A Pact with Nine Nether in the Black Underworld Abyss

Several hours later,

Lu Chen had already ventured deep into the Black Underworld Abyss.

Because it was shrouded in Death Miasma all year round, the place was even darker and damper. From time to time, various low growls drifted over from afar, their roars brimming with bloodlust.

Lu Chen moved cautiously through the shadows, doing his best to avoid any places where Spirit Beasts might appear.

Combined with the medicinal powder scattered over his body, he encountered no danger along the way.

Before long, Lu Chen had searched several more perilous areas. Half a day passed in the blink of an eye, and when he arrived at a black valley, his gaze suddenly sharpened.

Before him lay a vast black basin. The ground here looked as though it had been scorched by flames, bearing a charred black hue.

The basin was littered with countless stark white bones.

Judging by their size, these bones should have belonged to Spirit Beasts. They were frozen in poses of frantically running forward, as though something ahead had drawn them in and made escape impossible.

"I've finally arrived at the Nine Netherbird's Resting Place."

Lu Chen took a deep breath, his hands trembling slightly. He felt both unease over his future and anticipation for the success of his plan.

Before coming here, he had already used this month's only simulation opportunity to exchange for the cultivation method of a Supreme Sovereign Celestial Body, and he had obtained the answer he wanted.

But now that the moment had arrived, who would not be afraid when facing such a ferocious beast?

"Every beginning is difficult. If I take this risk, the Supreme Realm will at least be my foundation in the future, and the road ahead will be much easier. Let's do it!"

Determination filled Lu Chen's eyes as he strode into the valley.

The moment he entered, the black basin seemed like the gaping maw of a demon, instantly swallowing his figure whole.

Within the black basin,

A chilly breeze swept past, and the countless white bones seemed to tremble slightly, sending a faint chill through one's heart.

Lu Chen swept his gaze around, only to discover that aside from massive black boulders, the enormous valley was completely empty.

"Could I have come to the wrong place?"

Lu Chen pondered for a moment. Then, a sharp gleam flashed through his eyes, and he punched the black boulder beneath his feet.

Crack!

The black boulder trembled, and then cracks quietly spread across its surface.

Chunks of stone began falling from the massive rock. What should have been an ordinary sight made Lu Chen's pupils suddenly contract.

He discovered that a dense black radiance had abruptly shot out from the cracks in the boulder.

Streams of black light burst from the cracks in the rock, followed by a wave of energy. With a bang, the huge boulder exploded apart.

A pitch-black sphere of light slowly rose and hovered in the valley.

Looking closely, it turned out to be a black giant egg about ten feet wide. Its surface was dark and smooth, while obscure and mysterious patterns covered its shell. Upon closer inspection, they resembled a mysterious black bird spreading its wings to protect the Black Egg within.

"Junior, are you courting death?"

An angry thought emerged from the Black Egg and instantly reached Lu Chen's mind.

Lu Chen took a deep breath. He knew the true critical moment had arrived.

The Flame Mantra was certainly good, but without the Nine Netherbird's aid, refining a Supreme fire seed would be as difficult as ascending to heaven, not to mention creating an artificial Heavenly Flame Spiritual Meridian.

"This junior is Lu Chen. Greetings, Senior."

Lu Chen first bowed to the Black Egg, then said, "This junior has come with an ancestral spirit flame. I did not come to disturb Senior's slumber, but to help Senior evolve."

"Ignorant junior, you?"

The Nine Netherbird sneered. The Black Egg trembled slightly, as if it had heard the greatest joke in the world.

"Whether Senior believes me or not, one test will reveal the truth."

Lu Chen took out the Myriad Beast Spirit Flame. Within the crimson flames, the vague image of countless beasts racing appeared, and it seemed as though the roars of innumerable Spirit Beasts echoed beside his ears.

The instant the Myriad Beast Spirit Flame appeared, the Black Egg suddenly stopped trembling. A black ray shot out from it, wrapped around the transparent jade bottle, and brought it before the egg.

The eggshell pressed tightly against the jade bottle as though it could not bear to part with it. A somewhat intoxicated voice came from within, and it was clearly that of a woman.

"A spirit flame formed from the gathered essence blood of myriad beasts. What an excellent tonic."

"Where did you get this?"

"It was passed down through my family!"

Lu Chen answered firmly.

"Passed down through your family?... Could it be that one of your ancestors was once a Supreme?"

The Nine Netherbird's voice carried some doubt.

"This junior does not know. I only know that besides this item, my ancestors also passed down something else."

As he spoke, Lu Chen seemed utterly unguarded as he took another item from his Mustard Seed Bracelet.

It was a crimson Scroll.

A ray of black light shot out and swept across the Scroll in an instant. The Nine Netherbird spoke in surprise.

"It is actually the cultivation method for the Heavenly Flame Celestial Body, ranked ninety-seventh among the Ninety-Nine Celestial Bodies. It seems one of your ancestors truly was an expert of the Supreme Realm."

"The cultivation method of any Supreme Sovereign Celestial Body is an unpassed secret within top-tier powers, much less a Supreme Sovereign Celestial Body ranked ninety-seventh. I was presumptuous today and inadvertently peeked at your clan's inheritance."

"I, Nine Nether, am not one to bully others. I will compensate you. What do you desire?"

Nine Nether's cool voice rang out, her tone suddenly much gentler.

Although she did not know how this boy had detected her presence, a great clan that had produced a Supreme might possess some unusual methods.

"This junior asks for nothing else. I will give this Scroll and spirit flame entirely to Senior. I only ask to see a broader world!"

Lu Chen cupped his hands and bowed, his voice firm and resonant.

Through the memories of his previous life, Lu Chen knew that this Nine Netherbird, who had ventured out to train, was not inherently bad. She was loyal and sentimental, still young and thin-skinned—precisely the easiest time to fool her.

If he did not pull her onto his side now, then after Mu Chen came to subdue the Nine Netherbird two months later, he would never have another chance.

Moreover, the Undying Fire born after Nine Nether's evolution was one of the most top-tier spirit flames in the world. Its potential was in no way inferior to Emperor Yan's Emperor Flame, and it was a hundred times stronger than the Myriad Beast Spirit Flame. It was the finest material for cultivating the Flame Mantra.

Finally, obtaining Nine Nether's protection in the early stages would be enough to let him reach the Supreme Realm without hindrance.

Upon hearing Lu Chen's answer, the promise Nine Nether had been preparing in her mind got stuck in her throat, leaving her momentarily speechless.

After a long while,

She finally said in surprise, "That's all?"

"That is enough."

Lu Chen nodded.

The Black Egg fell silent for a moment, then suddenly leaped onto his head and shook without stop as it laughed loudly. "Good kid, you suit my taste!"

"I'm definitely helping you with this!"