Chapter Thirty-Two: The Netherworld Manifests, Ling'er Visits the Manor

Thunder roared. On the horizon, a mysterious figure clad in exotic attire emerged from the churning dark clouds. His eyes, burning like torches, fixed upon the distant lightning as he unleashed a wild, feral roar:

"Accursed heavenly thunder! For a hundred years, you have struck at me without cease. I, the supreme king of the Netherworld, am hounded incessantly by this damnable tribulation. This upheaval of heaven and earth must herald the birth of a rare treasure, and I shall claim it at all costs."

This man was a formidable expert from a secretive sect in the Western Regions. It was said that the vast deserts and shifting sands of that land, though thin in spiritual energy, gave birth to countless rare and precious artifacts.

Though he styled himself the hegemon of the Netherworld, he was, in truth, merely a minor leader within that realm. Following a schism within his sect, he had attempted to break through to the Tribulation-Extinction Realm and ascend to the throne of an emperor while fleeing, only to meet with failure.

For an ordinary person, a failed tribulation would mean the dissipation of soul and spirit. Yet, the Netherworld race possessed such formidable souls that, despite repeated setbacks, he had always managed to narrowly evade the heavens' wrath. Influenced by the pill-tribulation caused by Jiang Cheng, he had attempted to breakthrough once more, only to be struck again—a clear testament to his obsession with obtaining that Imperial Pill.

Fate, however, is a cruel jester. He unexpectedly crossed paths with Ling'er, the Saintess of the Linglong Holy Land, who was en route to the Xia Kingdom, accompanied by her sect’s protector elder, who resided in the Tribulation-Extinction Realm.

"What manner of monster is undergoing tribulation here?" Emperor Zhao sensed a powerful aura and prepared to investigate.

"This is bad. I have only just arrived in this realm; how could I encounter a powerhouse of the Tribulation-Extinction Realm? Are all the beings of this world so terrifyingly strong?"

As a member of the Netherworld race, he was born with an extreme sensitivity to spiritual essence, allowing him to easily gauge an opponent's strength. Recognizing the elder's might at a glance, he felt the urge to flee.

"I am but a wandering cultivator from overseas. I had no intention of disturbing you, Senior. I shall take my leave."

Leaving those words behind, the Netherworld practitioner sped off in the direction of the Imperial Pill.

Yet, that path led toward the very destination Emperor Zhao and Ling'er intended to reach. The Netherworld figure, oblivious, felt a growing sense of dread as he realized he was being shadowed. He pondered to himself:

"Could this senior have taken a liking to me? Why follow me so relentlessly? Could it be to seize the powerful soul-cultivation techniques of my clan?"

Unaware of the truth, he mistakenly assumed the elder was sent by his clan to hunt him down, recalling rumors he had heard while fleeing his home realm about his family dispatching outside experts to pursue him.

Thinking this, he could only steel his nerves and quicken his pace. Meanwhile, behind him, Emperor Zhao and Saintess Ling'er wore furrowed brows, communicating via secret transmission:

"This stranger ahead acts suspiciously. Judging by his course, is he headed for the Jiang family?"

"Judging by his aura, he is indeed a powerhouse. Could he also be here for that Imperial Pill?"

Their discussion led them to a conclusion that was not far from the truth. As fellow travelers, they had no desire to alert him yet. They were far from the only ones heading to the Jiang family; experts from several major holy lands were converging from all directions.

The nine holy lands had all dispatched envoys—partly to investigate the situation, and partly for the sake of that mysterious Imperial Pill. Everyone was tempted by the rumors of a "Creation Pill"—a treasure capable of creating a Supreme Being or allowing one to break through a major realm.

Amidst the arrival of guests and enemies from all four corners, Jiang Cheng remained calm and composed. He proceeded with his plan to recruit talent for his family and boost the family system's return rewards. Although he primarily received cultivation pills and spiritual materials, one could never have enough resources for the growth of a family.

After all, with the family now in need of vast talent, the improvement of his subordinates allowed him to reap even greater resources. The greater their progress, the more generous the returns; he was naturally more than happy to see it.

"It seems that every improvement made by the members helps refine the system upgrade and elevates the family's potential. I wonder if the sect-protecting formation can also be upgraded?"

Jiang Cheng pondered this and attempted to summon the system. The reply came: "The strength of the formation can be upgraded based on the controller's own power. Completing the mission will grant you a Royal-grade Protector at the peak of the Tribulation-Extinction Realm, which will allow you to upgrade the formation. Host may attempt to complete this task."

Jiang Cheng sighed to himself, "Alas, surrounded by powerhouses as I am, this feels somewhat redundant. How am I to recruit that Saintess?"

As he muttered to himself, Su Ruoxi, standing beside him, smiled faintly. "Does my husband wish to recruit Ling'er?"

Jiang Cheng blinked, then asked, "Who is Ling'er?"

"Why, the Linglong Saintess you mentioned. Didn't you sense her approaching the Xia Kingdom? If you have taken a liking to her, I have a way. She is my dearest friend and confidante; in the Linglong Holy Land, she is the only friend I have."

Jiang Cheng was momentarily flustered by this sudden remark. "Ah, well... my dear, do not misunderstand. That is not what I meant."

Su Ruoxi smiled. "It is fine. Since I have joined you, I would never oppose anything that benefits the family. Furthermore, I know her character well. If I can persuade her to join us, it would be a gain for the Jiang family. However..."

Seeing Su Ruoxi hesitate, Jiang Cheng seemed to grasp her meaning. "You are worried that the Linglong Holy Land will come to cause me trouble?"

"Indeed. My husband's eyes are sharp. Ling'er is the granddaughter of the Linglong Holy Land's ancestor, and the Holy Master treats her as the apple of his eye. You must prepare yourself."

Jiang Cheng thought, "So the system was setting a trap for me. No wonder it offered a Royal-grade Protector as a reward for subduing her. It seems the reward of a one-time-use Imperial Weapon will require careful consideration of the situation."

Just as they finalized their arrangements, the first uninvited guest arrived in the city. It was indeed the Saintess of the Linglong Holy Land. Her beauty was like a lotus rising from the water, drawing the attention of all the surrounding cultivators and residents.

"Wow, that Saintess is no small figure. She appears to be the Saintess of the Linglong Holy Land. Look at the stature of the protector beside her; it seems she is no less impressive than Su Ruoxi," exclaimed one cultivator who was familiar with the holy land.

Another nearby gasped, "That... that is Emperor Zhao, the protector elder of the Linglong Holy Land! He is at the early stage of the Tribulation-Extinction Realm!"

"What? The Tribulation-Extinction Realm? The Jiang family might be in grave danger now."

Just as the news was about to be relayed, Jiang Cheng emerged with Su Ruoxi to welcome them, appearing remarkably hospitable.

Regardless of the visitor's power, Jiang Cheng had no fear. Relying on his trump cards, he stepped out boldly. Having consulted with Su Ruoxi and understanding the Saintess's intentions, the two had already prepared a performance.

"Oh! It is little Ling'er," Su Ruoxi said, speaking first from within the protective array. "I was a bit disappointed not to see you at my wedding. Have you come to celebrate with me now?"

"Sister, I heard you were forced to marry into this family for the sake of their heritage. If that is the case, there is no need. Come back to the sect with me. With my protection, no one in the sect will dare to whisper a word. Leave this place, and I will capture him for you."

"Hmph! What Great Emperor heritage? It is nothing but rumors. He is merely a junior who has not even stepped into the Divine Sea Realm—not worth mentioning."

Relying on the protector elder by her side, Ling'er did not hide her intentions, speaking with blunt directness.

Jiang Cheng smiled silently. He looked at Su Ruoxi and nodded; they had exchanged glances, clearly prepared.

"Guests are welcome. I married my husband of my own free will and have no interest in any treasures or heritage. If you are here to offer congratulations, you are welcome to enter. If not, please return. I will not see you out."

No one knew Ling'er better than Su Ruoxi. She knew the girl was mischievous and was using the presence of the powerhouse to probe the truth—to see if Su Ruoxi had been bewitched or coerced.

However, Su Ruoxi's words were perfectly in line with her usual proud and aloof persona. Ling'er immediately understood the hidden meaning. She could never bear to lose her dearest friend.

If not for the help of the Nine-Mystic Sacred Body—a unique constitution that had already reached its initial peak—she would have only reached the Divine Sea Realm. It was Su Ruoxi who had gifted her a high-grade pill, allowing her to integrate and harmonize the nine types of mystic energy, breaking her limits and leading to her current achievements.

As a Nine-Mystic Sacred Body, she possessed a mutated constitution. Having broken her limits and cultivated techniques of nine different attributes, she could manifest the Nine-Mystic Domain upon reaching the Profound Pattern Realm.

Thus, she had gained an early understanding of the "state of mind" before even breaking through to the Venerable level.

"Sister... I..."

Choking back a sob, Ling'er glanced at the protector elder beside her. After a nod of mutual understanding, the elder vanished instantly.

He had gone, of course, to seek out the Danxia Saintess and hunt for the Imperial Pill. As for the Saintess, with Su Ruoxi present, he had no need to worry.

"Since you are here to congratulate me on my wedding, please, come in."

The array opened a gap, and Ling'er stepped inside.

The two had not seen each other in a long time. As they drew close, their eyes met, filled with a deep, unspoken sisterly affection—a bond forged through the years they had shared.