Secret Buyer

Chapter 522 - 337: Arrival! Are You Plotting Against the Master of the Nine Netherworld Using the Netherworld? (Double-Length - )_4

But then, what is that columnar object?

Zhang Fusheng’s heart was once again filled with doubt, but this time, the heavens did not provide him an answer—this matter holds great secrets,

or perhaps this object has a remarkably high status.

His curiosity grew, and he resolved to calculate the causes and effects—easily obtaining the answer.

"The Heavenly Connection Tree..."

Zhang Fusheng murmured to himself, his eyes slightly profound.

It was the legendary Heavenly Connection Tree.

The Heavenly Connection Tree, a tree connecting the heavens, a bridge between the cosmos, humanity, and divinity.

As his thoughts wandered, he heard Cui Wenda beside him asking:

"After nightfall, one must not wander the streets... Does the Capital have a curfew?"

"Not quite."

The elder of the clan’s expression slightly tensed, as he spoke in a deep voice:

"The daytime in the Capital belongs to humans, the night, to ghosts."

"Ghosts??" Cui Wenda’s eyes widened, and Zhang Fusheng also became interested again—ghosts?

Likewise, the heavens did not provide him with an answer to this doubt, so he could only listen in silence.

The elder nodded slightly, speaking in a deep voice:

"The authorities have never officially acknowledged it, yet it doesn’t mean it does not exist—the fact is, every time after nightfall,

in the Capital, especially below the two-thousand-zhang region, the legendary Netherworld appears faintly, malicious spirits roam within,

and above the Netherworld, there exists a ghost market, and even a ghost city!"

After pausing briefly,

the elder exhaled a turbid breath:

"However, for some reason, the Capital has always turned a blind eye to the Netherworld; there are rumors that this Netherworld is the handiwork of an entity above a Great Divine Power User."

Everyone exchanged glances, even Zhang Fusheng was slightly shocked.

Above a Great Divine Power User?

Is it a True Saint of the Fourth Realm of the Divine Path?

Or perhaps, a Celestial Venerate or Buddha of the Fifth Realm?

Interesting.

"In any case."

The elder looked around, solemnly advising:

"Every night, especially in the lower two-thousand-zhang region, people often get lost in the Netherworld."

"Some find great opportunities within, appearing after sunrise, soaring to the skies ever after."

"But more people, remain there forever... It is also rumored that even Divine Spirits have lost their way within!"

"Some even perished within!"

A subtle silence settled in the dining area, a slight sense of trepidation pervaded—of course, Zhang Fusheng and Ruan Yutu were exceptions.

The latter scoffed at the so-called Netherworld—ghosts?

A Buddha sits beside him!

As for Zhang Fusheng himself, he felt a vague thrill, understanding that this so-called Netherworld could be a great opportunity.

"The person of the Central Pole Sect Leader’s stature should have manifested in the human world long ago...."

This thought flashed through Zhang Fusheng’s mind.

The Cui family elder continued:

"All our families who came here to compete in the Ten Hopes contest are arranged to live in the lower two-thousand-zhang region."

"Perhaps it has to do with the Netherworld because if those participating in the competition get lost within, it would be beneficial for the great families native to the Capital."

As they spoke,

the starship trembled gently—indicating their arrival at the Capital.

.........

Within the Capital,

higher than the eight-thousand-zhang region, suspended on a floating island beside the [Heavenly Connection Tree].

"The message has come."

In one of the great families, a participant of the previous Ten Hopes contest,

someone bowed to report:

"The most threatening Cui family is about to arrive, and there’s word from a mole; this time, the Cui family brings a Book Holder, a young fellow named Cui Wenda, carrying the [Book of Life and Death]."

After a pause, the subordinate cautiously asked:

"Should we arrange for people to intercept and kill the Cui family’s arrivals outside the Capital?"

Sitting cross-legged, the elderly man slowly opened his eyes,

He stated calmly:

"To intercept and kill is too lowly a deed, not the style of our Meng family."

A middle-aged man with an aura at the level of a Venerate but posed as a servant paid his respects:

"Yes, Patriarch."

After a pause, the middle-aged man cautiously continued:

"Furthermore, the mole also conveyed that the Cui family seems to have an ace up their sleeve for this competition."

"It’s an outsider named Daoist Venerable."

"What a name?" The elderly man frowned, turning his gaze, even Kong Shentong, who was visiting, raised his head with surprise.

Daoist Venerable??

What a grand name!

Kong Shentong, playing with the Exquisite Treasure Tower in his hand, clicked his tongue in wonder:

"Daoist Venerable? Is it Daoist in name, Venerable as surname, or Dao as surname, Venerable as given name?"

The cautious Venerate responded:

"According to what the mole transmitted, it’s Dao as the surname, Venerable as the given name."

Kong Shentong exclaimed, the True Spirit within the Exquisite Treasure Tower also raised his head; the name was indeed a bit grandiose.

The elderly man arched his brow, saying,

"Continue."

The Venerate nodded:

"The mole said that this young man named Daoist Venerable is very likely the Cui family’s ace, drinking an entire bowl of Hundred Mystic Soup without changing his expression."

"Perhaps... he is a top-tier Celestial Human."

Both the elderly man and Kong Shentong were slightly moved.

For them, two Great Divine Power Users, a Celestial Human wasn’t worth mentioning.

But those competing in the Ten Hopes contest are all young men and women under thirty. A top-tier Celestial Human below thirty?

Now that’s somewhat alarming.

"A single Cui family, and they have such a prodigy?"

Kong Shentong clicked his tongue:

"The Ten Hopes contest doesn’t allow those who have succeeded through secret techniques or empowerment to participate."

"To cultivate step by step into a Celestial Human in their twenties, even within our Confucius and Mencius families, there are very few, right?"

The Meng elder nodded slightly:

"Brother Kong is right; the most outstanding of our Meng family’s younger generation have only just entered the realm of Celestial Humans. What merit does the Cui family possess, to gain such a Qilin child?"

Kong Shentong stroked his chin:

"I was tempted to order a hit on the Cui family—a Book of Life and Death, a Qilin child—the threat is too great... Forget it."

He smiled:

"Our Confucius and Mencius families value benevolence and righteousness; we cannot resort to assassination... By the way."

Kong Shentong’s smile suddenly disappeared, his face turning expressionless as he asked: