The Prodigies War

The appearance of the drunkard, Big Yellow, and the man in plain clothes caused the lightning forbidden zone to fall into an oppressive atmosphere.

No one could have expected that the plain-clothed man would suddenly ask an unrelated question at a time like this. It just seemed very abrupt.

My relationship with Taixuan?

Lin Xun was stunned. Having a rough guess, he replied, “I once had the honor of receiving Elder Taixuan’s teachings.”

“No wonder.” The plain-clothed man's voice was calm like a lake that never rippled, making it impossible to figure out what was going on inside his mind. As a result, he gave off an unfathomable feeling.

“Senior…” Underworld Son was anxious. Having been violently beaten into utter humiliation, there was nothing but hatred and resentment in his belly. He desperately wanted the plain-clothed man to kill Lin Xun for him.

The plain-clothed man didn’t let him finish. “If I go all out, I will be able to kill him and take your revenge for you, but I can’t guarantee that you’ll still be able to walk out of here alive after that.

“On the contrary, if you let this go and I risk my life to bring you away, they won’t be able to stop me.

“Now, the decision is yours to make.”

Underworld Son's expression was dark as it kept changing. He wished nothing more than to kill Lin Xun with a thousand cuts, but he didn't want to put his own life on the line to do it.

However, he was also unwilling to leave like this!

“Fellow Daoist, I don’t think the current situation is up to you,” said the drunkard, his eyes sharp and bright.

“If he puts up a desperate fight, it's actually possible,” said Big Yellow quietly. “But if you and I do the same and fight without a care, then it would be a different story again.”

“Yeah, fair enough.” The drunkard nodded.

The atmosphere between heaven and earth grew increasingly more oppressive to the point it was difficult to breathe, as if an unpredictable calamity could erupt at any moment.

Right at this juncture, Lin Xun took a deep breath and said with a smile, “Seniors, let him go. I haven’t suffered any losses anyway.”

There was no way he could just let the drunkard and Big Yellow risk their lives for him.

Meanwhile, Underworld Son’s life had long become irrelevant to him. What was there to bother about an enemy who would never grow to be his match?

Lin Xun’s remark once again ignited Underworld Son’s rage. What do you mean you just haven’t suffered any losses? You clearly had all the advantages and took everything, okay?!

Xuanshang True Halberd, Origin Spirit Gourd, Star Map of All, Nanli Sacred Fan of Fire, Three Talents True Seal, Thirty-Six Swords of Absolute Inundation…

Which of them isn’t the most precious, most elite among Emperor weapons?

But now…they were all but robbed from me by you, Bastard Lin!

Thinking of this, Underworld Son’s vision went black, and he was so furious that his chest wanted to explode.

Those treasures had taken him years of painstaking efforts to collect, and he had intended to rely on them to take the world by storm once he became an Emperor!

“If you're truly unwilling, then let’s bet our lives on it,” sighed the plain-clothed man softly. The way he treated Underworld Son was that of indulgence, even going so far as to risk his life for him. This protective attitude in itself was proof that the connection between them was extraordinary.

“I…” Underworld Son was so torn that his face was all scrunched up and his heart tumbled with emotions.

He really, really wanted to kill Lin Xun right now, but… He cared more about his own life!

“I…” He stammered in hesitation for what felt like half a day, but he just couldn't form a complete sentence.

Seeing him like that, the drunkard and Big Yellow rolled their eyes with contempt, but they had to admit that Underworld Son had the capital to make anyone under heavens green with envy.

His heritage was rich, and he carried countless fortunes and treasures. Even in the case when he encountered dangers, there would be supreme experts, such as the plainly dressed man, who would protect him. Even if such a lucky fellow was only a useless loser, people could…still only envy him!

“With such a mindset, when will you be able to stand on your own? His Highness Underworld Emperor had spoiled you too much,” the plain-clothed man let out another sigh.

If he had only seen Underworld Son here, then the latter’s aptitude and talent could still be considered noteworthy, but standing in the same space as Lin Xun, he suddenly looked unbearable.

The plain-clothed man had traveled many worlds in his life and seen his fair share of geniuses and brave experts, but Lin Xun was the first junior that he could not see through.

Underworld Son just seemed increasingly mediocre the more one compared him to Lin Xun.

Meanwhile, Underworld Son seemed to have calmed down. He started speaking seriously, “Senior, my father once said that this is my nature and there is no need for me to change. I cling to fortunes and treasures, and that is the dao I follow, just like how the sword dao is the one you seek, Senior. Our paths are just different tunes played with equal skill.

“I was born as the son of Underworld Emperor, so it is only natural for me to be surrounded by supreme luck and fortunes. My father left them for me, and it’s impossible for my path to be separate from all of this.

“It’s not me sitting idle and enjoying the fruits of others' labor, but I’m just walking a grand avenue my father prepared for me. Are you telling me…that this is a wrong thing to do?

“Must the son of Underworld Emperor give up on all external objects and shelters to cultivate on his own? If I really did that, then wouldn't I waste my cultivation time on things that aren’t important? That would be too foolish!”

Saying that, a kind of determination became alight on Underworld Son's face. “I believe the way I am now is also what my father would like to see.”

The crowd was stunned as they listened.

Was this a crooked excuse?

It didn’t seem so.

It could only be said that the dao that Underworld Son adhered to was too unconventional. He really had fully awakened to the realization of his ‘living off one’s father, making the best use of what one has’ nature.

Even Lin Xun couldn’t help but think highly of such an attitude. This guy's dao actually revolves around opportunistic fortunes and external treasures, truly unique.

The more Underworld Son spoke, the more confident and proud he became, “What's more, my mindset can never be troubled and led astray by external objects, for I have seen far too many great fortunes and heavenly beauties, so I know what’s truly worth it.

“Only after tasting all the wines in the world can one know which one is the finest.

“With such experienced eyes, what treasures and fortunes can still affect my dao heart?

“Going through a great deal of ups and downs, my dao heart remains the same.”

Toward the end of his speech, Underworld Son exuded a dictating and domineering aura.

“Then how about you give me this Spirit Refining Kettle?” said Lin Xun.

The sudden question caused Underworld Son's expression to freeze. The hatred that he almost had under control stirred up again and wanted to spin out of control.

Even at a time like this, the bastard’s still thinking about my kettle!

“Delusional!” Underworld Son was livid. He then turned to the plain-clothed man. “Senior, let’s leave here.”

He had finally made his decision. There was nothing in this world that was more important than his own life. Even if there was…then he still wouldn't trade his life for it!

“Do you two still wish to block my path?” asked the plain-clothed man calmly as he looked at the drunkard and Big Yellow.

“Why not?” Big Yellow's face was gloomy. “Coming and leaving as you please, Zhukong, do you really think that no one can stop you?”

“Then we’ll decide with a fight,” replied the plain-clothed man without missing a beat, a domineering attitude seeping out of his calmness.

“Fight? Are you sure?” Right at this moment, a peerlessly arrogant voice echoed around the ninth level of Dark Hidden Purgatory.

Only four simple words, but they made people think of a monarch overlooking the world and all living beings with pride.

At this instant, the whole region quieted down, the bolts in the lightning forbidden zone included. The atmosphere and airflow became silent, as if surrendering.

The next second, a figure as lofty as a mountain appeared in the field. He was clad in a black, wide-sleeved robe, and let his long hair casually hang. His face was angular with defined features, handsome to the point of impeccability.

His eyes were deep, calm, and indifferent. At their corners, there were faint marks of time.

No one knew how he had arrived here, but the moment he was present, he seemed to become the master of this world. His words were laws, and his hands mastered Creation.

The Old Bronze Tree, who had been paralyzed on the ground quivering, directly fainted.

The drunkard stepped forward and cupped his fist. “My Lord.”

His demeanor was respectful and submissive.

Big Yellow let out a thrilled, cheering growl, then circled around the black-robed man's legs constantly wagging its tail. From time to time, it even rubbed its head against his clothes. Not a trace of its usual arrogance could be seen, only an intimate, fawning, and meek posture.

Underworld Son shivered, his face paled as he almost fell to the ground. The feeling the black-robed man gave him brought him back to the time when he had only been a child facing his father who had been a long-standing Emperor expert, who had seemed so supreme and immeasurable!

This was an utter domination in the mind, spirit, and cultivation. It was an invisible, natural might, like the one lions and tigers posed to deers and rabbits!

Underworld Son was well aware he wasn’t even a deer or a rabbit in this case. At best, he was an ant. The other party, too, was far beyond what lions and tigers could compare.

The plain-clothed man pressed his palm on Underworld Son, and only then was he able to keep the latter’s mind from collapsing, bringing him back from the suffocating despair.

Looking at the black-robed man again, Underworld Son's eyes had taken on deep apprehension and fear. Just who is this guy, how can he be so terrifying?

Meanwhile, Lin Xun had guessed the identity of the other party, and he was secretly excited.

Before he had come to the Underworld, he had always been curious about what kind of person the man that Ruo Su addressed respectfully as ‘Second Senior Brother’ was.

Later, after arriving at the Underworld, he had gradually learned that his second senior brother was the Lord of Copper Sparrow House, a legendary giant who was proud to the bone and conceited to the point that he took no one seriously!

In the eyes of the world, he was the most arrogant person in existence, and unbeatable as one.

The weight of the Almighty Dao could not crush his pride. Being regarded as an enemy by the whole world could not mar his arrogance!

He was also the only Dark Giant leader who had refused to pay homage to Heavenly Emperor Shi!

This series of perceptions had planted in Lin Xun respect and admiration for his second senior brother. It was in the same way as how one beheld a high mountain with awe.

However, Lin Xun still had never thought that he would meet his second senior brother at the ninth level of Dark Hidden Purgatory in this kind of situation.

For a moment, he was dazed.

The black-robed man in front of him was completely different from his other Fangchun Mountain fellow disciples. He looked bland, but in every stance or move he made and every look in his eyes, there was an aura of pride!

It gave people the feeling of absolute confidence and power.

It gave the impression that the sun, the moon, and the stars would dim before him, the worlds would prostrate themselves at his feet, and even the changes of time would yield to his pride!

Such was Zhong Qiu, the second disciple of Fangchun Mountain!

A man whose whole life centered around the word ‘pride.’