in this life, Mu Chen, who cultivated the Great Pagoda Art, presumably would not be much slower.

If he could not break through to the Supreme Realm within two years, then once Mu Chen rose to prominence, the White Dragon Spiritual Treasury connected to the White Dragon Sovereign would have nothing to do with him.

That was a tremendous opportunity containing the key to breaking through to the Heavenly Supreme Realm. Throughout the entire Great Thousand World, it would probably be difficult to find another supreme opportunity capable of matching it.