Netherworld eerie, pale green sun hung low in the sky, Power of Death permeated the entire world.
The environment of the Netherworld was not unfamiliar to the Rhine Clan, who were skilled in death magic, but the Rhine Clan, who were currently stationed at the foot of a remote mountain in the Northbone Prefecture the Netherworld, were filled with a depressed atmosphere.
The grand Laws of Heaven and Earth enveloped the cave, only to recede like the tide within a few breaths.
"Congratulations, Ancestor Landon, on breaking through to the Midgod." Jason and Edward entered the cave.
Landon's aura surged, but there was no joy on his face; instead, it was filled with regret and self-reproach.
"It's too late Final Return. If I could have broken through to the Midgod ten years ago, perhaps I could have saved Naerdai from those bandits." Landon seemed to be blaming himself.
Naerdai was Landon's wife. She was one of the Deity-level had refined her Divine Spark before going to the Netherworld, and she died in battle seven years ago.
Once the Rhine Clan members arrived in the Netherworld, they discovered that the dangers there were many times greater than the Rhine Clan had anticipated.
Fortunately, Jason had suggested that they use the guise of being "a branch of a powerful family in the Netherworld" when they were teleported to the location, which allowed them to get through the first hurdle.
Unfortunately, when they proceeded along the original route, they discovered that the number of powerful beings in the Netherworld far exceeded their expectations.
Even the weakest band of bandits has over a dozen Midgod; every tribe that occupies an area has at least one Highgod and over a dozen Midgod in charge! Lowgod can only serve as laborers in some tribes.
In the Netherworld, small settlements scattered outside cities are called "tribes," while only those settlements linked by blood are called "families."
As for the Saint-level, it is merely the lowest level of existence in the Netherworld.
Realizing that the Rhine Clan's strength was severely insufficient, the Rhine Clan immediately settled in a relatively remote area, and Delisha distributed Mid Godhead to the original ten Lowgod Refine Divine Spark, in order to deter those who might be watching.
The initial results were good.
One Highgod and ten Midgod are enough to support the minimum standard of a tribe. Many Peak Saint in the Rhine Clan have broken through to the Deity-level one after another due to the stimulation of the Netherworld environment.
Edward broke through to the Lowgod during this period.
The Violet-Eyed Bladewing Fiend's birth rate was not low to begin with, but it was previously limited by the low elemental concentration on the Yulan Continent, which resulted in a small number of Saint-level beings and a scarcity of clansmen who broke through to the Deity-level.
Once in the Netherworld, as long as you survive the first few hundred years, you can accumulate enough people to form a complete tribe.
However, the existence of the Rhine Clan soon attracted the attention of powerful figures.
Initially, there were only a few bandit gangs. Fortunately, the location was remote, and the more powerful Highgod had established their own tribes. Most of the roaming and plundering gangs were composed of Midgod, and the larger bandit gangs were led by very weak Highgod.
Even Delisha was able to defeat her enemies.
Until about ten years ago, two Highgod suddenly appeared.
Instead of attacking, the other party came to "trade," and the other party was the "Violet-Eyed Bladewing Fiend."
As a variant of the Bladewing Fiend, the Violet-Eyed Bladewing Fiend is capable of giving birth to "Blood Blade," and these Blood Blade are of very high quality, the prototypes of Divine Artifact.
In the original story, the Black Dragon Tribe that Linley and his companions joined relied on raising Black Dragon to exchange for magic stones, and they sold "dragon saliva" as food; while the Blood Blade, as the prototype of Divine Artifact, was even more valuable and in greater demand than dragon saliva.
The two Highgod are planning to establish a tribe, and the Violet-Eyed Bladewing Fiend is a rather suitable "livestock."
Delisha, of course, refused outright, and then the two started fighting.
Delisha's strength surprised Jason.
Perhaps it was because that Lightning Element High Godhead was of great importance, or perhaps it was because Delisha herself had a profound understanding of death and destruction, but Delisha killed one of the Highgod on the spot!
Another, faster, Highgod, seeing the situation was dire, immediately fled.
What followed was relentless harassment.
The Highgod who escaped earlier had Death Clone and was proficient in controlling Soul Seed.
For the past ten years Midgod have been infiltrating the Rhine Clan's territory to assassinate them.
Most members of the Rhine Clan were weak, and even Delisha couldn't protect everyone when faced with the desperate assassination attempt by more than a dozen Midgod.
During this time, the Rhine Clan tried every possible method: relocating the entire clan, allowing the Midgod to live with the members, distributing five Deathgod Golem, and infusing the side walls of the cave with Black Yu.
Even with the ten Midgod who Refine Divine Spark guarding them day and night, they couldn't stop the enemy. Many members died in the constant sneak attacks— the Midgod, controlled by the Soul Seed, didn't care about their own lives at all, and would kill members of the Rhine Clan even if it meant trading one for one.
Landon's wife, Naerdai, a Midgod who was Refine Divine Spark, also died in the battle to protect her family members, which caused Landon to feel very guilty.
Originally, Landon was a rather ambitious Violet-Eyed Bladewing Fiend. Delisha was not good at scheming, and as the most senior member and the strongest member besides Delisha, he secretly befriended many members of the Rhine Clan.
In particular, as the ancestor of the human lineage of the Rhine Clan, Landon was highly respected by the human members of the clan. Therefore, he secretly formed a small group and had previously invited Jason to join him.
In short, Landon has always held considerable influence within the Rhine Clan.
But since his wife's death, Landon has been heartbroken. He distributed most of his power to a few members skilled in political maneuvering and then devoted himself to cultivation, finally becoming Midgod today.
"The family situation is dire; we need to make plans as soon as possible." Jason and Edward communicated with Landon using their spiritual senses.
"When did you start forming cliques in private?" Landon chuckled and shook his head, referring to Jason.
Jason focused on his cultivation, and his straightforward nature was well-known in the family.
"You know I was initially very opposed to bringing the whole clan to the Netherworld, and because of this, the clan leader even forced me to Overgod Oath!" Jason's brows furrowed with worry and dissatisfaction. "Now the clan has fallen to this state, and last month my sister Lucy was also caught in the crossfire and almost died."
"Aren't you afraid of the punishment for Overgod Oath?"
"I swore allegiance to the Rhine Clan back then, not just to Delisha alone. We left with a small group of family members to ensure the continuation of the family line!"
All of this was done through communication using divine sense.
Landon's eyes sharpened. "You intend to leave with the human members, don't you? After all, what that Highgod wants is the Violet-Eyed Bladewing Fiend who can nurture Blood Blade."
Jason lowered his head, because he knew that Landon was also the "Violet-Eyed Bladewing Fiend."
Suddenly, Edward knelt down with a thud, no longer caring about using his divine sense, and cried out in anguish, "Ancestor! You are our ancestor! How can you bear to watch your descendants die one by one? The Rhine Clan is beyond saving, at least leave one spark! Now, you are the only Midgod in the family who hasn't sworn allegiance to the patriarch, only you have a sliver of hope to lead us out!"
Edward, being one of the earlier members of his clan, even received guidance from Landon before breaking through to the Saint-level, and the two had a relatively good relationship.
Landon also lowered his eyes.
Finally, Landon sighed, "Alright, I agree, but I have one condition."
This time, I'm taking you out here; it's a near-certain death situation. Jason, you're a genius. Promise me, if I die in battle, you must find a way to survive. In the future, when you break through to the Highgod, you must avenge the Rhine Clan!
Jason raised his head and nodded firmly. "I promise you."