362: Nine Netherworld Past

In fact, as soon as Huan You and Huan Xuan pledged allegiance to the Yuan Ling Universe, everyone had already anticipated that the invasion of the Phantom Poison Universe was only a matter of time. Yet, even so, no one felt timid or retreated.

Xun Xiuyuan calmly looked at the three women opposite him and chuckled, “It seems the peaceful days are over. The Phantom Poison Universe has finally invaded, and I will soon head to the Cosmic Battlefield to deal with this crisis.”

Xie Nanqiao held Ji Wuyou in her arms, then looked up at Xun Xiuyuan, her heart a mix of emotions.

She was now a Great Saint, and logically, she could accompany Xun Xiuyuan to the Cosmic Battlefield.

According to the Yuan Ling Sect’s custom, cultivators of her realm should have been forcibly conscripted to the battlefield. However, the elder currently on duty was Elder Feng Lin, and he chose to turn a blind eye to Xie Nanqiao’s situation, pretending to be unaware.

It was precisely because of this that Xie Nanqiao could stay in the wilderness with peace of mind.

Xun Xiuyuan saw the worry and reluctance in Xie Nanqiao’s heart and comforted her with a smile, “Don’t worry, for me, the more wars there are, the faster I will grow.”

Although these words were Xun Xiuyuan’s true feelings, in the ears of the three women, they took on another meaning, and their concern and worry for Xun Xiuyuan deepened.

Xun Xiuyuan spoke again, “However, before heading to the battlefield, I still need to go into seclusion and prepare to ensure everything is foolproof. You don’t need to worry about me anymore.”

The three women could only nod in agreement, no longer disturbing Xun Xiuyuan.

After the three women left, Xun Xiuyuan took out a key to the Nine Nether Saint-King Secret Realm, gently activated it, and instantly vanished from the spot.

Even though Xun Xiuyuan had successfully integrated a cosmic core and possessed unimaginably powerful strength, when he personally witnessed that wisp of the Nine Nether Saint-King’s divine soul,

He still felt the other party was unfathomable in his heart, a feeling he didn’t even have when facing Qing Hui.

One must know that Xun Xiuyuan’s overall strength now was comparable to those single-element Saint King Realm powerhouses, enough to stand proudly among the strong in the universe.

The Nine Nether Saint-King’s gaze was like a torch as he looked at Xun Xiuyuan, a faint smile playing on his lips, and he spoke in a relaxed tone:

“It hasn’t been that long, has it? Why are you here again? Are you bored and looking for an old friend to catch up with?”

His words carried a hint of teasing, as if he wasn’t surprised by Xun Xiuyuan’s arrival.

Xun Xiuyuan was not in a hurry to pass the trial. For him, even if he came to pass the trial, it was merely an opportunity to farm exotic beast value to improve his cultivation.

Hearing Nine Nether’s teasing, Xun Xiuyuan smiled slightly and replied, “I went to the Cosmic Battlefield and even ventured deep into the Cosmic Abyss, experiencing some things.”

His tone was calm, but the information revealed in his words was enough to shock Nine Nether.

Nine Nether’s originally smiling expression instantly disappeared, replaced by a solemn look. He stared intently at Xun Xiuyuan and asked in a deep voice,

“You went to the Cosmic Abyss? That is one of the most dangerous places near the Yuan Ling Universe.”

Sure enough, as Xun Xiuyuan expected, Nine Nether had a high probability of being trapped in a dangerous place that could not be opened from the inside, and that dangerous place was deep within the Cosmic Abyss.

Because Nine Nether didn’t ask anything about the Cosmic Battlefield or the base, he immediately brought up the Cosmic Abyss.

Xun Xiuyuan nodded, confirming, “Yes, I’ve been there, and I just returned from there.”

At this moment, he was not in a hurry, but quietly observed Nine Nether’s reaction, to see if the other party would voluntarily reveal more information.

Upon hearing this, Nine Nether couldn’t help but sigh, his tone carrying a hint of helplessness: “I didn’t expect so little time to pass, and you already guessed where I was trapped.”

Seeing that Nine Nether was no longer hiding anything, Xun Xiuyuan smiled and said, “It was also a coincidence. I learned from Grand Elder Hong Chen that once a dangerous place in the Cosmic Abyss no longer opens, even a Saint-King within it would find it difficult to escape. That’s why I guessed you were trapped there.”

When Nine Nether heard the two words “Hong Chen,” his body involuntarily trembled. Clearly, that name held special significance for him.

However, he quickly regained his composure, as if suppressing the fluctuations in his heart.

Finally, Nine Nether calmly asked Xun Xiuyuan, “It seems you know quite a lot. Is Hong Chen doing well?”

His gaze carried a hint of concern.

Xun Xiuyuan nodded and replied, “Very well. She is still trying to avenge you and has never given up.”

Nine Nether frowned, a hint of worry in his tone: “Is she going to confront the Yuan Ling Sect Master? That’s not a wise move.”

Xun Xiuyuan smiled and said, “You were targeted not by the Yuan Ling Sect Master, but by someone from the Phantom Poison Universe.”

Nine Nether was stunned, clearly disbelieving, and blurted out, “Impossible. The two Grand Supremes who took me to the Cosmic Abyss are from the Yuan Ling Sect?”

Xun Xiuyuan nodded, confirming, “Grand Elder Long Xiang and Grand Elder Zhen Feng?”

This was Nine Nether’s biggest secret, one he had never told anyone. It was precisely because of these two Grand Supremes that he suspected the Yuan Ling True Immortal.

Xun Xiuyuan continued, “Don’t be surprised. These two were actually puppets of the Phantom Poison King. They were corrupted a long time ago and have now been executed.”

Nine Nether seemed to be analyzing Xun Xiuyuan’s words, because these simple sentences overturned all his previous conjectures.

Xun Xiuyuan continued, “This incident happened less than two months ago, and it is precisely because of this that the Phantom Poison Universe launched its largest invasion of the Yuan Ling Universe in ten thousand years.”

Nine Nether looked at Xun Xiuyuan, a hint of suspicion in his tone: “How can I believe you? Have you also been corrupted?”

Xun Xiuyuan smiled and said confidently, “You know about my treasure, that supreme treasure for soul defense. It cannot be corrupted. Let me tell you another thing: Grand Elder Hong Chen has a jade pendant.”

Nine Nether was completely shocked. Xun Xiuyuan knew even this, which clearly meant his words were true.

Finally, Nine Nether smiled with relief and said, “You boy, it’s indeed impossible for you to be corrupted. I had thoughts about that supreme treasure back then, but my divine soul felt an inexplicable danger when it got close to you, so I stopped my thoughts.”

Xun Xiuyuan had no idea about this. When he was passing the trial, he had wanted to summon the Ling Tian Pagoda, but he didn’t in the end. He had no idea these things had happened.

Nine Nether looked at Xun Xiuyuan, a hint of emotion in his tone: “Hong Chen and I knew each other since childhood. It was because she was chosen by the Yuan Ling Sect to enter the Yuan Ling Sect that Hong Chen and I were separated. From then on, I had no good feelings for the Yuan Ling Sect. Later, I also had a great opportunity and was promoted to the Saint King Realm. When I heard that Hong Chen was fighting in the Cosmic Battlefield, I wanted to go and help. Who knew I would get trapped here? It has been a very long time, so long that I can’t even remember the exact time.”