While the others were still arguing over which disciples they would claim, the Nether Domain Controller seemed to sense something and looked toward the eighth layer.
"A guest has come to our Netherworld. I'll go meet him!" With that, his figure swiftly dissolved into a trail of black smoke and vanished.
The others exchanged glances. Moments later, they too sensed a familiar aura. Their expressions turned cold, and they likewise vanished.
Now, only Xiao Yu remained.
"A guest?" Xiao Yu glanced in the direction her adoptive father had disappeared, somewhat puzzled. Since when had her father known anyone else here?
Xiao Tianhao still had no idea that, just as their trial was nearing its end, Torch Dragon had actually pursued them all the way to the eighth layer of the Nine-Layer Deathlands.
The Black Flame Tower formed a world of its own, completely sealed off from outside interference.
Ten days later.
The ninth layer of the Nine-Layer Deathlands.
"First, congratulations on passing the trial. In a moment, we will choose you as our disciples," the Nether Domain Controller said gravely.
The other six supreme experts stood beside the Nether Domain Controller.
Xiao Yu stood a short distance away, watching with a smile.
Xiao Tianhao met her gaze and even winked at her.
Xiao Yu rolled her eyes at him, then ignored him and looked away.
On the other side stood the hundred-odd remaining prodigies of the various races who had passed the trial, their expressions brimming with excitement.
Only Xiao Tianhao's and Nie Li's groups remained composed.
"You are all talents we selected from the Netherworld. Perhaps you still know nothing of what awaits you, but from today onward, you will come into contact with an entirely new domain."
"Next, I will explain some of this world's secrets to you,"