Xiao Hei looked around.
There was no sunlight here, and the sky appeared a hazy, yellowish hue.
The surrounding air was visibly murky and polluted.
Further ahead, there is a yellow river.
Looking up, you can see a bridge above the river.
Countless white ghosts lined up on the bridge, crossing one by one. At the other end of the bridge, an old woman handed a bowl of soup to a ghost. After drinking it, the ghost would walk towards a doorway...
Above the door frame were two huge characters printed on it.
Underworld!
At this moment, three people approached Xiao Hei. One of them, a red-haired man, smiled and cupped his hands, saying, "I am Xue Ling from the Langya Realm Underworld. I have met almost all the Underworld candidates from other Great Realms, but I have never seen you before. May I ask which Underworld you come from?"
Immediately, the two people next to Xue Ling introduced themselves. The man on the left, who was thin, pale, and disheveled, was named Pei Jing and came from the Yonghe Realm Underworld.
The woman on the right, whose physique is even more robust than Xiao Hei's... is Wu Fei, a person from the Hidden Dragon Realm Underworld.
One shouldn't hit a smiling face, so Xiao Hei returned the greeting with a fist and palm salute, saying, " Xiao Hei, the Wilderness Realm."
It did not claim to belong to the Underworld.
Upon hearing this, Xue Ling, Pei Jing, and Wu Fei were all taken aback. "You belong to the Nine Netherworld?"
Within the Underworld, only the Underworld of the Wilderness Realm is qualified to have the words " Nine Nether " added before it.
Xiao Hei shook his head. "No, I'm not from the Underworld."
Not from the Underworld?
Xue Ling and the other two exchanged glances, all noticing the confusion in each other's eyes.
Not from the Underworld? The only one who could be here is the dead.
But looking at Xiao Hei, he doesn't seem like someone who's been dead.
Wu Fei looked puzzled. "Could it be that you've cultivated the Power of Reincarnation exceptionally well?"
In their minds, all the people of the Underworld were, without exception, cultivators of the Power of Reincarnation, and those who could stand here were among the young generation of the Underworld with the highest aptitude for the Power of Reincarnation.
If he's not from the Underworld, then it can only be that this person's Power of Reincarnation is exceptionally gifted, allowing him to come here and participate in the succession of the Nether Lord.
Xiao Hei shook his head, "I can't."
Won't?
Wu Fei showed absolutely no interest.
Although it's unclear why Xiao Hei was able to participate in the Underworld Inheritance, without any understanding of the Power of Reincarnation, it's impossible for him to be selected successfully, since the first test is to check the level of his comprehension of the Power of Reincarnation.
Wu Fei said nothing more and turned to leave.
Pei Jing's face changed from a sinister smile to indifference as he turned and left.
Xue Ling cupped his hands in greeting and said with a smile, "In that case, I wish you success in your assessment."
They're all respectable people; at this level, even if they look down on someone, they wouldn't make sarcastic remarks.
It's not that I'm afraid of making enemies, but there's no need... or even that I'm too lazy to get involved in this cause and effect.
For them, since they won't have any contact with each other again, what's there to mock?
Xiao Hei nodded, not caring about any of that.
The succession to the Nether Lord —this was the message Xiao Hei received when he was in the Changsheng Realm.
According to what Xue Ling and the other two just said, they can't pass without the Power of Reincarnation? Then what's the point of bringing him here?
Hmm, I can't think of anything.
So Xiao Hei decided to give up. He figured he'd be happy to fight if there was one, and leave if not.
" The Underworld where these three reside belong to the category of those with very strong foundations."
Xiao Hei turned his head and looked at the person speaking beside him.
With a gentle, warm smile on his face, and his short black hair neatly styled, he said, "It's perfectly normal for them to be a little arrogant."
Xiao Hei asked, "Then the Underworld you're in isn't well-established?"
Chen Qi smiled and said, "A little bit better than them."
"Then why are you even more arrogant than them? Why do you still try to get close to someone like me who doesn't even have the Power of Reincarnation?"
Chen Qi looked at Xiao Hei, "It's simple. The people above can't possibly participate in the succession of the Nether Lord, let alone possess the Power of Reincarnation. So, by deduction, you must have a strength that can be compared to theirs... no, even an element more important than the Power of Reincarnation and your identity in the Underworld combined."
Otherwise, why would they invite you to the Nine Nether Underworld? It just so happens you're from the Wilderness Realm; I truly don't believe there's no connection between them."
Xiao Hei nodded. "I understand. You're more arrogant than them, but also smarter."
Chen Qi: "So I guessed right?"
Xiao Hei shrugged.
Seeing this, Chen Qi smiled and raised his chin, gesturing for Xiao Hei to look towards the gate, "It's about to begin."
The words had barely left his mouth.
The gate opened.
Several elderly men dressed in gray robes emerged from among them.
If Lu Changsheng were here, he would definitely recognize that these old men were the Lu Changsheng Yellow Springs Envoy who stopped him when he came to the Nine Nether Underworld Lu Changsheng to "borrow" the Spirit of the Yellow Springs River Water.
Without further ado, the leading Yellow Springs Envoy proclaimed in a loud voice, "Gentlemen, the first trial begins. Use the Power of Reincarnation to cross the Naihe Bridge! Those who cannot comprehend the Power of Reincarnation will naturally be torn apart by the souls of the dead in the Yellow Springs River beneath the Naihe Bridge."
Therefore, those who feel they haven't reached the required level should withdraw! Otherwise, they risk damaging their spirit and energy, which would be a greater loss than gain.
Having said that, the Yellow Springs Envoy tapped the ground with his scepter.
The white ghosts queuing up on the Naihe Bridge all dispersed.
Wu Fei glanced back at Xiao Hei and said calmly, "I wonder how he'll get through this first trial. Without the Power of Reincarnation, he might have his soul completely devoured and become food for the Yellow Springs."
Pei Jing smiled sinisterly, "What, you're so concerned about him?"
Wu Fei narrowed her eyes slightly, " Pei Jing, if you don't want to die in the first round, shut your dog mouth."
Xue Ling patted the two on the shoulders and said with a faint smile, "Alright, this person won't have any dealings with us in the future, why worry so much? Let's just get through this first hurdle."
Just as the three of them finished speaking and were about to step onto the Naihe Bridge...
The Yellow Springs Envoy suddenly said, "By the way, you don't need to participate in the first two rounds. Just wait and participate directly in the final round."
Everyone present... including Xue Ling and the other two, was stunned and looked in the direction the Yellow Springs Envoy was looking.
All eyes were on Xiao Hei!
Skip the first two rounds?!
What's going on?
Wu Fei looked at the Yellow Springs Envoy, puzzled, and said, " Envoy Tao, isn't this a bit against the rules? If we do this, the other candidates will be dissatisfied!"
"Not satisfied?" Envoy Tao glanced at Wu Fei and said, "If you're not satisfied, then withdraw."
"But there's never been any precedent for this!"
Envoy Tao: "Now we have it."
Wu Fei: "..."
Envoy Tao's gaze swept over the crowd, and he sneered, "We'll talk about fairness when you all become stronger than anyone else!"
After speaking, Envoy Tao looked at Xiao Hei, his tone instantly becoming kind. "Come with me."
Xiao Hei nodded.
Chen Qi watched Xiao Hei's retreating figure, shook his head, and chuckled, "It seems this person's background is even more significant than I imagined. My perspective is still too narrow..."
However, the third round might be tough...