Nether Pavilion

Biodata

Background

Nether Pavilion is a major sect of Qingyang Prefecture and a longstanding rival of the Azure Profound Sect. Their hostility is sufficiently entrenched that disciples of the two sects immediately clash when encountered outside the sects' territories, though there is a tacit understanding that senior figures do not directly target ordinary disciples of the opposing side. 122 281

The pavilion maintains a broad network of mines, medicinal fields, markets, shops, strongholds, and supply routes throughout Qingyang Prefecture. It also secretly procures valuable materials outside the prefecture through merchant caravans. 432 445

Organization

Leadership

• Ling Wuyuan — Pavilion Master; ranked third on the Martial Artist Ranking and possessed peak First Rank cultivation. He emerged from a ten-year seclusion without reaching the Grandmaster realm, then chose to end the conflict with Azure Profound Sect to preserve Nether Pavilion's foundation. 452
• Li Wushang — Deputy Pavilion Master who handled the pavilion's affairs during Ling Wuyuan's seclusion. He directed retaliatory operations against Fang Han and later faced Ling Wuyuan's criticism over the pavilion's losses. 443 447 452
• Luo Qi — Elder and the pavilion's foremost tracker. She investigated the thefts from Nether Pavilion mines but could not trace the culprit beyond the crime scenes. 447 450

Known Members

• Nether Bone — Elder who represented Nether Pavilion during the Seven Sects Competition. 156
• Ming Gu — Elder who led Nether Pavilion's team in the competition against Azure Profound Sect. 146
• Meng Xian — Prodigy Ranking true disciple who pursued Fang Han after the conflict over the Black Tortoise True Art. 322 325
• Yin Huang — Prodigy Ranking true disciple killed before Nether Pavilion deacons discovered his body. 409
• Yin Wugou — Elder killed alongside Yin Huang. 409
• Yuan Zhan — Late Third Rank elder who led the assault on Azure Profound Sect's mining camp near Sky Swallow City; Fang Han beheaded him. 419 421
• Ma Yuan — Second Rank elder and caravan escort; killed during Azure Profound Sect's ambush. 433 435
• Zhao Ping — Late Third Rank elder and caravan escort; killed by Fang Han during the same ambush. 433 436
• Tu Hong — Third Rank elder who pursued Yang Rui after a convoy ambush; killed by Fang Han. 438 441

Attire and Insignia

Nether Pavilion members are identified by black garments decorated with shadowy flame motifs.

• Ordinary disciples wear fitted black clothing with eerie dark-flame patterns embroidered on their cuffs and lapels. 122
• True disciples wear more refined black robes with silver-thread bases and intricate dark-flame embroidery. 283
• Elders wear broad black robes bearing dark-gold flame patterns. 357 419
• The pavilion's residences and strongholds display the same dark-flame emblem on plaques, lanterns, and architectural details. 344 357

Holdings and Facilities

• Main sect headquarters — A mountain complex of black halls linked by corridors and marked by carved flame-patterned pillars. 391
• Nether Abyss — The forbidden rear mountain where successive Pavilion Masters and the Grand Elder undergo secluded cultivation. 452
• Prefecture City residence — A high-walled, solemn Nether Pavilion compound in Qingyang Prefecture City. 344
• Secluded Residence — A Nether Pavilion-marked stronghold within the city, staffed by an elder. 357
• Commercial assets — Mines, medicinal fields, markets, and shops across Qingyang Prefecture. 445
• Gold mine near Sky Swallow City — A mine situated on the same mineral vein as an Azure Profound Sect mine; it was seized after Yuan Zhan's death. 419 421

Methods and Operations

• Nether Pavilion is known for direct, ruthless retaliation, including ambushes and assassination attempts. 339 443
• Its disciples employ elusive movement techniques and vicious weapon styles, including ghostly short blades, cold palm techniques, black whips, sinister fist arts, and heavy weapons. 122 145
• The pavilion used a Spirit-Hiding Pearl to block Fang Han's sensory secret art during an attempted assassination. 443
• Its tracking personnel searched for the thief behind the mine raids through scent, footprints, and secret techniques, but Fang Han's concealment left virtually no usable trail. 447 450 451
• In response to repeated raids, Li Wushang ordered all properties to transport stockpiled supplies back to the sect. 451

Relationships

• Azure Profound Sect — Longstanding enemy and principal rival in Qingyang Prefecture. Their conflict escalated through sect competitions, mine seizures, caravan ambushes, assassinations, and asset raids before Ling Wuyuan sought peace. 122 421 436 453
• Hundred Treasures Pavilion — Its merchant connections uncovered Nether Pavilion's covert procurement of precious materials outside Qingyang Prefecture, enabling Azure Profound Sect's ambush of a supply caravan. 432 433
• Yan Wuji — A shared threat whose escape prompted Nether Pavilion to provide Azure Profound Sect with the top-grade tracking technique Nether Guide. 569

Story Role / Major Arcs

• Baishan City clash — Four Nether Pavilion disciples overwhelm Azure Profound Sect disciples in Baishan City's western market until Fang Han intervenes. Their strongest accompanying disciple proves capable of matching Fang Han's movement technique and fist-to-sword exchanges. 122
• Seven Sects Competition — Nether Pavilion faces Azure Profound Sect in a gauntlet match. Fang Han defeats Mo Yuan, You Ling, and Huo Man consecutively, while Li Feng defeats Xin Wuming to secure Azure Profound Sect's victory. 143 146
• Black Tortoise True Art pursuit — After Fang Han defeats two Nether Pavilion deacons and acquires the Black Tortoise True Art, Meng Xian pursues him. The pavilion subsequently identifies Fang Han as a major target after the death of True Transmission disciple Gong Xing. 322 325
• Sky Swallow City mine conflict — Yuan Zhan attacks Azure Profound Sect's mining camp with more than thirty disciples. Fang Han kills Yuan Zhan, causing Nether Pavilion's remaining forces to flee; Azure Profound Sect then captures the pavilion's gold mine. 419 421
• Supply caravan ambush — Azure Profound Sect intercepts a Nether Pavilion caravan carrying secretly procured supplies. Ma Yuan, Zhao Ping, and more than thirty accompanying members are killed, while the attackers erase evidence of their involvement. 433 435 436
• Failed assassination scheme — Nether Pavilion ambushes an Azure Profound Sect convoy and attempts to lure Fang Han into a trap using multiple elders. Chen Wanjun intervenes, and Tu Hong is killed; the pavilion subsequently loses four Second Rank elders. 438 441 443
• Asset raids — Fang Han infiltrates Nether Pavilion medicinal fields and mines, stealing herbs, silver, gold, and ores while killing guards and evading the pavilion's trackers. The raids force Nether Pavilion to suspend normal stockpiling at its properties. 445 446 448 451
• Peace agreement — Ling Wuyuan emerges from seclusion, judges the conflict too costly, and offers compensation and restraint. Azure Profound Sect accepts the proposal to end open hostilities. 452 453
• Cooperation against Yan Wuji — Despite their history, Nether Pavilion provides Nether Guide to Azure Profound Sect as part of a joint response to the escaped Iron River Gang Grandmaster. 569