In the end, Nightmare City’s popularity only lasted a few days. As the news spread that Lin Xun had offended Region Lord Heikong, the entire city swiftly returned to its original state. In fact, it even became more deserted than ever before.

The City Lord Residence.

"Elder, should we...run?"

Ji Leng gritted his teeth as his eyes flashed fiercely. "There are ten region lords who rule over different territories in the Frosty Air Region. If Region Lord Heikong won’t tolerate us, we can go to other territories. If the entire Frosty Air Region won't tolerate us, we can go to other regions."

After a pause, he continued, "As the saying goes, if one isn’t welcomed here, there are other places one can go. Given Elder’s strength, is there any need to worry about making a comeback?"

Lin Xun was seated on the ground experiencing the marvels of his newly completed Red Fire Dao Body. He nonchalantly replied, "Aren’t you overthinking?"

Overthinking?

Ji Leng was momentarily taken aback. Soon after, he grew anxious. "Elder, from what I know, although Region Lord Heikong is an Emperor, he is also a very narrow-minded individual who will take revenge for any slight. Since we killed Shan Yong, he will definitely not let us off..."

Before he could finish, Lin Xun interjected, "The situation hasn’t gotten so bad yet. You may leave if you wish to, but if you want to stay, I'll ensure that you won’t get into trouble."

Ji Leng was bewildered. He couldn't comprehend where Lin Xun got his confidence from.

Lin Xun waved his hand. "Leave.”

"This humble one won't bother Elder any further."

Ji Leng left feeling extremely conflicted. Should he leave...or stay?

On the other hand, Lin Xun couldn’t care less about Ji Leng’s worries.

With a thought, the Red Fire Dao Body clad in a fiery-red robe emerged.

Just yesterday, he had successfully created its consciousness and cultivation. For Lin Xun, this meant he could save even more time and energy in his cultivation!

"From today, you will practice the World-Guarding Nine Cauldrons Scripture, the Burning Dao Wonder Sutra, the Three Talents Origin Method, and the No Return inheritance…"

𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

Lin Xun mentally transmitted these inheritances to the Red Fire Dao Body.

Among them, the Burning Dao Wonder Sutra was a supreme inheritance created by his Fifth Senior Brother Blazing Jun. Senior Brother Blazing Jun was someone so terrifying that even Senior Sister Ruo Su acknowledged she was inferior to.

Hence, his dao scripture was naturally extraordinary.

The Three Talents Origin Method was a dao scripture created by Fifteenth Senior Brother Qing Ting and was also equally magical.

No Return was an inheritance from Battle Emperor Mo Yang...

After imparting the inheritances, Lin Xun put away the Red Fire Dao Body.

"With the Green Wood Dao Body’s and the Red Fire Dao Body’s help to cultivate and study the dao, I should be able to create the Yellow Earth Dao Body’s consciousness and cultivation within a month!" Ŗ𝓪𐌽𝘖ꞖƐＳ

After creating the Red Fire Dao Body’s consciousness and cultivation, Lin Xun clearly felt a substantial improvement in his cultivation. The distance to becoming a third level supreme quasi-Emperor was rapidly narrowing!

The most amazing part, however, was that his cultivation growth was also shared by his dao clones.

"At this rate, I will be able to thoroughly comprehend the Quasi-Emperor Stage parts of my many dao inheritances and make them my own before I reach the Emperor Stage.

“By learning from the strengths of others and integrating them together, my preparations will be well-rounded and I’ll be primed for success.

"After all, my dao is to contain all the daos and arts in the world. This is the only way to make my dao the one and only in all of time..."

Lin Xun fell into deep thought again.

While waiting for Xi, he became increasingly aware that his future situation would become increasingly precarious if he didn’t raise his combat power as quickly as possible.

……

Frosty Air Region, Tianwu Mountain.

A majestic mountain stood thousands of feet tall. Grand, ancient buildings could be seen winding up from the foot of the mountain all the way to the top.

Additionally, there were layers of cryptic and terrifying prohibition array power covering the entire Tianwu Mountain.

In a snow-white crystalline building atop the mountain, Region Lord Heikong sat on his throne with a slight frown and an intimidating sharpness in his eyes.

He was dressed in a black robe, with thick, blood-red hair draped behind him, revealing a handsome face and a pair of deep pupils which seemed to shine brighter than the stars.

Region Lord Heikong, whose dharma name was Evil Emperor Heikong, first appeared in the Ancient Nebula Underworld 139,000 years ago. There were many varying opinions about his origins.

Some said that he used to be a supreme elder of an imperial clan from the primeval era who was jailed by the clan after committing an unforgivable crime. He then somehow escaped and fled to the Ancient Nebula Underworld.

Some said that he was an old monster from one of the Great Ten Battle Clans, the Heavenly Ghost Battle Clan. Due to excessive murdering, many powerful factions placed wanted notices on him, forcing him to hide and lay low in the Ancient Nebula Underworld.

Some also said...

In short, regardless of what was rumored, the one common factor was that Evil Emperor Heikong was very powerful! He was so powerful that even the rumors about him made cultivators inwardly shiver.

Xing Lianqi was kneeling in the silent hall, feeling so anxious that he didn’t dare to breathe too loudly.

After a long silence, Evil Emperor Heikong finally sighed and remarked, "He suppressed the two of you with a single dao word. It seems that this so-called Sword Demon Daoyuan is quite the remarkable individual."

Xing Lianqi gritted his teeth and said, "Supreme One, no matter how great he is, his actions are a direct challenge to your dignity. He cannot be forgiven!"

Evil Emperor Heikong chuckled. "Xing Lianqi, let me ask you this. Why did he only kill Shan Yong, but let you live and even allowed you to bring the tribute back to me?"

Xing Lianqi was startled. Before he could speak, Evil Emperor Heikong said in a cold voice, "If you aren’t truthful, don't blame me if I stop being polite."

Xing Lianqi shuddered as his expression changed indeterminately. He had indeed concealed some facts earlier when he was reporting to Evil Emperor Heikong and only said bad things about Lin Xun.

However, it was obvious that his little tricks had been seen through.

"Supreme One, I understand my mistake!"

Xing Lianqi revealed a panicked and frightened look and hurriedly kowtowed.

"I merely want to know the truth." Evil Emperor Heikong remained expressionless. "If you don't tell me what happened, you will only die a more miserable death when I find out."

Xing Lianqi's expression changed drastically. With a deep breath, he braced himself and revealed everything, including how he and Shan Yong received bribes from the city lords to suppress Lin Xun and Ji Leng. He didn't dare to hide even the smallest detail.

After hearing everything, Evil Emperor Heikong laughed. However, his smile only made Xing Lianqi feel so unnerved that his soul nearly left his body.

"A dog will bite when it’s cornered, let alone extorting a hundred million dao crystals from someone..."

When Evil Emperor Heikong stood up, there was no longer any trace of a smile on his face. "If it were me, I would have killed you two long ago.

"While there are indeed no proper rules in the Ancient Nebula Underworld, in my territory, the rules I set are the highest laws. I never expected that you two...would dare to break my rules for mere bribes.

"How very bold of you!"

Xing Lianqi was soaked in cold sweat as if he had fallen into an icy cave.

He suddenly recalled Lin Xun's comment, "I can forgive you, but I don't know if Region Lord Heikong will forgive you."

This was also the moment he realized that compared to having his subordinate killed, Region Lord Heikong was more concerned that the rules he set had been disobeyed and broken by his subordinates!

"Shan Yong will naturally be avenged. After all, he was my subordinate. It’s not logical for me to sit back and watch him be killed like this."

Evil Emperor Heikong thoughtfully said, "However, before he is avenged, don't you think you should pay the price for your mistakes?"

Xing Lianqi's face rapidly filled with terror. "Supreme One, although your lowly subordinate has made some mistakes, my crimes....do not deserve death!"

"No, you must die."

Evil Emperor Heikong didn’t look like he was joking around. "Only with your death can I avenge the both of you with more righteousness, right?"

As the words rang out, he nonchalantly reached out as if plucking something from the air.

Plop!

Xing Lianqi's head was plucked like a fruit and fell into Evil Emperor Heikong’s hand. His expression was smothered with thick fear even until his death.

Evil Emperor Heikong closed Xing Lianqi's eyes and softly said, "Men, take this head to Sword Demon Daoyuan of Nightmare City, tell him that I clearly distinguish between reward and punishment, and I am always eager to recruit talented people. From today, as long as Sword Demon Daoyuan submits to me, I will forget any past transgressions."

A hoarse voice sounded from outside the hall, “Understood.”

At the same time, Xing Lianqi's head was tossed out of the hall.

In the hall, Evil Emperor Heikong leisurely said, "A good blade should be used well. It would be a pity to kill someone like him..."

……

Nightmare City.

Lin Xun was startled from his cultivation when he saw Ji Leng appear with Xing Lianqi's bloody head in his hands.

Lin Xun asked, "He wants me to submit?"

"Yes." Ji Leng's expression was filled with awe and flattery. "This shows that Region Lord Heikong is indeed able to distinguish between reward and punishment and has amazing insight. He can see that Elder is a great fighter and cherishes your talent. This is excellent news."

Toward the end, his voice grew increasingly excited.

"Heh.” Lin Xun chuckled with an odd look in his eyes. "Sure, I will be happy to oblige as long as he isn’t worried about getting into trouble."

Ji Leng was stunned.

What does this mean?

However, Lin Xun didn’t explain. He waved his hand and said, "Go ask Lord Heikong what are the conditions after submitting. I can agree to everything as long as it’s within reason."

Doubt began to creep up in Ji Leng. He felt that Lin Xun was agreeing too readily, which made him feel uneasy instead...

However, he didn't dare question anything and hurriedly left to fulfil Lin Xun’s instructions.

After Ji Leng departed, Lin Xun couldn't help but laugh again as he inwardly muttered, "You're the one who’s trying to jump into this pit. It'll be too late when you want to climb out later..."

Lin Xun was certain that his identity would be revealed sooner or later in the Ancient Nebula Underworld.

When his identity was revealed...

Wouldn’t his ‘boss,’ Region Lord Heikong, end up being implicated?

At the thought of this, Lin Xun couldn't help but feel some pity.

The sword has two edges. If not used properly...one might end up cutting oneself...

Upon receiving Lin Xun's reply, Evil Emperor Heikong joyfully chuckled.

In his opinion, Sword Demon Daoyuan was absolutely a smart man who understood that he could only survive longer by bowing his head and submitting.