The 'Weng' sound made Li Xuan shift his gaze.
He saw the scroll of the Netherworld Ranking high in the sky light up with a spectral glow, the names of the top hundred contestants illuminating simultaneously. Following this, a luminous curtain descended, engulfing everyone present.
"The Netherworld Ranking competition has concluded. Congratulations to all," the Messenger of Netherworld declared in a resonant voice. He then formed a hand seal, and the Netherworld Ranking scroll emitted a suction force. Li Xuan and the others felt their bodies lighten before vanishing entirely.
On Netherworld Heart Plaza, a flash of spectral light brought figures appearing from the Netherworld Path. As soon as Li Xuan emerged, Ming Luo, his face filled with excitement, strode towards him.
"Brother Li, you are truly a divine being!" Ming Luo expressed his excitement without any pretense, gripping Li Xuan's arms.
Li Xuan looked at Ming Luo, somewhat bewildered, clearly not understanding the man's demeanor.
Just then, Li Xuan's gaze shifted towards the high platform, only to realize there was a light screen atop it. The challenge arena was now devoid of contestants. Li Xuan immediately understood; the challenge match had already been witnessed by others.
"That person must be the patriarch of the Great Elder's family," Li Xuan surmised the elder's identity as he watched the elder on the high platform stare at him with fiery eyes.
The figures standing on the high platform were undoubtedly the patriarchs of the five great families. With Ming Luo's father, Ming Hongyang, being the second from the left, the identity of the elder in the center was easy to deduce.
Ming Luo, hearing this, slightly retracted his neck and nodded. However, he quickly became serious. "Brother Li, rest assured, there are no rules regarding life and death in the Netherworld Ranking competition. Moreover, the Netherworld Prison was requested by Ming Heta and Ming Heyue themselves, so it's not your fault."
Li Xuan smiled slightly. "I helped your family resolve a problem. If the Great Elder tries to cause trouble for me privately, you should be able to handle it for me, right? But don't worry, I will be entering the Netherworld Tower for a month. The Great Elder, no matter his means, probably won't be able to enter the Netherworld Tower to deal with me. I only hope that during this month, you can cover for me."
Ming Luo nodded seriously. "Brother Li, you have already done me a great favor by helping me deal with Ming Hetai. Furthermore, you crippled the eldest son of the Great Elder's family, Ming Heyue, earning honor for our Second Elder's family. I, Ming Luo, will absolutely keep this secret!"
Li Xuan nodded, then looked at Ming Luo hesitantly, as if he wanted to say something but stopped.
Seeing this, Ming Luo smiled slightly. "I know Brother Li will be taking the Saintess away next. Our Second Elder's family will naturally be implicated. However, compared to suppressing the Great Elder's family, this implication is insignificant."
"Also, the Clan Leader went into seclusion yesterday. If our Nine Nether Clan faces major issues, it requires the joint decision of the five great family patriarchs to implement. Even if the Great Elder targets our family, my father can hold the line."
Li Xuan nodded in realization. No wonder Ming Jiuyou was not present on the high platform. This made his plan to take Li Yao much easier.
"Young friend Li Xuan, after receiving the rewards, do you have time to visit my residence for a chat?" A voice entered Li Xuan's ears.
Li Xuan looked up and saw the Messenger of Netherworld, who had disappeared from the Netherworld space, looking at him with a smile on the high platform.
Seeing the Messenger of Netherworld's expression, Li Xuan understood. From their previous interactions, it seemed the Messenger of Netherworld intended to recruit him.
Li Xuan's mind raced. This Messenger of Netherworld was from Ming Jiuyou's family, and his overtures clearly indicated an appreciation for Li Xuan's strength. However, joining the Nine Nether Clan and serving Ming Jiuyou was something Li Xuan could not agree to.
But with only one day left until the Nine Nether Divine Hall opened, offending the Messenger of Netherworld could lead to unnecessary trouble. Thinking this, Li Xuan respectfully nodded at the Messenger of Netherworld.
The Messenger of Netherworld nodded with satisfaction and withdrew his gaze. Li Xuan secretly smiled. If he couldn't refuse, couldn't he at least use delay tactics?
After the contestants within the top hundred received their rewards, the crowd dispersed instantly. Li Xuan, under the deliberate escort of Ming Hongyang, returned to the peak of the Nether Gorge Mountain Range, where the Second Elder's family was located.
Regarding Li Xuan's act of killing Ming Hetai and crippling Ming Heyue, Ming Hongyang was now extremely cordial towards Li Xuan. Even Ming Yanghua and Ming Deye became solicitous towards Li Xuan.
Within an hour of Li Xuan's return to his courtyard, Ming Hongyang had already sent piles of cultivation resources and spirit stones. His demeanor suggested he also intended to win Li Xuan over.
"You've become quite the sought-after person now, host," the Heavenly Dao Brush remarked.
Li Xuan gave a wry smile and shook his head. "If they knew my origins, they would probably regret it to the point of their guts turning green. The cultivation resources here are enough for a newly initiated Spirit Master to cultivate to the Prime Yuan realm."
"Who told you to help them deal with the Great Elder's family? However, the Great Elder's family probably won't let you off so easily," the Heavenly Dao Brush said.
Li Xuan shrugged indifferently and smiled. "It's inevitable that the Great Elder's family will target me. But that Messenger of Netherworld seems to want to recruit me as well. As long as I use this situation properly, the Great Elder's family probably won't cause much of a storm."
"Host, I suddenly find you increasingly cunning," the Heavenly Dao Brush said speechlessly.
Li Xuan smiled, then closed his eyes and began to recuperate from his injuries.
The night passed in silence.
The next morning, as dawn broke, Li Xuan's figure vanished from his room.
Led by Ming Hongyang, the top hundred contestants from the Second Elder's family nodded kindly at Li Xuan as he arrived. After all, Li Xuan's actions of causing the death of Ming Hetai and the injury of Ming Heyue from the Great Elder's family were a matter of great pride for their family. Especially since Patriarch Ming Hongyang himself was exceptionally warm towards Li Xuan, they naturally had to treat him with more respect.
"Young friend Li, I believe that after cultivating in the Netherworld Tower, you will be able to break through to the Great Perfection realm upon emerging. It's even possible for you to reach the Integration realm. In the future, your Li Clan will have reason to be proud of you." Ming Hongyang said with a smile as he saw Li Xuan arrive.
The gazes of the Second Elder's family's top hundred contestants towards Li Xuan became even more envious. Receiving the patriarch's favor clearly indicated Li Xuan's potential.
Li Xuan clasped his hands in a salute. "Patriarch, you flatter me. If I can help the clan flourish, it will be my contribution. If I am indeed fortunate enough to reach the level you mentioned, the Li Clan will forever follow in your footsteps."
Ming Hongyang's eyes showed a look of satisfaction. The reason he had sent so many cultivation resources and spirit stones was precisely because he recognized Li Xuan's potential. Having received such a promise from Li Xuan today, Ming Hongyang felt content. With such a prodigy joining, the family's strength would undoubtedly increase significantly. As the patriarch of the Second Elder's family, Ming Hongyang naturally desired a powerful family.
"Young friend Li's talent is extraordinary, and his future achievements will be limitless. With the Li Clan joining us, our family will be like a tiger with wings. Young friend Li, you can rest assured that if the Great Elder's family makes a move, our Second Elder's family will definitely resolve these troubles for you!"
"Then I thank you in advance, Patriarch." Li Xuan clasped his hands in a salute.
Ming Hongyang nodded. "Cultivating within the Netherworld Tower, along with the Void Spirit Nether Pill, will bring significant progress even if you don't break through. However, which floor you can reach will depend on your own fortune. Well, it's getting late, let's depart."
Li Xuan bowed to Ming Hongyang once more, then quickly moved to the back of the crowd. After hearing Ming Hongyang's words, Li Xuan had a general idea of the Netherworld Tower's purpose.
With a wave of Ming Hongyang's hand, a spiritual light formed a teleportation array in mid-air. Ming Hongyang then made another move, and a glow enveloped everyone, instantly entering the array gate and disappearing.