Chapter 1236 - 1262: Talent Selection Conference
The Netherworld here is quite similar to the one in the Lower Realm, with its dark red sky and eerie, terrifying presence everywhere from the pervasive Nether Energy. However, there’s one notable exception—there are quite a few green plants here, perhaps the biggest difference.
Chu Linfeng and Lin Feng were flying through the air at a moderate pace. Their purpose for coming to the Netherworld this time was to locate Princess Yiyi and Chu Cheng. The Netherworld is similarly vast, almost unimaginably so, with numerous entrances comparable to the Immortal Realm.
Finding the two among the sea of people would be like searching for a needle in a haystack, but Chu Linfeng was confident in finding them. "Jade, let’s first head to that city to rest and listen for any special events occurring in the Netherworld. Perhaps this will give us a chance to encounter them."
"That’s all we can do, but there’s danger lurking everywhere in the Netherworld. It’s inappropriate for us Immortals to appear here; we would be recognized instantly. We have to find a way to disguise ourselves as Netherworld inhabitants, which is a troublesome task," said the Jade Immortal Emperor.
Chu Linfeng hadn’t thought of this but found it not too challenging. He had absorbed Ghost Qi before in the Netherworld of the Lower Realm and disguised himself as one of the Ghost Race. Naturally, he could absorb Nether Energy or the aura of other races here to disguise himself as a Netherworld inhabitant.
"I can do it, but I wonder if you can emit intense Nether Energy?" Chu Linfeng asked worriedly.
"I can, no doubt. I’m just concerned if you can do it. I didn’t expect you to be so formidable; my worries were in vain. We should kill a few Netherworld inhabitants and absorb their Nether Energy so we can enter the city," said the Jade Immortal Emperor.
"There’s no time to lose; let’s head to the path leading to the city gates and kill a few. I’ll stealthily approach them, and you should wait for me in a hidden spot," said Chu Linfeng.
Before long, the two reached a path leading to a city. The Jade Immortal Emperor concealed herself in a lush thicket, while Chu Linfeng proceeded directly to the main road.
He used his invisibility technique to knock out a few Netherworld individuals with decent strength and brought them back to the forest for the Jade Immortal Emperor to absorb Nether Energy. He continued along the main road to capture more.
He soon returned with dozens of captives, including two from the Immortal Emperor Realm within the Netherworld. "This should be enough, don’t you think? We shouldn’t delay any longer. You should also absorb them; having too many is wasteful," said the Jade Immortal Emperor.
Chu Linfeng then employed the Star Absorption Technique to absorb all Nether Energy and internal Energy from the Netherworld individuals. The Energy from these Netherworld inhabitants was quite delectable and didn’t repel his internal Chaotic Immortal Power, much to Chu Linfeng’s delight.
He seldom absorbed others’ Energy before, but now realized this could be a shortcut to enhance his strength. He thought he should study it thoroughly when he had the time, perhaps it would aid in his future Ascension to the Divine Realm.
The Jade Immortal Emperor’s method was similar to Chu Linfeng’s, though she couldn’t absorb Energy into her body; she could only gather the Netherworld people’s Nether Energy externally. Chu Linfeng, on the other hand, fully absorbed them and had now become a genuine Netherworld inhabitant.
Witnessing the transformation in Chu Linfeng, the Jade Immortal Emperor was inwardly shocked, thinking to herself, "He’s a real monster!"
"Alright, there’s no problem entering the Netherworld now. Hopefully, our journey here will bring us surprises!" Chu Linfeng said.
"Just like the Immortal Realm, the Netherworld is vast and rich, filled with many Treasures of Heaven and Earth. It depends on whether you can seize the opportunity to acquire them," said the Jade Immortal Emperor.
With a thought, Chu Linfeng performed a Fire Transformation, incinerating the Netherworld individuals completely just to be sure. Naturally, before the incineration, he retrieved some necessary items from their Storage Rings.
For instance, the Nether Stones needed in the Netherworld, which, even at the lowest level here, contained more Energy than the highest-grade Nether Stones in the Lower Realm. Also, the Nether Energy levels differed, representing two entirely different worlds.
Apart from Nether Stones, Chu Linfeng only took the Jade Scrolls, as they contained some very special information—one documenting the power distribution in the Netherworld and the other recording the strange tales and events within. With these two Jade Scrolls, they gained a profound understanding of the Netherworld.
Subsequently, the two walked onto the main road. Being able to stroll openly along the path filled them with pride, especially with other Netherworld inhabitants occasionally passing by, seemingly unable to discern their true identities.
Chu Linfeng noticed these people were just like the races in the Lower Realm’s Netherworld, comprising genuine members of the Nether Race, as well as Ghost Races and Ghost Races. Following the passersby, they stopped in front of a massive city.
Chu Linfeng glanced at the text on the city gates, rendered in Nether script, rendering him momentarily speechless as he couldn’t recognize it. A look at the Jade Immortal Emperor revealed she was equally at a loss.
Guards were stationed at the city gates, and they were quite formidable, having reached the Late Stage of the Nine Heavens Profound Immortal realm, with several guards at that level. This spoke to the remarkable power of the Netherworld.
After paying the city entry fee, Chu Linfeng and their companion entered the city. The streets were bustling with vendors loudly hawking their goods. However, Chu Linfeng wasn’t particularly interested in those Netherworld items unless they were Heaven-Defying, which was unlikely to appear here.
Though the city wasn’t particularly large, it was heavily populated, teeming with inns and restaurants. To keep a low profile, Chu Linfeng and their companion chose to enter a typical restaurant since such places were often the best sources of information.
A waiter soon greeted them, eagerly introducing the restaurant’s culinary delights with an attentive but lengthy monologue, leaving Chu Linfeng and his companion speechless. After settling in a corner, they ordered a few signature dishes.
Many patrons were already in the restaurant, with individuals spanning various levels of strength, including several Mid-stage and Late-stage Immortal Emperors. The ease of encountering such strong Immortal Emperors highlighted the hidden talent throughout the Netherworld, which was far stronger than the Immortal Realm.
𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮
If the Immortal Realm and the Netherworld were to go to war, the outcome could very well be a total loss, Chu Linfeng pondered, especially after witnessing the Netherworld’s strength. He was determined never to let such a thing transpire.
Soon, the waiter brought their food and drink to the table and left. Many patrons were engaging in boisterous conversations, initially about trivial matters, but a discussion at a nearby table quickly caught Chu Linfeng’s attention.
"Did you know that King Zhao has issued a proclamation? Anyone who has ascended to the Netherworld or broken through to a Nether General within the past two hundred years must attend a talent selection meeting at the Royal City. Apparently, it’s scheduled for the beginning of next month," said a middle-aged man.
"So soon? Do we stand a chance to participate? All those who pass the selection will become Elite Disciples and have boundless prospects!" someone else said.
"You better forget about it. You need to have advanced to Nether General within two hundred years to enter, and we’re well past that age. But we could go see the spectacle. It’s said that the event will be hosted by King Zhao’s daughter, a famous beauty of the Netherworld!" the middle-aged man remarked...