UGB Chapter 71 Netherworld
Chapter 71 Netherworld
"How dare you!" Xiao Huan, the maid beside Liu Xixi, shouted sharply, "How dare you offend the princess?"
Bai Gu Sanren smiled slightly, took a step forward, and suddenly appeared beside the two women. He stretched out a pale palm, about to touch the two women's faces.
"You..." Liu Xixi only managed to utter one word before her whole body stiffened, unable to move even her fingertips, her eyes revealing extreme terror.
Bai Gu Sanren gently stroked Liu Xixi's smooth cheek, his movements as tender as a lover's.
"Tsk, this skin is so delicate," he chuckled. "Why should we let those disciples from the upper sect have it? Why don't the three of us just stay here and use the sky and earth as our bed, and go into our bridal chamber together?"
With that, he waved his long sleeves, and the two women, despite their advanced cultivation, collapsed to the ground without any resistance.
Liu Xixi collapsed to the ground, all the allure and scheming in her eyes vanished. She stared intently at Bai Gu Sanren and sneered, "If you have the guts, kill me! The Upper Sect won't let you get away with this!"
The Hermit of a Hundred Gu chuckled strangely: "I have already implanted several kinds of Gu poison into your bodies. Do you think the Upper Sect will spend the time and effort to detoxify you two?"
Upon hearing this, Liu Xixi and Xiao Huan's eyes revealed a hint of despair.
Bai Gu Sanren looked at the two women and said gently, "Alright, alright, as long as you obediently do as I say, I guarantee you will be safe and sound."
The two women watched in silence as Bai Gu Sanren's smug smile faded, their hearts sinking to the bottom.
…………
The entrance to the Netherworld is located at the foot of a high cliff on the edge of the Netherworld Pass, backed by the cliff wall, with no obvious entrance.
Even so, the sect firmly anchored this rift within the high cliff, so there was no need to worry about getting lost.
Those from outside the boundary can enter this small world simply by passing through the rift and following the path anchored by the sect. However, those inside the small world who want to leave have no way out without an anchor point to guide them, making it difficult for them to make their way out.
At this moment, Zhou Li had changed into a black Taoist robe unique to the Discipline Hall. The collar and cuffs of the robe were embroidered with gold thread with the Bixie pattern, which symbolizes strict laws. A simple bronze ruler hung at his waist.
He had a calm demeanor, and his sharp gaze carried a scrutinizing quality, making him appear like a serious and unsmiling law enforcement officer.
Meanwhile, Situ Yangyang, who was standing to the side, restrained her usual playful nature, changed into an ordinary disciple's robe, and disguised herself as Zhou Li's servant, standing half a step behind Zhou Li with her head bowed and eyes lowered.
However, her bright eyes, which occasionally darted around, still couldn't hide her clever and witty nature.
"This is the entrance to the Netherworld Realm," the disciple guarding the rift said respectfully. "Senior brother, please be careful. The spiritual energy within is thin, and the rules are slightly different from those within the sect."
Zhou Li nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over Yang Yang. He saw her wink at him, then lightly lift her heel, take a small copper bell from her ankle, and put it in her hand.
"Senior brother, the small world is different from the sect. There are no sect formations, and disciple tokens cannot transmit messages. You take this 'Yin Yang Bell.' This treasure is a pair of yin and yang, which can seal away yin evil and transmit sound across distance. You and I can communicate with each other in the small world using this."
After accepting the Yin-Yang Bell, Zhou Li stepped into the rift first. After a slight dizziness, a completely different aura rushed towards him.
The first thing I felt was the thinness and stagnation of spiritual energy, as if I had jumped from a deep pool into a shallow beach, and the circulation of spiritual energy throughout my body slowed down.
What followed was a warm breeze and humidity. Unlike the cold and gloomy Netherworld Pass, this place was a bright and sunny spring day with gentle breezes and warm sunshine.
Zhou Li and Yang Yang stood on a huge white jade platform. Below the platform, two rows of guards dressed in uniform tight-fitting clothes were already lined up and waiting. They had all cultivated their Qi and their expressions were solemn.
Leading the group was a middle-aged cultivator in a dragon robe with a refined appearance, and standing beside him was a woman in palace attire with a cool and aloof demeanor.
Upon seeing the two appear, the refined cultivator immediately stepped forward, smiling warmly, and cupped his hands, saying, "Liu Zhaoyuan of Qixia Kingdom respectfully welcomes the envoy from Changtian Sect! Please forgive any shortcomings."
He was humble, spoke politely, and possessed a natural air of authority. He was the head of the Liu family in the Mingxia Realm and the current ruler of the Qixia Kingdom.
Zhou Li knew that this Qixia Kingdom must be the cultivation kingdom established by the Liu family in this realm.
Returning the greeting politely, Zhou Li said neither servilely nor arrogantly, "Your Majesty, you are too kind. Zhou Li of the Discipline Hall is here on a mission to inspect this region. I apologize for the intrusion."
Liu Zhaoyuan stepped aside to introduce her: "This is my younger sister, Liu Zhaohan." The woman in palace attire bowed slightly, her voice clear and gentle: "Liu Zhaohan greets the Imperial Envoy."
This woman was extremely beautiful, with skin as white as snow and features as exquisite as a painting, yet she possessed an air of aloofness, like a snow lotus atop an iceberg, making one unwilling to defile her.
Zhou Li did not speak, but instead shifted his gaze to the people behind Liu Zhaohan. Behind her stood a man and a woman with sharp eyes, whose auras were also quite strong. All four of them had actually reached the Foundation Establishment stage.
"These two are the left and right protectors of my Qixia Kingdom, Liu Xuan and Liu Qing."
The man and woman clasped their hands in greeting: "Greetings, Your Excellency!" Their gazes swept over Zhou Li with a hint of solemnity.
Zhou Li nodded slightly in return. He noticed that Liu Zhaoyuan's gaze lingered on the ruler at his waist for a moment, while the left and right protectors' eyes were more focused on Yangyang behind him.
Yangyang kept her head down the whole time, looking very cautious.
"The envoy has come from afar. A small banquet has been prepared in the palace to welcome him and wash away the dust of his journey. Please!" Liu Zhaoyuan stepped aside and led everyone to the flying boat, adopting an extremely humble posture.
As Zhou Li walked along the reception platform, he observed that the royal palace was lavishly decorated with carved beams and painted rafters, yet it also exuded a sense of decay.
The closer they got to the depths of the palace, the stronger this feeling became. The palace servants and guards all hurried along, their expressions carrying a long-suppressed submissiveness.
The welcoming banquet was held in the largest hall of the palace, the "Qixia Hall". Zhou Li and his entourage rode in cloud sedan chairs through the gates and through the halls, and only after traveling to the fifth courtyard did they see the golden palace hanging high, with nine pillars, so magnificent that they could not look directly at it.
Inside the hall, the steps are made of bluestone and the pillars are made of white jade. Musicians play on both sides, and dancers dressed in light gauze dance gracefully in the hall.
The banquet was of extremely high standard, with many spiritual fruits and delicacies unique to the Netherworld Realm. Among them were some items that were of great benefit to cultivators, and there was even a pot of "Soul Nourishing Brew" that was said to be able to nourish the soul.
Liu Zhaoyuan personally accompanied him, his words and actions filled with respect for Changtian Sect and his high regard for the young envoy Zhou Li.
The left and right protectors and several important ministers were also present at the banquet, speaking cautiously and frequently offering toasts.
Princess Liu Zhaohan sat to the left of Liu Zhaoyuan, occasionally raising her cup in greeting, her cool gaze occasionally sweeping over Zhou Li, seemingly carrying a hint of unease.
Situ Yangyang, disguised as a servant, was naturally not entitled to sit down, but stood with his hands at his sides not far behind Zhou Li.
Under the guise of pouring wine for Zhou Li, she subtly activated the Yin-Yang Bell. Zhou Li immediately felt the bell on his sleeve vibrate slightly, and a voice transmission that only he could perceive came through:
"We need to find an opportunity to go check out the Netherworld Cave; the movement of Yin energy within this area is a bit strange."
Zhou Li remained expressionless, picked up his wine cup, took a small sip, and secretly replied, "I'll investigate the Netherworld Cave. I'll pretend to be drunk during the meal; you just need to support me."
After speaking, his ant-like body floated backward and silently disappeared into the shadows of the corner of the hall. Everyone's attention was focused on Zhou Li, and no one paid any attention.