Evil Venerable of the Sword Dao
Chapter 462 - 111: The Order of the Hall Master

Chapter 462: Chapter 111: The Order of the Hall Master

The chilly Yin Spirit in black robes, with the hollow and cold eyes flickering with blood-colored flames.

The flames jumped continuously, appearing rather eerie and evil.

At this moment, the black-robed Yin Spirit was indeed one of the Netherworld Eight Soul Envoys, and with the Soul Token hanging at his waist, everything was normal.

"You..."

The Netherworld Queen was truly shocked to see Zhou Yan could transform to such an extent, she even wondered if the initial Zhou Yan was deliberately derived by the Netherworld instead of being the real Zhou Yan.

This suspicion was even somewhat strong.

"Xiao Shuang, what do you think?"

Zhou Yan chuckled, and streams of information, like bundles of flowing water, suddenly streamed toward the Void. The invisible light waves fluttered, allowing the Netherworld Queen to hear his words.

"Amazing, really amazing. If I hadn’t seen this scene with my own eyes, if I had not been by your side all along, listening to you recount those past events, I would definitely suspect you were one of the Netherworld Eight Soul Envoys now.

Zhou Yan, you are becoming more and more incredible."

The Netherworld Queen could not help but exclaim.

She was not a woman easily surprised, but at this moment, she was continuously stunned by Zhou Yan, showing that many things had completely broken the norms, completely beyond imagination.

"At first, I was only ninety percent certain, it was because I was worried about errors in the transforming technique, but now it seems that things have gone smoother than I thought, and also, after reaching such a state, I put on the Soul Token and also retrieved from it a wave of memories.

These memories were the process of the Netherworld Eight Soul Envoys devouring eight envoys. I thus learned about the main commands and methods of the Netherworld Palace, as well as their way of interacting with people. It can be said that now, the chances of my success will reach ninety-five percent or more. Now, deceiving the Netherworld Nine Soul Envoys will no longer be difficult...

This chain of stratagems and counter-espionage, let’s still proceed as I’ve said. After I blend in with the Netherworld Nine Soul Envoys, I’ll use a special method to betray them back to you, becoming his chess piece planted by your side... At that time, he will actively seek your help to unseal the Yuan Ci Secret Realm."

Zhou Yan said pensively.

"Don’t worry, I understand this point, and I already have a plan. However, no matter what, you must protect yourself. In addition, plans may not always keep up with changes. If there are changes, we’ll adjust the plan accordingly, and the overall situation will not be affected."

The Netherworld Queen mused.

"Alright, then it’s settled. I’ll leave first, and you can take the opportunity to rest. We’ll proceed like this..."

Zhou Yan detailed the subsequent actions, and the Netherworld Queen very obediently agreed. Then, after the Netherworld Queen directed Zhou Yan to where the Netherworld Nine Soul Envoys were and described their characteristics, the two split up to proceed.

...

In the gloomy ancient castle, eight-carried sedan chairs frequently flew past.

Suddenly, several Yin Spirit figures flew across the sky, like flowing water passing through the ancient castle, and soon appeared in the great hall of the castle.

"Soul Lord, two humans from Tianji Mountain refuse to submit even in death. Currently, eighteen types of severe torture have been used on them, but we still cannot glean the secrets of Tianji Mountain."

A black-robed Yin Spirit transmitted information like flowing water.

"This matter, I have plans for. Have the Six Soul Envoy pause the torture, and prepare—hmm? You may leave now."

On the great hall above, a black-robed ghost transmitting information suddenly raised his head, and his skull-like face seemed to take on an unusual hue.

His pitch-black eyes with blood light abruptly emitted an incredibly sharp light.

"Yes, Soul Lord."

The black-robed Yin Spirits kneeling in the hall immediately shattered like particles and fled far away.

The great hall of the ancient castle immediately fell into a state of dead silence.

"Soul Envoy? What brings you here?"

Within the castle, the voice of the Soul Lord swept through the void causing waves of ripples in the void.

"Establishing oneself, Heaven and Earth’s creation. Opening up the Universe, establishing a new order."

"Born with destiny, dying with Tao. Life and death are impermanent, the Netherworld Palace is eternal."

Suddenly appearing like flowing light, the black-robed Yin Spirit faced the Soul Lord without servility or arrogance, and instead of answering him, suddenly uttered these two lines.

"Hmm? By the Hall Master’s order, nobody dares disobey. Soul Envoy, speak."

The Soul Lord’s face changed, then his demeanor became slightly more respectful, he said.

"This time, by the Hall Master’s command, I entered the Ten Thousand Ghosts Sword Tomb, but unfortunately, I encountered the schemes of the Evil King and Qian Saint, and now my strength has greatly regressed. But even if I perish here, there are some things I must accomplish."

The black-robed Yin Spirit transmitted information with a cold, evil voice, also possessing a pride far surpassing that of the Soul Lord.

The Soul Lord’s countenance flickered between shade and light, and then he understood, "I have heard about your situation. I thought you had perished, but you’re still alive."

"Being alive is now but a disgrace. But I haven’t died because the Hall Master’s command has not been completed. That’s enough talk—help me take down the Yuan Ci Secret Realm. After that, there will certainly be a Saint coveting it. I want you to block him and even try to eliminate him for good. I will then send the core of the Yuan Ci Secret Realm to the Netherworld Palace,"

the black-robed Yin Spirit commanded authoritatively.

"This matter is nearly impossible. I haven’t accomplished this task in so many years, what makes you think—"

"How dare you, what are you to question things when the Hall Master himself has intervened? Where is there room for a failure like you to doubt?!" the black-robed Yin Spirit cut off the Netherworld Nine Souls Envoy, coldly saying, "Follow my orders, and success is assured. When I die, the Hall Master will allow you to return to the Netherworld Palace and grant you the position of a Sub-Hall Master! Do not be ungrateful!"

"Hmm? If that’s the case, why didn’t the Hall Master inform me himself instead of having you deliver the message? Could it be that you are not truly one of the Netherworld Eight Soul Envoys?"

The Netherworld Nine Souls Envoy, the castle’s Soul Lord, flashed a gloomy blood light in his eyes, staring intently at the black-robed Yin Spirit with a voice filled with skepticism.

"What a joke, I’ve even slain the Evil King, and you dare to doubt me?! Moreover, since when does the Hall Master need to explain himself to you? I only pointed out this matter because I need your strength. Otherwise, do you think you, a failure, would ever have the chance to benefit?!" the black-robed Yin Spirit scoffed repeatedly but offered no evidence.

The Netherworld Nine Souls Envoy pondered as he observed the black-robed Yin Spirit, and after a long while, he nodded and said, "Currently, the Land of Frost Tears is unstable. The scheming of the Saint is one aspect, but the Netherworld Queen also harbors a devastating intent towards me which I must guard against. Of course, from the beginning, I knew that you represented the Hall Master’s intentions, as I had received his commands long ago. However, the contact was suddenly lost recently, and you were nowhere to be found, which is why I tested you."

The Netherworld Nine Souls Envoy revealed a remembering smile, yet his appearance looked grotesquely hideous.

The black-robed Yin Spirit, keeping a cold face, nodded and took out the Evil King’s scythe, throwing it to the Netherworld Nine Souls Envoy.

The Netherworld Nine Souls Envoy caught the scythe, sensed it, and his face suddenly changed dramatically. He respectfully returned the scythe, saying, "The Eight Souls Envoy is indeed a genius. I, the Nine Souls Envoy, concede."

"My current situation is also quite dire, and not to make you laugh, but my strength is not even one ten-thousandth of what it was. Otherwise, given my personality, I would never bother explaining anything. But to accomplish the Hall Master’s mission and seize the Yuan Ci Secret Realm, we must put aside all doubts and prejudices.

If you do not believe me, here is my Life Soul Token; check it again. Afterward, if there are no problems, all matters must be fully cooperated with."

The black-robed Yin Spirit’s voice softened slightly and then rippled out like flowing water with information.

"This Soul Token and Lifebound Aura cannot be faked, and the secret commands of the Hall Master are only known by the designated Soul Envoys. I had no intention of doubting you. I actually wanted to give you a hard time to curb your arrogance. Now that you have been honest, it would appear petty of me to keep count of it. Tell me, how can I assist you? For the matter of the Hall Master, I am willing to do whatever it takes."

The Netherworld Nine Souls Envoy was shaken by the black-robed Yin Spirit’s aloof attitude and the subtle display of a horrifying pure Netherworld Power, which made him fully convinced and thus very respectful.

Not only that, upon sensing a Sovereign-like dominance from the black-robed Yin Spirit, he also felt a bit surprised: "Although the strength of the Netherworld Eight Souls Envoy is not strong now, and even his condition is bad, his cultivation of Netherworld Power is so pure it almost resembles that of the Hall Master... No wonder he is referred to as the peerless genius of the Netherworld Life and Death Illusion Realm, and no wonder he can represent the Hall Master everywhere he goes. With such talent and ability, his future prospects are indeed immeasurable."

"Nowadays, my status may indeed be higher than his, but this Land of Frost Tears is a location of the natives of the Barbaric Land, tightly guarded and impenetrable. If it weren’t for the fact that the Yuan Ci Secret Realm is of great importance to the Hall Master, I would have been overlooked by him.

This time, I must handle the Hall Master’s affairs well and satisfy the Eight Soul Envoys. This way, given his pride and character, he would not covet merit and would surely speak highly of me before the Hall Master. Then, I might even become a Sub-hall Master."

"As for what he said himself, that he would die after completing the task... Given how highly the Hall Master values him, how could he let him die? He must be deliberately saying this to test whether I intend to deal with him by showing weakness... Otherwise, how could the Evil King have been killed by him in such a manner?"

The Netherworld Nine Soul Envoys heart raced as he calculated and speculated many possibilities. He then realized that perhaps even the injuries of the Netherworld Eight Soul Envoys were feigned, to see if he, the Netherworld Nine Soul Envoys, would take the bait and if he was still loyal to the Hall Master.

With this thought, the Netherworld Nine Soul Envoys felt a jolt in his heart and silently praised his luck for treating him with utmost courtesy.

Otherwise, he feared that he might have been abandoned by the Hall Master this time.

With these considerations, the eyes of the Netherworld Nine Soul Envoys flickered, and his demeanor immediately became even more respectful.

Zhou Yan, transformed into a black-robed Yin Spirit, observed all this and his powerful Soul faintly sensed the emotional turmoil of the Netherworld Nine Soul Envoys, thereby making him even more strategizing.

Thus, he adopted a proud and arrogant attitude, saying, "Do your job well. This time, there will definitely be benefits for you. By then, you will certainly be grateful to me and will not regret this choice."

"Yes, I understand,"

The Netherworld Nine Soul Envoys originally wanted to refer to himself as ’I,’ but after a thought, he directly referred to himself as ’this humble one,’ clearly lowering himself quite a bit.

Zhou Yan nodded in satisfaction and casually said, "You are very good, very smart. Working with smart people for the Hall Master puts me at ease."

"Thank you for the appreciation of the Soul Envoy. Rest assured, everything in Frost Tears is now almost completely under my control. What the Soul Envoy wants to do isn’t too difficult, the only challenge is traversing the Netherworld Heavenly Road and seizing and refining the Yuan Ci Secret Realm..."

"You can rest assured on this account. I dare to come because the Hall Master has already calculated everything," Zhou Yan said profoundly.

"That’s very good, very good, the Hall Master is indeed wise. Hmm, Lord Soul Envoy, this time, I’ve captured two core disciples of Tianji Mountain, the Hall Master had once said, once we decipher the Heavenly Mechanism skill of Tianji Mountain, our Netherworld Palace will definitely have the opportunity to soar, but these two have kept silent and we can’t strip their memories..."

"Oh? Core disciples of Tianji Mountain? Could it be Wuwei’s son, Zhuge Guyan, and that genius girl, Zhuge Jiayue?"

Zhou Yan casually asked.

The Netherworld Nine Soul Envoys was startled and responded even more respectfully, "Ah... Yes, yes, those are the two, the Hall Master indeed predicts like a deity."

Zhou Yan smiled, his eyes carrying a hint of amusement.