The Profound Nether Platform

Jing Prefecture's provincial seat, Jing Prefecture City.

Zhao Zhi walked through Jing Prefecture City, taking in its broad, level avenues and the rows upon rows of closely packed houses. Compared with Qingfeng County, it surpassed it by far.

The Profound Nether Platform was no secret within Jing Prefecture City.

With a casual inquiry, Zhao Zhi learned where the Profound Nether Platform was located.

A little less than half an hour later.

Zhao Zhi arrived at the Profound Nether Platform. Standing beneath its three flights of steps, he raised his chin slightly and studied the grand, solemn structure before him, light gathering in his eyes.

As expected of the Profound Nether Platform. Its scale exceeded Qingfeng County's yamen by dozens of times.

At the entrance stood two strange ink-black beasts resembling mountain oxen, each with a single horn upon its head. Their heads were raised toward the sky, their bearing imposing.

The beasts were called Xiezhi.

Zhao Zhi withdrew his gaze from the Xiezhi stone statues and looked at the two men standing at the entrance. Walking forward, he took out the Brief Guide to the Profound Nether Platform. "I am Zhao Zhi of Qingfeng County. I have come specifically to see Lady Yan Qing."

According to Fan Zhenyu, he only needed to present the Brief Guide to the Profound Nether Platform to the Profound Nether Platform to meet Yan Qing.

The man on the left glanced at the Brief Guide to the Profound Nether Platform and said to Zhao Zhi, "Wait here."

Then, after exchanging a look with the other man, he entered the Profound Nether Platform.

Two cups of tea later.

The man finally emerged from the Profound Nether Platform and called out to Zhao Zhi, "Come in with me."

"Yes."

Zhao Zhi followed the man into the Profound Nether Platform.

From the outside, the Profound Nether Platform was grand, solemn, and magnificent. Within, its layout was austere and resplendent. Rockeries, flowing water, pavilions, and towers all carried an indescribable air of authority.

A cup of tea later.

Zhao Zhi met Yan Qing in a waterside pavilion.

Yan Qing looked as exquisite and lovely as she had at Flying Cloud Stronghold. Now that her injuries had fully healed, the faint flush on her cheeks added a few more touches of delicate charm.

"Lady Yan."

"It is good that you have come." Yan Qing smiled faintly, her manner graceful and measured. "You should have learned about the Profound Nether Platform from the Brief Guide to the Profound Nether Platform and from Fan Zhenyu, correct?"

Zhao Zhi nodded. "Yes."

Yan Qing continued, "With your strength, becoming a Formal Profound Nether Guard will not be a problem. I will handle that for you. If you wish to become a Banner Officer, however, you must possess Meridian Opening Realm strength and C-grade merit."

The Profound Nether Platform's missions were divided into four grades: A, B, C, and D. Completing them earned the corresponding A, B, C, or D-grade merit.

D-grade Missions were the lowest level. The targets generally possessed no more than Foundation Establishment martial strength.

They were missions meant for formal members of the Profound Nether Platform.

Yan Qing's mission to capture and kill Xianyu Tu had been a D-grade Mission.

The opponents in C-grade Missions were mostly at the Meridian Opening Realm. B-grade Missions dealt with Astral Condensation Realm martial artists. The enemies faced in A-grade Missions were naturally even stronger.

With corresponding strength and corresponding missions, one could obtain corresponding status within the Profound Nether Platform.

There might be cases of backdoor dealings within the Profound Nether Platform, but the vast majority still relied on strength to speak.

After all.

Without sufficient strength, if a mission exceeded one's abilities, one might very well die a miserable death during it.

Most Profound Nether Guards of the Profound Nether Platform died on missions.

"I have arranged accommodations for you within the Profound Nether Platform. Stay here for now. In a few days, I will take you on a D-grade Mission so that you may become a Formal Profound Nether Guard." Yan Qing watched Zhao Zhi's expression. "Is there anything you need?"

Zhao Zhi shook his head. "No. I will follow Lady Yan's arrangements in all things."

"Stop calling me Lady Yan all the time. Your strength is greater than mine, and you saved my life. Just call me Yan Qing."

"Yes, Lady Yan."

Yan Qing: "..."

"Forget it." Yan Qing sighed helplessly. Leaning slightly closer to Zhao Zhi, she asked softly, "Did you see what was in the Brief Guide to the Profound Nether Platform? How has your cultivation gone?"

So Yan Qing had indeed arranged it herself.

After pondering briefly, Zhao Zhi said, "I have gained a little insight."

"A little insight?" Yan Qing's pupils abruptly widened. Light shimmered in her beautiful eyes like stars. "You truly gained a little insight?"

"Yes."

Zhao Zhi nodded, faint doubts rising in his heart.

Could there really be something wrong with the True Martial Mountain-Suppressing Technique?

That made sense.

It was a powerful but incomplete martial art.

"Good." Yan Qing smiled faintly, then beckoned to He Peng, who stood outside the waterside pavilion. "He Peng, take Zhao Zhi away to rest. For the next few days, accompany Zhao Zhi properly. If he has any requests, do your best to fulfill them. If you cannot, report to me."

"Yes, Lady Yan."

He Peng answered, then led Zhao Zhi away.

Yan Qing watched Zhao Zhi's departing back, a broad smile curling at her lips. Rising to her feet, she walked out of the waterside pavilion and headed toward a pavilion tower in the distance.

She reached the top floor of the tower and looked at the woman seated by the window, dressed in immaculate white. The woman was beautiful, aloof, and cool in demeanor. Yan Qing hurried over with a grin. "Sister Tang, did you see him? What do you think of him?"

"Passable." Tang Chuxue cast Yan Qing a sidelong glance. "But this Lady Yan of yours will not do. You are nothing like your usual cold and solitary self."

Yan Qing took Tang Chuxue's arm and laughed softly. "I was never cold and solitary to begin with. I only learned it from Sister Tang so that I could better manage others. Besides, Zhao Zhi saved my life. I cannot be too cold toward him."

Tang Chuxue glanced at Yan Qing once more, her voice as cool as a clear spring in a secluded valley. "Do as you wish."

Yan Qing chuckled and continued, "Sister Tang, I asked Zhao Zhi. He has gained a little insight into the True Martial Mountain-Suppressing Technique. Who would have thought that a mere constable from Qingfeng County would possess such comprehension?"

Upon hearing this, a trace of surprise appeared on Tang Chuxue's tranquil, placid face. "Is what you say true?"

"Zhao Zhi said it himself. I do not think he would lie to me." Yan Qing was not entirely certain as she rubbed her slender, jade-white fingers together. "Sister Tang, if Zhao Zhi truly has comprehended something from the True Martial Mountain-Suppressing Technique, then he will be the third person. Our chance of finding the True Martial Inheritance will be greater."

The True Martial Inheritance?

Tang Chuxue murmured inwardly.

That was a generation of martial arts powerhouse who had once run rampant across the Great Yin Dynasty, sweeping away demons and slaying monsters for thirty years, killing until everyone in the martial world feared for their lives.

Afterward, he vanished as swiftly as an epiphyllum blooming for a single night, leaving behind not even the slightest trace.

Until three years ago.

The incomplete True Martial Mountain-Suppressing Technique appeared in the martial world. Rumors said one could find the True Martial Inheritance through the True Martial Mountain-Suppressing Technique and obtain the True Martial Elixir.

Yan Qing clenched her fists. "As long as we find the True Martial Inheritance, we can obtain the True Martial Elixir. Then Grandpa Tang's illness can be completely cured."

At those words, Tang Chuxue's expression instead gradually calmed, becoming detached and serene.

If the True Martial Inheritance were truly so easy to find, there could not have been no news of it whatsoever in three years.

If one did not harbor hope, one would not fall into despair.

"Let us hope so." Tang Chuxue spoke indifferently. "Since you believe he is quite talented, guide him well."

"I will, Sister Tang."