As the Netherworld Water descended, wisps of dark mist, as if summoned, converged at the center of the network, forming a vortex that devoured all shadows.
The dark mist vanished, revealing a skeleton frame. It was filled with terror, resisting with all its might, yet it was futile, being consumed inch by inch.
"You actually understand 'Sealing Arts'!?"
The skeleton frame shrieked, its voice filled with hatred and a touch of panic: "Damn it, to run into such a monstrous fiend!"
"Sealing Arts, a technique specifically targeting the soul. Though you are a Saint Lord-level existence, you are no exception."
Zhou Yan sneered, but was inwardly astonished. This skeleton frame was too powerful. Even without a physical body, it could contend with him.
What terror would it possess in its prime!?
"Kid, whatever you want to know, this Emperor will tell you everything!"
Suddenly, the skeleton frame's attitude changed drastically. It fawned and pleaded, "This Emperor is an elder of the Supreme Sect, the Netherworld Palace, on the Xuan Continent, named..."
The skeleton frame narrated its origins.
The Netherworld Palace was a mystical sect located on the Xuan Continent, dedicated to cultivating disciples, with a long history and profound heritage.
Within the Netherworld Palace, there was an ancient scroll known as the "Netherworld Records," which documented various ultimate skills, cultivation techniques, and even immortal methods and inheritances from all heavens and worlds.
Among them were numerous wondrous cultivation techniques and supreme skills.
The skeleton frame itself was a treasure artifact that gained sentience. It received an opportunity from an elder of the Netherworld Palace, cultivated its intelligence, and acquired a powerful cultivation technique.
The Netherworld Records were mysterious and infinitely powerful, considered the foremost divine ability on the Xuan Continent.
"Hmph!"
Suddenly, the skeleton frame's face turned cold, and it spoke grimly, "However, a mere ant, is worthy of knowing my secrets?"
As soon as the words fell, the skeleton frame opened its mouth and spat out a jet-black jade slip, which landed before Zhou Yan.
"Hm?"
Zhou Yan felt a sense of caution. He reached out, picked up the jade slip, and examined it carefully.
"What is this thing!?"
Zhou Yan frowned, sensing that the jade slip was very special, seemingly containing some profound mystery.
In an instant, the jade slip shattered, turning into specks of starlight that merged into Zhou Yan's body.
In a flash, Zhou Yan perceived that his mind was filled with a wealth of information. Sutras flowed into his heart, forming a cultivation technique named "Netherworld Records"!
The "Netherworld Records," as the name suggested, was an advanced version of the "Netherworld Soul Refining Technique."
"So that's how it is!"
A moment later, Zhou Yan suddenly understood, his emotions calming down.
The "Netherworld Records" was divided into three layers. With each advancement, its power surged. At its peak, it could even refine the Netherworld Water into a Netherworld Sword.
"This is the cultivation method for the Netherworld Sword. If you master it, you can control this sword," the skeleton frame said. "This Emperor believes that with enough time, you will undoubtedly reach the pinnacle, suppress the heavens and earth, and sweep across all the powerful beings of the myriad realms."
"Heh heh..."
Hearing the skeleton frame's seductive words, Zhou Yan shook his head and chuckled, "My ambition is not in this..."
Before he could finish speaking, a vast and inexplicable memory surged into his mind. Zhou Yan's expression changed dramatically, his pupils constricted, and his face was filled with shock.
"This is...!?"
Zhou Yan looked up in surprise, staring at the skeleton frame before him, his heart churning like a stormy sea.
"This is the memory of the Netherworld Lord!?"
Zhou Yan's heart pounded, feeling an endless wave of shock.
The Netherworld Lord was a heroic figure, who once conquered all heavens, swept through myriad domains, and achieved brilliant feats.
However, Zhou Yan never imagined that the memory left behind by this peerless expert would appear in his own mind.
This fortune was truly heaven-defying!
"What kind of power is the Netherworld Palace? Why was it preserved after the Netherworld Lord's demise?"
Zhou Yan frowned, lost in thought.
The Netherworld Lord, who roamed the universe and looked down upon all heroes, was an invincible existence. Yet, he still perished, and moreover, at the hands of his companion.
This struck Zhou Yan as incredible!
Because, according to legend, the Netherworld Lord was already a half-step Saint, just one step away from achieving Sainthood and a lifespan of a thousand years.
How could such a formidable being fall?!
Did he provoke some terrifying entity? Or was he plotted against by an enemy?
Both possibilities were plausible!
Zhou Yan's thoughts raced, his doubts deepening.
"Hahaha, kid, you don't need to worry..."
The skeleton frame was overjoyed, its laughter echoing wildly. "My master is the founder of the Netherworld Palace - Netherworld Immortal!"
Rumble~
The skeleton frame's laughter abruptly stopped, its entire body trembling incessantly, and deep fear appeared in its eyes.
Netherworld Immortal, the founder of the Netherworld Palace, the supreme emperor of the Netherworld Palace!
Within the Netherworld Palace, Netherworld Immortal was a god, an existence that could not be disobeyed. No one dared to defy Netherworld Immortal's decree; those who did were all eradicated.
Under Netherworld Immortal, nine Grand Protectors managed the entire Netherworld Palace, wielding immense power and commanding all directions. No one dared to retort, and even the current Emperor showed them respect.
Netherworld Immortal was unrivaled throughout his life, ruling the Nine Provinces and acting with impunity.
Alas, during a journey, Netherworld Immortal encountered a great calamity and was critically injured, but miraculously survived.
Netherworld Immortal clearly remembered that calamity originated from the core secret realm of the Netherworld Palace, a bizarre place.
That secret realm was filled with danger and slaughter, possessing all sorts of evil formations and curses...
However, Netherworld Immortal, with his high skill and bold spirit, fearlessly charged forward, relying on his immense power.
Finally, under Netherworld Immortal's valiant charge, he carved out a bloody path.
Yet, Netherworld Immortal paid a heavy price, suffering grievous injuries, leaving only a faint remnant soul, barely clinging to life...
Helpless, Netherworld Immortal could only choose to lie low and focus on healing.
Unexpectedly, a major upheaval occurred in the Netherworld Palace, and it was inherited by the Saintess, who became the new Netherworld Lord.
At that time, Netherworld Immortal was at his weakest and powerless to stop it. He could only watch as the Saintess ascended the throne and became the Lord of the Netherworld Palace.
From then on, the Netherworld Palace embarked on a completely different path. The Saintess was ambitious, desiring to establish her own Netherworld Kingdom, bringing everyone under her banner and creating a vast power.
"Netherworld Kingdom, a decent concept, but it lacks some fundamental qualities."
After a long while, Zhou Yan slowly awoke, deep in thought, and murmured, "If that is the case, perhaps I can help the Saintess to add a quality, how about it?"
The Netherworld Lord, Netherworld Immortal's dying wish, was to expand the Netherworld Palace and restore the glory of the Netherworld Imperial Dynasty.
Zhou Yan believed he possessed the talent to achieve this.
Therefore, Zhou Yan intended to help, especially since the Saintess was his fiancée!
"Eh? You actually have such an intention?"
Hearing this, the skeleton frame was stunned, then its eyes flickered with sharpness: "Jie jie jie... You, a trash youth, actually have such thoughts?"
"Little fellow, this Emperor advises you to give up. There is no hope for such a matter..." the skeleton frame cackled incessantly, clearly disagreeing with Zhou Yan's actions.