Evil Venerable of the Sword Dao
Chapter 473 - 119 What Brings You Here

During the process of comprehending these ancient Netherworld runes, Zhou Yan strangely discovered that they shared remarkable similarities with the ancient runes he studied in arrays. In many aspects, the meanings of both types of runes were nearly identical.

For instance, a rune representing the profound meaning of ’Ming Wu’ in ancient array runes conveyed ’Ming Wu’, while in the ancient Netherworld runes, it represented ’understanding’.

Though these might seem significantly different, and the outcomes of the runes were entirely distinct, the expressed metaphysical implications and the embodied Heavenly Dao Rules were the same.

Originally, Zhou Yan’s understanding of array runes was limited because he could only engrave ancient arrays similar to copying, but now, due to the ancient Netherworld runes, he gained a completely new understanding of array runes from the ground up, comprehending the mysteries of the runes.

This was undoubtedly a massive progression, undoubtedly opening the true gateway to the profound meanings of runes.

The significance of this was immense.

Zhou Yan realized the benefits of the runes. Afterwards, through the runes, he slowly became enlightened that the brief moment of comprehending the runes had already spanned three days.

The training in the Ten Thousand Ghosts Sword Tomb was only a month, and now less than ten days remained.

As for Frost Tears, there likely wasn’t much time left, which immediately made the timing quite pressing.

"I didn’t expect three days to have passed. Although time is a bit tight now, the chance to seize the Yuan Ci Secret Realm has indeed increased a lot. If successful this time, all the credit is yours."

Zhou Yan gathered all his thoughts and said solemnly.

"My Lord, I dare not claim all the credit."

The Netherworld Nine Souls Envoy was startled and quickly responded.

Zhou Yan shook his head, choosing not to discuss further. Instead, he said, "Let’s go, meet the Netherworld Queen, it’s time to begin!"

"Yes, these past few days, we have stayed here without leaving, and the Netherworld Queen was previously resting. Now she has also become somewhat restless, and she is actually quite wary of me."

The Netherworld Nine Souls Envoy spoke of the Netherworld Queen with a hint of pride.

After all, the Netherworld Queen was very formidable but had always been suppressed by him, which was enough to make him proud.

Zhou Yan nodded and stated, "Hmm, as the Holy Artifact Spirit, if she truly faced you in combat, she would undoubtedly fare poorly, but you would not fare well either. This is indeed something you both should be concerned about. At the end of the day, neither of you would truly fight to the death, and after all, what flows through her now is the pure Netherworld Power."

Zhou Yan analyzed.

The Netherworld Nine Souls Envoy had no idea that this was actually the real thought of the Netherworld Queen, even having been communicated with Zhou Yan. Hearing Zhou Yan say this, the Netherworld Nine Souls Envoy was extremely impressed, and he nodded, "Yes, indeed. Because of these reasons, and because I want to tame her, I have also not used the strong Netherworld Life and Death Bridge technique."

As the Netherworld Nine Souls Envoy spoke, he began to undo the array he had set up, and the four of them reappeared above the clouds over Netherworld Lake.

This time, the lake was the same as three days ago, but now, two women were standing above the lake water.

One of these women was a bewitching woman in a purple robe, who was the Netherworld Queen.

The other woman was a young girl in a purple silk dress, whom Zhou Yan also recognized as Maid Jingtian.

The two stood quietly above the lake, like ethereal immortal fairies emerging from the vast mist.

The Netherworld Queen exuded a mature, enchanting, yet incredibly holy aura, while Maid Jingtian appeared green and adorable, invoking a sense of protectiveness in one’s heart like a little doll.

"Netherworld Queen, long time no see."

The Netherworld Nine Souls Envoy spoke.

The Netherworld Queen gazed at the Netherworld Nine Souls Envoy, then turned her attention to Zhou Yan’s face, and then glanced at Zhuge Jiayue beside him. Her face seemed a bit puzzled and questioning, but that expression soon vanished, replaced by confidence and calm.

"Does the Netherworld Nine Souls Envoy come here for something important?"

The Netherworld Queen’s voice remained as cold and emotionless as before.

In conjunction with the cold breeze of Netherworld Lake, she was like a Snow Queen.

Her maid, Jingtian, was also just coldly watching Zhou Yan and his group of four, appearing completely unfamiliar with Zhou Yan, with a very aloof attitude.

"I’ve come to see you, not to be your enemy this time, of course. As for the specifics, I’m not in charge, and I must let my King speak with you. Your Majesty, please."

The Netherworld Nine Souls Envoy said, bringing Zhou Yan forward respectfully, with no hesitation or concern about losing face.

The Netherworld Queen’s gaze once again fell upon Zhou Yan’s face. She remained silent for a moment, then still with an icy tone, said, "I wonder what brings King Lei Yan here? What’s the matter? Let’s discuss it here. My palace is too small to accommodate such a great personage who shocks both heaven and universe."

The Netherworld Queen’s tone was filled with obvious sarcasm, but Zhou Yan found it somewhat pleasing because, from her tone, he sensed a hint of jealousy.

Clearly, the plan he had originally set, which could have been realized very quickly, was inexplicably delayed for three days due to Enlightenment, making the Netherworld Queen extremely anxious.

However, as soon as she appeared, she could tell from the way Zhuge Jiayue occasionally glanced at Zhou Yan that their relationship had become somewhat intimate.

These glances made her feel very uncomfortable, as if Zhou Yan had betrayed her. While she was here, waiting arduously and worrying about his safety, he was spending time making merry with another woman. This gave her a bitter taste in her mouth, and her words were filled with sarcasm.

This somewhat juvenile mentality was even sensed by Zhou Yan, who appeared in the form of the Lei Yan King with a body possessing powerful Netherworld Power. He found that his sensing power was so abnormal that he could even sense others’ thoughts.

Oddly, the thoughts of these two powerful individuals were easy to grasp, but the thoughts of Tianji Mountain’s Zhuge Jiayue and Zhuge Guyan were hard to discern. Even with some faint sensing, it wasn’t very clear—perhaps this was the profound and unfathomable nature of the Heavenly Mechanism Skill.

"I’m here, naturally, for important reasons,"

Zhou Yan, sensing the Netherworld Queen’s immense concern for his safety, was touched, yet his mischievous smile emerged due to the plan.

His smile, identical to that of the Lei Yan King, came with emphasis on the word "important."

At those words, both Zhuge Guyan and Zhuge Jiayue were startled, with Zhuge Jiayue’s face blushing, unable to restrain herself from spitting lightly.

The Netherworld Nine Souls Envoy was also stunned, the muscles in his ghostly face twitching uncontrollably, creating quite a spectacle.

Clearly, he too sensed the deeply ’debased’ innuendo.

The Netherworld Queen gasped, then her pretty face flushed crimson as she stared fiercely at Zhou Yan and said, "Vulgar!"

"Men should be bad, or women won’t love them. Netherworld Queen Xiao Shuang Shuang, this time, I truly came to express my feelings of love. Ah, I missed the chance before, but this time, I must seize it."

Zhou Yan said with a smile beaming.

His smile, combined with the evil aura of Lei Yan, made his smile seem terribly frightening.

If his appearance was handsome before, now it was only ’demonic’; a man transformed, exuding an enchantingly evil charm, absolutely lethal in its allure to women.

Even men would feel stunned by his ’handsomely cool’ presence, let alone women.

"You’re becoming more shameless by the day, but, I like it."

The Netherworld Queen said, suddenly laughing.

Her laughter was joyous, seemingly dissolving years of accumulated pain and confusion. In fact, knowing that Zhou Yan was entirely safe while the Netherworld Nine Souls Envoy acted like a servant, her heart was incredibly light.

Her laughter, filled with penetrating strength, echoed through the void, resonating everywhere.

...

"Xiao Shuang, since you like it, then, I plan to open the Yuan Ci Secret Realm and seize it, but I need your help."

Zhou Yan said bluntly, his gaze tenderly resting on Xiao Shuang, with genuine sincerity, no pretense needed.

"This matter, if it’s just helping you, I wouldn’t object. After all, I can’t obtain the Yuan Ci Secret Realm myself. Giving it to you, a hopeless case, feels somewhat better than giving it to others.

But I don’t want to make it too easy for you to get the Yuan Ci Secret Realm, so what should I do?"

The Netherworld Queen said with a mischievous smile.

She seemed much happier, her tone becoming slightly coquettish.

Clearly, she was playfully making things difficult!

Such a tone, how could Zhou Yan not understand? He knew Xiao Shuang well and could empathize with her from her perspective, but the Netherworld Nine Souls Envoy didn’t understand, hence he immediately became anxious.

"How so? You want to ease your king’s worries? You just come and beg me."

The Netherworld Queen glanced at the Netherworld Nine Souls Envoy, her words laced with a teasing expression.

The Netherworld Nine Souls Envoy, upon hearing her words, was taken aback, his face showing signs of difficulty. He thought for a moment, then sincerely said, "Netherworld Queen, this matter is of great importance. Previously, I, the Netherworld Nine Souls Envoy Jiu Que, wronged you. But for this matter, I hope we can work together wholeheartedly to help Lord Lei Yan succeed. Afterwards, whatever you ask, I will do my utmost to fulfill. From now on, the Frost Tears will also be your territory, I will never covet any part of it again. How about that?"

"Oh? You can do that? Unfortunately, I don’t trust you. What if you plot against me halfway, wouldn’t I be doomed? You’ve been wanting me as the spirit of your Holy Artifact for more than a day or two now."

The Netherworld Queen spoke still with a playful smile, treating the conversation as if they were discussing unrelated matters.

Her demeanor immediately made the expressions on the faces of Zhuge Jiayue and Zhuge Guyan quite interesting.

They knew the Netherworld Queen must have colluded with Zhou Yan, and this poor Netherworld Nine Souls Envoy was probably about to be massively duped again.

Clearly, he plotted against the Netherworld Nine Souls Envoy, but in the end, the Netherworld Nine Souls Envoy was both swindled and lost a fortune. Being schemed against and still having to bleed heavily. If the Netherworld Nine Souls Envoy knew the real situation, would he be so angry he’d die?