Chapter 515: Never to Meet Again

After news spread that the Nine Nether Soul Realm was about to open, it not only put all Nine Nether clans on high alert, but also drew close attention from the human race.

Not only the Demon-Suppressing Army of the Central Sacred Land, but other human factions as well employed various methods, dispatching elite members to venture deep into the Nine Nether hinterlands in an attempt to seize the key that would open the Soul Realm.

Thus, when the news of 'a single human' traveled from the fifth layer of the Nine Nether to the first, triggering tsunami-like discussions throughout the Nine Nether, infiltrators from various human factions secretly used arcane arts to relay this information back to the human race.

The Nine Passes Auction is held once every fifty years and lasts for a total of eighty-one days.

At the auction site, human and Nine Nether factions gathered together, the atmosphere blazing hot.

When the auction reached its eightieth day, just as both human and Nine Nether factions were immersed in the bidding war, the communication devices of various factions began to vibrate one after another.

The news of 'a single human' traveled from the depths of the Nine Nether to the Nine Passes of the Demon and Monster Prison.

Wei Zhenjie had just lost a bid for a high-grade Paramita Flower and was drinking tea to calm his mind when Chu Junyi's message arrived at that very moment.

"Pfft~"

Even he, who had long cultivated the ability to remain unmoved even if Mount Taishan collapsed before him, was so shocked upon hearing the news of 'a single human' currently spreading through the Nine Nether that he spat out his tea directly.

Not only him; similar uncomposed reactions appeared at seats in other directions as well.

Some time ago, news had emerged of a Nether Deer appearing in the Nine Nether, and all factions were still worried about it.

They never expected that so soon afterward, so many explosive pieces of news would erupt; even experts at the Spirit Platform realm felt somewhat unable to digest it all.

Wei Zhenjie subtly scanned the various human factions, paying particular attention to the Four Great Sacred Lands, the Five Dao-Protecting Families, the Three Pure Palaces, the Great Simplicity Palace, and the noble families led by the imperial house.

He knew these factions had all sent people deep into the Nine Nether hinterlands.

Although he harbored deep doubts about the authenticity of the rumors regarding 'a single human,' he did not doubt that tremors had occurred in the Nine Nether hinterlands.

Perhaps the tremors in the Nine Nether hinterlands were caused by the various infiltrators.

"This is for the best..."

It was probably impossible for the human race to seize the key to open the Nine Nether Soul Realm from the Nine Nether clans, but using this opportunity to stir up turmoil in the Nine Nether was a good thing nonetheless.

At the same time, other human factions were subtly exchanging glances; most shared thoughts similar to Wei Zhenjie's.

Even if the rumors of 'a single human' were somewhat exaggerated, they all felt that their own dispatched members causing such chaos in the Nine Nether made this risky venture deep into the hinterlands worthwhile.

The news of 'a single human' was undoubtedly 'good news' for the human race, but undeniably 'bad news' for the various Nine Nether factions.

Immediately, a Nine Nether faction spoke up to challenge them.

The representative of Youdu City looked coldly at the various human factions: "The hands of the human race are reaching further and further. What, is building the Demon and Monster Prison at the Great Rift Abyss in the center of the Nine Nether not enough? Do you also want to delve deep into the Nine Nether hinterlands to stir up wind and rain?"

By rights, apart from guiding departed souls, the mortal world and the Nine Nether should have no contact.

However, due to the existence of the Demon and Monster Prison, coupled with the current stage of spiritual energy recovery where the rules of the Four Spirit Realms are not yet sound, human cultivators can freely enter and exit the Nine Nether.

For Youdu City, which governs the order of the Nine Nether, this is undoubtedly a potential major threat.

It must be remembered that not long ago, Ghost Mother Mountain and Ghost Infant River in the forbidden Ghost Domain suffered heavy injuries inflicted by the human race.

The representative of the Ghost Clan immediately echoed: "Yes, what exactly do you humans intend to do? Is occupying the mortal world not enough? Do you also wish to dominate the Nine Nether?"

The representative of the Demon Clan immediately snorted coldly, looking at the human race with contempt: "Want to dominate the Nine Nether? You must ask whether we, the Demon Clan, agree!"

Other Nine Nether factions also voiced their dissatisfaction one after another.

Facing the surging fury of the Nine Nether factions, Wei Zhenjie remained expressionless and smiled faintly: "It is merely a rumor; do not take it seriously."

Long Xiaoteng, the Great Elder of the Dragon Family among the Dao-Protecting Families, picked up the conversation: "Indeed, if the human race could really cause such a huge disturbance in the Nine Nether hinterlands, then the various Nine Nether clans would be too incompetent."

"If you gentlemen truly believe these rumors, does that not mean you consider yourselves very incompetent?"

Upon hearing these words, the various Nine Nether factions grew even angrier.

The representative of the Yellow Spring Clan spoke sharply: "You humans are full of cunning schemes, either launching surprise attacks or playing tricks. If we fight face-to-face, do you think the Nine Nether would fear you?"

Zhu Ling, the Great Elder of the Zhu Family among the Dao-Protecting Families, retorted: "Does the Nine Nether not always follow the law of the jungle and supremacy of strength? Regardless of the methods used, the loser must admit defeat."

Seeing the atmosphere grow increasingly tense, Wei Zhenjie smiled warmly and mediated: "Let us continue the auction. Everyone gathered here wishes to exchange for treasures that suit their hearts; as for other matters, let us discuss them another day."

"Hmph!"

Although the various Nine Nether factions remained furious, they ultimately did not continue.

Just as the mortal world requires certain cultivation resources unique to the Nine Nether, the Nine Nether likewise requires certain cultivation resources from the mortal world.

This is the fundamental reason for the existence of the Nine Passes Auction.

The auction continued...

Meanwhile, west of the Demon and Monster Prison, a cluster of dark blue light sped down from the high skies.

"Bang!"

Hua Changxi jumped off the back of the Nether Deer and gazed at the towering, ink-black gatehouse piercing the clouds on the horizon—Ghost Gate.

Passing through Ghost Gate and heading straight east would lead to the Demon and Monster Prison.

"Little Deer, let us part ways here."

While feeding the Nether Deer water from the Soul River, Hua Changxi stroked its smooth spine: "You are a Nine Nether Dao Envoy; powerful figures in the Nine Nether all wish to draw you out. When you return, you must be extremely careful not to get captured."

Having the Nether Deer as a mount had saved her much trouble along the way, despite drawing some attention.

If the Nether Deer did not operate solely within the Nine Nether, she would have really wanted to take it back to the mortal world.

After waiting for the Nether Deer to finish drinking three tons of Soul River water, Hua Changxi took out a storage ring, filled it with Soul Flowers, Soul Fruits, and Soul Plants that it loved to eat, hung the ring around the Nether Deer's neck, and then began urging it to leave.

The Nether Deer did not move; reluctance actually appeared in its eyes.

Seeing this, Hua Changxi sighed: "I know you still want to hear the Soul Ballad, but I really must go. If I do not leave now, I fear powerful figures from the Nine Nether will come to surround and kill me."

"Do not be reluctant to part with me either; someday, Nine Nether creatures capable of playing the Soul Ballad will surely appear..."

While comforting the Nether Deer, Hua Changxi put away the Soul Bead, placed a top-grade Nether Time Stone into the slot of her Capricious Mask array, and simultaneously mobilized Ghost Fire to possess her body, transforming once again into a member of the Ghost Clan.

"I am leaving. Goodbye."

"No, never see each other again."

She had already decided that in the future, she should descend to the Nine Nether less often.

Transformed into a Ghost Clan member, Hua Changxi no longer looked at the Nether Deer; she sped quickly toward Ghost Gate and soon vanished into the vast gray mist.

The Nether Deer stood motionless in place until it sensed several powerful auras approaching.

"The Nether Deer is over there!"

As those auras drew near with rapid speed, the nine dark blue patterns on the Nether Deer's body simultaneously blazed with brilliant light.

Immediately after, amidst the shocked and regretful gazes of those figures, the Nether Deer transformed into a surge of dark blue radiance.

The light churned and vanished without a trace in an instant, leaving behind only several stunned figures standing idle and the endless gray mist.