Borrowing

It seemed this Prefect of Blood Phantom Prefecture was far more powerful and terrifying than he had initially imagined.

Ailin's assessment of the Prefect of Blood Phantom Prefecture rose a little higher.

To obtain a Sovereign Artifact in the Plane Battlefield, one needed ten Commander badges. At the very least, one had to kill ten experts of the same rank. Killing even one was extremely difficult, let alone ten. According to what he knew of the original story, even people like Leisijing and Heimosi had not found it easy to gather those badges.

The fact that the Prefect of Blood Phantom Prefecture had gathered enough badges to exchange for a Sovereign Artifact was enough to prove how terrifyingly powerful she was.

Ailin could not help feeling slightly fortunate that he had not rashly challenged her directly before. Of course, he could now also confirm that the blurry Floating Shadow he possessed of the Prefect of Blood Phantom Prefecture was indeed of her.

Because the expert in that Floating Shadow had used a spear once.

Ailin looked at the spear, then at the Prefect of Blood Phantom Prefecture. What are you planning to do?

Recalling what she had said earlier and seeing her take out a Sovereign Artifact, an utterly absurd thought surfaced in his mind.

A faint smile appeared on the Prefect of Blood Phantom Prefecture's delicate face. She stroked the spear in her hand and transmitted, This spear is called Crimson Fire. It has accompanied me for a hundred trillion years.

Ailin said nothing and merely looked at the Prefect of Blood Phantom Prefecture. Still, anyone who had obtained a Sovereign Artifact a hundred trillion years ago was unquestionably formidable.

Ailin.

The Prefect of Blood Phantom Prefecture raised her head to look at Ailin, her tone becoming slightly more serious. Let me ask you once more. Will you reconcile with the Four Divine Beast Family?

Ailin frowned slightly. Looking at the Prefect of Blood Phantom Prefecture, he replied evenly, I have no habit of making empty compromises with those who want to kill me.

He was not deceiving the Prefect of Blood Phantom Prefecture. Even if she had not appeared, that would still have been his stance. Although he had been somewhat careless when killing Bensgodo and had overlooked the dangers of the Divine Plane, this was not unlike his true nature.

Of course, if the Four Divine Beast Family did nothing to him, he would not deliberately target them either.

Haha, good.

The Prefect of Blood Phantom Prefecture laughed as she looked at Ailin. In that case, I will trust you. So long as the Four Divine Beast Family continues causing you trouble, I will lend Crimson Fire to you! When your enmity with the Four Divine Beast Family is settled, or when you no longer fight them, return it to me.

Ailin had already suspected that the Prefect of Blood Phantom Prefecture intended to let him use this Sovereign Artifact, but hearing her say it herself still made it feel unreal.

After all, this was a Sovereign Artifact.

Ailin stared at the Prefect of Blood Phantom Prefecture, scrutinizing her expression. Lend it to me? Are you sure?!

Whether it was gathering Yan Jin Shi to forge Divine Weapons, taking Bensgodo's Dragon Subduing Whip, or taking an interest in Blood Pattern Ice, he had done all of it because he lacked a Divine Weapon. When facing experts of the same rank, that naturally made a difference.

But now, he actually had a chance to use a Sovereign Artifact?

Of course I am sure.

The Prefect of Blood Phantom Prefecture showed no reluctance whatsoever and spoke with complete certainty. So long as it can cause trouble for the Four Divine Beast Family, anything is worthwhile.

Hearing this, Ailin could not help growing curious again about the grudge between the Prefect of Blood Phantom Prefecture and the Four Divine Beast Family. She was even willing to lend out a Sovereign Artifact. This hatred was probably no less than the enmity between the Eight Great Families and the Four Divine Beast Family.

After all, the Four Divine Beast Family was now practically the number one family in the Divine Plane. Without foreknowledge of the future, every expert would believe that the Four Divine Beast Family would remain that way indefinitely.

Under such circumstances, lending him a Sovereign Artifact was clearly a loan with virtually no end date.

Aren't you afraid that I'll take the Sovereign Artifact and leave?

Ailin glanced at the Prefect of Blood Phantom Prefecture and chuckled.

Upon hearing Ailin's words, the Prefect of Blood Phantom Prefecture looked at him, then suddenly smiled. Though I do not know much about you, I feel that you would not.

Besides...

Her voice was very soft, yet it was filled with confidence. My being unable to act directly against the Four Divine Beast Family does not mean I will not act at all.

Though she did not say it outright, her meaning was clear. Even if Ailin left with the Sovereign Artifact, she was confident she could take it back.

Ailin raised a brow. Naturally understanding what the Prefect of Blood Phantom Prefecture meant, he smiled. You truly are confident. But you can rest assured. I am not so shameless as to do something like that over a Sovereign Artifact.

Leaving aside the fact that he could become an Overgod, given his Water God Avatar's current circumstances alone, he would not disregard his own dignity for a Sovereign Artifact.

Of course, since he did not currently possess a Sovereign Artifact, he would inevitably be at a disadvantage against Hamusi. Naturally, he would not refuse the Prefect of Blood Phantom Prefecture's support. Although a spear was not a weapon he excelled with, it was enough.

Seeing Ailin's calm reaction, the Prefect of Blood Phantom Prefecture regarded him even more highly. Not every Asura could remain unmoved by a Sovereign Artifact within easy reach.

Without saying anything further, the Prefect of Blood Phantom Prefecture directly removed her ownership imprint from the Sovereign Artifact spear.

"Buzzz—"

Amid a humming sound, the Prefect of Blood Phantom Prefecture used divine power to control the spear and sent it before Ailin. Refine it.

Ailin did not refine it immediately. Instead, he carefully looked over the Prefect of Blood Phantom Prefecture again. Seeing that she was merely watching him and showed no sign of regret, he no longer hesitated. He forced out a drop of blood and let it fall onto the spear.

For one thing, he truly lacked a weapon. When facing Hamusi, possessing a Sovereign Artifact and lacking one were entirely different matters. For another, since the Prefect of Blood Phantom Prefecture had shown such resolve, there was no need for him to put on airs.

"Buzzz—"

In an instant, Ailin sensed a faint connection between himself and the spear.

With a thought, the spear fell into Ailin's hand. The powerful aura inherent to the spear did not affect him in the slightest; instead, it allowed him to easily control that aura.

This feeling truly was worthy of a Sovereign Artifact.

Even without using the Sovereign Artifact in battle yet, Ailin had a feeling that he could easily shatter a High-level Divine Weapon with it without exerting much power.

Seeing that Ailin had refined the Sovereign Artifact, the Prefect of Blood Phantom Prefecture continued, As far as I know, Hamusi and those from the Four Divine Beast Family came to the Netherworld this time not only because of you. They have another objective. I hope you can stop the Four Divine Beast Family's actions while you are at it.

Hm? What objective?

Suppressing his slightly excited emotions over the Sovereign Artifact, Ailin asked.

Blood Pattern Ice.

The Prefect of Blood Phantom Prefecture spoke directly, her tone darkening somewhat. The Four Divine Beast Family learned that Blood Ghost Mountain contains a Blood Pattern Ice Mine, and they wish to excavate Blood Ghost Mountain.

Blood Pattern Ice.

Ailin's heart stirred. After learning of Blood Pattern Ice previously, he had also thought about obtaining some.

But now, it seemed that the Prefect of Blood Phantom Prefecture did not want anyone excavating Blood Ghost Mountain for some reason. That made sense. Blood Nether City was, after all, her territory. Such excavation could very likely provoke the Overgod's displeasure, and as Prefect, she would most likely be punished by the Overgod.

The Four Divine Beast Family was not afraid of offending other Overgods, but that did not mean other experts were not.

You want me to kill the Four Divine Beast Family members who come to excavate Blood Ghost Mountain?

Ailin spoke directly.

He had already killed Bensgodo and did not mind killing several more members of the Four Divine Beast Family.

The Prefect of Blood Phantom Prefecture shook her head. The Four Divine Beast Family cannot be killed off. Even if you kill these people, the Four Divine Beast Family will certainly send others. That only treats the symptoms, not the cause, and acting this way would also bring you trouble.

Then what do you mean?

Ailin frowned slightly.

The Prefect of Blood Phantom Prefecture stared at Ailin and said directly, If the Four Divine Beast Family wants to excavate Blood Ghost Mountain, they must become the Lord of Blood Nether City. Otherwise, excavating Blood Ghost Mountain without authorization would offend the Overgod. Therefore, I want you to become the Lord of Blood Nether City. If you become the city lord and can even deal with Hamusi, then the others from the Four Divine Beast Family will certainly not dare challenge you. Then the Four Divine Beast Family will have no way to excavate Blood Ghost Mountain.

Previously, she had wanted Kengo to kill the challengers, but after calming down, she understood that even if Kengo held on against challenges from Four Divine Beast Family experts, he would not last long.

Since that was the case, it would be better to replace him directly.

It just so happened that Ailin had become enemies with the Four Divine Beast Family at this time, so she went with the flow and came directly to find him.

In an instant, Ailin understood everything.

The Prefect of Blood Phantom Prefecture bore a grudge against the Four Divine Beast Family. Since she could not act personally, it was almost impossible for her to oppose them. Naturally, she also could not stop the Four Divine Beast Family from challenging the Lord of Blood Nether City.

Even if she wanted to find other experts to stop them, very few would likely be willing to make enemies of the Four Divine Beast Family.

Then Ailin appeared. He was powerful enough, had also killed a Four Divine Beast Family Elder, and had formed a grudge with the Four Divine Beast Family. He had even forced the Four Divine Beast Family to invite a Sovereign's Emissary to intervene.

She had likely learned of this news, which was why this Prefect had taken notice of him. After confirming his attitude, she had not hesitated to lend him a Sovereign Artifact in order to let him stop the Four Divine Beast Family.

He had already been strong enough, and now he possessed a Sovereign Artifact. Let alone these people from the Four Divine Beast Family, even Hamusi might not be able to defeat him and become the Lord of Blood Nether City.

If even Hamusi could do nothing to him, then the Four Divine Beast Family's plan to excavate Blood Ghost Mountain would naturally have to be put on hold.